Page 38

When I was a child, I caught myself having similar fantasies of going swimming in a fountain, but unlike her, my father would have never allowed it.

And unlike then, my fantasy of joining her in the fountain was pushed away immediately.

“Leave us,” she ordered. “Silver-haired stays.”

Just like that, she already had the situation under her control. Her voice held a tone that dared the guards around her to disobey.She must be so annoyed that they aren’t listening to her.

The thought alone was almost enough to make me smile.A bit of a rude awakening for our spoiled highness, was it?

“Vesper,” I reminded her, and shifted on my heels.

She was floating on her back, her eyes closed, and outright ignoring everyone else around her.I can see why the others worried that she might embarrass herself.

With a final step forward, the princess came fully into view. She was wearing only a white nightdress that had become completely see-through from the water. Her rosy nipples were hard and poked through the fabric. I tried and failed not to look at the tuft of hair between her legs.

It would be more decent if she were naked. The white fabric clung to her skin, pulling tight against her hips and chest as it tried to sink down to the floor of the fountain.

It was reminiscent of a painting. One of those my parents had ushered me away from when we went to museums. One that my brother would laugh at because of the inappropriateness.

But I always thought they were beautiful.

Even though it was over a week before, I couldn’t get the party out of my mind. I regretted going. Regretted what I did even more. But only because of how much I enjoyed what we did. How itexcitedme.

It wasn’t how someone of my lineage should feel about their job. Generations of us had been trained, hundreds were out there completing their jobs with calm, cool heads…and then there was me. Getting distracted by a spoiled princess with a smart mouth that felt far too good against the skin of my neck to forget.

The head guard lingered at my side, his gaze heavy. I met his eyes with a raised brow.

“Can we trust you with this?” he asked.

Trust.I wanted to laugh at the ridiculous question.Yes, you can trust me, sir. You’ll leave, and I’ll get her alone so I can finally fulfill my prophecy.

The only issue was that I hadn’t brought any of my weapons. My sword was magically enhanced and would make it easier to kill her. It would slow her healing and allow the magic to attack her system, giving me enough time to finish the job if I chose to. But there was little advantage I would have over her. They had rushed me so much that I hadn’t even been allowed to change.

I’ll figure something out.I had to because, for the first time, I was going to be truly alone with the princess.

“Yes, sir,” I said and took the final steps to the fountain. The princess didn’t open her eyes until the guards’ steps faded.

She sat up, her hair flattening against her head and sticking to her upper body. Her eyes were still blue when she looked at me.Meaning this had nothing to do with bloodlust.

But there was something else swimming in them. Usually she had a playfulness behind them, but not then. It was something heavier.

I wondered if she wore the see-through nightgown on purpose. That maybe this had been her plan all along. Just another way to play with my mind like she had in that house.

I wouldn’t put it past her. She seemed awfully content to make my life here a living hell, even if only for her own amusement.

“Vesper.” My name came out like she was trying to see how it felt on her tongue. I hated how it made a shiver go up my spine. “I like ‘little mouse’ better.”

Annoyance pricked at my senses.

“Is it normal for you to throw yourself into the fountain when you don’t get what you want?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.

She let out a scoff and rolled her eyes. Her eyes settled on a faraway target, something flashing across her mind enough to take her away from the present moment. Her jaw clenched hard enough for me to see the way it caused the muscles in her face to bulge.

“Not get what I want?” she muttered under her breath.

Testy.She didn’t like that. But why?

“Why else would you be doing this?” I asked and stuffed my hands in my pockets.