Ronan fixes the lapels of his tuxedo, then glances at me briefly, probably to check if I’m about to take off in search of Aurora.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say.
I appreciate his concern, and I’m glad I told him the truth. He might have to drag me out of here tonight. I can already feel the yearning increasing by leaps and bounds. Aurora is inside the building, and the magic of the mating bond is pulling me toward her. But I hold my ground and follow Ronan in the opposite direction instead.
Manu, with her pale skin and long white hair, draws the attention of every single person she passes. Her allure has not vanished despite the curse from the Nightingale queen. We owe the Nightingales our existence, but no one can make me like that bitch.
The Conservatorium Hotel is a grandiose building, a landmark in Salem. It belongs to the Montenegros, a powerful family of witches and mages, and one of the first settlers here. The decoration is lavish, all whites, creams, and golds. It reminds me of the Palace of Versailles and I believe it was inspired by it, down to the corridor with mirrors encased by golden frames to the large chandelier hanging from the frescoed ceiling.
King Raphael is already holding court, which is no surprise. He’d command the attention of anyone in any room. Tall and imposing, he’s a force to be reckoned with, and the most powerful vampire I’ve ever met. I don’t know how anyone can look at the male and not think he’s the rightful king. The thought brings me bitter memories that I’d sooner shove back to a dark corner in my mind.
Manu reaches the king first. He ceases the conversation at once to greet his niece with a kiss on her cheek. Ronan and I are not that chummy with him, despite have known him our entire lives. We simply bow our heads.
From the corner of my eye, I spot several of the king’s Red Guard soldiers. They’re not dressed in uniform, but their symbol—a red rose pin—is attached to the lapels of their jackets. Ronan, Lucca, and I have trained with them. They’re all badasses, even the regulars in their ranks.
Ronan and Manu are talking to the king now, but my attention is diverted elsewhere. I sense Aurora getting nearer. My neck strains as I try to see over the crowd of people mingling in the grand saloon. When I finally spot her, my heart somersaults to my throat, getting stuck there. She’s a vision in a formfitting sparkling gold dress that accentuates her tanned skin. Her long hair is pulled back in a complicated style, which leaves her neck exposed.
I move in the blink of an eye, using supersonic vampire speed in a room full of people. I’m breaking etiquette, but the bond is too strong to resist. I only stop moving when I’m standing right in front of her. She gasps, widening her eyes in fright. Oops, I guess I did appear out of nowhere.
“Saxon, what the hell!” she snaps, but then looks sheepishly at the two guests standing nearby.
“Sorry.”
“What are you doing here?” she asks in a much lower tone.
“I was invited.” I step closer, taking a deep breath of her sweet scent.
She glances around in a cagey manner. “You shouldn’t have come.”
A dark feeling unfurls in my chest. It’s dangerous and aggressive, not quite jealousy, but a hundred times worse. “Because of your fiancé?”
She looks straight into my eyes. “Yes.”
“Are you afraid he’s going to find out you have the hots for me?” I joke, a terrible attempt to distract me from the need to kill the bastard.
She doesn’t answer for a couple of beats, but she also doesn’t break eye contact. “I don’t think he would care about that. This is a political alliance.”
“You seem resigned to your fate.”
With a shake of her head, she glances away. “I’m not sure I am.”
Like an idiot, I touch her naked arm, and once again, our contact causes an electroshock. But I don’t move my hand away. I can’t.
“Just say the word and I will rip his throat out. I mean it.”
Her plump lips part, sending a zing of libido down my cock. I’m about to make a scene and crush my mouth to hers when someone with a mic interrupts.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our little soiree,” a woman with bright red hair and more cosmetic surgeries than Cher says.