Page 104 of Blooms of Darkness

I stiffened, expecting Ian to have been my savior, but it wasn't him.

When I made eye contact with my savior, I found Hale.

Relief filled me but didn’t give my body the permission to relax yet. “May I have the next dance?” he asked, glaring at Andras openly.

Andras sneered, exposing his teeth before seeming to remember himself. “Until we meet again, Your Highness.”

My body couldn’t let go of the fear thrumming inside of me until he disappeared from sight.

“I apologize if I came across too forward. You seemed like you needed assistance,” Hale said with a tight smile. “I’ve never seen you so panicked.”

My body still trembled from the sensations of Andras’s hands on me. Sensations that triggered hateful, horrifying thoughts that refused to leave, but I stared into Hale’s eyes and breathed, finding it easier to feel safe again. “Thank you,” I whispered. “You don't even know how much I appreciate what you just did for me. I can’t begin to?—”

“I don’t need to know anything,” he said. “Try to breathe and take a minute. I don’t mind.”

I let Hale hold me, leading me through the rest of the dance. Ian finally came into view, relief flooding his features. He hung back, now that I had escaped Andras’s clutches.

As the song played on, melody building, Hale twirled me around the dance floor, the sense of panic and unease fleeing my body. I even managed a laugh as Hale flung me out and our hands slipped apart.

Catching my breath as the song ended, I gave Hale a quick curtsey before Ian approached and scooped me away for the next dance.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you in time.” Ian gripped me tightly, rubbing a small circle on my back. “What did he say to you?”

“He was brazen. Referencing our time in the dungeon. Here in public. And then, Ian, I swear he got into my mind and mademe think he wasn’t so bad. I caught it, I stopped the thought, but what if he can control people? What if he is controlling my father?” I rested my head on Ian’s shoulder, not wanting to reveal any further fears.

“No one knows his powerexceptyour father,” Ian said, lifting my chin and holding my gaze. “Do not be alone with him again. If you are, scream, cause a scene, something.”

I nodded, knowing I would never be put in that situation again. The absolute arrogance of speaking to me in such a manner, in public, made me wonder what else he’d have the audacity to do. I’d never risk the alternative of being taken somewhere by Andras again.

Ian held me tightly as we danced, adjusting our pace as this song slowed. “How are you holding up?”

I hugged Ian closer, enjoying a brief moment with my guard down now that it was just the two of us. “I’m terrified of what else the trials will take from me,” I admitted. “Ian, I don’t know how I’ll get over Elisabeth’s death, let alone if someone else—” I couldn’t continue the train of thought. It took me to a dangerous territory. Territory that the dance with Andras had only exacerbated.

“You will not get over her death,” he said, his hand drawing me closer as he squeezed me tightly. “None of us will. But we’ll live a life that will make her proud.” He spun me out, smiling at me freely, before twirling me back to him. “And as for losing anyone else. We’ll be vigilant. All of us. I swear it.”

I nodded, refusing to give into any thoughts other than belief in him. Belief that we’d make it through the trials. Alive.

“Leif is absolutely beside himself, you know,” he said, lightening the subject. “Kalliah really has done a number on him by coming with Dimitri tonight.”

As Ian spoke, I noticed Vivienne on the other side of the fire, her hair wildly arranged as usual. I blinked a few times, realizingshe stood in front of Kade. The Seer lifted her hands to Kade’s head before jumping back, his shadows dancing at his feet.

“Mmm, is that so?” I responded, hardly paying attention to what Ian said, doing everything I could to discern what happened between Kade and Vivienne.

Whipping my head around as Ian spun us, I took in the sight of the two of them again. She bowed low before him, a wide grin spread across her face, then she clapped her hands together and skipped away.

“Lan, are you even paying attention?” Ian scolded.

“What, no. Yes! I’m sorry. I got lost for a moment.” I shook my head, refocusing on Ian.

The song slowed to an end, and as if sensing I stared at him, Kade’s gaze met mine. He passed by groups of Fae milling about as he strode toward me, ignoring Ryland and Lord West as they huddled together arguing by a nearby fire.

“Mind if I cut in?” he asked Ian.

He rolled his eyes. “Ah, now it makes sense. Lost, were we? As long as I don’t have to listen to the banter, or whatever it is you two do, be my guest.” Ian bowed and left my side while Kade stepped in.

I hadn’t seen him since he put me to bed after Elisabeth’s death, but it didn't mean he hadn’t been on my mind. He’d preoccupied almost all of my thoughts actually.

His shadows curled toward me, tingling as they caressed my skin. I realized I’d missed their touch as well as his, without even knowing. This was dangerous. A stranger on the throne would be unheard of.

---