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13
Killian
The alarm blasted. I’d never heard anything that loud. My rival princes dropped their easy chatting, grimaced, and glared at me. Just then, the door to the inner room where Barbie and Louis were having their secret speed date flew open. I didn’t like Barbie having to go through this charade, but it was the quickest and most effective way to discourage the other heirs, so they’d quit sniffing around her.
Louis protested fiercely as the house magic threw him out mercilessly. He had no shame as he tried to fight the fair system and stay overtime. I’d been gracious enough to give him five long minutes.
The alarm ceased ringing. I nodded my appreciation at the effectiveness of my house. I didn’t even need to lift a finger to drag out the vampire, an old childhood friend and now a rival.
In my domain, none of the heirs could match up to the house magic. If I were in their houses, I’d be at the mercy of their house magic as well, which I tried my best to avoid.
Cami was waiting by the door to escort Louis to our table. She was showing her kindness to save his dignity, if he had any left.
“Prince Louis, please, this way,” she said, gesturing for him to rejoin the rest of us.
She wore a revealing gown, but this time, none of the heirs spared her a look. Their minds were fixed on Barbie.
Louis stalked toward our table, flashing me a nasty smile that promised retaliation in the future, and I gave him my dragon smile.
“How was the date?” Silas asked, squinting at Louis in dislike.
“It was great,” said Louis. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, but you’ll have to wake up Barbie first, since she’s half-asleep after I left.”
“You don’t need to worry about Barbie being bored. What happened to you won’t happen to me,” Silas said, raising his chin and strutting after Cami toward the door.
“Have fun, Silas! And good luck!” Louis sneered after him right before the door shut behind his nemesis.
I would review the recording of their speed dates later, even though I was dying to watch the live stream, but I had to be a good host and entertain the other heirs.
“So, how was the date, Louis?” Cade asked in a low voice.
“Fuck Killian!” Louis turned to me and hissed. If I was closer to him, he might spit at my face. I dared him to try.
“What’s going on?” Rowan leaned in, wanting the insider tip.
“It couldn’t be five minutes!” Louis huffed, glaring at me.
“The house magic is precise. Not a second longer and not a second shorter,” I said coolly. “I also explained the concept of speed date ahead of time.”
“It was a fucking joke,” Louis said. “The room was set up like we were having a funeral for a grandpa, with all the withered flowers around. The low ceiling and black walls were so depressing that they darkened the mood instantly, leaving nothing remotely romantic. The table was so large that I could barely see Barbie on the other side. I didn’t even finish greeting her, let alone tell her about my feelings, and the fucking alarm blared. Before I could gather my wits and shield Barbie, as she was also startled like a poor little bird, I was thrown out like a criminal!”
“You’re exaggerating, Louis,” I said. I didn’t appreciate what he’d said about telling Barbie his feelings. My dragon zoomed in on the vampire like a big, bad predator. “And what feelings?” I growled. “You don’t have feelings, Louis. You just want to get your fangs near Barbie’s neck, which isn’t going to happen while she’s under my protection!”
“Fuck you!” Louis barked back.
“You want to be escorted out of my house?” I asked aggressively.
Cami and Rock were standing by, ready to show him the door. They both fought to keep a straight face.
“Guys!” Cade said with a sigh. “This should be a fun event. Killian said he even prepared snacks and drinks for the dates.”
Louis sneered for good measure at that, as if insulted by the house’s generosity. “I’m not leaving! I’ll see this through to the bitter end. Wait until it’s your turn, and you’ll see what I mean. By the way, beware of the poltergeist. I warn you of this because you two are good friends, unlike others.” He gave me another hostile look. “That fucking poltergeist will do most of the talking and count it as your minutes!”
“Poltergeist, really?” Cade grinned, interest sparking in his blue eyes. “I gotta meet him!”
“This whole affair makes me wary,” Rowan admitted as he turned to frown at me. “Also, Killian, a soft chime to signify that the time is over will be sufficient. There’s no need to have the alarm blare like a banshee. You’ve never been the subtle kind, but this was over the top.”
“As I recall, Rowan,” I drawled, “you already had a date with Barbie, a really long one.”
