Page 21 of Royal Protector

He leans against the side of the building, moonlight highlighting the shadows on his face. “Well, the first century afterward, I got to know my way around a wine cellar very well. But that soon became too much. I may not be able to die from alcohol poisoning, but I was killing my spirit.” He snorts. “Killing my spirit with spirits. Right around then, gold was found in California. So instead of wallowing away in Italy, I took a steamship to the States and focused on striking it rich with thousands of other gambling souls.”

“And did you?” It’s hard to picture the suave vampire bent over a river, panning for gold. It’s a good thing the rumor about vampires turning to ash in the daylight isn’t true, because the California sun would have burnt him to a crisp.

“Fuck, no.” His eyes twinkle with humor. “Any riches I have are from sound investments in the stock market, not from my time in California. I think the most valuable thing I found was a few fishhooks and part of some poor lady’s bustle. But, my time there was good for me. I made friends—human friends, at a time when expectations were that we use them for sustenance, not companionship. It made me rethink my entire view of this world. There’s always an option for change.”

I hope he’s right. I really do. “Just promise me one thing, Leo. If things don’t work out in my favor, promise me you’ll take me back to your wine cellar.”

He bursts out laughing. “Of course. Italian wine is always preferable to anything else.”

“Hush now. We were founded by the French. Robert de la Salle will rise from the grave and haunt you for such an insult.”

We laugh together, and in the oddest of places, I’ve found someone who understands my situation. Better yet, I’ve found someone who has survived my situation. If this strange vampire with a penchant for sarcasm and panning for gold could survive losing his Mate, then maybe so can I.

Footsteps echo on the cracked sidewalk through the courtyard, and both Leo and I spring to attention. I rest my hand on the handle of my gun, and Leo moves into a fighting stance. But instead of an intruder, it’s Bastien who arrives, slightly breathless.

“They’re ready to open to guests,” he announces, rubbing at the back of his neck. He seems fidgety, which is odd, and his hair is tousled as if he just woke up for the day.

“Fantastic,” says Leo, snapping back into host mode, as if he hadn’t just bared one of his darkest secrets to me. He walks past Bastien, blonde head held high, and we fall naturally behind him, keeping watch on his back.

“Are you alright?” I whisper to Bastien.

He jumps as if I came out of nowhere, but then he schools his panicked expression, nodding and giving me a look like I’m the crazy one. I narrow my eyes at him, and he glances away, but not before seeing the flush creeping over his face.

Suspicion begins to roil in my stomach like the remnants of a bad seafood dish. Did I make the wrong choice in security detail when I picked the former track star? Is he planning something to destroy the progress made this week, or is he simply being his young, cluelessly awkward self?

And worst of all, have I put Isabella in danger?

Inside, we line up in a receiving line, just like the first gala—Isabella at my side, where she belongs.

After nearly an hour of greeting the same people we’ve seen every day for almost a week, Leo leans forward in the line to catch my eye, his gaze flicking slightly to Isabella and back again before he gives me a sad, understanding smile.

Then he claps his hands loudly, and announces that it is time to dance. The musicians begin to play at his command, and their song is as bittersweet as my own emotions as I lead my Mate to the ballroom floor.

ISABELLA

Do you know who I’d really like to push off a bridge right now? The vampire Alpha from Utah. He has been droning on and on about mineral rights for the past forty-five minutes, and I don’t know if anyone is actually listening.

Even Leo, who looks at everyone as if they were the best person he’s ever known, isn’t smiling. Antoine keeps cracking his neck, and I’ve been tracing smiley faces into his thigh just to entertain myself.

“I’ve had enough!” the vampire Alpha from Illinois says, standing up with a huff. “Ephram, if anyone actually wanted your damn mineral rights, I think you’ve talked them out of it with that stirring speech. Please let us go to the restroom now.”

Ephram looks confused and unsure if he is supposed to be offended. Leo quickly swoops in and stands. “Thank you, Alpha. We will look into your concerns regarding the rights. I think everyone is ready for a quick recess. We’ll meet back here at twelve-thirty.”

Thank God. Half of the room sprints out the door, me included. I make it all the way to the women’s restroom before I realize Antoine is still following me.

“Oh, no, sir,” I say, placing a hand on his chest. “I’ve told you this three times already. You are not following me into the restroom. I don’t care what you think security protocol should be.”

He glowers down at me with furrowed brows, but I dash into the bathroom and lock the stall. After taking care of my personal needs, I go out to the sink to wash my hands, but as I dry them with a towel, I hear the muffled sound of someone crying.

Only one other stall is occupied, so I knock on the door. “Are you alright? Can I help?”

Whoever is behind the door blows her nose and then unlocks the door. It’s Himari, her eyes red and puffy, her shoulders slumped. When she recognizes me, she starts to cry again. I pull her into my arms and hug her, letting her cry out whatever she is feeling right now.

Once her sobs calm, I pull back with a sympathetic gaze. “Do you want to talk?”

She nods, sniffling again and wiping her eyes with a tissue. “I just don’t want to do this anymore.”

I don’t even have to ask what she’s talking about. It echoes the same wish I have had every day of my life. “I know. Me neither.”

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