Stopping a few steps from the Great Hall’s entrance, Theory delicately lowered me back onto my feet. His left hand lingered on my waist as if he couldn’t bring himself to separate from me fully. I welcomed the gentle support, assuming that he was still worried that I might faint at any moment. I couldn’t blame him for hovering around me after what happened before. If anything, I found his attentiveness to be quite endearing.

We stood in a comfortable silence for a few moments, neither of us taking the first step toward the entryway. I turned my head to peer up at the tall and ruggedly handsome man whose large hand remained lightly fixed to my side. His blue-gray eyes were already locked onto me—the faintest of smirks played across his lips. We fell into a silent staring contest, each waiting for the other to do something, anything. His gaze was so intense that my face began to heat. Unable to withstand it any longer, I quickly looked down at my dress and began adjusting anything that was out of place.

“How do I look?” I asked, daring another glance up at Theory. 

His left hand skimmed across my back before taking my right hand and guiding me into a slow twirl. As he spun me, his eyes leisurely drank me in from head to toe. My heart pounded at the serious and calculating expression he wore. I had only asked to break the silence, but now I was nervous about his answer. When he finished his assessment, he drew me toward him, crossing my right arm in front of me. His left hand slipped from mine and found my waist once more.

“You look every bit the enchanting and witchy little princess that you are.” A teasing smile bloomed across his handsome face as he replied. I smiled up at him, my nerves subsiding. Sounds of excited chatter floated through the Great Hall’s entryway and caught our attention. Theory guided me back inside to our little corner of the atrium. We leaned against the column once more, but Theory’s gentle hold on me persisted. 

I surveyed the scene that unfolded before us. There were a lot more people gathered than there had been when we’d left. A temporary stage was elevated using elemental earth magic at the center of the large room. The prominent SPC representatives for each supernatural species began taking their places along the circumference of the circular stage's first level. It seemed that it was time for the ball to start officially.

“Here we go,” Theory grumbled lowly as a pale, elegantly dressed woman with straight, jet-black hair stepped onto the upper platform of the stage.

As her gaze swept across the ballroom, the crowd fell silent. When her dark eyes flitted to me, though only for the briefest of moments, I was stunned by the ancient and powerful presence buried within them. I instinctively pressed myself closer to Theory’s side, his hold tightening protectively in response. A soft sigh escaped my lips as her eyes continued trailing over the people gathered. 

“We thank you all for joining the SPC Council in commemorating the 458th anniversary of the founding of the Supernatural Peace Covenant.” A silky female voice sounded within my mind as the woman’s red lips parted in a blinding smile, and she twirled slowly once more with her hands raised to her sides before facing where most of the crowd gathered near the southern side of the great hall. From what I could recall from my Supernatural Studies courses, I deduced that this woman was a Vampire. Some Vampires can project their thoughts telepathically to members of any species. Seeing as how everyone’s attention was fixed on her, I guessed that everyone in this hall could hear her. Her ability to effortlessly project to hundreds of people at once meant she was among the oldest and strongest of her kind. “I am your host, Alexandria Corvus. I hope everyone has had a chance to intermingle. Now that we have officially begun the festivities, it is time to formally introduce those making their debut into our society this year! Could our newest members make their way to the center of the hall?” 

As people and hushed conversations began to stir, I tensed. From where Theory and I stood, I couldn’t locate my parents. Anxiety began to coil within me. I had known that I would be introduced, but I suddenly realized just how many eyes would be scrutinizing me. My hands started to shake, and my legs began to tremble. Theory pressed me against his side, supporting me.

“I can walk with you, if you’d like.” He whispered lowly, his head bent to survey my face. I breathed a long, shaky sigh and nodded. I braced myself as Theory guided me through the crowd and towards the center. As we reached the edge of the crowd, I hesitated. Theory’s hand slid from my side to the center of my back, and he gently nudged me forward, whispering, “I’ll be waiting for that dance, princess.”

As I continued, his hand fell away. The lack of his warmth left me feeling cold. An odd sense of emptiness, anxiety, and longing pooled in my chest. The next moment, I steeled my nerves. I would be damned if I embarrassed myself in front of all these people, in front of him. I lifted my chin and joined the ring of newbies facing the stage. Once the crowd stilled, Alexandria’s voice filled my mind once more.

“One by one, each of you will ascend to the central stage, and I will formally introduce you. You will then descend to the first level and individually greet the rest of the SPC Council before returning to the crowd. We will begin with whoever is closest to the stairs and continue clockwise.”

