Lark gazed up at Devroe questioningly. She heard August's voice in her head.
It is his responsibility to choose his prey carefully.
She returned his smile serenely and curtsied her acceptance, reaching for his hand without hesitation. The pair crossed the hall and approached the couples already spinning on the marble floor. As they walked Devroe seemed as unruffled and confident as ever. Some guests whispered among themselves as they passed. Devroe was known to be harsh and domineering with women. He seemed docile now but some of the human women present were keenly aware of his ferocity. As he strode past one woman she raised her hand unconsciously to the scar on her neck from their last encounter and shuddered. He was still a young and animalistic vampire. Many of his victims had to be rescued by Devroe's harem women, all of whom bore the signs of his savagery. The meek woman covering her scar watched him with an icy hatred. The damage had been partially healed but often ached. A doctor told her it may never heal completely. He seemed so different now than he was that violent night. Here he was, unchanged, escorting a lady politely to the dance floor with a gentle amusement lighting up his face. She felt a strong desire to spit at his feet. His once magnetic confidence and quiet strength now seemed disgusting, hiding the true monster beneath his human-like appearance.
Lark meanwhile sought August out in the crowded hall. He sat in a shadowy corner surrounded by other lords and spoke in hurried, hushed tones. As she willed him to look at her his eyes fixed on hers and he saw her on Devroe's arm. She saw a flash of anger contort his features but he nodded firmly before returning to his discussion. Relieved to have his consent, Lark allowed herself to be maneuvered around the room at a dizzying pace. This was a dance she had practiced many times but never with a dancer as skilled as Devroe. He must have spent much time in court.
Though he was eager to maintain contact with her, Lark maintained a respectable distance, only occasionally meeting his eyes. His frustration was clearly building as his fluid movements became more aggressive. Many other dancers watched them as they made an impressive pair with Lark effortlessly matching his vigor but not making eye contact. As the music swelled Devroe spun her away and then back towards him, pulling her close to his chest. Too close. She looked up at him indignantly and he smiled calmly down at her. But his eyes were blazing dangerously. As his lips parted she could see his canines elongating into sharp daggers. She maintained her composure, hiding the fear gripping her heart. He appeared to be slightly irritated by her lack of reaction but as he opened his mouth to speak to her a familiar voice rose over the music.
"May I?"
It was August, his eyes fixed carefully on Devroe. The younger vampire withdrew, bowing to them both.
"Certainly. It was a pleasure, Lark."
She took August's arm as the first song ended and a new one began. As they paced to the center of the floor she peeked over August's shoulder to see Devroe glowering at them. His eyes were deep and threatening. He caught her looking and smirked before disappearing into the mass of bodies.
"Are you okay?" August whispered to her, drawing her close. She nodded.
"Yes, my Lord," she replied. "It was only a dance."
August did not seem convinced. He seemed to be searching for Devroe in the room with his eyes but could not find him. His thoughts were dark. He regretted having to leave Lark alone even for a few minutes. There were still difficulties in the former territory of Hygate. Some of Lord Whitlock's former allies had been trying to reclaim the unguarded towns at the border. August had been trying to negotiate an agreement to send soldiers from an adjacent territory to guard it. Their Lord, Trenpell, was amenable to the proposal but designating which men to send had caused a confrontation with his present council. Seeing Lark in Devroe's arms was upsetting but the safety of the newly expanded kingdom took precedent. At least they were exposed where he couldn't attack her openly. August felt much less anxious now that he had returned to her side. He would not be led astray again.
They danced until Lark was breathless and then they walked around the hall arm in arm and sipped wine. He introduced her to many of the guests and she charmed them easily. She chatted effortlessly with the present nobility and mingled seamlessly with the other Favored and human guests. August felt a strong sense of pride and even awe at her adaptability. She seemed to blend so easily into any environment. If it wasn't for the threats against her in the castle she would already be a powerful ally. Once the threat was removed she would be able to reign at his side with confidence. She seemed to soften even the Lords and Ladies in attendance that were typically intimidating. Devroe seemed to be the only threat in the room. But he wasn't. Vayn stood serenely in a dim corner of the ballroom.
She was surrounded by a group of pets who were captivated by her confidence and beauty. She was subtly manipulating the room throughout the night. Her ethereal golden figure caught the eye of human and vampire alike and she was coveted by more than one Lord in attendance. As she insidiously spread whispers through the guests about her rival she could see the effect around her. Many eyes turned to Lark with admiration but a thinly veiled doubt also began to emerge.
"I heard she ran away."
"The new Favored has another suitor. He is here."
"Greedy."
"Disloyal."
She basked in her own influence. These whispers could be fanned into a flame over the following weeks. There may be a request for her title to be revoked, if only Vayn could convince the council that Lark was disloyal. But as the morning approached and the hall began to empty, she became unsettled. She found August and Lark in the crowd, still blissfully socializing with the guests despite the disapproving eyes around them. Her meddling would not yet have any real impact. She would have to be patient. Frustrated, she excused herself from the ballroom and wandered the halls of the castle alone until she found herself at the door to August's chamber. The dim corridor seemed colorless and cold. Vayn wondered if she would ever even see these chambers again. She reached out tentatively and was surprised to find the door unlocked. Emboldened by the lack of guards she slipped into the sitting room and shut the door behind her. The interior was familiar. She had been here before and Lark's presence had not yet altered it. Vayn crossed the room to August's study with her mind clouded by uncertainty. She was growing desperate to change her future. Being Favored was the only way to ensure her security.
As she circled his desk Vayn's eyes were drawn to a pile of letters sitting in the center. She leaned forward and plucked one from the top of the stack. It was still folded but she recognized August's seal on the outside. She opened it carefully and immediately recognized her own name in August's handwriting. It was a correspondence between him and Lord Trenpell of the Floris kingdom, written back and forth on the same piece of parchment. The two lords had become close over the last few decades and Vayn had actually met the man more than once. He was less soft and empathetic as August with a shrewd military mind that prioritized logic. Their correspondence benefitted them both as they strategized together. Vayn expected this letter would contain nothing but a discussion about the new territory within the kingdom. But she was wrong. She read through it frantically before collapsing to her knees.
Do you not agree that your harem already has beautiful specimens who would happily be your Favored pet? This new girl has not proved her worth. She left you. Vayn seems a better match.
Trenpell
Vayn is a formidable human. Yet her ambition and passion are too great. She does not care for me, only for the position. I have given her what power I can within the harem. Lark offers me love. You know that is what I seek, Trenpell. Vayn will never be Favored.
August
I respect your desires but do not understand them. Vayn would be Favored in my court. Her beauty is unparalleled. I will see you at the celebration and see for myself.
Trenpell
Vayn's eyes blazed ferociously as she read the letter again. She could taste the bitterness of her master's betrayal. He had rejected her before but never completely. To know she would never be considered for the position she had worked towards filled her with rage. She felt misled and cast aside. Jumping angrily to her feet she crumpled the letter in her hands and fled from the office with it clutched to her chest. Not willing to face August she went directly to her bedroom within the harem and hid the letter beneath her pillow. Tears began to form in her eyes as she laid back on her bed still in her golden gown. How could she have been so sure that she could win? What were her chances now? As her eyes fixed on the blades hanging on the wall she knew there was only one solution.