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Nate moved fast, sidling beside her form just as she shook the man’s hand. The hovering man finally took notice of him, smiling in puzzlement.
“Nathaniel. Did you wish to speak about something?” Albert Leroy asked.
“No, not tonight,” Nate said smoothly. “I just want to thank you for keeping my guest company. Even for just a few seconds.”
Albert’s gaze landed on Nate’s hand coming around her back, then resting on the other end of her hip. The man paled, then snapped forward with a swallow.
“Guest?”
“Yes. Shall we, Winter?”
“Sure,” was her smooth response, smiling in his direction. But she didn’t look him in the eye. With a nod at Albert, Nate drew her to the side, navigating the crowd until they were away from the entrance. No one noticed them at first, so he led her to yet another corner until they had a good view of the crowd.
“You don’t look so good.”
At that, she stiffened, then tried not to glare in this direction. But her chin lifted. “That’s an insult to Hilda if I ever heard one…oh.” Her expression changed when she finally did look him in the eye. “You don’t mean the dress.”
“Of course not. The dress is great.”
“I’m the only human here,” she said as if that explained her stress.
“No, you are not. The servants are all human.”
Winter gave him a disbelieving look but didn’t respond as awareness coated her features. He did a subtle glance and registered that their incognito mode had been short-lived as figures glanced at them, some looks lingering while others began to whisper. He shut up, understanding they couldn’t whisper now, and waited it out. Not to his surprise, someone approached them within seconds, expression like a hawk.
“Nathaniel, good evening.”
“Good evening, Hank.”
“Who is this lovely lady you brought to this event?”
“This is Winter Willow.”
“A human,” Hank observed, frank as always and visibly trying to figure her out. “Are you partaking in blood parties now?”
“Exclusively. I only take from her.”
Because Hank wasn’t the type to gape, the man only indulged in a short, wide-eyed moment before he recovered his friendly disposition. Around them, the whispers continued as her name was passed around, along with a few tags attached: lover, mistress, personal servant. Hank heard it, too, and raised his brow. Nate did the same.
“The first and second are correct. Winter, this is Hank of House Knowles, a fellow who leads the security system in most of the common grounds.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Knowles,” she said, voice demure and polite. She wasn’t eager, but her smile was friendly. When she held out her hand, the nerves didn’t reflect as her fingers fluttered with grace. “Are you the one behind the security system of the castle gates and the barracks?”
“Yes?”
“Your security is very tight and makes everyone feel safe. Not a lot of islands can say that.”
Hank finally took her offered hand and shook it, keeping it brief. “And what makes you aware of this?”
“I read my books and meet up with the right people, especially the scholars. It wouldn’t be right to be with Nathaniel and not know about the figures that make his home safe and the threats surrounding Ostrov Krov, though I have to say you have nothing to worry about at all.”
Now Hank looked mildly impressed. “Miss Willow…”
“Yes?”
“Most humans cower at my presence, especially knowing I’m the person who supplies this island with the most bloodthirsty guards and soldiers.”
“I don’t see the point in cowering when I’m with Nathaniel, and that makes me as invested in the safety of where I’m living.”
