“You hadonejob,” she muttered, hurrying through the crowded ballroom. Keeping half an eye on the floor, she skillfully avoided tripping onthe sea of swirling colorful fabric. “Just one. Watch the prince. How could you mess it up?”
She’d let her guard down for one single moment. Not even a full minute.
That’s all it had taken for him to slip away.
He hadn’t known she was watching him since her official introduction as his new bodyguard was scheduled for tomorrow. The king had wanted her to start tonight so she could ease into her duties.
She thought tonight would be easy. Obviously, she’d made a mistake.
Her heart clenched as if preparing itself for her agonizingly painful, final death.
Over a century had passed since her Making, yet she still recalled the pain she’d endured the night of her mortal death. There was no doubt in her mind that the king’s punishment would be far worse.
Someone swung out their elbow, nearly knocking into Vivienne. She swerved, cursing beneath her breath.
Where in Isvana’s holy name could the prince have gone? It wasn’t like he was a child, shorter than everyone and easy to lose. The man was in his twenties, tall, and undeniably handsome.
Even in a room of beautiful people, he stood out.
And yet, Vivienne had lost him.
She stopped at the edge of the dance floor, her gaze swinging across the ballroom.
Seconds passed in agonizing slowness before a flash of brown hair across the room caught her eye. The open balcony was on the other side of the dancers, but she was sure she’d seen it.
The musicians in the corner switched to an upbeat song, bows flying over strings. The melody was beautiful, and at another time, she would’ve stopped to appreciate it.
There was no time for that now, though.
Vivienne studied the ballroom, assessing the scenario like the soldier she was.
Dancers dressed in opulent silk gowns that were a study in the rainbow spun around the room in the arms of their partners. Laughter and conversations filled the air, accompanying the music. The partygoers unknowingly blocked her path to the balcony, but they couldn’t keep her from the prince.
Vivienne mapped out a path and set off as quickly as she dared without pulling on her vampiric strength. Drawing attention to herself would be unwise. She already stood out enough, thanks to her black fighting leathers and the sword sheathed across her back.
She slowed once she passed the dancers and tucked an unruly lock of flaming red hair behind her ear. People chatted excitedly around her, and she picked up snippets of conversation as she strode past.
“The High Ladies of Life and Death worked so hard on this project…”
A high-pitched laugh.
“I’m so glad the opening ball is here, at the new university…”
“… My sister said Queen Luna is good friends with the High Lady of Life. They put so much time into this…”
A horned elf threw back a glass of sparkling Faerie Wine and grinned at his companion. “Can you believe our daughter is going to attend…”
Vivienne tuned them out.
After all, she’d already been debriefed on why this ball was important.
For years, the High Ladies of Life and Death had worked alongside the Vampire Queen to open a new university in Ithenmyr. Unlike the other academic institutions in the Four Kingdoms, this one would accept everyone, regardless of gender, class, or race. The school was finally ready, and tonight’s ball was a celebration being thrown in its honor.
An hour ago, the High Ladies had given a speech, welcomingeveryone to the Eastern Kingdom. Now, the party was going on in full force.
Everyone was celebrating this happy occasion except for Vivienne.
She was just trying to do her job.
