I was still somewhat shaky from the poison by Samantha and even I had to ask why I was here, but I had to find out why Sabastian would marry that witch. My jealousy had consumed me and I wanted to discover what she had that I didn’t. How could he want her more than me? That seemed to be my constant thought.
Why would Sebastian say he loved me, yet he sent me away when I was fifteen? Why did he enjoy the blood of someone else when I as much as flung myself in his arms and invited him to do what he wanted with me? Why now would he marry that creature when he knows that she vowed to kill me whether he’s with me or not?
This was his fault. Not mine. He got me into this mess. I didn’t ask for this. Now that I’m in love with him and it’s impossible for me to function without him, he invites me to his wedding.
The servant an older woman opened the door to my room and I looked around. For some reason I felt safe because Ryan was near and Robbie was at the other end. Samantha wouldn’t dare try something now that she knows Sebastian will marry her or would she?
Lying in the bed I look at the ceiling, and somehow I fell asleep. When I wake it’s because someone is knocking at my door telling me to get ready for dinner. It’s late in the day and I haven’t talked to Terry or seen her. Maybe at dinner, I thought.
After taking my shower and dressing I opened the door and there I met Ryan wearing a ready smile.
“I guessed we timed this just right. I hope this is okay because I’m tired of wearing ties,” he said dressed in a dark suit, white shirt with no tie. There was something sexy about him. He was a matured man with more confidence than I had seen in a mortal in a long time.
“There was nothing that said we had to dress in formal wear for dinner. I think you’ll be fine,” I said straightening his collar.
“And you’re lovely. Everyone won’t be able to take their eyes off of you. I’m already blinded by your beauty.” I smiled to hide that I wanted that compliment to come from Sebastian. Ryan’s confidence was natural. Mine was nonexistent. My confidence disappeared when I was a child and was kidnapped off the streets.
It’s easy to have confidence when you are immortal because there are very few things you having seen in a long life that will make someone nervous or disturb them. But a mortal like I am, is forever under the threat of death and loss all the time.
Maybe the uncertainty of things makes life worth living. But I wanted to be an immortal for a different reason. I wanted to be with Sebastian forever. I wanted to be his queen and have his children.
I gave Ryan a small smile. He took my hand and we walked down the stairs. At the bottom were two men dressed in black suits white shirts and white gloves pointing to the dining area.
“I thought I was home,” Ryan said. “But then father said we were being too pretentious by sporting our wealth. Mother complained but then she gave in.” I thought he was just kidding with me and trying to make me feel better or make himself more comfortable.
Walking hand and hand into the dining room we found Robbie and Ann sitting at the table with Robbie having a pained look on his face. Robbie a werewolf with a plate of rare roast beef setting in front of him looked out of place, annoyed and bored, as if he was made to go to the opera by his wife.
“The food smells good and it looks great,” Ryan said. We sat together across from Ann and Robbie and ordered our food. There wasn’t a menu but it appeared everything was cooked to order and when we finished, dessert, coffee, and tea were offered to us. Then to our surprise Terry and Loren showed up.
She walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. Looked at Ryan and nodded with a wide smile. She sat beside me and Loren sat across from her looking beautiful for a young man. He appeared to be so young that Ryan had to ask his age. The detective in him couldn’t resist.
“We weren’t introduced. Terry took you away before we had a chance to socialize,” Ryan said as Robbie tried not to notice.
“I don’t socialize,” Loren said in a dry shy voice.
“Are you eating? The food was outstanding,” Ryan said.
“I’m a vegetarian,” Loren said with a curious smile.
“I’m thinking of going that way too,” Terry said and placed her hand on the table and Loren leaned to touch her as she smiled incessantly at him. “This wedding thing has got me and Loren. We’re thinking of making it a double wedding.”
“Have you thought about this, Terry?” I said.
“How old are you, Loren?” Ryan said. “Seventeen?”
“I’m much older than that. I just have a youthful look. It’s a curse of my family.”
“Who is your family?” Ryan questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Why the Vespers. My brother is marrying Samantha.”
Ryan leaned back and gazed at Loren. Then Loren looked to his right and standing in the door holding hands were Samantha and Sebastian. Our eyes locked and Samantha saw what we couldn’t hide. Ryan saw what had been kept a secret from him—we were more than friends. He saw the desperation of two lovers who were torn apart and then brought together.
Ryan looked to my face and then to Sebastian’s. We couldn’t hide that lover’s look. I stared at Sebastian with longing in my eyes. His soft steady gaze caressed and weakened me. I didn’t know if I could continue with this farce. I wanted to run screaming away from everyone.
Sebastian eyes turned from me. “I didn’t know you would be here, Zoey?” Sebastian said. And no one told me you would bring a guest,” he said looking over to Robbie and Robbie turning his head in Ann’s direction.
“Good to see you in good health,” Samantha said.
“I didn’t know you were sick, Zoey?” Sebastian said looking back to me.
“She was very sick,” Ryan said and Sebastian’s eyes glowed and turned to Ryan but Sebastian didn’t say a word.
“I’m well but I had been awfully sick. I thought I wouldn’t be able to make the wedding but here I am,” I said glaring at Samantha.
“Yes here you are a picture of health. You have to give me your secret,” she said with gritted teeth. “Did you find everything to your liking? When I was notified that you were coming I tried to give you one of our best rooms.”
“Everything was just great,” Ann said and Samantha turned to look at her as if she was insignificant. Robbie watched at Samantha and she turned her head back to see the look on Sebastian’s face.
“We would join you but we have too much to take care of before the wedding,” I hope Loren will show you around our home. We have something to talk about, don’t we Sebastian?” He turned away from me and looked at her and didn’t say a word.
Sebastian’s face showed a pained expression. Then his face turned chalky white as if someone had carved it out of stone.
“The festivities begin at midnight, I hope you all will attend when we make our formal announcement,” Samantha said with a cheerful restrained voice. And they turned together and left the room. And left us staring thunderstruck at the open door.