#Chapter 16: Nightmares

Raven The ballroom was awash in the golden light of the braziers, casting flickering shadows across the swirling dancers. Long gowns swished across the floor, cloaks dragging behind muscular shoulders. Neil’s cloak enveloped us both as he held me against his chest. It didn’t smell like the coppery tang of blood, but rather the fragrance of spiced wine and something that I could only describe as… Well, Neil. I tossed a lock of mahogany brown hair over my shoulder, tilting my chin up to look at him. “Say it again.” Neil’s severe cheekbones were flushed red from drinking, his blue eyes absorbing the light of the candles like the ocean catching the sun’s glint on a blindingly bright day. “Queen,” he said, and his cheekbones seemed to tinge an even darker shade of pink. “You are my queen.” I couldn’t help but giggle at the sound of that word on his lips. Maybe it was the wine that was turning me giddy, or the fact that he had me pulled into th