Eleanor couldn't stop thinking and that caused her to lose sleep. She had been cooped up in her room all day because of the palace's visitors, mulling repeatedly over Evie's words, and also felt guilty for sending the girl away.Eleanor figured she meant no harm.When she no longer heard people's footsteps in the hallway and loud chattering voices, Eleanor knew they had retired to their rooms. It was her chance for a night stroll.She wrapped her shoulders with a black beaded shawl and took a walk outside her room, straight for the outside. She passed by the stables but Gregory was not there as she had expected. It had been a while since she found him sneaking around the palace late at night or coming up to her room. Perhaps, because he had been scolded by Drakken the last time because of her and felt bad she did not have the chance to talk to him yet.Eleanor headed towards the gardens, all the while still mulling over what Evie had said. The stab of Drakken's behavior burned deeper
The conversation with his father kept Drakken up all night.George would chip in some snide remark about his large eyebags due to lack of sleep, he knew. The ball was in just a few hours, yet Drakken was not excited about it. Drakken viewed it as an avenue for his father's latest achievement.Why he kept trying to get his father to be reasonable for once, he could not say. The man proved to be a lost cause, and the conversation they had earlier that day buttressed his point.His father's words still continued to ring in his ears like an old, overplayed record."If you know what is best for you," he had said, his mouth twisted in a stubborn sneer. "You would not think of disobeying me.""How far are you willing to go?""Do you really want to know?" Drakken figured his next words would be nothing but threats as soon as he had heard him say that. "You are to declare your betrothed before everyone at the ball tomorrow. And if you say one word that goes against the wedding with the princes
The bedroom was empty when Evie came in to rouse Eleanor the next morning. Everyone took a break from working because of the ball that day, so Eleanor could not have left for the hospital.Agitated, she left to scour every nook and cranny of the palace for mistress-her heart thudding rapidly in fear that something had gone wrong. It reminded her of that one time the girl had gone missing and she had almost lost her mind thinking Eleanor ran away. Evie would not claim Eleanor was incapable of running away now, but she did fret at her young miss' disappearance.Much to her dismay, she found Eleanor hiding behind a mounted sculpture somewhere in the palace. The bags under her eyes were heavy and the skin on her lips looked pale."Do you realize what time it is?" Evie crouched down to her eye level on the floor. "It is quite early for a game of hide and seek.""I could not sleep,” Eleanor quickly let out, not willing to tell the girl her unanticipated findings from last night.Evie beamed
He was wearing a mask when Eleanor gazed up to see whose arms she had collided into. His grip on her was strong and firm, almost welcoming.She could make out the features of his face despite his mask, the contours of his sharp jaw, and his lips that curved up in a smile for no reason. Who is this and what was so amusing to him?"Pardon me," Eleanor apologized as she took a step back, adjusting the mask on her face that had gone slightly askew. "I did not look where I was going.""The ball only just began, Pretty bird. Where could you possibly be in a rush to?" He dragged impassively.Away from Drakken and his ethereal looking betrothed, Eleanor thought. She glanced over her shoulders to the dance floor where he continued to hold the vampire princess in his arms. Eleanor's waves of jealousy doubled.The man in front of her saw her attention drifting to the dance floor and smiled again, holding out his hands. "Should you care for a dance?"Eleanor panicked, taking more steps back from
AN HOUR BEFORE:Drakken tapped his feet impatiently; scanning the crowd for a familiar redhead. That was all he could get himself focused on even when his father introduced him to the vampire king.His absentmindedness toward someone as important as his future father-in-law vexed Drakken's father, but the man covered it with a false smile.It was supposed to be a wonderful and entertaining evening. Yet, Drakken found nothing about the ball wonderful. Not only did Drakken find himself distracted, but he was also anxious as he thought of how Eleanor would feel the moment when she realized he wasn't coming to pick her up.Men frolicked with the amiable ladies on the dance floor, whispering words of endearment in their ears as the women blushed a bright red."The vampire princess approaches us," Drakken's father snapped beside him in a hushed tone, referring to the beauty that ascended down the large stairs, clothed in a red, lustrous dress that glided after her down the steps, instantly
An unconscious Eleanor lay limp in Drakken's arms when he flew up the flights of stairs. This garnered the attention of a few guests that saw him hurry in distress but gave them no room for unwanted queries. Albeit, the situation appears one of in-depth scandal. Benjamin would pay for this tremendously, Drakken swore. He would see to it. His half-brother had only been in the palace for hours, yet he caused so much havoc already.Evie who also saw him hurry in with her mistress looking dead in his arms was soon hot on his heels, too terrified to ask what the problem was in fear of horrible news. It looked really bad, whatever it was."Is..." she forced down the lump in her throat. "Is she alright?""Get a damp cloth," Drakken barked out an order. "Hurry!"She ran off at the urgency in his voice as he pushed the door open, setting Eleanor on her bed. Drakken pressed two of his fingers to her neck and he felt her slight pulse getting weaker. If someone as frail as she was survived that
Quiet abruptly descended in the ballroom as the gathering, oblivious to Drakken’s inner turmoil waited a long time until he spoke, willing himself to go as planned if he wanted to keep his throne and Eleanor safe."I am glad to announce that our clan would be welcoming a new Lunaqueen," Drakken began, not sounding as glad as he claimed, his voice flat. "She is in our presence today, as some of you may have noticed."He beckoned for the vampire princess to join him on the stage and she blushed, a touch of red heating up her naturally pale face. He took her hand in his, helping her climb up the stage.Drakken faced the audience again, feeling her wrap her fingers around his arm. He continued speaking without responding to her touch. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to meet my chosen mate and future Luna queen, Princess Gwendolyn of the Belfast kingdom."Cheers and merriment broke out in the crowd after his announcement. Benjamin smirked devilishly as he raised his glass of wine a
Eleanor was taken aback by the question and frowned. What was going on with Emma?"Eleanor," Emma voiced. "Are you okay?"Emma looked around the room as if now recognizing where she was. She recovered from her trance immediately and stood, pacing around the room. Eleanor followed Emma's movement with curious eyes."Yes. I am sorry.” Eleanor was confused. “Something bizarre just happened." When Emma didn't stop pacing, Eleanor pressed. “Can you tell me what it was?"Emma did not stop pacing. "It was a revelation. A bizarre one. I could not pinpoint what it might be because you woke me up too soon."Same with Eleanor's dream. It had no context or meaning. But whatever it was, Drakken was in danger. The image of the beast from her dream lurching at Drakken sent chills down her spine once again.She recalled the fight too, what happened before and during the whole thing. Why had he attacked the man she danced with that way? It seemed like they both had bad blood. Drakken could have been ov