First Sight

Sera's legs trembled as she walked down the grand stairs. Every eye in the ballroom followed her. The silver dress caught the candlelight, making her glow like a falling star.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. The silence was overwhelming. Then she saw him – the tall young man with black hair and deep blue eyes. Everything else went.

Something inside her stirred. Her blood ran hot then cold. The world turned. Was this what Queen Myra meant by finding a mate? Elias Blackthorn. It had to be him. Their eyes locked. He stood frozen across the dance floor, his mouth slightly open.

The glass in his hand shook. Wine dripped onto his expensive black coat, but he didn't notice. Sera's feet moved on their own. Each step pulled her closer to him. The crowd separated like water.

Whispers hissed around her: "Silverblood..."

"Those eyes..."

"Hidden all these years..."

She heard none of it. All she could see was Elias. Halfway across the floor, someone grabbed her arm. Hard.

"Sister dear," Liora smiled sweetly, but her nails dug deep. "You must meet the other nobles first. It's tradition."

Sera tried to pull away. "Let go."

"Not yet." Liora's grip tightened. "You can't just walk up to him like some lovesick puppy. You'll embarrass our family." The smell of roses hit Sera's nose. Liora's perfume. Too strong. Too fake. 

Everything about her sister felt wrong tonight. A warm hand touched Sera's shoulder.

"Lady Liora, perhaps you could introduce us?" Elias stood there. Up close, he was even more beautiful.

His voice sent shivers through Sera's whole body. Liora's face went white, then red. She freed Sera's arm.

"Of course, Lord Elias. This is my... sister. Seraphina Vale."

"Sera," she corrected softly.

Elias bowed. "Lady Sera. I've heard much about you."

"All bad, I'm sure," Sera said without thinking.

He laughed. The sound made her stomach flip. "Actually, no one mentioned how beautiful you are."

Liora made a choking sound. "Elias, didn't you promise me the first dance?"

"Did I?" His eyes never left Sera's face. "I don't remember." The air crackled between them. 

Sera felt like lightning might hit at any moment. Her skin buzzed. Her wolf – the one she'd never met – stirred deep inside.

"Will you dance with me?" Elias held out his hand.

Sera stared at it. His fingers were long and strong. A thin scar ran across his hand. She wanted to trace it with her finger.

"She doesn't know the steps," Liora said quickly. "She's never danced at a ball before."

"Then I'll teach her." Elias kept his hand extended. Waiting.

Sera's mouth felt dry. The room spun slightly. Was this real? Hours ago, she'd been a forgotten nobody. Now the most beautiful man she'd ever seen wanted to dance with her.

She put her hand in his. Electric shocks ran up her arm. His fingers closed around hers, warm and sure.

"Perfect," he breathed.

The musicians started a slow waltz. Elias led her onto the dance floor. Other couples stepped back, giving them room.

"I really don't know the steps," Sera whispered.

"Just follow my lead." He put one hand on her waist. "And breathe."

She hadn't known she'd been holding her breath. As she breathed, he began to move. Her feet followed naturally, as if they'd done this a thousand times before.

"You're a natural," he said.

"You're a good teacher."

They glided across the marble floor. The world blurred around them. All Sera could focus on was his face. The way his jaw clenched slightly when he focused. The tiny freckle below his left eye.

"Your eyes," he whispered. "They're extraordinary."

"Everyone keeps staring at them."

"Let them stare." His hand tightened on her waist. "They're jealous."

"Of my eyes?"

"Of me. For dancing with you." Heat flooded her face.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough." He spun her gracefully. "I know you're a Silverblood. I know my father has been looking for you. I know Queen Myra kept you hidden."

"Why would your father search for me?" Elias glanced around, then leaned closer. His breath tickled her ear.

"Because our families have a bond. A very old one."

"What kind of bonf?"

"The kind that involves—"

"My turn!" Liora emerged beside them, her smile sharp as broken glass. "Surely you won't monopolize my sister all night, Elias?"

