I shrugged. “Your chosen blood match then.”
“No!” he said emphatically. “She will never be anything more to me from here on but an acquaintance.”
I hummed and shrugged again. Not my business now.
“You will have Chauffie plan to pick me up and drop me off every three days.” Devareaux went to argue and I held up my hand, “I will not lose my job, Devareaux. And it would not be fair of you to ask me to when you put me in this position to begin with.”
He dropped his head, looking at the ground, and took several deep heavy breaths.
He whispered, “Okay. I will send Chauffie.” He looked up at me, pleading, “But will you come with me today for the taking?”
I huffed out. “Send Chauffie around later. I am going to visit my parents for the day.”
He suddenly looked hopeful, and stepped in closer to me, making me step back. He rushed out, “I can take you.”
I shook my head at him, irritated. “You do not get to meet my parents now after this is done.”
He looked at me sadly, then nodded. Quietly he said, “Okay. I am sorry I did this to us, Odessa. I should have made a better effort to meet them, for you to meet my parents.”
“No use worrying over the past now, Devareaux. Let’s just move forward from here.”
Okay.” He stared at me for a moment, then said, “I will see you this evening.”
I simply nodded.
He left, reluctantly. After I closed the door, I dropped to my knees and wept.
Chapter 10
Devareaux’s POV
After leaving Odessa’s flat, without my wife, I realized how badly I messed up. I could be losing my wife. Yes, I would be looked down upon in society, across the board, but somehow that meant nothing to me. The actual thought of Odessa not returning with me devastated me. I had grown accustomed to her presence, her softness, her humor. If I had stripped away all the intricacies of the stations, Odessa would have been my perfect match. She was my opposite, but in all of the best ways. She saw beauty and charm where all I saw was expectations. She was gentle and engaging while I was always putting on a performance.
As soon as I entered the car, I informed Chauffie of his new instructions. He appeared relieved, but I wasn’t sure why. During the ride back, I sat with my thoughts, my memories of living with Odessa. She didn’t appear to fit in with the surroundings of the estate, but after observing her flat, I could see why. Our estate was very formal, structured, cold, and almost blank in comparison. Although her flat had been incredibly small, and even somewhat bare, it had a homey feel to it. I was positive that had more to do with the person filling the space than the space itself. I would have to make some changes to the estate. Make it more comfortable for Odessa. Help her feel welcomed there. It, after all, was our home. I know she denied it being hers, but I would not think differently. It was our home, and I would make it our home. I just needed time to persuade my wife to return permanently.
Memories of watching my wife interact with the staff settled in my chest. She was warm and welcoming to all of them. I knew they were all low blood borns, but I had witnessed a detachment among them when Odessa came. I never bothered to ask about it, but Odessa turned that around quickly. Within a week, she was talking, joking, and laughing with all of them. The maids, the landscapers, Chauffie, Renald, and Miss Gloria. It truly had become her home, even if she didn’t see it or feel it. I would make a better effort moving forward.
When Chauffie dropped off Odessa that night, I was anxious but excited. Three days without touching her had been a living nightmare. I hadn’t realized how accustomed I had come to simple touches, holding her in bed, smelling her hair, breathing in her scent. Even her voice somehow settled me. And I had fucked it all up. I struggled keeping my hands to myself when she arrived. She looked tired, but I offered her dinner. She said she ate with her parents earlier so she wasn’t really hungry. She had a bag with her.
“Ummm….what’s in the bag?” I tried to sound casual.
“My clothes for tomorrow.”
“You still have clothes here.”
She shook her head, her expression blank. “Those are not my clothes. They should be returned since I doubt Quinn could fit into them.”
I flinched and clenched my fists. “Quinn will not be coming here, Odessa. I thought I made that clear. I have no interest in her.”
“But once we have ended the marriage, I am sure she will need clothes once she becomes your blood wife.”
I was getting agitated, so without thinking it through, I reached out and took Odessa’s hands in mine, and held them firmly in place. Her eyes came to mine, looking wary.
“The only blood wife I will take is you, my lovely, Odessa. Only you.”
She simply hummed and pulled her hands away. I sighed.
“We should talk about how long this will take.”
