Page 15 of The Time Of Queens (An Afterlife Story #2)

15

VAMPIRE COMPLICATIONS

KEIRA

“ I swear, this is going from bad to worse!” I complained after Pip and Sophia had swiftly taken me from his room and, once again, we were back in our meeting place. At this rate, Pip’s room would be known as the ‘war room’.

“Well yes, it certainly complicated matters having the cook attack you,” Sophia added, making me sigh and throw my hands up dramatically.

“I’m not talking about that bitch, she had it coming… no, I am talking about throwing a Vampire into the mix,” I said, because if there was one thing I knew about Lucius, then him being here now meant having another hound on the hunt. One that was tenacious when he had a job to do. Lucius wouldn’t give up until he had discovered the truth. Which meant that shit just got a whole lot harder.

“Oh Lucius, well, he will…”

“Do everything in his power to discover where Draven’s Electus ran off to… yeah, he will,” I interrupted Sophia, who then looked to Pip for confirmation. Pip started nodding her head and after tossing her thumb my way, added,

“What she said.”

“Alright, that might be so but until then, the arrival of Lucius is actually a good thing,” Sophia said, making my mouth drop before asking a dumbfounded,

“How so?”

“Because he was on a mission and, with it, means he would have also brought a coin from my brother’s treasury.” At this my head snapped up.

“You’re certain?” The eagerness in my voice was easy to hear, as this was the answer to all my problems if it was true.

“Yes, as my brother can’t complete the task unless making his way down into the Janus Temple. It’s why we are here, after all,” Sophia replied with this grateful nugget of information.

“So let me get this straight, you’re not usually here this time of year?” I asked, and Sophia shook her head.

“No, we are usually in Maine, at our home…”

“Afterlife. Of course, it’s September, you will be having meetings with the Enforcers and…”

“Wait, how did you know that?” she asked, interrupting me.

“Because you continued with that tradition, and it was when I first met Draven. You were only supposed to be there for a few weeks, but you ended up staying,” I told her.

“Yes, I can image we did stay if he met you,” she replied looking thoughtful.

“He didn’t just meet me, Sophia, I started working for him.”

At this her eyes grew wide before she looked me up and down, my maid’s outfit speaking louder than words.

As for me, I walked over to the window and looked out to the fountain, as I too thought on this. Then after closing my eyes a few seconds, I turned back to face them and said,

“Then that must be it, as it is obviously Fated to be this way, or why else would I find myself transported back to a whole new timeline. One when you are usually not here? It must be something to do with why Draven is here now… it has to be.”

“I would be inclined to agree but I still can’t think of why? If it is only to get into the fountain, then there are many other times we would be here and with many coins on hand for that matter, for it is rare for my brother to have none left.” I released a sigh and tossed my arms up.

“I don’t know, but if there’s one thing I am certain of, it’s that if Fate has a hand in it, then there is a reason for everything they put me through,” I said, trying not to let the bitterness I felt coat my words.

“Then let’s hope their plans come to light… and soon,” she replied, making Pip scoff.

“Yes, and preferably before she gets tossed over your brother’s shoulder again and carried into his room… or maybe not?” Pip giggled when she saw my expression, making me shake the lustful look off my face and agree with a blush.

“Yeah… I mean, totally.”

Needless to say…

I wasn’t convincing.

“So, what are we saying I will need for me to get back in Draven’s office… as, well, I am not sure how many times you can lose the same snuff box, Pip,” I asked before moaning at my first cup of tea of the day. To say that my meals had been sporadic was an understatement, as I found myself stealing food and cups of tea wherever I was with Sophia and Pip. But then someone would walk in, and I would have to choke it down quickly and pretend as if I was serving Pip her food.

Which was exactly what happened now, when Draven walked into the drawing room the day after the incident, making me quickly gulp down what was in my mouth and pass it to Pip, saying,

“I believe it is not too hot now, my lady.”

Pip stifled a laugh before taking the cup from me with a nod of her head… a sexual comment no doubt just on the tip of her tongue and practically screaming to get out.

“Ah, Miss Williams, might I have a word?” Draven asked, and because I was nervous about what that word might be, my reluctance must have shown on my face. Because he held out his arm towards the door and added,

“If you please.”

