Page 49 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)

He gave her such a dry answer, it made her wonder about his opinion even more.

He was pretty good at dancing, making her question whether the reason behind his grace was because of this or due to him being a vampire?

She thought his moves, his gait were elegant because he's a vampire but right now she started doubting this guess.

She recalled a memory of him sailing though the castle's hallways.

Could he also be a part of a court? A son of a royal advisor?

Or knight? Last thought seemed ridiculous to her in a split second.

How could she even imagine him being a knight?

An honorable protector, a valiant guardian with a duty and moral principles.

No. It was not about Dante at all. But maybe, an heir of a count or any other noble family.

She didn't want to lose her chance to know more about him, pushing her luck further.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.

His face was void of any emotions. “Sometimes balls were boring or I just wished to be somewhere else but mostly I didn't mind spending my evening in the crowded ballroom,” he stated, as their legs kept moving, following the placid melody.

“Couldn't you just not go there?”

“My family wouldn't let me do so.”

He didn't talk about his family before, she was surprised he mentioned them.

Her eyes sparkled in the dark, lashes fluttered. “Was it mandatory for your family?”

“Pretty much.”

Again this dry answer, she needed to get something else out of him.

“So what did you like about balls then? Don't tell me it was dancing.”

“Why not dancing?” The corner of his lips slightly lifted upwards.

A joyful shrill sound filled the room. She needed some time to stop laughing, finding it hard to imagine Dante would be such a romantic soul and between all of the joys ball could offer, he'd choose dancing.

She cleared her throat. “You are not looking like you'd enjoy dancing.”

“Maybe, but I liked pretty girls I was dancing with,” his mouth turned up in a sinister smile.

“I am not surprised then,” she jeered. “Is this the real reason why you're giving me a dancing lesson?”

His smile widened and his fingers squeezed her waist tighter. Violette tensed under his touch as he pushed her closer to himself, so close that she felt the warmth of his solid chest against her face.

“And what if so?” The warm breath tickled her ear as he lowered his head.

Violette's heart skipped a beat. Maybe two.

His voice did something strange to her, she could feel it in her bones – the sudden heat.

And so she pulled away just a little bit to raise her gaze to find his dark eyes looking at her under the black long lashes.

At that moment, she could swear she had never seen anything more beautiful than his face, his arms wrapped around her.

In this darkness, where only a glimpse of light behind him illuminated the room.

And it doesn't matter how cold he looked, being able to turn the candle flame into ice; how dark his eyes, how sharp his face was – Violette felt like he could set the room on fire just by his words and the way his voice sounded.

The way he looked at her. The way he was standing there.

And she had no idea why the sudden move of his fingers on her waist made her feel this particular way.

Was she staring too long? Doesn't matter because he was staring at her all this time too.

But what was he thinking? She wanted so badly to take his mind apart to the smallest details to finally put the puzzle together she was trying to solve all these days.

And she didn't know why she wanted to do it but she felt like it was a vital thing to do.

“You've been silent for too long,” his words cut the air. “Relax, Little Witch. If I wanted to spend time with you I'd choose something more interesting, perhaps something that would not make you get dressed.”

She narrowed her eyes, her brows knitted. “Like I would let you. This,” she pointed her finger at him measuring the distance between their chests, “is the closest we'll ever be.”

He hummed under his breath with a provocative smile and then spun her so her back hit his chest. What was that tingling down her spine about?

His chest heaving against her back as he lowered his head to her ear with a soft smile on his face. “Don't worry about this, Little Witch, romance is the last thing on my mind. Even with such a beauty like you.”

And then he turned her back to him, one hand behind his back and the second connecting with her palm. After making a half circle he stepped back, slanting his head to the side .

Violette's cheeks flushed as she escaped Dante's gaze, still feeling his touch on her waist, leaving a peculiar trace deep down inside.

“You are not as bad with dances as I thought,” he voiced. “Now, do you know what to speak about?”

His words pulled her out of her thoughts. “Well, we need him to show me the map, so I guess about magic.”

“Not exactly. You need to start from something less provocative. The conversation on such an event usually starts from the weather, compliments and other boring stuff,” he waved. “Start from complimenting his manor but don't be too generous with your words, you're a duchess after all.”

Violette looked to the side, thinking about what to say.

“The evening is quite…nice?”

Dante was staring at her deadly for a minute before speaking again, “Tell him that his house is admirable.

You should show him your appreciation, it's a good tone, just don't look like you're easily impressed.

Then he'll eventually ask you about your trip.

Say it was a long road, but don't complain, ladies don't do it.”

Violette chuckled and then pretended to be serious again. Dante fell silent.

“Something is wrong?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” she said firmly and gave him a serious look .

He looked at her with a distrusting look but continued, “About your trip. As you know he loves to travel, try to seem like an adventurer to him. You are pretty good at it, aren’t you?” A smirk lightly curled his lips.

She indeed was good at finding adventures…Not like she was really happy about it. She would rather prefer something safer and more pleasant than dealing with vampires and cemeteries.

“Try to act like you are more important than you are, but don't be mean. Don't laugh too loud, be unapproachable and yet flirtatious. Make him want to impress you.”

Another snicker left her mouth before she could suppress it.

“That's it. What was that?” Dante’s brows wrinkled.

“Sorry, I just didn't know you're such an expert in manners,” she confessed, covering her mouth with a hand.

“I lived in a castle for a long time, if you remember.”

“Oh, so you can be a gentleman then?”

“Was I not a gentleman to you?” His hand dramatically landed on his chest.

One of her brows raised, mouth bent in reproach. His soft chuckle somehow warmed her heart, it was a strange feeling, not something she would expect to feel because of Dante.

Luckily, their lesson ended without crushed legs and Violette didn't embarrass herself.

Speaking frankly she was left with quite pleasant feelings after that night.

She couldn't imagine it was possible but the time they spent together was somehow enjoyable.

She felt tiredness creeping up onto her but it was a nice one.