Chapter 23

23

GAbrIEL

I woke up feeling unusually warm and with a mouthful of hair. Evangeline was sprawled across my chest, and I'd wrapped my arms around her in my sleep. Our legs were tangled together.

As I woke, Evangeline stirred, pressing her face against my neck, letting out a sleepy little noise. I stared down at her face, soft and relaxed, and knew immediately that I had to be somewhere—anywhere else. I couldn't stay until she woke up. Seeing her blink the sleep from her eyes and look up at me would be too much. It would send me hurtling off the cliff I was approaching too rapidly.

I untangled myself from Evangeline and retreated to my own room for a long, blisteringly hot shower. Once I'd fortified myself with vigorous scrubbing and a change of clothes, I wandered down to the kitchen to heat up some blood and to see about providing breakfast for Evangeline.

Over the past few days, we'd accumulated a small supply of human-friendly food, and I set out a few things as I made coffee and waited for my morning blood to warm. Quiet footsteps padded down the hall, and I had to keep myself from perking up like a dog hearing its owner coming home when Evangeline stepped into the kitchen.

"Good morning," I said, sliding a large mug of coffee over the island to her.

"Morning," she said, clutching the mug with the desperation of the near-terminally un-caffeinated.

"I made…" I waved a hand at the selection of things I'd put out. "Breakfast?"

Evangeline looked at the gathered items blankly. "Why is there a bottle of mayonnaise?"

I shrugged, not doing a particularly good job of hiding my embarrassment. "I had to make some educated guesses."

Evangeline took a yogurt, a container of berries, and a bag of granola from the assortment, leaving the mayonnaise, a large tomato, and a small bag of rice behind.

"So," she said, stirring the granola into the yogurt. "I had a great time with you last night."

"As did I," I said, then floundered. Was that sufficient? Would it seem too vague? "I had a great time as well. With you, I mean, not with myself. At the ball. And after the ball." No, too specific. I took a sip of blood just to keep my mouth from sabotaging me any further.

Evangeline smirked at me. "If you could blush, you'd be blushing right now, huh?"

"I would look like that," I said, pointing at the tomato. It was one of the big heirloom ones with irregular ridges rising up around the stem like they were trying to hide it. Evangeline laughed, and I smiled to myself, feeling a little rush of the same victory I felt every time I made her laugh.

There was a delicate chiming from the front hall, playing a melody I, unfortunately, recognized. I grimaced.

"Excuse me," I said, taking a last sip of blood to fortify myself. "I should get that."

We kept our enchanted mail tray on a small, round table in the entryway, next to the brass candlestick telephone we'd gotten back when the trend first hit. The mail tray was carved wood, divided neatly into sections for each of the manor's inhabitants, and there was an envelope in my slot. The crest stamped on it was all too familiar, and I tore the envelope open as I went back to the kitchen. I scanned the elaborately penned words, and my stomach sank.

Lord Roland Simon Dorian Aramastus Miridick Byron Sutherland De Montclair

and his Lady Wife Iskra Soren Zarah Vesper Adrijana Ljudmil De Montclair (Née Od Maritsa) request the company of their son and heir,

Gabriel Zintius Dzvezdan Jehan Cyran De Montclair

for dinner this evening at last light.

Attendance is expected.

Sighing, I tossed the letter down onto the island. Evangeline grabbed it and read, her eyes going wide and gleeful as they flicked over the lines.

"Hoooly shit," she said with a low whistle. "Is that your full name? Gabriel Zintius Dz— Dj?—"

"Dzvezdan," I said distractedly. "No, it's just part of my name. We never put our full names in letters in case fae intercept them. Well, and because we'd run out of space, otherwise."

"Amazing," Evangeline said to herself. "Absolutely incredible. So, your parents want you to come to dinner?"

"Unfortunately," I said. "Family dinners tend to get… contentious." That was an understatement. I was already dreading this evening. "You will, of course, be welcome to use the library and my study while I'm away if there's any research you'd like to do."