Shit. Here I was, standing dead center before the steps. Why did I have to be the first?! I straightened my spine and lifted my chin before ascending two sets of steps. My heart thundered in my chest. Once I mounted the central stage, the familiar and unbothered mask I spent years cultivating had slid into place. I approached the elegant Vampire with practiced grace, curtseying once I stood before her. Only after I straightened did her familiar silky voice enter my mind once more. “What is your name, age, affiliation, and position?” 

“My name is Juniper Lenore Bellamy. I am 26 years old. I am the new Maiden of the Fleur-de-lis witch Coven of Louisiana.” Although I had been nervous, my voice resonated throughout the hall as I drew on my past experiences of starring in theatre productions. 

“Juniper Lenore Bellamy, Maiden of the Fleur-de-lis witch Coven, we welcome you!” Alexandria’s welcome was followed by her cold hand guiding me around the central stage, as if to ensure that everyone in the hall could see my face. As I was showcased, my eyes first found my smiling parents with tears in their eyes, waving up at me. A smile blossomed on my face in response. Next, I spotted Theory, who winked at me with a lopsided grin. My cheeks, sore from grinning, began to flush. When we completed the loop, Alexandria led me to the steps and gestured toward the council member to the left of the stairs. 

I descended to the first level, quickly greeting and being welcomed by each of the core council members of various species and affiliations as I circled clockwise back toward the steps. As soon as I exited the stage, I found myself drawn back towards Theory. I knew where my parents were, having seen them from the stage, but I was enchanted by the stormy colored eyes that followed me as I approached. I brushed aside my decision as nothing more than me being too anxious to traverse the crowd when a familiar face was already so close. The person next in line was already on the central stage by the time I reached him. Once I settled next to him, his hand found my waist again, pulling me closer.

“Welcome back,” he whispered, his head lowered so close that it felt like his lips could almost brush against my ear. A shiver danced along my spine, and, as if he’d felt it, a soft and short chuckle tickled my ear before he straightened. My face, ears, neck, and chest burned intensely. Trying to distract myself from further embarrassment, I studied the stage and the introductions like my life depended on it. 

Out of the long line of newbies, only three particularly stood out to me. The first was a witch named Laken Azalea Martinez. They exuded an androgynous allure with a blue pixie cut, piercings, tattoos, tanned skin, and a slender frame, all dressed in a fitted black suit. Laken was 24 years old and the new Maiden of Arkansas’ Mockingbird Coven. I was intrigued because they had this badass aura, their coven wasn’t too far from mine, and we were both late-blooming Maidens.

The second was a 25-year-old male Fae named Rhodri Orianth Kaelorin. Rhodri was blindingly handsome with long, golden curls that pooled just past his shoulders. He was tall, probably not as tall as Theory, but almost as tall as he was. A white suit showcased his lean and muscular body. He introduced himself as one of the Royal Heirs of the Seelie Spring Fae Court. He had a melodic Scottish accent that was irresistible.

The third was a female Demon, who was undoubtedly a Succubus. Her name was Vaelith Nymrya. She said she was 28, but she barely looked a day over 21. She was on the shorter side, with glowing, copper-colored skin and plump lips painted a deep red.  A blood red dress clung to her large breasts and slim-thick figure. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a loose bubble braid that swished near the top of her thighs and was decorated with golden hair jewelry. I was mesmerized by her beauty.

As the introductions finally ended, Alexandria telepathically announced that the stage would be lowered, and those who had just debuted would take partners to dance with before others would be allowed to join in. The SPC’s Core Council filed down the steps and off the stage. Once the stage began to lower using earth magic, I turned to peer up at Theory, who still held me close to his side. Somehow, I had already become accustomed to this new proximity between us. It felt natural. Feeling my eyes on him, Theory glanced down at me.

“Yes, princess?” He smirked.

“Howdy, dance partner,” I drawled with a fake southern accent.

“Howdy?” His eyebrow raised, and that amused gleam filled his eyes.

“I don’t know. Uh, it just… Um… It just came out. I don’t really know why I said that.” An awkward giggle bubbled up, my cheeks began to heat, and I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear while looking away quickly. The crowd was scooting back to form an oval around the space that would soon serve as a dance floor. My eyes scanned the area across from us where I had previously seen my parents. When I didn’t see them, I continued my search, wondering where they’d gone.