Married To The Mad Vampire Lord novel Chapter 386

Chapter 386: Dance

Belle, who had been watching her silent son as she conversed with Evenly, lifted her head at his words. "When I am sent for. I don’t know exactly when that will be, but I am thinking it will be soon, perhaps after the first dance is over," she answered softly, sliding her hand into her dress’s hidden inner pocket, where she had tucked away a copy of the report Rohan had rewritten for her. It matched exactly with the one her father carried, ensuring that both accounts would align perfectly.

As her gaze drifted across the grand hall, Belle searched for the Baron she was supposed to apologize to, hoping against hope that he had not come tonight so she could avoid the ordeal.

She knew, as clearly as she knew her own heartbeat, that her hatred toward Jamie had not stopped. It was planted deep inside her heart, firm and strong. She also knew that if her eyes fell upon him, it would be a trigger. If possible, she wished to skip the apology altogether, for deep down, she did not even want to offer it.

He had hurt her son. He deserved it.

From the opposite side of the hall, Belle caught sight of her mother’s narrowed, disapproving eyes on her and immediately looked away, feigning ignorance. She let her gaze wander instead to the dance floor, where the music had shifted and couples were stepping forward to begin the opening dance.

She turned to her friend, who looked bored as her eyes drifted lazily around the hall. "How about you and Rav dance?" Belle suggested softly. "It’s a couple’s dance, and to everyone here, you two are one. I can hold Angel until it’s over. No one will suspect me holding him while you dance." She began to reach for her son, who was already leaning eagerly toward her arms.

But Rav subconsciously tightened his hold, pulling the boy back against his chest as he blurted out, "I don’t know how to dance, my lady. It’s fine. I will hold Angel until we leave." He hugged the boy almost like a shield, clearly unwilling to be pressed into dancing with Lady Evenly, for he had truly never set foot on a dance floor before.

Belle gave him a gentle, encouraging smile before turning to Evenly. "You can guide him through the steps. When Rohan and I first danced in Nightbrook, he didn’t know how either. I taught him the steps, and he picked them up immediately and even took the lead. You two can try, it’s really not that hard."

As she spoke, she reached out once again to take Angel from Rav’s arms. This time, Rav released the boy, who went willingly into her arms and sat on her lap before turning back to look at Rav and Evenly.

Belle had noticed in her friend’s eyes something close to growing affection toward Rav when they were coming into the hall. It was not impossible for one to love another again, and she thought the two of them would actually make a good pair. Giving a little nudge wouldn’t hurt anyone.

"Evenly, go ahead," she encouraged, her voice soft yet persuasive, as her friend looked uncertain at the thought of dancing with the very man who had begun to stir up unwanted feelings inside her. But then, it had been long since she had danced with anyone, and she missed the feeling of swaying to music.

Evenly nodded, her lips curving into a smile as she rose gracefully and held out her gloved palm toward him. "Shall I have this dance?" she asked playfully.

Rav’s pale face flushed at her words, and though he looked unsure, he reluctantly placed his hand into Evenly’s. He let her close her fingers firmly around his as she pulled him up and toward the dance floor, his heart pounding up into his throat from how nervous he was.

Worst of all, the moment they stepped into the space where everyone was dancing, the other humans cleared away, stopping their own movements to stand aside in order to avoid the night creatures.

Instead of blending into the crowd, Rav found himself in the center, every eye fixed on them, as though the entire hall had conspired to make this his very first, and most humiliating, dance!

"I don’t want to dance anymore, my lady. Everyone is watching," Rav whispered under his breath, his gaze drifting nervously around the hall.

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