Daria slowly turns to face Penelope.The pair of them stare at each other for one very long second.It’s the most potent silence I’ve ever witnessed.Penelope opens her mouth right as Queen Calandra says, “What do you suggest, Daria?”
Daria’s façade cracks, the tiniest of fissures in her sharp features.As if she’s been taken to the precipice of a cliff only to realise she’s afraid of heights.
Her shoulders give an almost imperceptible sag.“I… I don’t actually know.I’d already reached out to all my contractors because of the wedding, and they’ve sent all the men they can spare.I even asked some of my fae assassin contacts, but they’re all busy.”
“What are you saying?”Calandra says, her eyes skittish.
“We’re on our own and at full capacity.”I almost feel sorry for Daria.For a woman so hard, she seems almost broken, as if she’s never known failure.Finally, she looks up, but directly at Stirling.One by one, each of the magicians turn to Stirling too, their expressions expectant.
Stirling shrugs.“I always know a girl.Of course I do.What about Lana?”
Daria shakes her head.“Perimeter duty.”
Stirling pouts.“Jackson is excellent.”
Daria nods confirmation of the excellent.“They are, but they’re on royal guest duties.”
Stirling pouts, scratches her chin and tries again.“Harlon Lexville?”
Daria audibly sighs.“Taken down with flu yesterday afternoon.”
Rouge climbs up Stirling’s neck, as she visibly searches for another name.“I mean…” she laughs, nervous and twitchy.“I always know a girl.Of course I do…”
“Well, do you think you could share it with us?”Daria says, checking her watch.
Ooft, savage.Gabriel was right, watching someone else’s family drama is rather fun.Stirling swallows hard, and if I had a single ounce of fucks to give, I might feel sorry for her, but I’m a sadistic arsehole and take great pleasure in watching her squirm.
She pulls up suddenly.“Wait.I do know a girl.Or at least, Octavia… didn’t you say?—”
Stirling turns to me.
I frown, glance at Octavia, then to Stirling, whose eyes have narrowed at me.They’re glimmering in the way a vampire’s do right before they sink their teeth in for a kill.
I take a step back.“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Octavia’s eyes widen as a grin pulls across her mouth.“Mmm yes, good idea,” she says, nodding at me.
“Whatever it is, the answer is no,” I say.
But Octavia is already nodding like an aggressive puppy at Stirling.“Yes, yes, of course.I mean, she did save Penelope tonight…”
I hold my palm up to stop proceedings.“I hardly call dragging a reluctant princess outside,saving,” I say while staring at my sister with the most intenseWhat the fuck?face I can muster.But then I remember she’s not Gabriel and doesn’t actually read my mind.
I lower my voice to quiet enough only my siblings can hear and try not to move my lips.“You promised me a party, and I promised my best behaviour.What are you doing?”
Octavia beams and flings an unwanted arm around my shoulders.
“She would be delighted and of course, she was head of the army for centuries.Has significant skills in strategic attacks and defence, trained in multiple forms of combat.You’d be honoured, wouldn’t you…”
I say nothing, but peel her arm from around my neck.
“Wouldn’t you… Dahlia?”She elbows me in the ribs.
Penelope barges into the centre of the conversation, her limbs flapping.“I’m sorry, but much as you were a dashing white knight earlier, I am not having some vampire as a bodyguard.Have you all lost your minds and forgotten the last millennia of hatred?”She shoves a hand on her hip.
I cock my head at her.There’s those brat vibes again.Heat pools between my legs.What I’d give to bend her over my knee and make her beg for another slap.
No.
