Page 60 of House of Mages and Raven

“That’s a vicious picture,” Louis murmured. “I can’t unsee it now even if I go home to wash my eyes.”

“That image is disturbing,” Rowan agreed.

I wasn’t done. “Beauty fades. And think of the apron of sagging skin hanging below your future mate’s big navel, Your Highnesses.”

“Who shit in your coffee today?” Silas asked.

“I didn’t have coffee today,” I complained.

“Don’t worry, Barbie,” Louis said. “We’re immortals.”

“You all missed my point,” I said, frustrated that I had to spell it out for them. “My point is that feelings fade.” I pounded my fist on the table. My smoothie spilled, and a donut was aboutto roll off the table. I caught it and bit into it, then spoke with an open mouth and open hostility. “Nothing lasts forever!”

The princes gazed at me. My rage turned them on, except for Rowan. The fae prince had eyes only for Sy.

“That’s deep, Barbie,” he said with an undertone of sarcasm. “I can see that you aren’t just some girl going after diamonds. Anyway, have you seen your friend Sy? I sent you several messages already.” He opened his palm, revealing another pink diamond. “You won’t respond until you see this, will you?”

I sucked in a breath. This one was bigger than the first diamond he’d offered me. Sy peeked out, grinning so big that I bet her face would hurt later.

Now everyone was staring at the diamond.

“What’s that for, man?” Louis asked.

“It’s for Barbie,” Rowan said. “We have a deal.”

“What deal?” Silas demanded.

“That’s between Barbie and me,” said Rowan.

I could feel Killian’s predatory gaze zooming in on Rowan. He wasn’t entertaining Grace now despite her pouting and pawing at him.

Fuck Killian.

Let him say please first,Sy offered.

I grinned at Rowan, giving him a subtle nod of confirmation that I would be sending Sy to work tonight. Then I turned my smile on Silas and Louis, not wanting to alienate them. I needed all the other heirs to go against the chaos heir.

So far, they’d stood by me.

There had never been a true rift between the heirs. They were assholes to each other, but they’d always presented a united front to fend off any outside force. They’d never allowed anyone to drive a wedge between them, but that was before the demon queen came and pitted herself against me.

Now the camp was divided, the line drawn. On one side, it was Killian and his demon queen, who was aiming for the seat of the High Queen of Mist of Cinder. On the other side, it was the rest of the heirs and me.

“How about we go camping, Highnesses?” I suggested. “Or go hunting?”

Sy grinned happily. She was a hunter, as were all the heirs.

“You are speaking my language, Barbie.” Louis grinned. “It’s been a while since we hunted. What say you, gentlemen?”

“This weekend, then,” Silas said with an aggressive smile.

“I’m in,” Rowan said. “You should invite Sy, Barbie. In fact, I insist.”

Sy preened and thrust out her big tits.

“We should include Prince Cade as well,” I said, not wanting the mage prince to ally with Killian and his two women.

“Where the fuck is Cade?” Silas asked, looking around and narrowing his eyes. “Usually, he’s the most responsible one among us and shows up at every gathering.”

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