He spun and practically floated off the dance floor. Now that my dance was complete, I hoped to go in search of wine, or something to further aid in my enjoyment of the evening, but when I turned, my way was blocked by a large man. He had long, dark hair and a pointed beard. There was something about him that made me feel uneasy, and that only worsened when he smiled.
“Your Majesty,” he said as he bowed, extending his hand. “A dance?”
“I would rather have a drink,” I said and walked past him. If Nadia were here, she would lecture me.
A lady never declines a gentleman!
What is the point in being a princess if I cannot shun men?
The point is to set an example!
I had set an example, just not the one she wanted.
A hand landed on my shoulder. It startled me, and I jumped, turning to find that the dark-haired vampire had followed me.
“Do not touch me,” I said. Each word I uttered sounded like a threat.
The vampire chuckled. “Adrian has found himself a lively mortal,” he said, his eyes trailing my body. Again he said, “Dance with me.”
My eyes narrowed upon the man. His were glazed and distant, and I wondered what he had been consuming before arriving at this event.
“So you are one of those,” I said.
“One of what?” he asked.
“A man who does not listen,” I said.
His slick smile spread, and he took a step closer to me. “Perhaps I should introduce myself. I am Noblesse Zakharov.”
“Well, Noblesse Zakharov, I don’t care who you are. I will not dance with you.”
I did not linger to hear his reaction, turning to leave, but Zakharov once again reached for me, his fingers digging into my arm as he jerked me around. This time, I drew my knife holstered at my wrist. I twisted the hilt in my hand and brought it down into the hollow of the man’s collarbone.
The only sound he made was a choked gurgle as he fell to his knees, blood oozing from his wound. Vampires might be able to heal themselves, but they still felt pain, and it was possible this was worse, given that I did not think Zakharov thought I would fight back. The room went quiet, and none moved as I stood opposite the vampire who had accosted me.
The tap of boots upon the marble floor interrupted the silence, and slowly, a path was made for Adrian. He seemed to tower over everyone, a force that commanded attention. He certainly had mine as he approached, his features a cool mask of indifference.
“He touched me,” I explained.
Adrian’s eyes left mine, falling to Zakharov, whose hand was around the hilt of my dagger, blood seeping from between his fingers. But just as he was able to pull it out, his eyes lifted toward Adrian.
“M-my lord,” he managed.
Adrian said nothing as he plucked the knife from his flesh, wiped it free of blood with a handkerchief he pulled from the inside of his jacket, and returned it to me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and he offered the softest smile before drawing a blade sheathed at his guard’s side and swung. No one spoke as Zakharov’s head rolled across the ballroom floor, his body left to fall against the marble with a wet thud.
Adrian returned the bloodied blade to his guard and then looked at me, offering his hand. Once I took it, he spoke, addressing the gathering.
“Your queen is a warrior first, a noble second. I suggest you keep that in mind if you decide to place your fate in her hands.” Then he looked at me. “And if, by chance, she spares you, I will not.”
I held his gaze and felt the promise of his words shudder through me.
“Clean this up,” he said and led me away from the body. Pausing at the center of the room, he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Are you all right?”
“I am,” I said. “What is a noblesse?”
“It is a title that means royal birth,” he said. “Zakharov has always been a problem. Now he is not.”
I looked to where he had lain, his body already cleared. Another vampire carried the head by its long, black hair toward the exit.
“Dance with me,” Adrian said.
I bowed my head, accepting his invitation. He smiled and lifted my hand to his mouth. His lips touched my knuckles, a soft caress that reminded me of the kisses he’d offered on our ride through Cel Ceredi to the Red Palace. Then he drew me close and began to move, his body a solid guide I followed effortlessly around the room.
“You are beautiful,” he said, his eyes lowered, lingering on my breasts.
“I thought you would disapprove,” I said, but I’d only thought that because Killian would have chided me for the amount of skin I was showing.