I managed to avoid a few dances by talking with the Pures. Using a child's curiosity to know more about the Vampire God to keep away from the annoying males who were all too interested in a child. As Mistress the Pures humored me. The other Born girl joined me.
Which meant a hoard of males in their twenties to early teens hovered in the wings waiting for an opening to wisk us on to the dance floor where we would be forced to endure them. At least until the song ended. The Fledglings were eating up the attention. They hoped to find a turned partner with a high ranking sire or a born Vampire to take higher up the ranks. Some of the older Vampires were looking at us as well but they would leave us alone until we were older. Afterall this was when we were protected. This was when the younger generation would create friendships and increase the bonds between houses.
"With all due respect," Cory said. "The two of you should dance with at least a few of them."
At his suggestion I turned to look at the group of males. There were a couple that weren't too bad in the looks department I suppose. Although I still wanted a female partner. With a sigh I moved towards the group. They seemed to have made an order for themselves since one stepped forward to greet me.
"Miss NightLeaf," I tensed.
Luke stepped up beside me, "That's Lady NightLeaf to you. She is a Baroness. You are not equals." I swayed my skirts to Bush Luke's legs.
"I don't think it's a problem," I said looking up at him.
"Lady NightLeaf, it is highly inappropriate for an event like this for you to forgo your title."
I looked down at my hands. My skill was still very active. "I'm sorry."
He placed his hand on my hair. "Now now, you are young yet. Lord Alaric has kept you sheltered so it is natural for you need guidance on these things. Go dance with them. Make friends that is why you are here. Best hurry before the elders join you in dancing."
"Yes Pure," I smiled up at him as I moved closer to the male. I reached out my hand to him which he took gleefully. He led me to the edge of the dance floor where we waited for a moment for the next song. Which resulted on him stepping on my feet. Half. A. Dozen. Times. Thank the gods for my skill.
After the dance I moved over to get a drink. Vampires could eat solid food but they weren't big on it. Well most Vampires. The lower ranks were quiet limited. As I made my way to Alaric to check in I whispered at Luke, "You are rubbing my feet when we get home. Also if any of you have ice magic? Make sure they are there to help with the swelling."
He smiled at me as he said quietly, "Yes, my Lady."
I had a real smile on my face as I approached Alaric. "My Lord," I said.
He looked me over with a small smile. "You seem to be enjoying yourself." He smoothed a piece of hair behind my hair.
I smiled up at him, "It's nice to get out."
"Did you enjoy your dance with Lord Night's ward?"
I stepped into him with a laugh. "I nearly set the boy a flame he stepped on my toes so many times." I was careful to keep my words quiet.
The skin around his eyes tightened. I giggled as if Aiden had told me a joke. "Fine! I will dance until my feet fall off then. Until I have found me a dance partner who entertains me for the whole night."
He smiled then, "That's the spirit! Make as many friends as you like."
With a giggle I handed him glass and went back to the dance floor. Some had taken note of our parting words even if they had no idea of what had caused them.
Oh how easily he had chosen to write my words off as a joke. As if I wasn't strong enough to light all these Fledglings on fire and have magic to spare. I danced with man after man. Song after song until everyone cleared the floor. I moved back to Alaric to watch. All the Royals made their way down from the dais. Well everyone with a partner. A few who didn't also came down.
They beelined for someone in the crowd and claimed them for the dance. I watched in shock as both the twins rose from their thrones. My body tightened as I tucked myself slightly behind Alaric. Trying to hide. Not that it would work. The crowd spread out into a wide circle. At least Alaric stayed by my side. For some reason I could imagine him abandoning me to the hoard of people.
I stopped breathing as they walked towards Alaric and I. Surely not. There must be someone nearby that caught their eye. I wanted to look around and see who it could be but I couldn't take my eyes off them. The reward from years ago came to mind.
It couldn't be.
It was.
The two of them stopped directly in front of me. They had softer chins than Alaric which instantly made me like them more. I think the head shape was referred to as heart shaped. Although their foreheads were a bit small for that term... I think. I certainly was no expert on that subject.
The room watched us, watched them watch me. I took in how their eyes flicked to Alaric. "You should stop pissing her off," the one on the left said.
The one on the right held out his hand to me. "We wish only to touch your hand," he said. "It is rare for Nefer to show his favor to one of his children." The left Leone mirrored his brother. They stood perfectly still. Waiting for me to put a hand in each of their respective hands.
They were the heirs so I had no choice but to do as they wished. I placed a hand in each of theirs. Felt a blush over take me as their fingers held me fast. So much strength. The strength of Pure Blood blessed decended directly from the God that created them. They bent forward and I watched as they kissed the back of my hands. I waited for my skill
"P- please fo- forgive me," I stuttered out, "I'm n- not sure h- how to address you." What the hell?
They shared a look with eachother before looking at me. "Normally you would address us as Your Grace followed by our names. You may call us Lord though," the one on the right told me.
The collective room inhaled with shock. I shifted on my feet. "Thank you Your Grace for the guidance." They almost looked disappointed by my choice.
"Would you join one of us for a dance?" The one on the left asked me.
"Which one of you?" I asked.
They smiled at me. "That is up to you," they said together. I knew their names. Everett and Evander. I did not know which was which though. These two were identical. From the way the had their hair to the clothes they wore. I somehow doubted their Royal Mother could tell them apart. My gaze flicked between the two of them before settling on the one on the left. His smile widened.
"Sorry brother. I win this round."
The one on the right stepped away to make room for his brother and I to pass. He watched as we took our place with the others, "You may begin playing."
Unlike the boys who had stepped on my feet the Heir lifted me easily up onto his feet. I looked up to see a small frown overtake his features. He was taller than me. He was taller than Alaric I would wager.
"Is something wrong?" I questioned.
Dancing was so popular because it was easy to have private conversations. "May I lift you?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You are a bit small to have a conversation with while dancing."
"Oh," I said. Between one step and the next I used dark magic to rise. "Will this work?" His eyebrows flicked up in surprise. "Night Walker," I said by way of explanation.
"Ah, Dark magic. Can you maintain this?"
I shrugged, "Doing this for a song or two will be okay." I looked away. Compared to most Vampires I was lacking in the stats department. Even if I had done a good job padding them before coming here tonight.
He tilted his head and took hold of my waist. "No need to waste you magic."
I laughed and let myself settle in his grip. "Is this even allowed."
"I say it is." I looked up at his eyes. He was an heir. No one would question him. "Are you having fun?" He asked me.
"I suppose."
"Explain."
I sighed. "I like being out of the manor. Alaric is always so busy so I am often alone. I don't fault him for it. I am a Lady myself so I do understand." At least in name. "I could do without the dancing. Some of the others... they are not the best dancers."
"You had to lead them?"
I laughed. "As if any of them would have allowed a girl to lead. No. Although I wished that was the was the worst." He seemed confused. So I sighed, "They stepped on me." His body froze. Between on step and the next.