Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DB Chapter 12 - Your Vampire

Chapter 12

VIVIENNE RELUCTANTLY lowered her hand into Julian's. She didn't expect her hand to feel so warm and secure in his. His fingers were mildly calloused but annoyingly gentle. He ran his thumb along the back of her hand in what almost felt like a caress.

He wouldn't dare, would he?

She placed her other hand on his shoulder. She was glad he was wearing that military coat because she didn't want to feel his skin under her palm. His hand was enough of a distraction. Vivienne shot her iciest glare straight up at his dark hazel eyes to stress that she wasn't enjoying this at all.

Vivienne reminded herself that countless women had been where she was now. They were all charmed by him, and they all died.

Could it hurt? Just one dance?

Her body melted against his. Even though there was no music, somehow, they just fit together, as though the world stopped as they moved together in that simple waltz.  Julian wasn't the man she was destined to be with, but he was the man who allowed her to fully enjoy that dance.

Unlike at the masquerade with Blake, here, there was no danger, no urgency, and no distractions. She remembered that Blake held her at arm's length, and he didn't dare stare into her eyes until they were in the garden outside. He was probably as terrified as she was that they had met that night.

As selfish as it was, Vivienne wished that just once, Blake could hold her as Julian did now, and she could find the same quiet security in his arms. That they could laugh and joke together, that he didn't have to run off to deal with another impending disaster.

"Tell me this, Vivienne," Julian whispered into her ear as they slowed down to a simple sway together. "If he hadn't been there that night, would you have picked me?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes at him. The magic was broken. He was still working his lines on her.

"And then you would have killed me before the sun popped back up over the horizon."

"No, I'm serious," Julian insisted and kept his grip on her hand even as she tried to push him away. "I'm not talking about your boyfriend. If you hadn't bound Calbert, if he hadn't appeared in Pearl Tower, would you have allowed me to have you instead?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes again. She thought he was talking about Blake, but apparently, he meant Calbert. What was he hinting at?

"If I had to accept someone, and my boyfriend wasn't an option because he and I already had a bond, then — yes — I would have accepted you." Vivienne stepped back as Julian finally released her hand. "Although if you tried to bite me, I wouldn't need any help at all turning you into the world's most handsome pile of ashes."

"That's all I wanted to hear," Julian flashed his ravishing smile and stepped back. "I am not going to ask you to decide now. Please consider it. If you can hold two bonds, perhaps you'll consider me. Once Calbert is gone."

Ah, there it was.

Julian's motive in romancing her. He didn't want to sleep with her. He wanted to be bound to her.

Vivienne laughed. She opened her mouth to speak. She could think of a million reasons why binding him was an unwise choice. He was far too slimy and slippery for her to feel safe being his Orlin. Also, couldn't he pick any girl at all in Manna City to be his Orlin if he wanted? Why her?

Most of all, perhaps Blake didn't care if she had bound Calbert Henton because she had no feelings for Calbert at all.

But Julian?

Gorgeous, womanizing, fun Julian?

And did she? Have feelings for him?

Before Vivienne could sort out her thoughts, they were interrupted by an onlooker.

"Vivienne? Is that you?" a weak voice asked.

Vivienne turned around to find herself hugged by a frail woman with mousey features.

"Sallen?" Vivienne gasped. She hardly recognized her. Sallen's face was weathered and lifeless, as though she had aged ten years in the span of two months. Her cheekbones were practically protruding out of her face, and when she hugged Vivienne, her body felt like that of a frail baby bird. "What did they do to you?"

"What do you mean?" Sallen asked and looked her up and down. "You look well. A white dress? Around here? How do you keep it clean?"

"Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?" Vivienne demanded. To answer Sallen's question, no, she had not thought about whether this dress could even be cleaned. She figured either one of the maids would take care of it, or she would throw it away because she had so many other dresses in her closet. Who could keep track of them all?

Sallen shrugged and gestured to the distance where Killian Henton and his nephews were chatting with some cloaked Orlins.

"They don't let me go very far. Being an Orlin has been kind to you. You look more radiant than I've ever seen you. And who is that handsome young man?"

"Prince Mercury," Vivienne whispered.

Sallen's already overly large eyes widened even more. Now her gaunt face looked almost alien-like.

"No! You didn't fall for him! Remember Wisteria? How could you be so stupid?"

Vivienne wondered how Sallen, as sick as she was, could lecture her about being stupid.

"Forget that. I'm not dating him or bound to him. He's just a friend." Vivienne grabbed Sallen's bony shoulder and leaned in closer. She saw Killian Henton raise a suspicious eyebrow in their direction. Jaker was standing with them. He still looked frail, but he was now strong enough to walk about Pearl Tower on his own. He had achieved all that from leeching off of Sallen's soul.  Vivienne felt her free palm growing burning hot. She had to take deep breaths to calm herself. It was all she could do to keep herself from throwing a fireball straight between Killian's eyes in the middle of the ballroom. "Just say the word, I'll free you. I have a place for you to hide. I can protect your family."

"The chain is back in Cosel," Sallen whispered fearfully. "They'll never let me go."

"I don't need the chain to free you," Vivienne smiled, placing Sallen securely behind her. Now, Killian saw that there was going to be trouble. He recognized Julian, but he hadn't put it all together that Vivienne and the Prince were here together.

"Wait," Julian said, catching Vivienne's rapidly warming hand in his. "Are you going to turn him into a torch in broad daylight?"

"Out of my way, Julian."

"Not trying to stop you. My middle name is murder. There is a better way of going about it," Julian stated and raised Vivienne's wrist to her eyes. Calbert's chain was still wrapped around her wrist. "Command dear nephew to do it. He is your vampire."