Chapter One - George Atwood - 23 yrs old

           George was called up through the ranks of the Royal Guards, fairly quickly. He excelled at what he did and succeeded at almost everything they tasked him to do.

           He’d been here a month now and worked his butt off to make a good impression on his seniors. But he had one difficulty that he didn’t dare tell anyone about. How distracting it was for him to train a short distance away from the youngest daughter of the Emperor. He could watch her move for hours. No one had caught him yet, or guessed that he’d love to take a taste of her. The mental images of what he wanted to do to her were more than pornographic. They were downright sinful, and he suspected they’d both enjoy them.

           George knew that would never happen. She may train here, but she was not of the Guardian caste. He must remember that. There would be nothing between them ever, there couldn’t be. Her father forbade a long time ago, with a punishment of death for anyone who found their life partner within a different caste. It was strict to prevent the status quo from becoming unbalanced. But it didn’t make it fair.

           “Atwood, the Emperor sends his summons for you to attend him. Go to his study immediately.” His duty commander, Commander David Harker, shouted down from a nearby parapet where he was watching the training session.

           “Yes, sir.” Great, he had to present himself to the Emperor like this. Now he needed to know what he’d done wrong to deserve this humiliation.

The Emperor’s study was not an intimate affair, as one would think. It was cavernous and when the Emperor was there, it would be full of his court advisors and staff pushing one document or another through the process of study or signing. George had several times been assigned as part of the guard within this room.

This was the first time he’d been called to speak directly with the Emperor. That wasn’t something that happened very often. In fact, some made it through their entire career within the Royal Guard, never speaking with the Emperor. This didn’t look good at all.

He made himself as presentable as he could without wasting time. The last thing he needed was to be late and make things worse.

           When he got there, the guards at the door stopped him and then announced his presence. He wasn’t a member of the Elite caste. Why did they insist on announcing him? This didn’t make sense at all to him.

           When George entered, he went to kneel before the desk of the Emperor and await his convenience. “It’s about time you arrived. At least, you’re prompt. Stand, sir.”

           George stood. He couldn’t figure this out. He shouldn’t be standing like this before the Emperor.

           “Now I need your particular services on a rather delicate matter. I will assume by your service record that I can count on your loyalty. Since I don’t have time to beat around the bush. I am granting my daughter her wish to become the first ambassador for the Vampiric Nation within this new North American Ruling Council. We must be represented if they are going to insist on regulating everything. With her travelling extensively for this position, she’ll need protection at all times. I’ve chosen you for several reasons. One, you’ve proven yourself repeatedly right from the beginning. Two, assigning you this position will interrupt my house minimally, as you are not yet fully established within it. Do you accept this permanent position?”

           “May I ask one question, your eminence?”

           “You may ask as many as you like as long as you don’t waste my time.”

           “When you say personal bodyguard, does this mean I will not leave her side? That her safety is mine alone? Or will I have help?”

           “You will have help, but you will be the head of her security. If anything happens, it will be on your head.”

           George couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The Emperor was sending his youngest daughter out into the world to represent them, and the Emperor wanted him to keep her alive. “Sir, I humbly accept the honour.”

           “Good, finally someone crazy enough to accept. She will be here any moment to learn of this position and you can meet her then. I’m afraid you won’t have long to speak to her, as we have guests arriving soon. While we are busy, your commanding officer can introduce you to your staff. Later in the day, you can meet her diplomatic staff as well.”

           “Thank you, your Eminence.” This was a huge jump in position and a very prestigious one. However, he felt like the Emperor was almost abandoning his daughter to the wolves, so to speak. She was barely an adult. What experience did she have at diplomacy or knowledge of the empire? This felt irregular from beginning to end.

           Then he remembered he would be with her night and day, every day. It would be difficult to keep his interest from her. It was one thing to hide it from afar, it was entirely different hiding it up close and personal.

           Was he biting off more than he could chew? He’d already accepted the position and he couldn’t take his word back. It would harm any future promotions if he did. Who had the Emperor offered the position to that denied it? George thought he’d have heard about that and their reasoning for declining it.

           The study’s great doors opened again, and they announced Adriana Gervais. George automatically stepped aside with a bow to give her access to present herself to her father. She didn’t look around, but moved into the room. Her skirts were the only thing in the room making a noise. All eyes were on her and her father.

           “Father, you wanted to see me?” Even though she spoke to her father directly without curtsying or bowing. George’s heart almost stopped it’s slow beating when their eyes met moment before she spoke. He saw her take a sharp intake of breath when an almost electric shock sparked between them.