I frowned at her. “How long what will take, Odessa?”
“For you to legally end our marriage. Then you can take the blood with your new partner, or…...whatever.” She waved her hand in the air.
I realized we were still standing in the entrance way for the rest of the staff to hear our conversation, so I encouraged her to come with me to speak privately.
I couldn’t help but put my hand at her back when I guided her to my office. She tried to move away from me, but I maintained my position. She quickly took a seat across from my desk, forcing me to either sit behind the desk and face her or stand beside her. I chose to stand beside her. I hoped proximity would influence her decision. Probably a bad idea considering I needed to take the blood and I could practically taste her delicious blood scent on my tongue.
“Odessa, my dear, I have no intentions of legally ending our marriage.”
She huffed and put her hand up to stop me. “You made the public statement to be seen with a woman not your blood wife.” I went to respond a rebuttal, when her hand jerked towards me to stop me again. “You made that choice, and now I am simply giving you the space to have what you really wanted, a mid or high blood born partner. As to such, I would like this marriage legally ended by the two month marker, as I will no longer come to your home for the taking. That ismylimit.”
I felt my soul crushing in, the pounding of my heart in my ears as she gave me a deadline to end our marriage so she could stop coming for the taking. I was devastated. But two months. Thatgave me two months to change her mind. Prove I loved her, prove I wanted onlyher.
“I will stay in the guest room,” I started shaking my head, her hand up to stop me yet a third time. “That is not up for discussion. I will stay in the guest room where you will take the blood. Once I rest and able to, I will leave at early morning. I will have Chauffie drop me off early enough for me to drop off my change of clothes at my flat before work in the morning.”
That meant she would have to be up really early to get back in time to change and be at work. I did not like that.
“Next time, bring your uniform and have Chauffie drop you off straight at work. Leave your clothes from the night before here, and I will have Miss Gloria clean them for you.” I hoped by making accommodations she would come to realize I wanted what was best for her.
She just nodded.
“I know you said you were not hungry, but would you join me for dinner for conversation?” She started to protest when I added, “Miss Gloria could serve you one of the new pastries she made for a dessert?”
I knew Odessa enjoyed Miss Gloria’s cooking, and had actually given Miss Gloria tips for cooking while she had been here. I had actually enjoyed the added changes Odessa had encouraged. Miss Gloria would tell me privately about the changes so as not to put the Madam of the house on the spot. I had appreciated how the staff took to my wife so easily. The staff in my parents’ home was way more formal. Even Estella loved my staff better than our staff during our upbringing.
“Well, I couldn’t possibly miss one of her yummy pastries, so I guess I could join you.” She had a small smile on her face. I took this as a win, however small it was.
She appeared to enjoy her pastry while I attempted to eat quickly. I didn’t want her leaving the table too early. I didmanage to get her to open up a bit about her visit with her parents, although she was a bit aloof about giving me too many details. I knew I had a lot of work to do ahead.
During the taking that night, I pushed a little more. I decided to take more of Odessa’s blood than I had been. I had gotten close to losing control, but was able to pull back just when I thought I had taken enough. She did not seem fazed at all, which left me feeling immense relief. Her blood was overwhelmingly addictive, but I did not want to harm my blood wife.
Over the next almost two months, as the deadline loomed ahead of me, I continued to invite Odessa in for dinners whenever possible. Some days she would accept, others she would not. But the conversations, no matter how much I tried to pull from her, were stilted. She maintained a detached distance from me. It wounded me that I had done this much damage to us.
I continued to push a little at each taking, to take a little more of her blood, just in case I did lose her.
I had attempted to persuade her at every visit to stay longer, to allow me to have her driven to work from our home, but it did not deter her one bit. I was losing faith in my ability to keep my wife, and I no longer knew what to do. I was starting to spiral, and could not fathom losing her.
Chapter 11
Devareaux’s POV
Odessa was expected to arrive anytime now for the taking, but I got a call instead from Chauffie.
He sounded agitated. “Sir, the Madam is not at her home.”
I grew angry. Not with her, with him. “What do you mean? She should be there and ready for you.”
“She’s not, sir. And one of her neighbor’s happened to be coming by when I was knocking and said she hadn’t seen the Madam in two days.”
My whole body went cold.
“Come back and get me.” I hung up without waiting. I made some calls while Chauffie was driving back, including to Odessa’s parents. It was unfortunately my first contact with them, and not the best one as I tried to remain calm when I explained the situation. Her father had become upset and said something about a bloodletting party. He said he would ask around to see if he could get any information.
Once Chauffie arrived, I called for Renald. Once he entered the room, I shot out, “What is a bloodletting party?”
Both Chauffie and Renald looked quite uncomfortable.
I roared out, “Tell me now!” I slammed my first on the table.
