It didn’t escape me that Codran asked Roman for permission, not me, but I was too distracted by the woman at his side. I hadn’t noticed her before. “Solaris?”
Golden curls cascaded over the woman’s shoulders, covered in powder-blue lace. I could picture those emerald-green eyes in my mind, but the ones staring back at me were a vivid red. Her face was rounder than my Solaris', yet the vampiress before me looked more like my twin than I did. Little fangs peeked through her grin. “Solaris? My name is Iliya, darling!”
I flushed, utterly humiliated. The woman in front of me was not my sister, of course. Solaris wouldn’t be here, the thought seemed utterly ridiculous now. The disappointment weighing on my chest felt like an aching void that my twin had left behind. I dipped my head. “My mistake, ma’am.”
“Oh, don’t call me ma’am. Iliya is fine! You don’t mind if I steal your man for a turn, do ya?” She threw me a mischievous wink and turned her attention back to Roman, holding out her hand expectantly.
Roman’s shoulders tensed. He glanced at me, eyebrows furrowed. I understood his unspoken question and dipped my head in acceptance. No need to create a scene. He took her hand and spun her onto the dance floor, leaving me alone with the Bursuc Count.
I curtsied awkwardly to Codran, then extended my hand. His touch was like stone, reminiscent of Roman’s, but lacking the warmth of his dark tendrils. Instead, a toxic green fog enveloped me, itsoverwhelming strength showing just how powerful he was. Codran maintained a polite distance, though that may have had more to with my master’s presence than any actual civility.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” he inquired, a smile curling his lips. His voice was smooth and deep, the kind that made ladies swoon, matched by a handsome face.
“Estrella, sir.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Estrella.” He released my back to spin me in time with the crowd, catching me effortlessly.
“It’s lovely to meet you as well, sir.”
“I hope you don’t find me rude, but I must ask, your master didn’t take an acolyte for so long, what made him change his mind?”
“You’d have to ask him, sir.”
Codran hummed thoughtfully, his eyes giving me a cursory once-over. “You must be quite special to have garnered his attention.”
“Maybe he just likes blondes,” I muttered without thinking. Roman was now spinning Iliya in the center of the dance floor. She looked like she was having the time of her life, but his expression was unreadable.
Codran’s eyes sparkled as he followed my gaze. He spun us so I no longer faced the pair. “I might be starting to understand.”
I looked up at his angular face. If my confusion showed, he didn’t let on. “Is this your first time at the Levis estate?”
“Yes, sir. I haven’t traveled much.”
Codran dipped me back, his arm guiding my descent. “Well, that is unfortunate. One hasn’t truly lived until they’ve seen all ten regions.”
My heart skipped as he pulled me back up. “Have you been to all the Houses, then?” I quickly remembered myself and added, “sir.”
“Indeed. Unlike any other House, the Bursucs have an embassy in every region. Though my favorite has always been the Panteras, theircapital, Meviza, is quite colorful.”
Dense green jungles broken by vibrant relics filled my mind. I could almost envision their warriors racing through the underbrush, whether in their humanoid forms or as sleek black cats they were named for. We studied their House in the academy. Aside from the Azu, they were one of the most economically and politically powerful Houses. Their influence spread over most of the Cacera continent. “I can only imagine,” I breathed.
“I’m surprised His Majesty hasn’t taken you on any diplomatic trips prior to this.” Codran spun me again as the song began to slow.
“I’ve only been with him for a short while, sir,” I corrected.
“Hmmm,” Codran leaned closer, that smirk returning to his lips, “I think he just wants to keep you all to himself.”
He leaned back as we guided ourselves to a slow stop when the song ended. The orchestra along the far wall shuffled as they prepared for the next set. “I can’t say I blame him, though. I wouldn’t want my acolytes where just anyone could snatch them up.”
His tone was teasing, and he winked, but the implication made my skin crawl. It shouldn’t; acolyte theft was quite common, so his comment wasn’t unwarranted. I just didn’t like the reminder. It was also common for committed or married vampires to have acolytes, but the thought that he might have his own in addition to Iliya made me squeamish.
Warmth enveloped my exposed skin like a satin blanket, alerting me to Roman’s presence. I turned to him and the starstruck Iliya. She let go of his arm and floated to Codran on air-light feet. “Oh my gosh, that was crazy! Everyone was staring!” she squealed, and I was surprised more people weren’t watching as she bounced on the balls of her feet.
Codran’s smirk softened into a smile, his eyes warming as hewrapped his lover in his arms. Something ugly twisted in my gut at the love reflected in his expression. I wanted someone to look at me that same way. “Everything you dreamed?”
I shifted to Roman’s side, and he tugged me to his chiseled frame. Iliya kissed Codran, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure they were aware of anyone else in the room. Then she spun to us. “Yes, a million times yes!” Her cranberry eyes found mine. “You’re so fortunate! Especially in that dress. All the ladies must want to be you!”
Before I could react, Roman stepped back. He took my hand and spun me, putting me on display. “You like her dress? She designed it herself.”
