Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
JUST A KISS
The kiss is gentle, at first. Then it deepens, our tongues tangling as he pulls me closer, his mouth slanting across mine. I tilt my head as his lips trace my jaw, kiss along my collarbone.
It’s pretty fucking nice.
But it’s not warm. Joaquin is as cool as the stone statues nearby and, even though his touch awakens fire in me, it lacks the heat, the rasp of callus I had with Michael.
This is not the moment to think of Michael.
Joaquin’s hands trace my corseted sides, then one slides inside my dress, his thumb rubbing across my nipple as he deepens the kiss further.
I gasp, arching into his touch. My tongue slides across his teeth, then catches on one of his fangs, which are fully dropped. I taste blood. It’s like a cold shock.
‘I’m sorry.’ Joaquin pulls back, his hand coming out of my top. ‘I can stop, if you like.’ He licks his lips, his tongue flicking across his fangs. Tasting my blood.
I blush, hotter than flames. Bloodplay during sex is part of things for vampires, and I can’t deny that I’m turned on.
But this is madness. I literally just met him, and now I’m alone in a garden, kissing him?
I shouldn’t be doing this. I turn away, adjusting my dress, not wanting to tempt him any further.
Yet there’s a part of me that’s tired of doing what I should.
The part that led me to run away with Kyle, to witness the Moon Harvest, to find the strength to kill him.
Varin told me to listen to the song I carry, the intention in my heart.
And I can’t deny I’m attracted to Joaquin; I’d have to be blind not to see how sexy he is.
‘Is there something wrong?’ Joaquin waits, panther-still in the dark.
‘No. Nothing’s wrong. I just … there’s a lot on my mind.’
‘Like what?’ His lips graze my cheekbone, cold fire.
Like why you’re all over me, when we’ve just met. I take a step back.
‘Why are you here?’
‘In these gardens, with you?’ He smiles. ‘Or here, at your ball?’
‘Both.’
‘I’m in these gardens with you because I want to be. I’m at the ball because you invited me, remember?’
All of this sounds perfectly reasonable. He takes my arm again, steering me along another path, all coiled strength, his presence protection enough for anything that might be out here. Yet something in me is still wary. I’ve trusted too quickly before, and it led to betrayal.
‘What I’m interested in, though,’ he continues, ‘is why you invited me.’
I pause. ‘I invited you because I wanted you to come.’
He huffs out a breath of laughter. ‘Is that so?’
I blush as I realise the double entendre. ‘I mean, I—’
‘The four great families have a tangled past,’ he says. ‘Yes, we worked together to control humans, when they became out of control. But otherwise … we tend to keep to our own realms. So, it was a surprise, to receive your summons.’
‘We’re friendly with Lion.’
‘Friendly? Even after their prince was killed at your family home?’ He raises an eyebrow. ‘What is it you really want, Emelia?’
I swallow. Daniel’s death was a terrible accident, a casualty of the North Wind bombing aimed at my father. News travels, I suppose, when it’s of that magnitude. ‘I’m to be crowned soon,’ I say, ‘and it seemed important to include the other families.’
‘Because you want our support?’
‘I wanted to know you. And for you to know me. Who I am, and what I stand for.’
‘And what is that?’ He sounds intrigued, his voice a deep purr.
‘I want to change the world for humans, to give them a better life.’
‘Is this so?’
I swallow, gazing up at him. A breeze feathers across my bare shoulders, like a kiss. ‘It is. I’m starting small. The Channel Islands. A truly free place for humans to live as they wish, to bring up their children without fear.’
‘Free humans? Well, that is a marvel,’ he says. ‘How is it going?’
‘It’s fine.’ I don’t trust him enough yet to tell him the truth.
I shiver, suddenly aware we’re a long way from the palace.
The trees rustle as though full of ghosts, ladies with powdered hair and wide silk skirts, a reminder that this has been a place of pleasure for many centuries.
‘Perhaps we should head back,’ I say. ‘There are other people I would like to spend time with tonight.’
Joaquin slides his fingers down my arm, his touch raising goosebumps.
