“Are you dreading it, Maeve?” Asked Abraxas.
“Dreading what, Brax?”
“This,” said Abraxas, gesturing about the room. “The wedding, the whole thing- I know I am.” Abraxas burst out laughing, and Hugo followed suit. Hugo was as drunk as Abraxas.
Maeve snagged a glass of water from the bar. Her father’s favorite glass of brandy appeared. The Estate was quick and smart.
Maeve finally looked over at Reeve. His eyes were already on her.
“Good evening, Miss Sinclair,” said Reeve with a grin.
“Good evening, Your Imminence,” she said with a dramatic bow.
“Gods, don’t do that again,” he said with feigned offense.
His eyes flickered with confidence. Bridging on arrogance. He took a swig of his drink and Maeve raised her eyebrows.
“What?” He asked.
His voice was challenging.
“Nothing,” said Maeve with a playful shrug. “Just thinking about that time, you couldn’t save me from Kietel.”
Eryx clapped a hand over his mouth and turned away. Abraxas howled with laughter.
Reeve slammed his drink down on the bar and rounded on Maeve. He licked across his teeth. Something about the motion sparked a fire in her stomach.
“Listen here-”
Maeve was smiling so triumphantly that a real laugh escaped her lips.
“You got yourself captured that evening,” said Reeve.
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” said the cocky High Lord. “You would have made it to Malachite and Obscured had you not been staring at my incredibly fearsome form.”
Maeve rolled her eyes.
Even though he was right.
“Someone thinks highly of himself, doesn’t he?” Asked Maeve dryly.
“You have no idea,” said Eryx. “Though from that display at dinner a few nights ago, I’d say you are equally as vain.”
Maeve smirked.
“You’d speak to a lady in such a way?” Asked Maeve.
Reeve laughed now. “You only play that card when it suits you.”
Maeve dropped her voice and leaned in close as she addressed him. “That is the only time one should be playing any cards, YourGrace.”
“Stop that,” said Reeve, with a growl in his tone. “Or my patience will run thin.”
“Does your grace only extend so far?”
Reeve licked his lips and leaned towards her. “I can show you exactly how far it extends.”
