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Rowan found it amusing that Alessandro and Louisa, of all people, were on the same wavelength. “What he did to me was nothing compared to what he did to Cherry, it’s her kill.”

Louisa deflated but accepted her words. “He’s demented. Seeing you happy with your dragon must’ve pushed him completely over the edge. It almost made me gag to see how cute you two are.”

Rowan grinned at her friend when she pulled back. “It’s obviously mostly me. So tell me, my dear little blood sucker, what’s up with you and that tall, dark and handsome man I’ve had to threaten to behave?”

Louisa snickered and motioned to Rosario’s empty chair for her to sit.

“Where’d she go?” Rowan asked as she settled the silken fabric of her dress around her thighs.

“Talking to some ambassador or something. I didn’t really hear her because our wolf friend is drowning my own thoughts out with his.” She sighed. “I honestly thought it was going to be just a one-night stand. I didn’t think this would happen!”

Rowan scoffed. “Funny how that happens, huh?” She grinned, “But as you can see, it’s working out well for me so far.”

“Yeah, well, you have a set of parents that love you and aren’t psychos half of the time.”

“Definitely helps.” Rowan cast a look at her parents, who were bowing their heads and talking to Alessandro conspiratorially. What was that about?

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

Louisa shrugged. “Pretend it didn’t happen and try to forget him?”

“Ooh, you might have better luck than me. He does live like several continents away.”

Louisa frowned. “You don’t think it’ll work.”

Rowan shrugged. “I think you like him being in your head, seeing as you are quite adept at blocking out unwanted presences.”

Louisa narrowed her eyes. “You’re sounding a lot like a blonde woman I know.”

Rowan leaned forward. “She makes fair points every once in a while. But if you want to get out of here and turn to our less healthy coping mechanisms, I know a bar in that town they get the boats from. We have about forty minutes to kill.”

Louisa grinned. “That sounds fun. Do you have to ask your boyfriend for permission?”

“Woah, woah missy, you mean, mate?” Rowan corrected with a teasing grin. “No, I don’t have to ask permission, but I am going to tell him.”

Louisa let out a whipping sound.

“If only you could be so lucky.” Rowan sighed dreamily.

“Louisa and I are sneaking away before the vote. Be a dear and cover for us if her mother comes looking, won’t you?”

“Be a dear?” Alessandro asked with a raised eyebrow from his seat. “I was unaware you were a sixty-year-old human woman.”

She winked down at him.“I am just full of surprises, dear.”

“I want to talk about pet names when you come back. I refuse to be associated with game.”

Rowan stood and held her hand out to her friend. Louisa stood and took it and with mischievous smirks, both women phased out.

XOXOXO

When Rowan phased back in, she smelled of ambrosia laced whiskey.

“Did you go to a bar without me?” Annabelle hissed. “Kyron, put our pebble in the live section.”

Rowan pulled a couple of shot bottles from the fabric of her dress and slid them over.

“Local brews.” Rowan grinned.