Page 65 of Prince of the Undying

As part of his apology, Wendel invited me to breakfast at a café. We walked together through the morning streets of Vienna.

“Have you ever had poor knights?” he asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Poor knights.”

“Never.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Never? That’s a crime.”

He brought me to Café Amsel, a coffeehouse in a gleaming granite building, and held open the door for me. Warmth rushed out to meet us, the air scented by bitter coffee and sweet pastries. My mouth watered.

I had never been to Café Amsel before, since it was far outside of my budget. My boots rapped on parquet floors. Crystal chandeliers glittered over billiards tables. Wendel slid a chair from a small table and gestured for me to sit. He played the part of a gentleman well, when he wasn’t being a bastard.

“Thank you,” I said.

“My pleasure.”

I traced the cool marble of the table. “It feels like I’ve been away from Vienna a lot longer than only a few days.”

“Was your journey tiring?”

“Very.” My mind drifted to faraway places. “When I left America, I came to Europe looking for my father. Would he be in Constantinople?”

Wendel tensed, a muscle in his jaw jumping. “I assume so.”

“Was he there this whole time?”

“How long have you been here?”

“Three years.”

He grimaced. “Then yes.”

A waitress came to our table. “Good morning!” She smiled at Wendel, not even acknowledging my existence. “Are you ready to order?”

He brightened. “Poor knights for both of us.”

“With cream?”

“Everything tastes better with cream.” Wendel glanced at me.

Heat crept into my cheeks. Was I imagining the devilish glint in his eye? Or was he suggesting something indecent? Whenever I looked at him, it was impossible to forget all the filthy things we had done together.

“And can I get you some coffee?” asked the waitress.

“Please,” he said.

She stopped mooning over him long enough to scribble down our order. She smiled at him, and fuckingwinkedbefore leaving.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re too handsome for your own good.”

“She doesn’t know I’m a necromancer.”

“Or a Prince of Prussia.”

He snorted. “I’m not sure why anyone would want me.”

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