"Do you want another drink?" The velvety voice called from behind you, just able to make out his words over the music of the party that was being hosted at your family's large estate.

House Arcos was known to throw many extravagant and large parties, sparing no expense, inviting every house regardless of affiliation, blood feuds, or petty political disputes. The ballroom was filled with Gold's, a sea of blonde hair mingling with each other, the gold everyone wore caught and glistened in the light.

Darrow au Andromedus believed he was only invited because he was one of your grandfather's last students, he had spent months teaching the young man how to handle his Razor with dangerous precision. You watched them train, the vigorous effort they both put into honing Darrow's skills made you admire Darrow. You had grown close.

Very close.

"Where's Lysander?" You glance behind you and your eyes meet a pair of golden ones, a small polite smile on his lips, you could tell he was uncomfortable.

Lysander au Lune; your blood cousin, he was the same age as your little brother Alexander au Arcos, while you were almost a decade and a half older than both of the boys. They were often together, cousins and best friends, but you had caught glimpse of neither tonight.

"Last I saw he was with Cassius," Darrow clenches his jaw before relaxing, "Alex is with your mother." He assures, knowing you'd ask about your brother before you even opened your mouth.

Alliances were incredibly messy, you both were unsure if Cassius could be trusted especially with his family was so touch and go.

Darrow looked like he was being utterly tortured, he wasn't used to this, a Gala that seemed so carefree for once, no political minefields to navigate. So many people to accidentally anger. But he tried to push those thoughts away.

As both Lorn au Arcos's student and a Lancer of Nero au Augustus he needed to be on his best behavior if he didn't want to be put on a lot more powerful people's hit lists, more than he already was.

Darrow took in a deep breath, trying to focus on you, the person he had trained, eaten, and slept with for the past handful of months. How much he had learnt to enjoy since leaving the Institute and beginning the Academy.

"You didn't answer my question, love, do you want another drink?" Darrow pressed again, setting his hands on your hips, gently turning you around to properly look at him.