Chapter Five

Veronica followed the guard escorts to dinner. Her father’s estate had been running low on funds so they had to lessen the number of guards around the castle. But for these guests, her father had returned a larger number of them to their home.

She was a little nervous about meeting these people, especially since her dad had encouraged her to dress so grown up! Who were these people? Maybe they were members of the council come to approve an important decision.

Could it be? Would she get a real job around here? She had so many ideas she could put into effect. Her father would be so proud of them, if he could find time to hear them. A position within the family would make her feel so much more grown up and useful. Then she would have the chance to tell him!

She stood at the door, as the butler announced her for dinner. As she curtsied, she glanced around the room feeling a rush of heat running up her cheeks. Besides her dad, there were three people at the table and all eyes were on her. “Good evening.” She whispered.

Count Barron cleared his throat. She flinched knowing she should have spoken louder. When her father signaled for her to come to the table, she nodded and walked towards the table. The two older guests sitting at the table were probably married.

But the stranger on her side of the table was not visible around the chair he sat in. She could make out the outline of a strong set of shoulders and the lean lines of the edges of his back. 

The edges of the shirt she could see looked like expensive linen and a stiletto blade hung off his side, even as he sat at the table. But what he really looked like or who he was, she couldn’t tell.

She finally got to her chair and sat down quickly. Her father asked her. “How has your day been? Have you completed your studies?”

She licked her lips nervously. Why would her father start their dinner conversation this way. It was normally the first thing he talked about at dinner. But she had not even been introduced to the guests.

“Yes, papa.” She spoke softly but allowed her voice to carry across the room. He smiled proudly.

“I am Prince Vaughn.” The  voice beside her spoke. It was a deep voice full of rugged undertones. It made her feel weak. 

She turned to him to get her first real view of him and her breath caught in her throat. He was about her age but he was stunning. His hair hung ruggedly around his hard face. Dark grey eyes that spoke of danger with a hint of chivalry. She found herself speechless as she stared into them. 

His handsome features were so masculine. She swallowed and the woman across the table giggled. Suddenly, she was aware that everyone was still watching her.

Her cheeks flushed hotly, as she sat back in her chair. She lifted an arm to him and he took her hand before turning it to kiss it. Suddenly, the warmth of her embarrassment was overpowered by a deeper heat that she did not recognize. 

“My lady tales of your beauty have not done you justice.” She gasped, her hand resting in his. The heat of his hand warming her glove. 

Tales of her beauty? Do people really talk about her? It makes sense considering her position here but her beauty is what they talk about?

These thoughts seem so far away, as their eyes continued to meet above her hand. Something about him seems ancient, yet he is her age. “Sir, you do flatter me.” She whispered back to him. Her eyes flutter involuntarily.

Their conversation is interrupted by a line of servants bringing in food. King Barron cuts into his food with a flourish. “I am so glad to see how you get along with your betrothed.”

Her betrothed? She glanced up at him. His eyes met hers briefly and she regretted looking at him. It made her head spin and she couldn’t think clearly. He was smiling devlishly. “Yes, my lady, you will soon be mine to have and to hold.”

Her father blinked in surprise but said nothing. She looked down at her plate, the suggestive tone in his voice made her feel self conscious. Although she did not know his meaning, she dare not ask for clarification.

****

I had followed her from her room. I could see how uncomfortable she was in front of the monsters. She turned so red. I just wished I could help her. 

I do not like how the younger stranger monster looks at her. She is mine. The sudden fierceness of the thought surprises me. I don’t remember ever thinking of anything as mine. But I couldn’t help feeling that way with her.

I shake my head in my hands, trying to rid myself of whatever enchantment it was. How could that be me? I am no more than a shadow on a wall. She doesn’t even notice me. 

“She dances for you.” The familiar voice growled in my mind. “You do not dance for someone you do not notice.”

Veronica was sitting quietly at the table. Everyone was eating that delicious food. It made me so hungry. I wanted to reach out and grab some for myself. It smells so good my stomach turns.

But I watched and I waited. I saw how she couldn’t help reacting to this new monster. When she looked at him it was as if he was the juiciest food she had ever seen. But she had refused to look at him since her father called him her betrothed. What was that? What new awful thing was I to witness?

I didn’t want to stay and watch the scariest of all monsters do whatever a betrothed does. Would she be scared? I don’t want to see that. But I couldn’t go.

I have to be here. The keeper is going to come. The voice inside me says it is finding meals to get bigger. We need to keep that thing away from my cub mate. I cannot have it eating her.