Hi everyone! This is MB, checking in for my third Wattpad Block Party! As always, a huge thanks to KellyAnneBlount for hosting such a fantastic event for writers and readers alike!

So, I wish I could have come to this Block Party with an amazing update on my better known series, THE EMPIRE SAGA, but alas, TWO THOUSAND YEARS is still undergoing its edits if it's expected to publish later this year, and the fate of the remainder of the series is still undetermined in regards to future publications.

But that doesn't mean I'm not working on something else.

In fact, my other story, ROGUE ASSASSIN, though now known as LADY MUTINY, is getting some much needed love, edits, and revisions, and I'm once again posting it to Wattpad on a somewhat steady schedule.

One of the things I've noticed, however, in going back and reviewing the old work is wondering how I could use that base I already have to create something new. I did it once before, with RISE OF THE ASSASSIN to give the character Wil some backstory and depth, and now I think I'm going to do it again, with one Lord Andro Millian.

Yup, that's right.

The very same Lord we first met at the summer Masquerade so many years ago, whose ill-fated assassination attempt sent our dear Lilia Cortova down a spiraling chasm to Hell. Well now, you're going to find out all there is to know about Andro Millian in my new story, EMERGENCE OF THE LORD.

(Much thanks to lokiofasgard_ for another gorgeous cover!)

And speaking of that fated Masquerade, if you were ever wondering what Andro was up to before, during, and after those unexpected events, wonder no more. As my contribution to this winter's Wattpad Block Party, and as a sneak peek of my new story, for the first time ever, I present to you Andro's Masquerade.

He saw her the moment she arrived at the Masquerade.

He knew exactly who she was. And whom she was with.

His intel had been correct, and even though she wore a mask as black as the night above, he knew she was every bit as beautiful as he had imagined.

And every bit as deadly.

But Andro Millian remained where he stood, surrounded by a pair of local merchant lords paying homage to their generous host, and while he accepted their thanks and appreciation, his attention was wholly devoted to Lady Lilia Cortova.

He watched her move, noticed when her eyes darted in his direction, but despite the gown she wore, the way her hair curled and spiraled down her back, the shade of the rouge upon her lips, he knew he was now in the presence of one of the most lethal assassins within a hundred-mile radius.

Two, to be precise.

For on her arm was none other than Lord Sebastian Gaylen who, despite his diplomatic position, went to far less lengths to hide who he truly was within the Underground. No, Andro, didn't need any more intel on Baz - he already had his own sorted history with the Leader of Lathos' Assassin's Guild, which made Andro even more curious why he was bringing his Second into their violent mess.

"Lord Millian?"

One of the merchants before him called his name, and it was evident by the perked brow and the irritated look on the man's face that he had missed the question asked.

"Apologies, sir, but can you excuse me?" Andro said by way of dismissal, and removed himself before either guest could protest.

Removed himself, and made his way straight to the black-clad female before him, whose attention was distracted by the assassin at her side.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Andro interjected, knowing well that was exactly what he was doing.

The look Lady Cortova delivered could have leveled any other man, but Andro was not like any other man, nor was Lilia like any other woman. Andro didn't need to acknowledge Baz Gaylen- the Assassin Lord knew well enough to make his exit before his Second began her attempt. Having to pretend to appreciate his presence was something Andro was gracious to not have to endure.

She formally bowed to him once she was certain she knew exactly who requested her attention, and though the smile she gave him was false, Andro could tell by the embers burning in those eyes behind her mask that Lilia was assessing him as much as he had already assessed her.

"Not at all, my Lord. In fact, I saw you standing there and was afraid to interrupt."

He couldn't help but smile in response, wondering if she truly had no idea about his insight into the situation, and offered her his arm. To keep her close would be more beneficial than not, especially when she was already tasked with killing him.

"For a beautiful Lady like yourself, I would consider it a welcome interruption."

