My instincts were screaming at me to find her, but I shook the nerves away. I hated large crowds of pretty people. I would have to learn to deal with events like this, I knew, so I could stand at Trinity’s side and be what she needed. I’d seen images of the events that her mother had hosted. Grand balls. Parties. Events that required smiling, dancing and worst of all… sharing Trinity.
She deserved a partner. An ally.
And, when the need arose, her enforcer. Queen Celene’s bloodline was back on the throne, where it belonged. Not officially, since Trinity had refused to take part in an ascension ceremony. But four spires lit the sky.
The days of noble houses battling over the queen’s table scraps were over.
After one pass of the room, and no sight of my mate, my instincts kicked up another notch, from the vague feeling that something wasn’t right to full-out alarm. On the exterior terrace, there was less than a handful of guests milling about. The evening was late and many partygoers, especially the elders, had already gone home to seek their beds. The young and ambitious, or just bored, would stay until the dawn, dancing and drinking.
The consorts in attendance would be busy tonight.
For myself, I only wanted Trinity. I paced the length of the wall, looking down to see if she’d gone toward the gardens. I didn’t think she’d go there with anyone, for she knew the risk to her life. There was luring out the assassin and then there was being stupid. Trinity was anything but stupid.
I knew that the music and laughter would not die until the light of dawn rose over the garden. In the past, I’d been one of the silent protectors on the edges of the room, never anyone of note. But I’d watched them all. Learned who could be trusted and who played foul.
The nobles spoke freely in front of the servants, as if they were nothing more than an inanimate object to be ignored. I knew just how far from the truth that assumption truly was. And I knew exactly who I needed to talk to now.
A dozen royal guard lined the walls, watching everything. Seeing everything.
If they were good at their jobs, they would know where I could find my mate.
I strode to the guard nearest the refreshment table where I’d last seen Trinity with Lord Jax and the guard who’d nearly died in the initial attack. True to form, he looked straight ahead, ignoring me, as if he really were a statue. I had to give my father credit. He had hand-selected every guard watching tonight. I’d told him upon our return from Battleship Karter there had already been an attempt on Trinity’s life. Trapped in that opulent palace, I’d used what resources I could to keep my mate safe. And my father was one of the best resources I had. He’d been a royal guard for decades. Knew every guard by name. Knew their histories. Their families. He’d promised me that every man guarding my mate tonight could be trusted.
“Stop pretending you don’t see me, soldier, and tell me where to find my mate.”
He blinked, hard, his gaze darting to me for the briefest moment before returning his attention to his job. But he did answer me. “The princess was escorted onto the terrace by the guard from Jax’s house ten minutes ago.”
The terrace? I’d already looked out upon the people there. She was not among them. “Are you sure?”
This did get his attention, and he tilted his head up in a challenging manner. “I belong to the queen’s guard, sir. It is my job to be sure.”
Fuck. My heart began to pound out in silent alarm. I grabbed the guard by the shoulder and shook him gently until he looked up at me. “What is the queen’s guard?”
He looked straight ahead at the dancers, once more ignoring my physical presence. “That is a question for your father, my lord.”
“Listen, your job right now is to keep your head down and find my father as quickly as possible. Do not speak of this to anyone else, do you understand me? Bring my father to me on the terrace. Immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.” Thank the goddess he didn’t question me or my order, but took off at once across the room, as if he knew exactly where my father might be. Grateful, I watched him for a second and thanked fate that my father’s hand-selected guard had been paying attention.
Fuck me. I’d failed my mate, because I had been dancing and talking politics like an idiot while Trinity disappeared. Two things I hated.
I never should have left her side. Appearances be damned. She had insisted we act as if nothing was wrong, that if her first public appearance was as a fearful weakling, it would affect her reputation for years to come. Take her power and respect. I’d respected her wishes. Even Prime Nial had agreed with her. He knew a lot more about ruling than I did. So, too, did my mate, with her mother teaching her what she would need to know since she was born.
I’d listened. Considered. Gone against my instincts and allowed Trinity to place herself in danger.
Fuck.
At least she had a guard with her. I would keep faith in knowing he would protect her with his life.
If I found the guard dead? Well, that would change things.
Moving quickly now, I went out to the terrace and responded to the greetings of the few guests, not because I cared, but because I needed information.
“Have you seen the princess? She was escorted onto the terrace by a guard and she owes me a dance.”
The two ladies shook their heads. The two males with them looked at one another for confirmation before the elder of what looked like two brothers turned to me. “We have not seen Her Highness, my lord. Apologies.”
Biting back a growl, I rotated on my heel, looking for something, anything. A flash of blue in the gardens below. A hint of her sweet scent. A glimpse of moonlight on her golden hair in the darkness.