Elias stepped back unwillingly. "Of course not."

Another man took Sera's hand – some duke she didn't recognize. As he led her away, she looked back at Elias.

Liora had pressed herself against his chest, talking fast and batting her eyes. Jealousy burned in Sera's stomach. A new feeling. Ugly and hot. She danced with five more guys.

They asked about her bloodline. Her skills. Her plans. She answered vaguely, her attention always moving back to Elias. Finally, after what felt like hours, she escaped to the moonlit balcony. Cool air kissed her hot skin. She gripped the stone railing and breathed deep.

"Running away already?" She spun around.

Elias leaned against the doorway, his coat unzipped, hair slightly messed. Even unkempt, he looked perfect.

"Just needed air," she said.

He moved closer. "Liora can be... intense."

"She wants you for herself."

"What Liora wants doesn't matter." He stood beside her, their shoulders almost touching. "My wolf recognized you the moment you entered."

Sera's pulse skipped. "Your wolf?"

"We know our mates by smell. By instinct." He turned to face her fully. "You feel it too, don't you? The pull?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice. His finger traced her cheek. "Say something."

"I'm scared," she admitted.

"Of me?"

"Of this. Everything. Yesterday I was nobody. Tonight I'm..." She pointed helplessly.

"Mine," he finished quietly. "You're mine."

The word sent fire through her blood.

"Elias—"

He kissed her. The world exploded. Colors. Sounds. Sensations she'd never imagined. His lips were soft but forceful. His hands cupped her face like she was precious. Breakable. Essential. She kissed him back, awkward at first, then with greater confidence.

He tasted like wine and something wild. Forest. Storm. Home. When they broke apart, they were both breathing hard.

"Wow," she whispered.

He laughed. "Yeah." 

A scream broke the moment. They ran inside. The ballroom was chaos. People shouted. Women cried. In the middle of the floor lay a body in a yellow dress.

Liora. Blood pooled beneath her. Her throat was torn open. Her eyes stared at nothing.

"No!" Queen Myra pushed through the crowd. She fell to her knees beside Liora's body.

"My daughter! My beautiful daughter!"

Lord Blackthorn appeared, his face grim.

"Clear the room! Guards! Lock the doors! No one leaves!"

Elias grabbed Sera's hand. "Stay close to me."

"She's dead," Sera said numbly. "Liora's dead."

Queen Myra's head snapped up. Her eyes found Sera across the room. The hate in them burned like acid.

"You!" she screamed. "Where were you? What did you do?"

"I was on the balcony—"

"Liar!" Queen Myra pointed a shaking finger. "You killed her! You killed my daughter!"

"No!" Sera shook her head. "I would never—"

"She was with me," Elias said loudly. "The whole time."

Queen Myra stood slowly. "Of course you'd protect her. She's charmed you already."

She turned to the guards. "Arrest her."

"Mother, no!" Sera stepped forward. "Please! I didn't do this!"

"Don't call me mother." Queen Myra's voice was ice. "Guards! Now!"

Armored men surrounded them.

Elias moved in front of Sera. "You can't do this. She's innocent. I was with her."

"Step aside, boy," Lord Blackthorn ordered. "This is Vale business."

"She's my mate!"

"Not anymore." 

Queen Myra smiled coldly. "A killer cannot take a mate. By old law, I declare Seraphina Vale guilty of killing the heir. She'll burn at dawn."

"No!" Elias roared. His body rippled. Fur grew along his arms.

Lord Blackthorn raised his hand. "Son. Control yourself."

The guards grabbed Sera. She fought, but they were too strong. As they dragged her away, she caught sight of something that made her blood freeze. Behind Queen Myra, almost hidden in dark, stood Liora. Alive. Whole. Smiling. Then she vanished like smoke.

Sera screamed. "She's alive! I saw her! Liora's not dead!" But no one listened. The guards hauled her toward the cell, while Elias fought to follow, and somewhere in the darkness, the real Liora laughed.