12. Vesper
Was this some type of tantrum?
That was the only word for it. I had gotten a short break from the princess’s games, but I guess one could only hold her off for so long until she came back full force.
A tantrum.
Being woken up in the middle of the night and forced to go down in my sweatpants and loose T-shirt to a part of the garden I had never seen before was jarring.
For a moment, I thought maybe I had been exposed. That somehow I hadn’t been careful enough. That my tattoo had been seen, and someone reported it to the king.
As soon as my eyes opened, I went through every possible exit procedure I had learned throughout the years.
Fight my way. Run. Last resort, kill myself. But I still valued my life far too much to entertain that last thought for long.
For the first time, I was panicking. Unable to figure out what to do. Any other “contractor” like myself would have jumped into action right away. But not me. There was something holding me back.
I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but something felt off from the moment I woke. It had me in a fight-or-flight, trying desperately to put the pieces together and try to make out the dark blobs that resided in my room. All of them murmured, but none of the words registered in my mind.
Until I made out the familiar form of the head guard and heard him utter something I never imagined he would.
He said they needed my help.
The sky was dark, save for the brightly shining moon hidden behind a curtain of gray clouds. The light of the intricately woven iron lamps in the garden was just enough to cast a warm glow off the hundreds of flowers that surrounded us. I had gotten used to the sweet smell of them since arriving at the palace, but that night they seemed to smell extra sweet.
Perfectly laid brick muted our footsteps as we approached. I could hear the sound of rushing water from a fountain three times the size of an average swimming pool that stood at the center.
It was beautiful. Made of what looked like marble and had small lights that turned the water bright blue.
The night was calm. No sign that there was actually anything wrong. But the number of guards, along with the tenseness in the air, told me there was.
“We’ve tried everything, but more than once, she took a chunk out of the fountain and hit one of us right on the head,” a head guard said from my side. His face was tired, the circles dark under his eyes. “We even tried her handmaiden, but she had an even more violent reaction. If it weren’t for one of my men pulling her away at the last second, she might have been killed instead of left with a small concussion.”
He wasn’t my head guard, but I had seen him talk to mine on occasion. He was human like me and had the years spent working for the prince sewn onto the sleeve of his uniform. More than ten, but my guess was that he had been working in this type of job for longer, given the small wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
“And why not just leave her?” I asked with a raised brow. “Can’t a princess do whatever she wants?”
He gave me a sidelong look before letting out a sigh. I knew the sigh all too well. I had caught myself making the sound multiple times since having to deal with the royal vampires.
We are all too tired for this shit. Yet, for whatever reason, we stayed. We let the vampires beat us down. Let them have their little tantrums. Let them sink their fangs into our skin.
And for what?
“The prince and her father would like to save themselves the embarrassment,” he answered, shifting on his feet. An uncomfortable topic for him then. It made me wonder just how many times he had done this same thing before. “There will be some guests in the morning, and there’s no telling just how long she’ll be out here. Last time we just left her to her own devices, it was almost a full day before she was back in her room.”
So this is a pattern.
Not very like the princess, though. Given what happened at the sex party the previous week, I would assume she hated any type of embarrassment. Including something like what the guards had hinted at.
Up until then, I had done my duties like a regular guard. I had been at her side as she frolicked around the palace. Watched as she met with more friends. Accompanied her to her seamstress appointments.
It was a little boring, in all honesty, but what I assumed was very normal for someone of her status. And there was not a single sign that anything was bothering her. She was still her same spoiled self.
And then I was woken up in the middle of the night.
I couldn’t make out where the princess was from our position, but as we got closer, I was able to make out the dark brown of her hair in the water. The long tendrils moved with the light waves the falling water produced.
When I was a child, I caught myself having similar fantasies of going swimming in a fountain, but unlike her, my father would have never allowed it.
And unlike then, my fantasy of joining her in the fountain was pushed away immediately.
“Leave us,” she ordered. “Silver-haired stays.”
Just like that, she already had the situation under her control. Her voice held a tone that dared the guards around her to disobey. She must be so annoyed that they aren’t listening to her.
The thought alone was almost enough to make me smile. A bit of a rude awakening for our spoiled highness, was it?
“Vesper,” I reminded her, and shifted on my heels.
She was floating on her back, her eyes closed, and outright ignoring everyone else around her. I can see why the others worried that she might embarrass herself.
With a final step forward, the princess came fully into view. She was wearing only a white nightdress that had become completely see-through from the water. Her rosy nipples were hard and poked through the fabric. I tried and failed not to look at the tuft of hair between her legs.
It would be more decent if she were naked. The white fabric clung to her skin, pulling tight against her hips and chest as it tried to sink down to the floor of the fountain.
It was reminiscent of a painting. One of those my parents had ushered me away from when we went to museums. One that my brother would laugh at because of the inappropriateness.
But I always thought they were beautiful.
Even though it was over a week before, I couldn’t get the party out of my mind. I regretted going. Regretted what I did even more. But only because of how much I enjoyed what we did. How it excited me.
