Page 32 of House of Mages and Raven

“We’re not joining them up there,” he said. “Killian always fucks things up for everyone. Let’s go to my table here. I’ll make sure no one disrupts your meal.”

“My friend Bea will join us,” I pushed.

Louis waved his hand. “Whatever. The more the merrier.”

He was lying, though. He wanted to have me all to himself.

I beckoned for Bea, who gingerly followed us as the vampire prince led me to the heirs’ table. No one dared to sit there without permission from the princes, but I’d once danced on it.

“Prince Louis, could you have Gunnar carry the heavy tray for Bea?” I asked, shrugging the prince’s muscled arm from my shoulders. “We don’t want my milkshakes to spill.”

“Gunnar, take care of it,” Louis barked.

The vampire captain gave me a baleful look, which I returned with a sweet smile, before he stalked away to yank the tray from Bea. As I settled in with his prince, Gunnar dumped the tray on the table in front of me.

“Thank you, my good friend Gunnar,” I said.

“I was never your good friend and never will be,” Gunnar said, then added, “My apologies, Your Highness,” over Prince Louis’s stern look.

“Then I’m going to put you on the list of my ex-friends, like that lot,” I said, gesturing at a bunch of former underdogs, who now glanced in my direction uncertainly, since Grace had left them to sit with the power couple.

They’d thought no heirs would ever back me up after the heir of the House of Chaos tossed me out of his house.

Bea had told me that Grace had spread rumors about my being unwanted by any house and shared the tale of my being unofficially charged as a criminal in the court of Kingdom of Chaos.

But now Louis was openly showing his interest in me, driven by his lust for my blood. No matter—I’d take advantage of the vampire heir’s support and turn it against Killian and his women.

Louis watched me wolf down the food with heat and amusement in his pale blue eyes. I gazed at him through my thick lashes, staying on high alert just in case he lunged at me to sink his fangs into my neck. He’d done that when he first met me and then a few more times after that without my consent. Problem was, I didn’t do non/dub-con, and he couldn’t help his predatory nature and bloodlust.

Bea picked at her food demurely while stealing dubious glances between the vamp prince and me. She was safe from the vampire prince. As long as I was around, no vampires would crave any other’s blood.

“I’ve missed you, Barbie,” Louis said.

“Yeah?” I asked roughly before I took a big sip of my milkshake. “I’m not going to offer my blood, since it’s too precious.”

“That isn’t my intention,” Louis said, trying to hide the craving in his eyes. “I keep thinking what I would do differently if I had a second chance with you and had you in my house again.”

I eyed him, a bit intrigued.

He inserted a hand into his pocket and brought out a gold watch adorned with black opals, which was the symbolic jewel of the vampire house. Sapphire was the jewel for the House of Mages.

I put down my milkshake and stared at the fancy gold watch, estimating its cost.

“You pointed out on our speed date that I should bring you gifts if I have intentions toward you,” Louis said. “I now officially declare my intention to court you, Barbie.”

Bea’s eyes went round.

I beamed at the vampire heir and snatched the watch from his hand before Sy’s claws slid out, lightning fast. “I accept your gift,” I said, putting the watch on my wrist and admiring it. “Thank you, high prince. You’re most kind.”

I meant what I said. Last time, when the fae prince gave me a small pink diamond, I’d appreciated it so much that I put Sy to work. Rowan was greatly satisfied and shot fountains of his cum into her. Sy was no doubt the best sex worker in the universe. I’d never seen anyone who could top her. A total professional.

Sy beamed at my praise.I can work again tonight. Has my sugar messaged you yet?

“I was supposed to tell you more about this watch, its history and make, before presenting it to you,” Louis said.

“No need,” I said. “I got it. It’s perfect! You’re a good man. But maybe you can tell me how much it’s worth, so I don’t need to go to a jeweler for an appraisal. I trust very few people’s opinions these days, and it might cost a gold coin just for a jeweler to look at my new watch.”

Bea shook her head at me, as if trying to warn me.

---