Page 27 of House of Vampires and Flame

Louis swaggered across the hall like he owned the place. He might as well be swinging his cock around naked as well, since all the students snapped their eyes to him, tracking his movements, their food forgotten. Royalty had that kind of effect.

My gaze swept to the steamy buffet dishes on the long tables, my mouth wet. Before I could dart across the hall toward one of the tables, Gunnar grabbed the collar of my tunic and yanked me back.

“What did we say about table manners, Little Bob?” he hissed, showing his fangs. “We aren’t here to eat. We’re attending to His Highness. You serve him, and I guard him.”

“Then when will we get to eat?” I asked.

“You’ll eat when you’re told to!” he said.

“That sucks, man. I don’t like this job anymore,” I murmured to myself.

Gunnar slapped the back of my head. I got so annoyed at being denied food, so his sloppy slapping didn’t bring out my good nature. Hissing, I turned to punch his throat, but I didn’t land it, as he shoulder-shoved me. I stumbled, so my fist crashed into his shoulder bone, which was like hitting a rock.

A head and a half taller, Gunnar enjoyed towering over me to intimidate me. No matter the weather, he always wore a trench coat, which hid a dozen weapons and spells inside.

I scowled at him, but he rolled his eyes.

“Prince Louis is scheduled to drink from me tomorrow,” I said. “I gotta get some iron-rich food into my stomach before it’s too late!”

“You’ll eat after the prince goes to his class,” Gunnar said. “Now quit acting like an annoying chihuahua.”

I looked over my shoulder. The rest of the entourage had peeled off, so it was just Gunnar and me, trailing behind the prince at a respectful distance.

“Where did they go?” I asked.

“It’s none of your business, chihuahua. You don’t even have a rank.”

“Then why am I on duty?” I asked. “I’m not even a bodyguard. I don’t fight like you guys because I’m just not vicious.”

“Oh, you’re damn vicious. You’re just impotent,” Gunnar said dismissively. “You should consider yourself extremely lucky to be among a select few who have the honor of serving His Highness.”

He was full of shit, but if I said so, he’d punch me, so I gave him the side-eye. That was my new passive-aggressive approach.

“Shut up, focus on your task, and do as you’re told!” he added.

He hadn’t told me anything useful.

We followed the prince toward a winding staircase to the open second floor. My gaze snagged to the center, where an exclusive buffet table covered by fine white linen stood. A variety of dishes perched on top of elaborate holders with magical fire beneath to keep the food warm. Three servers in nice uniforms stood on either end of the table.

“So, we get to eat here later?” I whispered, grinning ear-to-ear.

“Not you, chihuahua,” Gunnar sneered. “This is the princes’ private dining area. If you try to be a good dog, you might get some crumbs from the princes’ table. His Highness has been lenient with you, but it won’t last. He’ll get tired of you.”

I sneered back. It wasn’t like I wanted to stick around forever.

I’d noticed two gorgeous men lounging on the chairs that half-circled a golden table with symbols of the star charts adorning its edge before my coveting glance fell on the food.

They were drinking coffee while overlooking the assembly on the ground dining floor, without a care in the world.

Louis strode to join them at a lazy pace; it could only mean that the two were prince heirs as well. The one to the left of the table had a striking face and amber eyes brimming with ambition. A tattoo of giant paws crawled down his left temple. He must be the shifter prince then.

The other male who faced him was lankier than the bulky shifter prince. He had dark skin that was close to bronze and reddish hair like deep ruby wine. I liked his fashion sense. He wore a wool sweater paired with a scarf.

I lifted my foot to follow Louis toward his table. The coffee smelled delicious. He barely ate solid food, so I could eat it for him as his squire. Why waste food? But Gunnar yanked me back by the collar of my tunic again.

I scowled, but I was no match for him while I had to lie low, so I let him shove me to stand at ten o’clock from where the princes sat and enjoyed their food and drinks, laughing.

The redheaded prince’s turquoise eyes trained on me for a second too long before he winked and turned to Louis as the vampire prince took a seat beside him, opposite the shifter prince.

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