“That is nonsense. So long as I have beds and space, there will never be a person turned from my home. The candle in my window shall always burn bright, like a beacon to those in need. You may stay here as long as you wish,” the princess said. Her flowery language was more clichéd and cheesier than Lucas could ever pull off, even if he tried. He had no doubt that she’d spout “my lady” and “good sir” at every opportunity if she were a man.

“No, it’s . . .” The Naga looked around, studying the faces of the returning citizens and guards who were eyeing her with far more than curiosity. She was hated. Even if her conversion at Lucas’s hand had been instrumental in quickly stopping the attack and saving lives, and even if they didn’t know she had actually taken a few first, she looked the same as the people who had just mowed down their friends and family. They wouldn’t be able to tolerate her presence. “I think it’s best if I don’t stay.”

“But you’ll need somewhere to go, won’t you?” Lucas asked, smiling at her. He didn’t know if it was a lingering effect from the spell, his high Charisma, or if she just liked his smile, but as he extended his head and let a grin spread across half his face, she blushed. Her cheeks reddened slightly, and her pupils dilated. “You’ll need a place, and I’ll need you.”

“I . . .” She looked down to the ground, breaking eye contact with him. “Yes, I’ll need a place to quest and level.”

“Good. Then go to where Kegan’s territory once was and meet the new lord of the manor when he returns. That man will have much for you to do. And I will be eager to meet you again when my journey here is complete.”

“Thank you,” she said, giving him one more look and then slithering away quickly.

“Damn, boss,” Bonnie said as she came up beside Lucas. “You really need to control yourself. If you end up with a stalker, I’m charging you triple rate for removing her.”

“What’s regular rate?” Lucas asked.

“Depends how much you think a leather corset and a pair of bunny ears in real life would cost,” Bonnie answered snidely.

“I’m just surprised you made a girl blush without taking your clothes off this time,” Nick added.

“Huh?” The princess looked over at Nick, clearly confused by the exchange. “He disrobes to seduce women?”

“All the time. This one right here was charging him money for her services, and then he took off his shirt in a dark place, and all of the sudden she’s trying to pay him for a different kind of service.”