Chapter 51
Maeve’s two least favorite guests returned to Sinclair Estates shortly after The Autumn Gala and she was forced to entertain Xander and Ophelia once more.
“Heads up,” said Abraxas quietly.
Maeve looked inside the house and groaned.
“Damn,” said Maeve. “I lost track of time. I could have ran and hid upstairs-”
Ophelia threw her arms around Maeve as soon as she walked onto the balcony, and Maeve pushed her away gently with a smile. Ophelia turned to Abraxas and kissed his cheek. Abraxas wiped his face with his hand when she turned her back.
Xander walked onto the balcony shortly after Ophelia, and he was not alone. To his side was The Senshi Warrior. He was Reeve’s second, Commander of the Aterna Army.
Eryx was his name. Xander’s half human cousin.
Ambrose and Mal rounded the corner together, and Ophelia bounced on her heels when she saw Mal. Xander kissed Maeve’s hand, and Maeve gave him an appeasing smile.
“Eryx,” said her father. “Xander.”
“Ambrose,” they responded in unison.
“Are you about to go riding?” Asked Ophelia with a smile.
“Yes,” said Maeve.
“I don’t sink I’ve ever zeen you wear pants,” said Ophelia with a repressed giggle.
“I wear trousers all the time,” said Maeve.
Ophelia shrugged and looked over at Mal adoringly. Maeve and Abraxas exchanged a quick look of confusion.
“I would be honored if you would escort me around the estate,” said Xander. “I ride well.”
“Oh,” said Maeve. “Well, I-”
“She’d love to,” said Abraxas with a smile.
Maeve glanced at Mal, whose expression was casual.
“Wonderful,” said Xander happily.
Ophelia bounced in front of Mal, and Maeve felt her stomach burn.
“Would you care to escort me?” Asked Ophelia with a smile.
“I have business to discuss with The Premier and Abraxas,” said Mal sweetly. “Though I’m sure Xander’s company would love to accompany you.”
Ophelia’s face dropped as Eryx offered Ophelia his hand. He didn’t look too pleased. But Eryx had a perpetually stern look on his face.
He was dressed more casually than the last time she saw him. But still, the Aterna didn’t have the same sense of style that the Magicals on Earth did. There was nothing wordly about his or Xander’s attire.
The horses were brought up from the stables, and Xander extended his hand to Maeve.
“I can ride myself,” said Maeve.
She had no intention of getting on a horse with him.
He tried to hide his look of disappointment as Maeve mounted her own horse. They rode along silently, shortly behind Eryx and Ophelia. Maeve thought Xander wasn’t terrible company when he was quiet, but soon after this thought, he ruined her peaceful ride.
“May I speak candidly, Miss Sinclair?” He asked.
“Of course,” replied Maeve, bracing herself.
He looked out over the cliff side as they rode along the trail.
“I know you’ve only just turned twenty-two-”
Maeve cursed Abraxas for being so wicked and forcing this interaction. Xander continued.
“I understand it’s crucial to your family to maintain strong magical bloodlines,” said Xander. “And it’s crucial for mine to be reinstated.”
Maeve tensed up and stared straight ahead. He cleared his throat when she didn’t reply and sat up straight.
“You’re young, but-”
“I am aware of why you are here,” said Maeve, her voice quiet.
He was silent for a moment. “I’ve noticed you are close to the Dread Prince. I have heard you are to be named his second. Though I can’t imagine he is looking to marry his right hand.”
Maeve looked over at him, and her eyebrows drew together.
“I meant no offense,” he said.
“And yet,” said Maeve dryly, “I am offended all the same.”
Xander laughed. It was a beautiful, empty laugh. Like his face. His eyes. “Your father warned me you would be difficult.”
Maeve looked away from him and watched as Ophelia pouted at the lack attention Eryx was giving her. Maeve rolled her eyes.
“I hope you’ll consider my offer,” said Xander.
“Consider?” Maeve laughed. “You are not aware that I have no say in the matter? That I am expected to marry whomever I am instructed to? You are not aware I have an nonconsensual agreement with the Mavrosi to marry their son?”
Xander didn’t answer, and pretended to look confused.
“I could have sworn I saw you all over Leslie Loxerman at the Autumn Gala,” said Maeve. “Or were you also not aware she is the head of The Committee that decides such arrangements?”
Xander sighed and smiled.
“Difficult was an understatement,” he said.
Maeve didn’t return his smile.
“I hope you’re enjoying your time at Sinclair Estates,” said Maeve. “And I trust you are smart enough to follow the trail back to the house.”
Without waiting for a reply, Maeve squeezed her legs together, and her horse broke out of its leisurely pace and into a gallop. She rode quickly past Ophelia and Eryx.
When she arrived back at the house, Maeve dismounted her horse and made her way up the stone stairs to the balcony. Her Father had just nailed the punchline to a joke, as everyone laughed.
Mal was seated beside Ambrose, looking quite relaxed.
“Back so soon, darling?” Asked Ambrose as Maeve tossed her riding gloves on the table.
“Where are the others?” Asked Clarissa.
“Still on the trail, I suppose,” said Maeve in a huff. “Lucky for me, I know a shortcut.”
