by K. M. Shea
My thoughts buzzed in my brain as I obediently trailed behind Celestina, who led us down to the second floor and through the maze-like innards of Drake Hall, all the way to the giant sweeping staircase that would dump us right out at the doors.
I almost rammed into Celestina when she stopped at the top step and loudly cleared her throat.
Killian stood near the double door entrance, talking to Josh and Gavino—our other guard for the night. When Celestina coughed, Killian looked up at us as he finished placing his second cufflink on.
Celestina pointedly stepped aside so she no longer stood in front of me, then beamed as she elegantly swept down the stairs.
I was a lot slower. I had to pick my way down—between my heels and the long skirts of my dress I wasn’t going to risk falling face first down the stairs.
Killian stared at me, but wandered closer to the staircase, so he was waiting for me at the bottom by the time I reached it. His eyes traced my dress and my hair. “You look lovely,” he said with no embarrassment or reluctance. (I wondered if that was a Killian thing, or if all vampires were capable of that because once you got old enough you just never. ever. cared.)
Because I’m me, I couldn’t help the blush that heated my cheeks. “Thank you. And thanks for everything—the dress and hair, and all of that.”
Killian nodded, then leaned over so his lips hovered just above my bare shoulder, and sniffed my skin.
It was about then I really wished he still had some shame left in him so I wouldn’t feel quite so alone as I felt my blush burn even brighter on my cheeks.
To make it worse, he threaded his hands through my hair and raised his head so his mouth brushed my ear. “You’re quite worth it. Shall we leave, my date for the evening?”
“Yep, let’s go!” I grabbed fistfuls of my skirt and yanked myself from his grasp before marching to the front door, his laugh curling around me like smoke.
I grumbled under my breath about inappropriate vampires having twisted senses of humor—but just loud enough that I was certain he, Celestina, Josh, and Gavino could all hear.
I heard Celestina’s throaty chuckle and Gavino’s guffaw even after I popped outside. I gleefully cast a smirk over my shoulder, then hurried down the stairs and to the SUV with the vampire driver waiting just in front of it. “Open the door, open the door!” I pointed to the front passenger’s seat as I hopped down the last step.
The driver sucked his neck into his shoulders, then looked to the drivers of the cars directly in front and behind him.
“Don’t,” Killian ordered, his voice cutting through the cool evening air.
The driver quickly moved to stand in front of the passenger door, blocking me from it.
I turned around and scowled at Killian. “Spoilsport.”
Killian quirked an eyebrow at me. “If you are my date for the evening, wouldn’t it be ridiculous for us to arrive sitting apart?”
“You just don’t like getting left out.”
Killian heaved his eyes up at the sky. “Yes, because you and the day’s driver can exchange secretive information in the open cab.” He opened the back door and gestured for me to climb in.
“Whatever, Mr. I-can’t-sit-alone.” I eyed the SUV seats and struggled to properly gather up my skirts and clutch so I could heft myself up.
I must have taken too long, because Killian took it upon himself to scoop me up.
“Thanks—but watch where that hand is going,” I warned him as he twisted at an odd angle to set me inside.
Killian raised an amused eyebrow at me. “Where do you think it’s going?”
“Just keep it away from my butt!”
“You are wearing yards of fabric. I don’t think I could feel your butt even if I tried.” He set me down, his hand trailing across my lower back as he stepped back.
I scooted farther down the bench seat to give him space to cram his long frame in. “Doesn’t matter. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Why are you so protective of your butt anyway?” Killian speculatively looked at my seat as he slid in.
“It’s inappropriate.”
It was, but I was neglecting to add that Killian was too hot to go around touching my butt without taking a few years off my life. Such a shame.
Killian sighed. “Wizards.” He shifted his gaze to the driver. “Move out when the rest of the motorcade is ready.”
“Yes, Your Eminence,” the driver said.
The car was silent for a few seconds as the SUV slowly rolled forward.
