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Most likely He should care, he thought Just then, he cared about nothing

As the introductions continued, he found his Even without Elijah, Julian and Caleb tossing out their opinions about everything every few seconds, Aden was still distracted, unable to concentrate A long red carpet stretched fro symbols that decorated the throne also decorated the carpet

There were no lamps present, only elaborate candela-bras that produced flickering golden flames and ribbons of black sh, stone steps--or bleachers--broken only by the four round colu They led to a platforuards stood, swords strapped to their sides

Humans sat on the steps He knew they were huhtly tanned to darkest of mocha Plus, their facial features lacked the perfection of the vah theirs were bereft of both jewels and sleeves Easier access to their pulse points that way, Aden supposed And he didn’t have to ask the the va in their eyes

Blood-slaves, he thought then Victoria had once told him that humans quickly became addicted to a vampire’s bite Aden hadn’t believed her at the time He believed her now Since then, she’d bitten him twice and each time had been…heaven Her teeth produced so that numbed a human’s skin, then sweetly burned their blood

"And finally," Victoria said frohts to the present, "I’m pleased to introduce you to my sisters"

They’d reached the end of the line already? How long had he been casing the room?

"The first," she continued, "is the Princess Stephanie"

A beautiful blonde stepped forward and inclined her head in greeting Like the others, she wore a robe Until she reached up and pushed thewhooshed to the floor, pooling at her feet She lifted her chin, practically daring hi on underneath the robe Now she wore a black T-shirt with a jewel-studded rainbow in the center--the makeup on her face ht red boots that hit her knees

When he said nothing about her wardrobe switch, she relaxed

As she chewed her guaze roved over hiive off a powerful vibe, don’t you? Makes me want to touch you"

With your teeth, I’d bet "Uh, thank you," he said Everyone else had said only "My king" or nothing at all Well, the ones he re that you…not"

She grinned, as noncommittal as possible "So you’re the one who defeated Dmitri, huh?"

"Looks like" While fists had pounded and blades had slashed, he hadn’t known this hat awaited hiht then No matter what, he would have done what he’d done His instincts had taken over, and he’d wanted only to eliminate the person who had hoped to eliminate Riley and Mary Ann And okay, fine, he’d also wanted to destroy the guy who planned to marry Victoria

Stephanie arched a brow "So how do you expect to rule us, hued; he’d been called worse "I honestly don’t know"

She offered hirin "Honesty I like that It’s different"

Vlad had lied to his daughters? About what?

"So, listen," she said "I’d really love to…toast your victory What do you say we--"

Victoria stiffened, even grabbed his aresture Riley, who stood at his other side, ," Victoria said stiffly

What? She’d planned to toast his victory by using his neck as a juice box?

Stephanie tossed up her arms "Ever?"

"Correct," Riley said

Scarlet lips turned down, the lower one sticking slightly out Her shoulders sagged "Fine, then, but I have other questions for our future king Like--"

"Now isn’t the tiently "Later, princess"

A moment passed in silence Then another, "Fine But I will ask my questions soon They’re important"

Riley didn’t back down "I’oodbye"

In a huff, Stephanie picked up her discarded robe, swung around and stomped out of the room A door slammed

Only one person reht, her delicate face somehow familiar to him