“Bene’s too,” Gen added.
The lion hid a grin.
Henrik pointed. “He’ll drip blood on the parquet floor.”
Gen snorted. “That’s rich, coming from a vampire. If you’re so worried about it, get me that old blanket. Quickly.”
Henrik made a face. “Must I?”
“Yes, you must. Now, move it.”
The woman could issue orders better than some commanding officers I’d known. I pictured her backstage at a theater, marshaling extras and stage crew into position for a quick scene change.
She shoved the couch back, making space in front of the fireplace, then spread the blanket on the floor.
“Over here.” She patted the blanket.
I flicked my tail irritably. I was a tiger, not a puppy. But given the choice between keeling over on the bare floor and keeling over on a blanket, I did as I was told.
Bene tried to muscle his way in, but I shoved him aside and stretched out, claiming as much space as possible.
He whined and looked at Gen.
Most lions had a sense of pride — no pun intended — but not Bene. Not when he stood to gain female attention.
I snarled at the idea of Gen bent close, gently tending his wounds. If anyone would get gently tended to, it would be me, dammit!
“You have plenty of space,” Gen told him firmly.
Not fair,he grumbled in my mind.
I was the one actually putting myself on the line out there,I shot back.
Yes, you were. The question is why?he asked.
I’d been wondering the same thing. What had possessed me to go for a kill rather than simply chase the nagas out of our territory?
Bene tilted his head toward Gen, chuckling.Unless you were trying to impress her.Then he stopped.Wait. You were.
I was not. I was just, er…totally overreacting in the face of a threat to a woman I had absolutely no feelings for.
That was my story, and I was sticking to it.
Bene chuckled in a way that said,Well, well.
I flicked my tail, whipping him across the muzzle.
“Can you two behave for five minutes?” Gen complained.
“No, they can’t.” Henrik’s tone was as dry as the gin he poured for himself.
Gen hovered over me for a moment, clearly intimidated by my size, ferocity, and battle wounds.
Sure,Bene scoffed.Just don’t let her find out how tiny your brain — or other parts — are.
Overcoming her fear, Gen leaned over me, clucking in concern. “So much blood.”
“Yes, so much,” Henrik murmured dreamily.
