Chapter 36
Vesper
"He definitely likes you," Josephine remarked, her fingers tucked in the corner of the crisp white sheet beneath the mattress.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a soft glow on the plush rug of the third guest room we had tackled that day. The scent of fresh linen mingled with the faint aroma of floor polish. Pyrrah and I had made progress in our cleaning spree on the third floor.
Not that I could help or anything, Veylor forbade it.
Douche.
Arms crossed, I gazed through the glass at Benedict.
He knelt in the garden, shears flashing in the clouded sunlight as he harvested yet another bouquet for the mansion's endless collection of vases.
Magik saturated everything here…from the unnaturally deep colored petals to the impossibly perfect blooms that now seemed to consume every corner of the grounds.
I sighed and placed my chin in my palm. “As I told you before, he doesn’t act like it.”
Pyrrah huffed as she strode out of the bathroom. The toilet was just flushed and the swoosh of the water made me laugh when she held up the toilet scrubber in her hand.
“My Lady, he won’t let you clean, he respects your privacy on your monthly, he’s had dinner with you and gave up his special seat to be near you. He was livid when you were hurt by those vampires. I’d say he’s taken a fancy. You don’t know him like we do.”
I wrinkled my nose in defiance.
"She speaks the truth," Josephine says. "You forget we knew Lord Veylor before you, along with Oryx. It took him nearly a year to warm up to Oryx, yet around you, he's opening up like a bloom in spring." Josephine released a dreamy sigh while I struggled not to retch.
“Hardly,” I scoffed. “It’s taken him weeks to get to know me, and what is this whole wanting to get to know me after the fact that I was on my deathbed?”
Pyrrah wore her hair in a flawlessly styled black colored bun atop her head.
With a gentle tug, she removed a single pin, allowing her hair to cascade down to her waist. She spun gracefully and rested both hands on her cheeks.
"Because he has come to understand that you're destined to be together just as he is with Oryx and has stopped resisting it. "
Josephine grabbed a pillow from the bed and tossed it, hitting Pyrrah right in the face, which made her burst into laughter.
These two women have been nothing short but a funny duo. Their stitching on their skin was hidden well, and their lines were disappearing. I can only attribute that to Veylor’s magik. They both looked more and more like they were never dead to begin with.
Josephine was shorter with rounded hips and full breasts. She was excited about her new body and loved the idea that her skin was different colors in places. It made her different and unique.
Pyrrah, on the other hand, was having difficulty. She described herself as too tall and lean, but I would describe her body as lithe like a dancer. A gorgeous ballerina, which she very well could do if she decided to practice that sort of dance.
Of course, she said she would never leave the house to pursue any career in dancing because she had loyalty to Lord Veylor. Both of them did.
Pyrrah and Josephine were sisters who had been sold into the household of Veylor. Veylor’s family were harsh and unkind, often treating the sisters with indifference. Despite this, Veylor himself ensured that both girls were well-taken care of as they grew.
He provided them with extra food, ensuring their plates were always full, and gave them clothing that was finer than what the other servants received. As they got older, Veylor appointed them as his personal maids, entrusting them with tasks close to his daily life.
He took it upon himself to teach them to read and write. Remarkably, he asked for nothing in return, nurturing their skills simply for the joy of seeing them grow.
When they were brought back to life, he even told them they could leave the estate and live a free life.
They chose to stay. Because of him.
It left me wondering, who truly was Veylor?
I struggled to reconcile the image of him being so compassionate, teaching children to read and offering them extra help when they needed it.
It just didn't align with what I imagined of him. Yet, he genuinely did those things.
And he knew about my period and didn’t run out of the room screaming.
“Yes, the bond.” Josphine sighed. “I can’t wait to find my fated mate, that is the only reason why I came back to the living plane, mine wasn’t in the Under Shadows waiting for me yet. I am determined to find them here.”
I tilted my head and pushed my leaning body away from the window. “Fated? What do you mean?”
Pyrrah shoved Josphine and hushed her. “Nothing, my lady, just discussing nonsense.” Pyrrah went to busy herself, but I stomped toward her.
“Excuse me, I need to know, I gave you all the juicy details about Oryx and me.”
Josphine giggled. “She sure did. That was so hot.”
Yes, these fae were horny creatures. When I told them that Oryx and I had a relationship, they had a field day. They wanted to know how, when, and why. The whole story of how I got here, how things work, and what sort of dick he had.
Not that I told them…
They were astonished by the whole ordeal and ate grapes out of the bowl that was meant for me as I described our relationship, and they nudged each other when they said that Oryx and Veylor had their own relationship before.
I knew that they did, but when you heard others talk about it, jealousy was an evil thing.
Pyrrah nudged Josephine. “You’ve gone and done it now. You have to tell her.”
Josphine shook her head. “No way, Lord Veylor is probably watching. I don’t want to disrespect him like that. He would want to tell her. Oh, could you imagine if it is a three-way bond?”
Pyrrah gasped. “I’m sure that is what this is. Why else would Lord Veylor have let this relationship go on so far?”
I growled and grabbed Pyrrah’s arm. “Excuse me!”
Now I was intrigued. What do you mean fated mates? The only fated mates I knew of were in books, and surely they wouldn’t be real here. Fated mates were not a thing.
Then again, I am in a world full of fae, monsters, vampires.
A cool hand wrapped around my wrist and I instantly let go, startled by the temperature difference.
“Good afternoon, Vesper.”
I gasped when I saw Veylor at my side. He’s dressed in all black attire, a cape around his neck, making him too devilishly handsome for his own good. My lady parts fluttered and I tried to step back, but he didn’t let go of my wrist; instead, he pulled me closer.
