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The other small vampire girl had shimmering blonde hair braided around the top of her head before it cascaded down her back and shoulders. She was about half the size of the princess, with an even smaller personality.

The powdery pink dress she wore gave her an air of innocence that was only shattered whenever she brought a glass of bright red blood to her lips.

This obviously wasn’t a normal appointment. They were close. Spent hours chatting about nothing and somehow everything. They even had the royal seamstress come and fit them for gowns for their next ball.

It went on. And on. And on. And with it, whatever ego trip I was on after she picked me so suddenly disappeared into thin air.

But the more she talked, the more I couldn’t help but listen.

Is the royal life just gossiping, talking about shopping, and drinking blood?

“He’ll be upset when he realizes how long I was gone again,” the princess’s friend said as she attempted to stand.

Finally.

The three other guards at my side seemed to relax at the notice that the vampire girl was finally leaving. The two at the door had an obvious look of relief on their faces.I can’t blame them.This was a special kind of torture. Even if the princess’s voice was nice to listen to.

The princess was by her side in seconds, helping her up. She was gentle with her, gentler than I’d ever seen a vampire be with someone, and I was definitely not expecting it fromher.

The rumors of the beheaded man at the engagement offerings had spread far and wide, reaching my door before the news of my post did.

I couldn’t help but compare the gentleness of her actions, the carefulness of her smile, to what she had done yesterday.

She didn’t even blink.

Even got annoyed at her father for causing blood to be spilled so close to her!

I heard she even laughed at the man.

The guards had no problem gossiping in the hallways as I passed, causing our quarters to feel more like a university dorm than a highly coveted position in a ruthless vampire family.

“With the goodies I’ll send you home with, he will be in a good mood for weeks,” she said as she motioned for one of us to take her spot holding the small vampire.

Of course I was the first to reach them.

“Allow me,” I offered, and gently held onto the lady’s arm. It was frail. No doubt that if she were on the other end of the contract, she would be much easier to get rid of than the crueler royal by my side. Princess Aurelia’s gaze on me was heavy, but when I met her reddened gaze, I couldn’t make out what emotions lay beneath.

Was this not what she wanted?

“Let me know when you get home, Elora,” she said, her gaze still holding mine. A sultry smirk pulled at her lips.

Elora.That was it. I turned to the smaller girl and gave her a smile.

“Shall we?” I asked. She gave me a polite nod and smiled back.

I motioned for her to follow me out of the room. She waved goodbye one last time before doing so, and I looked back one last time at the princess.

She was watching us leave.

She wants something.I made a note to try and get her alone after I dropped off her friend.

Elora was silent all the way down the hall and grand spiraling staircase. The palace was buzzing with life. Maids, guards, and vampires were all walking the halls, looking carefree. Except for one teenage human staff member, who was shakily holding a tray with crystal glasses of blood. He was so preoccupied, he all but bumped into us.

I quickly maneuvered the royal vampire away from him, taking her in my arms and pulling her close. A move that caused her to let out a hiss.

I sent a glare at the boy before turning my attention to the vampire.

“I apologize,” I said quickly and gently removed my hands from her. “I didn’t mean to use so much force.”