Page 109 of Wicked Magik

Right, never mind then.

“Vesper, did you find anything interesting in your travels today?” I sat down and put some food on my plate, knowing good and well I wouldn’t eat. Not when I was this nervous.

Oryx wrapped his tail around my leg reassuringly, and by the Shadows, it felt good that I had him on my side.

Vesper mused quietly while bringing the forked piece of meat to her lips. I observed the way her lips pressed together and the manner in which she chewed. It wasn't meant to be seductive,yet the soft sound she made was enough to cause a reaction, making my shaft uncomfortably press against the fabric of my trousers.

Curse me.

“Now you know how I feel constantly. Between the two of you, I could stay in my den all day.”Oryx shifted himself in his extra-large chair, shifting himself to get more comfortable.

I couldn’t imagine how he felt, if he felt for me the same as he did for Vesper.

Oryx turned his skull toward me and stared.“It’s unbearable.”

A cold shower was in order after dinner.

Vesper cleaned her mouth. “I found a ballroom. At least, I think it was a ballroom. It was empty, with lots of mirrors, and a chandelier. It reminded me of movies I’ve once watched of people dressing up in gowns and fancy outfits and dancing.”

Oryx leaned over his empty plate. “Movie? What is a movie?”

Vesper smiled and placed her fork down. “It’s like a moving picture. You know the painting in the hallway with the estate on it? Imagine that, with people moving inside it. They are speaking, talking, and there is music. In these movies, it’s like a novel or story plays before you.”

Oryx’s shoulders rose and his ears perked up. “That sounds amazing. We do not have anything like that.”

I shook my head. "No, we do have plays. In the past, they were held more often on grand stages and reserved for the upper class courts. Nowadays, they're more common, though smaller in scale, but still enjoyable to watch. We can go to one in the nearest village. I can ask Benedict to find out when one is scheduled."

Oryx’s tail swished behind him. “Our pet too, yes?”

Vesper took another bite of her meal, her cheeks growing even redder.

“Of course, when I say we, I always mean Vesper. She will always accompany us, she is part of this household.”

Vesper shook her head. “You don’t mean that. You and Oryx should have a date night, or something…”

I cleared my throat. "That's not what I'm saying, Vesper." My voice came out rougher than intended. "I want you to be there—for all of it. The times that make you double over laughing. The nights you can't stop crying. Especially the moments that remind you why you're alive in the first place."

Vesper’s lips parted. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I want to know what makes you tick. I want to know why you have chosen to stay here. You could have come and asked me to take you back to the portal, to your realm, and not deal with this madness.”

Oryx snarled, and his tail whipped away from me.

Vesper pushed her chair back; it screeched across the floor. “Because I care for Oryx, that’s the only reason I need. And who are you to question me?”

I got up, sliding my chair away from the table and placing my hands on its smooth surface. "I think there's more to it than just Oryx keeping you here. Look at this world, Vesper. It's so unlike your own. You never venture outside anymore; you just remain in this house. Are you staying just for Oryx? Love can't be that harsh, can it? Would you truly sacrifice what makes you flourish just for Oryx?"

She gasped but stayed silent. I've observed that her once vibrant tan is slowly diminishing. Even though she's been feeling frail, she could have asked to go outside and soak up some of the light, but she chooses to stay inside.

I knew it was because of me. Those fucking vampires that took blood from her.

But that wouldn’t happen again. She knew of the ward that was placed around this estate. No one else could come in without my specific permission.

Vesper sat back down in her seat.

“Oryx and I will take you outside.” I pulled on my vest. “You will come with us, to play, to smell the flowers, to see the sunlight. We will give you purpose again, to live.”

Vesper bit that delectable lip and refused to meet my gaze.