Page 134 of Vengeful Princess

From the way Cassian ground his teeth, he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. I inwardly sighed and attempted to focus on the task at hand.

“We need more money to get the product to market, yes?” I drew a stick man jumping off a cliff and splatting on rocks below. Cassian glanced over at my pad and his jaw clenched with annoyance, but he didn’t comment on my artwork.

“Yes, that’s one of our problems.”

“And these stupid purses made from the hide of an endangered creature are disgusting, so marketing them is a nightmare.”

“Yes, Thea, thank you for summing up the two main issues.”

“Then why can’t we pivot and use a cheaper, less morally repugnant material, so we don’t kill our brand? That way, PETA won’t target us; nor will all the woke celebs. But the product still looks high end. Plus, as part of the marketing campaign, we can donate a percentage of the profit to the charity that protects the endangered Flumflot. It could be our brand message: Looks like a Flumflot, Feels like a Flumflot, but No Flumflots Died Making This Purse.”

Honestly, I was talking out of my ass, but Cassian hadn’t shot me down in flames, so I took it as a win.

“Did you really come up with that all on your own?” He sounded surprised. Impressed even. Or was he taking the piss?

My eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Yes. And also, if we approach some fashion influencers who also love animals, we can build an online buzz.”

Now he looked thoughtful.

“Thea, that’s actually—” His phone went off, the ring tone making me jump. We both looked at the screen as it buzzed like an angry wasp trapped in a glass.

Cassian snatched the phone and disappeared into the stacks to have a private conversation while I pulled my phone out to check if I’d missed any messages.

Eden still wasn’t back at college. Aside from one message thanking me for helping her, she’d not been in contact. I was a bit worried. Had her cousin whisked her away to Ireland and locked her in a castle on the pretext of keeping her safe?

That kind of shit was common in my world. Women had very little agency and men made all the decisions. If her cousin believed she was in danger from his rivals, there was a real chance he might decide it was too dangerous for her on campus.

I hoped not.

I’d miss her if she left for good.

Michael would too, I suspected. He’d collared me in the cafeteria this morning, asking if I knew where she was. The poor sap looked like he’d not slept for a few days. I told him I’d not heard from her and walked away.

If Eden wanted to talk to him, she had his number. It wasn’t my place to discuss her business.

By the time Cassian returned to our table, he looked pissed off. I half expected him to collect his shit and leave. It was getting late, and we were the last ones left in here. Any minute now, the lone librarian would start making noises about closing the library, like she usually did around 10 PM.

Poor woman. I hope the college paid her overtime for working so late.

I eyed my smutty novel longingly. If this study session was over, I could head back to my tower room and read a few more chapters.

I also needed to check in with Verity. Although it was a bit late to be calling her.

We’d spoken a few days ago, but she’d been upset. Mrs Gia said she was missing me. I’d tried to tell her Christmas was only a few weeks away and that I’d be back soon, but she wanted to see me now, not in a few weeks. Our call had ended on a sour note and I felt bad about being away for so long.

Not that it was my fault, but my sister probably thought I was living my best life while she faded away in the attic like a Victorian spinster.

“Let’s get out of here,” Cassian barked after pushing his phone into his jacket pocket.

I bristled with annoyance but resisted the urge to snarl at him. “I was just leaving, actually.” My notebook and pen were in my bag already, so I picked up my novel and stood.

He reached out and grabbed my arm when I made a move to pass him. He caught me off guard and I shoved him away, annoyed at being manhandled like that.

“Thea, I’m… sorry.” His apology caught me off-guard.

“Look, we’ve made progress tonight, so how about a nightcap?”

“You want to have a drink with me?” That was a first. I didn’t think the mighty Cassian Forsyth would lower himself to drink with the likes of me.

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