Chapter 52 #2
“Well, lucky for you, here I am,” said Maeve. “Unlucky for you, though, I am heading to bed.”
“Need any company?”
Maeve’s face fell flat at his comment. He wasn’t provoking her. She wasn’t the butt of a joke, like Reeve’s crass comments. Alphard was serious. And he was disgustingly intoxicated and inebriated.
“Mal’s got you all wrapped up, huh?” He slurred his words.
She looked back at him with a raised eyebrow in complete confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Alphard stepped in towards her, and before she could stop him, he kissed her.
Maeve jerked away. “What are you doing?” Maeve pushed hard on Alphard’s chest.
“Don’t-don’t pull back from me now,” said Alphard.
“What?”
“I’ve missed your touch, your lips-”
“Hush,” hissed Maeve.
She placed one hand on his chest, keeping distance between them, and looked him dead in the eyes before choosing her words carefully. She studied him. Her eyes darting back and forth between his own.
“You’re drunk,” she said.
“I’m not,” growled Alphard.
He grabbed her arm firmly and pulled her close. Maeve was flustered, terrified of someone seeing them.
“Where is your red head?” Asked Maeve quietly. “Where is Victoria?”
“Otherwise occupied. The Damario’s gold seems to have caught her attention.”
“You have more money yourself than the entire Damario family,” said Maeve. “Just buy her and be done with it.”
Alphard’s nostrils flared. “I don’t want to buy her, Maeve.” His voice was sad. “I want her to pick me. Like you’ve picked Mal.”
“Let go, Al,” she said. But her voice kicked.
And he disobeyed. He tugged her closer.
Electricity tingled down her arm. Ready if needed.
“Don’t you dare,” said Maeve lowly. “Don’t you dare put me in a position to lose him, Alphard.
” Her voice shook. “Don’t ever think that anything we had one fleeting summer is more important than our Dread Prince.
Than my allegiance and dedication to him.
That I would ever go behind his back- with another of his own much less.
Or have you changed your support of him? ”
“Bloody hell, that’s so pathetic, Maeve,” said Alphard, laughing as he dropped her arm.
She shook her head at his ridiculous behavior and continued down the corridor. Alphard was hot on her heels.
“Is that how it feels when he kisses you? Might as well be pissing all over you.”
Maeve’s jaw dropped at his vulgar comment.
Alphard stumbled slightly. “I know you’re smarter than to-to-to think there are any feelings there- that you are more than a prize to be claimed to him or that his possession over you has anything to do with love.”
She didn’t look back, but that didn’t stop Alphard from lashing out at her further.
“But if you do think any of that, you’re a fool, Maeve. And I feel sorry for you.”
She stopped and turned on him. Ice, angry and tired, slammed down her arm. She pointed two fingers at him, the tips swirling with blue light. She stared him down coldly.
“Either go back to the party, Mr. Mavros or go home. Your inebriated shortcomings aren’t welcome.”
Alphard looked at her and chuckled grimly. “Your loyalty never fails.”
“You’re damn right it doesn’t.”
His eyes bore into her in a way she hated. He had never looked at her with disgust until this moment. He had always been her friend and Mal’s friend. One of his boys.
But then she remembered. Before he was one of Mal’s boys. . .he was Antony’s best friend.
A dull numbness wafted over her arm. The blue light faded and her arm fell to her side.
“Even when you’re mad, you’re beautiful,” said Alphard.
“Beautiful?” Maeve gave a frustrated groan.
“Do you know how tiresome of a compliment that is?” Maeve looked at him incredulously.
She was beyond disappointed in his behavior, and drunkenness was her least favorite state in which to interact with someone.
“Beautiful is the lousiest and laziest compliment I could possibly get,” said Maeve.
“Yes. Of course I am. Do you have anything else that draws you to me? Besides my beauty and the fact that you cannot have the one you love? Is that enough for you to deny me the one I do?”
Alphard ran his fingers across his face and through his hair. “Merlin- you two were made for each other,” he spat. “For all your intellect and brilliance, you have let him completely take your mind, your reason and logic.”
“I’m not going to apologize for knowing my worth, Alphard.
I can’t help but resent anyone who thinks all I have to offer is my looks.
And you chastise me for choosing him when I’ve never once thought he was shallow enough to think that way.
I am by his side because of my abilities, what I have to offer. Not as arm candy.”
A wave of nausea overcame Maeve, and her hand shot to her head. The hall spun. The fire lights lining the hall blurred. The bones across her torso and chest constricted.
“Not your last name?”
A sharp breath caught in her chest, and she glowered at Alphard.
“Oh,” seethed Alphard. “That had never occurred to you, had it?”
Maeve swallowed hard.
“Or,” continued Alphard, “maybe it has occurred to you, and you just deny it. That’s the part you don’t let yourself see. It doesn’t matter what he’s using you for. You need to admit that he is using you. I bet he can’t wait to for you to have his child. Solidify his claim over you.”
Maeve laughed. “You are so behind. Jealousy isn’t very becoming on you either.”
Alphard staggered slightly. Maeve continued. Her swift sickness vanished.
“I am beyond you in ways you can’t even fathom.
But you want to play the name game? That’s a joke.
What’s your last name?” She folded her arms across her chest and closed the gap between them cooly.
“Isn’t it your family that has the darkest and purest bloodline of all of us?
Isn’t it your name being used just as much as mine?
The letters your parents get from Mal, you think they’re out of the goodness of his heart?
” Maeve laughed. “But here’s the difference, Mavros, between you and I, and I’ll spell it out for you since you obviously can’t comprehend it on your own.
I offer The Prince of Darkness more than you.
I offer him a discipline in charms that the Orator’s Office and even the Immortal High Lord recognize as bloody brilliant.
I offer him unfaltering trust and unfailing loyalty.
I’ve proved it. And if you want to be realistic about it, yes, I offer him a pureblooded inheritance, access to my father’s world, and the continuation of a strong magical bloodline.
And as you stand here, having failed him, ask yourself- what besides a name do you have to offer? ”
She left him standing in the corridor, and without looking back, made her way across the landing to her bedroom.
Arianna was coming out of her own room.
“Are you alright?” Asked Arianna.
Maeve was taken aback by her sister’s comment but kept walking down the hall to her bedroom.
“Yes,” said Maeve. “I just want to go to bed.” She passed her and then turned around. “Congratulations.”
Arianna had already changed out of her wedding dress. She looked back at Maeve without a reply, and then continued back to the party.
Maeve had hardly made it to her room and closed the door when there was a loud CRACK and Zimsy stood in front of her.
“A bath?” Said Zimsy.
“No,” said Maeve. “I just want to sleep.”
Zimsy nodded and extended her arms open wide. Maeve walked into them as Zimsy guided her to the bed. Maeve plopped down and grabbed a pillow.
“Thank you,” said Maeve, resting her head on the soft velvet. “Do you want to stay with me and talk about all the annoying guests tonight?”
“Say more,” said Zimsy as she climbed into bed next to Maeve.