“You can’t stop me from leaving.”
The vampire had a sword, but he wasn’t defenseless. He had several daggers hidden on his person. He’d started carrying them as soon as he was old enough to understand the danger that existed within the walls of Castle Sanguis. No one with a drop of mortal blood walked around the castle unprotected.
Not only that, but Marius had spent the past decade training daily with blades. Even Luna, with all her over-protective tendencies (and she had many), understood that he needed to be able to defend himself. Whenever Phyrra, the king’s spymaster, made it back to Castle Sanguis, she also trained with Marius.
His bodyguard studied him for several long moments, her gaze as dark as the night sky, before she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t let you go.”
“You can’t?” He couldn’t keep the disbelief from his voice. Everything was unraveling before his eyes.
“No,” she said. “If you leave, the king will kill me.”
Even if Marius hadn’t known his brother-in-law’s reputation forending lives, he would have believed the vampire simply based on the fear woven into her words.
“Then come with me.” The offer slipped out before he could stop it.
Internally, he wanted to curse. That was twice now that his mouth had gotten the better of him.
The vampire blinked, her red lashes fluttering. “What?”
“Come with me,” he repeated more forcefully.
Obviously, she wasn’t leaving, and he couldn’t stay here. Time was slipping away, and his window to leave was closing.
“I don’t think?—”
“That way, you can keep me safe.” The words tasted bitter, but at this point, he would endure almost anything to get them moving again. “Not to mention the added benefit that Sebastian can’t kill you if you’re doing your job. We’ll just tell them I forced you to come with me.”
She scowled, fire flashing in her eyes once again. “Youareforcing me to come, Your Highness. I would much rather us turn around and go back right now.”
Marius uncrossed his arms and raked a hand through his hair.
“That won’t be happening. As I said, I need to leave.” He exhaled. “However, I will concede that perhaps I’m not putting you in the best spot. For that, I apologize.”
“Not the best spot?” Her dark gaze held his. “This is a terrible spot you’ve put me in.”
He could see that, and he truly did feel sorry about it. The timing was just awful. “Hence the apology.”
The vampire’s eyes widened. “I… Thank you, I suppose.”
Time was slipping away.
“You’re welcome…” He realized he still didn’t know her name. “What should I call you?”
She sighed, and even though she clearly didn’t like his plan, he could sense that she was softening.
“My name is Vivienne,” she said.
He rolled her name over his tongue, enjoying the way it sounded. “I wish you weren’t tangled up in this, Vivienne. I’m sorry for dragging you along with me.”
Her presence was a complication he hadn’t foreseen. He hadn’t thought anyone would be guarding him tonight. It seemed pointless. After all, in addition to the vampire royals, the High Ladies of Life and Death and their mates were at the ball, along with several dragon shifters. No one would be stupid enough to cause trouble during such a momentous event.
Vivienne frowned, her ruby lips pursing as she studied him.
Marius glanced at the sky and winced. Dawn was almost here. “So, what do you say? Will you join me?”
She chewed on her bottom lip before nodding. “I supposed I don’t have a choice. Where are we going?”
Thank all the gods. Relief flooded him, and for the first time since his bodyguard interrupted his escape, he smiled. “We’re going north.”
