Yet I was shocked that a brown rat with coarse fur was sitting on his chest. My eyes widened, as the rat’s scaly, hairless tail whipped out, resting on the Blood’s throat.
Yet the Shadow Vampire was relaxed, appearing to be whispering to the rat like he was truly communicating with it. He was animatedly waving around his hands, which were encased in beautiful, glittering black gloves.
Then he stiffened, sniffing.
Instantly, he stopped talking to the rat, which scurried away under the bush. Its small eyes glared out at me.
The vampire turned toward me. His wine-red eyes glowed in the dark.
Then he smiled, and I caught a glimpse of his fangs.
I straightened my shoulders and forced myself to march toward the Shadow Vampire.
I was the prince here, and this was my garden.
He was the trespasser.
To my surprise, he continued to lie sprawled on the grass like he wasn’t the criminal invading the private royal gardens.
I could have him whipped for this.
Except, I didn’t want to. I was too intrigued about his magical talent.
I stood over him, putting my hands on my hips. “These are my gardens.”
He gave a musical laugh. “I don’t see your name on them.”
Insolence.
I opened and shut my mouth.
He did have a point. I should have a sign put up.
He patted the ground next to him like I needed an invitation to sit in my own palace. “Are you hiding too? You can share my hiding place if you want.”
He said it with a type of graciousness, as if he was the prince.
Realization hit me. “You’re Lanlin, the Blood prince that the High Priestess brought with her.”
“And you’re Prince Aurelius, the Golden Dragon.”
I shifted, uncomfortable. “You can call me Relius.”
Lanlin brightened. “Then call me Lan. What are you escaping?”
What wasn’t I?
I ran my hand down my cadet outfit. “Everything.”
Lanlin nodded like that made sense.
I threw myself down on the hard grass next to him. “It was incredible what you were doing with that rat.”
Instantly, Lanlin sat up, while his expression became deadly. “I wasn’t doing anything.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Are you going to tell?”
