Bene grinned. “Oh, you mean, leave the dirty dishes where they are? No problem.”
Henrik’s eyes showed a faint red glow. “You know what I mean.”
He threw his coat on with such flair, it looked like a cape. Then he exited and slammed the door behind him. We all listened for the creak of the stairs, but none sounded.
“Creepy as hell,” Bene muttered.
“And yet he seems to enjoy our company,” Gen observed. “Okay, maybe notenjoy. Heneedscompany, might be a better way to put it.”
I nearly scoffed, but she was right. Henrik had to finish out his contract like the rest of us, but that still left him ample opportunity to do his own thing. And yet, he’d rented a place to stay on the edge of the estate, and he spent most days working at the château.
“I guess eternal life has its downsides,” Bene said somberly. “Like boredom.”
Gen nodded sadly. “Like forging friendships.”
I thought of his mistress, Delphine. She was probably just the latest in a very long line of mortals who’d warmed Henrik’s bed — and, with any luck, a little of his heart. But a decade or so was the most that would last. Then he would be on to his next consort and the next…
For the first time ever, I pitied the guy.
Pity yourself,my tiger snarled.Never getting involved is just as bad.
I bristled. I didn’t make a point ofnotgetting involved. I just…um…
I slumped. Okay. I’d been making exactly that point. But relationships could hurt, as I’d learned from my father.
They can feel good too,my tiger murmured.Look what being with Mina has done for Marius.
True. Despite maintaining a growly outer persona, the guy practically oozed joy and satisfaction in life. All because of Mina.
We could have that too,my tiger murmured.
My eyes drifted to Gen, then out the window. Maybe we could.
Bene stood and cracked his knuckles. “Well, the night is young, and there’s a great bar just down the road from Gordon’s.” His eyes danced. “Friendly waitresses, decent prices, and more importantly, security cameras that overlook the street. Anyone interested in joining me?”
Marius stood glumly. “Interested, no. But feeling obliged to.”
“Dragons,” Bene muttered. “So much fun.” Then he looked at Mina. “How about you?”
She pulled her laptop from her backpack. “I’d like to check some things online. Not that I expect Celeste to register Dad’s painting with Sotheby’s, but…”
She and Marius took a long time parting in a scene fit to forever dispel myths of tough, heartless dragons. They kissed, touched, and stepped apart, only to rush back into each other’s arms.
Bene tapped his foot impatiently. “You know those operas where they sing goodbye for twenty minutes? This is like that, but worse.”
Gen grabbed her coat and headed for the door. “I’ll just grab a breath of fresh air.”
Mina stuck out a hand. “Not alone, you don’t. Could you go with her, Roux? Please?”
Well, if she twisted my arm…
Gen didn’t look too put out either.
I joined her at the door, where Bene still waited. “Come on, already, Marius. You’re not moving to a different continent. Just heading across town and back.”
Marius kissed Mina. And kissed her…
Gen and I beat them out the door. She headed up the stairs, not down.
