Chapter Fifty-three

AN HOUR BEFORE:

Drakken tapped his feet impatiently; scanning the crowd for a familiar redhead. That was all he could get himself focused on even when his father introduced him to the vampire king.

His absentmindedness toward someone as important as his future father-in-law vexed Drakken's father, but the man covered it with a false smile.

It was supposed to be a wonderful and entertaining evening. Yet, Drakken found nothing about the ball wonderful. Not only did Drakken find himself distracted, but he was also anxious as he thought of how Eleanor would feel the moment when she realized he wasn't coming to pick her up.

Men frolicked with the amiable ladies on the dance floor, whispering words of endearment in their ears as the women blushed a bright red.

"The vampire princess approaches us," Drakken's father snapped beside him in a hushed tone, referring to the beauty that ascended down the large stairs, clothed in a red, lustrous dress that glided after her down the steps, instantly