I try not to laugh. ‘They were very nice. Are you staying long in France?’
‘I’m here for a few more nights.’ He pulls me closer as we twirl around the room, his fingers splayed across my back. ‘Staying in the palace, just as you are. A few rooms down from yours. I hope we can see more of each other.’
I giggle, unable to help it, at his complete lack of subtlety. There’s no way in darkness I’ll be going anywhere near his room. He swings me around again, pressing me so close my breasts threaten to spill from my corset. Perhaps this dress wasn’t the best choice for tonight. Or perhaps it was perfect. I decide to counter his innuendo with a jab of my own.
‘Surely your family wouldn’t want you anywhere near me. After all, they’re challenging my right to rule.’ I smile, sweetly.
Deryck’s eyes widen, and he momentarily falters in the dance. Then he laughs. ‘I’m dancing with you, aren’t I?’
‘I’m surprised we haven’t been dragged from the dancefloor. So, tell me,’ I ask, as he twirls me once more. ‘What would it take to change your mind?’ I know I’m being direct, but something about Deryck, despite his posturing and flowery language, makes me think he’ll appreciate it.
He grins. ‘Actually, this dance is going some way towards doing so.’
‘Oh, really? And how about my voice? Is it really as beautiful as the rest of me?’ I can’t hide my amusement at this point.
He laughs again, and this time, when he speaks, he doesn’t sound as though he’s trying to recite sonnets. ‘You’re smarter than that, surely.’
‘I am. So are you. Which is why the over-the-top flirting doesn’t make sense.’
‘Don’t think you’re special. I flirt with everyone.’
‘You do? Why?’ I’m genuinely intrigued.
‘Well, it softens people up. But it also means they don’t take me as seriously. They think I just spout flowery phrases, that I’m harmless. Which gets me into rooms I might not otherwise be able to enter.’
‘You’re the scion of Vindhof. I doubt there would be many doors closed to you.’
‘Oh, you’d be surprised. I imagine every door is open to you, though.’
I laugh. ‘I suppose. Though I have the opposite problem to you. Hardly anyone takes me seriously.’
‘I take you seriously.’
‘Why? Because of my last name?’
‘Because you’re pretty.’
‘Stop it.’
‘All right. Because you’re here. You showed up, a human in a room full of vampires – quite a few of whom think you’re not fit to rule – and waited until we bowed to you. I think that takes guts.’
Heat rises in my cheeks as we twirl.
‘Do I make you blush?’ He dips his head close to mine, his blond hair brushing my cheek.
‘I told you to stop flirting.’ I catch a glimpse of Joaquin standing at the edge of the dancefloor with his arms folded. He’s watching me, his dark gaze piercing.
‘But I enjoy it so. Especially when it makes pretty girls go pink.’
‘So, will you do it?’
‘Do what? Stop flirting? Never.’
‘Repledge to me. And my crown.’
‘After one dance? You’ve got a pretty high opinion of your skills. It’ll take more than that.’
‘You’ve watched me sleep, as well.’ I’m enjoying this, I realise. It reminds me of how things were with Michael, how easy it was between us. ‘Surely that counts for something.’
