I scoffed.
“I’ve known them for years. I know what it takes to bring out the best in Ambrose, and it’s not you. I don’t say this to be cruel, but I genuinely think you should leave the competition to people who care for him.Trulycare.”
“You can’t take the competition,” I murmured, shaking my head. “Unbelievable.”
“This is about my friend, Lucian, not the competition.” She let out a breath. “And anyway, I see how your eyes linger on Maxwell. You glow when he dotes on you.”
“I always glow. I have beautiful skin.”
Of course I thought about Maxwell. He was adorable, and he was enjoyable to be around. My thoughts would naturally turn to him in moments when my mind wandered. Like when I’d been dancing with Ambrose earlier. Like the many times I’d hoped Maxwell would kiss me. I scowled, turning away to avoid Cecelia’s penetrating stare.
“With Ambrose, on the other hand,” she continued, “you have only these sly looks. You’re plotting how to win him, like a game. And yes, he’s pretty. But he’s not who you truly want.” She shrugged. “Life might be easier for you with Ambrose, and you might not have the title of ‘duke’ if you pivot to what your heart truly desires, but you’d still be important. Isn’t that enough?”
“This isn’t a game for me. The stakes are high for me too, I’ll have you know.”
Cecelia pursed her lips. “As you say.”
A moment of silence hung between us. She truly cared for him then. Enough to beg me off. I wished I could adhere to her wishes, but of course, that would spell my own doom.
“Did something happen between you and Melbourne?” Cecelia suddenly asked.
I rounded on her with astonishment. “He brought up what happened?”
She crossed her arms. “Not in so many words. I suggested we come to your defense when Thomas started raving. He stopped me, which isn’t like him. Melbourne isn’t exactly known for his … restraint.”
“Truer words,” I murmured, shaking my head. “What did he say?”
“That you could handle yourself.”
“Well, I clearly can.” I squinted at her. “What do you imagine happened between me and Melbourne?”
Cecelia snorted. “That he came on to you and you rejected him.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You think I would have rejected him? I’m quite the incorrigible scoundrel.”
She regarded me for a moment, and I shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. “I think you’re spoiled and used to getting what you want. I think you wouldn’t hesitate toindulgewhen you have a mind to.” She took a step closer to me. “But I also think you keep your guard up and hold your secrets close. You’re clearly determined to win Ambrose, and you wouldn’t risk that on a tryst, not with a nobody like Melbourne.”
“A nobody? Isn’t he a count?”
“Viscount. But that’s beside the point. You act aloof and … crave attention. But I think you’re afraid of letting people see the real you.”
I scoffed, refusing to take a step away from her as she drew even closer. “I’m afraid of nothing,” I declared, straightening. She sounded like she was speaking of Ambrose, not me. But that didn’t sit well with me, not when I loathed him so. Did others see me like that? Was Iloathsome?
The patio door opened, a burst of noise interrupting us as a figure stepped out into the night.
“Oh,” Maxwell looked between Cecelia and me. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”
Cecelia smiled tightly, sending me a pointed look. “I was just leaving.”
She strode past him and into the ballroom, the door muffling the bustle once more when it closed at her back.
“Beautiful night,” Maxwell murmured, sauntering over to me, eyes on the stars overhead. “It’s so overstimulating at these events. It’s nice to take a breather to collect oneself.”
“That it is,” I muttered, turning my eyes to the dark garden below. I felt him sidle up to me, aware of his body as it settled against the wall just inches from mine. I chanced a look at him, head lifted in profile, lips slightly parted, Adam’s apple straining against his throat as he looked up. I watched as he swallowed, lingering on the pulse at his neck. The throbbing artery was usually a sight that sent a greedy hunger racing through me. Now, I could only think of how vulnerable it made Maxwell, so close to the surface. It would take one strike of fangs or a slit with sharp nails to let loose a red torrent that would end his life. I’d exploited such weakness in human flesh countless times before, but the thought of a needless, cruel death for a grotesque form of sustenance turned my stomach now.
I frowned. When had I begun to think of drinking blood as grotesque? It was necessary. It was the cycle of life. Cruelty was just as prevalent in humans as it was in vampires, and humans killed each other for less—petty reasons like money and jealousy. At least vampires sought blood to continue their existence.
“You two made a striking couple out there,” Maxwell said. I flinched away as he turned to regard me, not wanting to be caught staring. “I could hardly take my eyes off you. You commanded the room.”
