The entire ballroom was dimly lit with thousands of sparkling lights draped from the tall ceiling. The twinkling lights made it seem like we were outside. The view was breathtaking. The round tables on one side of the ballroom were covered in black, silk table cloths with a crystal centerpiece that held black roses and dark blue and silver feathers. The decorations, along with what everyone was wearing matched the theme perfectly. Celine knew how to throw a party.

It was amazing to see everyone in their dresses and suits with their masks. I couldn't recognize anyone unless I looked at their eyes. The ballroom looked like an angry sea with all the different, dark-colored outfits the guests were wearing. My nervousness grew with all their eyes on us. As we made our way to the bottom of the stairs, soft piano filled the my ears, and I realized I had to dance in front of everyone again.

Julian took my hand and led me to the dance floor. As we got to the middle, he twirled me around in a circle, making my dress fan out, and then pulled me close to him. Our chests pressed together, and our eyes immediately collided.

Love of mine,

Will you follow me?

In sync, our bodies swayed with the music. My brown curls lightly swept across my back.

The darkness is not far behind,

Soon you will see,

Every time his eyes caught mine, heat rose to my cheeks. And, every time I was spun away from him, my body wanted nothing more but to fill the space between us.

All that matters,

Is that we are together,

Julian twirled me again and dipped me down; his cool lips lightly brushed against my neck.

Don't look back, love,

As we go into the Nether,

Every touch sent a spark through me as if we were in a raging storm. As he pulled my body back up, my eyes never left his. It was as if we were the only two people in the world.

If fate is on our side,

You'll always be mine,

Dancing with Julian this time wad different than the first ball. The way he was looking at me and how he was dancing seemed more intimate and real. As thoughts raced through my mind, the side of Julian's lip tugged upwards.

Because you were meant for me,

From the dawn of time,

The sound of the piano led our bodies around the dance floor, leaving awes in our wake. My heart fluttered in my chest every time his brown eyes bore into mine. Something about this cocky, sarcastic, snarky vampire made all the pain and hardships I have endured the last six years disappear. Even that irritating smirk he wears all the time draws me to him.

So will you take my hand,

And finally understand,

That I'll follow you into the dark.

Julian picked me up into the air by my hips in one last spin. As the piano faded out, he slowly lowered me to the ground, never breaking our gaze. My head was fuzzy, and I felt weightless even though my feet were planted on the ground. My hands were set lightly on his chest, and I let out the breath I was holding through my parted lips. We were only a couple inches apart. If I were to move just a little bit, we would share a kiss. Something inside me screamed to go for it, but the other part told me I was forgetting something—or someone. My body unconsciously started to move closer until an applause broke through our little bubble. Julian stepped back and bowed, causing me to tune everything back in again. I followed him with a curtsy, and his voice finally buzzed in my head.

I'll follow you into the dark, princess.

You know that feeling when your breath catches in your throat and you feel like your stomach dropped, but in a good way? That is what I felt as soon as I heard those words. He had my attention. My wide eyes stared back at him, trying to comprehend what he just meant. I thought he was angry with me for my moment with Tristan. It was like he dropped what he said to me, and not knowing why made my mind spin. My heart swelled at his words though, reminding me once again that my mind and heart were at war with each other.

He liked me.

Before I could say or do anything, Julian disappeared into the crowd, leaving me with my thoughts. His touch still lingered on my body, giving me the chills in his absence. Needing to talk to him, I scanned the room, but found a handsome Prince instead. Tristan wiggled his finger at me to come to him, so I obeyed.

"Your dress is stunning," a woman with a black mask said to me as I passed her.

"Thank you." I gave her a warm smile as I continued to Tristan.

He was leaning on the food table like he owned the place, and his face looked melancholy.

"How was your dance?" Tristan whispered in my ear as he pushed away a curly strand of my hair.

"It was good." I gave him a reassuring smile since he couldn't really see the rest of my face behind the mask.

It was...confusing, but beautiful.

"That's good," He replied. "I'm happy you're having fun so far."

Thank God he can't read minds.

Right? I still don't know what his ability is.

I nodded in response to him and shyly wiped a small strand of hair out of my face.

"Hopefully that dance didn't tire you out. I still expect a dance out of you since I kind of ruined it last time," he joked with me.

I couldn't help but laugh and agree, "You did. I'm going to hold you to that."

I'll follow you into the dark, princess.

Julian's words flowed through my head, stealing the smile on my lips. Tristan must have noticed my change in demeanor because a big glob of frosting was suddenly on my cheek. I looked up in shock to see Tristan sucking some off of his finger. All previous worries suddenly disappeared.

"You did not just do that," I threatened him.

He let out a euphoric laugh. "I believe I just did," he taunted me.

"Come here," I replied with a scary tone.

Tristan backed away a shook his head. "No. I don't like that tone in your voice. It's actually kind of scaring me."

"Good. You should be scared." My eyebrow rose, and I stepped closer.

Tristan put his hands up in front of him as if it would stop me. "Woah now. I'm a Prince."

I stifled a laugh. "So?"

He stood up taller, trying to make himself look more intimidating. He looked as if a lightbulb went off in his head. "So...I order you to stop at once."

I mimicked him then declared, "I'm not a vampire. You're not my Prince so I don't have to listen to you."

"Ouch," he wince, playfully. "Well...uh..."

I could tell he was running out of things to say and running out of space to back up into.

"Olivia would kill you if you ruined my suit."

That comment made me stop for a moment and think. Olivia could be pretty scary. I don't want to see her mad like I did when she threw fire out the window. Relief washed over his face when he thought that he made a point. I couldn't give him the satisfaction though. I continued on anyways. When he realized I wasn't going to stop, Tristan started to survey his surroundings to run, but when he turned his head, I attacked him with the frosting he put on my face, wiping it onto his ear. I was aiming for his cheek, but the ear was even better.

He looked at me with his mouth shaped like an "O", shocked that I actually did something to him. Suddenly, I couldn't see his eyes anymore because they turned black.

Uh oh.

"You did not just do that," Tristan stated, copying what I said when he did it to me.

"Uh..." I busted into laughter.

"You think this is funny, huh?"

"No." I shook my head and tried to wrangle in my giggles.

"Mhmm." He gave me a pointed look as he stepped forward. "Come here."

"No."

"Come here, Claire," he ordered in a slightly seductive tone.

"I'd rather not." My eyes widened.

He was suddenly in front of me, lightly griping my arms. A sly grin appeared on his face. I didn't like where this was going. "Lick it off."

"What?!" I yelled a little too loud.

Some people looked in our direction.

"You heard me," he smirked.

"No! Nah uh. I'm not licking your ear. No thanks."

"Oh, you will. You put it there, so lick it off," he said in an authoritative tone.

I began to squirm in his arms. "Ew! No! Please don't make me. I'm sorry!"

"You're sorry?" He asked in a husky voice.

"Yes, I'm sorry!" I replied, scared he would really make me do that awful task.

Tristan got closer to me and put his lips near my ear. His cool breath touched my skin, giving me goosebumps. He whispered, "You're forgiven...". A huge grin spread across his lips as I looked up at him in annoyance. I wanted to smack that cute smile off of his royal face. "...on one condition. May I have this dance?" Tristan gave me a small bow and took my hand.