Chapter 4
Odessa’s POV
Although Devareaux said not to concern myself with my lease, I decided I would continue to pay on it until my money ran out.
Then I would determine if I would need to borrow money from my blood husband to pay off the lease myself.
But for now, I would just focus on being with my blood partner.
After signing all of the many documents, we were in his car with his driver, Chauffie, heading towards my new home.
I was anxious, but also excited. I didn’t know what to expect from this big change in my life.
I had never been to the high blood born neighborhoods.
I was raised knowing that the bloods did not “cross over” on to other neighborhoods. It was just not done.
Once we arrived at Devareaux’s home, I was in utter shock. The place was huge! It could fit two levels of the flats into his one house! I couldn’t help my reaction, as Devareaux looked on me with pride.
“Do you like your new home?”
It was massive. It was beautiful, yes, but something about it made me uncomfortable.
“Ummm,…...yes. It’s beautiful. And big.”
Devareaux chuckled. “It is a decent sized home for an aristocrat, yes.” He seemed pretty proud of himself.
Would I be able to adapt to my blood partner being an aristocrat?
I was on edge about what this could mean.
Would I have to start dressing like the high blood borns?
Attending those flashy boring events I heard about and saw on my phone on the news sites?
As if reading my mind, Devareaux said, “We will not rush into any big changes. Let’s settle in first with each other, get a new routine, and decide what to do from there. Yes?”
Without thinking twice about it, I nodded, feeling a bit of relief. Yes. Slow and steady sounds good to me.
Chauffie spoke up as soon as we exited the car.
“Sir, the Madam’s belongings should arrive within the hour.”
Devareaux nodded. “Excellent.” He turned to me and waved his hand in the direction of his home. “Shall we, Odessa, my dear?” He smiled softly at me.
I felt a slight shiver run through me as he called me ‘my dear.’ It sounded lovely. It was still new adjusting to the news that I had found my blood partner, now my blood husband. The experience had been quite quick and I was still reeling a bit from it.
“Ummm….yes. I think I’m ready.”
As we entered the large mahogany double doors, a man stood just inside the entrance.
He looked stiff and awkward.
“Sir.”
“Renald, meet my wife, Odessa. Odessa, this is Renald. He has been the butler for my home for three years now.”
Renald softened a bit, as he bowed slightly towards me, making me anxious. “Madam, welcome home. It is an honor to meet you.”
“It is nice to meet you, Renald.”
I was ushered into the big estate, and I was both in awe and discomfort all at the same time.
Many of the things in this room looked too pretty to touch, including the furniture.
I felt on edge, until Devareaux approach me, and settle his large hand on my back.
I felt a shiver run through me, as I looked up at him.
He smirked at me, knowing he was affecting me already.
And he hadn’t even taken the blood yet. Would he do that now? Later?
As if reading my mind, he spoke. “Let’s get you settled in, have dinner together, then we will sort out…...other things later.” His eyes were sparkled, making me flush.
I had heard stories about the taking. I wasn’t sure what was real versus fantasy, so would have to go in to this with an open mind.
My father had explained his first taking, with some restraint, when I was about to turn 18 years old.
He wanted me generally prepared if I found my blood match sooner than later.
Most men wanted to complete the taking within the first 48 hours.
I had heard only a few had lasted longer.
I think a week was the longest time between meeting and the taking.
I had found that odd and wondered if there had been a weak blood match, though a blood match the same.
Devareaux escorted me around the very large house. The last stop was, of course, the master bedroom. The room was large enough to fit three studios in it. I didn’t understand why one man would need so much space.
As soon as I entered the room, I gasped. “Oh my. This is…..this is…….ummm…….wow.”
I guess he took that as a compliment as he kept smiling the entire time he showed me the house.
House, not home. I wasn’t sure if I could call this a home.
It was so vast and full of…..things. It was quite overwhelming.
Even when I had lived at home with my parents, their house could fill a fourth of Devareaux’s house.
My parents’ home had been snug and cozy, full of comfort and welcoming energy.
I would have to try and adapt as this would obviously become my new home.
