Chapter 5
Onyx’s POV
For the next month, I attempted to keep some distance from Dreya, but not enough to bring attention to it.
I would have to accept her for the blood match, but I was not obligated to do more.
She, however, tried to bring me into conversations with her about her books, about my work which I would not discuss with her, about the household work she was needlessly involving herself with.
I had spoken to Miss Sophie about it and made sure Dreya was not interfering with her daily work.
“On the contrary, Mr. Trudeau. The Madam has been quite helpful, and quite the student. I am grateful for her engagement, really.”
That had surprised me. Most low blood borns that worked in the homes of the aristocrats merely tolerated them.
Miss Sophie appeared to enjoy time with Dreya.
I still did not understand what tactic my wife was using, whether she was trying to manipulate Miss Sophie to get to me or my work, but it would not happen.
Gene had even said he enjoyed speaking with Dreya, that she appeared almost “like an innocent child.” Other than here apparent virginity, she was anything but an innocent child.
She had been raised by one of the greediest aristocrats that ever existed within the vampyr society.
Being where I was in the society, I had been able to hear enough whispers about her father to know even some of the high blood borns had distaste for Mr. D’Avare.
I would expect nothing less from his spoiled daughter.
Although I had started to take notice of things that did not settle well.
Dreya had not brought a lot of things with her.
She had a few boxes of books and some clothing.
But not nearly what I expected to fill an aristocrat’s daughter’s closet.
Within a week of moving in, Dreya began wearing clothes that had become more popular among the mid blood borns.
Loose, flair pants, with casual but dressy tops.
She wore mainly flats as well. She never asked to attend any of the events that we could have attended with her status. I never brought them up, nor did she.
In hopes of keeping her from me, I modified the room I had been using as an office for her to use. She was a little excited about it, saying it would be a perfect place to sit and read.
“You can always come in and work while I read. I wouldn’t mind.”
I had simply smiled at her, but did not tell her the room was made for her to stay away from me.
I had to drink from her blood to keep me energized and sustained.
Would even continue to be intimate with my wife because I did not believe in the atrocities of mistresses.
It just was not done. But I would keep it simple and for fulfilling my basic needs only.
And I would not be intimate with her during the taking.
That was considered a sign of equality. I did not see her as my equal whatsoever.
On the weekends, while home, but working, Dreya made an active effort to ask me what I wanted during meals. Normally, I did not work during the weekends, but now that my blood wife filled my spaces with her presences, I had to keep myself busy and distracted somehow.
I kept my eye on her father as much as I could.
I did not want that man anywhere near me.
What surprised me the most was the lack of engagement with her parents.
Dreya never suggested we visit them or invite them over.
Not that I wanted any of her family in my home.
I had no idea if she had even been in contact with them since leaving the home.
She never mentioned her mother or father.
And any time she did mention her father, she always referred to him as Mr. D’Avare.
I knew some of the aristocrats were particular in their ways, but I had never heard of them as referring to their parents by formal name.
It was an odd thing, but not my place to question it. Or was it?
I had heard rumors of Devareaux Hautbois finding his blood match, but it had all been very hush hush.
I thought that odd, but now I didn’t feel as guilty for keeping my blood match quiet with Dreya.
No one at work had asked me about it, so apparently the Facility really did keep the confidence of that information.
I doubted Dreya’s parents would speak of it in public, being matched to a low blood born even one who rose among the ranks by sheer will.
I started when I was 16 years old. I spent quite a bit of time at the local library learning about the policies and legislation of the high blood borns.
I also had many discussions with my grandfather and father, though that may have been the wrong route to go.
They both spoke vehemently against the mid and high blood borns.
Now that I was considered a mid blood born by work status, I had learned my grandfather and father may not have been quite so accurate in their thinking.
I met several mid blood borns that were decent vampyrs.
I did not engage as frequently with high blood borns, but the few I had brief interactions with at the legal office I worked at were decent, if a bit haughty.
I usually kept to myself because of my rise in the ranks, but I had not yet been treated unfairly.
Surprisingly. I think that had more to do with the fact that the vampyrs had no idea what to make of me.
I would use that to my advantage. Keep my head down, not stir the pot more than necessary.
But if it came out I was blood matched with an aristocrat?
Not only an aristocrat, but that one particular aristocrat that most did not think fondly of?
That could ruin everything for me. Rumors would spread that I used my wife’s status, her family’s status, to get ahead, or to stay ahead.
I had worked too hard for the kind of reputation I had garnered on my own. I would not jeopardize that.
My blood match would not jeopardize my life. I would see to it.