Page 146 of Vampires of Eden

Weirdly, the kitchen doors are closed when I turn the corner. I push one open and Raph is sitting on a stool with a cup of something hot swirling in front of him as he converses casually with our head chef. I’m about to take a step forward when a barrage of agitated meows resonates from around my ankles.

“Buff Buff, good morning.” I bend and sweep her up into my arms, then kiss her face.

“I hope your night was better than mine,” Raphael chides, lifting his mug. “She screamed at my bedroom door half the night, wanting to be let out so she could get to you. If she wasn’t so cute I’d punch her in the face.”

“Aw sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” I kiss her again for good measure. A deep purr resonates loudly from within her furry body as I hold her.

“Don’t be sorry, you needed this.” Raphael grins roguishly and Chef Sato snickers at the counter as she chops up vegetables. “You can definitely take her back to the bedroom with you, though.Where’s Daniel?”

“Upstairs—Hans told me that Father is on his way back?”

“He is. He wants to have lunch with you after his meeting. Will Daniel be joining? I’m sure Lord Ansväd would love to meet him again.”

My throat tightens. “I… doubt it, but I’ll ask him. Hey, Chef Sato?”

She glances over her shoulder. “Yes, your highness?”

“I don’t want to interrupt you, but may I have a pot of chai and a bowl of cherries, please?”

“Of course. I made a fresh loaf of vegan banana bread this morning since you loved it so much the last time. Shall I include a couple slices for you and your guest?”

I beam. “That would be amazing, thank you.”

“I’ll bring the tray up when it’s ready,” Raphael says. “Don’t leave your lovely guest unattended, it’s rude. I didn’t raise you to be rude.”

Chef Sato laughs and I narrow my eyes at Raphael. “Can I talk to you outside for a second?” I want to ask him about the blood, but not in front of Chef.

Raphael stands from the stool and moves without argument. When we’re outside the closed doors to the kitchen, I turn to face him with Buffy still contentedly cradled in my arms. “Would you be able to get Danny first-gen blood from the boutique, if he wanted it? Do they carry that?”

Raph blinks. “Possibly. Did you ask him, though? Did he say that’s what he wanted?”

“No, but I wanted to make sure we could do it before I offered.”

I jump slightly when he rests a heavy palm on my shoulder. “Lexie. The man just spent the night luxuriously swathed in your purebred aura and essence. I doubt he wants anything other thanyouright now.”

“He doesn’t want me.” I shake my head. “Not like that. Not to feed.”

“Why the heck wouldn’t he want?—”

I turn, cutting him off. “Never mind. Thanks for letting me know. And thanks in advance for the tea.” Raphael’s mouth is agape as I head back to my room. He doesn’t need to know Daniel’s reasons. It’s none of his business.

When I open the door, Daniel is upright in bed. He’s in the same spot, but his face and eyes are brighter and the inky plait of his hair is freshly braided and slung over his shoulder.

“I ordered tea and cherries, not a cat,” Daniel says, grinning.

I set Buffy down and walk over to the bed. “Raphael will bring your order when it’s ready, your highness. Apparently, Buffy was being difficult last night because she couldn’t sleep with me.” As I say this, Buffy hops up onto the bed, pads toward Daniel and begins smelling him with intense scrutiny.

“You sleep with her?” Daniel asks.

I sit along the edge of the mattress. “Almost always. She’s snuggly. It’s sweet.”

Buffy steps up against his thighs with her front paws, lifting and sniffing toward his face. Daniel draws back, frowning. “Well,I’msnuggly, too. If we’re both sleeping with you and we’re both snugglers, who wins? Who gets to snuggle with you? Me or the cat?”

“It’s not ‘youorBuffy.’ It’s you and Buffy. This isn’t a competition.”

“Feels like it is…” Danny lifts his hand and places it atop Buffy’s head. She lifts into his touch, urging him to pet her. When he does, she purrs.

“See? She likes you a lot. She’s welcoming you to our home.”