“Is that a prostitute?” I was pretty damn sure it was. Dev’s hand tightened slightly, a small warning about my temper.
“I suppose you would think so, cara,” Marcus said with a smile as he reminisced. “But in my day, a great courtesan was practically a queen. When she reached a certain level, she was a maker of fashions, ruling her own salon with an iron fist. She was highly intelligent, beautiful and clever. Her conversation was as important and delightful as her skills in the bedroom. Unlike a wife in those days, one needed her permission to be welcomed to her bed. She chose her lovers with great care.”
“Ahh,” Marini said with great satisfaction, as though he had finally ferreted something out. “She reminds you of Elizabeth. I wondered if that was the fascination. She does have her stubborn will and her lovely body. Females in this age are far too thin. If I want a boy, I’ll take a boy. When I want a woman, I want breasts and hips and curves.”
Marcus’s lips curled up in a chagrined expression. “I suppose she does remind me of her. Certainly she is similar in her demeanor. Elizabeth was a courtesan in Venice during my much younger years. She was also a companion.”
“Your companion?” I knew so little about the Italian’s long history.
“Oh, yes. I’ve had three over the years,” Marcus confided. “Unlike Louis, I don’t keep one at all times.”
“Bah,” Marini said dismissively. “I don’t like the withdrawals. Why should I get sick because I’m immortal and a companion dies? I prefer to stay strong. Marcus simply becomes too attached and must mourn his loves. He’s had several chances over the last hundred years or so to purchase a companion, but they’re never perfect enough for him. He’s far too picky.”
“And you’re not picky enough.” Marcus pointed at the girl cowering on the chaise next to Marini. So young. I knew she was over eighteen or they wouldn’t have taken her out of the Paris stronghold, but she looked younger. She reminded me of a little mouse with her large, frightened eyes. “How is she a companion to you? She can barely speak when you’re around.”
Marini rolled his eyes. “Her blood is good. That’s what matters. It pales in comparison to Mrs. Donovan, but then she’s rare. Of course, Rose also cries when I fuck her, so perhaps you’re right, Marcus, and I should choose them with more care. Mrs. Donovan doesn’t seem to mind a little rough sex.”
Dev reached over and pulled me down to recline on his chest. I was grateful for his strong arms around me. He dropped a kiss on my ear. “I’m right here, sweetheart.”
Without thinking, I brought my lips to his because I needed something sweet. When I looked back, Marini was staring at us.
“Donovan allows the two of you to play when he’s not around?” There was a hard edge to the question. It reminded me that Vampire kind is jealous of what they consider theirs. Technically, Marini could kill Dev for even touching me like this, not to mention what he’d witnessed the two of us doing earlier. Only Daniel’s permission saved us from a righteous kill.
Pulling me now firmly in his lap, Dev chuckled, and I could tell he’d decided to push through brazenly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let his hand slide onto my knee. “As you said before, Mr. Marini, I’m a royal and a priest. I’m a powerful man in my own right. Daniel and I have an arrangement. I’ve placed my wealth and influence at his disposal, and in return, I have full rights to our lover. I tend to play by the rules at formal occasions. I assumed this was more informal. If I’m offending you by showing my affection, then I can certainly act in a more proper fashion.”
“I believe after what we’ve seen tonight, Prince, that I’m aware of your affection for the girl. I think it would be difficult for you to behave in a proper fashion. Her master doesn’t mind, so why should I? Please feel free to enjoy her. You make a lovely couple,” Marini offered. “I very much enjoyed watching the two of you make love. I’m merely surprised that our Nex Apparatus is practical. He seems obsessed with his wife.”
“I like Dev.” I kept my voice calm, trying to follow Dev’s lead. It was difficult because what I wanted to do was smack that nasty vampire across the face and then shove a stake in his heart. My life had been infinitely easier before Daniel had decided to change the whole freaking supernatural world. “And Danny likes him, too. They get along well. They’re friends.”
Marcus leaned toward his mentor. “She and Daniel were together before Daniel’s turn.”
“Yes, that explains much.” Marini nodded. “Poor sap. The connection is much stronger when there was a human relationship before. It tends to give the companion the upper hand. You wouldn’t find another vampire master so easy to handle.”
“I don’t intend to have another vampire master,” I replied, settling myself in Dev’s arms. “I’m content with the one I have.”
Marini pinned me with his black eyes. “You never can tell when your whole world can change. Don’t worry your lovely head. The Council will always take care of their beautiful companions.” He switched his stare to Dev. “We would also take care of our good friends. You might not mind belonging to a vampire, Prince.”
I felt Dev stiffen behind me, but his voice remained casual. “Oh, I rather like belonging to myself. It’s for the best, really. My brother already doesn’t approve of my lifestyle. He’s indulgent, of course. Just today he had lunch with my darling girl here.”
I nodded, and that was easy because it was true. Marini didn’t have to know that little meeting had eventually ended in a bloodbath. “I found the future king entertaining.”
Especially when Daniel was attempting to kill him.
Dev continued. “He would prefer I settled down and performed my duties, but he is my brother. I’m afraid if he found out I had actually made myself some vampire’s slave, you would be looking at a war with Faery. That might not be such a huge deal if it were just the Seelie, but I’m beloved by the Unseelie as well. I fit in with them better than my brother. I shall do what I’ve always done and seek my pleasure while it lasts and then move on.”
I wish he didn’t say that with such complete conviction. Sometimes Dev’s acting skills scared me. I could never lie as well as he did, and I had to believe he was lying. Despite what Declan said, that necklace he’d given me felt like a commitment, and I was planning on holding him to it. If he tried to get bored with me, I would just have to liven up his life, and if he thought he could hide in some sithein, he would be surprised when I showed up to drag his ass back home.
Marcus stood up and offered me his hand. “Louis, I beg leave to dance with Mrs. Donovan. Daniel is probably close to ready for us and I haven’t gotten my hands on her all evening.”
Louis waved his hand dismissively. “Go. Paw the girl while her husband is gone. I’ll stay here and talk further with the prince. He’s an intriguing gentleman.”
Marcus pulled me up, and Dev gave me an encouraging smile. I found myself on a small dance floor. The music was slower now and had a sultry beat. We were the only ones on the floor and many eyes were on us. Marcus pulled me close.
“I’m sorry for earlier, cara,” he whispered against my ear. I could barely make out what he was saying. “I tried to talk Marini out of it, but he was most insistent. To tell you the truth, I believe he wanted to spy. The three of you together was a welcome distraction. I believe if you’d been doing something less entertaining, he might have looked into places we would have regretted.”