Maeve winked at her father and took the glass of water he offered her.
“That’s not the point, dear. It isn’t a race,” said Clarissa with a forced smile.
The tone of her mother’s voice made Maeve want to vomit.
“It’s an escort through the cliff side to show our guests the estate,” continued Clarissa.
Maeve looked over at her mother and shrugged. “Xander couldn’t keep up.”
Mal smirked, and Abraxas covered his mouth with his drink.
Clarissa eyed her with a frown. “Dinner will be served soon. I suggest you change.”
Maeve’s eyes met Mal’s before she took her leave without another word.
She hastily changed from riding clothes into a dress and short heels for dinner. With one hand on her canopy bed post, she picked up pale blue sling back and raised her foot.
The door to her room clicked quietly open and Maeve whipped around, nearly falling over and dropping the shoe. She sighed with relief as Mal closed the door quietly behind himself. He strode across the room with a satisfied look on his face.
Maeve picked up her shoe just as he reached her. He snatched it away and tossed it across the room. His lips found hers quickly. And he took her on the writing desk, one hand hoisting her leg high, and the other over her mouth, to keep from being heard.
When Maeve arrived in the dining hall, her father was waiting for her.
“So I’m difficult, huh?” Asked Maeve as she walked toward him.
Ambrose laughed.
“I believe I said ‘he would have difficulty,’ which is entirely different.”
“Please don’t make me sit next to him,” said Maeve.
“He’s already asked to,” said Ambrose solemnly.
Maeve took a deep breath.
“What about Iris?” Asked Maeve.
“She won’t be of age for another year,” answered Ambrose.
“Natalia or Victoria?”
“She and Marcos are set to be married after the New Year, and Victoria is under a bidding war currently.”
Maeve rolled her eyes. “As if the Mavrosi family can’t afford her.”
“The Mavrosi want you,” said Ambrose carefully. “We agreed to that years ago.”
“I didn’t agree to anything.”
Clarissa’s voice came from behind Ambrose. “Technically, you did.”
Ambrose turned. “Not now.”
“Look at your wrist,” her mother said coldly.
Maeve swallowed. She didn’t obey.
Clarissa nodded, her upper lip curled. “When those honorable stars were burned into your skin, you took a vow as a Pureblood Witch.”
“I was a child,” said Maeve. “I don’t even remember that.”
Clarissa looked at Ambrose. “Neither do I.”
She walked to the Dining table and began straightening the place settings. Ambrose watched her as he spoke quietly.
“Just play the damn game, Maeve. If not for yourself, then for Mal.”
Maeve rounded her father and sat in her seat with a huff. Dinner was shortly served, and Maeve ate her food silently for most of the meal.
Xander was much too close to Maeve all evening, and judging by the look on Mal’s face across from her, he felt the same.
“Your attire, Miss St. Beveraux,” said Eryx. “It’s quite unique. I’ve not seen such fashion on Earth.”
Ophelia dressed like all the spoiled girls in Paris. Over the top frills and ornamentation.
“Thank you,” said Ophelia.
She turned towards Mal.
“Do you agree, Mal?” Asked Ophelia sweetly.
“It’s lovely, yes,” said Mal with a smile.
Ophelia’s face brightened, and she bit her lip. Maeve’s grip on her knife tightened.
“Back home,” said Ophelia, “zis is all the women wear. Eet is quite fashionable. I see none of zat here. All embroidered collars.”
Maeve was well aware the collar of her dress had embroidery on it. Arianna looked away from Titus and frowned at Ophelia’s comment. Embroidered collars and sleeves and shoes were Arianna’s favorite.
“You’d look lovely in such a style, Maeve,” said Xander.
Maeve looked down at her plate as she felt Xander’s eyes burn into her.
“Oh, pleaze,” said Ophelia with a giggle. “Maeve n’a aucun style.”
Maeve has no sense of style.
Ophelia yelped, and her hand flew to her face as a small incision appeared across her cheek.
“Oh, dear,” said Xander, reaching for his handkerchief and attempting to help Ophelia from across the table.
Eryx’s eyes grew wide for the first time. He looked at Maeve with the smallest hint of approval.
Ophelia’s eyes shot around the room as she avoided Maeve’s gaze.
“It’s alright,” muttered Ophelia as her cheeks flushed. “I - I- must ‘ave hit a branch earlier on ze ‘orse an’ not noticed.”
“Oui,” said Maeve coldly. “C'est ca.”
Shock rang across Ophelia’s face as she realized Maeve spoke French.
Maeve looked across the table at Mal. Who stared back at her emotionlessly.
A calming sensation resonated from the ring around her neck, and Maeve relaxed in her chair with a deep breath.
Ambrose cleared his throat quietly, and Maeve tilted her head towards him.
His whispers were covered by the fuss everyone was making over Ophelia.
“No physical magic?” Asked Ambrose curiously.
Maeve shook her head subtly. “Some Dread Magic is silent and swift.”
Ambrose picked up his brandy with a satisfied look on his face.
And Maeve realized, feeling only the slightest bit of guilt, that the mark on Ophelia’s face would scar. As all Dark Magic did. As all Dread Magic did.