Dorothea Caddel, is born into a wealthy family that can easily give her a plane or a planet to her wishes but what if something deep is hidden in the mask of a perfect family, a devil that she fears but soon learns to accept as love. That story chan...
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Jasper had pulled Dorothea to the far corner of the room, eager for some privacy, though he knew his friends were likely eavesdropping. Still, he couldn't help but feel a spark of mischief as he glanced at her. "I didn't expect you to dance that well."
Dorothea shot him a playful glare, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "It pains me that you'd think so little of me, love."
Her words carried a playful edge, but behind the teasing, there was a flicker of something deeper—something unspoken. She tried to calm herself, shifting her thoughts. She realized, with a hint of embarrassment, that she was behaving like the girls back at her school who swooned over any man who fit their ideal. She couldn't let herself fall into that trap, not with him.
Jasper, however, seemed unfazed by her momentary pause. He was enjoying himself too much. His voice softened as he continued, "I had almost given up hope of seeing you after not spotting you around town these past two days."
Dorothea's gaze faltered as she looked down, her eyes briefly darting away. "I do apologize if I made you despair," she said quietly, her voice tinged with something heavy. "I had a letter to respond to from home. It saddens me that I won't be here for long."
Jasper caught the subtle shift in her tone, and for a moment, something in his chest tightened. It was clear that their paths were destined to diverge, yet the idea of that left a bitter taste in his mouth. He was a nomad by nature, always on the move, but Dorothea had a coven to return to—a life far more rooted than his own. Still, he found himself wanting something more from this fleeting connection.
"Since you're leaving soon..." His words hung in the air, and he took a slow, deliberate step closer to her. "May I be selfish and ask for your whole day tomorrow and more? Just for the two of us, until we part?"
Dorothea hesitated for a moment, her thoughts racing as she glanced at his outstretched hand. His offer was tempting—so tempting that she felt a little dizzy at the thought of it. But it felt like a fantasy, one that would only lead to inevitable heartache when she left. Yet, somehow, it was a fantasy she wanted to experience.
A quiet apology to Esme murmured on her lips, though the words felt hollow as she took his hand. The moment their skin touched, a strange, electric warmth spread through her, and without another word, Jasper swiftly tugged her out of the room and into the night.
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Day 1
The first day with Jasper was a leisurely one. He'd taken his time, showing Dorothea around the town, knowing full well how her curiosity seemed to drive her every step. She was like a child in a candy shop, always wide-eyed, taking in every new detail.
Their conversations flowed easily, though Jasper did most of the talking, his words smooth and flirtatious. Dorothea would laugh at his remarks, her giggles a sweet melody that made him feel like he'd won some prize, even if it was only her attention.
