Page 38

Gossip travels fast amongst vampire nobility. By the time the gala starts, it seems everyone knows about Jameson’s ploy to steal the throne.

It also appears that everyone believes Noah and I came in Cassian’s place to thwart an assassination attempt—which works out just fine. We still don’t know why Cassian is losing his immunity, and we have no plans to share the news here.

The ballroom is nothing short of glorious, with dozens of crystal chandeliers and massive windows dressed in sweeping ivory drapes. The tables are set with white linens, and there are candles tucked into the floral centerpieces.

“It’s so good to meet you,” Jorgen says when Noah and I join him and his wife at our shared table. The Danish prince reaches across the rose centerpiece and shakes my hand heartily. “I saw the video of you and Jameson—you did well.”

“You saw it?”

He puffs up a little. “Duncan chose me for the committee.”

I almost ask why he didn’t want a chance to be archduke, but then I remember what Cassian said about his gruesome past and decide to hold my tongue.

“It’s nice to meet you as well. I’m happy to put a face with a name.”

“Has Cassian mentioned me?” The large, blond vampire quirks a brow. “All good things, I imagine?”

“He said you were trying to convince him to accept his nomination,” I hedge. “It appears you were successful.”

Looking pleased, he returns to his seat and introduces us to his wife.

Soon, dinner is served. I’ve never seen so much meat in my life. There’s a whole roasted pig and prime rib for each table, along with chickens, geese, game hens, and quail. Along with the meat, blood flows freely in all varieties except human.

To be honest, it turns my stomach a little, but everyone else seems to enjoy it.

The dinner passes quickly, with Jorgen telling stories from his Viking days that seem impossible.

“You knew Leif Erikson?” I ask, astounded.

“I sailed with him. Christopher Columbus gets all the credit, but we discovered the new world.”

“You didn’t discover it,” his wife corrects. “There were already people living there.”

He rolls his eyes. “For the purposes of the story, we discovered it.”

I share a smile with Noah and take a sip of my coffee. I think I’m finally getting used to drinking it without sugar. Maybe.

Movement catches my eye, drawing my attention. Duncan, the archduke who ruled before Etienne, heads to the front of the room and stands behind a lectern on a raised podium.

Like Jorgen, the previous archduke appears to be no more than thirty years old, even though he ruled for a hundred years before he decided to relinquish his throne.

He’s good-looking, as all vampires are, with thick, reddish-brown hair.

He speaks with a Scottish accent as he addresses the esteemed crowd, calling them to attention.

I lean close to Noah and whisper, “Are you nervous?”

We watch Norman Hall, a South African prince, join Duncan and formally accept his nomination.

“I’m not looking forward to it,” he admits.

“You’ll do fine.”

“Cassian Chevalier,” Duncan announces. All eyes move to Noah as he stands.

My husband looks painfully handsome in his tux, even in a room full of beautiful vampires, and people watch him as he takes his place next to Duncan.

“I am Montgomery York,” he announces. “Prince Cassian’s registered heir, and I am formally accepting the nomination on his behalf.”

Duncan nods, making the note in his book. The attendees applaud tastefully as Noah gives the room a tight smile and walks back to our table.

“You did well.” I squeeze his hand.

“I’m just glad it’s over.”

We sit quietly through the rest of the ceremony. There are a total of five nominations, with Jameson’s name conspicuously missing.

Not wanting to mar tonight’s festivities, the committee decided the vote to determine Jameson and Gerald’s fates will be held tomorrow morning. They are currently being held in the castle dungeons, with no less than three NIHA guards on watch at all times. It serves them right.

People linger after Duncan ends the official ceremony, but Noah turns to me. “Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?”

“You’re talking my love language.” We excuse ourselves from the table, saying goodbye to Jorgen and his wife, and then step outside the open door at the far right of the room. A large balcony looks across the grounds. Several people are outside enjoying the moonlight.

Noah and I walk down the stairs and through the roses and topiaries, ending up in a garden alcove that’s planted with hydrangeas that are in full bloom.

“This is beautiful,” I say, watching the moon rise above the bushes.

Noah’s eyes slide over my face. “So beautiful.”

I catch him and smile. “Are you talking about the garden?”

He smirks. “No.”

I walk over to him, enjoying the sway of the dress. “Then that was very cliché.”

“It’s a classic for a reason.” He draws me in close, kissing me.

I sigh against him, perfectly at peace. “I hate that we have to go home tomorrow.”

“We’ll stay longer next time.”

“Do you think we’ll be back?”

“If Cassian takes the throne, he’ll command visits. He’s difficult like that.”

