Black Feathers

8: Winter Ball

 Breathing in the chilled air Lucian glanced out the window of the carriage as he straightened the cuffs of his suit. The expensive material was black with a white and icy blue trim, silver and gold designs bordered the edges of the material. His eyes were drawn up when a body leaned over his lap. A gentle smile pulled at the King's lips as he watched Annabelle press on the window, excitement having long since filled her eyes.

 Trailing his gaze off her face down her arched body. She wore a black coat lined with white fur, it matched the cloak clipped to the King's shoulders. The dress was well hidden under the floor length coat, Bethany and Vitani had both insisted Anna kept it a surprise for Lucian until they got to Embre City.

 Glancing out the window again Lucian reached up and pressed a hand on the woman's lower back, turning her to sit in his lap. Rather than crawling over him to see the decorative city as they passed through. Lucian's guard trotted in their animal forms on the outside of the carriage, beyond them gathered a crowd of onlookers. Men and women with their children watching as the King's entourage made its way toward the center of Embre. Where Marius's home stood high above the rest of the city.

 "Embre is known for it's seasonal trades. I hold personal contracts with many of the shop owners that work through Alpha Marius."

 "Yet not a single contract with any of the surrounding cities. Alpha you must learn to expand your company throughout your own Kingdom."

 Both Lucian and Anna turned at the sound of Vitani's mumble, her eyes were trained on the paper in her hands. Preparing whatever was needed to gain access to the party. Feeling Anna shift in his lap Lucian looked at her, her eyes framed with a delicate crystal-like powder that shimmered white and whenever the light touched it a rainbow spray of colors caught the eye. It was a very flattering effect that Lucian liked very much. Black rimmed the waterline of her eyelids making the pale grey in her bright eyes stand out.

 The carriage coming to a stop drew Lucian's attention. Turning to look out the window at the castle that rose before them now. Not nearly as large as his own home but it was impressive all the same. The stone used to build it was a pale grey with brilliant orange and red veins running through it, making it appear to smolder when it caught the last rays of the evening sun.

 A frown tugged at the King's lips upon noticing the trickle of people headed into the open doors, movement had ceased when the Nobles took notice of the carriage. Disbelief held them rooted in their spots. King Lucian so rarely attended events that Nobles had come to not expect the man at all. Letting out a soft breath Lucian glanced to the side not looking forward to handling the Nobles. They were so much like Angels, so power hungry, and worried with their social standings. 

 The King shifted Anna off his lap and stepped out of the carriage, ignoring the eyes on him as he helped Vitani out. The Gamma wore a simple, slim-fit, silver dress that fell to the floor when she stopped holding it. Her feet strapped with black heels that clacked on the stone next to Lucian's eternally bare feet. Looking back Lucian quickly moved to catch Anna as she jumped out of the carriage, uncaring that she stumbled right into him as she nearly vibrated with excitement. Laughing softly to himself the King fixed her thick braid, woven with jewels that caught the lights and glittered. Patting her butt gently Lucian nudged the woman toward Vitani. Taking a moment to enjoy the sight of her so excited.

 Standing back to watch as the women linked arms and started toward the castle doors, the wolves formed a loose guard that surrounded them and the King. Following a few paces behind the girls Lucian veered closer to the wolves. The chestnut colored one closest to Lucian flicked his ears toward his Alpha.

 "If I am not beside her and someone tries anything with Annabelle you come and get me immediately. I do not care what I am doing or who I am with."