“Blood is powerful, Percy,” he replied in a low whisper. “Now step back with me,” he commanded, pulling me away from the door and into the crowd of people that walked the streets.
A few minutes passed and Heidi exited the building. She looked like she wasn’t sure whether she was annoyed or amused.
“I’ve never known a vampire as possessive as Selene is of you. She charged in there, sniffed out your blood like a hound, and demanded Mable destroy everything containing your scent in front of her. And her protective charms have destroyed the majority of stock.” She looked back at the storefront with a frown and then at me. “Now she’s settling the tab to replace the lost goods, and I won’t get my glamour potion until next week!” she huffed out.
“All over a few drops of my blood?” I asked, clutching the pink and green bracelet in my hand.
I felt terrible, awful. I didn’t know the Princess would be this upset. I thought maybe a little annoyed. But this seemed an overreaction. I only wanted to give her a part of me, to keep around when I wasn’t there.
The Princess stormed out of the store towards me, taking the bracelet from me and holding it up.
“Why?” She asked, and although her voice was calm, her eyes were not.
“It - pink and green are Flores colours, they symbolise flowers, and I added my scent. I thought you would, might, like it. A part of me to keep with you,” I stuttered in explanation. She watched me closely, her eyes locking with mine. After a few tense moments, her shoulders relaxed, and she looked away from me.
“Thank you,” she said lowly, and I watched her push the bracelet onto her wrist. “You do not spill your blood Percy, for anyone but me,” she told me sternly.
“Sorry,” I apologised. “I didn’t know it was so important.” It was only a couple of drops, hardly anything at all.
“It is,” she said, taking my hand and kissing my finger. “Dresses now, and I’m not letting you out my sight again.”
“Has the vampire calmed down?” Heidi asked, oddly happily, from behind the Princess.
“Heidi, did you not promise to keep her safe?” the Princess asked.
“She was perfectly safe. How was I to know you’re this obsessed with your pet? Sheesh,” she replied.
“Are all of Coactus as daring as you are?” the Princess replied.
“Oh, no, my daring nature is all me. My House would not take credit for me,” Heidi replied proudly.
“No, I’m sure they would not,” the Princess responded derisively, but I heard the humour in her tone, and I suspected she might have liked Heidi.
The next couple of hours were spent in dress shops, the Princess and Heidi dressing me like a doll. I must have tried on a hundred dresses, with the Princess only too happy to help me in and out of my clothing.
“Pink is so your colour Percy,” Heidi told me as we drove home.
“I prefer her in blue,” the Princess said.
“That’s because you like her in your colours,” Heidi argued, “but pink is better.”
“I do like you in my colours,” the Princess told me, her arms squeezing me slightly.
11. Owning Part of You
Persephone Flores
“It’s been a long day, pet. Go wash up and change out of your uniform,” the Princess commanded me, when we arrived home after dropping Heidi off at the noble residence halls.
“Yes Ma’am.”
I made my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Ithadbeen a long day. After the enchanter’s store, I had enjoyed spending time with the Princess and Heidi. They seemed to get along. I heard them talking amicably while I was changing in stalls. It wasn’t often that the Princess seemed happy to be herself around others, and I enjoyed the few times I heard her laugh with Heidi.
“Can I join you, pet?” the Princess asked, when I stepped under the hot water spray. She had already discarded her clothes on the bathroom floor and stepped into the shower with me.
“You’re always welcome,” I told her as she pulled me against her for a kiss. Her kiss was hungry, and I was happy to give her all she wanted.
She pulled away to wash me thoroughly. I was embarrassed by how much I enjoyed it when she cared for me in such an intimate manner. “I want to take care of you,” she told me, massaging my shoulders. I hummed my contentment, leaning into her touch.