Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Vesper’s smile was grim. “It was called the Hillbrook Fire because the Hillbrook Building was the most well-known one that burned. But the truth is, an entire city block of buildings was impacted. My family’s tenement building was one of them.
“When it first broke out, it was late, and we were all sleeping. By the time we realized what was happening, most of the exits were blocked, and several floors of people were trapped. My father and I made it out to the street, but then we realized that my mother and sister hadn’t.
He told me to wait on the curb, and said he had to go look for them.
” Tears pricked her eyes. “I begged him not to leave me, but he told me he’d be right back.
” She felt a hard lump in her throat and swallowed hard.
“The building collapsed shortly after he went back in to find them. None of them made it out.”
Maximilian stared, all traces of laughter gone from his face. “How old were you?”
“Eight.”
“Miss Evans.” Real pain touched the sorcerer’s voice. “I’m so sorry.”
Vesper nodded. She’d gotten through the hardest part of the story, she could tell the rest now.
“I spent a few months after that on the street, until one night I found a stoop to sleep on. The next morning, I woke up to a man wrapping a coat around me and bringing me inside. That was Tom Chauncey, my editor at the Globe.” She sighed.
“It’s been my home ever since, and I would do anything to protect it.
” She looked up at him. “That’s why I agreed to take this case, by the way.
If the Globe can’t pay its rent by December first, we lose the building and the newspaper will shut down. That’s why I need the money.”
For several minutes, they sat in silence, both staring at the crackling fireplace.
Eventually, Maximilian lifted his glass and took a long drink.
When he offered it to Vesper, she surprised herself by taking a third pull.
There was no way to explain it, but it felt as though, in her telling someone about what had happened to her, a weight had been lifted.
“I suppose it’s your turn to ask a question,” said Maximilian. “Fire away.” He groaned. “Sorry, no pun intended.”
Vesper racked her brain, trying to think of a question. She went with the first one that came to mind. “Is it true that you courted Sarah Levant?”
Maximilian looked up. “Who told you that?”
“Ada mentioned it.”
A wry smile touched his face. “It’s true. I courted her for a few months but it ended.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Sarah came from the right kind of family, to be sure. She’s probably exactly the sort of girl high society expects me to marry someday. Her family’s respectable, and she’s certainly attractive enough.”
Vesper winced, then hoped Max didn’t notice.
“Ultimately though, I knew after a few months that she and I would never make each other happy,” he said. “We were too different. She wanted a life that fit the status quo and I wanted something … else. In the end, I was the one who suggested we end it.”
“I see.” Vesper couldn’t explain the feeling in her chest. It was as though a hot air balloon was expanding in her rib cage, lifting her higher and higher. Was that what relief felt like?
Maximilian was still studying her. “Why’d you ask me that?”
Vesper paused. The truth was, she wasn’t entirely sure.
She didn’t know why she was sitting here, in a private den late at night beside a sorcerer, drinking his spiked cider and telling him things she hadn’t told anyone before.
She didn’t know why, the longer she stayed so close to Max, the harder her heart pounded in her chest, and she didn’t know why he was looking at her in a way he never had before. She shook her head, trying to clear it.
“I was just curious,” she said quickly. “Anyway, it’s your turn to ask a question.”
Maximilian stroked his chin. “Hmm … let’s make this interesting. Tell me the name of the first person you ever kissed.”
Vesper stared. “Maximilian!”
“You have to answer,” he said with a grin. “I don’t make the rules.”
“Yes you do.” Vesper frowned. “This is literally your depraved little game.”
“Fair enough,” said Maximilian. “But you asked me a question about my love life, so now I get to ask one about yours.” He smirked. “So, what was the lucky lad’s name?” He paused, thoughtful. “Or was it a girl?”
Vesper bit her lip. “I can’t give you a name.”
Maximilian’s brows shot up. “Can’t, or won’t?”
“Can’t.”
“Ah, come on, Evans.” He nudged her gently with an elbow. “It’s not like you’ve never been kissed before.”
Vesper turned and dropped her gaze. Another uncomfortable silence filled the den as the seconds passed. She felt her face warming.
“… Evans?”
Vesper looked back at Maximilian. His expression had become quite serious.
“Do you mean to tell me that you’ve really never…?”
“I haven’t wanted to,” she said quickly. “I’ve never had an interest.”
The skin between Maximilian’s brows pinched slightly. “Why?”
Vesper gnawed on her thumbnail. She had no idea how to answer a question like that.
What could she say? That she’d never had the great romantic “stirrings” she’d read about in novels?
That she couldn’t feel attraction to a person unless she felt a connection to them too?
That she was afraid that something was inherently wrong with her? She shook her head.
“I just … haven’t.”
“Do you want to?”
Her head snapped up. “What?”
“I could show you.” Maximilian’s tone was casual. “If you want to know what it’s like?”
Vesper’s heart skipped a beat, and she shook her head quickly. “You’ve been drinking too much of that cider.”
“Maybe.” Maximilian shrugged. “But you can’t tell me the idea doesn’t have merit. Let me be your first, Evans. I promise, I won’t bite.” He waggled his brows. “Well, unless you’d like me to.”
This time, there was no denying it. Vesper felt something flutter in her chest. She thought of that tiny chestnut sparrow back at the aviary, zipping around its cage. “This conversation is not happening.”
“What? I’m serious.” Maximilian turned his body so that he fully faced her on the rug. “No one knows you’re here, and no one ever will,” he said. “What happens at Kite Manor can stay at Kite Manor.” He paused, considering. “Unless, of course, you’re afraid?”
“I’m not afraid!”
“Then prove it.” Maximilian’s eyes flashed violet. “One kiss, and you’ll have the distinct pleasure of being able to say you proved me wrong.” He arched a dark brow. “You can’t tell me that’s not tempting.”
Vesper glared at the sorcerer, eyes narrowed. In some ways, it felt like they’d come full circle. Here he was, presenting her with yet another challenge, a game he seemed confident that he was going to win.
Maybe, just this once, she would prove him wrong.
“Just … one kiss?” she asked.
Maximilian nodded. “Just one.”
Vesper hesitated, then: “Fine. One, then.” She turned so that her body faced him too, then leaned forward slightly. Her breath caught as he closed the gap between them, so that he was close enough for her to count every one of the dark lashes that framed his violet eyes.
“You ready?” he murmured.
“It’s a kiss, Mr. Kite.” Vesper did her best to keep her voice steady. “Not a root canal.”
“Just one more thing,” he said. “You’re doing this of your own free will, yes? You do give me your consent to kiss you?”
“You’re asking?”
“I always ask.” His eyes flicked to her mouth. “So, is that a yes?”
Vesper swallowed. “Yes.”
“Very good.” Maximilian leaned even closer. “Now, I know this is going to be difficult for you, but you’re going to have to do what I say.”
A strange sensation thrummed low in Vesper’s belly. “Oh?”
“Trust me.” Maximilian’s voice was low. “If I have the honor of being your first kiss, I intend to get it right. Now, sit up and lean toward me just a bit more.”
Slowly, Vesper adjusted. She took in the faint smell of pine as she drew closer, and felt something within her coil tight like a set spring.
“Now, close your eyes for me, love.”