Chapter Eight

   The ballroom doors were wide open, displaying the flurry of life inside. Esper had never seen the house this alive. There was dancing, chatter, and laughter; everyone seemed happy. The smiling faces gave her the confidence to face the crowd.

     Lucca gave Esper's hand a small uneasy squeeze as they entered. Feeling the squeeze, Esper returned the squeeze, providing the nervous male with some comfort.

   Once the two vampires reached the dancefloor's center, Lucca bowed low. "Will you allow me to have your first dance?"  

   "I would love to," Esper replied as she took his hand once more. 

   Lucca pulled Esper close and led her in a slow waltz across the dancefloor. He stepped on her feet a couple times, apologizing profusely with each occurrence, but he eventually found his rhythm. They swayed along with the music, having a grand time together. 

   The song slowed to a stop, and everyone clapped while bowing to their partners. A male cleared his throat, gaining the attention of Lucca and Esper. In front of them was Seraph, in a low bow.  

   "Pardon me. Do you mind if I dance with the miss?" He looked up at Lucca from his bow.  

   "O-of course not," Lucca stuttered and guided Esper's hand to the other male. He gave the other bachelor a respectful bow before he exited the crowd. 

   Seraph stood, gently tugging Esper closer to him. He placed his hand on the small of her back and leading her through a Vietnamese waltz. He was a much more confident dancer, dipping and twirling Esper and not once stepping on her feet. The crowd opened up for them, onlookers enamored with the grace of their dance. As the song ended, the crowd erupted in applause for the couple. Esper's face tinged with light pink as the two vampires bowed to the audience.  

   Tapping on a microphone sounded through the room's speakers as well as some grumblings. "Damn technology" could be heard. Everyone turned to the main stage, and Esper could not help but laugh a little at the sight of her father struggling with the microphone. Noticing everyone's eyes on him, Wesley decided against using the device and instead project his voice. He straightened his tuxedo and cleared his voice to call attention.  

   "Good evening, everyone, and thank you all for coming. Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the starting of the Solstice Rites for our children. This sacred tradition that our own parents founded to ensure the noble bloodlines' strength and protect purebloods. Our history has not always been that of peace. There was a dark period of greed and bloodshed when female purebloods were stolen away from their homes and forced to strengthen weak vampire families. But that is no more. Now we celebrate our females and give them the choice of their mate." Wesley continued with his speech of the tradition.  

   Seraph had stopped listening, focusing only on the beautiful silver-haired goddess beside him. He pulled her in closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Seraph smiled when he felt Esper stiffen in his arms, and her body temperature rise. Oh, how he yearned to see that scarlet face of hers and bury himself in her silver locks. 

   The hairs on Seraph's neck pricked up as he sensed someone watching him. He looked throughout the crowd and locked with the emerald green eyes of Maxim. The other black-haired male was glaring at Seraph's intimate grip on Esper. A low growl rippled through his chest, reverberating against Esper's back. The vibrations surprised the young woman. She looked up at Seraph, but he kept his gaze out into the crowd, unmoving.  

   Esper followed Seraph's gaze and saw Maxim. Ugh, stupid boys, she thought. A fight was not going to break out the opening night of the ceremony. She pried herself from his arms and made her way through the crowd towards the stage. Wesley was walking down amidst the applause and gave his daughter a hug. "There's my girl, coming to spend time with dear ole dad?"  

  Esper smiled and grabbed his arm. "I wouldn't want to spend my time with anyone else." 

   "Are you sure it's not because you are being pursued by a certain two bachelors." Wesley looked down at his daughter with a knowing look. "It's ok if you need some space, but you have to take the time to get to know them." 

   "They are just acting stupid is all," Esper caved. Her father chuckled and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Well, you can stay next to your pop's as long as you need to." 

   The father and daughter pair walked together, talking to various guests at the party. Esper spent hours with her father socializing. 

   Feeling her energy begin to drain, Esper excused herself from the conversation. She grabbed a glass of blood and made her way to an empty balcony.  

   Esper walked to the balcony's far corner and sat on the railing, her back resting against one of the cold marble columns. She took a deep breath of the ice-cold air, letting it slowly revitalize her as she sipped on her glass. The wind picked up, and Esper caught the scent of someone else on the balcony with her. She looked and saw an apologetic looking Seraph. Her face hardened, and she looked back out towards the forest, continuing to drink from her glass.  

