“I know,” said Mal. “I can handle Maeve.”
“And Maeve?”
Mal laced his fingers together. “Maeve can handle herself.”
“Wonderful,” said Abraxas, pressing his cigar into the bronze ashtray on Mal’s table. “Now,” he turned towards him, “who is handling Alphard?”
Mal’s teeth slid together. “Maeve is.”
Abraxas’s brows pulled together. “That was your doing?”
“Yes,” said Mal slowly.
Abraxas looked away from him.
“You doubt my judgment?”
Abraxas looked back at him. He sighed. “I’m going to speak as your hand and your friend now, Mal.” Abraxas folded his arms across his chest, his tone conversational. “Maeve doesn’t want Alphard, but make no mistake,” Abraxas hesitated, “she loves him.”
Mal looked up at Abraxas as the corners of the room flickered darkly.
“You weren’t there,” Abraxas continued calmly. “Antony and Alphard were inseparable. They were the class favorites, the cut ups and the misbehaviors. They crashed Sacred parties and got kicked out of dinners. Antony and Alphard were bonded from a young age. Maeve loves him because Antony did.”
Mal resisted the urge to sink his fingers into the arms of the chair. “I know that. But that has nothing to do with her ability to ensure that their engagement never happens.”
“I am certain my cousin is capable of anything she sets her mind to,” said Abraxas with admiration. “But that is not my concern. I’m asking why make her do it? When it will only hurt her to have to? Any affection between them is in memory of her dead brother and I suppose I don’t agree with tarnishing it at her hand.”
“What would you have me do? I cannot fight every battle for her Abraxas, she must come into her own.”
“Tell him that,” said Abraxas. “Tell him to refuse. We all know he wants Victoria, anyway.”
Mal was quiet for a moment. His hands relaxed, and he folded them in his lap. “I will consider it.”
Abraxas smiled. “That is all I can ask.”
Mal was eager for the subject to change. “What else for today?”
“We need to go over the guest list for Arianna and Titus’ wedding next week. I have the list stacked. Much smaller than the Autum Gala Party, so you’ll have more time with those that really matter.”
“I thought you said they all mattered,” said Mal dryly.
“They do,” said Abraxas with a nod. “But some more than others. Those that oppose the Orator’s Office are those that supported Kietel. You need them. But I also invited Dillon Shelby, he ran Moon’s campaign. You need those whose ear he has as well.”
Chapter 51
Maeve’s two least favorite guests returned to Sinclair Estates shortly after The Autumn Gala and she was forced to entertain Xander and Ophelia once more.
“Heads up,” said Abraxas quietly.
Maeve looked inside the house and groaned.
“Damn,” said Maeve. “I lost track of time. I could have ran and hid upstairs-”
Ophelia threw her arms around Maeve as soon as she walked onto the balcony, and Maeve pushed her away gently with a smile. Ophelia turned to Abraxas and kissed his cheek. Abraxas wiped his face with his hand when she turned her back.
Xander walked onto the balcony shortly after Ophelia, and he was not alone. To his side was The Senshi Warrior. He was Reeve’s second, Commander of the Aterna Army.
Eryx was his name. Xander’s half human cousin.
