As Aiden descended to the first floor, vampires in fine gowns and suits applauded his appearance. He smiled, shaking hands and warmly greeting everyone whether he knew them or not. He had to believe tonight was a new beginning for all of them.
And why not? The party was attended by both clan leaders and vampires without clans, vampires who’d never had a voice when the laws were being set down. He wanted everyone to have a say when it was decided how they would live and interact.
At the end of the room, he found it hard not the flinch at the sight of his chair placed on a small dais. The chair was too thronelike and had come to represent his position of power within the clan. Now it had become a chair from which he would rule all vampires.
Temporary. It’s just temporary.
As he reached the dais, he grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing server and mounted the three small steps. Turning toward the assembled crowd, he lifted the glass high above his head.
“Thank you, everyone, for your most gracious welcome. I believe all of us here have stories of difficult times. Of pain and loss. Maybe even of hopelessness. My wish is that tonight be a new beginning for all of our kind. May this be a night of fresh starts. Let us all have hope and happiness once again.”
A shout of “Cheers” and polite applause went up, and Aiden sat lightly on the edge of his throne.
He might not want this, but he could do it. It was an opportunity for all of them, and he merely wanted to set his people moving forward on the right foot. Ronan would be proud of him.
Aiden gave a mental start as Ronan crossed his mind. He hadn’t thought of his old friend in a long time, but then, kings and crowns were likely conjuring that old ghost. It would be nice if his spirit were watching over him.
With Marcus remaining close by his elbow, an orderly line of vampires soon formed in front of him. There was no request for vows of loyalty. But he was happy to accept well wishes and words of wisdom from each who stopped to speak with him briefly. Aiden never lifted his eyes from the person who was standing right in front of him. He gave that vampire his full attention, determined to prove to each of them that he was their king and his job was to serve them as best he could.
His confidence inched higher as the night wore on. Everyone was polite and appeared to be happy. It didn’t hurt that Marcus and Ethan kept the alcohol and delightful finger foods flowing. Music was played by a string quartet in the far corner. It was a special occasion, and too much time had passed since the last party quite like this.
But everything changed when he stepped up in front of Aiden.
Ronan.
It was as if he’d been summoned straight from his thoughts. How? How was this even possible after all this time? His old friend was dead. He’d been slaughtered that horrible night Aiden had been turned. While he’d not seen Ronan’s body, he’d seen plenty of Ronan’s men shredded and tossed about the camp. He’d been sure Ronan hadn’t survived the night.
Ronan stepped up with two other vampires, and for the longest heartbeat, the world around them fell away. The beard was gone, and his liquid black hair had been cut into a modern fade with it a bit longer on top, but those midnight eyes were the same. The broken nose and perfect lips lifted in the almost mocking smile were the same. Everything in Aiden demanded he reach out and just touch Ronan’s face, to make sure that he wasn’t hallucinating. It couldn’t be. Not after all this time.
Aiden’s heart stumbled and he felt lightheaded. Had he stopped breathing? Died?
No, he was still alive, if only as a vampire and Ronan, his Ronan, was standing right in front of him.
His emotions had become a tight little roller coaster in his chest. He soared up to joy and elation only to plunge down to fear and sorrow. Why hadn’t he done more to be sure Ronan was dead? Why hadn’t he looked longer, harder? But he soon twisted into uncertainty as he wondered if Ronan blamed him for his death at the hands of vampires. His heart soared into joy, because the years didn’t matter. Ronan was here. Ronan was alive.
While his brain might be locked up, his body found a will of its own. His hand started to reach for Ronan, fully intending to pull him into an embrace and never release him again. He caught himself quickly and forced his fingers into a ball to keep them from wandering. The rest of the world was snapping back now. No one seemed to realize that Aiden’s entire world had tilted on its axis. No one except for Ronan. There was something in his eyes, a look. Had he noticed how Aiden nearly reached for him?