As if his response was enough to convince her of his intentions, she accepted his arm and allowed him to lead her through the grounds of that year's midsummer solstice festival. Though the location remained the same, every year a different diplomat from one of the various surrounding kingdoms and cities vied for the opportunity to play host to the masquerade. The highest bidder reaped the benefits networking with some of the wealthiest merchants one could invite, and this was Andor's fortunate year.

He tried his best not to think about the exorbitant amount of money he had to spend to achieve that bid, and the cost of planning the party itself.

"It's a lovely party," Lilia finally said softly, but he could sense distraction in her voice.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, the edges of his lips curling slightly. He silently commended her for the idle starter, and decided he would save her from the unnecessary banter. "I hear in your accent that you must be from Lathos."

For the point in the night's masquerade was not to disclose who you were, and who knew you, even though Andro made it his business to know every single attendant at his soiree.

"And I hear in yours that you are not," she retorted soothly.

On the other hand, everyone in attendance knew him, regardless of whether he wanted to be known.

Still, he grinned in response. "Thuria, my Lady, but let's not discuss me. What I want to know is more about you. What do you do when not attending bonfire festivals in the middle of the summer?"

There was something in her look, as if she was snapped from her reverie with such an inquiry. Any other attendant at that party may not have noticed, but he seemed as though he finally had her full attention, rather than having it divided amongst her assassin's instincts surveying her surroundings, always planning three steps ahead.

"Silk," she finally said, almost proudly. She even seemed to hold herself straighter as she continued. "I'm a silk merchant."

Now it was Andro's turn to be struck silent. For her to divulge such information... either she was off her guard, or she truly believed that she was going to carry out her mission that night, and kill him before the sun rose.

It was all Andro could do to hide his disappointment at the thought. That his plans would need to carry out just as hers intended, but he huffed a sigh and gave her a knowing grin.

"The you're aware of the quality of stock that's arrived from overseas?"

She scoffed and rolled her dark eyes in acknowledgement and annoyance. "I've told my bookkeeper I won't accept the order, regardless of how hard the peddlers are trying to push it. I'd rather waste the gold I spent on the deposit than throw any more into the ocean over that shit."

Andro left out a hearty laugh, and her answering smile told him that yes- this was the Lady Lilia Cortova he had heard about. Assassin she may be, but he knew there was more beneath the hardened exterior of Lathos' second most powerful killer.

It truly was going to be a shame when she tried to kill him.

But, for a fleeting moment, as they discussed their adoration for certain weights of their beloved stock, and which color preferences from which vendors seemed to sell the best during which season, Andro wondered if there would be any chance he could sway her to reconsider.

He pressed his luck as they completed their first circuit of the party's grounds, when he caught her glancing in his direction for the third time.

"What is it?" He tried to hide the amusement from his tone.

"Why haven't you asked me for my name?" she pressed with a slight tilt of her head.

"The Solstice celebration is a masquerade for a reason," Andro reminded her as he continued to walk beside her. "All attend for a night of mystery and enchantment as the gods have allowed over the years. Who am I to break that promise, regardless of how much I want to know?"

Leading them to a quieter area of the celebration's surrounding, he ceased their movements and turned to face her fully. She truly was a spark in the summer night, this deadly woman before her. And as he brought a hand forward to brush a tendril of of her dark hair over her bare shoulder, he meant it when he told her, "I would very much like to get to know you better."

Their eyes met, and he wondered if she could see the storm brewing within his own. The turmoil as rough as the crashing waves as he all but begged, silently pleading for her to reconsider what her Leader had assigned her to do.

"Well, allow me to get us a drink before we begin."

And maybe she heard him. Maybe there was a chance she, too, felt the same way he did, despite their recent acquaintance. Would that she realized they were more alike than a shared affinity for the silk trade...

He watched her as she stepped out of his grasp and sauntered towards the refreshment table a short ways away, ladened with sweets and sparkling wine. Wine that had been laced with a non-lethal counter to detect poisonous contamination. Many lords, when hosting, took such precautions, so it was not unheard of for the more prestigious to inquire with the Underworld in regards who would be able to procure such a request.

