Approaching voices drew his gaze to the entrance. Manipulating a few of the balloons closest, Drogos watched the balloons float in front of him. With a small swing of his index finger, the balloons  juggled in a slow circle.

"Boggle wasn't kidding. Her blood smells extravagant," Jewel said after taking in a big inhale.

“I bet she's a major hottie," Draco said louder, stroking in just a couple of steps behind Jewel.

“I'm sure she wouldn't take to you, Draco.” Jewel snapped his fingers. “You aren't as close to being people's person as the moon is to touching the sun.” With his finger, he made the silver spinner he conjured spin.

“She doesn't have to like me.” Draco arched an eyebrow at Jewel. “Just think I'm cute.”

He's going to be the reason I end up at the end of a hunter's weapon. He isn't interested in Aliza. He saw my interest in her and is using that to provoke me. I should provoke him back, but he'll enjoy it too much.

“So, Birthday Boy, was the stupid goblin right about the new maid?" Draco asked.

“Aliza is an excellent worker. And do refrain from insulting Boggle’s intelligent” Drogos stands up tossing one of the balloons to Jewel, who blew it away. “That also goes for damaging my friend.” He looks Draco directly in the eye with a serious one of his own.

Having intervened in Draco’s attack on his subordinate before, Drogos didn't have a doubt in his mind that his ill tempted subject would attack again. Drogos didn't blame Draco for his behavior. Especially since he was born with it. But he had given Boggle his ulterior most protection. And so, if he had to compel Draco to behave. He would. Draco knew this.

In an attempt to lighten the emotional change in the room, Jewel's energetic voice chimed in. “Ooo her name's Aliza, huh?”

Drogos sighed and took the few steps over to the unlit fireplace. “She's not on the table.”

“I didn't say she was. A few drops won't kill her, but will revive you.” Jewel wriggled eyebrows suggestively.

“You know I can't.”

He could sense the depressed atmosphere as easily as blinking. He hasn't fed in so long that he couldn't remember the last time he truly fed from anyone. A look at his subjects told him the depth of their concern. They were right to be worried, but there wasn't anything they could do. This was his decision after all.

“I'm curious about what you all got me.” He turned to them.

“Don't worry you'll love my gift the most, Drogos!” Luna hurried and retrieved a small box from a drawer.

“Trust me.” A smirk curved Jewel's mouth. “He'll enjoy our gift better. Right, Draco?”

“We should toss it. He doesn't deceive it with that attitude of his” Draco rolled his eyes.

“My attitude?” Drogos asked with an eyebrow raised. “I don't even know if I want your gift. Especially after you gave me a sticker on my last birthday.”

“It was short notice and the best I could do since crashing your party.” Draco threw up his arms. “Besides, I was your gift anyway.”

Jewel snickered into his hand. “You found it in your pocket and it said ‘You're drying humping my last nerve’.”

The tips of Draco’s fangs could be seen as he spoke. “I didn't have a lot of time!”

“You could have given me an IOU,” Drogos said, smiling. “A future gift would have been better than a sticker you got from your pocket.”

“Give me a break. You got what you got, Your Highness. Excuse my consider self for even presenting you with something.”

“Don't worry, My Prince.” Jewel leaned an arm on Draco’s shoulder. “This gift will make up for his horrible offering of the past.”

Marie came running in. She was dressed in a pretty dress that didn't nothing to show her true age. She ran right up to Jewel, hugging him around the waist. He patted her head and was about to compliment her when Draco pull her away.

The door bell sounded. Boggle continued past the entrance. His voice carried back to their location as he greeted the first of the invitees.

Albert reenter. “Our guests are here.”

“Drogos, here you can open my gift now.” Luna offered him her gift.

Drogos would have opened it just to please her had he not spotted Aliza. She was placing a dish of food on the table in the adjacent room. “I'll open it later.” He wanted another chance to talk to her. Perhaps ask her for the first dance as a way to introduce her to the community. A way to ensure no one would bite into her neck as the night live on.

When he went to head into the other room, Luna followed. At the same time, Jewel moved right by them, heading straight for Aliza.

“Come on, open it now.” Luna pleaded eagerly. “I gotta see if it fits.”

Frowning when Luna placed herself between him and his path forward, he looked over her shoulder, seeing Jewel successfully reach Aliza. He sharpened his ears. He opened Luna's gift as if he was on autopilot.

"My name is Jewel." He introduced with a gentle smile and held out his hand to her. "You must be the beautiful Alize that Boggle has told us so much about." He lifted her right hand, and bent down, giving it a kiss.

Jewel, you jerk.