The music surges and he leads me into the first step. Back and side to side. A twirl and a spin. A dip, and then he lifts me through the air.
He holds my eyes at times, searching me deep, begging for his wife to wake and return to him. Other times, he holds me close, and I feel his desperation, his reverence at my nearness.
With every step, with every touch in our dance, I almost pray that I am Sevan. That this pain Cyrus has had to endure for thousands of years will end. He’s been so alone. It’s just not fair.
“Do you feel her?” he asks quietly as the song begins to wind down. “Has she whispered to you to remember me? To remember us?”
The way he speaks, the way he whispers, I feel the words brush against my soul. They embrace my core and beg me to grant him his desire.
My eyes meet his and I bring my hand to his cheek, caressing it. “Give me some time.”
I swear his eyes will swallow my soul as he gazes at me, long and deep. Slowly, he leans forward, and I think he will kiss me. But he places his lips on my jawline instead. His hands wrap around my waist, holding me close. So intimate.
And, it’s now that my eyes turn to those around us.
Everyone is watching us, a circle formed around our dance floor. Eyes search us expectantly. Some look away in embarrassment at the King’s public display of desire. Others show excitement, hope that maybe, just maybe, after 271 years, the Queen of the vampires has returned.
The song comes to an end, and I’m almost regretful that Cyrus has to let me go. He takes just one of my hands in his, steps back, and bows to me once again. He places his lips on my hand. “Thank you for the dance,” he says quietly.
“Thank you,” I repeat, and my voice comes out sounding breathless.
He offers a smile that’s as complicated as our dance before he straightens. He does not let my hand go, however, when he turns his attention back to those that surround us.
“It is indeed a unique occasion to visit a new House,” Cyrus says, his voice commanding and booming. “While the House of Conrath has deep roots, its death occurred when Elijah was betrayed by this town. It has been reborn, and it is a grand spectacle, the circumstances under which it resurrected.”
He turns to face the other side of the room, guiding me along with him. “But rebuilding takes time. Rebuilding is difficult. And it has left our dear Alivia weak where she should be strong. This is indeed a restored House, and with it, all Royal connections are reinstated. It is time for the House of Conrath to resemble a true Royal House.”
I look over at Cyrus and see a grin slowly growing on his face. And I know.
The King’s games are about to begin.
“You knew it was coming, and I will not disappoint,” he continues, even as I hear a collective breath being taken in. “This decade’s events will take place in three parts. The last two parts will be revealed later, but I will give unto you the first now.”
I swear everyone leans in just a little closer. The breaths that were drawn in before are still and held now. I feel the fear slowly creeping into the room.
“This House is small. Tiny. It’s time for it to grow.” Cyrus’ smile grows wider as he looks around the room. “It is up to you—each and every one of you,” he looks at everyone. He’s let go of my hand and slowly walks around the room. “Both of the Conrath House and my Court, to go out into the world and find other Born to join this House.”
Not just my House members. Those he brought with him, as well.
The shock shows because shouts and arguments break out.
I see Cyrus’ eyes flash red, and suddenly, his hands are around a man’s neck and a silver blade is pressed into the base of his ribcage. “I said everyone,” he hisses. And the sound, his voice, it’s animalistic. Not human. It’s a jaguar, a lion. A bear.
Cyrus shoves the man away, and he crashes into a wall, thirty feet away.
He continues his walk around the crowd. He straightens his jacket. “You all have two weeks to complete this task. If you do not find a Born willing to swear allegiance to the House of Conrath within that timeframe, do not return.” He looks around sharply to the members of the Court. “That applies to you all.”
“Your highness,” X starts, stepping forward, confusion upon her face.
“I said you all,” he hisses quietly. He continues walking the circle. “Now, I will not expect you all to go out into the big world without a good day’s rest. Sleep, recharge today. For tomorrow night, you all will depart. Good night, and good luck.”
Cyrus once again takes my hand. He leads me through the crowd and out of the ballroom.
And just like that, the games have begun.