Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
ORPHEUS
Crouching low in the shadows, I hid behind the pews, awaiting my chance to either bolt away into the night or down into the basement of the chapel.
I observed the two nuns carrying out their work in earnest, both dressed in their long white linen habits.
They silently tended to the small church, thus allowing me to listen to their thoughts.
I ascertained that sixteen-year-old Martha had recently arrived at the convent.
However, it was Catherine who interested me—the woman of Jadeon’s affections.
Easily absorbed with Catherine’s thoughts, I detected she continued to feel a great deal of fondness for Jadeon, thinking about him frequently.
Switching my concentration to the youngest nun, I was surprised at how mundane her thoughts were and decided that I would have to leave soon before I collapsed from sheer boredom.
Much to my amusement, a rat scuttled close to Martha and her screams disrupted the silence as she leapt onto one of the pews. My boredom subsided.
Catherine did what she could to calm Martha, who though shaken, attempted to recompose herself. Fear struck again as out of the corner of her eye Martha caught sight of me and screamed, pointing in my direction. Catherine turned to see what had distressed the girl.
I stood up.
Catherine gasped.
I stared defiantly, aware that I was still naked from the waist down.
For the young Martha, this was all too much. Jumping down from the pew and almost ripping her sash, she ran from the church, the noise of her wails resonating. Catherine’s glare equaled my own.
“This is a house of God!” Catherine exclaimed, and before she could stop herself her gaze fell directly upon my nakedness. “Sir, I beg you, please cover up. You can see I am a nun.”
I took great pleasure in staring back at her and proceeded to pull the rest of my clothes on, my eyes frequently glancing up at the captivating nun who bravely stood her ground.
“Sir, if you are in need of help, some medicine or food, we can provide such things for you.”
I approached her. She caught her breath. Catherine stepped backward, moving away from me.
I followed.
Catherine banged into the font and froze.
I leaned forward, pressing against her and placed my hand inside the chapel’s font and wet my forefinger. She struggled, but with my weight pressed against her she was powerless. I placed my finger on her full lips and into her mouth and stroked her moist tongue.
Instinctively, Catherine suckled.
I stared down at the beautiful innocent creature, enraptured, and now understood how Jadeon had become so obsessed with her.
She yielded to me, entranced by my dark seduction—it was a dazzling sight. Mesmerizing in the way she gave herself over effortlessly, as if a hidden longing had finally been exposed.
Removing my finger from her mouth, I took hold of her hand, guiding her forefinger into mine.
Catherine’s eyes rolled back, teetering. Her legs gave way.
I caught her, preventing her fall.
“Yes,” she whispered it, a response to an unspoken question, a plea, a longing, a heart brimming with desire. I had unlocked the hidden path to her most cherished thoughts.
“Yes?” I mirrored my voice husky with lust for her.
God, she is exquisite.
Thwack!
A sharp pain struck the back of my head. I let go of Catherine and spun round to see Martha holding a large silver candlestick.
I laughed and dodged another strike from the candle. “So I take it a ménage a trois is out of the question?”
Martha was startled that her attack had no effect on me. I lunged toward her, and she screamed and leapt back. I howled with laughter.
Martha grabbed Catherine’s hand, pulling her toward the doorway. On reaching the chapel exit, Catherine turned and stared at me.
I smiled at her.
For a moment, she appeared caught in a trance, the echo of my touch still clinging to her. She blinked as if waking from a dream, her lips soft and flushed, her chest rising with each breath, revealing the quiet bloom of desire stirring within her.
“He is the Devil!” Martha shrieked.
I leaned against the chapel door and watched the two nuns running into the night. “You flatter me, Martha,” I called out.
Catherine’s subtle perfume carried in the air. I breathed her in, then shook myself from my reverie. I had a ball to attend.
Within the hour, I stood on the shoreline of St. Michael’s Mount.
The memory of Catherine’s touch slid across my skin like silk in moonlight, delicate, electric, and unforgettable.
Cornwall was opening endless eternal delights.
Other guests were arriving, and I strolled with them toward the castle steps.
This was indeed a stately event. All had dressed in their finest attire.
At the entrance of the castle, I saw Alex, Jadeon, and the man whom I assumed was their father, Lord Artimas.
He was exactly as Alex had described. All three were busy greeting their guests.
I paused for a moment and rallied myself.
I was about to come face-to-face with a Stone Master.
I had to convince Lord Artimas, who had an eye for vampires, that I was human.
If I underestimated anyone here, I would be in jeopardy.
Lost in the crowd, I took a moment to study the other guests and familiarize myself with the castle. Looking back again at the grand entrance steps, I was surprised to see Jadeon Artimas staring at me. He whispered into Alex’s ear. Alex’s face lit up.
I approached them, all the time scanning Lord Artimas’s mind for any indication of his suspicions of me. I bowed deeply, greeted them and threw a quick glance at their father, ready to retreat if needed.
Lord Artimas turned to me. “Sir, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to St. Michael’s Mount. I am forever in your debt.”
“Lord Artimas, I am honored to have finally met. Your son has spoken such inspiring words about you,” I said, almost cringing at the niceties.
“Lord Velde,” Jadeon said, “we are honored that you could join us. Perhaps later I will have the opportunity to become more acquainted?”
“I would like that very much, sir.” I studied Lord Artimas, reassured that I was in.
I followed directions into the lobby and left my hosts greeting their other guests.
I looked about the finely decorated castle vestibule, observing the men and women mingling with one another.
