Chapter 34
34
EVANGELINE
T he moment I paused at the top of the carved dragon staircase, the entire scene laid out before me felt like a trap, one cloaked in bloodlust and expensive imported silk and lit by a thousand floating flames.
Much like the rest of us, Darkmore Castle had been dressed to kill tonight, maroon and gold wrapped around every stone column, softening the harsh edges of the vast, looming structure. Softly glowing lamps floated in midair, casting an enchanted glow over the shifting crowd until the entire castle shimmered in magic.
Up and down the main aisle, spectators were reflected in the Hall of Mirrors, violins tuned and strummed at the far end of the hall, the skips and chirps of strings and bows echoing above the milling crowd. Knightsguard lined every wall, their eyes sharp with anticipation. Allies and enemies alike filled this room, mingling under Riordan’s roof—all of them for the first time as his loyal subjects.
I supposed we’d see how far that loyalty went tonight.
I took a breath, steadying myself. Riordan is so damn dramatic, I muttered, glancing around at the over-the-top decorations as I gripped Blake’s arm. The thick carpet nearly swallowed my heels with each step. Tonight will end in disaster; I can practically smell the bloodlust in the air .
Stay calm, Evie, they can’t read your thoughts, but they can smell emotions, and if they sense the slightest weakness, they’ll strike like snakes.
I should have taken you up on your offer. A night with you between my legs would be an improvement over a night with these bloodsuckers.
Blake moved his hand over mine and squeezed. You are incorrigible. Now I have a fucking hard on and I have to meet…
“Lord Romaric. We are glad you could come tonight. May I present Lady Evangeline Marten Graves.” Blake subtly moved behind me, letting my skirts hide the distinctive bulge in his trousers.
I curtsied when Lord Romaric kissed my hand, feeling like I was having an out of body experience. He even looked like a hawk, with his dark, piercing eyes and high cheekbones.
“My sons, Talon and Zachary.” The elder vampire’s face transformed when he looked at his sons—handsome, nearly exact replicas of their sire—and my heart seized. I was so used to picturing our species as emotionless creatures, this was the first time I’d seen anything close to fatherly love.
“They wanted to witness the birth of a new kingdom. Their mother sensed there could be trouble, but…” Romaric squared his shoulders, and I caught the glint of a knife in his belt. “I told them Riordan is worthy of our loyalty. His cause is worth fighting for.”
He stared straight at Blake, something unspoken passing between them, a tremor of emotion going through my mate at the words, and I gripped his hand tighter.
“Every word is true.” I said softly, never taking my gaze off Blake. “We are glad for your support tonight, Lord Romaric.” I dipped my head in thanks. “Talon, Zachary, I hope you enjoy being part of history being made.”
We moved through the crowd, and despite my unease, there was something exhilarating in the atmosphere. Everyone here was on edge, but there was excitement, too.
Some guests arrived in elegant black cars and limousines, stepping out in silks and jewels that sparkled even in the dim light. Others simply materialized in puffs of dark mist or shadow, announcing their presence with as little fanfare as possible. The mingling of vampire nobility, old blood and new, Vampires Born and Made would make tonight a spectacle.
And a risk.
Making my way through the hall, I caught sight of a few familiar faces—Nash, at the opposite end, surveying the crowd. Riordan, holding court with some of the blue-blood royals, from their snobbish expressions.
Malachi, drifting around the edge of the throng, appearing then disappearing so quickly I rubbed my eyes to check if I was imagining him.
Some of the lords and ladies nodded coolly as we passed, offering biting smiles I didn’t return. The Knightsguard watched with hawk-like intensity, hands resting near their weapons. Tension built as more guests arrived, the hall humming louder with murmurs and polite laughter.
Midnight.
Riordan hadn’t been subtle about choosing the witching hour for his official coronation. The air buzzed sharper, like some strange magic was tied to that ticking clock. Every second felt electric, charged with possibilities—and danger.
"Look who’s made her grand entrance to polite society," someone drawled behind me.
I didn’t turn around. “I’d hardly call this polite, Malachi.” His presence sent a shiver of dread down my spine. “Finally decided to stop skulking around and join the party, I see.”
Did he know my secret? Had he read through the folio, or was he concerned about keeping his own mysteries hidden?
“You seem tense, Evangeline,” he murmured, stepping beside me as though we were simply old friends. “Lovely, though. The dress suits you.” Blake tugged me closer, a growl brewing in his throat.
Malachi, too, was dressed in Riordan’s house colors, but somehow, they looked darker on him, the gold threading in his jacket gleaming like molten metal against the blood-rich hue of his jacket. “Expecting trouble?”
"We’re prepared for whatever’s coming," Blake replied. “A night like this is practically begging for bloodshed.”
Malachi’s laugh sparkled with malice. “Well, in that case, I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open. I’d hate to miss the moment all your carefully laid plans go south.”
Blake and I ignored him, even when he added, “Riordan picked the perfect audience for his crowning moment. Half of these people would sooner watch him fall than kneel before him.”
“Oh, he’s well aware,” Blake kept his voice light, surveying the room with an unsettling calm I wished I could duplicate. “In fact, he’s hoping they’ll try something. Gives him a chance to remind everyone why he’s king, doesn’t it?”
“I feel sorry for whoever’s plotting in the shadows like a coward.” I turned my bright smile on Malachi. “In fact, I can hardly wait to see them lose tonight. I’m sure their failure will be spectacular.”
Blake’s fingers dug in warningly and I widened my smile.
“You are a bloodthirsty little thing, aren’t you, Vicious?” I glanced at Malachi, the corners of his mouth upturned, something in his eyes like admiration before he shuttered his expression back to that unreadable mask.
“Well, I won’t be staying long,” I said, my voice barely audible over the hum of conversation and the music that had now started up in earnest, sweeping through the hall with haunting elegance. “Only long enough to see Riordan crowned and watch some deserving soul lose their head. Then I’ll be turning in.” I fake-yawned, then laid my hand possessively over Blake’s. “With my mate.”
“Sounds like a full night,” Malachi said, a sly smile on his lips. “But remember, dear Evangeline, nothing lasts forever.”
Malachi’s words lingered after he slipped away, moving through the crowd like he belonged here. Like he owned them. Like all he was missing was a crown on his head.
“I should have killed him a long time ago.” Blake murmured against my ear. “Would have saved us a lot of trouble.”
“While I don’t disagree, we’d most likely be dead at Tyrell’s hands by now.” I reminded him. “Though the night’s still young.”
Blake’s dark chuckle wound through me like a warm hug. “You are bloodthirsty, little slayer. Okay, let’s see where tonight goes.” His dark eyes searched the crowd. “Stay close, and if things go south, don’t even think about wading into the fray.”
The hall was full now, guests swirling around each other in glittering, dark waves, hushed conversations accompanied by the flash of fangs, lips stained red from the goblets of blood served by uniformed staff.
Every noble family, every power player had come to witness this event or, more accurately, to judge Riordan’s claim to the throne for themselves. Midnight was approaching, and the sense of impending conflict swelled with every tick of the clock as someone called for us to move to the ballroom.
As Blake and I followed the crowd down the packed hall, I shivered as the air buzzed with whispers, jealous glances, dark, greedy eyes glittering with sharp curiosity.
“Ignore them. You are the most beautiful creature here, Evangeline. My love for you takes my breath away, and every time I look at you, I cannot believe fate gave you to me to keep.”
Blake’s lips coasted over my cheek. “And I mean to keep you, until the very end.” After that, neither of us noticed the crowd around us at all.