This is a long chapter, so bear with me, everyone. I hope you enjoy!

I was dancing, really dancing! The Vampire king moved with fluid ease, his big feet never seeming to touch the ground. We spun then he would release me only to pull me back into his arms with a smirk upon his face.

I just helplessly stared up at him, not believing that this was happening to me. I was still in shock from him walking right up to me and kissing my hand. When his fingers touched mine, a shock settled between us. Like a connection was made. It still amazed me with that as it was some feeling.

Now those women who glared at me when he guided me through the crowd to to dance we're still glaring my way. But I didn't care because this fallen Angel, this handsome king, was dancing with me, of all people.

And foolish me, I couldn't be happier. He glanced down at me then and smirked as my gaze fell to his lips. Why, oh why? Could I be any braver? Was it bravery or was I just being foolish?

"What's your name, darlin'?" He asked me softly.

I blinked, his southern accent literally making me melt as I looked up into his vivid green eyes. I felt like I could get lost in their depths and I almost sighed. They were deep like his voice was. I shivered as his deep voice rolled over my being.

He was so charming and debonair as I found that lovely.

"My name is Angelica." I said softly.

An auburn eyebrow rose. "Angelica." He said softly, and heavens forbid but it felt like a caress over my body, my very being and I shivered again.

"Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman."

And here we go with the blushing again, although I didn't think it ever really ceased. I don't think I've ever blushed this much in my entire life. Geez.

"And what shall I call you, sire?" I asked then, trying to get a grip on myself and my emotions.

His eyebrow lifted again before he suddenly dipped me back as the lovely song the band was playing came to an end. I gasped softly and grasped his strong shoulders as one of his big hands cupped the back of my head as the other pressed firmly against my lower back.

If I hadn't noticed this before, I sure as hell did now. Our faces were a little too close for my liking and my gaze once again drifted down to his lips as he smirked again.

Geez Angelica! What the hell is up with you?!

"You can call me anything your beautiful heart desires but most call me Mark."

"Mark…" I whispered then looked back up into his eyes.

His eyebrows furrowed as he slowly straightened. He never seemed to bring his hands from me, though. I wasn't complaining although maybe I should be. My eyebrows then furrowed as well.

No man ever really paid this much attention to me or even treated me so kindly before. So the first thing that popped into my mind was what did he want from me?

I couldn't help but to think this way. It's all I've ever known. I sighed then pushed my hands against his chest, which was hard. Of course I would notice such a glorious tidbit as I couldn't help it.

His eyebrows remained furrowed as I stared up into his eyes. When I looked at him, I felt vulnerable. I never felt this way before and, to be honest, it scared me to death. Finally after a lot of willpower, I pulled my eyes from his heated one and turned around, looking for Jay.

Finding her at the table still I said, "I should return to Jay."

With my back turned, I didn't need to worry about looking at him. I felt more in control of myself if I didn't look at him. Mark looked at Jay, who was in a conversation with Glenn, then looked down at Angelica again.

"Then I'll accompany you." He said, wanting to remain with his destined female.

"Oh no, no. I couldn't ask that of you." I shook my head, still not looking at him.

He lifted an eyebrow. "Do what to me?"

I wasn't going to look at him. I swore that to myself repeatedly, but that vow was spoiled when he grasped my arm gently and turned me around then placed a finger beneath my chin, tilting my head back slightly.

Damn it! I looked at him and almost sighed.

"What do you mean, Angelica?"

I blushed anew and almost forgot to breathe. Remembering to take that much-needed breath, I responded softly, "I don't want you to feel obligated, Mark."

He smirked, and his gaze grew soft.

"Anything for you, Angie."

My eyes widened as he smiled then grasped my hand, guiding me back to the table…

I sat quietly beside Jay as she drank more of the champagne in the flute before her. The Vampire king sat at my right, talking with the Wolf king, who sat beside Jay. I've never been this nervous or this silent in my life

'I saw you two dancing and all those glares most of those women were giving you. If looks could kill…' Jay said to me telepathically.

'Really? Because I couldn't miss you smiling so brightly.'

She glanced at me.

'I am happy for you.' She said in her defense.

My eyebrows furrowed.

'You're happy that I got to dance?'

She shook her head.

'Well, yes but that is not the reason. I am happy because-'

"Jay." Glenn interrupted, his deep tone signaling a warning.

Eyebrows still furrowed, I looked at the both of them. Jay was about to say something of importance when Glenn stopped her for some reason.

