Frailty: The Darkshine(42)

“You look stunning, Gaijryc.”

Her words were like ice across his skin, her blue eyes staring at his reflection as she picked off invisible lint from his tux.

“Do you have anyone in particular that you might like to mate, my son?”

He stared over her shoulder, not wanting to make eye contact with her. He had a feeling she already knew who he was going to pick, that she had already spoken with Iena. It was clear she didn’t know about Helina, though.

“No, Mother. I must see the females’ talents, study each one and pick one that will benefit our kind. I have to see who will make a superior queen as well as the mother of my children.” Gaijryc kept his answer as clinical as possible. His mother smiled coolly, her eyes drilling into him with precision.

“Hmm…Good answer, child. I shall see you downstairs. Don’t keep your guests waiting.”

He didn’t reply, just watched her reflection leave the room, her dress following her like a snake slithering through the dessert. The door shut with a light click, and his jaw clenched, his fists bunching tight. He dreaded going down there, had actually been so tempted to just leave and go to Helina. He was tempted to take her someplace safe, spend the rest of his days with her, just the two of them. Then he thought about what his kind would do to her, what his own mother would do to her. His stomach turned just thinking about it, the images in his mind making him sick.

He picked up the black satin mask off the small end table and placed it over his eyes. He looked at his reflection in the mirror one last time, sickened by the visage that stared back at him. He turned off the light and stood there in the dark, the shadows wrapping around him like the fabric of his tux. He closed his eyes, the image of Helina flashing through his brain.

He opened the door, stepped into the marbled hallway, and made his way toward the spiraling staircase. He stopped at the top, his hands gripping the shined dark oak—the wood feeling cool and smooth beneath his hands. Below, the foyer was filled with mingling bodies, all elegantly dressed in their finest and decorated masks covering their eyes.

As he stood at the top, he could see Iena slinking her way across the floor, her white chiffon dress flowing as if the wind blew lightly around her. Her hair was tumbling down her back, the red locks looking like flames of fire ready to burn his life to the ground. He griped the banister tighter, feeling the wood crush beneath his hands. He took a deep breath and made his way down the carpeted staircase, every male and female turning toward him. Their heads dipped down once he reached the bottom, before rising again and watching him. He inclined his head and made his way into the main ballroom, dreading the rest of the night to come.

He walked through the large entryway, the room decorated like an emperor’s home. Black silk adorned the walls, silver veins snaking up the fabric as if they were climbing the wall. The chandelier glowed brightly in the center of the filled room. The bodies beneath spoke softly, their masks covering their identity and hiding who and what they really were. Round tables were placed along the walls, black cloth covering them, crystal goblets atop the velvet. Silver pillar candles encased in cylinder glass globes sat in the center of each table. Most of the seats were filled, bodies intertwined with each other as their mouths and tongues roamed over any exposed flesh.

Each DarkShine held a champagne flute, red liquid bubbling inside. It was a mixture of champagne and blood, a drink they called Bluesha. Human servants moved around the room, silver platters in their hands filled with flutes and beluga caviar. The sea of bodies parted for him as he walked toward the podium. He walked onto the stage and over toward the five high-back chairs that were situated in the center.

“My lord, would you care for a glass?” Lucie held a glass out to him, her small voice rising over the others.

He smiled and took the glass from her. He downed half of it in the first swallow, trying to numb the pain that was pounding through his body. All his thoughts were on Helina. He finished the drink and set the glass back on her silver platter, taking a full one to replace the empty one. He downed that glass in one swallow, his intention to get good and plastered tonight. There was no way he was going to choose a female to mate with, a female he had no desire for while he was sober. Lucie stared at him with a look he couldn’t quite distinguish. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, needing another drink desperately.

“Are you all right, my lord? You seem…detached.”

“I’m fine, Lucie, just tired.” She smiled up at him, her features like a child, soft and innocent. She wore a simple dress, the plain white material falling around her and making her seem even more childlike.