There was a subtle shift in his tone, and Violet caught it immediately.
“I cannot imagine you being unoccupiedfor long. Surely, your parents kept you busy.”
A bitter smile ghosted across his lips. “Oh, they did. But only with what they deemed important—studies, etiquette, and preparation for the title. Anything that shaped me into what they needed me to be.”
Her brow furrowed as she studied him. “And what about you? What did you need?”
The question caught him off guard, and for a moment, he was silent. Then he shrugged, his gaze dropping to the glass in his hand. “It didn’t matter. They were too focused on each other to notice.”
The admission hung in the air, heavier than either of them had anticipated. Nicholas wasn’t sure why he’d said it—why it had come so easily to him. He glanced at Violet, expecting pity or awkwardness, but instead, he saw only quiet understanding in her green eyes.
“That sounds… lonely.” Her voice was barely above a whisper when she finally spoke. “It must have been difficult. Not having anyone to just… be there for you.”
Nicholas looked away, his jaw tightening. “You get used to it. Eventually, you stop expecting anything more.”
“It’s impressive, though,” she said after a moment, her voice soft. “What you’ve made of yourself.”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Impressive?”
It was not every day that she awarded him a compliment.
“You’ve taken all of that, all the expectations and responsibilities, and turned it into something… meaningful,” she said. “That takes strength.”
He chuckled lightly though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. “Very uncharacteristic of you to flatter me like this, Violet. Has the turpentine from the paint gone to your head?”
“It’s not flattery,” she replied quickly, chiding him with a simple glare. “It’s an observation.”
“An observation, I see. Well, allow me to make one of my own: You’re remarkably curious tonight.”
She flushed, glancing away. “Oh—I didn’t mean to pry.”
“I don’t mind,” he said, surprising himself with the honesty of the admission. “It’s… easier than I expected.”
The air between them shifted, the quiet hum of the room growing heavier. He swallowed, trying to dispel the feeling of unease that had crept into the room. “Anyhow, there is no need to discuss my childhood further. It was what it was. And besides, it gave me time to pick up a fewunexpectedskills as you so kindly put it.”
Violet smiled faintly, sensing his need to shift the mood. He felt grateful for that.
She was more observant than he gave her credit for.
“Well, I still think it’s impressive. Though I must admit, I’m glad to know there’s more to you than brooding and… lurking in the shadows.”
A much-needed chuckle escaped his lips. “Lurking in the shadows? Is this your not-so-subtle way of bringing up your vampire theory again?”
“I wasn’t going to,” she teased, her eyes sparkling, “but now that you mention it?—”
“Careful,” he warned playfully, leaning forward slightly. “I might take offense to that.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re very offended,” she quipped, laughing.
Nicholas’ smirk deepened as he leaned closer. “Perhaps I should prove you right, then.
Her laughter faltered as he moved toward her, his breath warm against her neck. “What are you?—”
“Do vampires do this?” he murmured in a teasing tone.
And then, with a touch so light it bordered on fleeting, his teeth grazed her neck.
He did not knowwhathad overcome him at that moment, only that he could not help himself.
