Page 75 of Dhampira

More heads turned our way.

Lord Seldare moved in front of me and bowed low. “Princess Corinthe, I would be honored to claim your first dance in Nocta.”

My heart knocked against my ribs. Courtiers stared. Lord Seldare straightened slowly, a challenge in his eyes as he held out his hand. I couldn’t take it. If I did, everyone would know.

Lord Seldare’s smile turned brittle. “Princess?”

“Seldare,” Lorcan said, appearing behind him. He slapped a big hand on the smaller man’s shoulder and moved him aside. Lorcan looked between us, a plate of food in his free hand. “Oh, are you dancing?”

Lord Seldare drew himself up. “We were just about to—”

“I’m afraid not,” Lorcan said. He shoved the plate into Lord Seldare’s chest and then flashed a mocking smile when Seldare clutched at it, almost dropping it. Capturing my hand, Lorcan drew me past Seldare and onto the dance floor. “I’m a jealous man, my lord,” Lorcan called as he slid his free hand around my waist. “I’m afraid all the princess’s dances belong to me.”

My skirts tangled around my legs. Lorcan guided one of my hands to his shoulder. As he raised our joined hands to the side, I spoke through clenched teeth. “I can’t—”

Hush, he said in my head. His eyes shuttered as he spun us around, but I still saw the flashes of black between his lids as his voice flowed through my head again. I know you can’t dance, so let me lead. Your gown will hide any missteps.

He spread his palm over my back, his fingers pressing harder as he maneuvered me in sweeping circles. The ballroom spun past in a whirlwind of windows and light. My skirts fanned wide, the dragonstones flaring with my movements. The acrobats tumbled through the air above us.

Casting a quick look around, I spoke under my breath. “How did you know I can’t dance?”

Lorcan stared at me through half-lidded eyes. You’ve looked ready to faint since you stepped through the doors. He squeezed my fingers. A big turn here. A second later, he gave my hand another squeeze as he spun me in a tight circle. Good. He lowered his gaze, his thick lashes almost but not quite shielding his eyes. Keep that pace. One, two, three…One, two, three…

My heart pumped faster as we moved around the ballroom. His palm splayed over my upper back, Lorcan continued pressing his fingers against my gown. After a moment, I realized he was giving me cues for the dance. Lights blurred. The hair at my nape grew damp. Looking at the crowd made me dizzy, so I looked at Lorcan, my gaze locked with his.

Mama had taught me just about everything, but she never taught me how to dance. It was too dangerous. The heat and proximity. Hearts pumping faster. Blood throbbing just under the skin. Duncan had begged me to accompany him to barn raisings and harvest festivals. He’d loved to dance.

I missed a step, my foot crashing down on Lorcan’s. He grunted and tightened his grip on my hand.

“Sorry!” I said.

“Don’t worry about it,” he muttered out loud. “I have nine other toes.”

My face heated. As we made another sweep around the floor, I pitched my voice low. “I thought you couldn’t always speak in my mind.”

“I can’t.” His fingers flexed against my back and he spun me in another fast circle. Unless the right opportunity presents itself.

He meant he’d drained a witch. And he retained the gift he’d stolen, which meant Vander hadn’t siphoned the dead blood. I danced with a burgeoning madman.

“People aren’t opportunities,” I said.

The music ended with a flourish. Lorcan stopped. Around us, breathless couples faced the musicians’ balcony and applauded. Lorcan kept his gaze on mine, his back to the balcony as he spoke in my head.

You have the power to change that, Princess.

Above us, the head musician stood and bowed over his instrument. The crowd’s cheering was a thunderous backdrop as Lorcan and I faced off. The challenge he’d issued in the Everless ran through my head. Will you stop him? Or will you stand aside and let him build an empire on bones and innocent blood?

“Shall we?” he said aloud, offering his arm.

We returned to the pillar, where he plucked two glasses of blood-wine from a passing servant. Lord Seldare stood on the other side of the dance floor, the woman with the fan at his side.

“Please don’t leave,” I blurted as Lorcan pressed a wineglass into my hand. Immediately I longed to snatch back the request. “I mean, you don’t need to bring me food. I’m not hungry.”

Lorcan studied me. “All right.” He faced the ballroom and sipped his wine.

My nerves settled. He was an arrogant, unlikable ass, but at least I knew what to expect. Mostly. And his presence would keep Lord Seldare and the rest of Rasimir’s courtiers away.

With sweat cooling on my skin, I drank my wine and let my gaze wander over the room. Rasimir remained on his throne, his attention on the acrobats. Vander maintained his post, his body so still he might have been a statue in the courtyard. As if he sensed my attention, his silver eyes connected with mine. Beside me, Lorcan tensed.