“He’s smart to pick you as his second,” said Alphard, more serious.
“I’m hardly-” started Maeve, but she was cut off.
“Please,” said Alphard with a scoff. “It’s clear to everyone paying attention, especially my dear friend Roswyn.”
Maeve didn’t meet his gaze. After a short round through the garden, they were almost back at the house. The coast was clear as Loxerman was nowhere in sight.
“The three of you,” she started. “You were close.”
She was referring to her brother Antony, Roswyn and Alphard.
“Thick as thieves,” he said.
Maeve swallowed the knot in her throat and looked up at him. She forced herself to smile softly.
“Thank you for the company,” said Maeve sweetly, beginning up the steps to the house.
Alphard laughed.
“What?” She asked as she turned towards him.
Alphard shrugged. “It always throws me off when you do that.”
Maeve looked at him quizzically.
“When you switch into that perfectly polite way of interacting that you were taught,” said Alphard. “And it’s. . . not you.”
Maeve looked away from him. No one had ever called her out on that before.
“I mean no offense,” said Alphard kindly. “I know that’s how we were raised. You just don’t have to do that with me.”
Maeve looked back at him and studied his face. He was genuine.
She nodded and gave him a smile before starting her ascent up the stairs once more.
“Sinclair!” He called after her.
She reached the top and looked back at him.
“Antony would be proud of you.”
Maeve beamed and bit the inside of her cheek, heading back inside. She grabbed herself a sparkling water at the bar when Abraxas’ mother, Beatrice, appeared at her side.
“Hello, Maeve,” she said sweetly.
“Aunt Beatrice,” smiled Maeve, “you look lovely.”
Beatrice smiled and took a drink off the bar. Her long blonde hair swooped into large curls.
“Would you care to walk with me?”
Maeve obliged her.
“What I’m about to say won’t bring you joy,” said Beatrice. “Let’s step onto the balcony.”
They walked silently through the glass doors and towards the corner, away from the other guests.
“Now you have me worried,” said Maeve cooly, sipping her drink.
