Page 55 of The Princess and the Demon

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the way my body reacted when Amon was near, but my body felt languid and warm as he led me from the dining room.

He takes my arm and I place my hand over his as we walk down the corridor. His scent assaults my senses, and I look up at him to find him watching me.

I avert my gaze.

“Where are we going?” I ask as he leads me around a corner.

My question is answered a moment later as we enter a large ballroom.

I gasp as we pass the threshold.

The entire room is lit by rows and rows of candles. The ceiling is black and ornate, and carved figures of small, winged demons decorate the walls.

One entire wall boasts floor to ceiling ornate doors, and I sigh when I realize the outside veranda is lit up with candelabras as well.

Amon leads me to the center of the room, his hand never releasing mine. Somewhere a violin begins to play softly, and the sound sends goosebumps along my skin.

It felt like it had been forever since I heard music.

Other instruments join in, and Amon pulls me close, his hand spanning my waist. I reach up, placing a hand on his upper arm, and his intake of breath doesn’t go unnoticed.

I look up at him, smiling.

His eyes glint in the candlelight, and then he’s twirling me across the dance floor. His eyes never leave mine, and I can see the room spinning around us from my peripheral. It doesn’t make me feel dizzy, and Amon’s grip on my waist grounds me.

Music fills the space around us, and everything fades away. It’s just me and him in this moment, and my heart skips a beat.

I could get used to this.

The way he makes me feel is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

I could live this life with him. I could...love him.

I catch a glimpse of red out of the corner of my eye as he spins me around, but when he twirls me a second time it’s gone.

Amon pulls me in close, his hand pressing against the small of my back.

We’re both breathless, and I gasp, my lips parting slightly.

Leaning back, I look into his eyes. His pupils dilate, and it’s just then that I realize we aren’t twirling anymore.

The air buzzes between us, and I place a hand against his chest.

I can feel his heart hammering beneath the fabric of his vest, and I can feel how my own heart rhythm matches his.

Looking down at the place where my hand meets his chest, I pull my bottom lip between my teeth.

Amon’s deep growl is the only warning I get as his hand wraps around the nape of my neck, and his lips crash against mine.

I gasp, stiffening, and he breaks the kiss immediately, releasing me and taking a few steps backwards.

I lift a hand to place the back of it against my mouth. My lips tingle, and my limbs tremble.

“I am sorry, Elora.”

Amon’s voice is strained, and before I have a chance to reach out to him, he turns on his heel, leaving me alone in the ballroom.

My entire body feels like gelatin, and it takes everything I have to will myself to move.

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