Chapter 36

I try to get Gislee's attention, but she's crying now and I feel bad that I've let this go on for so long, "Gislee, I'm right here. I'm fine. You didn't kill me."

Gislee dismissed the crowd upon hearing my voice and she hobbles over to me, hugging me tighter than I've ever been embraced. I can't help but get the warm feeling that comes with platonic love. My mother would have never hugged me and my father would have sooner drowned me, but here someone is, sad at the thought that I might be dead.

It makes me feel awful that I've tried to die and I most likely will continue to. I never thought of myself as a person who would be missed, but Gislee missed me and now I have someone who will notice if I die or go missing.

Another weight settles on my shoulders as I come to understand the gravity of my situation, but for now I just hug Gislee back, wrapping her up in my arms.

When she pulls back and has looked me up and down, ensuring that I'm really alright, she blurts out, "You little shit."

I laugh. It's a full and beautiful laugh. A laugh I imagine that a sweet human girl would make in frivolity.

I look around, scanning the leaving crowd that clearly thinks I'm dead. "Where is Aaliayh?"

The moment the words come out a voice that belongs to a figure that leans against the door of the bakery answers my question, "It is good to know that you've missed me. It's good to see you alive, Evelyn."

"It's good to see you alive. I wasn't sure if you would survive my recent brush with death." Apparently it's one of those jokes that just happened too soon. My eyes stop twinkling the second her face falls and she gulps, looking vulnerable for a moment before pulling the mask back up that everything is alright.

The five of us settle into a tense silence, that's only broken when we discuss the plans for tonight. Just because I almost died, doesn't mean that the world suddenly stops sp[inning its axis.

O0oo0O

"You look like whore." Draven says, looking at my skimpy black cocktail dress. Leander nods his head in agreement, assessing me. It's not one of those looks that lustful, disgusting men give me, it's one of those analyzing looks. It's the same look Leander and draven give number charts. It makes me feel good knowing that I don't have to worry about them.

I suspected that Leander wasn't interested in women from day one, but it was just that; speculation. I never would have guessed that Draven Atkinsons would be interested in a guy. I guess we can all be full of surprises.

"Mary Halowin was a whore back in her prime, I see no reason why I shouldn't honor her in this way."

Gislee comes up to me, pats my cheek and kisses the other, "You mock her, dear, and you exactly the message this sends."

I smile and it isn't pretty or human in the slightest, no, this smile shows teeth, "Mary should know that I dislike her, but will make peace with her. This dress sends that message."

"Of course, just don't make eyes at her daughter and you should be fine."

I press my lips together, turning back to the mirror, "I don't make eyes at anyone."

She backs away from me, looking in the mirror as well, staring at my reflection as I stare at her, "You make eyes at Elliot Halowin. Just like you used to make eyes at Ravenna Nivirah."

I reel back as Leander chokes on the glass of water that he had picked up and was taking a sip of and Draven looks horrified. I shrug, trying to shrug off the most humiliating thing I've ever done, "It was a long time ago. No one is perfect."

Draven looks like he wants to throttle me and I know what he's thinking, did she help Ravenna in her plans? Why hasn't Evelyn suffered for her connection to Ravenna when his father died for his affair with Ravenna?

I try to regain some dignity, "I wasn't in the best place, alright. My mate had just died."

I don't look at them as Gislee leaves the room to get dressed. Aaliyah closes the door on her way out and me, Leander and Draven are left alone.

Leander looks at me again, really looks, into my eyes and all, too, "So?"

"So what?"

He looks down a little shyly and I immediately know what this is about. Draven looks like he's about the throttle Leander and is barely restraining himself. Leander never looks shy or anything but confident and sure of himself and the head on him. "You saw-"

I stop him, not needing an explanation. He owes me nothing and I need him to know that. He shouldn't have to explain who he's with or who he loves. "You don't owe me an explanation."

Draven stares into my eyes, leander still looking down, "I think that we do." He closes his eyes and lets out a sigh of frustration, fisting a hand in his hair, "I mean, I'm married. I shouldn't be doing this, but I am."

My eyes widen. Draven isn't emotional and he doesn't open up and he never, never, messes up his raven black hair that's always styled to perfection. "Look, you are free to do anything you want. Haley is dead and you are, by technicality, a free man. Even if you weren't, your marriage was only political, you said so yourself."

Leadner pokes his head up, "I only met Draven when he came to visit Highstone and it was totally unexpected. You don't have an issue with us?"

I smile softly, "You forget that I was married to a woman and I've only taken women as lovers. No, I don't have an issue." The only reason that the world frowns upon same sex relationships is becasue you can't have an heir to your house that way. I've always understood the importance, but figured that heirs can be made even if you have a same sex relationship.

Draven's family would take this hard, he is heir to the house and Consul of Varsillia, but I would march right into house Atkinsons and tell them all to fuck themselves if thats what I would need to do.

They look at each other and a gaze passes between them and I can immediately place it, "how long?"

Leander smiles again, "Almost seventy years."

"I'm happy for you two. Believe me, I am and I won't tell anyone, not until you're ready."

"Thank you." Draven throat bobs and for a split second he looks grateful, almost.

O0oo0O

I level three sharp knocks on the door, Leander, Draven, Aaliyah and Gislee behind me.

Mary Halowin opens the door and she's dressed, well, like a whore, just as I knew she would. She sweeps her gaze down my figure with appreciation and I inwardly sigh at the look. She is so not my type.

Mary goes up and hugs me, kissing my cheek, "Vive, It is so good to see you."

I nearly cringe at the name. She shouldn't be calling me that. That name is poison on her lip. I ignore my gut and go into kiss both of her cheeks, not a drop on my red stained lips smearing on her face, "You as well, Mary."

<ary waves a hand and motions for out large group to come in as she speaks to Gislee, "Elder Vaugnrenard. I am pleased to see you looking well after the state you were in earlier. I expect you have the files we spoke of last month."

Gislee scowls at Mary, "Of course I do. Who do you take me for, Phinneaus Acharya?"

"Phinneaus is doing fairly well compared to Karina. She has grown lazy and complacent."

"Not with Elder Lee on her back."

The two continue their chat as Mary leads us into the rather large dining room. There are seven table settings and I know that Elliot will be joining us this evening as well.

The weight of the sapphire tiara in my head seems to press on me. More politcing that I have absolutely no interest in. Draven and Leadner are seated next to each other, Elliot is on my left and Aaliyah is to my right. Gislee sits at one head of the table and Mary sits at the other.

This should be an interesting evening if it goes as I suspect it will.

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