Page 10 of House of Demons and Bones

Tell my sugar he’ll always have me, prince or pauper,I said.Besides, he owns shares in Killian’s human companies. We won’t be poor.

Tell him later yourself,Barbie said.I’m not derailing this conversation.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Prince Rowan.” Killian smirked. “I’ve known for years you weren’t King Emyr’s blood.”

“How?” Rowan growled. “Did you spy on me?”

“Yes,” Killian said.

“How dare you?”

“Well.” Killian shrugged. “You have your own spies. Don’t pretend like I’m the only one who’s paranoid. I make it my business to know every dirty secret. But I’ve kept yours. Don’t worry about my mate. She hoards secrets better than a dragon. Besides, even if King Emyr discovers the truth, you’re still one of us. Your birth won’t change that.”

My sugar sucked in a breath. He hadn’t expected this from the chaos prince.

“You can’t stop him if he tries to kill me,” Rowan said. “You aren’t a king.”

“No one touches you or any of us,” Killian said. “Any king who tries will have to get through me first. And they won’t succeed. It’s not only me who outpowers them all. Together, we heirs are unstoppable.”

We wouldn’t make empty promises, but we knew where we stood. We protected each other’s interests. And between us, Barbie and I packed serious power. We’d throw in our lot with the heirs.

“I can take the throne whenever I want,” Killian added, his tone lazy. “The court’s been ready to toss my father aside for years. I held back because of Lilith. I wouldn’t want her to gain more power through our alliance. But now”—his knuckles brushed Barbie’s cheekbone, and she didn’t pull away but gazed up at him through her lush lashes, her lips parted in desire—“things are different. I’ve found my true mate, and I’ll protect her with my last breath.”

Barbie didn’t swoon at the chaos prince’s declaration or get misty-eyed like me, as she loved to play the role of a hardass, but warmth flooded her chest and heat pulsed in her veins. Not that she’d ever admit it.

“Just like I’ll doanythingto protect Sy,” Rowan swore. “And that protection extends to Barbie.”

Gratitude bloomed in me. He’d been protecting Barbie even before he knew our secret. “I can’t afford weakness, not when so much is at stake.” His silver gaze cut through Barbie, searching for me. “I may be an imposter, but this stays here.” He turned to Killian. “Who else knows?”

“One of my men,” Killian said. “Not saying who.”

It had to be Cassius, the Silent Blade. He made me shiver, but Barbie liked him—ever since he’d nearly gutted the chaos royal guards for trying to take her blanket in the dungeon.

“Think I’d have him killed?” Rowan asked.

Killian’s cold smile didn’t reach his eyes. “My men can handle themselves.” He tapped the armchair, danger radiating off him. “We’re good as long as you don’t try to claim my woman.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Rowan said. “I only want my own woman. It’s not my fault she shares space with Barbie. Everyone knows you’re paranoid, but you’re getting fucking worse.” He turned to Barbie. “Let Sy out. I want to make sure she’s all right.”

Let me take over.I tugged at Barbie.My prince wants to make sure I’m all right.

“Back off,” Killian barked. “I’m not done with Barbie.”

“Yeah? Now you big boys decide who comes out to play?” Barbie sneered.

Rowan sighed. “This body-sharing thing is getting very inconvenient. Sy shouldn’t live like this.”

“Really?” Barbie said. “She was fine before you showed up. We’ve managed it for twenty-one years.”

She drained her coffee, slammed the mug down, and reached for the bottle of whiskey. Killian snatched it first.

“It’s too strong for you, little scorpion,” he said.

“Even poison can’t touch me,” she bragged and glared.

He sighed, poured two fingers, and handed it over to her. “You won’t like it. You love sweets.”

Barbie knocked it back, then coughed and cursed. Killian seized his chance to pat her back and pull her into his arms, but she shrugged him off. He only smiled. The chemistry between them crackled, growing stronger with every denial.

---