Page 69 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

I hurry behind the broken statue as quietly as I can, avoiding the rubble and crouching so hastily the teapot jolts, the spout sending a stream of scalding tea splashing across my face.

Ouch—

I suck in a breath, praying neither vampire heard the clink of porcelain as the teapot settles and I hunch lower behind the stone.

“—you did not have to humiliate him!” Victoria says as, their footsteps stop on the other side of the statue.

“I thought humiliation was the point.”

“You know what I mean. You were meant to draw it out. Take it easy on him.”

“Would you believe me if I said I did?”

“No.” She gives an irritated huff. “The whole point was for you to seem jealous.”

“I thought the point was to prove you have the Crown Prince at your beck and call.”

“Nathaniel.”

“Victoria. Tell me, what would you have preferred? That I let him land a blow? Bleed a little for your friends?”

“It would not kill you to appear invested.”

“In Felix?”

“In me!”

I peer past the stone wolf’s tail in time to see her stamp her foot.

Then she advances, and it occurs to me she is not the tallest of vampires, because she has to crane her head to glower up at him.

“You are my fiancé,” Victoria says unhappily. “You might try behaving as though the arrangement means something.”

“It does mean something to me,” Nathaniel replies, his voice quieter now. “But you are mistaken if you think Felix means anything to me. Bed whomever you please, Victoria. I’ll play your little game of courtship. I’ll give you flowers. I’ll permit you to summon me. I might even endeavour to appear a little more jealous, if it pleases you. But I will not be your show-pony in an endless parade.”

“You think this is all some game to amuse you?”

“It is somewhat amusing to defend the honour of a woman who arranged her own dishonour for an audience.” His voice hardens. “Tell me, is your arrangement with Felix temporary, or am I to expect an additional bedfellow once we are wed?”

Victoria’s feline eyes cool. “Perhaps there will be no wedding. Perhaps I should tell my father I have reconsidered this match.”

Nathaniel’s answer comes without hesitation. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Wouldn’t I?”

“No.”

She puffs out her chest. “My family—”

“Is old, wealthy, and undeniably useful,” he cuts in. “House Volare has friends in every corner of court, money sunk into the Academy, and enough ancient bloodline prestige to make half the old families listen when your father clears his throat. I know precisely what your family is.”

Her lips press so thin that all traces of her rouge vanish.

“But mine has the throne,” Nathaniel continues, colder now. “And the nobles your father flatters are bound to us by blood, debt, or fear. Your family needs this connection as much as mine does. Everyone at court knows that.” His voice lowers, eyelids lowering until they’re almost shut. “So…make a threat you could conceivably carry out, Victoria, or do not threaten me at all.”

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

I press one hand to the stone wolf’s flank, forcing myself to stay still. I should not be here. Not at the Academy. Not crouched behind a headless wolf, learning that the prince has a leash of his own.