27. Chapter 27

Chapter twenty-seven

Drew

I 'm glaring at this chandelier as if I can intimidate it into repairing itself. If only that would work. It would certainly make life a lot easier. But things are never that simple.

The tradesman left ages ago, seen out by George, yet here I am still standing here, glowering at the ceiling.

Soft footsteps have me turning around. Luci is gliding across the empty ballroom towards me. He looks incredible. His red dress is clinging to all the right places. I wish his legs were bare, but I understand the need for shimmery tights in an old house in winter. The ankle boots are fabulous. His white cardigan has sparkles in it and his hair is up in bunches that remind me of cat ears.

He is the most beautiful person in the world. And I'm married to him. How on earth did I get so very lucky?

"What's the verdict?" he asks.

And it takes me a moment to realize that he is asking about the chandelier expert's opinion.

"Expensive," I say with a wry smile. "But never mind that. You look ravishing, my dear."

I watch as Luci beams at my compliment. Praising him is nothing like praising other people. Luci takes each and every kind word, wraps it up carefully and tucks it in his heart to keep forever.

Compliments are his sunlight, and he is a flower that has been kept too long in the dark .

"Shall we dance?" I say suddenly as inspiration strikes. We are in a ballroom, after all.

Luci laughs, but as I hold out my hands, he steps forward and takes his place. I whirl him into a slow waltz. He follows my lead effortlessly. His dancing is flawless. Precise. Just like all the things he was trained to be.

I swallow down the bitter taste that thought leaves in my mouth, and concentrate on whirling Luci around the empty ballroom, to music only we can hear.

I have him now. He is mine. I get to help him heal and discover himself. The past is firmly in the past.

Luci smiles up at me as we glide across the floor. It's a very different look to the one he gave me last night when I climbed into his bed and said I only wanted to snuggle and sleep. That had been a very bewildered look that had nearly broken my heart.

But judging by the way he ended up tangled around me, he loved it in the end. Which is perfect because there is no way we are going back to separate beds. Fuck that.

Suddenly, an itch at the back of my mind makes my blood run cold. Someone is at the front gate, trying to get in. A heartbeat later and I recognize the flavor of the mage's magic. It's Gregory. That's better news than a Revivalist, I suppose.

Reluctantly, I end the dance.

"I need to see if I can find the funds to book the chandelier repair," I say.

I hate how easily the lie comes to my lips, but I will not worry Luci for no reason. He doesn't need to know. I can deal with Gregory.

Luci nods. There is color in his cheeks from our dancing.

"I need to go help the cook with a problem with a supplier," he says.

I dip him down with a dramatic flourish. He lets out a tiny yelp, but bends gracefully. I claim his lips and kiss him. Nowhere deep or as long as I would like .

I straighten and pull him up. He looks a little dazed, but very happy. I grin in delight and resist the urge to pat his wonderful ass. If I do that, I'm not sure if I will be able to stop myself from ravishing him on the ballroom floor.

"See you at dinner," I say, as if I truly am a gentleman.

"I'm looking forward to it," he replies with the sweetest of smiles.

As we walk our separate ways, my heart is fluttering like a crazy thing. I just need to get rid of Gregory and then the rest of the day is going to be wonderful.

M y feet crunch on the gravel. It's four in the afternoon and the sun is setting. I truly hate winter. I'm so glad January is nearly at a close, and Imbolc is tomorrow. The turning of the seasons towards spring is always a welcome relief.

Unlike the sight before me.

Gregory is on the other side of the wrought-iron gate that leads to my property. And I know damn well that it is not the metal that is holding him back. He'd let himself in if he could.

"What's with all these wards?" he bellows in exasperation as soon as he sees me.

I stop several paces from him and cross my arms over my chest.

"What do you want?"

He flinches at my tone, and tendrils of guilt coil within me. This is my oldest friend. My closest friend. My only friend, come to think of it. Everyone else is merely an acquaintance.

Gregory huffs. "I want to apologize, old chap."

His expression is sheepish and his ridiculous hair is as unruly as ever. Falling into his eyes and making him look pathetic.

An image flashes of him bending Luci over a chaise lounge while Luci sobs like a lost and broken soul. My fists clench and my stomach heaves. But was that awful night really Gregory's fault? He asked, and I gave him permission.

Who was Luci obeying? Who was Luci desperate to please? Who is the real monster?

I suck in a jagged breath of ice cold air and the pain feels nowhere close to what I deserve.

"I can't let you in. I won't have my consort upset," I say.

Gregory scowls, and I see surprise cross his blue eyes. Damnit. I called Luci my consort, not my vessel, and that's a thousand times more intimate. I'm referring to our marriage, claiming him as my spouse. Not just my vessel. Not only a tool for magic. Not merely my property. My consort.

I grind my teeth. My feelings for Luci are personal and private. I didn't mean to share them. But I can't take my words back now.

"How about you come here then?" says Gregory. "So we can talk man to man?"

I suppose that won't do any harm. Though it does feel like betraying Luci. I should just tell Gregory to fuck off, but the blame for that horrendous night is mostly mine. I should have protected Luci. Kept him safe. Not subjected him to that ordeal.

"For god's sake man!" bellows Gregory. "Don't make me yell my apology through this blasted gate!"

Fine. That's fair enough. I step up to the gate and fiddle with the combination lock. The gate creaks slightly as I pull it open just enough for me to slip through. The magic of my wards tingles over me as I step over them. They keep people out, not in, and as their maker, they do not restrict me at all.

Gregory grins at me. A big predatory grin, with an evil gleam in his eyes.

"Gotcha" he says.

And the world goes black.