Unfortunately, it was one Baz Gaylen who seemed to have cornered the dark market, and through the proper channels Andro was able to place his order in bulk. Whether Lord Gaylen knew the request came from Andro directly was irrelevant - the counter had been tested by Andro's best, so he knew the contents were legitimate.

But would Lilia use such a cowardly method to eliminate him? She was known for taking advantage of her sexual energy when meeting her Marks- it was no wonder she would have been assigned this mission against him.

That much was evident as she gave her hips an extra sway as she walked away from him. How her spine arched and the muscles in her arms flexed as she bent over to gather each of them a new glass of wine. But Andro knew he was not the only one who watched her.

He saw the assassin, where he stood just on the outer edge of the fairgrounds, feigning interest in a conversation with an unknown merchant lord. His body language explained enough, Andro surmised, as he watched Baz pull out his gold pocket watch and casually glance in Lilia Cortova's direction. In return, he watched her body tense, as if his impertinence was irritating her as much as his presence annoyed Andro.

Either way, it seemed as though Andro's time was running out. And Lilia was going to need to make a choice.

"Your drink, my Lord," a soft, sultry voice purred at his side, pulling him from his internal dilemma. Lilia offered him a glass of wine, and only then did he realize, while he was so preoccupied with the situation between the assassins of Lathos, did he know exactly what Lilia had done while standing at that table.

He smiled and accepted the glass that was offered, but he kept his eyes on her. Her face gave away nothing- no tells about the decision she had made. Hadn't he seen her tense? Hesitate? Did she rethink her assignment, and the repercussion of what could happen should be be caught?

The sound of shattering glass and an incredulous "No!" brought Andro's eyes down to the wine flute in his hand. The once-pink sparkling liquid had since turned a putrid, tainted orange as it swirled with the chemical reaction of the counter within the glass.

Oh, she was good. Very good. And his rage was not feigned.

The exclamation had brought Andro's personal guards forward, and the moment they saw the glass within their Lord's hands, they apprehended the woman before him, hands grabbing at her forearms and forcing her to her knees by her shoulders, despite the fight she gave them. Once she realized there was nowhere else for her to go, she finally lifted her head to meet his murderous gaze.

That she would attempt to take his life, regardless of who she was or who he was or who put her up to it -that she had the confidence and the gaul to actually see it through- all hope Andro had for her, for them, within that moment was no more than embers that burned within the midsummer's bonfire.

But he still had a part to play. Even though he already knew who knelt before him, the rest of the partygoers did not, and there would be nothing by suspicion if he didn't see this through as any other Lord with an attempt on their life.

"I should have known the attentions of such a cultured, seasoned woman would be my undoing. It's all your kind are good for anyway," he heard himself say, the words like bile on his tongue.
"Who are you, you traitorous bitch?"

As if his words were order enough, one of the guards ripped the mask from her face, pulling pins with it and spilling hair around her stricken face. She was even more lovely without the mask, despite the tightly clenched teeth and wild eyes. And by the sound of hushed whispers and surprised gasps, it was now known that Lady Lilia Cortova had attempted to murder him at his summer solstice festival.

She had ruined herself because of him.

One day, he would have to repay the favor.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek! Andro and Lilia might be my two most favorite characters in this story, and if you're a fan of LADY MUTINY you're bound to know why. Be sure to add that RISE OF THE ASSASSIN and EMERGENCE OF THE LORD to your reading lists to know when they're updated!

And don't forget to sign up for my Giveaway, where I will give away a shout-out, a dedication and a three-chapter review to one lucky winner! My giveaway is open internationally, so don't miss out!

Thanks again for checking out my post- I can't wait to hear what you thought!

Enjoy the rest of the Wattpad Block Party!

-MB

GIVEAWAY INFO: druidrose will give away a shout-out, a dedication and a three-chapter review to one lucky winner! My giveaway is open internationally.

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