“Since you’re my date, does that mean if someone else touches your butt at the Summer’s End Ball, I am allowed to maim them?” Killian abruptly asked.
“It shouldn’t be a problem. You are the first person I’ve met in my entire adult life who picks me up bridal style,” I said.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re either super old, or you have a hidden romantic streak.”
“If I say the latter does that mean I can kill any potential butt-touchers?”
“I told you it wasn’t going to be a problem. And can we stop talking about my butt?”
“You are the one who is so insistent it be guarded and left alone.”
“Killian!”
Killian had a good laugh at my squawks of outrage, but I was just glad we finally dropped the subject of butts by the time we arrived at the Curia Cloisters.
The ball was held in a small piece of the fae realm—not unlike the Paragon’s pocket realm—that was owned by the Regional Committee of Magic. Fae Courts and fae nobles were the only ones who could afford to have a place in the fae realm, given how toxic it was and all the spells and magic required to keep a space clean and safe over there. But smaller slivers were sometimes gifted to political organizations, like the Committee.
The doors to the realm were set up in the Curia Cloisters, so the drivers dropped us off at the doors. Celestina, Josh, and Gavino ringed around us as Killian led me to the front doors, but I paused when I recognized a suitcoat with House Medeis piping.
I froze mid-step and convulsively squeezed Killian’s arm when the wizard I was studying turned around.
It was Felix—you couldn’t miss his shiny hair or dazzling beauty even without vampire sight. But he looked awful. The circles under his eyes were so dark, I thought for a moment they might be bruises. Even standing up he just seemed…bent and tired—as if every muscle in his body was so exhausted he couldn’t really stand.
He was surrounded by a few House Tellier wizards, his expression stony even as they nudged him and laughed at him.
Mason must have made him come—though I have no idea why. He had that awful magic-canceling bracelet on, so it wasn’t like Mason could make him use magic.
Our gazes met, and Felix’s eyes widened fractionally before he pointedly looked away, and then turned his back to me. He tucked his hands behind his back so the House Tellier wizards couldn’t see, then made a shooing motion.
He wanted me to go inside…
“Is everything all right?” Killian asked.
I tried to speak, but something was wedged in my throat. “Yeah.” I peeled my gaze off Felix and smiled weakly at Killian.
He glanced at Felix, then pulled his arm from my grasp so he could curl it around my waist. “He is from Medeis?”
“Yeah.”
Killian cocked his head as he listened, though he nudged me toward the door. “It sounds like he was dragged along. They are discussing the horde of House Tellier wizards that are back at House Medeis. Perhaps he’s collateral?”
“Or they’re using him to say House Medeis supports Mason, and everyone else is collateral,” I whispered.
Killian rubbed my shoulder. “There’s nothing you can do about it right now.”
“Yeah, but it shows that I have to do something,” I said. “I need to talk with the wizards on the Wizard Council.”
We strolled down the hallway, passing the visitors’ desk. There were signs that poi
nted out the directions to the realm gate, and when we reached the entrances—wooden doors surrounded by fog and placed in the middle of the hallway—Celestina produced our invitation for inspection.
A werewolf—obvious by the golden gaze and muscled arms—took the paper and glanced it over before she bowed to Killian. “Welcome, Your Eminence Killian Drake and Adept Hazel of House Medeis. Please, enter.” She pulled one of the wooden doors open, and motioned for us to step through the fog.
Killian led with me right behind him.
It was a different feeling from getting sucked into the Paragon’s pocket realm. The fog left a strange, mist-kissed feeling on my skin and seemed more gel-like. The floor seemed to spin under my feet, and the next step I took I left the carpeted rug of the Curia Cloisters and stepped onto marble flooring, my heels producing a quiet tap on the rock.
The world was muffled, and then music broke through—the sweet song of stringed instruments combined with the soothing tones of a piano.