   Seraph slowly walked towards her cautiously like she was a dangerous animal. Hell, she is probably the most dangerous one here, he thought to himself. It ate at him that he had pissed her off. He knew he had crossed a line. It had been less than a week, and he was already acting like Esper was his mate. Seraph knew he would be the luckiest man in the world if she picked him. But Esper was the one with the choice, not him.  

   "Esper, I'm sorry. I acted possessive of you, and it was out of line." Seraph wanted to reach out to the silver beauty in front of him, but he didn't want to be in any more shit than he already was. Seraph looked at Esper longingly, but she didn't move.  

   "Please look at me," Seraph pleaded. 

   Esper sighed and pondered to herself. She was never any good at staying mad at someone, especially when they apologized. If Seraph could do that without knowing about her weak spot, then Esper knew he was sincere. She slowly looked towards him, scanning his face before locking with Seraph's gaze. It hurt her chest, seeing the emotion in his eyes. What was coming over her, she thought. Esper barely knew this man, and yet he was already creating so many new emotions inside her.  

   "I forgive you," Esper whispered. 

   "But don't do it again." Esper's voice hardened. She knew she had to be firm for this conversation. "I have to give everyone a fair chance. And I can't have fights breaking out in the middle of important events."  

   As if on cue, Maxim walked to the balcony, completely ignoring Seraph. 

   "Lady Esper, may I have the final dance of the evening?" Maxim held out his hand towards her. 

   Esper gave Seraph a quick look over to see how he was reacting. He clenched his fists, but his face stayed neutral. Good, he's a fast learner, she thought. Esper took Maxim's arm and allowed him to lead her out to the dance floor.  

   The band was taming the night with a final slow song. Maxim guided Esper's hands to his shoulders before placing his on her waist. The swayed side to side, a godsend for Esper's feet.  

   "You look beautiful tonight. I've never seen eyes like yours before." Maxim quietly complimented the vampire in his arms. She blushed and glanced away.  

   "Thank you, I inherited them from my mother's side of the family." She replied shyly, looking back at him.  

   "Where is your mother? I haven't seen her tonight. Surely she is here?" He inquired. Esper's face saddened.   

   "She would if she could, but she is dead." Esper pulled away from her companion.  

   "I'm sorry I need to leave." Esper quickly turned around and ran out of the room.

    "Esper, wait." Maxim tried to follow her but was blockaded by Saffron, Senna, Asher, and Seraph.  

   "Nice going, idiot." Seraph spat.  

   "How was I supposed to know her mother was dead," Maxim demanded.  

   "In this entire house, have you seen any family photos with anyone other than Esper and Wesley?" Seraph retorted.  

   "Will you two just stop," Saffron intervened. "Fighting isn't going to solve anything." 

   "I didn't do anything," Maxim defended. 

   "It's fine." Saffron was trying to drop the conversation, but Maxim continued to press. "Clearly, it's not. Esper just left in tears after I brought up the subject of her mother." 

   "Are you being serious right now? I'm not even going to start to try to understand why you are being a self-centered asshole right now. Esper is upset about her mother, not you. Not everything in the world revolves around you. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go check up on my friend." Saffron put heavy emphasis on 'my.' She was done with all the bickering and stormed off to console Esper. 

   The group was left completely stunned by Saffron's outburst. Feeling the need to give the suitor's some form of an explanation, Senna stepped forward. 

   "Please don't be mad at them. The topic of Esper's mother is a sensitive matter for this family," Senna started. "She died giving birth to Esper, and Wesley was left heartbroken while trying to care for his wife's last memory. It was hard on both of them, so they never really about her." 

   Seraph and Maxim stood there, feeling like complete fools. They only had one goal in mind and forgot to look at the bigger picture. Instead of taking the time to consider Esper's needs, they wasted away the precious moments by bickering with one another. 

   Maxim turned and was about to hunt down which room was Esper's, but Senna stopped him. "Not to be rude, but I think this is something that Saffron and I should handle. Give Esper some time, and she will be back to normal." 

   Giving a curt nod, Maxim resigned and stepped aside to let the small redhead past. Senna responded with a nod of her own and left the ballroom to follow her friends.