The Blood Crown (The Blood Folk #2)

47. Chapter 47

Chapter 47

T he great hall was awash in torchlight, the smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filling the air. Laughter and lively chatter floated through the open doors, the festivities already under way. Ven stood beside Aurelia, resplendent in his tailored jacket, setting off the strands of his dark hair, the bronze flecks in his eyes as they raked over her.

Offering his arm, his deep voice rumbled, “Shall we, Love?”

Karro gave a low whistle from behind them, earning him an elbow to the ribs from Seth and a chiding noise from Embra.

Aurelia couldn’t help the smile that lifted her lips.

Cheers rang out through the hall as they entered, and Ven smiled down at her through the deafening roar, the set of his shoulders noticeably relaxed.

The Wraiths and the other Blood Folk were in their finery tonight, the most formal she’d witnessed any of them—but this was an occasion to celebrate. The reverent, somber tone from before had dissolved, food and drink in generous supply; pitchers of golden ale and decanters of Red. The sound of strings filled the air, a slow, lilting melody winding through the hall . . .

Aurelia glanced up at Ven as he grasped her fingertips between his, brushing a kiss across her hand. “It’s been too long since music filled Ravenstone’s halls," he murmured, "too long since there has been dancing."

The words brought her back to the glittering ballroom in the Triarchy's palace. When he'd asked her if she missed the pomp, the grandeur of her old life. That echoing conversation had new meaning now as she turned over the memory. He'd been so desperate to make her feel comfortable here—to help her build a new life in this place.

And now, there was no question in her mind that Ravenstone was her home.

Ven's movements were just as graceful as she remembered as he bowed. “A dance, My Queen?” The words sparked a fire low in her belly as his eyes lifted to hers once more, gleaming with . . . happiness.

Unrestrained, unfettered happiness.

And a wave of gratitude swelled in her chest as she reached up, brushing a lock of his black hair away from his face before he whisked her into the empty space at the center of the hall.

It wasn't long before a handful of others joined them, the music picking up. And soon she was dizzy with the tempo, soaring with the sound of the strings as they floated along the high ceiling.

Ven passed her off to Karro, the Wraith twirling her with abandon as she let laughter pour from her mouth, reckless with her joy. He proved to be a talented dancer, gracefully leading her in their steps. And it could have been hours or minutes when Ven finally returned, clasping her hand.

"I think you've had my claimed for long enough," he said to his brother.

Karro offered a gracious dip of his chin, leaving them to each other once more.

"Jealous?" she asked, mouth tipped into a coy smile as she looked up into his handsome face, the strong jaw, his blade of a nose.

"Everyone knows the pretty ones are all talk," he murmured with a seductive curve of his lips. "And you should know by now, Love, that I make good on my word." The sensual caress of his voice sent a lick of fire up her spine as he pulled her closer. The midnight and indigo skirts of her gown sighed, swirling around her as Ven's hand spanned the small of her back, leading her across the floor.

Silver caught her eye where Valea stood at the edge of the room. The female's expression was unreadable as she nursed a glass of Red. Wary looks from the Wraiths beside her seemed to track every minuscule movement she made. But Ven’s half-sister was no fool, she must have felt the thin ice she walked on—choosing to ignore it all the same.

It wasn’t long before a Wraith a head taller than the rest parted the crowd nearby. And it was only then that the veneer of Valea’s cold composure cracked just slightly, carnelian eyes widening as Karro made his way toward her.

Brave, indeed, Aurelia thought, as Karro was waylaid by his fellow Wraiths. Just enough of a distraction that Valea slipped out of the noisy room, cutting through the crowd like a blade. Karro’s eyes trailed down her spine as she left, but unfazed, he extended a hand to a female nearby, her beaming smile enough of an answer that Aurelia laughed to herself as Ven twirled her again.

Green flashed in her periphery as Nira spun Embra around the floor beside them. Her deep plum colored dress swishing around her, waves of emerald hair unbound as she picked up her skirts and linked arms with Seth. Her silvery laugh drowned out every other sound, and Aurelia didn't think she'd ever heard anything more beautiful.

Asher stood off to the side, his copper hair stark against the dark-haired Blood Folk surrounding him. A drink in his hand and a grin on his face—eyes darting to the Wraith and away again as Seth gracefully dipped Embra before passing her back to his twin. But in that moment—her brother looked like he belonged here.

Sadness gripped her, unexpected and aching in her chest as she looked at the joy—the peace—surrounding her.

It was not an easy thing that Ven had asked of his people— their people—and yet none of them had flinched from what awaited them.

But that was the way of the Blood Folk and the goddess they served.

They met her with open arms, and they met her with honor.

And their people had not had their fill of blood quite yet, it seemed.

But this—

This was a celebration of life.