Page 84 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Kydona help him, but he’d waited so long for this moment. Tracing the outline of the box in his pocket, he turned to Therian.

“I’ve got to go.” He clapped his friend on the back.

If the dragon shifter replied, Ryker didn’t hear it. He was already moving across the ballroom, pushing past curious onlookers drawn towards her. The closer he got, the stronger her scent became.

Soon, night-blooming roses were all he could smell.

Nothing could keep him from going to her. Why were there so many people here?

Ryker was halfway across the ballroom when those beautiful obsidian orbs met his gaze. Though they were masked, it was like she stared directly into his soul.

He froze mid-step as if something had slammed into him. His heart was a drum in his ears. Shivers ran down his spine. The world stopped spinning, his magic thrummed in his veins, and deep within him, something he hadn’t known he was missing settled into place.

A sea of people separated them, but it didn’t matter. It turned out nothing mattered but her.

Time unfroze.

They both moved as if pulled by the same cord. He kept his eyes on her, pushing through the crowd until nothing but a few feet separated them.

Finally. Together at last. No barriers. Nothing keeping them apart. Not anymore.

Her lips parted, and he glimpsed two fangs nestled in her gums.

Hi, she mouthed.

He returned the silent greeting, vaguely aware that other things were happening around them.

The remaining participants of the Choosing were announced, and they entered the ballroom in turn.

He held Brynleigh’s gaze.

Chancellor Rose took the stage, speaking into the microphone.

Brynleigh raised a brow as if saying, Can you believe we have to listen to another speech?

He smirked.

Ignatia Rose applauded the members of this year’s Choosing for their “flexibility.” A fucking understatement, but Ryker didn’t even care. His vampire was here.

Ryker took another step towards Brynleigh. He committed her to memory.

Mine.

Soon, the entire world would know this gorgeous vampire was his, and his alone.

Earlier, Ryker had volunteered to propose first. Stepping up wasn’t difficult—he was already certain of his decision and couldn’t wait to see Brynleigh. His fingers twitched at his sides. He itched to rip the mask off her face.

He wanted to see her, touch her, kiss her.

It felt like the Chancellor’s speech stretched on for hours, although it was likely mere minutes.

The entire time, Ryker’s gaze didn’t slip from his vampire’s. Not when Chancellor Rose announced it was time for the first proposal. Not when the crowd moved back, lining the walls, until only the couples remained in the middle of the ballroom. Not when a spotlight shone down on them, illuminating them for the cameras that were certainly watching.

He was ready for this.

Ryker stepped forward, finally closing the distance between him and his vampire. Silence fell upon the ballroom as hundreds of eyes landed on them. They didn’t bother him. As far as he was concerned, it was just him and Brynleigh.

No one else, not even the Chancellor, mattered.

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