I sputtered and choked, did he really just say that? Kaden was the illegitimate son of the Vampire king, the man who basically ruled the whole flipping world? I stared at him wide eyed, "...what?"

Irritation flashed in his eyes, "you heard me pet, stop gawking like some bloody fool."

Well his British comes out when hes angry, that's for sure, its hard to believe I ever mistook him for anything else with his accent that heavy. "Do you honestly expect me to be unfazed, your a prince a fucking prince!"

His irritation seemed to grow and he slammed his wine glass onto the table, blood sloshing over the edge, "Calla that is enough. I assure you I am by no means a prince."

"But your the son of the king!"

"The illegitimate son. I do not receive the title of Prince."

I was quite for a moment; taking in my discovery of another imperfection in Kaden, another that was not his fault. after another long moment I sighed, "Sorry."

"no reason to be sorry pet, it is a long complicated story with many many flaws I do not expect you to understand."

I nodded and did my best to shift the conversation "thank you for the dress, It is going to be very pretty."

"Not a problem pet, according the tailor she had you in mind while designing it anyways."

We lapsed into silence once more and stayed that way for the rest of the meal.

~~~

Kaden POV

I watched her pace the room, her deep black hair flowing behind her, "Kaden, darling please explain once more?"

I took a sip of my scotch, eyes flashing the computer screen displaying where Calla was asleep in her bed; blonde hair thrown carelessly over the pillows. "That dress is going to my pet, it has enough coverage for her to remain modest enough but still displays her beauty, besides I know just what collar to use for it, it saves me time from picking out another or having a new collar made."

She whined at me, "But Kaden baby, I picked that dress!"

"and I'm paying for it. you'll pick another."

She huffed before stalking toward me, a small smirk making its way onto her face, "wouldn't you like to see that dress on me though? Rip it off my body later in the night as the sun is fast approaching?"

Speaking of sun, I couldn't figure out what the hell I was sitting here listing to this when it literally just fell an hour ago. I didn't bother pointing out that if I really wanted to rip that dress off of anyone I could just as easily rip it from Call's slim, warm, flesh. And with her I could drink her blood freely in the throws of passion without worrying about unnecessary attachment. Unfortunately I would never violate my pet in such a way, "You look horrible in blue Angelica."

She gaped at me, "o-oh Well then I suppose I could pick another dress if It pleases you."

Frankly I don't give a damn what she wore, "you never had a choice in the matter. do so quickly."

She was quite for a moment.

It was painfully obvious she had no intention on leaving, "You are dismissed Angelica."

She reluctantly slid from the room.

My eyes flicked back to the screen where Calla lie, steadily breathing in her sleep, the column of her elegant, thin, neck exposed for anyone to see.

I felt my fangs begin to grow in hunger, it wouldn't be long now.

Soon I would treat myself to her warm, rare, fresh blood. The real challenge would be keeping myself from taking too much or making it too good for her.

I want her to feel good when I drank from her but I don't want some mindless addict like some men prefer their pets, that would make her boring.

If I wanted a boring little doll I could get one anywhere else, but I like the fire in her blue eyes.

I sipped my scotch idly as I watched her sleep, remembering how stiff she was her first night here. where as now she was relaxed, peaceful even.

She stirred in her sleep for a moment before her eyes fluttered open and she stretched in the bed, removing the sleep from her limbs, She pulled herself from bed and stumbled around gathering things she needed for her day, jumping when her maid walked in.

It was obvious Calla did not like the maid. She made it even more so when she threw a stiletto at the woman as she approached.

I should probably set a rule against the throwing of $700 stilettos but I had to admit it was entertaing watching her blood rush to her face in anger as she threw objects.

Lifting from my chair I made my way through the many hallways of my mansion stopping at Callas door, knocking lightly.

The maid swung the door open, eyes widening when she spotted me, "Lord Dawson. My apologies your pet is not yet presentable."

Calla started cursing at the Maid from deeper in the room, some nonsense about 'presentablity her ass' I smirked a bit, motioning for the maid to leave before stepping into the room where Calla stood with her back to me, wearing nothing but a pair of panties. "While your ass is presentable pet I believe the maid was trying to make the rest of you decent."

She yelped and covered her body with the sheet for reasons that escaped me, I've practically seen everything anyways, "KADEN! HOLY SHIT DON'T JUST VAMPIRE NINJA WALK IN HERE!" She looked around quickly, "...wheres the creepy maid?"

"I sent her away."

She nodded, "good, I don't like her. You go away too."

I shook my head at her and moved into her closet, ignoring her clothing choice of the day and pulling out a deep red corsetted number I knew she would look marvelous in, "You have an appointment with the tailor later today after Angelica picks her new dress which means you are and I are gong to have an early breakfast."

She eyed me wearily as I walked from the closet and handed her the red ensemble before setting the shoes and the collar she had worn her first nigh her on the bed.

She rushed into the bathroom to change, stepping out with her hair down in waves and her makeup done to perfection, I gestured to her to turn around and brushed her hair back as I fastened her collar, "you can be such a good girl my little flower but chose spend your time throwing my gifts to you around."

She snorted at the word gifts, "each pair of heels is nothing but another form of collar."

I was quite for a moment, watching the muscles in her neck move and clench in anger before finally settling, "Now now pet, someday you'll see things differently."

"When? After you take my blood and mess with my mind using your magic vampire spit? I'll pass thank you."

"its not my spi- you know what never mind. I'm not going to turn you into a slave, I'm just going to make it feel good."

"to the point of addiction."

I had to catch myself from tightening her collar just a bit too much, "no. I don't want an addict. But you will understand one day Calla, you are new to this world its a lot to take in and having never lived by vampires law things will be rough. But as I have said before; you a treated well here and there is nothing for you to complain about."

She was quite for a moment before pulling away from me and grabbing her shoes, "I'm a human being Kaden and even if you don't think so I am so much more than just a pet."

I watched her angrily shove on her heels and storm from the room.

I ran a hand through my hair, frowning at the spot where she had been. I liked her fire but the blatant mood swings aimed my direction was getting old fast.

What else could she possibly want? She has jewels, clothing, perfect food, and the finest of everything. Not to mention I show her more affection than I do any other person of any sort.

Even my bed partners were shown nothing but the cold indifference I felt toward them before and after I was through with them.

The world around me was nothing more than a means to an end but I stopped for a moment to please her. She should be happy.

But she is not and I could not figure out what could make her any happier, not without breaking the the norms of pet and master relationships, I have already pushed them past what many would consider acceptable.

Of course she would not understand that until the ball, maybe then she would warm up to her life here a bit more.

That or she would go ballistic and try to escape once more.

I suppose only time will tell.