He brings my hand to his lips, his dark gaze liquid.
‘Are you sure?’ His voice hums with sensual promise.
And there’s a moment where I want it, want him to lay me down on the nearby bench and have his way with me, want to peel off that dark jacket and get my hands on the muscular chest beneath it.
That dark well of power in me seems to surge and flex, responding to him.
‘I am,’ I say, before I can change my mind and do something I’m fairly certain I’ll regret.
His dark brows draw together, a subtle movement.
‘Of course.’ He scoops me into his arms, his hand resting at the side of my breast, as though at any moment those long fingers could slide back into my corset.
I cling to him as he speeds me towards the glittering palace.
He deposits me outside the long glass doors a few moments later, sneaking another kiss as I slide down his body.
Hmmm. I could do far worse than this handsome prince.
So, I kiss him back, then smooth my hands down my dress. ‘Am I tidy?’
He grins, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, adjusting the diamond flower. ‘You are perfect. Come, let’s go inside. I would dance with you again.’
But when we enter the ballroom, Jennie is waiting with a handsome blond vampire. I recognise him as the one who was in my bedroom earlier. His expression, as it lights upon Joaquin’s hand at my waist, is tight.
‘Dearest Emelia,’ Jennie cries. ‘Come, meet Deryck Vindhof. He’s been waiting half the night to dance with you.
’ There’s a faint reprimand in the words and I raise an eyebrow.
I can dance with whomever I choose. But I also know that Deryck, as a Vindhof, is standing with Mistral against us. I turn to Joaquin.
‘Thank you for the walk,’ I say. ‘And our conversation. I’d like to talk again, later.’
Joaquin’s dark gaze moves from me to Deryck. ‘Of course, dear one. I’ll wait for you.’ He kisses my hand, lingering slightly too long, staking his claim. Deryck’s frown deepens.
I go to him, my arms out, my skirts whispering around my legs. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Deryck.’ I give him my best smile, trying to channel my mother’s gracious beauty.
He bows, spreading one arm wide. ‘The pleasure is mine, my lady.’ He straightens up, offering his hand. ‘It’s worth the wait, to dance with you.’
‘I’m looking forward to dancing with you, too,’ I say as I take his hand, wanting to be polite.
‘Is that so?’ He smiles down at me, seeming mollified.
Not really. Fatigue rolls over me. If I’m honest, I want to go to bed. Alone. Playing politics and kissing princes in gardens and keeping up with tireless vampires is fucking exhausting. But if I’m to meet the Challenge, I need to show no weakness. The show must go on.
So, I dig deep, finding that silver and ebony core once more as Deryck swings me into the dance. ‘Of course,’ I say.
‘What did you think of the gardens? I’d wager you were more lovely than any flower in them.’
I try not to laugh. ‘They were very nice. Are you staying long in France?’
‘I’m here for a few more nights.’ He pulls me closer as we twirl around the room, his fingers splayed across my back. ‘Staying in the palace, just as you are. A few rooms down from yours. I hope we can see more of each other.’
I giggle, unable to help it, at his complete lack of subtlety.
There’s no way in darkness I’ll be going anywhere near his room.
He swings me around again, pressing me so close my breasts threaten to spill from my corset.
Perhaps this dress wasn’t the best choice for tonight.
Or perhaps it was perfect. I decide to counter his innuendo with a jab of my own.
‘Surely your family wouldn’t want you anywhere near me. After all, they’re challenging my right to rule.’ I smile, sweetly.
Deryck’s eyes widen, and he momentarily falters in the dance. Then he laughs. ‘I’m dancing with you, aren’t I?’
‘I’m surprised we haven’t been dragged from the dancefloor. So, tell me,’ I ask, as he twirls me once more. ‘What would it take to change your mind?’ I know I’m being direct, but something about Deryck, despite his posturing and flowery language, makes me think he’ll appreciate it.
He grins. ‘Actually, this dance is going some way towards doing so.’
‘Oh, really? And how about my voice? Is it really as beautiful as the rest of me?’ I can’t hide my amusement at this point.