“I’d like to take you for a walk in the gardens, if that is okay with your friends here?”
I turned to my new friends and shook my head, silently pleading with them to ask for me to stay.
Josphine giggles. “My Lord, I think the fresh air would do her some good.”
Pyrrah nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course. You two have a nice long walk. Be sure to look at the stone arches. It’s so romantic.” She sang annoyingly, and Veylor and I both made a face of disgust.
At least we can agree on one thing.
He tugged at my wrist and led me out of the room. I scowled at both of them, and they wiggled their fingers and blew kissy faces at me.
Last time I would hang out with them.
Veylor led me to the front doors. I paused as I stared at the impending doors. I wasn’t ready for this, to go outside. I wasn’t necessarily scared…
Alright, that was a lie. I was completely terrified to go out there and with Veylor, alone.
As he noticed my apprehension, he paused and a frown appeared on his face. More emotions were appearing on his face lately, and I wondered if he was doing it for my sake.
“I will tell you over and over again, but I understand if you don’t believe me,” he said.
I licked my lips and stared at my shoes. The last time I was near the steps outside, the vampires ripped me from the front courtyard, and I was dragged into the forest and freaking mauled to death.
“…that is why Oryx will be with us the entire time.”
Veylor pushed open the door, and as it creaked, I winced at the widening crack that let in the brighter mist from outside. More light orbs were scattered throughout the courtyard, illuminating the area more than I had ever witnessed.
How many weeks has it been since I’ve been out here? Three, four?
My shoulders relaxed seeing so much light all in one place since arriving in this realm and seeing Oryx just on the other side of the steps where I was dragged off settled my once upset stomach.
I let out a shaky breath and looked up to Veylor with an expectant look. “We can take our time.” He took my arm and looped it with his. He caressed my hand with his other one.
I felt like I could see the man inside him now, what the maids were talking about. I could almost see him taking care of Josephine and Pyrrah, just like he was now taking care of me.
My heart fluttered, and I tried to push it down. Tried to bring that hate back that I so desperately wanted to feel.
But the warmth I felt in my body, despite the coldness of his body touching mine, was blooming faster than what I wanted.
I was turned on by him, and I couldn’t understand why. It’s been like that since I first met him, even if he acted like a dick towards me.
“Come on now, pet.” He teased. “Show me how brave you are.”
My face flushed with heat as he led me down the stairs while he walked in front of me.
He turned to watch me as I took the last steps and Oryx met me at the bottom.
Oryx greeted me with a long tongue kiss up the side of my neck, and instead of feeling embarrassed, I laughed at how he didn’t feel any jealousy toward Veylor holding my hand while he did it.
Would I feel jealous watching Oryx and Veylor kiss?
The thought had crossed my mind when I thought he was completely evil, but now, not as much. Knowing that Veylor had a softer side and was taking care of Oryx, I was more open.
And the way Veylor just tried to embarrass me by calling me pet… two can play that game.
Which brought me to boldly say, “Aren’t you going to give Veylor a lick on the cheek?” I sweetly asked Oryx.
Oryx jerked his head up in surprise but nodded quickly. “You would like to see me kiss Veylor?”
Veylor’s mouth dropped and he cleared his throat. “That’s not necessary. We are taking things slow…”
“Nonsense,” I said cheekily. “I would love to see you kiss Veylor, Oryx. Show me how you kiss him, like you kiss me.”
The fear of being outside in the courtyard was forgotten, and now a new memory was about to unfold. I was oddly curious to watch Oryx and Veylor make out.
Oryx turned to Veylor, his tail whipped back and forth in excitement. Veylor's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the sudden turn of events. "Vesper, you don't know what you're asking for," Veylor warned, but his voice lacked the usual sternness.
"Oh, I think I do," I replied, crossing my arms and watching intently. Oryx leaned in, his tongue swiping across his snout. The air between all of us crackled with tension.
Was he going to let Oryx do it?
Veylor stood frozen, his gaze flickering between Oryx and me.
“Our pet wants this,” Oryx growled. “We should at least give into her wishes. You want that right?”
Since when did Oryx become a manipulative little monster?
Oryx snapped his skull toward me. “Do you want to see me kiss him or not?” Oryx tilted his skull.
I tried to hide my smile. “Yes, please.”
I watched as Oryx came closer to Veylor with his heated gaze. He leaned into Oryx as Oryx took his long tongue and started at the base of Veylor’s neck.
Veylor's breath hitched as Oryx's tongue trailed up his neck, a sight that sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, I saw that vulnerability in him I’ve seen before.
Oryx's tail whipped faster, betraying his excitement as he reached Veylor's jawline, his massive form towering over Veylor's lean frame.
Veylor's hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, as if fighting an internal battle.
"Oryx," he whispered, a warning and a plea all in one.
His voice was hoarse, barely recognizable.
I watched, mesmerized, as Oryx's tongue finally reached Veylor's lips, tracing their shape gently, almost reverently.
A soft groan escaped Veylor, and he seemed to give in, his hands reaching up to grasp Oryx's shoulders. He pulled Oryx closer, deepening the kiss as Veylor opened his mouth and their tongues rubbed together. It was fierce and passionate, a clash of desire and longing.
A fiery heat surged through my veins, igniting every nerve in ways I had never imagined.
I felt both scorching and chilled, as if a storm of electricity crackled within me, demanding my surrender.
The force urged me closer to these two, a magnetic pull that insisted I become entwined with them, to be consumed by whatever this exhilarating chaos was.
Why do I want this so badly?
As they pulled away, Veylor's cheeks were flushed, his breath ragged. He turned to look at me, his eyes dark with emotion. "Satisfied?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.