Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
T he drizzle swirled beyond the library windows, tapping against the glass incessantly. A storm was approaching.
Silence filled the room. Everyone else was entertaining themselves outside of the manor for the day, leaving me and Grandmother alone for the moment.
A smile curled at my lips. The dark rose lay beside me. I had found it beside me when I awoke this morning, the petals brushing my face.
I had a book spread open on my lap. Surely there is no happier place.
I read over the words on the page. Taking in the story the author told of lost love. I couldn’t bear to read the medical essays one more time. Even I needed a break from the darkness they described. The afternoon light wouldn’t last long. It was that dark that both thrilled and terrified me now. My conflicting emotions mixed with turmoil.
The sound of the door creaking open tore my eyes from my book. My heart leapt to life, expecting to find Maaier coming to see me. Only for it to falter as Victor poked his head through. I tried my hardest to keep my expression positive, not letting my slight smile fall.
“Ahh. I thought you would be in here.” He said before walking over to where I lounged on the lounge. My back against the armrest, stretched out over its length. Victor walked toward me. Slowly he lifted my legs and sat on the couch, placing my legs back over his lap. I felt my cheeks heat despite myself. What was he doing? Had I not made myself clear that I had no romantic interest in him?
Victor leant back. His expert fingers began to massage my calf muscles over my dress. Pleasure rippled through me, the action having aided my relaxation. I reclined back against the chair.
“What are you reading?” He asked. Eyeing the book with a curious gaze.
“A romance.” My eyes fluttered.
Victor snorted a small laugh. “The great gloomy Vespera. Queen of the Dark and Medical reading a romance novel. Well I never.” He shook his head laughing. I laughed with him despite myself, closing the book only to swat his arm with it. Causing us both to laugh harder. My gaze shifted from his smile to his shoulder. Specks of darkness marking the white expanse of fabric.
“Victor. You're bleeding.” I shifted to examine the stain further. His stare raked over my face, taking note of my concern.
“It’s not mine.” He smiled softly, waving me off. Frowning, I laid back, choosing to let it go for now. His hands resumed the massage. I told myself it was a patient's blood. That it was no one in the manors. Although I wasn’t quite sure. The wood fire crackled loudly, startling Victor.
The sound brought on a more tense silence.
“The police still have no idea who did it,” He spoke gently. His voice was as soft as the drizzle outside. I nodded once, understanding what he meant. They had given up on the case.
I shifted awkwardly. The high collar of my dress digging into my skin. I preferred to be covered these days, not wanting anyone to see the ugly pinched wound on my chest.
“I haven’t given up hope. I will find them myself if I have to.” He vowed. His focus on his hands clenched into fists and unclenching slowly as he forced the tension from them. I leant forward, taking one of his in my own, bare skin touching. I stupidly braced for the colour to flood. Yet again. Thank god. I breathed out my relief. I squeezed his hand in mine.
The door flew open the second he squeezed back.
Maaier strolled into the room. An air of arrogance surrounded him. His lethal gaze focused on where Victor’s hands met mine. Where my legs were still draped over his. What a sight this would be to walk in on. I was in for it now.
“Sophia has requested your presence in the kitchen,” He said evenly.
Victor said nothing. I pulled my knees up, allowing him to move.
He brushed past Maaier before turning to me, offering a sad smile before closing the door after him.
“You could have been kinder to him. We were just talking.” I frowned.
Maaier stalked forward. That lethal gaze on mine. “I don’t like others touching what is mine,” He hummed, looking over me. I swung my legs over the couch, planting them down onto the floor. Looking up at the man bent over me.
“I am not yours, Maaier. I belong to no one.”
He sat down beside me slowly, his expression as gentle as a warm embrace as he looked upon me, weighing the depth of my words. I meant what I said. I was no one’s to gift or give. His lips tipped up slightly, approving whatever he saw within my expression.
“They still haven’t found who attacked me.” I rolled my head to face Maaier now reclining on the sofa, changing the matter of discussion.. His gloved fingers twirling a piece of my hair over his fingers. Lost in his own world.
“They won't find him,” He grunted. Eyes still focused on a point at the ceiling.
I turned to face him fully. “Why not?”
“The police don’t care what happens in this manor. They think that the bloodline deserves to dwindle away.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “That is not the case.”
“Isn't it?” He dropped my hair. “Then how come they didn’t question you more? They took one statement and haven't been back. Unless another woman turns up dead in the same way. They won’t pay you any attention.” His voice, not full of malice, but more factual than anyone else has been with me. A quality I was growing to admire.
“So you mean to say I need to figure this out myself?”
“Yes. You will be the end of this.”
“Can’t I have any help at all?”
“No. They are after you, aren’t they?”
“Why won’t you help me? Aren't you my bodyguard or personal guard or whatever damned thing they labelled you as?”
“I am not allowed to interfere. I am only allowed to protect you. That is all,” He said before leaving. His shoulders slumped as if somehow he was saddened. What did he mean he couldn’t help? Wasn’t my life more important than his rule? And who gave him that rule anyhow?