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At that, people did laugh.
“Well said. Once more, your father proves to be wisest among us all.” A raucous voice came from the top of the staircase, and I could smell him from here like he had taken a bath in sage. “Good evening, all.”
“Good evening, Mr. President,” everyone said at once, and if that wasn’t the eeriest thing, I didn’t know what was. We were all were forced to look.
He was an aboriginal man who appeared to be at least fifty, with long hair, half white at the top but still black at the bottom. He stood at my height in these heels, and he was dressed in full British-royal attire, everything down to the military-style coat to the fake medals on the breast to the sash across his body. On his arm was a brunette woman with white skin. She was dressed like an English queen with a sash of her own, long white gloves going up her arms, and a crown on her head. Her eyes were green and her lips vibrant pink but without any lipstick.
They walked down the stairs like the royal couple they pretended to be, and when they reached us, Theseus stepped forward with me on his arm.
“President Waban Swan. First Lady Mimiteh Swan.” He nodded to them, and I did the same because I was not curtsying in this dress. “Druella and I are thankful for your hospitality.”
President Snow’s aged eyes focused on me. “You are very lucky, young one to have survived so long in the Omeron territory. Is she not, my swan?” His question was directed not to me, but to the woman beside him, and she nodded, waving her free hand in front of her mouth.
“It has been almost thirty years since one of Omeron witches sealed my mate’s mouth and throat. She cannot speak, nor smile, nor drink as we do,” he said coldly. “She was lucky to escape at all, and she was only there for a day. Why is it you were spared from their wrath, Ms. Monroe?”
The question caught me off guard, but thankfully Taelon stepped forward.
“Father, I have written all about it—”
“I was not speaking to you,” he sneered at his son, his eyes gazing over Taelon’s attire. “And as you have chosen not to dress in union with our family, you will not call me father again tonight. Understood?”
“Yes, Mr. President,” he answered and stepped back, standing in front of Lucy.
I now saw the difference. The Swan family—those who I knew and were here—were all dressed as English high society in some way or another…expect Taelon.
Because of Lucy.
“Ms. Monroe, are you unable to answer?” President Swan pressed. “I have read my son’s report. But it lacks…how should say? Depth. He was an outsider looking in. I wish to know from your view, why?”
“If I knew, I would have stayed?” I just blurted out.
“Really? Is our home so unpleasant?”
“Of course not, it is beautiful, Mr. President,” I said, quickly trying to think how to say it politely, but I didn’t have it. So, I spoke. “But it is your home, not mine. Everything I could want could be here, but it still does not make up for my place, my life, and my things. I don’t think anyone should be driven from their home simply for what they are. I was born in northern Virginia, so were my parents, and their parents. My memories are there. It’s beautiful to me. And if I could have stayed there, I would have. So, I can’t give you any more depth than Taelon or my friend Lucy could.”
His jaw cracked to the side at the mention of Lucy. “Very well, Mikhail. We have taken enough of your night; let us dance.”
“Fin-a-fucking-ly. I thought we all forgot what a party was.” Mikhail spun back around, throwing his hand in the air. “Play already!”
Thank God. This segment of the new vampire at the ball was finally over. I understood now why Theseus tried to delay my entrance into vampire society by making me go shopping.
Theseus leaned over whispering, “You have done well, but do not relax. It is not over.”
“What more could there be?” I asked as he spun me in his arms, leading us to the dance floor. “We’re dancing?”
“Every vampire ball on this side of the world begins with the Viennese Waltz,” he said.
“I don’t know a normal waltz,” I muttered, eyes wide, trying to pull him toward me and off the dance floor.
But I heard a few vampires—women—laughing, and I looked over my shoulder to see them just watching as if we were their show for the night. All of them were equally beautiful, like muses with their flowing hair and dresses. One looked like she stepped out of the roaring twenties with a cigarette holder and everything. She wiggled her gloved hand at Theseus.
“If your intended is unable, my lord, let us rehash the past and enjoy each other’s company again.” She winked at him, causing the women around her to giggle.
I glanced over to Theseus, who only watched me. “Friend of yours?”
“I do not remember.” He smiled, and though I believed him, it was very convenient. His words made the others go off like hyenas.
“What of me?” Another, who I swore had to be Marilyn Monroe for they looked so much alike, spoke up as well. “Cancun?”
