CHAPTER 24

An offer I will not be taking.Faye mouthed the words as she roughly shoved the soaps and oils into her backpack. The vials clinked as she tossed in another handful. The nerve of that man. After collecting every last vial, Faye stole a few large black towels for good measure and made her way back to Sparrow's room. She glided past Rune's study, not sparing him a glance.

When Faye returned to her sister's room, Sparrow was crawling out of bed and trudging to the bathroom. "Wait, there's nothing in there. I went to my room to get you shampoo and stuff."

Sparrow leaned into the bathroom and looked back at Faye, squinting and bleary eyed. "What are you talking about?" Faye leaned over Sparrow's shoulder, looking into the bath suite to find it stocked identically to hers. Fang face could have saved her a trip. Faye set her backpack on the bed.

Sparrow rubbed her eyes and called the obsidian talisman. She walked over to the table in the sitting area near the door. She set the stone down and held two fingers to it. "Your really expensive steak with eggs." Sparrow glanced at Faye, pinching her fingers together and brought it to her mouth.

"Fruits," Faye answered in a hushed whisper.

"Cut fruit and a platter of meat and cheese. Orange juice and water. Thanks." Sparrow dusted off her hands and returned to the bathroom to brush her hair.

"You're having way too much fun with that."

"Approach determines response." Sparrow shrugged. "And grabbing my neck before you buy me dinner or shiny things?" Sparrow rolled her eyes and lifted her hand. "Wrong fucking approach."

Faye smiled as she leaned in the doorway. "I have a schedule now. He gets to try to break the tie between us for two hours every day."

Sparrow met her gaze in the mirror. "You should wear that cute lingerie he bought you and drive him insane."

"He probably just bought the whole collection." She couldn't imagine him going to a store let alone selecting each piece hanging in her closet.

"Lingerie and tie your hair away from your neck," Sparrow ordered.

"I'm not doing that."

Sparrow's shoulders slumped. "Don't be so boring. The man is fated to you.Use it."

"For what?"

Sparrow shrugged. "Jewels. Houses. Revenge for not appreciating you. Make him your bitch."

A pleasant chime sounded, and Faye turned. "Hooker, that is so much food."

A large, covered tray dominated the table. Sparrow glanced past her and skipped toward the food, lifting the cover with a squeal. The platter Sparrow ordered took up half the table. It was beautifully layered with several cubes of dried meats and diced cheeses, fanning out in a colorful display.

Faye recognized the medallions of beef from yesterday. Faye took her fork, spearing a piece of fruit. She stood near Sparrow waiting for her to cut into the steak. When Sparrow cut the bite of meat free, Faye stabbed it off Sparrow's fork and ran with her prize. With the bed between them, Faye stopped laughing long enough to eat the bite of meat she'd stolen.

"I will stab the shit out of you," Sparrow said before returning to her meal.

Vashien strolled shirtless, and Sparrow gave him a low whistle. "You, my tall, dark, and sexy man, can wash my hair." He grunted in answer but scratched her back before bending for a kiss. Sparrow beamed up at him. "If you do a really good job, I might let you do other things."

"Really." Vashien took a handful of the dried meat cubes and glanced around the room.

Sparrow rubbed his thigh. "What are you looking for, baby?"

"A chair without a back. These chairs aren't meant for wings."

Faye searched the room and spotted a padded stool under its accompanying vanity. She brought it to Vashien.

"Thank you."

Faye smiled. "Vampires have a good sense of smell, right?"

"Yes," Vashien answered hesitantly.

Sparrow fluttered her hand at Vashien. "If you want to fuck with him, go to your meeting naked."

Vashien caught Sparrow's hand, his expression one of shock. "Don't play with him, he's dangerous." Faye could feel the stern look Vashien was giving her through his tone.

Sparrow snorted, snatching her hand away. "Bathe in perfume, and I'll help you pick out an outfit from your new wardrobe."

Fayedrewherselfabubble bath while Sparrow and Vashien had breakfast. She sniffed several vials before emptying an entire bottle of sweet-smelling floral oil. She tied her hair in a high bun and sank into the water. She balanced her breakfast on the edge of the oversized tub and let the hot water seep into her bones.

The swirls of silver gleamed against the white marble. She traced one with her nail before closing her eyes. She'd never seen any of her would-be suitors after they found out she was an Anarian. The ones who asked her to be their pet fled after she knocked some manners into them.

Faye thought back to her first night here. The force rushed past her when she swung her candle holder. She'd thought the dark-bloods who propositioned her were untrained idiots with bad aim.

