Chapter 78

Blakely

I should’ve spun on my heel and told Orion to dance with himself, but it was hard to formulate the words when faced with the soft tilt of his lips, and the almost vulnerable light shimmering in his pale eyes.

Beauty like that would make any woman weak, I told myself.

I reached for his hand, willing myself not to tremble. Instead of acid, nervousness seized my throat.

The heat of his fingers against my lower back penetrated my gown. I could feel every movement. Every twitch. His heart, level with my face, thundered heavily.

As though the castle could anticipate our needs, music began to trickle from all corners of the ballroom. There was the smooth cadence of a violin, followed by the deep croon of a cello. Each note was overlayed with the unique melody of instruments found only in the godly realm, creating a sort of music that was both mortal and immortal combined.

It felt fitting, given the circumstances.

I couldn’t catch my breath. Not when Orion gently spun me on my f