“I hope he’s all right,” I say, my worry over his illness shadowing my relief.

“He sounded a little better when I talked to him earlier. Hopefully, the antiviral medicine has started working.”

Max and Olivia arrived during dinner, and they’re at the hospital with him now.

“Gerald believed he got sick on the chowder,” I say. “Does that mean he wasn’t behind it?”

“If not him, then what was it? I’ve never heard of a vampire reverting into a human.”

“I wonder if he can eat cucumbers,” I murmur, mostly to myself. “Or donuts.”

Noah brushes his hand over my shoulder. “Dinner must have been a horrifying experience for you.”

“It wasn’t pleasant.”

“If you could revert back to a human, would you? Would you give up your unnaturally long life—your immunity?”

“Only if you could revert with me. What about you?”

He nods. “Same.”

I walk over to one of the flower clusters, cupping its cotton ball shape in my hand. It’s pink, made up of dozens of sepals that act as petals.

When it gets cold, the bush will go dormant. Next spring, it will sprout leaves and bloom again. Eventually, the plant will die, replaced with a new plant.

“I wonder how many new bushes I’ll get to see before a tree falls on my house and crushes me in my sleep?” I muse out loud.

Noah snorts. “How about we just take one day at a time and see where that gets us?”

I let the flower drop, turning toward him. “I like that idea.”

He pulls me close, kissing me again. “I have another idea if you’re interested.”

“Does it involve our delightfully soft bed?”

Noah smiles against my lips. “It does.”

“Then I’m interested. Shall we head to our room?”

Wasting no time, Noah takes my hand and leads me down the garden path.

“I’m in heels,” I remind him, laughing. “Slow down.”

But neither of us slows down, and by the time we’ve reached our room, I’m laughing so hard I’m out of breath.

Noah unlocks the door, catching me around my waist. We fall against it once we’re inside, hands wandering, mouths meeting, breath mingling.

He finds the zipper of my dress, and I wriggle out of it, still in my chemise and corset.

Noah drags his eyes over the corset. “I’m enjoying this married thing.”

I grasp hold of his tuxedo jacket and pull it down his arms, teasing my lips over his. “We’re about to enjoy it more.”

He groans, lifting me up, pressing my back against the door and holding me in place with his body. With his free hand, he removes his bow tie.

When he starts on the buttons on his shirt, I swat his hand away. “Let me.”

Noah closes his eyes, tipping his head back as I work, setting me down only long enough to remove the offensive fabric. Then I’m in his arms again, and his mouth is hot and hungry against mine.

When he kisses my jaw, I hold my breath, preparing myself for his fangs. He moves lower, down my throat.

When he scrapes his fangs over my skin, I freeze, terrified.

“We don’t have to,” he says, kissing instead of biting.

“My fangs are telling me we do.”

Noah pulls back, smiling softly. “Should we go to the bed?”

I nod, looping my arms around his neck.

I expect him to lay me on the pillows, but he sits me at the end. Standing above me, he removes the two remaining sedative-laced pins from my hair. “I don’t think you need these right now.”

“They’re my favorite accessory,” I joke, wondering if I’ll ever feel comfortable in public without them.

But Noah is right. I don’t need them here. I’m safe.

After he removes the hair pins, he takes out the bobby pins, one by one, until my hair falls across my bare shoulders.

“I’m never going to get tired of that,” he murmurs, running his fingers through the curling strands.

I look up at him, so in love with this man.

He kneels in front of me, taking my hand. “Just because we’re married doesn’t mean I’m going to ask you to do anything you aren’t ready for. These last few days have gone very quickly, and if you’d like to wait until we’re home, I can accept that.”

“I don’t want to wait any more than you do.” I pull him up so he’s sitting next to me. “We’ve waited long enough.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. Now, make me a proper vampire and help me with my fangs.”

Noah pulls me onto his lap and trails kisses up and down my throat, driving me absolutely mad.

“Are you ready?” he breathes.

“I’m ready.” I tighten my grip on his shoulders, close my eyes, and…

Noah nips my skin gently, barely grazing his fangs over me, and then pulls back.

Smirking, he says, “You survived.”

I lift my hand to my neck. “You didn’t break the skin.”

“Of course not—that would hurt.”

“Are you serious? That’s all?”

“What were you expecting?” he asks innocently, knowing the answer.

“I was expecting something a little more…fun?”

Noah laughs, his hands claiming my waist as he moves me onto the bed. “There’s time for that later. I can think of something that’s far more fun than biting. Want me to show you?”