Me:That sounds fantastic. And sure, I’m looking forward to it.
With the water now too cold for my liking, I decided bathtime was over. I got up and found a fluffy looking towel and, to no surprise at all, a bathrobe that was so soft I never wanted to take it off. I did my skincare routine and decided to read in bed before going to sleep. Tomorrow, Severin would bite me, so I let that thought warm me as I snuggled under the soft covers and booted up my kindle.
I couldn’t wait.
Chapter 6
Severin
I got zero sleep last night. Not that I really needed it. Some sleep was good, but since I rarely used my abilities, I needed it less. Felix was the reason for my lack of rest. I had tried to not listen in on Peter and Felix in the kitchen, but I could not stop myself. They had laughed and Peter had said he liked him. My brother was aknown flirt, the opposite of me, who preferred my solitude. But hearing Felix laugh with Peter… it had made me unreasonablyjealous.
Felix had seemed to like Peter as well. Which I was not okay with. I did not want to fight for Felix’s affection. But here I was, a thousand or so year old vampire, sulking over having to share Felix’s attention. Again, I had to ask myself,who was I?
Felix was in the kitchen eating waffles whilst conversing with Joel. They seemed to get along splendidly, so I tried to focus on the book in my lap and not their conversation in the kitchen underneath my study. But it was hard. Felix’s laughter pierced through the flooring like he sat right next to me, like his joy was seeking me out, daring me to join in on the happiness. Andoh, how I wanted to share that with him.
“Sev?” Dina’s voice came several rooms down to the left and I sighed and got up from my favorite chair. I located her easily and smiled warmly as I watched her fuss with some fresh flowers in the library.
“You called?”
She turned and gave me her beaming smile. “I heard from Peter that Felix has settled in well.”
I knew she was in on it. “He has,” was all I answered. The woman would need to pry the rest out of me. Not that I was angry she had ganged up on me with my brother. It was what they did best. I liked to think it was because they both cared.
She rolled her eyes at me and continued to fuss over the flower arrangement. “And? How is he? Does he like his room? I added white lilies, you know. I figured they were fitting.”
I smiled, not able to stop myself. “He seems to like it here. And he is kind.”
“Peter had several more descriptive words he used, but let’s go with kind.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, Peter had told her how beautiful Felix was.
“I take that to mean you have yet to meet him yourself?”
“I let Joel have him first, but I’m next.”
I knew her wording was just a teasing way to describe him as a shiny new toy, but I found I did not care for it. Felix was so much more. “And Joel? Have you met him?” I asked, wanting the topic away from Felix.
“I have. Nice man. I look forward to having him cook for me each day.”
“He cooks for both of you,” I corrected her.
“I know, I know,” she tutted. “I like that we have more people here.”
Tilting my head, I asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well, you have your cleaners and gardeners, but no one who stays like I do. I like that Felix is here now. And Joel, too, even if he lives in town like me. It feels… homey.”
“Homey,” I parroted, not truly knowing what she meant by it.
She placed a hand on my shoulder, a comforting warmth spread as she did so. “I like that you have people around you, Severin.”
“Oh.” What was I supposed to reply to that? Thank you?
She just smiled and waved me off. “I’m fine with being second in line for today. Go and feed.” Taking that as my cue to leave, I spun and walked as normally as possible towards the kitchen. I tried my damnedest not to speed walk, even though I really desired to.
Joel and Felix were laughing and both writing things down as they conversed. It seemed so easy for them. I instantly disliked Joel, but I had to hide my death glare before either of the men noticed me. I could not fire Joel just because Felix liked him.
The floor creaked under my feet as I took one step into the room, making Felix’s head turn, a smile instantly blooming on hishandsome face.Imade him smile like that. A smug smile formed on my lips and I hoped Joel saw how I affected Felix.
“Good morning,” I greeted them both. “Are you discussing your diet?” I had only briefly met Joel this morning before he began breakfast, but his smile then had not been as genuine as the one he gave Felix now. I was truly being tested.
