Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,57

her visits back home.

In any case, she wanted to protect herself and her role and have a place she could return to each day while leaving the drama behind.

Rowan said, “One of the nights you can come for dinner. Elisabeth is a fantastic cook. Because Clive is in residence we’ll have the bloodwine you like so much.”

He leaned toward her, taking her hand a moment. “I would like that very much, Petal.”

It still touched her when he was like this. Open and pleased about her attention. The weight of being his daughter was different at these moments. Sweeter.

Clive would fucking wet himself at all the official Nation party crap where he was there as The First’s daughter’s man candy. And it would keep him safe and secure in his position and his family would also benefit from being paraded around like show ponies and everyone would love it except her. But that was okay because she loved being alive and that was what it took.

Theo stood and held his arm out for her to take, which she did and they headed downstairs for dinner.

Cook happily bustled around and had even made a little place for Star to eat, putting her bed near Rowan if she wanted to rest.

How Dina managed to create all Rowan’s favorites in the short time since they’d contacted the Keep to let them know Rowan and Clive were coming, Rowan didn’t know, but she was glad to her toes to see dumplings and pork chops.

“I never eat like this anywhere else,” Rowan said as she pointed to her overflowing plate. Cook had a real name and it was Dina. But Theo called them all Cook. As they were human, one day there’d be a new Cook other than Dina. He’d just gotten too lazy to learn names after the first century or two. Rowan called her Dina because not to felt as if she’d be saying they were all just the jobs they did for Theo and that sucked. “To be honest with you, no one makes dumplings like these. It’s all just a terrible disappointment out there.”

Dina blushed, smiling, clearly pleased to hear it. “I was just telling your father that we should ship some dumplings to you.” She looked over to Theo, who shrugged slightly.

“She and her Scion will be back in December. We’ll plan a Yule Ball and a New Year’s Eve dinner. Antonia and Charles Stewart will be here as well.” Theo didn’t wait for anyone else before he tucked into his dinner.

Rowan was grateful for that because she was really hungry.

Clive squeezed her thigh under the table. The pleasure at the news of them spending time here at the holidays radiated between them through the bond, making her doubly glad she’d accepted the terms Theo had offered.

She knew though that Clive would feel guilty that she’d made a deal with Theo on his behalf. They’d have to discuss it in detail because Rowan would never not do whatever was necessary to protect Clive, his position and his parents.

“It’s been some time since we’ve done the Keep up at the winter holidays,” Theo said, warming to the topic. “Given the chaos within our ranks and in the outside world, I think a Yule Ball and New Year’s celebration will be just the thing. My child is now joined with another and that needs to be celebrated.” He carefully avoided mentioning why the last celebration got cut short and, as Rowan wasn’t sure she’d ever get past it, it might be a nice thing to have a separate event months after losing Carey and Thena.

Only Theo would believe the Vampires coming to the Keep for any celebration weren’t going to be simultaneously delighted at being invited and terrified they’d do something wrong. At the very least, Rowan would be able to find amusement in that.

“I know you’re flying back to the United States before sunrise so I’m going to package up some food for you for the trip,” Dina told Rowan, much to her delight.

“Of course I will not say no to such an offer,” Rowan told her. “Thank you.”

Chapter Fifteen

“Best be sure Vampire Nation pays for that private jet stuff,” Rowan called out to him. Clive smiled and then schooled himself into a mask of unconcern before he went into her office. He’d only just awakened after their trip home from Europe.

He’d planned to pay for the trip but he couldn’t let her know that. “You did Hunter Corp. business on