DANIEL

Daniel's mission was to make sure Blake didn't hate him even more than he already must. Because of course he did. This was an arduous task because all he wanted to do was wring Blake's neck for getting drunk. He wanted to scream at him over leaving the club alone, but Daniel kept his mouth shut.

But no one was talking in that car.

Not even Blake, who so far, had a lot to say. Maybe he was too busy trying not to vomit all over Daniel's car. See? Daniel kept that comment to himself. After a few beats of silence, Daniel couldn't think of one way to start a conversation with Blake, which was as frustrating as an itch that he couldn't reach to scratch. The fact that someone hated him, someone found him unhelpful drove Daniel crazy. What was worse, that person was right here.

"See," he started, trying to find some form of humor to lighten the situation. "I usually make it on time."

"Don't try to be cute," Blake said, which wasn't what Daniel was going for at all, but kind of liked the accidental side effect. It was a good thing Blake was curled up against the door, slowly slipping into unconsciousness so he couldn't see him flushing. "You don't get a free pass because you did all that. I'm still mad at you."

"All that?" Daniel laughed, baffled by the lack of appreciation. "You mean saving your ass? What were you even doing at that sleezy club anyways?"

So much for not fighting.

"Sleezy?" Blake pulled himself up, unable to unfurrow his brow. "We didn't go to just some random bar. That was Josephine's club!"

"Josephine?"

"Your cousin-"

"I know who Josephine is! I just..."

Daniel didn't know she owned a club. He didn't know Michael was married or mated or whatever werewolves call it nowadays. The people who were around him the most were giving him the biggest surprises today. He shook his head, turning onto the mountain that would lead home. "Whatever. It doesn't matter. Is that it, then? You've just decided you're never going to forgive me? You're just going to hate me forever?"

"No, of course not."

"Because you were right. We're in this together and I think, we should at least be friends."

Blake rolled his eyes. "Do you even know how to have friends?" Before Daniel could counter, Blake raised his finger, "Frances doesn't count and neither do my brothers. You only seem them a few times a year."

Daniel opened his mouth again, but Blake jumped in, "Family doesn't count either."

"Piss off, Blake. I remember how the Winslow family works. You all stick together so I doubt you're raking it in the friend department."

Only silence followed.

"I know this is going to sound idiotic..." Daniel rolled his eyes at himself. Even thinking it felt ridiculous. "But I froze when my parents told me about the curse. Everything about my life just shattered in front of me. This isn't how I planned for any of this to go. I planned to take the coven over, then, fall in love and do the marriage thing. Not the other way around."

"I guess it goes to show you can't plan your life like that. We both learned that the hard way."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," he chuckled, miserably. "I was going to start at a new college where no one knew my name and I wanted to see new things and meet all kinds of people. Honestly... I planned to see the whole world, but now I just don't know if I will. So, I don't think you're dumb for thinking that."

This time, when they went quiet, it wasn't the awkward silence of not knowing what to say. Nothing needed to be said because they both understood each other perfectly. Daniel drove through the palace gates, driving off to the side where they stored the garage. He explained, "If you ever need a backway inside, this is good too."

"Hmm," Blake hummed and stumbled out of the car. He slipped, nearly sliding right onto his ass, but he caught himself between Josephine's red Porsche and Daniel's side mirror. "I'm fine! I'm good!" He dusted himself off and trotted into the castle.

"You're a menace," Daniel muttered, staying close behind. Just incase the ceiling decided to collapse and crush Blake into a pancake. Even if a power greater than himself put a single scrape on Blake's porcelain skin, Daniel would surely be blamed. He stepped towards the main entrance, where he assumed Blake would go, but Blake wandered into the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" Daniel whispered, aware of the staff that still might be lurking the halls. Being intoxicated wasn't putting Blake in mortal harm, but he doubted anyone would approve. "You won't find your bedroom in a cupboard."

"Hilarious," Blake said with a little smirk, which confused Daniel because he seemed to mean it. "You're out of your mind if you think my night out is finished. I'm going to have fun tonight. No matter what!" With that, Blake pulled a drawer too hard and all the silverware inside clattered and scrapped against each other.

"Sshh," Daniel hissed. "You'll wake the entire castle."

