Lucie stayed quiet. She wasn’t sure if she believed he had someone or not. But she couldn’t deny that it made sense. It could very well be the reason his personality had changed with her. Okay, he had his person. But this still presented a problem. She had to produce his heir. There was no faking that part of the relationship. On another level, hearing this kind of gossip about Derrick bothered her. This was their prince. She wouldn’t want her people to speak badly about her, repeating rumors or unproven facts. She looked up at Lenny.
“I think it’s best not to say such things without proof. You don’t wish to tarnish your prince’s name. He’s done a lot of good for your kind and is even sacrificing his own happiness for his people as well. He has to take me as his bride and not his mate. Those sacrifices should be remembered when you casually speak about your prince.” Lucie’s eyes gleamed with a hint of sharpness as she looked at Lenny.
Tonya smiled at Lucie. “Already defending your future husband even in his absence. You have good qualities.” She looked across the table at Ryan, who was studying Lucie with a frown on his face. Did he not like her coming to their prince’s defense, or was it something else?
“You’re right. I misspoke,” Lenny said quietly.
“It’s okay.” Lucie smiled. “So you guys like to play racing games?” The two men grinned.
“Yes we do.”
“Any good at it?” Lucie quirked her brow at them and gave them a crooked smile.
Enzo laughed loudly. “Are you challenging us?”
“Well, I thought I would show you how to really race. Unless you’re content with staying on the kiddie track.”
“Haha, game on,” Lenny said as he pumped his fist in the air.
“I’m in too,” Ryan said as he continued to look at Lucie curiously.
Lucie smiled and shrugged. “Well, if you don’t mind looking bad in front of your people.”
A wide grin spread across Ryan’s face as he stood up. He walked over to Lucie, and she was back in his arms again. He cradled her into his chest and leaned his head down so that his lips were near her ear.
“Show me what you’ve got … princess.” His hot breath beat against her ear, making her body shudder. She felt her treacherous heart begin to pound in excitement. It was hard enough being near him like this. The least he could do was put a shirt on. Her resolve was being chipped away as her body begged her to give in to him.
No. Now was not the time. She needed to focus on the battle at hand. Racing karts was not for the weak at heart. People had lost friendships over games like this. She needed to focus and bring her A-game. She would show them her power. She spent years playing against Aedan and Justice, and now she would see if her years of training had paid off.
CHAPTER 10
It was the last lap, and Lucie was slightly trailing behind first place. But she knew what she was doing. You NEVER want to be in first place on the last lap unless you know you can win by a significant amount. She smiled as the all-too-familiar whistling sound of a blue seeker shell hissed through the television speakers. She made sure she kept her distance from first place, Ryan, so she didn’t get caught in the crossfire.
“Who threw the blue shell?!” Ryan growled as he glanced over angrily at Enzo and Lenny. Lenny let out an airy laugh.
The blue shell collided with Ryan’s cart, slowing him down and sending him flying into the air. She sped through the smoke of the collision, having saved her speed boosts just for this moment. With the finish line in her sight, she released her speed boosts in a fury. Sweet sweet victory! Aedan would be so proud of her right now. She sat there with a satisfied smile on her face and gently set the controller down, her mic drop.
“You did it, Lucie! I’ll admit I didn’t think you stood a chance against these man-boys—” Tonya started but was interrupted by an enthusiastic Lucie.
“You use man-boys too?!” she said excitedly. This was exactly how she described Aedan and Justice.
“Haha yes! It’s the perfect term.”
“I know, right?” Lucie liked Tonya. She had a comforting personality, and there was a genuineness that emitted from her. This was someone she could be friends with. It would be nice to have another friend in the vampire kingdom.
“I see you are well trained in the art of driving kart,” Lenny said with a crooked smile.
“Don’t take it personally. I’ve played against the best and won. I always play against my brother, cousins, and also my best friend, Jasper.” Lucie looked at them. “Maybe you know Jasper? He’s Jester and Irene’s son.”
“Oh, he’s your best friend? Like best friend or … you know?” Enzo raised his eyebrows as he insinuated something more. Ryan growled lowly, glaring at Lucie.
Lucie could see his amber eyes darkening. His lips were slightly pulled up as he stared her down, looking for the answer.
Lucie shrugged. “I don’t see exactly how my relationship with Jasper is anyone’s business. Plus, I don’t want to incriminate myself.”
Ryan squeezed his fists tightly.
“Oh Lucie … you’ll have to tell me later. Jasper is a cutie,” Tonya said, grinning as she heard a very unamused sound from Zach. “Oh Zachie, you think he’s cute too. But don’t worry, no one is cuter than you,” she said as she ruffled his hair and tugged him down so she could gently peck at his lips.
