Page 147 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“I hope you’re right,” I murmured, taking one final look at my gown before Gio helped me out of it.

We returned to the townhouse, which would be our home for the next few days. It was easier to attend the events of the season without the extra two hour drive to Anoth Fortress. It wasn’t as safe, but we’d be more comfortable here.

Laurent had already constructed an extensive security detail for the festivities. Our enemies would be insane to try anything. All we had left to do was wait for the start of the season.

“Little flower?” Laurent’s voice made me whirl. I stood in the empty drawing room near the piano, anxious and giddy in equal measure. Laurent’s lips parted. His expression heated as he took me in, eyes traveling down the length of my body. The midnight blue gown Gio had fashioned was strapless, with folds of silk at the bodice that cascaded down to the floor. The hem was just so, to keep me from tripping when I danced. A pair of satin flats peeked out from beneath. Beads of black and silver covered the bodice, making me shimmer when I moved. But it was the swish of the skirt when I walked that I especially loved. Gio was an artist and this was his first of many masterpieces for me.

“You…” Laurent’s mouth opened then closed. He simply stood, unmoving.

A few of the others waited for us in the hall. Zola and Catina had helped me get ready, then positioned me here so that Laurent would get an eyeful, undisturbed. Their planning paid off.

I twisted my fingers together in front of me. “Do… Do you like it?” I spun in a circle to emphasize my question.

He let out the breath he must have been holding—not that he needed to breathe. “Like it? Lily… You… You are exquisite.” He came to me, reaching out to trail his fingertips along my cheek. Not enough to smudge my expertly applied makeup. I resisted the urge to bite my lower lip, so as not to disturb my blood red lipstick. Laurent’s eyes darted there anyway. I swallowed.

“Can we have a truce?” he asked. “Just… Just for tonight?” I’d never seen him so tongue-tied. I desperately fought the urge to agree. What harm would one single night do?

The yearning in his voice almost undid me.

I hardened my heart and said, “Am I really so difficult to love, Laurie?” His nickname slipped out before I could stop it. Over the past two weeks I had refused to use it, calling him only Laurent, even though he insisted I use Laurie repeatedly. I’d managed to go the entire time without a single slip up.

Laurent’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t overlooked that small detail. “You deserve more love than I know how to give, Lily. You deserve everything—the world at your feet. That much, at least, I can provide.”

“You would give me the world, but not your heart?”

“Lily—“ he croaked, stopping himself. Fear flashed in his gaze. Genuine fear. It was there and gone so quickly I must have imagined it. But I hadn’t. For just a moment, this ancient vampire had looked absolutely terrified. That revelation told me everything about what he was fighting.

I took a long, steadying breath. “I’ll wait for your answer, Laurent, but I won’t wait forever. If you don’t want to try to love me, just tell me. If you do care to try, then we’ll try. It’s a simple yes or no answer.”

A low, desperate growl built in his throat. “Simple?” His voice was strained. “Nothing about this is simple.”

I exhaled. “Look, if you don’t want to try, then just tell me. I’ll remove my feelings from the equation and we can simply enjoy each other’s pleasure. Nothing more. No strings attached—just pure fun.” I watched his jaw tighten at those words. At the thought of me feeling nothing for him. “But if you care to try…”

We could be so much more. I didn’t say it aloud, but he heard my unspoken words nonetheless as they lingered between us.

He said nothing and my hopes fell.

I cleared my throat. “The others are waiting. We ought to get going.”

When he still didn’t move, I took his hand and lead him from the room.

This ball was the first of the season, held in a large manor on the edge of the city. Unlike many of the homes within Genia, this was far enough outside the city that it did not sit on a waterway. It had a high wall with a giant gate and roundabout drive. The bustle of cars coming and going was organized as guests were deposited before the stately house.

Laurent emerged first, handing me out of the town car while Vittorio held the door. Zola exited from the front seat. We already had a contingent of vampires from House Sarkas awaiting our arrival. My pulse fluttered with nerves as I took in the giant facade. It was nearly as large as Laurent’s mansion in Braxton.

He kept a firm hold of my hand, positioning it on his arm. I was to stay by his side the entire night—no exceptions. His scent might have been all over me, which would act as a deterrent for many vampires, but it would not guarantee my safety.

Tonight, I was to play the role of his pet and secret weapon. I felt a bit like a game piece. Someone he wanted to flaunt, a way to show off his power. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Had I known nothing about him, I’d have scorned this. A few months ago, I’d have been disgusted.

But I wasn’t.

We were at war. Laurent had alliances to keep, new ones to forge, and a message for those who would stand against him. With me, he was the most powerful vampire in the city. But only because my blood made him so.

Thus, I was also a warning.

There would be people here tonight who wanted me for themselves. The idea of being coveted for my blood took on new meaning as yearning gazes trailed over my body. They almost felt like fingers, clutching at me as I passed by. Nearly everyone here was either a vampire or a pet—witches, fae, shifters, and humans alike. Laurent had explained that every vampire had a unique scent. Those from individual houses carried the same familial blood and would have underlying scents that identified what house they came from or if they were independent. Their pets would also carry such scents to warn others away.

“This way,” Laurent said, leading me up the entry stairs and into the mansion. His face was expressionless. I didn’t expect that to change—not tonight.