It wasn’t how someone of my lineage should feel about their job. Generations of us had been trained, hundreds were out there completing their jobs with calm, cool heads…and then there was me. Getting distracted by a spoiled princess with a smart mouth that felt far too good against the skin of my neck to forget.
The head guard lingered at my side, his gaze heavy. I met his eyes with a raised brow.
“Can we trust you with this?” he asked.
Trust. I wanted to laugh at the ridiculous question. Yes, you can trust me, sir. You’ll leave, and I’ll get her alone so I can finally fulfill my prophecy.
The only issue was that I hadn’t brought any of my weapons. My sword was magically enhanced and would make it easier to kill her. It would slow her healing and allow the magic to attack her system, giving me enough time to finish the job if I chose to. But there was little advantage I would have over her. They had rushed me so much that I hadn’t even been allowed to change.
I’ll figure something out. I had to because, for the first time, I was going to be truly alone with the princess.
“Yes, sir,” I said and took the final steps to the fountain. The princess didn’t open her eyes until the guards’ steps faded.
She sat up, her hair flattening against her head and sticking to her upper body. Her eyes were still blue when she looked at me. Meaning this had nothing to do with bloodlust.
But there was something else swimming in them. Usually she had a playfulness behind them, but not then. It was something heavier.
I wondered if she wore the see-through nightgown on purpose. That maybe this had been her plan all along. Just another way to play with my mind like she had in that house.
I wouldn’t put it past her. She seemed awfully content to make my life here a living hell, even if only for her own amusement.
“Vesper.” My name came out like she was trying to see how it felt on her tongue. I hated how it made a shiver go up my spine. “I like ‘little mouse’ better.”
Annoyance pricked at my senses.
“Is it normal for you to throw yourself into the fountain when you don’t get what you want?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.
She let out a scoff and rolled her eyes. Her eyes settled on a faraway target, something flashing across her mind enough to take her away from the present moment. Her jaw clenched hard enough for me to see the way it caused the muscles in her face to bulge.
“Not get what I want?” she muttered under her breath.
Testy. She didn’t like that. But why?
“Why else would you be doing this?” I asked and stuffed my hands in my pockets.
She looked up at me with a scowl. I raised a brow at her. It was a challenge, one I didn’t realize I was setting until it was too late. I should have known she’d try something when a glint crossed her eye. I should have backed away from the fountain.
But I didn’t.
She lunged forward, putting her hand on the edge of the fountain and using it to steady herself as she reached for me. Her hand tangled in my shirt, and I was yanked over the edge and straight into the water.
The icy cold water shocked my system and froze my movements for a few seconds before rage seeped in. Is she being fucking serious right now? I pushed myself out of the water, sending a glare to the princess, who looked at me with a satisfied smirk.
Water ran down my body, pulling a violent shiver from me. My hair stuck to my face, my clothing not much better. A drowned rat. That’s what she wanted to make of me.
“I’m doing this because I want to,” she said, the smile widening on her face. “Just like I pulled you in because I wanted to. And just like you’ll do whatever I say because I want you to.”
I stood to my full height and closed the space between us. My breathing was heavy, fists balled at my sides.
She was shorter than me, and I was forced to look down in order to meet her eyes. But that little fact didn’t seem to faze her. She just looked up at me with that defiant look.
“Just because your daddy is willing to do anything you want doesn’t mean I will,” I growled at her. “Now you’re going to get back into the house before you embarrass yourself?—”
“Or what?” she asked, a playful light shining in her eyes. Her lips tilted enough for me to catch a glimpse of her fangs.
Or what? I would kill her. That was the correct answer. But I was stranded, wet and cold, with no weapons. There wasn’t much I could do at the moment. Not only that, but the rest of the guards were waiting for me to finish my job.
Then an idea popped into my mind. A smirk pulled at my lips as I leaned forward. We were close—closer than I ever thought I’d let us be again. Her eyes widened before falling to my lips. Her breath hitched just like it had that night, no doubt both of us remembering exactly what happened the last time we were this close.
My eyes trailed the length of her in the see-through dress. A present I allowed myself, even for just a moment. She was so generously showing herself to me that it was almost rude not to indulge even a little. I committed it to memory. Taking in the way her hands were crossed under her breasts. The way her nails dug into her skin, leaving marks. The way the wet fabric bunched up against her hips.
Too enchanting for her own good.
I forced my gaze back to hers when I realized just how long I had been staring at her.
“Then I won’t play with you anymore,” I whispered, trailing my gaze from her eyes to her lips, then back up.
Seconds ticked by before understanding passed through her features. Confusion, then realization, then annoyance. I stood straight and walked right out of the fountain, not waiting for her reply.
She sputtered for a response behind me, but I didn’t let it give me pause.
The best way to get what you need from a spoiled brat? Just take away the fun.
And boy, did it work. She was at my side in seconds, a pout forming on her face.
“Really?” she asked. “You’re just gonna leave me there alone? I picked you as my guard, aren’t you worried that I’d get hurt or something?”
“In your own backyard?” I asked with a scoff. “Not likely.”
“But it’s your duty! And you’re just going to walk away? Aren’t you even the least bit pissed that I had them wake you up in the middle of the night for this? Aren’t humans like super into sleep or something?”