The Shadow Prince wouldn't have missed. He needed her cooperation because she was unaffected by his power. By any power apparently.

Faye leaned her head back, resting on the lip of the tub. A book would be nice. This would be nice if she wasn't trapped here. He could have just explained his situation and asked her here. Give her a choice in the matter. Things would have been different. Faye glowered. But he was a dark-blood. Power was all they cared about. He might be fated to her, but she felt no pull for him. He was attractive, but so were a lot of men. Her man would be kind and accept her.

Faye took her time finishing her breakfast and enjoying her bath. After washing her hair at a lazy pace, she finished cleaning herself up before draining the water and getting out of the oversized tub. She dried off and dressed returning to her friends. Sparrow was sprawled over the bed watching her upside down. She scrunched her nose before saying, "You're wearing that?"

Faye glanced down at herself. "What?"

Sparrow closed one eye and pointed at her. Faye's hair dried and untangled, falling down her back in smooth waves. "Thanks," Faye said as Sparrow rolled to her feet and hopped off the bed.

Her sister grabbed her wrist, "You're going to wear some of the nice clothes he got you for your meeting."

"My clothes are fine." Faye dug in her heels and shook her wrist free before saying, "I need you to do something." Her sister turned, staring at her expectantly. "I need you to try and move me with your magic."

"What?"

"I'm testing something."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. Come on." Faye held her hand out and Sparrow glanced between her and her hand. "Use your magic and push my hand."

Sparrow dropped her head back and sighed heavily. "Fine. Go stand by the bed in case I knock you over." Faye stood by the bed and nodded. Sparrow grimaced. "This is such a bad idea." The dark mist around her shard coated her hand. She softly motioned at Faye and an easy force swept past her.

Faye laughed the same moment Sparrow said, "What the fuck?"

"Do it harder."

Sparrow widened her stance and flicked her wrist a little harder. She tilted her head when Faye's hair flicked. "This is some bullshit." Sparrow shoved her hand at Faye and the bed groaned, sliding a few inches.

Faye laughed, glancing behind her. "You missed."

"I didn't miss. My magic won't stick to you."

Faye's smile widened. "I felt the same force rush past me when I was fighting with Rune. His magic doesn't work on me either. I think I'm immune."

"Don't get too cocky, I can still stab your ass just fine." Sparrow shook her hand, and the mist dissipated. "Come on, it's almost time for your meeting with his shadowy highness."

They hurried through the halls, dashing past Rune's study. Sparrow went straight for her closet, sliding over several pieces of clothing before pulling out a white silk shirt and a black skirt. Faye leaned in the doorway as her sister went to the back of the closet and rummaged through the drawers holding up a red thong and a black one. "What color do you think his shadowiness would be?"

When Faye didn't answer, Sparrow kept the black one and pulled out a matching lace bra. She walked back to Faye grinning like an idiot and shoved the clothes in her hands. "Wear these."

Faye glanced down at the clothes. "I'm not wearing this."

"Fiiiiiine," Sparrow whined. She took the skirt, replacing it with a pair of black pants. "There. Change. I won't let him in." Sparrow exited her closet and shoved her in, closing the door.

Faye glowered at the door. "Not funny."

"Put it on! I did the thing you asked."

"Fine." Faye walked to the back of the closet, setting the clothes on the dresser. She changed, folding her clothes. She opened the door, and Sparrow clapped her hands together, beaming.

"It's a little scary how he knew your size."

"I'm sure it's magic," Faye grumbled.

"But you look so pretty bitch. Now tie your hair up. Give me some neck."

A sharp knock startled Faye. "Did you forget our arrangement?" Rune asked, entering the room.

"It's just a couple minutes past noon Runey." He arched a brow at her but didn't respond. Sparrow stood up sipping her glass of water as she walked over to Faye. "And look, I got her to wear nice clothes."

Faye shrieked when her sister dumped her glass of water down the front of her shirt. It wasn't enough that her white silk shirt now clung to her, showing the black lace that didn't quite cover her breast, but that bitch had to use ice water. Faye covered herself with her arms, staring at her sister, speechless.

"Got something around your eye there," Sparrow said, patting Rune's arm as she left the room.

Black flooded his gaze as the veined misted shadows swayed beneath his eyes. She met his gaze, and for the briefest moment he looked like the man from her dreams. Faye turned her back to him, recalling the feel of his lips on hers. Ashamed that she longed to feel them again.