CHAPTER 160: THE QUEEN’S BALL

[Music: Yellow - Soundtrack Version By Vitamin String Quartet]

Drevon and I waltz to the beat of the orchestra playing. The lights had dimmed to only the golden chandelier hung high on the painted ceiling, making us the star of the show.

There were thousands of eyes on us, but I couldn’t feel any of them, because I was trapped in those molten crimson eyes.

Dancing with Drevon became one of my favorite things to do. How he steered me towards each step, as well as maintaining our formal movement. His hand was firm on my waist as we went back and forth.

I enjoyed swaying, and the dashing smile on his lips was breathtaking. He enjoyed this too, and I couldn’t help smiling as he spun me briefly before my back pressed against his solid chest.

"You don’t look nervous," he muttered to my ear.

I tried to ignore the heat taking over my entire body and the sparks. "Because I’m not."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Everyone is watching their queen." He cast a look over the crowd, but I was more focused on him.

I twirled, doing a brief spin before coming back to him and giving a toothy grin. "Why should I be, when you’re all I can think about?"

His eyes darkened, the color almost drained from them, and I could’ve sworn they turned black, like obsidian, or maybe it was just the low light.

I swallowed when he pressed me more into his body as we followed the rhythm.

"Speechless?" I teased. "That’s very unusual, my liege."

Drevon chuckled deeply, like a warm thunder. "It’s been so long since you called me that."

"A bit nostalgic, isn’t it, my liege?"

I squeaked when he leaned me back in a graceful dip, his arm strong around my waist.

"I’m trying to stay level-headed, Your Majesty. Do not blame me for any improper actions from now on."

"How is this improper? This is just a waltz dip."

He shot me up before my brain could catch up, and I squeaked loudly when he lifted me by the waist up into the air. I giggled, having more fun than I expected.

I could hear the murmurs since we had deviated from the actual ceremony dance, but I don’t seem to care; this was more fun than sticking to the notes.

I wrapped my arms around Drevon’s neck. "What to do, my liege? I think we just spoiled tradition."

"When has it ever been fun sticking entirely to the norms?"

"Oh, really?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty, you’re grinning ear to ear. You enjoy this more."

I snorted, loud. "EEK!" I buried my face in my neck in embarrassment.

Drevon laughed at my blunder, and I punched lightly on his chest to get him to stop.

He dropped me down and gave me a brief spin before I was back in his arms. My cheeks were still red, and he kissed them tenderly.

"Don’t be embarrassed, Your Majesty. You can laugh out loud as much as you want."

"As much as I want to, I don’t like the idea of being reminded on my coronation day sounding like a pig."

He barked a laugh.

"My liege!"

"What? I’m trying to match yours so that we’ll both be remembered as chaotic. Imagine the whispers, the Monarch and Queen make a blunder, amidst the ceremonial dance."

"Oh, my liege, you planned this, didn’t you?"

He winked. "Given how chaotic my queen is, I had to match your freak."

I rolled my eyes. We stepped away from each other as I curtsied and Drevon bowed.

The crowd clapped their hands in a thunderous applause.

Drevon stretched his hand for me to take. I did without hesitating, and he gave a kiss on my knuckles before helping me up the steps.

We sat on our throne as the others stepped onto the floor to dance. It was a splendor seeing them moving to the rhythm with dresses swirling mesmerizingly.

My eyes moved to Diana at the gallery. She curtseyed, and I smiled, murmuring a thank you. She gave me a smug smirk and flapped her hand fan.

I leveled my eyes back to the event, suddenly searching. I leaned toward Drevon, who gave me his ear.

"The Dowager didn’t attend."

"I hadn’t noticed."

"Nor Sloane."

"Her House is here. In that case, she is present and has honored the coronation. Same with the Dowager’s."

"I see... I guess she can’t bear to see me sit where she was meant to be." I looked at Drevon. "By your side."

He brought my hand to his lips. "She was never meant to sit by me, Your Majesty."

"If you say so, my liege."

He raised an eyebrow. "Where is that attitude coming from?"

"Haven’t you noticed? I always have an attitude."

"My sassy queen. I’m looking forward to seeing how much you can unravel me. I honestly thought you had been calmed, but I was wrong."

"I was merely rejuvenating, my liege."

"I hope the vigour is plenty. It’s going to be much needed." He kisses my knuckles multiple times.

I yanked my hand away. "Stop!"

He kissed my neck this time.

"My liege, they came for a coronation, not to witness such a shameless scene!"

"We’re making history here, Your Majesty,"

I flinched when he gave a tender bite just at my chin, and I pushed him off me. He sneered mischievously, and I was suddenly tempted to get back at him for this.

The rest of the ball was spent having to watch an ongoing performance; it was a wonderful experience. The best ball I have ever attended that didn’t end on a bad note. I should take this as a good sign.

~•~

The clothes pooled on the floor, as well as jewelry. My lips were locked hotly on Drevon’s as I pushed his linen shirt down his arms, taking it off before wrapping my arms around his neck, our mouths hungrily devoured each other.

Drevon used his hand to clear the many dishes on the table, and rested me against it, hovering above with his lips still locked tightly and his hands everywhere.

I hooked one of my legs on his waist, coiling it and trapping him where I wanted him. Drevon smiled against my lips.

"My queen."

My insides melted, and I couldn’t help the twirl of feelings raging like a storm. All I could offer was a smile before our lips connected once again in a fiery passion. I didn’t want him to stop, and he didn’t, spending our night in passion as it snowed nonstop.

I never felt cold once because Drevon was all the heat I needed.