I gave her a smile but didn’t respond until we made it to the back entrance of the palace, where her guards were waiting for her. They all perked up when they saw us, some even sharing looks of disbelief.
“After you, princess,” I said with a mock bow. The guards were deathly silent behind me, probably waiting for my punishment.
But it never came to pass.
She huffed in response and stormed barefoot into the palace. The head guard gave me a nod, though I could sense the questions in his eyes. Especially when he took in my soaking-wet clothes.
“Just Vesper!” she called behind her. “No one else!”
Damn it.
“I’m thirsty,” the princess said as she sat down on her bed, her dress soaking the comforter with water.
She didn’t bother turning on the lights, even for the benefit of the human she forced up here with her. My eyes were getting used to the dark with the help of the moonlight shining through the windows, but it was hard to focus on anything other than her reddening eyes as they started to glow in the dark.
My wet clothes were sticking to me uncomfortably, and no matter how warm the palace was, I still began to chill.
“Call a feeder then,” I said and leaned against the wall closest to the door. I didn’t want to give into whatever she was playing. I could see something brewing behind her eyes, but I hoped to leave and get my weapons before she could enact her plans.
There was a line that I didn’t want to cross again, no matter how tempting it was…but the princess seemed to make the decision all by herself. Since we got into her room, she had been looking at me with an expression akin to that of a hungry wolf.
“I want you,” she said and motioned for me to move between her legs, much like the night at the club.
I could say no, I should say no. But then it might make it harder to be alone with her again. At least that was what I told myself.
“You’re wet,” I said instead. “Go change.”
“Vampires can’t catch colds,” she said with a tilt of her lips. But when she saw I wasn’t willing to move, her smile turned into a pout. “Fine. But you have to take them off.”
I let out a sigh and pushed off the wall. This got a reaction from her.
“Oh?” she asked, tilting her head. “So the little mouse decided she wants to play?”
“Vesper wants to go back to bed,” I said as I reached her. “Arms up.”
She sent me a smirk before complying, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Isn’t it degrading?” she asked as I pushed the wet dress up her thighs and over her hips. It was a bit difficult to get it all while she was sitting on it, but the fabric was thin enough that I was able to pull it out from under her.
I tried to ignore how it felt to be so close to her naked body. How it felt for her breath to waft across my skin.
With my weapons, it would have been easy to take advantage of our position. She wouldn’t even see it coming.
“Everything I have done here is degrading,” I admitted, pulling the rest off her. She put her arms on the bed and leaned back, pushing her chest out. An invitation.
“Just be honest—since that night, you’ve been wanting to taste me again, haven’t you?”
I rolled my eyes and pushed her legs apart so I could step between them. Her bed was high enough that her mouth was right at my neck. She inched closer to me, brushing her body against mine.
She was so soft. I could remember the feel of her skin, and even through my clothes, I knew that as soon as I put my hands on her, I would lose myself again.
“I haven’t even thought of it,” I lied. I had thought about it way too many times. “You wanted to make me pay for what I did, I wanted to prove you wrong. I won, and I’m not the type to gloat.”
I tilted my neck to the side. “Now eat so I can be on my way.”
Her hands shot out to grab my wrists and bring them to her body.
“Aw, come on,” she purred. “You don’t want to play? Isn’t this what you meant?”
She placed my hands at her waist, slowly moving them up her wet skin until they were caressing her breasts. They fit perfectly in my hands, and her nipples were calling my attention, just begging for me to put my mouth on them.
Don’t react. Don’t react. I had to say it in my head for fear my body would give me away. It was already heating. My stomach was twisting with need.
How on earth will I be able to finish my job if she acts like this?
“I didn’t want to play,” I said through gritted teeth. “I wanted to get you out of that fucking fountain.”
“And you did,” she breathed. “How about we call it a reward?”
I swallowed thickly, unable to deny the heat coursing through my veins.
I hated how I was reacting. Hated that I couldn’t just end it all right then and there. Hated that my mouth watered at her offer.
Most of all, I hated how well she played me. I wanted her. Badly and more than I had anyone else in my short, miserable life.
But my job was to kill her, not indulge in either of our fucked-up fantasies.
“Just my job,” I murmured, letting my thumbs brush across her nipples. I brought one of my hands up, my fingers stopping to caress her collarbone.
And then, just as I was about to put my hand around her neck, she did something I never expected from the princess.
She flinched.
It was one quick shudder of her body as she instinctively tried to move her throat away from my grasp.
Her face gave her away before she could get a lock on her expression. Fear mixed with pain. The princess was afraid and hurt?
I looked her over once more before stepping away. No, that couldn’t be it. But whatever it was, it shocked me enough to get me away from her. Only then did I realize just how much my body had given away.
My heart was pounding in my chest. My underwear was damp, and not because of the fountain. And fuck did I want her to sink her teeth into me.
But I couldn’t get the way she looked out of my mind. I wasn’t supposed to see it, but even as she sat there, watching me retreat, I knew there was something that had caused her to act like she did that night. And I was afraid to find out what it was.
“Good night, princess. Don’t call me for something so foolish again.”