He laughs again, and this time, when he speaks, he doesn’t sound as though he’s trying to recite sonnets. ‘You’re smarter than that, surely.’
‘I am. So are you. Which is why the over-the-top flirting doesn’t make sense.’
‘Don’t think you’re special. I flirt with everyone.’
‘You do? Why?’ I’m genuinely intrigued.
‘Well, it softens people up. But it also means they don’t take me as seriously. They think I just spout flowery phrases, that I’m harmless. Which gets me into rooms I might not otherwise be able to enter.’
‘You’re the scion of Vindhof. I doubt there would be many doors closed to you.’
‘Oh, you’d be surprised. I imagine every door is open to you, though.’
I laugh. ‘I suppose. Though I have the opposite problem to you. Hardly anyone takes me seriously.’
‘I take you seriously.’
‘Why? Because of my last name?’
‘Because you’re pretty.’
‘Stop it.’
‘All right. Because you’re here. You showed up, a human in a room full of vampires – quite a few of whom think you’re not fit to rule – and waited until we bowed to you. I think that takes guts.’
Heat rises in my cheeks as we twirl.
‘Do I make you blush?’ He dips his head close to mine, his blond hair brushing my cheek.
‘I told you to stop flirting.’ I catch a glimpse of Joaquin standing at the edge of the dancefloor with his arms folded. He’s watching me, his dark gaze piercing.
‘But I enjoy it so. Especially when it makes pretty girls go pink.’
‘So, will you do it?’
‘Do what? Stop flirting? Never.’
‘Repledge to me. And my crown.’
‘After one dance? You’ve got a pretty high opinion of your skills. It’ll take more than that.’
‘You’ve watched me sleep, as well.’ I’m enjoying this, I realise. It reminds me of how things were with Michael, how easy it was between us. ‘Surely that counts for something.’
Deryck looks up, his lips pursed as though he’s thinking. Then he grins. ‘Please. A few hours watching you snore isn’t going to change my mind.’
‘What will, then? And do not say kissing.’
‘It’s not going to change my mind because I was never against you.
My parents went along with Ilias Ravenko and Artos Ravenna because they convinced them to do so.
But your mother has already been in my mother’s ear about it.
You don’t need to worry about Vindhof. But if you did want to throw in a few kisses, just to make it look good, I wouldn’t say no. ’
‘Oh! You are outrageous.’ I laugh, my head going back as he sweeps me around the room.
‘I am. And that Jaguar of yours looks like he wants to tear my head off. Want to make him even more jealous?’
‘He’s not my Jaguar. And no, I do not.’
Luckily, the music ends before Deryck can do anything else. We slow to a stop and he releases me, stepping back to bow. ‘Just one dance, my lady? Perhaps we could wander the gardens, as well.’ He winks as he straightens up.
I narrow my eyes at him. ‘We can dance again in a minute,’ I say. ‘And I’ve no desire to see any more of the gardens.’
‘Not even with me?’ He flashes a shit-eating grin. I laugh out loud.
‘Even with you.’
‘Until our next dance.’ Deryck bows again.
I do like him. Perhaps he could be a good lieutenant, though I’ll need to know more about him, and whether or not his family are definitely out of the Challenge.
I spot my mother beckoning to me, my father bringing Joaquin into his conversation with Artos Ravenna.
Good. The blood dancer with the tray of drinks is nearby, and I grab one before heading over to my mother.
‘Are you having fun, my darling?’ She pulls me close. ‘Good work with Jaguar,’ she breathes, touching the diamond flower in my hair in a pretence of adjusting it. ‘Seeing you together has made Vindhof repledge to Raven. They’ll no longer support Mistral in that ridiculous challenge.’
‘I am having fun,’ I say, conscious of watching eyes, preternatural hearing. ‘And that’s good,’ I add under my breath.
‘I think your dance partner is waiting.’ My mother winks at me, actually winks. It’s such a human gesture I stare at her for a moment. She takes the glass from my hand and gives me a gentle push. I turn to see Deryck waiting, one arm outstretched.
I take his hand, and step into the dance once more.