Aria was laughing as he eased her back down. “I don’t know how to dance.”
“I’ll teach you.”
She glanced around the room; though the party was elaborate there were few people in the room she didn’t know. A fact she was relieved about. They weren’t staring at her and whispering behind their hands as some of the others in the palace did. Though most of the attention she received seemed more curious than malicious, she was still a little troubled by it, and happy she didn’t have to deal with it today. Today was a celebration, and that was what she aimed to do. There would be no more sadness, she decided firmly. Not today.
He pulled her close against him, wrapping one arm around her waist as he took hold of her hand and pressed it to his chest. “Isn’t there supposed to be some room between us?”
“That’s what they say but I don’t agree,” he told her.
“That’s good.” She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes she savored in the delicious scent of him and the sense of security that enveloped her. “The people within the palace, and the vampires that fought with us, are curious about me.”
“They are.”
“They don’t understand us.”
“They don’t,” he confirmed. “But it doesn’t matter. We do, and eventually they will too. I have a surprise for you later.”
She lifted her head to look up at him. “What is it?” she asked eagerly.
“It’s not a surprise if I tell you.”
“I’m not very good at waiting.”
“I won’t make you wait long, I promise.”
She was going to hold him to that promise. “A bigger surprise than talk of wedding cakes?”
He lifted her up and spun her around. A small gasp escaped her as for a moment she felt like she was flying. “I meant it too,” he informed her as he stopped spinning her but didn’t place her back on the ground. “I am going to marry you.”
“Aren’t you supposed to ask me first?” she inquired.
“I thought that would be redundant.”
“So you just assumed I would say yes.”
“Of course.”
Well how the hell was she supposed to argue with that, especially with him grinning down at her like that, and a happy sparkle in his vivid eyes? “You’re arrogant.”
“Hmm.” He shrugged as his hands stroked over her back. “And you love it.”
She shook her head as she rested her hand on his chest again. “When I was little, before I gave up thoughts of marriage, I always pictured being married under the banquet tree.”
“The banquet tree?”
“It’s a giant apple tree that William and I discovered. We were the only two that ever knew its location.”
“Then you’ll have it, just tell me where to be,” he murmured against her mouth.
She shivered as thrills of pleasure swept up and down her spine. Her fingers curled around his solid biceps as he continued to dance with her feet off the ground. Closing her eyes, she let the melodious music drift over her as she lost herself to the feel of him against her. They danced through three more songs before returning to where William stood propped on his crutch between Max and Daniel.
“I’ll be right back.” Braith kissed the top of her head and left the room.
She watched him go before leaning against the table. “Where did everyone go?” she inquired as she realized that Ashby, Jack, Xavier and Gideon were no longer present. A cold chill crept down her spine; she stepped away from the table. He’d handled her revelation well, but she knew Braith had been furious when she’d told him about their plan. “I’ll be right back.”
Daniel stepped in front of her. “We were told to keep you here, something about a surprise.”
Was it really a surprise or was he going to confront them? She glanced nervously from Daniel to the door Braith had disappeared through. “Daniel…”
“It’s fine Aria, really.”
“I hope so,” she muttered.
“It’s been over a week since you told him,” William reminded her as he leaned forward on his crutches. “Don’t you think he would have done something by now?”
“Or he’s just let the anger fester.”
“Nice Max,” Daniel said brusquely.
Max shrugged as he picked at some cheese and crackers. Aria twisted her hands before her as she shifted from foot to foot and watched the door. “Getting married soon?” William tapped her calf with his crutch to get her attention.
“I think so,” she muttered.
“Becoming a vamp soon?”
The three of them became quiet as they exchanged a look. She had a difficult time meeting William’s gaze. It would kill him if she decided to try and make the change and didn’t survive. The thought of it caused a hard lump to form in her throat. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I was going to wait till after our birthday before deciding anything.”
William nodded, his gaze traveled to the cake. “Who knew we’d be hoping that we actually did have vampire blood in us.”
Aria chuckled softly. “Not me. Do you still have Daniel’s drawing?”
He shook his head; sadness crept over his features as he hesitatingly met her gaze. “No, dad saw it one day, he asked me for it. He, uh, he really liked it.”
“Oh.” The sudden pressure in her chest made it difficult to speak.
William squeezed her arm. “I’ll give you away you know, I’ve been trying to do it for eighteen years now.”
She managed a small laugh as she clasped hold of his hand.
***
Braith ran the key Ashby handed him over his fingers. “It’s all set up like you asked for it to be.”
“Good.”
“Are you going there to change her?” Jack inquired.
“I’m not sure about anything when it comes to that,” he admitted.
“She is stronger and more impressive than any other human I’ve ever met,” Gideon said.
Braith glared ferociously at Gideon. “We believe there is a reason for that. Xavier, if you would please tell them.”
Xavier’s dark eyes were reproachful as they scanned over Ashby, Jack, and Gideon. In his firm, even tones, he told them exactly what he had told Braith, and what Braith had in turn related to Aria. Gideon and Ashby’s mouths dropped, Jack seemed to have an, ah-ha moment as he placed his hands over his face and began to nod.