Page 58 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
He and Tansy appeared at my side. No longer wearing robes, but beautifully tailored clothes. A dress for her made of gold silk that offset her deep brown skin and white hair, and a smart pair of black trousers and a gold tunic for him that fit his long, muscled frame.
Tansy linked her arm with mine. “His Grace put together a party in your honor! He even tripled our salary!” She squealed with delight then offered me a wicked smile. “You must be quite special to him.”
My mouth fell open. “Really?”
She nodded. “His Grace is most kind, but this is truly extravagant!”
Kind wasn’t the word I would use to describe him, but I was surprised at this turn of events.
Tansy fitted her hand under my jaw and urged me to close my mouth, then rubbed a soothing hand down my back. “Miss Claire, you’re a sanguine partner. You’ve been chosen to be the life source of one of the most powerful vampires in this land. Step into your power.”
Step into my power.The words drifted into my head and settled there.
Musicians began to play. The silver trays were arranged in a beautiful display on a long table. People filled the room. I might not recognize myself anymore, but I wanted to step into my power. To be the woman I wanted to be. Confident and poised. Not someone who swooned at the mention of blood or questioned every move she made. But how did I do that?
Tansy playfully bumped her hip against mine, and I met her gaze, which was gentle and warm. “Come, let me introduce you to my friends.”
Byfriends, she meant the men and women wearing black robes. Any of which would willingly make love to me the way Devlinn had made love to her.
Everyone’s attention was on me, just as it had been the night of the Sanguination Ball when Bastien had led me onstage and spun me into a dip so low my hair fanned out across the wood floor. Something inside my stomach tightened, but I rolled my shoulder back and told myself I could do this. For the next hour, Tansy and Devlinn led me around the room, stopping to chat with each person wearing a black robe.
Some were flirts. Some made my cheeks burn with nervous heat. Some were a little too self-involved for my taste. But theyall seemed to have two things in common: great respect for the Duke and a passion for their job as a consort.
I wasn’t sure if any of them would be any help. Exceptone.
“What do you know about him?” I pointed to the only man they hadn’t introduced me to. The one with the charming smile who’d been sitting alone by the fire. His skin was nearly as dark as Tansy’s, and his eyes were the warm reddish brown of tea. His soft black hair cropped short at the sides.
“He arrived this morning, with His Grace’s party,” Devlinn said. “I thought you’d know him.”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t.”
“Personally, I can’t believe Lena allowed him to come with those scratches on his arm,” Tansy added.
“Scratches?”
“On his left forearm. Deep ones. I thought he needed rest, but he was very insistent on coming.”
I was kept out of many conversations at Prideaux Hill, and as a result, I’d become very good at reading body language and ghosting around the outskirts of whispered conversations. I knew this man was one I wanted to speak more with.
Step into your power.
Excusing myself, I snatched two bite-sized tarts from a silver tray and made my way over to where he sat. I offered him a tart and a smile. He grinned back at me then leaned in, taking the sweet from my fingers with his lips. I had to hide my surprise.
“You honor me with your presence, Mademoiselle.” He lifted my hand to his lips and placed a kiss there. I knew I was blushing, but I pretended like I wasn’t. The woman I wanted to be had her hand kissed all the time and didn’t bat an eye.
“Please, call me Claire,” I instructed him. “Would you care to dance?”
I didn’t really want to dance, I just wanted an excuse to talk closely.
“Again, you honor me.” He offered me his hand, and I allowed him to lead me out to the dance floor. We swayed in time to the music. I had no idea what I was doing. It was my first dance. But I tried not to let it show. Even when I accidentally stepped on his foot.
He laughed it off, and so did I, but as I gazed into his eyes, I saw a hollowness. “I don’t remember seeing you on the journey north.”
“That’s because I joined late.” I waited for him to clarify. He glanced toward the windows, at the mountains, then back to me. “His Grace offered me a place at his court. After hearing my story.”
He twirled me in a circle, and when I was back in his arms, I asked, “What story?”
His smile shrank and he pulled me in close. So close that my body was flush against his and I could feel his breath against my skin.