We had stepped into a ballroom—like, a legit ballroom. It was two stories tall with Grecian columns that bled up into sculptures of fae, wizards, vampires, werewolves, werecats, and what I thought was a pair of elves popping out of the ceiling as if they were coming to join in the festivities. There were three massive chandeliers that were bigger than me, but the room’s exterior was lit by bobbing lights that emitted the faint buzz of wizard magic, and the tables—bursting with so much food I was surprised they hadn’t collapsed—had glowing crystals that gave off a whiff of floral fae magic.
I slightly shook my head, trying to adjust to my new surroundings, and let Killian lead me farther in.
Already there were crowds—one large crowd was clustered around the tables of food. Another much smaller group was dancing to the music, but lots of people milled about, too.
The vampires were easy to recognize—they all seemed drawn to Killian the moment he entered, and all of them were wearing formal clothing that was at least fifty years out of style.
When they noticed that he had his arm curled around me, their pale faces and red eyes all shifted to me.
Killian tapped my lower back with his thumb. Was I ready?
I drew in a breath and put on a smile, then tried to laugh without sounding like an idiot as Killian lifted his arm to drape it over my shoulder.
“It’s all so beautiful here!” I reached up and entangled my fingers with his hand that cupped my bare shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me!”
Killian smiled down at me, multiplying his attractive factor by ten. “Of course. Anything you wish for will be yours, Hazel.”
I think the most impressive actors of our bunch were actually Celestina, Josh, and Gavino. They didn’t even blink at our disgusting exchange. (I was also soooo glad Killian had decided against bringing Rupert. I don’t know that the red-haired vampire could have kept himself from looking disgusted.)
A woman dressed in what appeared to be a renaissance-era gown edged closer to us. “Your Eminence.” She glanced curiously at me. “And…?”
“Adept Hazel—of House Medeis,” I said.
“You are accompanying His Eminence today?” the vampire asked. I admired her guts—she certainly wasn’t wasting any time!
“Rather, I am accompanying her.” Killian played with the sleeve of my gown and smirked down at me.
The woman gaped at the pair of us, her head slowly swiveling to look from Killian to me.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m afraid I don’t know your name. You are…?” I held out my hand, expecting to shake hers and hopefully hint that she was supposed to supply a name, but I was shocked when she took my hand and bent over, touching my fingers to her forehead.
“I beg your pardon for the intrusion. Enjoy your evening, Your Eminence, Adept Medeis.” She tottered off without saying anything more, and even though she didn’t speak a word, enough supernaturals were gifted with extra strong senses and hearing, so whispers rippled out around us in waves.
Two female vampire flicked fans open and whispered to each other behind their painted surfaces. A ring of three Alphas rumbled to each other in lowered voices as they watched us, and based on the faint “what?” and the gaping looks, a whole set of Adepts had just found out.
Killian tugged a little on my arm, scooping me closer to his side. “It seems we’ve made a splash, my Wizard. Where should we go first?”
I craned my head out past his arm to peer around, then looked up at him. “Food?”
Killian stared down at me.
“What? It took a long time to get ready. I didn’t even get lunch!”
Killian made a soft exhale of laughter that I doubt many heard. “Fine. I’ll get you fed.”
I slipped out from underneath his arm so I could tuck mine in his. “It’s an investment. This way I don’t get hangry on anyone.”
“What a terrifying thought.”
We made it to the tables of food—which cleared of party-goers like magic. I was starting to see the unexpected benefits of coming with Killian; this just might make the night even more fun than I hoped!
I took a plate and filled it at the first table—various cheeses and special smoked meats that the werewolves had been chowing down on—when I saw the dessert table where I thought I saw my favorite dessert ever, tiramisu. I shoved my cheese and meat plate into Killian’s hands for safekeeping, then hustled my way over to the desserts.
China cups of chocolate mousse, squares of delectable tiramisu, pyramids of macaroons, and ramekins of creme brulee filled the table. I took one of each, then made my way back to Killian with my sweet treasures.
