“Will you please call me Mina? I’d rather forgo all the formalities. It’s been so long…”
Her thoughts wandered yet again to Kathleen, her lady-in-waiting. She swiveled back to the mirror, blinking away the tears that caught her off guard. Her dearest friend in all the world had been murdered right before her eyes by order of the queen. That bastard, her closest bodyguard Radomir, had gripped Kathleen under the chin, then slit her throat before she even knew she was in danger. When Mina had fallen to the ground, wailing in despair, he’d flicked his hands, and two of the queen’s Legionnaires dragged her away. The last thing she saw was him grinning as they carried her off.
“Yes, Your High—I mean, Mina. I’d be honored to use your first name. I’d be honored to call you a friend. Though, if I know my brother, you won’t be staying long.”
“I doubt we will. But you may still count me as a friend.” She admired the champagne-ivory gown with a heart-shaped neckline. She appreciated the clean chemise and undergarments even more. Mina had rested all afternoon after her encounter with the captain, until Irena’s lady’s maid, Therese, had come to assist her in dressing for dinner. Truth be told, Mina did little resting at all. She lay in bed, reliving the most glorious experience of her life. While Therese coiled her hair into intricate braids atop her head, drawing attention to her slender throat and delicate shoulders, Mina had tried not to laugh at her own lack of worldliness. The captain probably thought her pathetic for losing self-control so easily. And yet, she wanted to do it again with him. She wanted more, actually. A strange sensation for someone who’d kept herself locked so long within a shell of self-restraint.
She turned from the mirror and held out a hand to Irena. “I can’t thank you enough. For making me feel so welcome. For everything.”
“But, Your—” she stopped and bit her lip—“Mina, you are the Princess of Arkadia. The one we wish would rule the south. Not that damnable Steward Thorwald. I would do anything you asked.”
Mina opened her mouth to reply, but then the door opened, and Therese stepped in. “Pardon, my ladies. But the guests have gathered in the dining hall and are awaiting you.”
“Shall we?” asked Irena, leading the way.
“Absolutely.” Therese closed the door behind them when they stepped into the hall. “I find it fascinating and wonderful that your mother keeps the proper routine of human dining. Not many vampires do.”
“Oh, yes. Mother loves food. Especially dessert. Sometimes, I have to remind her if she hasn’t fed from her host in a week. Honestly, I think she forgets she’s a vampire at times.”
Mina laughed at that, admiring Lady Galena a great deal already.
They strode down the grand staircase together. Irena regaled her of what it was like having a brother who encouraged her to do all sorts of naughty things, like coerce her into sliding down the winding marble banister when she was little.
“And when my nurse caught me, she whipped me with a switch till I was black and blue.”
Mina was laughing loudly as they strolled into the dining hall. All five men stood at once. But Mina’s gaze landed squarely on one in particular. Mikhail. Her heart stuttered at the sight of him. His cheeks were ruddy from feeding, his sable hair glistening by the candlelight, his otherworldly gaze fixed intently on her. Like the other gentlemen, he wore fine formal wear. His black-on-black suit fit to perfection.
“Come, Your Highness,” said Aleksei, seated at the head of the table as the master of the house. “Please take a seat.”
“You all look so—”
“Yes, don’t we mercenaries in the Bloodguard clean up well?” He winked.
Dmitri smiled and pulled out a chair at his side. “Please have a seat, Lady Irena.” Gavril was on her other side. Aleksei shot Dmitri a dirty look, but the man just smiled amiably.
Mina broke her stupor and made her way to Aleksei’s side to the empty chair across from Mikhail.
She examined these five men of the Bloodguard. She’d witnessed firsthand their use of deadly force. She couldn’t deny that they were efficient killers, but underneath there was a resonating thread of nobility tying them together. For the first time, Mina looked at her saviors with new eyes. They belonged in this gallant finery, yet they chose a brotherhood of blood instead. She yearned to know why.
Lady Galena sat to Mina’s right when she took her place. “You know, my dear, it was a shock when my only son confessed he’d joined the Bloodguard. Forgive me, is it all right if I address you without the title?”
“Please.” Mina unfolded her napkin in her lap. “I would prefer that.” She kept her gaze on Lady Galena and not on the man across from her whose intense stare heated her cheeks.
The footmen carried in platters and set down a bowl of rich beef broth before each of them.
Aleksei smiled seductively like the rogue Mina was sure he was. “You look well-rested, Your Highness. You have the prettiest rosy blush to your cheeks.”
“Thank you, my lord. I believe it was the blood the captain gave me.”
Captain Mikhail coughed, having just swallowed a spoonful of broth.
Mina froze with her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Are you all right, Captain?” she asked innocently.
He lifted a glass of wine and knocked back a big swallow. “Fine,” he answered gruffly, eyes averted.
“Glad to hear Fanny’s blood was to your liking.” Aleksei swirled his glass of claret. “We need our princess on the mend.”
“Truth be told—” Mina dabbed her napkin to her lips—“I feel absolutely divine. I’ve never felt better in all my life.”
Mikhail sat back in his chair, glowering at her as if she’d said something monstrous. Rather than acknowledge his obvious distaste for the present thread of conversation, she lifted her wineglass and smiled at him over the rim.
“That’s wonderful to hear, my dear.” Aleksei’s mother had obviously recovered from her emotional episode earlier that day as her happy gaze alighted on her handsome son.
“I am delighted to know my son and the Bloodguard came to your aid. Aleksei never was an obedient child. A loyal son, to be sure, but never good. A scoundrel, more like. I’m happy to hear his escapades could be of service to the Princess of Arkadia.”
“Oh, Mother. Don’t go extolling all my virtues. Princess Mina will think you’re matchmaking.”
Mina smiled at his teasing smirk. They fell into silence, eating the soup quietly. But Mina was distracted. She stared at her broth, stirring it absently.
“What is it?” asked Mikhail, drawing her gaze across the table. “You have a question on your mind, Your Highness.”