Page 33 of Indentured Companion
“Are you therefore persuaded?”
“To do whatexactly?”In typical Valerie fashion, she hits to the heart of the issue. “What are you trying to persuade me todo?”
“Exactly what I’ve been saying this whole time.” I purr and wink at her. “Relax, take the pressure off, and see how this naturally develops. I happen to be enjoying your companionship very much. In every way. Are…are you?” I hide how anxious I am for her reply. “Are you enjoying your experience with me so far? Are you happy with me, Valerie?” Do I make her happy? She keeps me on edge for a moment like she’s thinking it over carefully.
“Sure.” She drops one of her hands onto mine, and I eagerly envelop it in both of mine.
“Sure? I make you happy?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you regret anything that has transpired between us so far?”
“I guess not.” Valerie grins, and I realise that’s as much as I’m going to get from her. Still, I’ve gained far more ground with her than in any of our previous conversations. I can tell she has relaxed too, and seems far more at ease than at the start of the journey. When she shuffles to rest against my side, pokes at my arm to drape it around her, I feel my heart sing. I think I’ve come as close to telling Valerie I love her as I’ve ever been. She has also admitted I make her happy, and she regrets nothing. Excellent. “So this Gala?” Valerie looks up at me. “I’m not expected to dance, am I? Because I can’t dance.”
“Neither can I, nor would I like to risk making a spectacle of myself.” I chuckle. “We need to represent ourselves well today, as many influential members of upper Theskian society will be present. People of political and financial influence.” My heart rate picks up a step as I think of the Gala. “I have done my research, of course, but this will be the first event of this nature I will have attended.” I chuckle with a tense edge. “My lack of feeding companion prevented my attendance in the past. It is highly likely, therefore, that we will gain quite a bit of attention.”
“You mean, they’re going to stare at the Korvis in the room?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Well let them look, and if they get fresh, I’ll hit them.” She grins with a fist raised, and I chuckle nervously.
“Please don’t threaten anyone here Valerie.” I press a finger to her fist and lower it. “Your protectiveness is endearing and sweet, but we really must portray ourselves as non-threatening.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m a feisty bitch.” She winks at me and grins. “But if they play nice, so will I. I have to pretend I have gentry caste level manners, after all. To go with my disguise.” She nods down at her dress and I sweep my eyes over her lovely form once more.
“You…dolook rather magnificent.” I lick at my fangs, and she sniggers at me.
“Down boy.” She laughs and swats at my chest to bring my eyes up from her lap to her face. “We’ll hardly represent ourselves well, if we dock and the security guards fine us boinking. Eye on the prize.”
“Yes my Queen.” I whisper, and she eyes me for a moment.
“Queen huh?” I lean down, purring at her with desire. “Don’t I need to have a crown and a throne to be a Queen?”
“I can have a crown made for you, andIrather like being your throne.” She’s still laughing as I take hold of her waist and drag her lovely body to sit across my lap.
“Vrajan!” She cackles with glee and pokes my side. “Gala first!” She puts her hands on my shoulders and playfully pouts at me. “Hey? I thought Queens were obeyed?”
“And worshipped.” I growl and reach for my veil, but she takes hold of my wrist to stop me.
“Okay, calm down before I whip out some garlic.” I roll my lilac eyes. She made me watch something called Dracula and drew parallels between me and the human with fangs on the screen. She said it was the easiest way to explain why she sometimes calls me Space Dracula. I don’t see the parallels. I do not look human. I do not turn into other animals. I do not turn other people into my species with a bite. I am not sensitive to sunlight, silver, crosses or garlic. I certainly have no interest in making myself a harem of women. Valerie is the only ‘bride’ I desire.
“Another vampire joke? Really?”
“Yes.” She comically nods at me like she’s telling off an infant. “And I have many more on the bench to play if you don’t calm down.”
“Very well.” I chuckle, enjoying her humour immensely.
“Gala first.” She nods at me firmly.
“Yes, of course.” I help her to her feet. “Boinking when we get home?” She flashes me a chastising glare…but she’s also blushing and chews her lips.
“We’ll see.”
“Excellent.”
“Horny Space Vampire.” She grumbles and lowers back to the seat beside me with her arms folded.