“You’re going to begin with dessert?” Killian asked when I took a forkful of my tiramisu.
“Sure,” I said. “You only live once!” I popped my tiramisu in my mouth, and it took a lot of effort not to hum with happiness. It was so rich and creamy, and the faint coffee flavor was amazing!
I took another forkful, and noticed Killian watching. “Want a bite?”
He blinked down at me.
If we had been at Drake Hall I would have rolled my eyes and said something about getting him a juice pouch, but given that we were actively trying to encourage the image that we were romantically involved, I didn’t think that would really help our case.
So instead I put on my brightest smile and shoved the fork into his mouth.
That got a reaction out of everyone around us—including Celestina, Gavino, and even Josh. The trio guarding us tensed, and slowly raised their gazes to Killian, fear crackling in the set of their shoulders. Someone in the crowd audibly gasped, and the dinner crowd stepped back even farther away from us.
For a moment I froze. Had I gone too far? I mean, I had pulled him into the freaking pool earlier that summer. I didn’t think force-feeding him a bite of tiramisu was that terrible of a deed. I slowly looked up, fearing what expression I’d see as I pulled the fork from his mouth.
Killian licked his lips, his expression thoughtful. “It’s not bad,” he finally said. “It’s not disgustingly sweet like most human desserts.”
“That’s because it has coffee in it.” I was pretty impressed that my voice didn’t shake as I got another forkful of the dessert for myself. I glanced up at him again, trying to discern if he was going to make me run miles after the ball out of spite, but he wasn’t looking down at me with the promise of death.
He held my plate out with one hand and rested the other hand on my hip as he studied the other guests—giving me the kind of casual mindfulness you only show people you inherently trust.
I have to take it back. He’s by far the best actor here. Way better than Celestina and the others. I finished my tiramisu and other desserts and tried tugging my cheese and meat plate from Killian’s hands.
Killian, not quite relenting, took my empty plate and handed me my full one. “I see someone I need to talk to,” he said. “Will you be fine by yourself?”
“Of course!” I chirped like a good little idiot. “Enjoy.”
Killian gave me that slick smile of his, forged especially for those standing in a fifteen-foot diameter around us. “You too.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, then prowled off.
Gavino and Josh followed him, though Celestina stayed with me.
“Hey, Celestina, want some cheese?” I asked. “It’s really good.”
Celestina laughed and smiled, then leaned closer and whispered under her breath. “I don’t know whether to compliment you for your nerves of steel, or call you an idiot.”
“I didn’t think it would be a big deal,” I whispered back. “I’ve seen everyone from Drake Hall eat human food.” I’d sat with them and watched while they ate and laughed and drank at the required dinners.
“Except for His Eminence,” Celestina reminded me, shattering the memory.
I winced. “Will he get sick?”
“No. It’s a personal preference. But his reaction explained a few things I’ve wondered about,” Celestina said.
“Huh?” Clueless, I turned around to properly face her, but I was too late.
A slender woman built like a gymnast and a gorgeous buxom woman who appeared to be approximately in her late 40s were hustling in my direction. Going off her eyes, the gymnast had to be a werewolf—her eyes were a piercing shade of blue found only in wolves. The buxom woman’s dress had a wizard coat of arms stitched in the fabric so she was probably a wizard—even though I would have thought she was too beautiful to be just a human.
The wizard stopped short of me and tapped her clutch on the thigh of her well-fitted, mermaid-style gown. “So,” she said. “You are the little Adept who has captured the best of the vampires. Impressive!”
The werewolf delicately wrinkled her nose and shoved her hands in the pockets of her pantsuit. “Personally, I wouldn’t have believed it ol’ Rock Face ever deigned to love a woman, but he positively reeks of your scent, and his smell is plastered all over you. The nose doesn’t lie.” She winked, then tapped her nose.
