Chapter 11

Pucker

It was my time to shine, even though Barbie was a handful.

I picked her a gown that was suitable for the lady of the house, but she gave me shit about it not covering her tits. After tiresome arguments back and forth, I backed off, and she wore a modest flowery dress with no makeup. I pinched her cheeks to give her a rosy hue and received a punch in the jaw.

Barbie wasn't a nice girl. Sy was even nastier. Lucky for them that my specialty was handling high-maintenance ladies.

I walked Barbie to a spacious room and got her settled down on the other side of the table that could easily accommodate sixty-plus folks. A prince would meet her on this side. There would be no crossing over to her side, as all the space was blocked by large potted plants with thorns. Prince Killian didn't want anyone to sit too close to Barbie.

I had the house magic bring Barbie a mug of steaming coffee with a lot of sugar in it and a plate of pumpkin seeds to occupy her. The house hinted at bringing cakes, but I vetoed the idea for fear the princes would enjoy them too much to leave.

Then I phased through the wall to the outer room to eavesdrop on the princes' chats.

"I've set up everything for each of you to have five minutes with Barbie," Prince Killian said.

"Is this a kindergarten or what?" Prince Silas snorted.

The shifter prince was most disagreeable. He ridiculed and countered everything Prince Killian proposed.

Prince Louis narrowed his eyes on the chaos prince. "Five fucking minutes?"

"That's why it's called speed dating." Prince Killian spread his arms. He was never patient, except with Barbie, and Barbie wasn't patient either, so the two of them were a match made in Hell.

"It sounds ridiculous!" Prince Louis insisted.

"I'm actually intrigued," Prince Cade said, tracing his jawline with his thumb. "I've never done it. Speed date? It might be my jam."

"We all know about your commitment-phobia, Cade," Prince Silas said cruelly, "even though you try to hide it at every turn."

"I hide nothing!" the mage prince said with anger, his face darkening, unlike his usual self. "Get the fuck off my back!"

"Let's not point fucking fingers." Prince Killian stared hard at Prince Silas. "Which one of us is a role model at commitment? There's no shame in enjoying flings."

Prince Rowan and Prince Louis both nodded. Even though all the princes were racing to find their fated mates to produce the prophesized one so that the successful heir could ascend to the throne of High King, none of them wanted the actual commitment. They were just under unbelievable pressure and had to put on a show.

"Says the man who's engaged," Prince Silas said.

Prince Killian ignored him and turned to the other heirs. "You don't even need to pay for the drinks and snacks for your date. It's all covered."

"You think us that cheap?" Prince Rowan growled.

"I still don't like this." Prince Silas shook his head too. "This whole idea of a speed date is dumb."

I gave him the evil eye, as I was offended.

"Take it or leave it," Prince Killian snapped. "Barbie is in no shape to go on a lengthy date with anyone after what she's suffered through. She's so traumatized that she won't be all right for a long time. Most of the time she trembles in terror, afraid of her own shadow. Do any of you have any sympathy toward her ordeal?"

He was barking up the wrong tree. The princes were known for being heartless and ruthless. And I hoped the chaos prince didn't overdo it, since the description of Barbie trembling in terror just didn't fit with our girl. Barbie shrugged off terror and trauma like old clothes and came right up swinging while eating her favorite cupcakes.

The princes were silent for a second, appearing sullen and musing. They'd all seen the evidence of the iron mask that had been forced over her face, a torque infused with foul magic locked on her neck, and her bloody stump.

"It's my duty to protect vulnerable members of my house." Prince Killian sighed. "I'm doing you all a favor. I had to conjure her out of her fear to meet you all."

"Why does she need to fear us?" Prince Louis barked. "We rescued her! Did you put fear of us in her head since you want to keep Barbie all for yourself? Must you always be such a jerk, Killian?"

Prince Killian narrowed his eyes. "Did you come here to insult me in my house while I try to help all of you out?"

"He's just too bitter as a kept man," Prince Silas gloated. "So he finds joy in derailing our plans at every turn. That asshole is petty like that."

"I'm fucking done!" Prince Killian shot to his feet. "This is the best and last offer I'll give you. Whoever still wants to go on a speed date with Barbie, line up so we have a head count. Make your pitch and get the fuck out, please. Even five minutes with each one of you will wear fragile Barbie out."

Lol!Fragile Barbie? Our girl was all steel and clawed nails.

"Where is she?" Prince Rowan demanded.

Prince Killian pointed at the door to the inner room. "Inside waiting for each one of you to show up. Just don't?—"

All four princes shot to their feet from the sofa, elbowed each other out of the way, and dashed toward the inner room, ignoring Prince Killian's warning.

The chaos house slammed its magic into them, tossing them back to their former seats and pinning them down before any of them could get through the door to meet Barbie.

Prince Killian grinned, and his rivals glared at him, cursing.

Even Prince Cade shook his head. "Asshole! I knew you'd pull this stunt!"

"If Barbie passes out due to the fright, the next date will be canceled," Prince Killian declared, amusement in his eyes. "So, behave yourselves."

"What are you, her pimp?" the shifter prince spat.

Prince Killian bared his teeth. "The door out is wide open, Silas."

"I'll go! I'm sick and tired of this." Prince Louis jumped up from his seat and stalked toward the door. "I need to check on Barbie and make sure a vulnerable bride candidate is well taken care of. If not, she'll be transferred to my house."

"You can dream, Louis," Prince Killian said.

Cami moved into position in tight leather pants and high heels, leading the vampire prince toward the inner room. I returned to my supposed position by the door, just in time to see Barbie roll her eyes.

"Prince Louis, please." Cami pushed the door open.

Prince Louis righted his tie before strutting in like he owned the day.

He'd soon know that it wasn't his show, even though he'd have five minutes.

It was my show.