Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

SAYING GOODBYE to Cosel was harder than she expected. Vivienne had already packed up a few bare necessities inside a designer bag. It was a canvas bag with a black bird painted on it.

Calbert was coming in from walking his uncle's hound dogs. Vivienne made a show of petting them even though she thought their toothy faces were bloodthirsty like their elderly owner.

"Girls love dogs," Calbert told her with a nod. "They just don't normally like their walker."

"Oh shush," Vivienne said and planted a kiss on his cheek. She wished that he didn't smile so widely in response to it. She was grateful when the impatient dogs interrupted his soulful gazing into her eyes by tugging him across the lawn.

"You're finally feeling better," Calbert observed. "I was worried about you."

"It was nothing. I must have caught a cold from being out all night," Vivienne assured him. "I'm much better now."

"Sallen says you're homesick," Calbert continued. "You'll get used to it here, eventually. I hated it here at first too. My first week here, one of our guests stole my pants."

Vivienne had to laugh at that.

"I saw Prince Mars at Gambit Castle," Vivienne explained as she dug her hands deep into her jacket pockets to keep Calbert from trying to hold her hand. "I think he lied to me. He told me he could bring me home if I wanted to go. I'm done with him now."

Calbert delivered a pained smile in return. He changed the subject. "You're ready to start training as my Orlin? We're going to be brain buddies. We don't have to keep any secrets from each other."

Vivienne took a step back. She wasn't sure why, but she suddenly recoiled at the idea. She forced a smile.

"Tomorrow," she promised him. "I'm tired now. I'm going to sleep early." There was going to be a car waiting for her after nightfall to take her back to the city proper. She was never coming back here.

"You don't have to be scared. I'm not an aristocrat or very rich, but I promise, I'll make you like me."

Vivienne reached out and playfully punched him in the arm. "I chose you, Calbert. Don't forget that. "

"Do you ever regret it?" Calbert mumbled that question while staring at the ground. It was obviously a thought that had been nagging at him. "I dug around a little about that Prince Mars dude —you know — just to make sure he was safe for you. Apparently, he is independently wealthy. Mysterious dude — new money — appeared on the Manna City scene in the last five years. He's been buying up property all over the city. My uncle hates crass businessmen like that. They think they can buy their way into high society with a wade of cash."

"I know, I know, your uncle works for the blue-blooded Janviers," Vivienne said with a roll of her eyes. She wondered if Calbert ever talked about than about the aristocrats his uncle worked for.

"Calbert," Vivienne said and leaned in close. "I chose you. I really like being friends with you."

"You did? Do you think if I work hard at it, we can be more than friends?" Calbert asked with a sudden glee in his eyes. He took her hand in his and played with it. She hadn't intended for the friendly punch to turn into something more. Now she was stuck. Vivienne wondered if she should just kiss him and get it over with it. Then she could escape.

Vivienne hugged Calbert, if only to hide the guilty look in her eyes from him. "I love your honesty, dear, but now isn't the right time for us to talk. I need to go."