Devareaux stood next to me, and placed a hand on my back again. He seemed to do that often since we got to the house, constantly needing to touch me. I wasn’t sure if it was the blood tempting him or if he was just that accepting of me as his blood wife so quickly. I hoped it was the latter.
My things had arrived by the time we made it to the master bedroom, so the staff on hand brought in my things, all in boxes.
The boxes were set along a wall, and it made my belongings look minimal.
I knew I did not have much, but for a low blood born, I had enough.
I glanced to Devareaux who was frowning at my gathered belongings.
“We can get you whatever you need. You are my blood wife now, and you will want for nothing.”
That made me anxious and excited. I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I smiled at him and nodded. He smiled back, his eyes crinkling in the corners.
“Now, let’s have some dinner. Then we will discuss…..other matters after.”
I flushed again, and nodded. I was pretty sure he meant the taking and…...other things.
My mother had honed into me that the best thing to experience with your blood partner was intimacy of any kind, before or during the taking.
It was “an experience in and of it itself.” She had this far away look in her eyes, with a little smile on her face when she had told me about it.
I had felt embarrassed at first, because you did not want to know those things about your parents.
I was looking forward to that experience, if a little uneasy as well.
I was a not a virgin, but this was supposed to be what all those experiences led up to.
I’m sure Devareaux had his fair share of experiences, ones I did not really want to know about.
I could only hope I was good enough for him.
I had heard of aristocrats who strayed, for the intimacy not the blood.
Drinking another’s blood after finding your blood partner was considered taboo.
But there were those, especially in low blood born neighborhoods, that engaged in taboo and dark activities.
The darkest one? Bloodletting. I had heard plenty of horror stories about kidnappings for bloodletting parties.
The person taken would be gone for days, then suddenly reappear on the streets.
They became known as bleeders. The bleeders lost their jobs often due to being missing for days, missing work without permission, then could no longer afford their homes, their basic needs, even a once a week human blood tasting.
The aristocrats either didn’t know about this activity, or they chose to look the other way.
At dinner, at a very long table, I was grateful that Devareaux insisted I sit next to him and not at the far end of the table. When the staff had left the room to get the food, he had leaned over to me and whispered, “I need to be near me. You smell too delicious.”
I felt my heart flutter, hoping that was a good thing.
When the food was brought out, I hesitated.
It looked too pretty to eat. There was a red meat of some sort on my plate with vegetables that looked dressed up to be fancy.
I had looked at Devareaux for guidance. Low blood borns did not usually eat red meats.
We were allotted the cheaper fish and chicken mostly. It was what we could afford.
“It is steak.”
“Ummm…..I do not usually eat steak.”
A look flickered across his face.
“What kind is it?” I asked out of curiosity.
I heard shuffling behind me but kept my focus on Devareaux.
“It is called Wagyu. It is a high valued steak.”
I nodded and smiled at him. “It smells delicious.”
He smiled back, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes this time. I focused on the food. It was absolutely delicious. I’m not sure I would want to eat it very often, as it was a bit heavy for me, but it was mouthwatering.
After finishing, I made sure to express my appreciation. “Mmmm, that was very delicious.”
“I am glad you enjoyed it.”
After dinner, Devareaux took me to an area that had a couple of couches, plush chairs, and a center table.
We sat side by side on one of the couches, turned towards each other as our knees touched.
He spoke first. “Tell me what you expect from me.”
I had not expected that at all.
I stuttered for a moment, “Oh,….ummmm…….I’m not…..not really…..ummmmm….sure. I guess I may have high expectations because of my parents.”
His face lit up. “Tell me about them.”
So I did. Mom met Dad when they were both 20 years old.
So, fairly young when they found each other.
They had a strong connection immediately, which I was surprised about.
Most blood partners spent time getting to know each other and building their bond.
Mom had once told me, “I believed in the blood. I believed it knew who was meant for me.”
Devareaux appeared surprised by my response. “You are close with your parents?”
I smiled softly. “I am.”
He smiled back at me. “Are you an only child?”
I nodded. “And you?”
He smiled widely at me, his eyes crinkling again. “A sister named Estella.”