Still grinning, Blake wobbly turned and rested against the marble countertop. He tilted his head and his black curls fell across his forehead. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes that worried Daniel greatly. "Wanna be my friend, Danny?"

The way Blake said his name changed the way it sounded. Danny sounded boyish and silly out of everyone else's mouth. Something about the way Blake said Danny was sweet, like fingers caressing a cheek or the pull of a smile. He said Danny as if no other Danny in the world existed.

"Yes...?" Daniel answered, but crossed his arms. He didn't trust this for a second.

"Then tell me where the booze is!"

Daniel hushed him again. He walked over and grabbed Blake's arm, giving it a tug. "Come on, you idiot. We keep some in the study, this way."

Against his better judgement, Daniel led Blake to one of the less used studies in the castle. This was where the books less used were sent to collect dust. It was the only place Daniel could go and be absolutely sure no one would be around to bother him. During parties, this was where the staff would catch the guests coming to make-out. Blake's brother Link had been caught here a couple of times. Blake too. Only when he was a kid and he'd run away to cry over something.

Blake walked straight to the liquor cabinet and plopped to the ground, so he could rummage through the shelves of dusty bottle on the bottom. He hummed, searching for whatever was just right. "To truly cement our friendship," Blake grunted, until he found his prize. "Ah! Ha!" He twisted around, hoisting an ancient bottle of vodka into the air. "Let's get drunk, for old time's sake." He shook the bottle as if to entice Daniel.

Daniel snorted, setting his hands in pockets. "That won't get me drunk, Blake. I'm a vampire. There's only..." he tilted his head, watching Blake take a huge swig of the vodka, enough to make him shudder and gag. He still went for another. Daniel just blinked and shook his head. Blake was like another species. "There's only one way to get a vampire drunk."

"I'm listening." Blake grinned, swaying a little and making Daniel's chest tighten. This guy had no idea just how sexy he looked, sprawled on the floor at Daniel's feet and inviting him so nicely. This all felt like nothing but trouble.

"I'm a vampire. I drink blood. To get drunk, I have to feed from someone who's intoxicated—"

Not one second later, Blake scoffed and threw out his arm towards me. "Oh! Well, here yah go!" He slapped the inside of his arm, like he was getting ready for an IV. "Let's do this, Bellerose."

"Absolutely not," Daniel stated. "I'm not biting you."

"Why not? Who cares?" Blake sputtered, attempting to brush it off. "Get drunk with me. I don't want to be the only drunk guy."

Daniel shook his head.

"Let's make a deal." Blake raised his leg, pressing his foot against Daniel's thigh. Everything inside of Daniel fought not to snatch his ankle. "Get drunk with me and I'll totally forgive. I'll never bring up your lateness again."

"Don't bring it up and we need to go on a date, somewhere where the press can take loads of pictures."

"Deal."

Like that, Blake jumped to his feet and Daniel held his arms out to keep him steady. "You're a mess," he said, but with a small smile.

Blake just threw off his jacket. "I don't wanna brag, but apparently my blood fizzes."

Taking a deep breath, Daniel decided to give up. He reached for the bottom of Blake's sleeves, undoing the button on his cuff. While holding onto Blake's hand, Daniel used his free hand to roll up his sleeve. He didn't move his hand at first, caught by Blake's lilac eyes. Just under his thumb, he could feel Blake's heart thrumming. It was a nice comforting sound that he could fall asleep to.

Right here. Right now. Daniel didn't feel like a Prince. He just felt like Danny, not that he ever really knew who that was, but right here. Right now. He felt like he was beginning to get an idea. 

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Author's Note

Hello friends! I've had a pretty stormy past couple of months, but the sky is clear and I can finally return :)) I'm so happy to be back. I've missed you guys!!

Let me know what you guys think of the chapter! I love to know your reactions~ I mean, is this a bad idea? Or a good idea? Are you warming up to Daniel? Do you think Blake should ever drink again? Lol.

And if you like this book, check out my other novels. For a more angsty book with a lot of passion, check out Going Rogue. For a mystery between childhood friends turned lovers (maybe), check out Somewhere. And for more of a romantic comedy, check out The Golden Rule (which is also the book where Frances FIRST gets introduced ~ It's a baby Frances)