However, Laurie had explained that sometimes people wanted to pretend they were at a ball hosted by someone rich or powerful, but one where they could break the rules. So the ballroom had the appearance of being grand and proper, and yet the attendees were allowed to be slightly improper in public before being even more so in private.
The success of their first mostly proper masquerade ball had resulted in one every month, and attendance numbers had never dropped but rather increased, to the point there was usually a waiting list.
As Joseph glimpsed one couple who liked to frequent the ice and fire play room, he resisted a smile. To see them dressed to the nines, merely dancing and holding each other close, was such a contrast.
But as they twirled past him, he glimpsed the devotion in their eyes, and he longed for the same.
Oh, he had it from Laurie, and being able to give and receive the same looks with him since being blooded had helped. However, he longed to get the same from Meadow as well.
After the last time they’d seen her, when she’d been crying, Joseph had nearly risked going back into the fae witch’s territory to check in on her. To ensure she hadn’t cried again and was still progressing in her magic lessons.
And most especially to have her between his legs again, even if it were only to give her a massage.
It’d been so long since he’d had a female. He could easily waggle a finger and have his choice from inside the pleasure house, but none of them were quite right. Their hair was the wrong color, or their eyes, or their height.
Meadow was soft and beautiful and the perfect height, where her cheek would rest on his chest when he wrapped his arms around her.
A female shifter walked up to him, waved her fan, and smiled. “Will you ever dance with me, Joseph?”
He took her hand and kissed the back of her glove. “I’ve been blooded, Beth. If you ever want to find your fated one, you need to look elsewhere.”
She pouted. “We could still have some fun.”
One of the most difficult parts of his job was straddling the line between pleasing the patrons and standing his ground. “Alas, not with me. There are some new guests tonight, though—a few fae witches. One of the males has been staring at you all evening. He’s in the bright yellow waistcoat.”
She continued fanning herself as she discreetly spotted the tall fae witch with ginger hair. “Hm, it’s been a while since I had a ginger. Maybe his magic could make things interesting.”
With that, she turned and slowly made her way toward the male. Just as the pair headed to the dance floor, Joseph noticed a latecomer to the ball at the top of the grand staircase.
Despite her mask, he instantly recognized Meadow Vale.
She wore a dress in dark blue with a type of gauze that glinted under the lights. It hugged her upper body before billowing down to the floor. Her hair was also twisted and braided intricately, with some pearls placed throughout it.
As she descended and looked around, he headed toward the staircase. He reached it just as Meadow recognized him and hurried down the last few steps. She smiled shyly as he took her hand and kissed the back of her glove. “I’m so happy you came. You look beautiful.”
She touched her hair. “You don’t think it’s too much? Nora and Yesenia went a little overboard.”
He guided her to the bottom of the stairs and threaded her arm through his, never breaking eye contact. “Not a bit. You blend in perfectly, and everyone will be asking me later who’s the gorgeous female in blue.”
Her look said she wasn’t quite sure if he told the truth about that, even though vampires couldn’t lie.
The latest dance song ended, and before she could doubt him, he blurted, “Would you like to dance the waltz with me?”
As soon as he said it, he mentally cursed. She probably didn’t know how to waltz.
She beamed up at him. “I’d love to. Nora taught me, and it’s been on my bucket list forever.”
He gently guided her toward the floor as he asked, “What’s a bucket list?”
“Oh, like a list of things you want to do before you die.”
He took one of her hands in his and placed the other at her waist. The music started, and Joseph ensured Meadow was fine with the steps before asking, “And what else is on your list?”
“Oh, mostly dumb stuff. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about it.”
He pulled her a little closer. “I want to hear everything about you, love. I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”
She searched his gaze. “I’m not sure I really understand why, but I’ll answer and give a few if you promise to do the same?”
