Vìgì stepped into the room, the cut of his suit highlighting the impressive width of his shoulders, and his hair half pulled back, giving him a wild air despite the sophistication of the suit.
He was followed by Margarida—dressed in a gorgeous navy-blue gown that complimented her dark hair—who towed Baldwin in her wake.
“My suit itches,” Baldwin complained. Despite his grievance, he was dressed to the nines, with his shoes so well polished even my Great Aunt Patsy would be impressed.
“That’s because you spend less on your suits than you do on your historical reproduction clothes,” Killian mercilessly said.
“Sire, Little Killi—you both look so handsome!” Margarida clapped her hands in glee, making her diamond bracelets sparkle. When her gaze strayed to Hazel and me, her smile grew. “Ahh, and you ladies are the picture of charm and beauty!”
“Thank you, Margarida. You look gorgeous,” Hazel said.
Vìgì brightened when he saw Hazel and me. “The brave ladies who have tamed the beasts!”
“Excuse you, Vìgì. I am a Maledictus, not a dragon like the lot of you,” Considine said.
“You might not be a beast in name, but you are one by action,” Vìgì said. “If you excuse me, I must go greet our benefactor.”
“Ah,” Baldwin tugged at his silk tie. “Still on that, are you?”
“Yes, and I am disappointed that you don’t have the self-preservation to join me,” Vìgì said.
Margarida patted Vìgì on the shoulder. “Fret not, I’m sure he’ll come to treasure her when he sees how happy she makes Considine.”
“Uh, no, no I won’t,” Baldwin said. “Because I don’t give a fig for his happiness.”
“Baldwin, I am positively wounded.” Considine dramatically clasped a hand to his chest. “After all the care and nurturing I’ve done for you!”
“Care?Nurturing?” Baldwin puffed up.
Vìgì ignored both of them and crossed the room to bow deeply to Hazel and me. “I pay my respects to the beautiful benefactor of our family, and the lovely wizard who has captivated the Drakes.”
Hazel laughed. “Oh, you’re good. Hello, Vìgì.”
I smiled at the big vampire when he smiled at me, feeling a little awkward. “Hi—or, good evening.”
“If at any time tonight either of you feel at all uncomfortable, please allow me to offer my services. Simply call for me, and I shall come to your aid.” Vìgì said, vaguely reminding me of a knight.
Margarida laughed. “You sound like Ambrose—he was always one for chivalry and paying homage.”
“Because he was a helpless romantic with a lot of time on his hands,” Considine said.
“And didn’t have enough worries in his life,” Killian added.
Vìgì’s forehead wrinkled, and he frowned. “Is it too much to hope for, oh paragons of virtue, that you find Considine’s and Killian’s terrible personalities charming?”
Hazel stood up and adjusted her hold on her clutch. “I don’t mind. Killian can beveryappealing.”
I copied her and stood, trying to discreetly check my dress for wrinkles.
“Well?” Considine called from across the room.
“Well, what?” I asked.
“Aren’t you going to compliment me since Hazel complimented Killian?” Considine asked.
“Oh. Sure.” I turned to Vìgì. “Considine has a surprisingly good work ethic.”
Vìgì blinked in surprise while a squawking-choking noise escaped from Baldwin. Margarida, however, chuckled. “I have a feeling our sibling group chat is going to be very entertaining in the future.”
