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She let out an exasperated sigh. “I want us to plan it together. It feels like you don’t really care.” Pouting, she fluttered her lashes at me.
“Baby, it’s not that—you know that I care. I want us to have a lovely ceremony, but I’m not good at planning these things. Camille and Delilah helped Iris with her wedding. I just showed up in what they told me to wear.”
I stroked her hair back and kissed her lashes, trying to coax a smile out of her. When Nerissa was ticked, she could hold a grudge for days. And we’d already been through this five or six times already.
“Please don’t be mad at me.”
She ducked her head, then kissed my finger as I gently bopped her nose. “You just…I just want to think you’re as invested in this as I am.” As a tear slowly trickled down her cheek, I felt horrible.
“Sweetheart, you know how much I love you. If I could give up being Roman’s consort, I would. For you, I’d do anything.”
“Roman doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that I want you to be part of this—not just show up. I want you to be part of my life.”
I cupped her chin and then slid into the chair beside her, taking her hands in mine. “Please, never think I don’t want this. You are part of my life.”
Nerissa shrugged, then sniffled. “Then why won’t you tell me…I don’t know. Can’t you even decide what you want to wear to our commitment ceremony?”
I sighed, then leaned back. I liked clothes but Nerissa and Camille did my shopping, for the most part. They had bonded over fashion and makeup. But one look at Nerissa’s tears told me it was time to step up, to actually make a decision.
“Okay, then.” I closed my eyes, trying to picture myself at the ceremony. After a moment, an image began to shimmer into my mind. “I guess…I can see myself in a long violet gown, with a white cloak, and I want a bouquet of white roses and purple lilies. I want silver sandals, and I want you by my side. I don’t care where we hold our ceremony, I don’t care who is there, except that you’re standing beside me to pledge your love.”>It seemed like that was plenty to me, but I didn’t argue.
“Do you have the time? I hate to put you out.” I genuinely liked Carter, though he frightened me sometimes. I think he frightened all of us.
He shrugged. “Time? What is time? I have more time than most of the world, my dear Menolly. I might as well fill it productively.”
As I stood, I suddenly felt sorry for him. He seemed lonely, but I didn’t want to say anything to exacerbate the issue, or—worse—to make him think I was interested. He was definitely attractive, and he’d take on a demon no problem, let alone a vampire. Maybe that was the problem. Whoever his partner was would end up being the vulnerable one.
“Do you ever…if you are ever in our neighborhood…We always have plenty for dinner.” I wasn’t sure what I was asking but he just laughed, softly.
“Oh Menolly, I do not travel much—not via modern conveniences. And I never drop in. I am an old-school gentleman when it comes to proper decorum, if you haven’t noticed. It is only in…private…that I wear the ringmaster’s hat.” The emphasis told me all I needed to know about his personal preferences. As he stood, I hastily stumbled back.
Carter noticed, of course, and he held out his hand for mine. “Do not be alarmed. I am a gentleman with all of my guests. If I may speak frankly, my paramours, perhaps, are of another flavor. They must have a taste for the…exotic. But trust me, you and your sisters will only receive the most proper behavior from me.”
As I gave him my hand, he brushed the top of my hand with a light kiss and pressed close to me, so that I could feel the steady pulse of his blood through his clothing. “Do not feel sorry for me, Menolly. I need no pity from anyone. I am content in my life, and I have my friends and lovers. Count yourself lucky you are among the former and not the latter.” And with that veiled warning, he escorted me to the door and waved me into the night.
As I turned to my Jag, I let out a strangled cry and the door flew open again. “What is it? Are you all right up there?”
My eyes glazing over with anger, I whirled back to him. “No! Somebody keyed my Jag!” There was a long scratch gouged in the paint of my Jaguar, and I was pissed out of my mind.
Carter shook his head. “It can’t be. I have the wards strong—wait.”
He closed the door, and a moment later, when he came out again, the horns had vanished. I knew he’d simply cloaked them, but he made a striking-looking man without the headgear. He made his way up the stairs, somewhat stiffly, but I had the feeling it was more for show than anything else.
“Well, obviously they aren’t working right now. What the hell happened?”
Closing his eyes, Carter reached out one hand. After a moment, he let out a low guttural sound that could have been either a growl or a warning. Or both.
“I don’t know, but the wards have been broken. I’ll find out and call you. Something is on the move, and I don’t like what it seems to be bringing to town.” He slid his hand into his back pocket and brought out his wallet. “I’ll pay for your car to be repaired, of course.”
“No need.” I didn’t want to hold him responsible—I had assumed it would be safe because it always was, but it wasn’t his fault the wards had been broken.
“Nonsense. Here’s my accountant’s card. Get an estimate and we’ll make arrangements. I’ll let him know. And Menolly…” He paused.
“Yes?”
“Be cautious and tell your sisters to be careful. There’s mischief afoot. I’ll call you tomorrow night with what I’ve found. Or your sisters. Either way, I’ll try to have more information for you by then.”
And with that, he nodded gravely, turned, and went back inside. I heard the tumblers of his locks click, and it occurred to me that if the son of a demoness and a Titan felt the need to lock his door, we were facing something very big, and very unhealthy.