Taking a moment to read their minds, I couldn’t help but laugh at how warmly they greeted each other, while their thoughts certainly did not reflect such sentiments.
I strolled into the main ballroom and immediately recognized the music played by the orchestra, recalling that Ludwig Van Beethoven had been one of Sunaria’s favorite composers.
I avoided the regally-dressed servants who offered guests a rich assortment of fruits, meats, and sweet delicacies, and instead admired the rich burgundy and purple velvet drapes strewn upon the walls of the ballroom, providing an elaborate backdrop to the baroque décor.
The grand chandeliers hung low from the ornate ceiling, reflecting the candlelight exquisitely off their finely cut crystal.
Over three hundred guests had been invited, and I wondered how many were staying within the castle walls following the festivities.
The dancing couples were dressed in their finest apparel.
Light from the chandeliers shone upon them.
I sauntered about the room lingering close to the walls, aware of the glances and even some stares from admiring mortals.
I reminded myself I was not here for entertainment.
Alex soon joined me and together we stood in the corner of the sumptuous ballroom, talking discreetly to one another, occasionally looking toward the center of the room where some of the guests mingled loudly and others danced.
The playful mortals waltzed around and around, their perfectly timed gliding steps all in unison moving flawlessly to the orchestra.
“My, you have caught the sun,” Alex said.
“I was outside quite a bit, selecting horses to send back to Spain,” I lied.
“But I thought Spain had the best horses?”
“Ah, I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Well, I know first hand of your excellent choice in livery.”
“How is the mare?”
“She’s settled in well. I ride her every day.”
“I am glad to hear it,” I said.
Jadeon appeared, and we welcomed him into the conversation.
“Your party is a success,” I said.
“Yes, it appears to be going well,” Jadeon said. “Alex tells me you live in Spain. How long will we have the pleasure of your company?”
“I return to Spain in a few weeks,” I replied, but I was secretly planning to visit Italy. Anything to cleanse myself of all this death. The kind I was about to unleash.
To judge by Alex’s expression, he had not considered that I might leave Cornwall. “But you are both invited to visit me in Spain,” I added.
Jadeon smiled. “Perhaps next summer?”
Alex looked vexed.
Jadeon reflected concern. “Alex has a lot on his mind right now.”
“I have been condemned to a slow death,” Alex said.
“How so?”
“Father has arranged—”
“For him to marry,” Jadeon said.
I feigned ignorance, though I had extracted the facts before they were spoken.
“Perhaps you could request to be hung, drawn, and quartered instead?” I said.
Jadeon’s expression was priceless.
Alex laughed. “At least the suffering would not last quite as long.”
“Well, I for one adore weddings.” I winked at Alex.
Alex sighed. “Daumia, you’re not helping.”
His informality surprised me. “Perhaps I could meet her?”
“You and me both.”
“You approve of your brother’s union?” I asked Jadeon.
“It’s complicated. But I have promised Alex that I will talk with Father about—”
“I want to meet her, get the girl,” I insisted.
Jadeon was a little taken aback. “Well I . . . very well.”
Alex and I accepted the goblets of wine offered up by a waiter. I returned my gaze to Alex. I hated the fact he was in an unwanted engagement.
“May I present the honorable Lady Emily Theron,” Jadeon announced.
I turned toward Jadeon and looked at the two women he escorted, obviously both friends.
Jadeon gestured. “Lady Theron, Lady Raynor, may I introduce Lord Velde.”
“You most certainly can.” Emily glanced up at me.
I read her mind and smiled. “Madam.” I bowed, taking her hand and kissing it. “I am honored to make your acquaintance.”
“And I yours, Lord Velde.” Emily was breathless.
“Alex tells me how delighted he is that you are soon to be wed,” I said.
“Yes, thank you, sir.” Emily blushed.
“Have you known each other long?” I inquired.
“Quite long.”
“How long?” I pressed.
“Well, I—”
“How much time have you spent in each other’s company?”
Emily grew silent.
“I see,” I said.
Tension hung thick in the air.
“Perhaps a dance.” Jadeon motioned to Lady Theron.
“One moment please, Jadeon.” I leaned toward Emily and whispered into her ear. “I know your secret.”
Emily gasped.
“How awkward,” I smiled, enjoying taunting her.
“But how do you—”
“Your mother told us,” I misled her.
“My mother told you I am preg—”
Alex spat out his wine.
Emily looked at Alex, her face reddening.
“Really?” I said. “Glad we cleared that up.”
Jadeon cringed. “Oh, God.”
“And it looks as though Alex is not the father,” I said.
Emily was perplexed.
“Well, we are off to tour the castle,” I said.
“Alex has promised to show me the family art collection. I hear they have a Rembrandt. And coincidentally, I too own a painting by the same artist—Belshazzar’s Feast. Why, if ever you are in Spain, I would take such delight in showing it to you, but with a new baby on the way you won’t be doing much traveling. ”
Emily’s friend led her away.
“That’ll put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship,” I said.
“I am not quite sure what just happened there,” Jadeon said.
“It was perfectly clear to me. Your father sacrificed his son’s happiness for a friend whose daughter is with child.”
Jadeon was stunned. “How did you know she was—”
“Well, Jadeon, if you have to ask,” I said.
Jadeon flinched. He excused himself.
“Looks like your brother is off to tell Papa that the cat’s out of the bag,” I said.
“You just saved my life for a second time.” Alex took a large gulp of wine.
“So I did,” I said.