The moment her finger touched Elias's tongue, Amara felt as if she had been electrocuted.
She couldn't help but want to retract her finger, but Elias grabbed it tightly. His grip was firm, but there was an unexpected gentleness in his touch.
Amara stared at him with wide eyes, completely stunned. What was he doing? Was this just a playful act or something else?
But Elias didn't seem to mind her confusion. He simply licked the blood stains from her fingertip and sucked gently, making her heart race in a way she had never experienced. After a moment, he finally released her hand and placed it down softly.
"I'll help you clean it up. Be careful next time, okay?" he said quietly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
His gaze softened as he patted Amara's head gently, a rare show of affection. With that, he turned and left without another word, leaving Amara staring at the spot where he had been. Her finger still tingled, and her breath was shallow as she tried to compose herself.
Amara looked at the crystal-like saliva still hanging from her finger and felt an inexplicable heat rise to her cheeks. Her heart was racing in a way that made no sense, but it wasn't just from surprise. She couldn't figure out why she felt so flustered, but she was certain she needed to get away before anyone saw how affected she was.
As the evening continued, the grandeur of the banquet felt like a blur to Amara. She danced with Henry again, feeling the weight of his proud gaze on her. She danced with poise, but her mind was still racing from the strange moment with Elias. It seemed as if nothing could distract her, not even the elegant waltz or the mesmerizing lights of the ballroom.
After the dance, she retreated to a quiet corner and found comfort in the food. She ate as if it were the only thing that could calm her nerves. The chatter around her seemed distant, as if she was in a different world altogether.
When the dinner finally ended, Amara thought she would be able to go home and get some much-needed rest. But her hopes were quickly dashed when Henry and Diana stopped her before she could leave. They had an important announcement to make, one that Amara didn't expect to be about her.
The guests had long since departed, and the servants were busy cleaning up the remnants of the evening. Diana and Henry led Amara to a smaller, more intimate conference room where they waited for the rest of the family. The seven sons of the Blackwell family were not often present at the estate, so it was rare for them to be together in one place.
Except for Liam, who had already gone home for the night, the other four sons had stayed behind. They were all here now, their eyes all shifting to Amara as she took a seat on the green sofa. It was rare for her to feel this under the microscope, and she wasn't sure whether it was because of their sudden attention or the uneasy energy between her and her new brothers.
Henry looked at her with a proud smile as he placed an arm around Diana. "Amara, dear, I think you and these brothers already know each other, right?" he asked, his voice warm.
Amara nodded, feeling her cheeks flush from all the attention. "Yes, Dad. Thank you and Mom for the dinner. It's a lot for me, but I hope I didn't embarrass you."
Henry chuckled and shook his head. "Of course not, sweetheart. Your performance tonight was perfect. Your etiquette was flawless, your dancing was graceful, and you looked stunning. You surpassed all our expectations. Mom and I are proud of you."
Amara wasn't sure if Henry was just being polite, but the genuine affection in his voice made her feel somewhat at ease. She looked over at Diana, who had a soft, approving smile on her face. Amara felt a sense of relief wash over her. At least she wasn't a complete disappointment.
"From today onward, you will have a sister," Henry continued, looking at his sons. "I hope you all can live in harmony and love each other as one family."
There was a moment of silence. Sullivan's gaze hardened slightly, though he kept his thoughts to himself. Damien and Alden's expressions were unreadable, but Elias seemed to be the only one who genuinely agreed with Henry's words, giving him a subtle nod of approval.
"Mom and I are planning to travel around the world for our honeymoon. We don't know how long we'll be gone," Henry said, turning to look at the rest of the family. "The only thing we're worried about is Amara. We want her to settle in here as quickly as possible so that when we return, you'll all be true siblings."
The room fell silent again as the brothers processed what Henry was saying. Damien and Alden exchanged brief, silent glances, but neither of them spoke.
"You won't be home for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or Christmas?" Alden asked, his voice cold, his thoughts not hidden.
Henry shrugged casually. "I'll be absent this year. But you can take Amara with you for the holidays if you wish."
"We don't know her well, Dad," Damien spoke up, a tinge of irritation in his tone. "How is that fair?"
Alden crossed his arms, a flicker of resentment in his eyes. "I don't think it's a good idea."
Amara stiffened, feeling the weight of their words. It was clear that she wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms. The reality of her new life was starting to settle in.
"Look, we all need time to adjust," Elias interjected, his voice calm and steady. "But we're family now. We'll figure it out. Right?"
Alden's face was as bad as his mood.
Although he controlled the underground dynasty in New York and was usually a bloodthirsty and cruel person, he still retained a rare side of warmth for his family.
Alden suppressed his emotions and did not explode. However, he was thinking in his heart, Who would want to bear the burden of an unlikable sister?
Moreover, he did not agree with Amara being a part of them in his heart.