Page 77 of Kingly Bitten

Pampering, they called it.

Jace commented on my need for a new wardrobe while Darius presumably took notes.

“And it seems Sebastian has just checked in,” the sovereign said, his tone telling me that he wasn’t thrilled by the prospect. “He’s requested a meeting with me.”

“With you?” Jace sounded surprised. “Why?”

“He fancies himself as the reason for my recent promotion.” Darius didn’t sound impressed. “I’ll entertain him just to be polite. Besides, Juliet enjoyed our last dinner party, didn’t you?”

“Of course, Sire.” She sounded so meek and quiet, the opposite of how I typically spoke.

“Let me know what you intend to put on the menu,” Jace replied. “I may invite myself.”

Darius must have nodded because he didn’t reply out loud.

Their conversation continued in a similar fashion, their itinerary almost completely defined before the car came to a stop again.

The door opened almost immediately, and Jace slid out with a softly spoken “Come along, Calina.”

24

Calina

I slidalong the backseat bench, doing my best to keep my dress from riding up to my hips along the way, and stood carefully on my heels once outside of the car.

Jace caught my elbow and pulled me to the side as Juliet and Darius joined us. Their feet were the only things I could see along with the sidewalk.

Lovely view, I thought.Just marvelous.

Jace’s palm settled against my back as he guided me forward. This time he addressed everyone around us, greeting his staff by name and being generally kind while maintaining an air of authority.

Lilith had chosen to intimidate.

Jace chose to lead.

Fascinating.

But it struck me as strange that he didn’t treat his driver similarly to everyone else. I again wondered if he was human or vampire because we seemed to be moving by all types of life on our way inside. And Jace treated them all equally. He even paused in the reception area to address a mortal male by saying, “Please bring Darius’s bags up to my suite. He and Juliet will be staying in one of my guest rooms.”

“Y-yes, My Prince.” It was the stutter in his voice that told me he was human.

That and his lack of proper clothes.

I couldn’t see above his knees, but he wasn’t wearing dress pants or fancy shoes. Just baggy red pants and tennis shoes.

“Paula, I’ll be keeping Staff Member…” Jace trailed off, his tone implying he wanted someone to finish the sentence for him.

“Thirteen, My Prince,” the human whispered, the words sounding strained, like he didn’t want to voice them but didn’t have a choice.

“Staff Member Thirteen,” Jace repeated, his tone thoughtful. “Yes, Paula, I’ll be keeping Staff Member Thirteen for the night. Be sure to note that in his file for me. I’ll return him when I’m done, assuming he’s still alive.”

“Of course, My Prince,” a female—presumably, Paula—replied.

As we continued on our path, I began to wonder if Jace ever tired of being addressed so formally all the time.

My Prince.

Your Highness