AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The Clockwork Club was old money, rich leather as smooth as silk, blood in Waterford crystal, warmed gently, from wil ing young donors who kept their bodies clean and free of toxins.
As we entered the sepia-toned bal room, I felt giddy. My hand was resting on his arm, and I couldn’t help but be delighted with my gown that rustled every time I walked. Roman had ordered a special showing at a local gal ery, al owing me to shop at night so I wouldn’t have to rely on Camil e and Nerissa. I’d found a form-fitting cerulean blue cocktail dress, mermaid design with chiffon ruffles that gathered in at my knees, to blossom out in a muff of fluttery wings around my calves. The dress was beaded with clear Swarovski crystals and had cost—wel , I didn’t want to think what it had cost. Roman had paid for it without blinking.
Nerissa had delighted in playing hairdresser, and my hair was loose—fal ing around my shoulders, a blistering tangle of curls. A silk wrap covered the worst of my scars, and satin heels completed the ensemble. She’d also laid me back, made love to me, and sated me so wel that, as she put it, “If you sleep with Roman tonight, you’l remember that I was here first.” I’d laughingly reassured her that I always remembered she came first.
Now, we came down the staircase into the bal room and paused near the bottom.
“Lord Roman, Son of Blood Wyne, and his consort, Menol y te Maria D’Artigo.” The announcer cal ed out our names, and a hush fel over the crowd.
We mingled, with me trying to put faces to names, until Roman led me toward the front of the chamber where what looked like an official retinue had gathered.
“See him,” Roman whispered, nodding at one of the men. “The one in black tails next to the plump lady, who would be his wife, I believe?”
The woman was lovely, if yes—plump. The man was straight shouldered and looked rather fierce.
“Yes, who are they?”
“Frederick Corvax and his wife. The new Regent sent by my mother. This weekend wil be the official swearing in, and they’l formal y present at the Winter Solstice Bal . You are stil expected to attend with me.” Roman tucked his hand over mine.
“Of course, no doubt.” It was going to take some getting used to—these official functions—but they were kind of fun, in a stuffy, awkward way. My thoughts drifted to home, wondering how Camil e and Iris were doing. They had left yesterday, along with Smoky and Roz, for the Northlands, and I hoped they were okay. So far, Smoky hadn’t figured out what was going down with Vanzir, and that was a good thing.
Delilah and Shade were at home watching Maggie. Nerissa was there, keeping them company, and our cousin Shamas. Chase and Sharah were out on their second date tonight, and I mental y wished the detective wel . We’d been through a lot the past few weeks, and I felt like I’d gotten to know him a lot better. And I—I was here, in the winter wonderland of a room that was dripping with crystal and silver decorations.
The lights went out and heavy drapes opened to show a snow-studded vignette from outside—
fir trees dripping with white diamonds. Inside, a thousand Christmas lights in clear white and blue flashed on. The area cleared of those just mingling as the first song of the evening began. It was
“Without You,” by David Bowie, and Roman drew me out, swirling me onto the dance floor.
If this was the pre-gala cocktail party, what the hel was in store for the actual dance?
“I think I was lying.” Roman softly spun me around the floor.
“About what?” I tensed, knowing what he was going to say, praying he wouldn’t say it. But he did.
“I think I’m growing to love you.” He reached down to nuzzle my neck, and I closed my eyes. His touch felt so good, and I liked him so much, but . . .
“Don’t get hooked on me, Roman. Please, don’t make me hurt you. You know I love Nerissa.”
He nodded, pressing his lips against my skin. “I know, I know.”
“I hope so,” I whispered, “because Nerissa owns my heart.” In the depths of my soul, every word I said rang as true as crystal. Nerissa was my chosen mate. As my thoughts drifted toward our promise ceremony, I fingered my promise ring, and my love for my beautiful Were swel ed.
But Roman’s words sliced through my thoughts. “There’s no reason you can’t share your love, you know. Your sister Camil e does.”
And then, before I could protest, we sped up, and the music flowed as we danced away blood and murder and the ever-present darkness in which we lived.
