I guide Lello toward the door, shutting it quietly behind us. As we walk away, I glance back at the closed door, my chest tight with worry. Ned says he’s fine, but I know better. He might needhis solitude, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop keeping an eye on him.
Not for a second. I have learned my lesson about being there for my friends. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.
Chapter thirteen
Monty
Laurie is shaking. His arm is in mine and the poor boy is trembling. His gaze is fixed on the floor. His snow white hair has grown, undoubtedly Mother’s idea. It gently brushes his slender shoulders, smooth and silky. Perfect for hiding in. It is also startlingly pretty.
There is no time to talk to him. These huge double doors are about to be opened, our names called out, and Laurie formally presented to society.
I remember my own debutante ball very well. It was hideous. Busy, noisy, stuffy, and stifling under the weight of expectation. But at least I didn’t have people leering at me to see if they wanted to buy me. Laurie is about to suffer that indignity.
My lungs stutter. His birthday was last week. He is seventeen now and time is running out. I’m so tempted to throw open a portal and whisk him to safety. Somewhere far, far away from here. But I do not have that right. People would come after us. Rules are sacred amongst the Old Blood.
Waiting for my father to die is a far better plan. Once I am duke and Laurie is my property, nobody will breathe a word when I announce I am not marrying him off. Of course, all sorts of vile rumors will ignite about me wishing to keep Laurie to myself. But I’ve never cared much for the opinions of others. And Laurie is a quiet soul. He will be content at home. Even if he wasn’t, he would be safe, and that is all that matters.
I could introduce him to Pink and the other boys. Laurie could have friends.
I suck in a breath. No, that is a foolish dream. I cannot drag Pink into this life. It is too dangerous. The one tiny sliver of silver lining about the harem was that it got him free of all of this.
My rambling thoughts fall quiet as the liveried servants move in perfect synchronization to open the ornate doors. I quickly give Laurie’s hand a brief pat and then I hold my head up high.
We step through into the ballroom. A dizzying sea of shimmering gowns, glittering tiaras and perfectly pressed dark suits.
“Baron Havenport, presenting Lord Lawrence Clifford on behalf of his father, Duke Eastminster.”
The majordomo’s voice rings out loud and clear. Laurie and I stand perfectly still while everyone at the ball stares at us. The thirty seconds takes forever, and as soon as it is up, I hurry Laurie into the room and over to the quietest corner.
I’m so glad the first hurdle is over, but it is going to be a long, long night.
I open my mouth to ask Laurie if he would like a drink, but before I can say a word, Mother glides over, takes Laurie’s arm and steers him over to a group of unwed mages.
I watch him go helplessly. Mother didn’t even glance at me. I played my part and now she has no further use of me.
I wonder if I can rest Laurie back from her control at some point later this evening. I’d like to give the poor boy a break.
A portly man, whom I don’t know the name of, holds out his hand to Laurie. My little brother takes it meekly, and is swept out onto the dancefloor. My heart sinks as I watch. He is a good dancer. All graceful, long slender limbs. He still looks a little gangly to me. Young for seventeen, but there are plenty of predators who will be drawn to precisely that.
He is keeping his head down demurely and his entire body language is submissive.
I watch in dismay as Laurie glides across the dancefloor. His white hair seems almost silver in this light. Our family’s unusual coloring looks stunning on him. He has either not inherited the unruly texture that I have, or he has found a way to tame it with oils. His skin is creamy and flawless, and when he does peek up, his eyes flash a dazzling sapphire blue.
My baby brother is beautiful. Clearly meek and biddable. His coiled, unclaimed magic is incandescent. And he is the son of a duke.
He is a perfect vessel. Sublime. He is going to be named jewel of the season. There can be no other outcome. Mother is going to be so very pleased.
Everyone is going to want him.
The billionaire who collected Pink and the other boys for his twisted harem, would have desired my baby brother. He would have made an offer. As would any man who likes young, pretty boys.
My guts twist painfully. Why couldn’t Laurie be ugly? Weak in magic? Argumentative?
Any flaw at all would be helpful. As it is, keeping him safe is going to be so damn hard.
It is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. But I’m bloody well going to do it. As long as Laurie remains untapped, he will never need a mage. His life will be his own. Well, as muchas it can be while living at home under my protection and having to remain celibate.
Nevertheless, it is far superior to the alternative. I’m sure Laurie will agree with me on that.
