People were mingling about, drinking wine and champagne, and eating hors d'oeuvres. It was time for my first surprise and my first big action of atonement to my wife.
I gripped Odessa’s hand and pulled her lightly, while looking at her. She looked to me, confused, as I simply smiled, and tugged her hand again. She looked at the others, who all shrugged, and she moved with me, frowning. I continued to look at her as I slowly lead her out to the middle of the floor area of the main big room, then finally stopped and pulled her up closer next to me.
She looked anxious, looking around, her face starting to flush.
I turned to the crowded room, and in a loud voice, spoke out, “I have an announcement to make.”
Voices dimmed down, but I could still hear a few whispers her and there. I glanced over to our little group, Estella looking shocked, Dreya, confused, and Onyx curious. I smiled at him, and I think he understood.
“I am ashamed to say, I had not done the respectable thing earlier, and now I must atone for my behavior. I had disrespected my blood wife,” as I held up her hand, looking to her, her face flushing deeper, her eyes wide, “Not because she was not good enough for me, but I was not deserving of her.”
The whisper grew louder, but I pushed through, still staring at Odessa, holding her hand tight enough she couldn’t pull away from me. “I disrespected my blood wife, and must share her with all of you now. This is Odessa, my blood match, my blood wife. She is of low blood born status.” Shocked loud gasps spread all over the room. And that’s when I lowered myself to Odessa, landing on one knee in front of her, still holding her hand. The noise grew even louder. But I continued to press on, even though I heard Estella, “No, he didn’t.”
I would have laughed at that, if my heart weren’t practically pounding out of my chest, my pulse throbbing in my head.
“Odessa, my love, you make me want to be a better vampyr, a better partner, a better husband.”
Tears were pooled in her eyes as she stared down at me, shocked. The room was humming with whispers. I could feel tears in my eyes, but I was pushing forward. I needed her to hear this last part, let her know how I really felt for her. “I will be your equal, your partner in everything, as you are my blood soul.”
That statement sent a roar through the crowd. It was one thing to consider your blood match to be your blood soul, but that was usually a quiet, private, intimate part that you kept between youand your blood match. I was making a statement by calling her my blood soul in front of an entire room full of vampyrs.
Odessa looked down on me, her hand to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
“Is it true?” Her voice shook, as she looked at me in awe.
“Every. Single. Word.” I stood and looked into those beautiful eyes. “You are my blood soul. And I hope to be yours.”
Chapter 14
Odessa’s POV
I had been in complete shock ever since Devareaux made such a public display, not only of an apology but of his commitment to me, this evening at the gala. So much so, I had completely blanked out the rest of the event. One thing I had noticed however, were the looks in Dreya’s and Estella’s eyes afterwards. They both looked as shell-shocked as I had felt. On the ride home from the event, my body had been humming. Although I had been overwhelmed with the public announcement, I knew it had made it’s own statement in more ways than one. He had announced me as low blood born, as his partner and equal, and the ultimate admission of being his blood soul. That was just not done. He had called me his blood soul. Even my mother and father never discussed that title. I had asked him if he meant it, in public, and he had confirmed he had. And I could tell he really believed it. I was his blood soul.
When we returned to the estate, I felt like my body was floating. Devareaux kept his hand on me the entire time, whether by holding my hand or his hand at my back.
Devareaux guided me in through the entrance, but stopped partway in, turning me towards him.
“I know it has been a long night, so I will leave you to return to…..the room.”
Not your room. The room.
I felt myself come back to the present, and focused on him.
“Do you not need to take the blood tonight?”
He had a sheepish look on his face, endearing me to him more. “I have put enough on you tonight, my love, so we can do it tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “That will not be necessary.”
He looked surprised. I was too.
I hesitated, then pushed forward. “I will meet you in your room in 30 minutes, if that is okay?”
After this night, I wanted to be intimate with him. I almost needed it. He gave me a gift I had never expected.
He looked shocked, but recovered quickly. “Yes, yes, that would be just fine.”
I nodded. “Let me change and I will meet you in there.”
