Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
“It has been almost thirty years since one of Omeron witches sealed my mate’s mouth and throat. She cannot speak, nor smile, nor drink as we do,” he said coldly. “She was lucky to escape at all, and she was only there for a day. Why is it you were spared from their wrath, Ms. Monroe?”
The question caught me off guard, but thankfully Taelon stepped forward.
“Father, I have written all about it—”
“I was not speaking to you,” he sneered at his son, his eyes gazing over Taelon’s attire. “And as you have chosen not to dress in union with our family, you will not call me father again tonight. Understood?”
“Yes, Mr. President,” he answered and stepped back, standing in front of Lucy.
I now saw the difference. The Swan family—those who I knew and were here—were all dressed as English high society in some way or another…expect Taelon.
Because of Lucy.
“Ms. Monroe, are you unable to answer?” President Swan pressed. “I have read my son’s report. But it lacks…how should say? Depth. He was an outsider looking in. I wish to know from your view, why?”
“If I knew, I would have stayed?” I just blurted out.
“Really? Is our home so unpleasant?”
“Of course not, it is beautiful, Mr. President,” I said, quickly trying to think how to say it politely, but I didn’t have it. So, I spoke. “But it is your home, not mine. Everything I could want could be here, but it still does not make up for my place, my life, and my things. I don’t think anyone should be driven from their home simply for what they are. I was born in northern Virginia, so were my parents, and their parents. My memories are there. It’s beautiful to me. And if I could have stayed there, I would have. So, I can’t give you any more depth than Taelon or my friend Lucy could.”
His jaw cracked to the side at the mention of Lucy. “Very well, Mikhail. We have taken enough of your night; let us dance.”
“Fin-a-fucking-ly. I thought we all forgot what a party was.” Mikhail spun back around, throwing his hand in the air. “Play already!”
Thank God. This segment of the new vampire at the ball was finally over. I understood now why Theseus tried to delay my entrance into vampire society by making me go shopping.
Theseus leaned over whispering, “You have done well, but do not relax. It is not over.”
“What more could there be?” I asked as he spun me in his arms, leading us to the dance floor. “We’re dancing?”
“Every vampire ball on this side of the world begins with the Viennese Waltz,” he said.
“I don’t know a normal waltz,” I muttered, eyes wide, trying to pull him toward me and off the dance floor.
But I heard a few vampires—women—laughing, and I looked over my shoulder to see them just watching as if we were their show for the night. All of them were equally beautiful, like muses with their flowing hair and dresses. One looked like she stepped out of the roaring twenties with a cigarette holder and everything. She wiggled her gloved hand at Theseus.
“If your intended is unable, my lord, let us rehash the past and enjoy each other’s company again.” She winked at him, causing the women around her to giggle.
I glanced over to Theseus, who only watched me. “Friend of yours?”
“I do not remember.” He smiled, and though I believed him, it was very convenient. His words made the others go off like hyenas.
“What of me?” Another, who I swore had to be Marilyn Monroe for they looked so much alike, spoke up as well. “Cancun?”
I bit my lip and squeezed his hands tightly. “How much fun you’ve had here in America, and here, I thought you came for me.”
“Are you jealous?” he questioned, his eyebrow raised, pulling me from them and onto the dance floor. His body pressed against mine. He lifted me slightly so that I could step on his feet. “Of women I do not remember? That I do not desire?”
“I’m just curious,” I shot back as he did all the work, spinning me all around. I did my best to watch the others, so I could learn how to do it myself. “You came here for one woman, and you indulged.”
“I do not know what I thought of at the time.” He frowned. “But I know, had the woman I sought gave me an expectation date for her appearance, maybe I could have held on and indulged only in her.”
I glared, but he kissed the side of my face whispered, “I am not perfect, and vampires can get lonely, crazy, and despondent, too. Thank God, you found me, or who knows how long I would have had to deal with the sound of that laughter. It is as if cats were being boiled alive.”