Chapter 6
The situation was not ideal; he had not intended to stay the night, much less in the home of the overly friendly Lord. Tallon paced back and forth, feeling constricted in the black suit he had insisted be worn to dinner. A dark blue shirt made of silk beneath the jacket, and the ornate silver detailing rimming every visible edge of the jacket had Tallon feeling a bit ridiculous. Turning side to side in his reflection, he tugged at the edges and adjusted the suit in hopes of making it more comfortable to no avail.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, taking a last glance in the mirror and smoothing out the jacket where his fidgeting had crumpled it. With a deep breath, he’d leave the room and head to the dining hall. Only three places were set, one for Tallon, one for Evangeline, and the last for the Lord himself. Less grand than his usual dinner parties that typically featured a minimum of ten people, but this was partially for business and that was simply no fun at a party.
Lord Vince was already there waiting when Tallon arrived, staying in his seat at the head of the table and waving the Captain over. His own attire was the same black suit, only with a red shirt, a matching set no doubt; Vince did have a soft spot for twins and triplets, “Tallon! You clean up well for a Pirate, you could almost pass for a nobleman!” The almost key there, it would seem. Taking a seat to the right of the Lords when gestured to do so, Tallon was quickly back on his feet when Evangeline entered the room. The chair tipped backwards and he nervously ran his hands back through his hair, suddenly very aware of his own appearance, but far more aware of hers.
Hands were clasped in front of her as she walked in, looking down and smiling shyly; it was hard not to be embarrassed with Tallons jaw hanging open like that. Vince rose to his feet, smoothly pulling out the left side chair for her, “Just as I had pictured, stunning. That dress brings out the color of those extraordinary eyes. Please, sit.” Moving to sit in the offered chair, she avoided making eye contact with the Lord and instead focused on Tallon, “It’s rude to stare.” She teased with a smile.
Picking up his fallen chair, he only laughed and shrugged in the most nonchalant way possible, “I’m a pirate, you’re a broad in a skimpy dress, of course I’m gonna stare.” In his effort to recover smoothly (and failing miserably), he managed to only make things worse. He couldn’t have just given her a compliment, could he? Her shoulders sank and he felt as though his heart were in a vice that he’d caused her to look like that, “Eva, I—“ “I like this dress.” She said quietly, only glancing in his direction long enough to make her point.
Like most of the places the Lord dwelled, incense was strong in this room as well, a mixture of cinnamon and a spice she was unfamiliar with. Wine was poured into the glasses and Evangeline wasted no time in drinking hers, attention anywhere but either of the two men. One, because he had hurt her. The other because he might.
Glancing back and forth between the two, Lord Vince leaned back in his chair with a glass in his hand, swirling the liquid with an amused smile set on his lips, “I looked over the list you gave me earlier, Tallon. It will take at least two days to gather everything, during which I insist the two of you stay here.” Two days? Drinking down his own wine as though it were a shot, he cleared his throat before speaking, “You know I can’t do that, as soon as he finds out I’m here—“ “He already knows. I told him you were under my protection, we reached an understanding.”
Not content to be left in the dark, Eva interjected, “Who is he, Tallon?” Wince. “Oh, my dear Evangeline. Did Tallon not tell you!? This city is run by two men, myself, and another named Lord Bastion. Tallon and Bastion have something of a history. You see, when one man runs off with another ones sister, and she ends up dead..well..” Dead? Tallons normally sarcastic smile was replaced by a dark frown, shooting down his freshly filled cup of wine, “We don’t talk about that, Vince. Ever.” It was as angry as Evangeline had ever heard him, though as it was becoming clear, she didn’t know him very well. “As you wish. I can see why you would keep that from her, we would not want another Nobleman’s kin thinking you make a habit of getting them killed.”
Evangeline sat up straighter at that, though Tallon seemed to have missed it. How did he know? “I’m not a Noble—“ “Tch. Honestly. One look at you and anyone with half a brain can see it. Your skin is pale, hands..” Vince took one of her hands in his and ran his thumb along her palm, “Soft, not the hands of a working class girl. Don’t you worry, your secret is safe with me.” His eyes met hers, as serious an expression as she’d seen set on his face, “I will protect you so long as you are in this city, Evangeline De’Coronette.”
She paled, he knew far more than that she was a noble, he knew exactly who she was. Looking across the table for help, she saw Tallon sitting with his head down, breathing steadily but unmoving. Vince followed her gaze and let out a sigh, picking up one of Tallons hands with his free one and letting it fall limply back to the table, “He never could hold his own with my wine, though you seem to be doing remarkably well. Most people would have long since submitted to its magical qualities.”
Charmed, the wine had been charmed. Pulling her hand from his and pushing to her feet, the chair clattered backwards and she stumbled to get around it and put space in-between her and the Lord. It was his turn to stand now, raising both hands in defeat and shaking his head gently, “As I said, your secret is safe with me. I offered you my protection, and I never go back on my word.” Hands gripped into fists at her side, panic steadily rising, “What reason do you have to protect me, what is the benefit for you.” Ever untrusting, especially of Nobles. Back found the wall and she pressed herself against it as though to escape within it. Her mind screamed for her to run, but Evangeline found her body feeling heavy and that panic begin to subside as her thoughts were dulled. Closing the distance between them easily, the Lord raised a hand and ran his knuckles over her cheek, “Just a taste, I have never had the pleasure of sampling of royalty.”
He would see by the confusion that came over her face that she had no idea what he was talking about, leaning closer and whispering soft words into her ear, “So it is true, you have been kept in the dark. There is so much I can share with you, Evangeline..” How was it that this Noble from a land so unlike hers knew anything, or so much, about her? Drawing in a shaky breath, she struggled to hold onto solid thoughts.
Tallon knew this man, knew more about him than she, and had instructed she not deny him. Would he have the same thing to say even now? Hands were brought up to rest gently on his chest, undecided if it was to push, or merely to know she had the option, “What kind of taste?” She squeaked out. The question was posed so innocently, he found her naivety to be charming and couldn’t help but laugh. Reaching around to the back of her neck, he unclasped the choker and dropped it to the floor, “You know very little of the world outside of Ferrum, here is your first lesson.”
A sharp, momentary pain on her neck caused her to grip his shirt tightly in both hands, a startled gasp passing through her painted lips. Marxius had told her once about creatures that drank the blood of others rather than eating, that once they had been forsaken by the sun, but over time and through the help of magic had learned to overcome that weakness. Lord Vince had to be one, though she could not recall the name.
Drawing back after a minute or so, he gently kissed the new wound on the side of her neck before once more running his knuckles along her cheek, “Sweet, as I suspected.” It occurred to her that Tallon had referred to her as a ‘Dinner Guest’ earlier, had this been his intention? His payment? Growing increasingly upset at her Pirate companion, she would pose her questions to the Lord with a slight quiver in her voice, “I have given you your taste, now tell me, how do you know who I am?” It had taken a great deal of effort to even speak, her body feeling impossibly weak now.
“There is not a noble near or far who does not know that the High Inventors daughter has been kidnapped. Word travels quickly among nobles, as you know. He has a reward offered for your safe return, and for the capture of your kidnapper. Now..” Looking in to her eyes, the Vampire Lord cupped her cheek and place his other hand on the small of her back. Evangeline could feel her knees buckling and her eyelids grow heavy, “Rest, you are safe here.” “Tallon did not..he didn’t..” Smiling warmly, he’d give a soft kiss to her forehead, “Oh dear girl, I know.”
Her eyes fell shut and the world went dark, her last thoughts of Tallon.
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