He chuckled, low and throaty, evoking a burst of warmth in her gut. “Actually, I was picturing a slightly different use of the money. Something along the lines of dazzling acrobats and mystifying magicians. But yours sounds more noble.”
A wry laugh left her mouth. “More noble than the vampires who run this place.”
She placed the goblet to her lips and ran her eyes across the room. As of yet, she hadn’t been able to place one of the royal vampires. She expected it was because they were still lounging in their coffins, waiting for the last rays of sun to extinguish before coming out in all their horrific glory.
“Is that so?” Humor danced in Leo’s amber eyes. He bent down low, as if to share a secret. “You’re probably right. I’ve heard that the vampire prince is an absolute scoundrel. Can’t trust a word he says.”
She nodded her head and made a mental note of the information. It would become useful when they finally reached treaty negotiations with Monstrana.
“And don’t get me started on the werewolves.” Leo placed a hand on her lower back and leaned in closer, his breath on her neck causing her to shiver. “They’d likely trade their own kin for a dog bone. Such beasts.”
“I have to admit, they weren’t what I was expecting.” She glanced at the bride and groom on the other side of the room.
“And what were you expecting?”
She bit her bottom lip and tilted her head to one side. “I don’t know. Fur sprouting from their knuckles. Long snouts. That kind of thing. They look too beautiful to be werewolves. And the smell isn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined.”
Delighted laughter bubbled up from Leo’s chest, making Eina look up at him in alarm. From the tears that appeared in the corner of his eyes, it was apparent that he’d found something she said utterly ridiculous.
“You are just too perfect,” he said when he finally caught his breath. “Really, I’ve never met anyone like you.”
She didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. Instead, she shifted a few inches away from his side. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’re not like the other noble women.” He pressed his lips together and stared at her in an admiring way that made her grip her water glass tighter. “You don’t care what anyone thinks.”
“Maybe...”
Except, it didn’t feel like the truth. She constantly worried about her colony and how she fit in there. Most days, the top concern on her mind was what everyone thought of her. It was that paralyzing fear that had kept her silent for so long during meetings, despite the fact that she longed for a bigger role in their ascension to a legitimate kingdom.
For some reason, this gorgeous man seemed to bring the opposite out of her. Two minutes after meeting him and she was already spouting off ideas and opinions which normally would’ve been kept under lock and key. It was like her tongue had become unglued. She couldn’t help herself.
“Would you like to go someplace quieter?” Leo closed the distance between them and looked down at her with hope written across his face. “Maybe a stroll out in the gardens?”
She gulped again, realizing what her mind wanted and her body desired were two completely different things at that moment. Fighting against the heat in her gut, she shook her head.
“I’d better not. I need to leave soon.”
“That’s a shame.” His gaze caressed her face and settled on her lips. “I really would’ve liked the chance to get to know you better.”
She had to use the table behind her to steady her trembling knees. It would’ve been easy to get lost in those mesmerizing eyes. Give into him. Go anywhere he asked. But at that moment, a large black cat bounded across the room and came to a dignified halt in front of them.
“Your highness! Your grandmother requests that you join her in the entryway to say goodbye to some of the guests,” it announced.
Eina gaped at the creature. She’d never seen a talking cat.
“Right away, Rodrigo.” Leo gave her one last regretful look and turned for the door. He paused, looking over his shoulder. “It was lovely meeting you, Eina. I hope we meet again soon.”
And then he was gone.
Eina gripped the table, something puzzling her about the interaction. As the cat turned to follow its master, she rushed forward and bent down low to tap him lightly on the shoulder.
“Excuse me?” It felt ridiculous talking to a cat. “May I ask you a question?”
It paused and fixed her with its large green eyes. “Yes?”
“Who was that?” She glanced up at the crowds, but Leo was nowhere to be found. “And why did you call him your highness?”
The cat huffed, as if he were laughing at her. He blinked his ey