Page 27 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

“Any further information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.”

“You answer a question for me first. An answer for an answer.”

I pretend to consider this. “Fine. But you answer first.”

Her jaw works as she glances down, and she fiddles with her sleeve before answering. “I could sense the magic. Not just the effects. I was…aware of it.”

“Aware of it? Don’t tell me you’re capable of casting magic yourself?”

“Possibly,” she echoes. “But it’s your turn to answer my question.”

“Fine. What is your question?”

She considers this, as though weighing which question has the best chance of earning an answer.

“Why are you taking me to the Academy? Why not just kill me?”

“Perhaps I was bewitched by a pretty pair of eyes.”

Said eyes blaze, and there is nothing soft in the golden glow that threatens to incinerate me.

“I nearly killed you,” she mutters.

“Rest assured, I nearly did things to you, too. But killing you was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“As if you could.”

I ignore her and eat another pickled mushroom, chewing it slowly. “I was more tempted by the things we might have done on that bed…” I trail off, ignoring the ring of truth in my own words. Let her stew on that.

Disgust twists her face, but she doesn’t rise to the bait. She jerks her chin at the jar of mushrooms. “Why do you eat those anyway? You clearly don’t like them.”

“They are good for me. Which means, by extension, they are good for you.”

Her brows draw together in confusion. “I’m not eating—”

“I don’t expect you to. They’re a special source of protein,” I explain. “A substitute for blood.”

She uncrosses her arms. “You don’t drink blood?”

“No.”

“But you’re the Vampire Prince.”

“Perhaps don’t tell my father.”

Her frown deepens. “Why don’t you drink blood?”

“Disappointed?”

“What? No—”

“Because if you’re on the menu, I may reconsider.”

“I’m not,” she growls.

“Well, then.” I let my gaze rove over her, unhurried, recalling the shape of her against me. “I suppose I’ll wait for you to offer.”

She surges to her feet in fury, that strange thrill snapping through me as she glowers. “That is never happening!”