Chapter 56: Chapter 56

LENORE

The sun had already set.

Taking a deep breath, I brushed my hand down the front of my dress before glancing at myself in the full-body mirror one last time. It was a floor-length, emerald dress with a plunging halter V-neckline and an open back, and the skirt had a slit which stopped just above my knee. I’d paired it with gold strappy heels and a gold pleated clutch, and a maid had helped me style my hair in a low updo.

According to Virginia and the maid, I looked stunning, but I could barely focus on how I looked because I was filled with nervous anticipation at the thought of what would happen after dinner.

It had occupied my mind since our conversation in the morning, and the more I thought about it, the more bashful I felt. Killian had gone to his study shortly after our conversation, so I didn’t have to hide in the closet all day, but I’d been very aware of his presence across the hallway. He was in the room now though—I’d heard the maid greet him after she stepped out of my closet a couple of minutes ago.

I took another deep breath before walking over to the closet door and opening it.

Killian was sitting on the bed with a deep frown on his face as he tapped away on his phone, and his attention jumped to me a moment after I stepped out. Immediately, his expression softened and his eyes widened.

“Hiiii,” I muttered, shifting my weight from one foot to the other as a small, awkward smile made its way onto my face.

He slowly dragged his gaze down my body, making goosebumps prickle my skin, before he opened his mouth to say something. No words came out though, and a line appeared between his brows as he closed his mouth. When he opened it again, but still didn’t say anything, I asked, “Is that a good speechless or a bad speechless?”

Of course I knew it was a good speechless. I just wanted to hear him say—

“You are radiant.”

Heat exploded across my face and I pressed my lips together, tightening my hold on my clutch. “I—” His words replayed in my mind, making a smile break out on my face, and as it grew wider, I covered my mouth with my hand. “Thank you,” I finally said while his eyes ran over me once more, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

Then he got to his feet and it was my turn to take him in as he proceeded to cover the distance between us.

Killian was wearing beige trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a sharp olive blazer; he wasn’t wearing a tie and he’d opted to leave several buttons at the top of his shirt undone. He looked like he was going to a photoshoot.

“You are—”

“Beautiful,” he said, still staring at me with admiration in his eyes as he came to a stop in front of me. “I’m aware.”

I tipped my head to the side, smiling, while he put his hands on my waist. “…Actually, I was going to say a bit cocky.”

“I’m aware of that too.” He tugged me toward him before giving me a sweet, gentle kiss that had me breathless by the time he broke it. Then while trailing his hands over my back, sending shivers down my spine, he muttered against my lips, “You’re incomparable.”

A smile swept across my face, and I responded by pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

“Are you ready?” he asked and I bobbed my head. He then dropped his hands from my back to take my hand in his, pressing a quick kiss to the back of my palm. “Off we go then.”

Killian had been the one who drove us to the restaurant, and thankfully the restaurant hadn’t been far because he had been more focused on me than the road. While he’d shamelessly ogled me, I’d taken in as much of the city that the short drive permitted, and I couldn’t help but find it ironic how vampires were called undead, yet the city was practically teeming with life.

I’d never seen my father’s pack like this. Sure, people hung out and sometimes got loud, but it had never been like this.

Everywhere I looked, there was someone doing something—dancing on the corner of a street, juggling frisbees, breathing… fire?—and for a moment, I wondered what life would be like if I was born as a vampire in the city. My fascination hadn’t gone unnoticed and Killian promised to give me a tour of the city tomorrow.

When he drove into the restaurant’s underground parking lot, there were no other cars there, and it was a bit odd but I didn’t dwell on it. After all, there was hardly a need for vehicles in a city where people could simply dash to their location.

“Ooooh, what a gentleman,” I said when Killian opened my door before taking the hand he held out to me.

He grinned. “I aim to please.”

Once I was out of the car, he shut the door behind me and I glanced at the other car that had come with us as Calley and the two guards in it got out. She gave me a thumbs-up when her gaze found mine, and I flashed her an apologetic smile. I genuinely felt bad that she had to go wherever I did, and though she didn’t seem to mind, I was going to talk to Killian about it when we got back to the palace. I didn’t need a personal bodyguard.

The five of us took the elevator to the restaurant’s second floor and when the doors opened, we were greeted by two waiters who escorted me and Killian to a table in the middle of the room. The guards stayed next to the elevator while Calley disappeared through a door a couple of steps away from it.

“Where is everyone?” I asked, glancing around the empty room while Killian pulled out my chair.

“What?”

“The other diners,” I replied as I sat. Is it just—

“It’s just us,” he said, moving to sit across from me. “I thought you’d be more comfortable that way.”