"Or," Evangeline said, tilting her head in consideration. "I could come with you. Be your backup."

"Evangeline, my father is… fairly staunchly anti-witch," I said carefully. "He wouldn't let the obligations of hospitality hold him back from being horrible to you."

Evangeline shrugged. "I can handle some passive-aggression," she said. "And aggressive-aggression if it comes to that."

I knew I should say no. I should keep Evangeline far away from my father and his ability to get under my skin, but… "I would appreciate having backup."

"Then, I'll be there," Evangeline told me. "Am I gonna need another ballgown or something?"

"No, no. Based on the invitation, this should be fairly casual," I said, glancing at it. I could practically hear Evangeline's eyebrows rise. "If it had gold leaf on it, then you'd need something more formal, but with this, you should be fine with cocktail attire."

Evangeline stared at me. "I'll ask Lissa."

That evening, Evangeline knocked on the door of my suite as I was adjusting my tie. She was dressed in an elegant black dress, her hair loose around her shoulders in curls.

"You look wonderful," I said, stepping aside to let her in. She looked around the room curiously, and I wondered what she thought of the space. Would she find it opulent? Gaudy? Eclectic? Cluttered?

"You look great, too," Evangeline said. She stepped forward and straightened my tie, her knuckles brushing my neck as she did so. "All… old-fashioned and fancy."

"My father is of the opinion that menswear went severely downhill after the 1830s," I explained. "No matter how many points I bring up about the advancements in trouser construction."

"I can see how that would put some real strain on your relationship," Evangeline said gravely.

"I thought wearing something from the era he prefers might help us avoid at least one argument," I said, and Evangeline nodded, smoothing down my lapel.

"If he starts getting to you, I'll try to distract him," she said. "We can set up a code word or something. Like spinach… or gargoyle."

I quirked an eyebrow. "You think I'll be able to work gargoyle into the conversation naturally?"

"I mean, if anyone could…" Evangeline said with a smile before she stretched up and kissed me lightly.

"Your faith in me is touching," I said when we parted. It came out a bit more seriously than I would have liked.

"Hey," Evangeline said, taking my hand. "It's gonna be fine, all right? We'll get through dinner, and then we'll come back here and… unwind."

I kissed her again, more deeply this time, bringing up my free hand to cup her cheek. She let out a pleased moan, parting her lips for me, and the kiss turned into something lazy and decadent. Our first kiss had been sweet, and the ones after it had been desperate. This was just kissing for kissing's sake, reveling in each other.

"We do have a bit of time before we have to leave," I murmured, and I felt Evangeline smile against me.

"If we're late, you can blame me," she offered. I grinned, putting my hands around her waist, and picking her up. Evangeline let out a startled laugh and wrapped her legs around my hips.

"Not gonna lie, it's pretty hot how you can just move me around like it's nothing," she said, punctuating her words with biting kisses to my neck. I set her down on the sideboard, and the added height made her slightly taller than me. I had to angle my head up just a bit to kiss her, which I didn't mind at all.

"We'll have to make this quick," I said with a regretful glance at the clock on the mantle.

"That's fine," Evangeline said, pulling me closer with her legs. "It'll be like an amuse bouche, and we can have the full meal later."

My eyebrows shot up, and she gave me a completely unrepentant look. "Well, when you put it like that," I said, dropping to my knees.

I pushed Evangeline's skirt up and bent forward to kiss the freckles on her perfect thighs. She was wearing black silk panties that matched her dress. Goosebumps rose on her skin when I settled my hands on her knees, keeping her legs spread for me.

"You're breathtaking," I said, nuzzling the soft skin of her inner thigh. Evangeline let out a little gasp, and I grinned, flicking my tongue out over that same spot. "Absolutely stunning."

I tugged her panties down and pressed a kiss to the groomed chestnut curls underneath. The sweet floral scent of her was stronger here, mingling with the smell of her arousal, and the unmistakable tang of cunt. I spread her folds with my fingers, revealing the wet pink core of her, and swayed forward to taste her.