"What were you going to tell me, Jay?" I questioned aloud.

"You will know soon enough, Angelica." Glenn said.

"What?"

"I cannot tell you, Angel. It is not my place to do so." She said with an apologetic smile.

My eyebrows remained furrowed when Glenn grasped Jay's hand then stood and pulled her up, guiding her toward the crowd. Sure. Elude me, why don't you?

Mark could see and sense how Angie felt, and it bothered him. How could he sense her emotions so easily? There was no bond between them yet but he but he could sense that she hated being kept in the dark and he knew why.

He knew who Jay was as he was no fool. She was Jay the Wise, and she knew that he was Angie's destined mate. No wonder they wanted me here so badly. He thought with a slight shake of his head.

He then wondered how he would break the news to his mate. Maybe he could clear her mind with his charm.

It was worth a try.

So he stood and offered her his hand.

"Come. Take a walk with me."

I looked up at him then more than happy to oblige, I placed my hand in his. He gently pulled me up then guided me out to the courtyard…

"I just feel so bad, Glenn." Jay said with a shake of her head.

"Well, Mark needs to tell her of something that important. Not you, love."

"Would it be that bad if I did tell her?" She asked, looking up at him.

He thought for a moment before responding.

"Look at it this way. If Angelica were to have said to you that I was your destined mate when we first met, would you have become angry with her it would you have thanked her?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought. They swayed back and forth as she glanced at the table, only to find it empty. She then glanced out into the courtyard and saw her younger sister with Mark. He looked as smitten with her as Angel looked with him. Maybe it would have been a mistake if she had told Angel.

"I see your point, Glenn. I would have been upset with her."

He nodded. "My point exactly, love. He should inform her of such. Nothing more and nothing less."

She glanced back up at him and nodded.

"You are right. Thank you, Glenn."

"You're welcome, beautiful…"

Mark and I sat upon the bench I had sat upon earlier this evening when I came out here alone. We both sat quietly, listening to the music and the various voices coming from within the palace. I was still nervous, and I wondered if he was as well.

But before I had the time to think of what had happened in the ballroom, he began asking questions. I didn't mind it but the Vampire king, or Mark as he wanted me to call him, was asking many. This soon felt more like an interview rather than a formal ball with all the questions he was asking me.

I thought this was supposed to be a ball. Why did he want to know so much about me? That was odd. I looked back to where Jay and Glenn danced. They looked so sweet together and it had me wondering if Mark and I looked that sweet together as well. I sighed then looked forward once more.

"What do you do for a living, Angie?" Mark asked softly as he looked at me.

Why did he want to know that? And was I supposed to miss it this badly? Yes I was, and I did miss my career terribly. I missed it before but not for this long and it wasn't this bad before. I sighed sadly and leaned back against the back of the bench, folding my hands in my lap as I looked down at them.

"I'm a writer."

He smiled at me and laid his hands flat on his thighs.

"A writer? That must be an exciting career, is it not?"

I looked at him and nodded then looked back down at my folded hands.

"Yes, it's rather enjoyable."

He cocked his head slightly. "What do you write about?"

I blushed anew. Should I tell him of what I wrote of? Would he laugh like others had?

"The genre is Paranormal Romance as I write of what most women yearn for in a relationship and in a man. But most men are, well, assholes to us good women and they treat the shitty ones like gold."

His eyebrows furrowed as he listening to her. How many times had she been hurt? He vowed right then and there that he would make those who hurt her pay. His eyes narrowed. Bastards. He then looked back at her. He would do anything to make her happy as he vowed such as well.

Anyway, she wrote of Paranormal Romance, hmm? He read many books with romantic elements as well as paranormal elements but never did he read of this. How intriguing.

"What do you look for in a man?" He asked deeply.

I grew wide eyed and looked at him. He lifted an eyebrow as his heated green eyes bore into mine. How was I supposed to answer that? How was I supposed to tell him how I yearned for a caring, loving, honest man who also knew how to be passionate, sensual, and deep? I couldn't divulge that!

I quickly stood and walked to the tree I was behind earlier in the evening. Mark stood as well and watched as she walked to the large tree. He couldn't help but to follow her as his mind was still reeling from just getting to knew who she, his female, was.

Mark silently strode toward the large tree trunk, in search of her. I just knew he would eventually come over here as I tried to prepare myself for it but when he appeared before me, my mind went blank.

