Page 30 of House of Demons and Bones

“At least we’re done with the butt jokes,” I said.

“What butt jokes?” a deep male voice asked, and I nearly leaped out of my skin.

Rowan straddled a chair backwards, fixing me with a look. I’d been so caught up in my viral butt drama that I hadn’t noticed the fae prince’s arrival. Sy’s eyes locked onto her lover with lust. She hadn’t alerted me to his presence—her petty revenge for our fight. These days, we clashed more than we aligned.

Every gaze turned to us like sharks scenting blood the moment the fae heir appeared. So much for Grace’s followers giving me the cold shoulder. She’d overestimated their loyalty when real power came to play.

“Are you well, Barbie?” Rowan started.

“Of course.” I kept my face blank. “Why?”

“Won’t you say hi to Sy?” he asked.

I put on a confused look. Rowan scanned the table, catching my predicament. Sy and I were meant to be under wraps.

“You need better nutrition,” he said, and waved a hand.

Two fae guards materialized, loading my table with a dozen fresh dishes. Every girl’s jaw dropped. I beamed at the food, then at the prince.

“From my personal chefs,” Rowan said. “You and…need to stay strong.”

“Too kind,” I said. “Thank you, Prince Rowan.”

Now that he knew Sy and I kind of shared one body, he’d taken it upon himself to feed her through me. Sy went misty-eyed at his gesture.

Best. Mate. Ever!she croaked.He’s taking good care of us.

Whatever,I said, and ditched the cafeteria food for Rowan’s spread. I waved my friends over to dig into the five-star fae cuisine as well.

Sy’s scent bloomed through me—her love note to him. Rowan’s silver eyes lit up as he breathed her in. I pushed Sy back instantly.

“I’ll walk you to class,” Rowan said, his gaze locked on mine, or rather, on Sy, who was peeking through my eyes.

Everyone else probably thought he was trying to get into my pants. Sy snarled at that thought.

“That’s unnecessary, good sir.” I waved at my packed table. “Got my entourage already.”

“If you see Sy, tell her I want her to come to my place tonight,” he said.

Sy preened.Tell my sugar I’ll be there.

“Just DM me,” I said, trying to brush him off.

“I believe a message delivered in person is better received and less likely to be ignored,” said the fae prince almost threateningly.

9

Barbie

Cami stuck to me like glue. Not only had she and her friends crashed my lunch while everyone else waged their war of silence against me, but now she trailed me to afternoon class. This was someone who’d never have been caught dead in my social orbit before.

“You don’t need to babysit me, Princess,” I said. “Believe me, you won’t like it by the end of the day. Ask Prince Cade’s minions how fun it was during my time in the mage jail.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Who says I’m babysitting?”

I gestured at our group, Drusilla included. “Then what do you call this?”

Maybe she was taking over Rock’s guard duty, as I couldn’t feel his usual pulse at the edge of my radar today. But Cami was Killian’s cousin, royal blood and all. And since when did princesses guard commoners, especially ones almost convicted of murder? Then again, Prince Rowan had just tried to play bodyguard too.

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