by Nix, Imogene
“Whoa. Slow down a bit. Once you get used to it, you’ll be fine, although maybe your eyesight isn’t going to be much help in this environment. I will organise some lighting for you, so you can see where you are going tomorrow evening.” His words centred her once more, and there was no trace of emotion that she could decipher in his voice.
They reached the bottom of the steps, and the dim lighting showed her a long corridor. The alignment mirrored the upstairs layout, except, instead of heavy wood and cream painting, there were rough-hewn walls of grey stone, teamed with slate flags on the floor. Doors dotted left and right, and she craned her head to see within.
“These are the sleeping quarters of the guards. Our rooms are at the end through the door.” He ushered her quickly along the long corridor. The large wooden door at the end opened without a squeak, and led into a luxurious apartment, decorated in pale colours, so unlike the overpowering dark woods upstairs. She glanced around quickly.
“Wow! I never thought about your suite. This is lovely.” Hope ran enchanted fingers lovingly over the light oak furnishings. A love seat sat on dark blue carpet, exquisite paintings she was sure were the works of old masters graced the walls covered in shimmering blue wallpaper, and beyond she spied a white cabinet filled with books. A large armchair nestled into a cosy corner.
“This is glorious!” The words were breathless as she looked around.
“Yes, from where I am standing the view is certainly lovely.”
She heard his softly spoken words, and turned, only to find, instead of looking at the furnishings and walls, his eyes were deep pools of molten desire, looking at her. Something shimmered through her like quicksilver.
“Umm, where do I sleep?” The words were husky and she nearly closed her eyes, cringing at the double meaning. He snorted quietly, obviously having also come to that conclusion, but she looked away, refusing to give in to an emotion she didn’t want to confront.
“Through here.” Xavier indicated a door that blended into the furnishings, then he turned the small handle and opened it wide, allowing her to see inside as he stood back.
Hope peered into the room. Instead of the pale blues she had seen within her suite, this room was decorated in gold and lush creamy tones that were warm and welcoming.
The bed was an antique carved four-poster of some dark wood, perhaps old English oak, thought Hope. She was bemused at the sight of such lush comfort and noticed the colour was similar to the upstairs bedroom furnishings. That was where the similarities ended.
The curtains of detailed velvet were inset with fine lace, matching the coverlet, and the bed was piled high with what looked to be soft fluffy pillows. To the side was a boudoir chair covered in the same material as the curtains and coverlet, and at the end of the bed sat a bench, padded and inviting, before an ornate dressing table. She took another step in. “This is exquisite.” She murmured the words as she took in the carved full-length mirror, and the series of doors along one wall.
“They lead to your bathroom and dressing chamber. I had all your clothing and personal items moved here, as soon as we became aware of the threat to the nest. Especially once Cressida made it clear your safety was paramount.”
The words stopped her cold. She whipped her head back to him. “Why? Why just me, and not my whole family?” She urged him with every fibre of her being to explain, but he shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t know, but she said they would be fine. She is supposed to be contacting me tomorrow. But for now, you are safe here.” His eyes watched hers, the green of them reminding her of the river in summer, cool and enervating. Once more she shivered, and he took a step back, breaking the spell. She swayed at the loss of the connection between them.
“My rooms are through here.” He showed her back into the main room and opposite hers. “If you need me, all you need to do is call. I had a communications system installed here when I became the Master, so you will be able to be in contact with your family. Your computer is also being set up in my private office, through this door, and concealed behind one of the doors in your chamber is a multimedia entertainment system.” He watched her, and she felt as if she had lost all the control over her life.
“Meals?” She hated to seem forward and rude, but now her stomach was churning with hunger.
“They will be delivered here by one of the bodyguards to ensure your safety, as your maid Lisi is only allowed to come as far as the secure doorway. I have arranged for guardians to take on the daylight vigil outside the suite, and they will ensure our safety.”
They stood quietly for a moment and she nodded. “Right then. Maybe I should retire.” She started to back away when he reached out and gripped her firmly.
“Once Cressida shares what information she has, we can talk more. For now, though, retiring is probably wise.” He thrust a small tray she hadn’t seen behind him into her hands. Food. She smiled ruefully before nodding her thanks.
Hope turned and walked through the door, closing it firmly behind her.
* * * *
She woke, not sure what told her it was time to rise, but her body seemed to know it was morning. She had fallen into a dreamless sleep, after eating the cheeses and fruits that had been delivered for her.
Her stomach rumbled as she glanced around the room. It was a luxurious, but it still felt like a cage, one she couldn’t leave without permission. Gilded, beautiful and comfortable, certainly, but most definitely a cage and she was the prisoner.
Hope crawled to the side of the massive bed and swung her feet over. They touched the deep plush carpet, and she sighed as her senses went into overdrive at the feel of the deep pile. She made her way silently towards the bathroom door, and stepped into the bathroom, looking around to see an enormous corner spa unit deep and welcoming. In another corner sat a large open wall shower with an oversize removable head. The room was lit with subdued lighting, and she spied another door that opened into a toilet. Even vampires needed bathrooms, it seemed. She turned the lights up slightly using the dimmer switch, enough to see comfortably, but definitely not bright enough to hurt any vampire’s eyes, she thought.
