A dance in the lion's den
The ballroom glowed with laughter and music, but for Lena it felt like standing in a cage surrounded by predators. Every glance seemed sharper, every whisper edged with poison.
She tried to smile, to nod politely during conversations, but the name lingered in her mind like a curse: Daniel Hart.
Her father's mistakes had followed her here.
Adrian noticed. Of course he did. His gaze never strayed far from her, reading every flicker in her eyes. After yet another couple excused themselves with forced smiles, he bent close and murmured, "Come with me."
Before she could ask, he led her toward the center of the room where the orchestra played a slow, haunting waltz.
Lena stiffened. "Adrian, everyone's watching."
"Good," he said simply, taking her hand. His other hand slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him. "Let them see who you belong to."
Her breath caught as they moved into the dance. Adrian guided her effortlessly, each step confident, commanding. Gasps rose from the crowd, whispers echoing along the walls.
Why her?
Doesn't he know?
The Knights are untouchable—until now.
Lena's heart pounded, her mind torn between shame and a desperate longing to believe him. "You shouldn't… you shouldn't be doing this," she whispered, eyes downcast.
"Look at me," Adrian ordered softly.
She did. And in his gaze, there was no judgment, no doubt. Only fire.
"I don't care what they say, Lena. I never have. I never will."
The room blurred around her, the weight of the whispers fading for just a heartbeat as he twirled her across the floor. For the first time that evening, she felt… safe. Seen.
But across the room, Clara Hayes sipped her champagne, her eyes glittering like a predator's. She leaned into a reporter's ear, her words smooth and deliberate.
"Check the archives. Daniel Hart's records. Tonight, the city deserves the truth."
The orchestra swelled, the dance reached its peak, and Lena clung to Adrian as though the world was spinning too fast.
For a fleeting moment, she let herself believe him. That his power could shield her. That his love was enough.
But even as he held her, even as their steps matched perfectly, Lena couldn't silence the dread curling deep inside her.
Because storms never stayed hidden forever. And hers was about to break wide open.