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Chapter Eleven
Julian
“You are out of your damn mind!” Adèle yells at her father from across the table. I sit back, crossing my arms over my chest, allowing her to fight this battle. There was no sleep for me last night as I watched over Marina.
What happened last night haunts me still. I’m spiraling out of control and I’m not sure what to do about it. Her blood calls to me and I’m losing the hold I once had. I’m turning into something I don’t like. I scared her. I saw it in her eyes. She’s scared... of me.
“This disgusting practice of stealing humans needs to end. Without stipulations,” Addy tacks on for emphasis.
“Adèle, calm down.” His thick French accent fills the space between them. “I didn’t even want you to be a part of this meeting. This is between men.”
I internally grimace, knowing that last bit won’t sit well with Adèle. If there is one thing she hates most about our vampire hierarchy, it’s the caste system, with the men firmly at the top. It’s antiquated, but still part of our way of life. No matter my feelings on the subject, right now, it’s not the fight that needs to be had. Not by me.
She glares at her father and he has the good sense to remain quiet. “That is the very reason why this archaic system needs to change. It’s barbaric, when willing humans throw themselves at us daily. Add to that the blood banks. It’s unnecessary and only proves the vicious legends of our kind to be true.”
Dupré rolls his eyes, clearly annoyed at her outburst. He shouldn’t be surprised. Adèle has always been passionate. It is one of the things that I always loved about her.
Loved.
Those days are far gone. As I watch her take on her father, all I feel is pride for my oldest friend. A woman who has stuck by me through the centuries and loved me in the only way she could—like a best friend. As much as I care for her, it’s nothing like what I feel for Marina. Not even close.If you haven’t ruined that.
“Julian,” she calls to me. “Are you just going to sit there and let me fight this battle alone?” Adèle glares in my direction, hands on her hips. I chuckle but smother it when Dupré glowers at me.
“She’s right, Count Dupré. A marriage between us would not be beneficial.”
He stands to his feet, slamming his hands down on the wood table. “Don’t tell me what will benefit my family,” he seethes. “You two should already be married by rights. It was arranged centuries ago.”
I knew when he agreed to this meeting that there would be strings attached—there always are with him—and when he stood me up yesterday, it was all too clear he had no intention of making things easy on me.
I take a deep breath, not ready to go toe to toe with the ancient vampire. His influence on the other counts is critical to taking on Marcellus. His is the second oldest family and next in line for the crown.You have to show strength or he’ll never side with you.
“You forget yourself, Count. I’m king, not the other way around.”
His eyes narrow to slits and his cheeks turn a ruddy shade as his anger mounts.
“However, I knew you’d want something for this audience, and this should’ve been my first guess.”
It was something that our parents had decided upon before we even hit the age of ten. My only ace at this point is the fact that Adèle was the one to break the betrothal. Perhaps if I trap her into admitting that, I’ll garner more favor with Dupré.
I take one more breath and stare harshly at Dupré, hoping he gets the hint that he needs to calm down. He does, slinking back into his seat with a grunt. I nod and look back to Adèle.
“Why not?” I ask, working toward getting Addy to admit to her father that she’s the one who broke the engagement. I have no intention of actually following through with the arrangement, but I won’t see this discussion end in a standoff. If Dupré believes me to be open to negotiating, he’ll drop his wall and I’ll eventually be able to get him to see reason.
She frowns. “Why not what?”
“Why shouldn’t we get married? If it will help end this auction, perhaps we should discuss it.”
“Hear! Hear!” Dupré cheers from the other side of the table, clearly appeased by my change in stance.
“Have you lost your mind, Julian?” Her voice pitches and her face reddens, signaling she hasn’t caught on to my plan. “Je t’aime, mais je ne suis pas amoureux de toi, idiot.”
“Noted,” I say before turning to Dupré, gesturing to her as if to say,See? It’s her, not me.
“I won’t marry him, Father. He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be happy.”
Dupré groans, looking to me regretfully. “I don’t know what has happened to her.”
“Father, how could you expect me to marry for anything other than love? Your and Mama’s love has been the example by which I’ve lived. I couldn’t possibly marry for an alliance. It would be the death of me. The death of my idea of true love. Father, please,” she begs.
