Page 127 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

One of those heavily secured doors opened. And it seemed that who walked out captivated the entire court’s attention.

As unlikely as it was, she appeared as if a star had fallen to Elysian.

Draped in ethereal beauty, her golden hair spiraled in endless waves over bone-pale shoulders graced with a gown as white as snow and lavished in golden embellishments. Alora was certain the glow irradiating like the sun around her was from her perfect skin, but a near match of beaming light glistened from the crown of rubies pillowed on her head.

With every graceful step, like she walked on clouds, her bright crimson-colored lips serenely smiled. There was a softness in those eyes. Something sweet and intriguing, inviting and certain. And as she closed the distance, the court parted without a single order from her as the striking blue eyes of a devastatingly beautiful High Fae female were fixed on only one.

Garrik.

It was hard not to imagine them both together. His darkness and this … Celestial’s light.

Alora suddenly felt underdressed—too darkly dressed.

She found her grip tightening on her wineglass and brushed a hand over her upper arm. It was all she could do to remain there as she focused on the floor and chewed on the inside of her cheek.

Thalon noticed, gently elbowed her, and nodded to the high table.

Before, breathing seemed difficult. Now, impossible.

Though the incoming female’s eyes were on the Savage Prince, it was his brutal attention that burned into Alora. And when Thalon cupped Alora’s lower back and motioned her forward, she felt the comforting brush of shadow in her hand.

“Garrik wants you,” Thalon murmured as shadows formed a flower made of darkness in her palm.

While others lurked at the edge of the assembling crowd, the Shadow Order stalked around the table and perched behind their High Prince.

Ladomyr joined the female’s side. And only after he bowed at his waist, a devious smile playing along the wrinkles of his face, did he straighten and usher her forward, announcing, “High Prince. I believe you remember my daughter, Princess Erissa.”

Garrik stood and pulled a chair beside him from the table, gesturing to Alora as if Ladomyr hadn’t said anything at all.

When Alora indulged him and Thalon positioned himself behind, Aiden, too, stood and repeated the same for Jade before an awaiting servant refilled their glasses.

Both Garrik and Aiden returned to their seats. Their sea captain threw his arm over the back of Jade’s chair and crossed his ankles on the table as her High Prince reclined in his.

Erissa weathered it remarkably. Her shoulders remained high as she dared a step forward and leaned over the table as if to suffice as a bow and extended a hand. “High Prince,” she greeted, eyelashes fluttering and rosy cheeks swelling. An invitation for something sweet perhaps.

Brow arched, Garrik merely cocked his head.

The female heir to Land and Growth swallowed, the first sign of nervousness before she withdrew her hand and instead curtsied, earning her a nod of careless approval from the Savage Prince.

”Erissa,” Garrik acknowledged. Voice flat, dismissive.

“If it pleases you, you can address me as princess.”

A muscle flexed in Garrik’s cheek. “It doesn’t.”

The princess curtsied, batting her eyelashes like a practiced performance. By the stars, could she do something else? Whatever hypnotic notion she thought she held wasn’t working on Garrik.

Still, she said elegantly, “Pleased to see you again, Your Royal Highness.”

Alora snorted a laugh and immediately recovered by sipping her wine when she heard Thalon chuckle, too.

The smile on Garrik’s face was menacing to all else but those who knew him. He rolled his head against the chair and wickedly smirked at Alora while the court’s confusion stirred in the air.

Sorry. Your Royal Highn-ass.Suddenly embarrassed about the recklessness of her actions, added,I may have drunk a little too much wine.Sorry.

Inside her mind, Garrik’s smile flashed wide where, in reality, he lightly ran the back of his finger down her invisible death mark.There is nothing to forgive,clever girl. Continue to enjoy yourself. I will watch over you.

It was blatantly evident that Erissa hated the dismissal. Hated the attention Garrik gave another female because her cheeks scarleted brighter than her painted lips. She snapped her head to the musicians, who rushed at her nod and began playing.

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