Steam already curled above the massive bathtub, as someone, probably Katya, had started filling the bathroom before they arrived, the scent of clean water and sandalwood replacing the lingering perfume of the Council hall.
Lucien set Lilian down gently on her feet, and the moment her heels clicked the floor, the atmosphere shifted.
The formal composure she had worn all evening slipped away, replaced by hunger she had held it down in since the time they were in Millbrook.
"You were perfect tonight," Lucien murmured quietly as he knelt, removing her heels one at a time with deliberate slowness. "Every vampire in that hall wanted to touch you. Marking you with their scent."
Lilian exhaled slowly, remembering hands at her arm, polite greetings mixed with the gazes from head to toe, measuring her worth.