His ruggedly handsome face would forever haunt my dreams, I just knew it. He looked down at me with those vivid green eyes that were heated again. My temperature rose as my heartbeat increased.

What is she thinking? He wondered as she stared down into her eyes. He heard her pounding heart and cocked his head slightly. So he had this strong of an effect on her? Hopefully this would prove to be a good thing instead of a bad one. Even though they only just met this eve, it felt so right and so needful.

The moon's rays surrounded him, making it seem like he possessed a halo around his head. His handsome features seemed darker now that the shadows played upon his face; beneath those rugged cheekbones that had me yearning to caress his face. Not to mention tasting those lips that beckoned me now.

"I should go back…" I whispered, my voice sounding breathy.

My eyes grew wide. Oh heavens, was that me? Why did I sound like this?

He slowly stepped forward, his eyes riveted to her wide ones. He placed his hands flat against the trunk of the tree, beside either side of her head. I then realized that I should have gone back to the ball when I had the chance, instead of being so scared and nervous.

But he made me feel this way! What was he going to do now? I suddenly felt trapped, not knowing what to do. Any one of those women that glared at me earlier would have yearned for this, jumping at the chance to be alone with the Vampire king, especially the Nymphs.

But did I want this? Deep down in my soul? Should I jump at this chance? While my mind pondered all of this, my body felt differently. It certainly was well aware of the large male before it. I now hated my body for betraying me.

"I should return…" I squeaked.

His gaze fell to her lips as his mouth seemed to water for a taste. Would she like his kiss? Would she clutch him close? His penis was hard for this small woman standing before him. He wanted her to feel it against her lush body. He wanted to grind himself against her. He wanted her to feel what she caused. He wanted her to moan for more of what he was more than willing to give her. He shivered then exhaled.

She was his, finally. The ancients has finally graced him with a beautiful woman and a chance at love. True love, he hoped.

"This courtyard is part of the ball. So technically, you're still at the ball. And besides, I don't want you to go."

Some part of me felt delighted with him and yet another part of me felt…sad. The reason as to why I didn't want someone because I had a boyfriend once, but he hurt me. He cheated on me, making me feel like I was worthless.

So I figured all men were the same; they hurt the good women and cherished the bad ones. That was the way of the world nowadays. The ways of man.

"Why are you so interested in a plain Jane such as me?" I asked finally, looking up at him.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Plain Jane? I thought your name was Angie."

My eyebrows rose. He'd never heard of this saying before? Seriously? Wow.

"It's a figure of speech, sire."

"Oh, and it's Mark."

"Well?" I persisted.

He leaned down close, his green eyes rapt upon my lips. I pressed myself against the tree, my eyes growing wide as my cheeks flared with color. Fear and desire set within my eyes, making him pause.

"You're a beautiful woman, Angie. I saw you and I had to talk and dance with you."

He leaned closer still as her heart pounded. He heard it and closed his eyes for a moment. Then when he opened them, he removed a hand from the tree and cupped her cheek, wanting and needing to ease her feelings. He didn't want her to fear him as it hurt to be feared by his destined mate.

"Do not fear me, darlin'. I would never harm you. I vow it." He said softly.

The feeling of peace immediately washed over me. Maybe this was a good thing to feel but now confusion bubbled to the surface within me as I stared up into his eyes. He smiled softly, the tips of his fangs visible as he caresses my cheek tenderly while his thumb rubbed my cheekbone.

It felt so nice to feel at peace with a man but he feelings of being safe and at peace confused me. No man ever touched me so lovingly or ever made me feel safe before. The reason was obvious. They were all out for one thing and I sure as hell wasn't cheap.

But this felt so different. He was making this feel different and maybe it was a good thing. Although maybe it wasn't such a good thing. So why was I allowing him to continue to touch me?

He leaned even closer still until his lips were a hairs breath away from mine. I hadn't been this close to man in centuries and it was making me want him in one sense but uncomfortable in the other.

The hand that caressed my cheek eased down to my chin and he gently tilted my head back. Oh ancients, he was going to kiss me! I wrote of romantic scenes like this one, but I couldn't believe it was about to happen to me. By a king, no less!

"I talked with you, danced with you and now, I need to kiss you." He said softly then closed the space between us, brushing his lips tenderly against mine.

I couldn't help myself as my eyes slowly closed and I tentatively kissed him back. This just felt so perfect. I slowly trailed my hands up to his shoulders and clutched him close. Oh heavens, this would forever haunt my dreams…