Page 9 of Henrikk’s Masquerade

Henrikk spun the woman around, catching her and pulling her close so her back pressed against his front. At that moment, Asher recognised the woman.

The air left him.

He stood gaping, disbelief filling him as he took in the vampiress’ youthful face, delicate features, and icy blue eyes. Perhaps it was the effect of the makeup, but she looked an awful lot like his sister.

Melody?!

His gaze locked with Henrikk’s, who had stopped dancing and was staring right at him. The king was grinning at him through a crimson mask with wicked curves and glimmering scales that resembled a dragon. The effect was almost demonic, a once noble creature turned corrupt.

He was unable to get a good look at the woman, who had her back to him. Her slender figure was eerily familiar, and his suspicions grew.

“No,” Asher groaned, taking a step forward. A dancing couple bumped into him, but he steadied the woman and continued walking without so much as looking at them. His gaze was fixed on Henrikk and the woman in the turquoise gown, panic rising in him.

It was uncanny because that woman…

That vampiress looked exactly like…

It can’t be.

Just then, a herald’s voice cut through the lively music and chatter of the ballroom, drawing the attention of the gathered courtiers. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests,” he announced, his voice carrying across the room. “May I have your attention, please?” Everyone pressed forward around Henrikk and the woman on his arm, blocking them from view.

Asher was caught up in the sea of people, forced to move forward, but unable to get close enough to see properly.

He caught the briefest glimpse of Henrikk as he leant in to whisper in the woman’s ear, tucking a stray curl behind Melody’s ear.

Because yes, it was Melody, though he scarcely believed that she was here, so far from home, having wandered into the lion’s den.

His heart was pounding loudly in his ears.

What the fuck was his little sister doing here, in Henrikk’s arms, no less?

The herald continued, his voice simmering with pride. “It is my absolute great honour to announce that His Grace, our beloved King Henrikk, is now betrothed to the radiant, glamorous, luminous, positively dazzling Lady Melody.”

Chapter 3

ENGAGED

Asher

Cheers and loud applause filled the room at the announcement of Henrikk’s engagement to Melody—his little sister. Asher heard the announcement repeated by every person he passed, but he still couldn’t believe his ears.

Something hard but brittle snapped inside him, like a solid icicle that not even Henrikk had been able to break off…

Until now.

The sight of Henrikk seducing his sister broke his restraint, and he charged forward, curved fangs extending and hand closing over his sword’s pommel.

No.

Not Melody.

Not her.

He hardly got three steps before the crowd became too thick and he was forced to stop.

Someone had called for a toast, and the crowd erupted into a fresh bout of happy applause, the thundering sound beating against him like a thousand slaps and strikes.

“Melody!” he called, but his voice was lost in the noise. He pushed through the crowd, ignoring disgruntled protests as he vied to get to Melody.