Page 91 of The Vampire's Mercy

“You, too,” I answered, kissing her on the hand.

I’m getting out of here…

A presence lingered at my back, Sarah’s brown eyes moving to it.

Tohim.

I turned, facing the vampire king.

“May I cut in?” he asked.

I swallowed a lump. “Erm… Sure…”

He smiled. “Vaughn is waiting for you, Sarah.”

She bowed and left.

Silvanus’s hand found my waist. I quivered under his touch.

Why are you quivering?

His fingers interlocked with mine, his skin as smooth as silk.

There went my quivering again.

The bodies around us fanned out, too many stares burning into me like hot lasers. But the king didn’t seem to care. He pinned me with his scarlet orbs, his scent in my nose, a strange, heady lightness coming over me as if a switch had flipped, making me want to be this close to him.

A shaky breath passed my lips as the music started. My skin sparked with want, the ballroom fading away into a ring of color and light, nothing but him and me at the center of it.

What the hell?

We moved in perfect synchronicity, never breaking eye contact. One step, two step, twirl and spin and dip. Connected to the music, in tune with each other, lost to the dance. I forgot about Sarah and everything she’d said. Slipping away, away, away.

You and I, my king.

His skin, his aroma, his solid body right there. Perfection, heavenly, everything I could ask for. If only he wasn’t a vampire, then maybe we’d stand a chance to…

A chance to what?

Thank Aidan for the sudden smack of reason.

I shook my head, stumbling this time. “Shit.”

He steadied me. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” I righted myself, taking a step back from him. “Can I take a break?”

He cocked his head to the side. “There’s a gentleman here to see you.” He moved closer, linking my arm with his again.

My dreamy state fizzled away.

We received some applause, albeit with reluctant undertones, but it was Elio who caught my attention over on the platform. The only one not clapping, his fury practically coming off him in heatwaves.

Yeah, he was jealous. Severely jealous.

Man, he had no reason to be. There’d been nothing more than some silly dancing between the king and I.

Seriously, what the hell had that been about? Why the dance? Because he could?