Vampire Girl (Vampire Girl #1)(23)

"Shut you up, hopefully."

Yup, he's still mad.

"Look, I'm sorry your wolf likes someone else for the first time ever, but that's no reason to act like a petulant child. There are serious matters to discuss here."

Asher laughs out loud. "She's got your number, brother!"

Fen turns and grabs him by his collar, shoving him against the stone wall. "That is quite enough from you, brother. I've done everything you've asked. I kept her safe. I got her here. I'm done." He releases Asher—who doesn't look the least bit scared—and storms away, leaving us alone in the passageway. His wolf does follow this time, though reluctantly when he sees I'm not joining him.

Asher adjusts his clothing and brushes away the wrinkles caused by his brother's rough handling. "Fen has a bit of a temper," Asher says calmly. "Prince of War and all. You understand."

"I understand that a family of immortal vampires has all of eternity and still can't figure out how to grow up," I say. I'm tired of the bickering, so I walk ahead, but once we come to the door that brought us here, I pause, unsure of where we're going.

Asher grins, winking at me, and leads me through hallways lined with gilded doors and gold trimmed paintings and elaborate doorways carved out of stone or marble or wood into beautiful shapes. We stop in a hall with a fire blazing in the largest stone fireplace I've ever seen. There are pillows and rugs in front of the fire for lounging, with tables filled with drink and food, and plush, elegant furniture artfully placed throughout the room to create reading and conversation nooks. One wall is lined with books and another is a painted mural of a beautiful landscape with a Pegasus flying through a winter storm. In the center of the room stands one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen.

He has the kind of physical beauty that is literally stunning. Golden hair that falls around his shoulders in thick waves. Eyes so piercing blue they hurt to look at. Skin carved of golden marble. A face that could slay armies with its beauty. A body that is so perfect he looks unreal. Like, I can't walk anymore, because I'm literally stunned into place.

When he sees me, he smiles and I nearly choke on my own tongue.

Asher sees my response and just sighs. "Arianna, this is Dean. Dean, this is the princess."

Dean reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips. The kiss is soft, tender, and stays on my skin like a gift. "Hello, Princess Arianna. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I look forward to our time together and trust you will enjoy yourself in all ways."

Parts of my body I've neglected most of my life are set on fire by his words, and I have no response but to stand there, weak-kneed and shaking.

Dean is still holding my hand, and I don't pull away until Asher nudges me. "Arianna, the council has chosen Dean, Prince of Lust, to be your first guide in our world. You will spend a month with him, and then move to the next realm with another prince."

I blink, reminding myself who I am and why I'm here. "Of course. It's nice to meet you Dean." I take a deep breath to steady myself and finally pull my hand away. It still burns with his lips, and I find it very disconcerting. It's not as if Fen and Asher are slouches. They are prime male specimens in their own right. But I can see why Dean got the title Prince of Lust.

A growl diverts Dean's attention from me, as Baron approaches us. He nudges against my side and my hand falls on his head. His presence clears my mind, saving me from whatever fog of desire Dean casts by mere proximity.

"Actually, that is incorrect," Fenris says, joining us. "The council chose me as her first escort, so she'll be coming to my realm."

Dean scowls at Fenris. "You relinquished your rights to being first. I believe your exact words were, 'I'll not be a pawn in this game you are all playing, so sod off and have at her.'"

"Have at her?" I ask, fire burning in my stomach. "I'm not a thing to be had at by any of you! Not by charm," I say, looking at Asher, "or brute force," that was for Fen, "or by a pretty face." I glare at Dean who looks as shocked as Fen did when his wolf snuggled up to me. "You lot have got to stop acting like asses and start behaving like reasonably intelligent men, or I have no idea how I'll fulfill my contract of picking any of you!"

"Well, brother," Asher says to Fen through a smirk, "looks like you have an interesting month ahead of you."

"Wait a second now, I haven't agreed to relinquish my turn," Dean says.

Asher shrugs. "You don't have to. Fen is right. The council chose him and he has the right to reclaim her."

Dean turns to Fen, his face in a scowl. "You're an ass, you know that? There's a reason no one likes you."

Asher laughs as Dean storms out of the room, but Fen's face is all serious. I think his brother's words bothered him. Or maybe he's regretting his 'claim' to me already.

When Dean is out of earshot, Asher calms himself and turns to Fen. "What's going on? This isn't like you."

"It's my job to keep her safe," Fen says.

"And you've done an admirable job," Asher says. "But despite Dean's arrogance and frivolous life, he's as capable as any at fighting. No harm will come to her in his realm."

Fen sighs. "Have you not pieced it together yet? How did the Fae get all the way to Envy's realm to attempt another kidnapping? For that matter, how did the Fae reach the High Castle to assassinate our father? Have you not wondered?"