She says nothing for a long moment but eventually opens the water I set beside her and presses it to her lips. I observe her throat as it works, once again thinking about how it felt to fuck her mouth.
I’m hard. But I’m rather certain I’m going to exist in this state indefinitely now that I’ve found a potential mate.
Or rather, myintendedmate.
There’s nothingpotentialabout her anymore. She’s not a toy. But she is my pet. Only, I don’t view that term as negatively as she seems to.
“Calling youpetisn’t meant to be rude,” I say, recounting her earlier statement to the contrary. “I mean it affectionately, as in I want to care for you and your needs.” I pick up one of the glasses of wine and swirl it in the glass.
I’m about to ask if she prefersprincessor another endearment when I sense Marius’s approach.
My spine stiffens, my gaze narrowing at the door.
I dismissed him earlier after Viviana refused to leave.So why is he still here?
His knuckles rap against the wood, then he pushes through without an invitation. “Radu has run out to find hazelnut cream for your guest,” he announces as he enters with a tray balanced on one hand. “I offered to bring up your late lunch.”
Byoffered, I assume he means he took the tray from one of Radu’s staff members and flew it up here without comment.
Which means my best friend is up to something. “Can I help you, Marius?”
“No,” he says, setting the tray down on the rectangular table situated in the middle of my seating room. “I’m here to help you, though.”
“Of course you are,” I deadpan.
He smiles and collapses on the couch across from me, then looks at Viviana. She’s still curled up in my favorite chair withher legs tucked upward. “You look famished, darling. You should eat.” He leans forward. “Would you like me to feed you?”
“Touch her and I will end you,” I growl, not bothering to mask the fury underlining my threat.
His smile only intensifies. “You have no idea how thrilled I am by this development.”
My jaw tightens. “You can go now, Marius.”
“But you should know, I’m keeping the guest wing,” he goes on, ignoring me. “It’s already been renamed as mine. Consider it payment for running the kingdom in your absence.”
I nearly roll my eyes. “I’ve been ruling. You’ve been delivering.”
He kicks his feet up on the table beside the tray and crosses his ankles. “Semantics.”
“Semantics that mean something,” I point out. “You act as though you’ll be relinquishing a hardship. Won’t you miss your harem?”
“Oh, I fully intend to keep them in my wing,” he says, winking at Viviana. “You’re welcome to visit, too, darling.”
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I ask him seriously. “Best friend or not, I will rip your heart out and feed it to you.”
His mirth is palpable. “She’s been here a day and already has your balls in a vise. I love it.”
“Fuck off, Marius.”
“No.” His feet drop to the floor, and he leans forward to uncover the tray. “I’m joining you both for lunch so we can discuss your return to the Strigoi Kingdom. And the presentation of your intended mate.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
VIVI
My head is spinning.
However, despite the conversation, all I can really focus on is the grilled cheese melt a few feet away from me. I’mstarving. I didn’t realize that until the scent hit me, but now it’s all I can think about.
