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The next, I was leaping off the bed and running to the door.

“Florence,” I exclaimed as I yanked it open. A wave of sadness hit me like a blow. “Oh.”

Blake watched my face fall. He grimaced but didn’t seem terribly offended. “Sorry to disappoint.”

I gazed up at him. “Not a disappointment. Just a surprise.”

He grinned, resting his forearms on either side of the doorframe and leaning in. He wore a black buttonup shirt tucked into a pair of black fitted trousers. A gold chain mimicking dragon scales hung around his neck. He looked handsome and very puttogether. In contrast, I’d literally just crawled out of bed. I resisted the urge to touch a hand to my hair; I already knew my curls were wild and out of control.

“So? You going to let me in?” He tapped his foot with mock impatience. He looked tired but was evidently in a good mood.

I peered past him into the hall, which was thankfully quiet and empty. “How can you be here? I thought you said—”

“I know what I said,” he interrupted. “To hell with the rules, Pendragon. I wanted to see you.” His eyes burned into mine. “Fine. Not just wanted. Needed.”

My throat felt dry. It wasn’t fair how easily he did that. Made me breathless with even the hint of his want, turning my body boneless with desire.

I tried to get a grip. “Um, sure, come in, I guess.”

He raised an elegant eyebrow. “You guess? Your enthusiasm and graciousness are truly boundless.”

“I’m ever so sorry,” I said sarcastically. “Pardon me. I forgot I had the Black Prince himself on my doorstep.” I made a flourishing gesture. “Do come this way, Lord Drakharrow.”

Blake wrinkled his nose. “Please. Lord Drakharrow is my uncle.”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

He stepped inside and leaned down towards me. “The Black Prince will do nicely, however.”

I snorted, suddenly remembering something my mother had once said. “Seriously? You want me to call you that?”

“‘You want me to call you that, Your Highness?’” he corrected. He grinned wider as he saw my expression. “What? You don’t think I’m princely, Pendragon? Should I have worn more gold tonight?”

“You’re wearing too much as it is.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

He laughed as I flushed red. “Oh ho! The truth comes out.” He whistled and looked me up and down. “I could say the same about you. It’d be a lie, though.”

I glanced down self-consciously at the silky black nightdress I’d worn to bed. It had thin straps, barely covered my legs to midthigh, and was cut low in the front and back. It was silly. Blake had seen me naked before, and yet suddenly I felt more exposed than ever. I crossed my arms over my chest, which only had the unfortunate effect of making my breasts rise up out of the bodice even more.

Blake looked thrilled. He glanced from my breasts to my neck and licked his lips, showing a glimpse of sharp white fangs.

“You just fed from me a few days ago,” I pointed out.

“Yes, but with you, I’m always a starving man, Pendragon. My thirst is unquenchable.”

It was shameless flirtation. And it was working.

He stepped closer, reaching out a finger and running it over one silky shoulder strap. “I like this. It suits you. You should wear things like this more often.”

“Ah, yes, perhaps I’ll wear it down to the Avari common room tomorrow morning,” I quipped. Blake’s eyes narrowed at the mention of House Avari, and for once it was my turn to smirk. “What, you don’t think Kage would appreciate the style?” I ran my hands slowly down the shimmering fabric that hugged my hips.

Blake growled low in his throat. “Mention his name again and I might have to remind you who you belong to.”

I tried to quell a shiver. Since when had Blake’s overly possessive tendencies stopped being infuriating and become a turnon? On second thought, did I really want the answer to that question?

I lifted my chin defiantly, the words on the tip of my tongue. Usually I’d say something like I don’t belong to anyone. Certainly not you, Blake Drakharrow. But … something had shifted. Still, I decided I’d play the game.

“Last I checked, little princeling, I didn’t belong to anyone—no matter what some self-deluded highbloods might believe. Certainly not to you, House Leader.”