A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,107
smiles down at me, apparently my groan wasn’t as quiet as I hoped, while Luc chuckles on my other side. “I am glad you’re enjoying it,” Kain says softly, before his eyes dart around the room, checking on his people.
“Don’t tell Everly how I betrayed her with Nonnie’s cooking.”
“Your secret is safe with me, mon amour. I want you to enjoy yourself today, because tomorrow, tomorrow we meet with my family, and then with the Generals about our next moves. I already have an inkling of how it’s all going to go, so I don’t want you to worry too much, but I know how you stress over these things, so enjoy yourself tonight, enough to make up for tomorrow. You will soon see that everyone else will be.” He winks at me, and I wonder about his insinuations while trying not to hyperventilate about meeting his family. Shit.
The Generals, I’m pretty sure I know how that’s going to go already too. I just need to turn on the charm tonight, which I can totally do. Just show them who I am, so that tomorrow, when I tell them what we’re fighting for, they have no reason not to believe me, because they’ve already seen me.
We finish eating, and the wait staff bring out dessert. It is placed before me, and Kain gives me a knowing grin.
“He asked Nonnie especially,” Luc whispers, and I grin.
“Thank you,” I say to Kain, before taking a bite of the lemon cheesecake in front of me. It melts in my mouth and I close my eyes. “Holy cake goodness.”
“I am glad you like it. Nonnie will be pleased,” Kain says as he takes a bite of the chocolate cake before him. That’s when I realize no-one else has the cheesecake. “The rest is waiting for you. I saw the one Everly stashed for you.”
He winks at me, and I feel my cheeks heat. “My brothers used to steal my cheesecake, so I got a little precious over it, but you could have shared it out.”
“Don’t be silly, mon amour. A present for my Queen, one so easily catered to, is for you alone.” He kisses me deeply, the taste of chocolate on his tongue as it meets mine, and I melt beneath his touch.
Luc coughs beside me, and it pulls me back to reality. I try not to blush as I realize people are watching. “Save that for later.” Danerius winks at us, and I blush harder. What does he mean, later?
The plates are carried away once we finish, and the wine starts flowing more as the music gets louder, and people start to talk more. I finish my glass as a server brings the bottle in our direction so he can pour another. I don’t usually drink too much, but I don’t want to seem too stiff when everyone else seems to be pounding the booze. Plus, wine isn’t whiskey, so I should be fine.
People begin gathering on the empty space between our tables and the others, and start to dance. I smile watching the children dancing with their moms and dads, the couples enjoying each other, even when some people start feeding while they dance, I barely blink. This is how they live, and who am I to judge as long as everyone is willing. A little girl, maybe no older than six, comes up to the table and shyly asks Kain to dance, who graciously agrees and takes her little hand in his then takes her down to dance with the others. Luc disappears when Emilé appears at the table to dance too, and so I watch, smiling and laughing at their antics.
“Would you like to dance?” An older Dracul asks me. I take him in, his height, his dark hair peppered with silver, and his bright blue eyes rimmed in amber. Kain’s eyes.
“It would be my pleasure,” I tell him, and stand. “I’m Remy.”
“Oh I know who you are dear. My name is Silas Michaels.” His eyes sparkle as he confirms he is in fact, Kain’s father.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” I say as he takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor.
“We shall see.” His hand settles on my waist, his other still holding my hand, and sweeps us across the floor. Kain spots us, and his shock is momentarily obvious before he schools his features. “I was quite shocked to hear that my son had bonded to you. Again. After we forbade it. It would