"Fuck, Gabe," Evangeline gasped. Her hands were curled tightly around the edge of the sideboard, knuckles white. I laved my tongue up to her clit and felt the muscles of her thigh shake under my grip.

I lost myself in it, cataloguing every sigh, every spot that made her shake or swear or dig her heels into my back. I loved eating women out—I always had—but Evangeline was so deliciously responsive that it made the whole thing even better. If we'd had time, I would have been delighted to stay there all evening, making her come for me again and again, so I wouldn't have to go one minute without the taste of her pleasure on my tongue.

But we didn't have all evening.

I pressed two fingers into her cunt, curling them relentlessly as I licked and sucked at her clit. Evangeline let out a muffled wail and curved forward, clenching around my fingers as she came. I kept lapping at her gently as she rode it out, only stopping when she tangled a hand in my hair and tugged me away.

She pulled me up, and I rose to kiss her deeply.

"When you said we only have a little time…" she said breathlessly, then trailed off.

"We could find a little more," I said.

Evangeline grinned and went for my fly.

Later, after we'd straightened ourselves up, one of my father's servants let us into their home with the vaguely disapproving air of every butler I'd ever met.

"His Lordship is in the dining room," he informed us, and I fought back a wince.

"Thank you, Pivens," I said, and the butler nodded.

I led Evangeline toward the dining room—the private one, not the one used for guests. Even though it was the less impressive dining room, it was still massive, with a long ebony table and a huge fireplace. Long, brocade drapes framed stained-glass windows depicting ancient monsters. Evangeline's steps were loud on the dark stone floor. Mine had gone silent, my movements more fluid. There was no point in toning down my vampiric grace around my parents.

My father rose when we entered. Even though we were the same height, he somehow always managed to seem like he was looking down his nose at me. My mother, dressed in a brocade concoction, stayed seated, but her eyes thawed very slightly when she saw me.

"You're late," my father said.

I swept a shallow bow. "Apologies, Father," I said. "You know how traffic gets in the city."

"Indeed."

"Please allow me to present my… associate, Evangeline Summers," I said. Evangeline bobbed a surprisingly smooth curtsy. "Evangeline, my father Lord De Montclair, and my mother Lady De Montclair."

"It's so nice to meet you both," Evangeline said.

My mother looked at her like Evangeline was some sort of mildly interesting creature she'd found under a rock. My father looked at her with unconcealed contempt.

"You didn't tell us you were bringing a guest," he said sharply.

"You didn't give me much advance notice."

He sneered. "Sit before your blood gets any colder. Ms. Summers, I'm afraid we don't have anything for your kind."

"That's fine," Evangeline said.

I pulled a chair back for Evangeline, because while my father was already angry I'd brought a witch, he would be even angrier if I let my manners slip.

Dinner was painfully awkward. I ate careful spoonsful of blood from my parents' fine china while my mother did a masterful job of pretending it was actually a pleasant evening, and my father glared daggers at Evangeline, who worried at her teleportation pendant and tried not to make eye contact.

"I hope you're aware, Gabriel, that this isn't some sort of social call," my father said.

"Yes, I assumed as much."

"I had planned to discuss council business, but then you decided to show up with an outsider."

"Evangeline is actually a very well-connected member of the local magical community," I said. "She may be able to provide helpful insight."

My father laughed out loud, and it was completely devoid of humor. Across the table, my mother closed her eyes and shook her head minutely.

"I have neither need for nor the interest in advice from a hedge-witch," he said coldly.

I gritted my teeth. "Without the witches, vampires wouldn't even exist," I pointed out, unable to stop myself. My father's chair screeched against the tile as he leaped to his feet, hands braced on the table.

"I know our history!" he roared. "I was there, Gabriel. Do not presume to lecture your elders on matters of which you know nothing!"

"Roland," my mother said, her voice frigidly calm. "I believe our son is simply saying that another point of view might be useful. No matter your opinion on her kind, Ms. Summers is a guest in our home and is therefore due our hospitality."