Hope rushed through her ablutions, washing away the makeup she had been too tired to remove when falling into bed the night before. She avoided looking at herself in the mirror hanging above the deep sink, set into a marble stand, knowing her eyes would look tired and shadowed.
As she headed back to the bedroom, she snatched her robe off the end of the bed. No way was she wandering into the main area without the added cover. Her pyjamas might cover just about everything, and were way less revealing than a bikini, but she had seen the glimmer of interest in Xavier’s eyes the night before. Better to cover up and have a look around, find out the time and decide what to do next. Then she shook herself mentally. As if he would do anything, or show any interest in her. The thought was lowering.
The lounge room was deserted and she dragged in a sigh, thankful that being alone would give her time to take stock of the situation she found herself in. On the table she saw a tray, the highly polished dome telling her it was food once again, and her stomach rumbled at the sight.
Lifting the dome she saw a bowl filled with muesli, a tub of yogurt and a medley of her favourite fruits. Beside it sat a bright red cooler box, and perched on that was a small kettle, a coffee plunger, a teacup and some necessary cutlery. Hope looked around, relocating everything so it was usable, before opening the cooler. Good, she thought. They had delivered coffee, milk and bottled water. Someone upstairs had ensured she was adequately catered for. It was almost enough to make her feel comfortable for now, she reflected.
Feeling happier, she collected the kettle and plugged it in, poured water into the reservoir and waited for it to boil. Coffee always made her feel better, so she prepared the plunger and ate her breakfast while waiting for the kettle. The rich dark aroma filled the room, and she inhaled deeply.
Coffee in hand, she headed into the office where Xavier had pro
mised her the laptop would be set up. A desk had been set up opposite what she guessed was his. Her small computer barely filled the tidy space. It reminded her of his rigidly controlled behaviour. The room was mainly office, with dark woods and heavy furnishings, though she suspected he didn’t use it much. Right now, though, she wasn’t interested in the surroundings or his use of them, as she headed over before she started booting up her computer.
It hummed to life and she smiled. Once the computer was on, she checked the time, waiting for the machine to make a connection to the Internet. Just a little after ten in the morning and she grimaced. What on earth would she do with the day, waiting for him to rise?
Opening her email programme, she waited as the messages downloaded. Nothing exciting, some spam mail, a few messages from friends who had reached their homes after leaving college, but nothing of any real importance. No one she felt a long-lasting connection to. She slumped back in the deep office chair. Now what? Maybe check the news, see if there was anything there. Hope checked the news, but nothing held her interest. She watched the time as she flicked around sites that caught her eye. Shopping sites didn’t interest her and movies on the small screen just irritated her. She logged out and turned off the computer, feeling lonely.
She rose and made her way back to the main room. The door was just closing and she made to call out, but thought better of it. She knew Lisi wouldn’t be allowed to enter, and the guards would be taciturn at this time of the day—they still struggled with the daylight hours, as the night was the time they were active.
A new tray sat on the table, and she wandered over, before lifting the dome and smiling. A burger and fries. She goggled when she saw the drink was her favourite soft drink and another bottle of water. Obviously, someone on staff remembered her predilection for junk food. She snickered. It was probably Lisi again.
Lisi wasn’t that much older than herself, yet she had already carved out her own place in the world, coming into the household as a junior maid. Because they got along so well, she had been given the role of looking after Hope’s needs. Over the years they had become close, and even during her time in college they had corresponded. The memories made Hope feel a little homesick, which she reflected was silly, because here she was, at home.
Hope snatched up the food and retreated to the bedroom as the tears burnt her eyes once more. There was no benefit in feeling sorry for herself. But even her internal thoughts couldn’t raise her mood. She popped the food and drinks on a bedside table, and opened the doors where Xavier had indicated the multimedia unit was housed.
The first opened into a large dressing area, and she gasped at the space that lay mostly empty, with only some clothes gracing hangers in the centre of the small room.
The second door she opened concealed a large television, DVD unit and speakers. Grabbing the remote, she headed to the bed and crawled onto it, crossing her legs as she reached for the food.
Flicking through the channels didn’t really fill her with interest, and with a full stomach and boredom setting in, she dozed.
* * * *
Xavier woke, unused to the sensation of instant awareness. The darkness around him was silent, and he remembered that Hope was supposed to be here. But why couldn’t he hear her? He could tell she wasn’t in the living area, as he could hear nothing coming from that direction. Sitting up, he lifted the covers off himself. He straightened the sleeping pants he had worn to bed, where they had twisted and crawled up around his body in an uncomfortable fashion. He usually slept naked, but with her staying in the suite he had considered wearing them to be something that he couldn’t avoid. He didn’t want to scare her if she wandered in by accident.
The orders he had given before retiring that morning had meant there were no refreshments waiting beside the bed. He brushed his tousled hair back as hunger pulled at him. He padded through the room towards the living area. On the table sat a tray. Obviously her evening meal, and his goblet of refreshment.
