Chapter 2
Dreya’s POV
I finally received the call. Finally! I had been so hopeful for my blood match since I first started giving my blood samples to the Facility.
I was going to meet my blood match! I was extremely excited.
And a little nervous too, but who wouldn’t be?
I was about to meet the man who would be my forever.
I would finally be able to leave home and build a new one.
Would we get along? Would he like me? Would he be an aristocrat?
I grimaced. Yes, I was one, but I was hoping to be matched to a mid blood born.
It was a bit rare, but not impossible. There were a few, okay maybe more like a handful, of aristocrats that weren’t too bad.
Almost tolerable even. But a mid blood born would be perfect!
I was besides myself with giddiness. I told Mother I had to go out to the salon, one of the rare places I was allowed to go every other month. I’d go too, if only to get away from that house. It was so stifling.
Father, oh I mean Mr. D’Avare, did not want me too far from the home.
I had learned early on that Mr. D’Avare, as he preferred I call him, had wanted a son.
I once overheard him complain to Mother, rather loudly, that I was “an abomination” because of my slightly reddish brown hair.
I was not allowed to attend public events.
Mother, unfortunately, was a nervous type.
Always trying to please Mr. D’Avare. Mr. D’Aavre was not a nice man, but it’s not like I could choose who my father was.
But here was an opportunity to move out of that dreaded home, and be myself. Well, more myself than I had ever been anyway.
The household staff had always been nice to me, probably because Mr. D’Avare was so cruel.
Luckily, he was away from the home most of the time.
I wasn’t entirely sure what he did, but Mother said he owned a lot of businesses.
We lived in a very grand home, but I honestly hated it.
It was too big and empty. Mother spent quite a bit of her time away from the home too, so what people I did talk to were mainly the household staff or the women at the salon.
I was able to use the family driver, Bernard, who I excitedly shared the news of my blood match.
Obviously, he would know anyway once he drove me to my destination, but I wanted to share it with someone.
He didn’t seem to care, but I wouldn’t let that hold my excitement back. I was practically vibrating in my seat.
When we rolled up to the entrance of the Facility, I hesitated.
This was a good thing, right? I had to believe it was.
I needed this. As scary as that was, I really needed this to happen.
I needed away from my parents. I felt like a shell of a person around them, always on edge, keeping my head down, not talking unless spoken to.
I took a deep breath and walked towards my future.
Once inside, the woman at the desk seemed extra perky.
“Yes, miss. How may I help you?”
I flushed, struggling to believe I was here for this and not just another blood sample.
In a voice that was probably a little too excited, “I’ve found my match.” Was that what I was supposed to say? I had no idea what I was doing. I shrugged nervously, clasping my hands together in front of me.
The woman’s attitude changed a tad bit, her smile dipped, then it went back up sharper.
“Of course. Let me see.” She went to her computer screen and began clicking keys, making humming noises, then clicking some more. “I don’t see…….oh wait. There it is.” I saw another strange wave of emotions cross her face: irritation, shock, and then a forced smile.
“Yes. You will meet your match in Private Room 5. Use the elevator behind you, go to the second floor. It will be the third door on your left.”
She looked a bit confused, but nodding towards the elevator behind me.
Well, that was odd.
I was shifting from one foot to the other while in the elevator, giving myself a pep talk on the way up.
“You got this. Your unique, and pretty. You are valuable.” My voice stuttered on that last one. Was I valuable?
I didn’t have time to reflect further on that, as the elevator door slid open. My breathing started to come out heavier. I stood there for a moment, clenching my fists. I slowly loosened them and let them hang at my side.
I walked to the door I was instructed to, and raised my hand, hesitating briefly, then plastered a big smile on my face. My future…..
I knocked softly.
I waited for a few moments when the door opened and their stood my blood partner.
My heart fluttered. He had the most beautiful blue eyes. I heard a noise and realized it came from me. My hand flew to my mouth, as I noticed a smile twitch at the corner of his mouth.
I felt myself flush, my face growing warm all over. “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry.” I looked away embarrassed. He didn’t say anything so I looked back at him and now he was smiling softly.
“It’s just….just that….uh…..your eyes are very…..uh…...blue.”
I was rambling and couldn’t seem to stop.
His smile disappeared as he looked me over, than he smiled softly again. “And you have red hair.”
“Reddish brown,” I pipped up.
He was not an aristocrat, that much I could tell, so he had to be a mid blood born. I felt so fortunate!
I stuck my hand out, awkwardly, “Dreya D’Avare.”
He smirked. “As I’m well aware.”
Oh good grief, could I be anymore embarrassing.
“Sorry, I’m nervous.”
He had medium brown hair hair, cut short and professional looking, the brightest blue eyes ever. Which of course they were since vampyrs didn’t usually have blue eyes.
My reddish brown hair, his gorgeous blue eyes? We were a match made in vampyr lore. I felt giddy, but tried very hard to maintain a calm I knew I wasn’t feeling.
He took my hand in his, so warm and comforting, just from a simple touch. I wanted to swoon, but I didn’t. At least, I don’t think I did.
“Onyx Trudeau.”
I blanked for a second, too mesmerized by his face and knowing he was my match, before his name registered.
Who?
I stuttered, “Wha...what?”
He raised an eyebrow at me, his face tightening a bit. “My name. It’s Onyx Trudeau.”
My hand went to my heart. A low blood born, who had risen to mid blood born status by sheer will.
I breathed out, “I’ve heard of you.” I couldn’t help but smile at him.
He seemed to relax a bit and smiled at me again. He really had a beautiful smile.
“Well, let’s get this business taken care of. Would you be moving in with me?”
Without thinking twice, I blurted out, “Yes please.”
He looked startled for a moment than laughed. Such a wonderful feeling, hearing him laugh for me. I hadn’t realized I still had my hand at my heart, until he glanced down at it, making me fidget.
“I’m sorry. I must be embarrassing to you. I’ve just heard wonderful things about you, rising in the ranks to become a suit.” I felt giddy again. “That is such a feat.”
He laughed and shrugged. “Just trying to have a better life.” He glanced over me again, making me self-conscious. “We will sign the papers, make you my legal wife, and then we can make plans to have your things brought to my house.”
I was not looking forward to that conversation with Mr. D’Avare, but hopefully I would be able to get things packed and moved before my father arrived home today. He usually stayed out late three days a week. Hopefully, this would be one of those days.
I called the house to instruct the staff to have my belongings packed and what things to pack.
I had no intention of bringing everything with me.
I knew I would have to downsize. Heck, I was actually considering ordering some mid blood born clothes so I could blend in better.
Yes. That seemed like a good idea. I would have a new home, and a new life. I was excited for what was to come.