They didn’t talk about the nightmares again. Azrael imrsed himself in alliance negotiations and political etings. The next three days passed in diplomatic functions. Lyanna attended all the events, but she and Azrael hardly spoke beyond what was needed for public appearances. He was avoiding her.
The last major event of the gathering happened on the fourth day. It was the traditional Blood Moon Ball, a vampire custom in which the lunar eclipse was celebrated in a ceremony. Lyanna had read about it in Helena’s briefings but hadn’t understood its importance until Clara started preparing her.
"This is the most important event." Clara explained. "Every notable vampire will be there. Every eye will be on you and His Majesty."
The gown Morgana had chosen was the most stunning yet. The back gown shimred with silver constellations when light fell on it. Lyanna looked like the night sky.
Clara styled Lyanna’s hair in an intricate style, threading tiny diamonds that looked like stars.
"You’re very beautiful, Your Majesty." Clara whispered when she was ready.
Lyanna then went to Azrael, who was discussing sothing with Adrian near the ballroom entrance. When he saw her, he stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened, and Lyanna could see desire on his face.
"You look... okay." He said.
Adrian chuckled.
"Your Majesty, that’s the worst lie I’ve heard you say in two centuries."
Azrael gave him an angry look, before looking at Lyanna again, scanning her gown, and the diamonds in her hair.
"Try not to embarrass during the opening dance." He said, offering his arm. "I have a reputation to keep."
The ballroom had been transford. The ceiling showed the actual night sky. The blood moon hung prominently, surrounded by stars that looked close enough to touch.
Morgana imdiately appeared at her side.
"The opening ceremony requires the host king and queen to dance first, alone, while everyone watches. It’s tradition, a display of unity and power. Just follow His Majesty’s lead, and you’ll be fine."
Before Lyanna could panic about dancing alone in front of hundreds of vampires, Azrael offered his hand.
"Don’t step on my feet, wife. Just follow , like you did when we danced for the first ti."
His tone was mocking, but his hand was warm as he led her to the centre of the floor. The crowd parted for them, forming a circle.
Lyanna’s heart pounded. This was worse than the wedding, worse than any court function. At least at those she’d been standing still. Now she had to move, had to dance, had to be graceful and perfect in front of centuries-old beings who had mastered this skill.
"Breathe." Azrael murmured. "And trust . I won’t let you fall."
The music began. It was unlike anything Lyanna had heard before. Instrunts she hadn’t seen or heard before played sounds that reached directly into the souls of the listeners.
Azrael moved, and Lyanna followed. He was an excellent dancer and was guiding her through the complex steps. His hand rested firmly on her waist, while his other hand held hers gently.
Despite her limited training, and her fear of failing, Lyanna found it easy to follow his lead. They moved together in surprising synchronicity. When he spun her, she turned perfectly, her gown flaring dramatically. When he pulled her close, she lted into the movent.
"You’re getting better." He murmured.
"High praise from the king." She replied.
He almost smiled.
"You should be honoured.’"
The dance beca more intimate with each passing second. His hand at her waist pulled her closer until their bodies were almost aligned, moving as one rather than as two separate people.
The music was about to end. Azrael spun her one last ti before pulling her back against him, their faces were just inches apart.
Then the music ended, and the gathered vampires erupted into applause. But Azrael didn’t release her. They stood at the centre of the floor, still holding each other, the dance was over but neither of them stepped back.
Lyanna saw sothing in his eyes that she’d never seen before. She saw desire that wasn’t just physical or possessive. It was sothing deeper.
The mont stretched on with everyone watching. Lyanna felt as if they stood on the edge of sothing that could change everything if either of them acknowledged it.
Then Lord Richard’s voice broke the spell.
"Your Majesties, a beautiful performance. Very exquisite."
He walked with Sylvia at his side.
"May I request the next dance with Queen Lyanna? I believe it’s a tradition for the queen to dance with visiting nobility after the opening dance."
It was polite, and proper. But it was also a political move, dancing with the queen of Thornfield indicated Eclipse Court had legally accepted her as royalty.
Azrael had no choice but to let her go. Refusing would be a political insult to Eclipse Court, and imply that he didn’t trust Lyanna to represent Thornfield. Still, his expression said he’d rather not let her go. His hands lingered on her waist a second longer than necessary before he stepped back.
"Of course, Lord Richard. My wife would be honoured."
Richard offered his hand, and Lyanna took it,
As the music began again.
Dancing with Richard was a completely different experience from dancing with Azrael. Richard was technically skilled, probably more skilled than Azrael, but there was no warmth, or chemistry. It felt like dancing with a statue.
Lyanna knew that Azrael was watching her from the side. His eyes followed her every movent with an intensity that made her skin prickle. He stood alone, refusing drinks offered by servants, and avoiding conversations with nobles who approached him. He was just watching. Richard noticed that.
"Your husband is quite attentive to you." He said. "Unusual for vampire marriages, especially if they are arranged."
"We’re still adjusting to married life." Lyanna replied.
"Indeed." Richard said as he spun her. "Tell , Queen Lyanna, are you happy in your marriage? You seed quite affected by your husband during the dance."
"Our marriage is complex, Lord Richard. But still it’s ours."
"Complex. How diplomatic. I’ve lived three thousand years, child. I know what desire and fear look like. What does he inspire in you more?"
Before Lyanna could co up with an answer, the dance ended. Richard bowed gracefully, and just as Lyanna tried to return to Azrael, Sylvia smoothly cut in.
"Father, you promised this dance. You don’t mind, Queen Lyanna?"
Richard started dancing with Sylvia, leaving Lyanna standing alone in the middle of the dance floor. Other couples swirled around her, the music continued, and she felt weird without a partner.
Azrael appeared at her side imdiately. He was so quick that it looked like he teleported. His hand claid her waist possessively, pulling her close as the dance began.
"No more dances with other males tonight. You’re mine."
The possessiveness in his voice was obvious and aggressive. He was claiming her publicly, making it clear to every vampire in the room that she belonged to him regardless of political formalities about dancing with visiting nobility.
She should have resented the way he treated her like property in front of everyone. She should have pulled away to assert her independence, reminding him that she was a person not a possession.
But her heart raced anyway. Her body responded to the raw desire in his voice, to his hands that gripped her as if afraid soone might try to take her away.
As they began to dance again, Lyanna was sure, that the line between hating him and wanting him had beco blurred, and she didn’t know which terrified her more.
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