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

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

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 alone for the rest of the night after Evie came in to check on her. She had bid her maid a good night while sleep evaded her as she walked around the room in complex thoughts.Drakken's safety surpassed her jealousy that he was with another woman. Eleanor had been unsettled since her blood chilling dream about him. Was it wrong to desire to see him so badly now that he was engaged to someone else?She could not leave her room because of his orders to stay in. At least that was what Evie told her. Even if she decided to go against his orders and make her way to his room, she would hate to walk in on Drakken and the princess. Who knew if they already were consummating their engagement?The image of them together on his bed stirred up plenty of bile in her throat.She stood by the window contemplating going on one of her night walks, and so when the bedroom door opened, he was the least expected person she guessed would walk in.But Drakken had come for her, and she had to bl

Drakken rode ahead of the pack, his horse's hooves pattering loud on the muddy grounds as the rest followed behind him. He was restless about a lot of things but he did not show it. His head was not in the hunt even if he was supposed to lead it.There was no way he could stay calm knowing Benjamin was at the palace with no one to watch over Eleanor. His half-brother had tendencies to piss him off, and he could already sense Benjamin brewing something; something very unruly and dangerous. He just knew it. In fact, his very presence at the palace, screams menace. He was just waiting for him, Drakken, to lose guard before he unleashes. And he wasn't going to give him that privilege. Duncan and George were on both his sides, him in the middle."Are you going to tell us what happened with Benjamin?" George's voice came from his right and Drakken snapped out of his thoughts. George had been dying to ask but chose to wait for the right time."It is Benjamin. Something is always transpirin