Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

OTF Chapter 13 - Blake's Secret

Chapter 13

WHEN VIVIENNE woke up, it was nightfall. She wrapped herself in a silk robe and sat down by her vanity table to brush her hair. She was feeling sore in a few strange new places. But, for some reason, she felt elated. Vivienne traced her fingertips over her lips where he had kissed her. Never had her lips looked so red, so alive than at that minute.

Something had changed inside of her since that morning. She felt the life force growing stronger; her powers were churning inside her like a hurricane. She danced around her bedroom, twirling out her robe without any regard that she was only wearing her underwear underneath.

For once, Vivienne felt absolutely and completely beautiful. She wondered how she could have ever considered losing her virginity to anyone else. Everything about Blake felt right. She had only fallen in love twice in her life, once for the kind and gentle boy she knew in River Way and then again for the dark and dangerous man that returned to her.

Suddenly, she checked the time and realized it was almost nine. She hadn't eaten anything all day, and her lips were parched. Vivienne tied her robe closed and decided to head to the kitchen. After Vivienne found herself a glass of water, she headed back to her room. Walking by the study, she noticed the door was ajar, and a light was on. Vivienne peered inside the room. She saw Blake sitting at a mahogany table with a glass of scotch by his hand.

Julian was strolling back and forth in deep thought.

"So, what you're trying to tell me is that time is running out?" Julian said, sounding not at all pleased. "Does she know?"

"No," Blake said. He stared at his fingers and then made his hand into a tight fist. "I would prefer if you exercised some discretion. You have a habit of treating her like your personal therapist."

Julian chuckled and threw himself down on a couch. His legs were draped over one armrest. "What makes you say that? She's a curious girl." Julian sat up and poured himself a cup of scotch. "All I have to say is, if I go through with this, you owe me a bottle of this."

"Vivienne's powers were not what I expected," Blake finally said, with difficulty. "I think it's time, especially after what happened today, that she returns to the safety of her family."

"Did you ask her if that's what she would prefer?" Julian asked. "You're telling me that you think the red-headed bitch could force you on her if your little darling didn't want it? Give me a break, Blake. You aren't that naive. Any idiot can see, Vivienne's been trying to get into your pants since Remin."

"It's all a lie, you know. Everything."

Julian sighed and poured himself another glass of scotch. "I don't get why you are such a cunt about this. We both know she's not the first girl you've been with."

"I didn't feel the same about the other ones," Blake replied. "I think I'm in love with her."

"You think you're in love?" Julian scoffed. "Seriously? No, honey, you're drowning in love with this chick. I've known you've had a thing for her since back in that cell, Maglania had you locked in." Julian took a deep gulp from his cup and started to sway drunkenly with his every step. "What do you think Vivienne would say if she knew the truth about you? You're too scared to find out. You would rather live out the rest of your days pinning for her than to ask her to love you for who you really are."

Julian sat up and banged his cup on the table. His cell phone went off, and Julian jumped out of the couch. "It's my sister. I need to take this." Julian rushed out of the room. Vivienne tried to look inconspicuous as he ran by. "Victoria?" Julian said into his phone. He saw her and winked in her direction. "I'll leave the two of you alone."