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I blushed slightly at the memory of those nights alone with Father Domenico.
“Sit, please. Fear not, girl. I would never hurt anyone as perfect andyouthfulas yourself…with so much life still left ahead of you.”
Charity’s movements were mechanical at best, and I watched her sit awkwardly in the chair furthest from where Domenico dined. I took a seat beside her.
Her eyes remained downcast, and Domenico cut away at his steak with an eagerness that made me nervous. I had to say something to break the ice that had formed in the small-time we were apart.
“What did I miss while I was gone? Is everyone…well?” I cleared my throat as I awkwardly said the last part, realizing that vampires probably didn’t get sick or ill considering they weren’t exactly living beings.
I watched as Charity’s eyes grew wider and wider as she watched Domenico chew the bloody meat chunks, a drop of blood escaping in a small rivulet down the corner of his mouth. He gingerly wiped it away and smiled at Charity but returned his gaze to me.
“We’ve missed you deeply,” he said, his smile creased at the corners of his eyes, and I suddenly remembered how beautiful a deep, silvery blue they were.
I swallowed hard, a small pang of guilt shimmering through my vision but dissipating just a quickly. I did what he’d asked of me; there had to be something in it for me.
“I see you’ve found more than just the woman we sought. Are you in love?”
I nodded stupidly; a grin plastered across my face as I looked over at Charity who remained looking down at the wooden table with a stony expression.
“We are, I’m going to marry her.”
I took her hand into mine, and her face was nothing short of shock as she looked at me with her jaw hanging.
Her shocked expression sent a pang of hurt through my chest, and I resisted questioning her right there of her desires. I couldn’t do that yet, I needed to wait for a better time.
“Well, that’s wonderful. Happy to hear that, Charles.” His tone was that of a fondness I couldn’t quite name. He was a father figure, but he was more than that—he was home and warmth all wrapped into one.
The large door to the dining room opened loudly, and Domenico stood in greeting. “Brother, welcome. Sit, please.”
I recognized the tall, darker man as Darius, the eldest brother. He barely spoke and had a nasty scar on his left eye that made him quite intimidating. I stayed away from the DeLesseps brothers when I lived here, Domenico making it clear that he was the one in charge.
I knew they were from old, royal money, and I heard that you never fucked with old money.
“Please, may I be excused? I would like to go back to the room…I’m not feeling well.” Charity’s voice was barely above a whisper, and she slid out the chair while she clutched her belly.
“Please, let me know if you need anything at all, darling. Charles, I prefer if you stayed behind. We should probably catch up properly.”
I nodded, unmoving.
I should have known this wouldn’t be as easy as a good night dinner.
2
FREYJA
Freyja
I could smell the blood through the walls of this overzealous castle. It was everywhere, on every surface, but most of it had been cleaned up, the naked eye unaware.
Domenico.
I already knew his name, although I’d never seen this man in my life. I’d crossed many, many men along my path but never one that smelled the way he did.
I gagged at the metal stench, pulling a small piece of ginger from my dress pocket and popping it into my mouth. I smiled at the bitter taste, instantly easing the tug at the top of my belly.
I surveyed the room he’d put me in, and it looked like a guest bedroom fit for a gothic-princess. I rolled my eyes at the thought of his kindness toward me; he could have thrown me into a dungeon that harbored rotting bodies long forgotten, only he didn’t. He needed something from me, and I knew that was the reason. I’d explored the depth of castles many times before. I had travelled to France once, but the men there were insatiable, and even a demi-god like me did not have the time to fuck all day, every day.
I walked to the window fogged over from the humidity, and I couldn’t see anything except for the green of the trees outside.
