Easy. A woman without better options. Was that so hard to understand?
Maybe for a guy like Roux.
Fucking snob,my dragon grumbled.
If anyone was predestined to be a snob, it would be Mina, who’d inherited an entire fucking château. But she mustered a genuine smile and looked at Delphine with zero judgment in her eyes.
“Delphine, meet Mina. Mina, meet Delphine,” Bene said, as if Delphine had eyes for anyone but Henrik.
“Nice to meet you,” Mina murmured, looking at the happy couple, then at the ground.
So, whew. Not a snob.
My dragon huffed.Snobs don’t plaster their own walls or retile their bathrooms.I knew, because I’d seen her do both.
Delphine gave a short, blind wave, but she was too busy exploring Henrik’s mouth to utter a sound — until she tipped her head back and moaned. Henrik’s fangs extended, and her body rippled in anticipation.
“Ugh, guys? Is there somewhere private you can take the show?” Bene tried.
Delphine giggled and dragged Henrik toward the converted barn.
Roux stuck out a hand. “Hey! We’re having a meeting.”
“Not for an hour, we’re not,” Henrik called over his shoulder.
We watched them go without a word. Moments later, a lusty cry broke out from upstairs, making Mina wince.
Bene turned away and sighed. “I call the room farthest from them.”
“I call the second farthest,” Mina chimed in, looking a little pale.
“Dammit…” Roux ran his hands through his hair.
“Like herding cats, huh?” Bene laughed, giving him a playful smack on the shoulder. “Get it? Cats?”
“Cat,” Roux grumbled, making a point of the singular. “I have to herd you, a surly vampire, a maverick dragon, and…and…” He motioned at Mina.
I dare you,her wary expression said.
“Our gracious hostess?” Bene supplied.
Roux nodded wearily. “Our gracious hostess.”
Mina winced at the next lusty cry that came from the barn, and even Bene looked a little grim.
“Just remember, Dorothy,” he murmured. “We’re not in Kansas any more. This here is a whole new world. A dangerous one.”
Mina’s eyes drifted to the balcony as low moans carried out into the night. “Yes, I got that much.”
The cries from the barn grew louder and more frenzied, and Bene grimaced.
“I hate to say it, but I don’t think we’ll get much done tonight. Can we adjourn until tomorrow morning?”
Roux frowned but gave in. “Seven sharp.”
“Nine,” Bene countered.
“Seven,” Roux growled.