I nodded, casting a quick, unsure look to Sophia and Pip before walking through the door. He then led me towards his office, his hand momentarily covering my lower back, making me shiver against the contact. It was as if he had done this without thinking, as I felt his hand turn into a fist before dropping away. As if frustrated that he wasn’t yet free to touch me whenever the inclination took him.

I paused outside his door, unsure what I would find inside. Was this going to be an ambush? Did he know who I was? Had Lucius discovered something so soon and he was in there waiting?

Sure, it had only been a day since Lucius had arrived, but he wasn’t dumb. Far from it, as Lucius was one of the most cunning people I had ever met in my life. Which was why I recognised something in his expression that Draven might have missed. He knew I was hiding something, along with no doubt knowing how his King truly felt about me.

Which meant he would eventually put two and two together, if he hadn’t already. Hence why when Draven opened the door for me, I let out a small sigh of relief to see the room was empty. The sound of the door closing behind me made me flinch, I was so on edge.

“Please feel at ease, for I know after yesterday…” He paused, shaking his head as if pained by the memory… and wait, what was this… he also looked… embarrassed? I would have laughed in shock had it not been cruel and out of character.

Draven never looked unsure about anything, let alone embarrassed. It was such an unusual sight that I was strangely in awe of it. Half of me wanted to comfort him, and the other half made me want to tease him. Both of which I would have done freely at home.

But I wasn’t home.

And this Draven wasn’t mine.

“I don’t…” I started to speak, but Draven’s head snapped up and he told me,

“I fear I must apologise.”

My eyes widened enough to show surprise before I started to tell him,

“Like I said yesterday, my Lord, her actions had nothing…”

“For my own actions, Miss Williams… I am apologising for my own actions,” he stated firmly, interrupting me.

“Oh,” I said, swallowing hard.

“I can’t think back to it without abhorrence, for you had just been assaulted by one of my staff and then straight after it, found the master of the house breaking into your room and…”

I couldn’t stand watching his struggles any longer, making me step up to him. Then I placed my hand on his arm.

“No, please don’t. Your actions, no matter how… abrupt…” I said, pausing to clear my throat before continuing. “They were only to ensure my wellbeing. I cannot hold you at fault for that.”

After this I braved looking up at him, only to find his gaze burning into mine once more. It was like two forces so great, so powerful, it would have been like asking the waves not to crash upon the shore or the storm not to shake the trees. It was an unstoppable force of nature of our own making.

“Dine with me tonight?” he asked, and it was so sudden that my mouth actually dropped open. His already heated gaze fell to the sight, making me quickly bite my lip. Something then sparked in his gaze. Like a small hint of recognition that forced me to allow my lip to slip free of my hold, hoping it was quick enough he didn’t chase the memory.

“I… I don’t think that is…”

“We won’t be alone, of course, if that is your concern,” he added, and I couldn’t help but think that it sounded like an afterthought.

“I am but a lady’s maid, my Lord,” I said, as he clearly needed reminding of this. But he scoffed and told me,

“You are a woman who was assaulted in my home and in wake of such, I did not act like the gentleman you deserved. Therefore, you must allow me to make amends by coming to dinner tonight.”

“I…”

He stepped closer still and took my bandaged hand in his own, stroking the top of it.

“Please… please let me prove myself to be that gentleman,” he said softly, and I inhaled a quick breath. Did he mean he wanted to be the gentleman he thought I deserved? I found my heart racing faster before nodding my head.

“Then I thank you… for I will be honoured to join you for dinner,” I told him quietly, making him grin as he raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back just over my damaged knuckles.

“Tonight then,” he said, his voice lightened and more at ease, as it was clear he was afraid I was going to say no.

“Tonight,” I said, pulling my hand from his, feeling his fingers tighten half a beat before releasing me. Which meant I was now free to make my way to the door, needing to escape the intensity building. However, the moment I opened the door, he told me,

“I look forward to getting to know you better, Miss Williams.”

I swallowed hard before bowing my head as way of goodbye, and I left thinking only one thing…

What would he discover by the end of the night?