My father snarled and spun away from the table, stalking over to one of the tall stained-glass windows with his wine glass in hand. He downed its contents in a few quick gulps, then sighed, smoothing back his still-flawless hair.

"Gabriel, I called you here tonight because I believe you could fulfill a valuable role. I know how eager you are to support my—our—subjects, and this could be a perfect opportunity."

"What do you need me to do?" I asked. Excitement fluttered in my chest. Was he finally going to let me do my part and help people the way they needed to be helped?

"There are an increasing number of concerns among the lower-ranking vampires about the recent disappearances," my father said, pacing back over to the table. Without looking, he waved over a servant, who refilled his wine and then blended back into the shadows.

"If you'd like me to investigate—" I said, leaning forward, but my father held up a hand, cutting me off.

"I want you to assuage their fears," he said.

I froze. "What?"

"Tell them it's under control, that it's being looked into, and measures are being taken to ensure their safety," my father said casually.

"What measures?" I asked.

"Oh, you can make up whatever you'd like," he told me, waving a dismissive hand.

That flutter of excitement turned into something leaden and dead. "You want me to lie to them?" Evangeline's hand found mine under the table and squeezed.

"It's just politics, Gabriel," my father said.

"Keeping people calm will be helpful," my mother added smoothly. "Letting them panic solves nothing."

"One of my friends was taken," I said. "Nathan Fitzroy. He was kidnapped, and you want me to tell people not to panic."

My father wrinkled his nose. "Fitzroy was never particularly… reliable, was he? Perhaps he simply left. I never cared for him, personally. Not sure what value you found in his company. "

I barked out a hollow laugh. "Right," I said. "Of course." I stood. I couldn't stay in the room a moment longer—couldn't see my father's cool indifference and my mother's silver-tongued complacency. "If you'll excuse me, I need some air."

I stormed out of the room. Before the doors slammed shut behind me, I heard Evangeline clear her throat.

"Uh, Lady De Montclair? Could you show me to the powder room, please?"

I fumed in the garden for longer than I would have liked to admit, glaring at every hedgerow that had the audacity to exist near me. Useless. Just as useless as telling everyone that things were fine, don't worry, all under control, and sending them out to be kidnapped and drained.

There was a crunch of shoes on the pebble path, and I blew out a breath. Evangeline was the only one in the house who would actually make a sound while walking.

"Hey," she said softly, brushing her arm against mine. "How you doing?"

"I've been better."

"Yeah, I kinda figured," she murmured. "Look, I think I might have found something while I was?—"

"Gabriel?" my mother said. It was only because I'd had hundreds of years to get used to it that I didn't jump at her sudden appearance, but Evangeline wheeled backward in shock. I grabbed her, keeping her upright, and helped her stay on her feet.

"Yes, Mother?" I said cautiously.

"Come back in, won't you? We're about to serve dessert." She looked impossibly regal in the low light, her posture impeccable, and her robe flowing behind her. "Roland has agreed to keep the conversation lighter."

I let out a disbelieving snort, and she gave me a quietly sympathetic look, touching my hand just once before turning and sweeping silently back into the house.

"If he starts being a dick again, I'll kick shit off," Evangeline stage-whispered to me. My mother paused for a moment, definitely still within earshot by vampire standards, and then kept walking.

Dessert was a blood sorbet, served in crystal stemware. Before we ate, my father tapped his glass with a spoon. It seemed unnecessary, since there were only four of us at the table, but we all looked to him.

"Before we eat, I'd like to tell you the other reason I wanted you here tonight, my son," he said. I recognized the look in his eyes, and it made my stomach sink.

"I think it's time to move forward with the Gwendoline situation."

"The Gwendoline situation?" Evangeline muttered to herself at my side.

"We'll send out announcements about your engagement to her within the month," my father said. He raised his glass to his lips, took a long, slow sip, and wiped his mouth carefully with a napkin. "Enjoy your dessert," he added mildly.