AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I come to the open double doors and gaze out across the ballroom from the top of a wide staircase. The ceiling is all glass, and numerous crystal chandeliers hang from it, their subtle glow setting a sultry and majestic mood on everything it touches. The Harvest Moon, visible through the glass, seems to smile down on the celebration below. The dance floor is awash in an array of bright colors as the partygoers in gowns and suits move to the lively beat. Tables filled with food are near the opposite wall and round tables with elaborate flower and candlestick centerpieces are scattered on the outskirts of the room. The waitstaff roams freely, carrying trays of delicate crystal flutes with amber-colored liquor.
Everyone seems in a good mood tonight. It’s always this way on the night of the Harvest Moon. Perhaps there’s a bit of magic that helps us forget all of our problems and worries for just one night. I smile at the happy faces and can’t help but feel their infectious enthusiasm.
“You chose the red,” Daimis says from my right.
I didn’t hear him approach. I turn to see him leaning against the doorway in a casual manner with his hands in his pockets. Gods above and below, he’s magnificent. His face is clean-shaven, and his black hair is neatly styled. He wears a tailored black suit that hugs his muscular physique in all the right places. A single red rose sits in the front pocket of his jacket, and his family crest pendant lays on the outside of his clothing. It takes me a moment before I realize I’m staring, or gawking, possibly even drooling. And a moment longer to realize he’s staring right back.
His gorgeous green eyes, a light contrast against his bronzed skin, scan down the length of my dress. His gaze is slow and deliberate, like a teasing caress, full of wicked promises that have my cheeks warming. I quickly tell myself it’s just a normal reaction to his obvious incredible looks and attention. Any woman would suffer the same reaction.
His eyes land again on mine and he takes a step forward. “You look downright sinful,” he says, his voice a low rumble.
“I prefer you in leather and demon blood myself, but I suppose this is nice too.”
He chuckles.
His first words register, and I feel a pang of sadness that Kellan hadn’t requested me here. “You sent the dresses.”
“I did.” He tilts his head. “You look disappointed. Were you hoping for sparring instead? That can still be arranged.” Then his eyebrows raise, and he nods. “Ah, you thought Kellan had sent them.”
I don’t say anything, but there must be something on my face because Daimis comes closer with concern. “You have ended things with him, haven’t you? I had assumed since. . .” he trails off.
“Not that it is any of your business, but I would have to actually see him to be able to end it,ifthat’s what I had decided to do.”
His brows crease. “But I thought that’s why he’s been staying away from you.”
I turn toward the dance floor, not wanting Daimis to see any more of my humiliation over Kellan’s obvious rejection. We both stand there for a moment in silence watching the dancers in their revelry, and my dropped mood picks up.
“I knew you would pick the red one,” Daimis says when a new song starts.
“Why is that?”
He shrugs. “I’m still working on that theory.”
I turn my head to look at him. “Theory?”
He smiles and it’s both alluring and dangerous. “I’m not ready to share it quite yet.” His gaze falls to my feet. “I am a little surprised you chose the shoes. While they make your legs look incredible, I half thought you’d wear your boots tonight.”
I huff a laugh. “That would certainly make a statement.”
He raises his brows as if to say he wouldn’t put it past me.
“Don’t worry, Princess. I have a blade strapped to my thigh.” I shrug. “In case you need rescuing again.”
“There’s my Demon-slayer we all know and love.” He leans in closer. “And that’s even sexier than the shoes.” He holds his hand out to me. “Would you care to dance?”
I don’t know if it’s the effect of the Harvest Moon, or if it’s that I need a distraction from the disappointment that Kellan didn’t ask me here, but I accept. I place my hand in his, and he wraps it around his arm. Besides, dancing is really just another form of sparring. Or is it the other way around? Either way, I have a feeling that Daimis will be just as talented on the dance floor as he is in the sparring ring.
We descend the stairs together and must make quite a sight because before we arrive at the bottom, every gaze in the room is on us. It’s more attention than I want, and it makes me nervous.
I lean to Daimis’s ear. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, everyone is looking at us.”
He turns to me, his gaze lingering for a moment. “Trust me, they’re all looking at you.”
“Laying it on thick tonight, aren’t you?”
He puts his free hand on my waist and leads us onto the dance floor. “This one’s not a line. I mean, I take full credit for the dress, obviously.”
“Oh, obviously,” I mock, letting him expertly lead us into the steps of the dance.