He frowned seeing the meal untouched.
She hadn’t come out for dinner, and that concerned him. Xavier glanced around. The office door was slightly ajar and he wandered in. She had been in here. He could smell her scent, light and subtle, but it was slightly stale, as if from several hours ago. He walked back to the living area and considered whether she would’ve tried to leave, so he moved to the door and knocked. It was opened by one of the guards on duty. “Has Miss Hope left the suite?”
“No, Master. Her meal was delivered about fifteen minutes ago by the maid, and I brought it straight in as you requested. Is something amiss?” The guard cocked his head.
“I don’t think so.” He moved back into the room, closing the door. Observing her door was shut, he considered whether he should invade her privacy. It was something that made him quite uneasy. She could be asleep or in the bathroom, not that he could hear any water moving, or something could be wrong.
After considering the food on the table, he had a lightning thought of poison, and shook his head at the fanciful notion and the quick hint of rage and panic that rose in him. The food looked to be untouched, so that wasn’t anything to consider.
Only one way to find out where she was. He knocked on the door and heard movement beyond. He knocked again, a little louder, hoping for an answer. A muffled movement met his ears, and this time he decided her safety overrode her privacy.
Slowly he pushed the door open. “Hope?” He moved into the room, scanning as he went. She was asleep, curled on the bed, and the sight entranced him. He moved towards her, stepping lightly so he didn’t surprise her. He was mesmerised by her ivory skin, and the dark hair that tumbled around her beautiful face. Her hair looked like silk, and his body urged him to reach out, to touch it once more. He dimly noticed her robe was bunched around her waist, and a small amount of silky flesh peeked out as if daring him to see how soft her skin was. Touch her while she sleeps. You are Master, and she is yours for the taking if you desire her.
He curled his fists along with his lips, and self-derision reminded him of his honour. I am not an animal. I am not one of the Brethren. She is worthy of honour, and to defile her would be to discard everything I fight to uphold.
“Hope?” He called the words quietly. No need to frighten her. Worried thoughts trickled through his mind as he called once more. “Hope?”
He watched as she murmured and moved on the bed, baring more of her midriff. His gut tightened, as he felt the heat of desire fill him, pooling once more in his groin. More skin bared, and her top lifted a little more while she stretched in the act of waking.
“Hope?” A little louder this time, and he recognised a strangled quality in his voice. He cleared his throat and her eyes fluttered once, twice then again before they opened slowly, it was, to him, like shades lifting off the most beautiful image in the world. Violet eyes blinked owlishly as she moved.
“Xavier? What are you doing awake?” The sensual tones of her voice had his body tightening, while he fought for control. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, but her scent invaded his mind.
“It is past six in the evening and you have been asleep.” He wanted to wince at the banality of his answer. He inwardly shrugged it off. What else could he do right now, anyway?
“What? Oh, I didn’t mean to…” Her voice trailed off and she looked at him. “There just wasn’t a lot to do… Urgh! I feel woolly. I hate sleeping in the afternoon,” she said, her voice soft and redolent with the remnants of sleep. A stray strand of hair flopped over her face. She brushed it aside, one finger hooking the stray tress behind her ear. His heart thudded hard against his ribs.
“Your meal awaits, sleeping princess.” If I don’t get out of here soon, I am going to touch her. The thought shocked him. He’d never felt this level of neediness before, and he shied away from what that meant.
“Oh, right. Can you just give me a minute?” She scrambled off the bed, nearly falling in her haste. The robe tangled with her long legs. He reached out a han
d to help her, but she moved quickly towards the bathroom, ignoring it, so he retreated back to the living room, giving her the privacy she needed.
Moments later, she joined him in the lounge area, and she lifted the domed lid. Her face wrinkled with distaste for just an instant, before, with a barely audible sigh, she picked up the meal and the cutlery.
“The meal doesn’t tempt you?”
“What? Oh no, it’s just I am not the biggest fan of heavily dressed salads and cold meats for dinner.” She glanced at him where he stood, reaching for the phone.
“Miss Hope would prefer something else for her evening meal. Prepare it and deliver it as soon as possible.” He turned to see her shocked look on her face. He enjoyed it for just an instant, before moving back to her.
“Have I done something wrong, Hope? I mean, you are not pleased with the meal, therefore something else should be prepared.” As he finished talking, the phone trilled and he idly lifted the receiver.
“There was no need. It was fine, truly.” Her face was pale, and for an instant anger flashed through his mind, then he turned back to the phone in his hands. Something isn’t right here. I will need to talk to her about this after I see who is calling.
“Master? James has said that is all that is available.” The words were forcefully delivered by the housekeeper, Mrs Atkins.
Caustic anger rose in his gut. He had demanded a better meal for Hope, and it wasn’t up to James to determine otherwise, or to countermand his orders. He opened his mouth to demand that James attend him when he continued…
“Councillor Cressida’s assistant has called. She wishes you to come to her home tonight, to discuss the situation. She has instructed you to bring Miss Hope with you.”