The two vampires drank without reserve, and I stared at the liquid in the crystal. When Luke noticed I had not joined them, he chuckled.
“It’s red wine,” he whispered into my ear. “Remember, you’re in Italy. Il vino has a higher place in our esteem than blood. Try it.”
At his bidding, I lifted the glass to my lips. Wine was not my drink of choice, and I wouldn’t know good hooch from mediocre. But anything would taste better than the Three Buck Chuck we used to get from the convenience store back when we were in high school.
“Mm,” I uttered, licking my lips in appreciation of the first sip. “It tastes…fruity. Although I guess that’s a dumb statement since wine is made from grapes.”
Luke swallowed his mouthful. “No, wine can be very complex. Saying it has a fruity taste is a place to start. Now, try some more and give it your best guess as to what kind of fruit.”
Wanting to please him, I took another sip. The flavor felt familiar, and I searched my memories for the right one. “I think I taste…blackberries? And maybe something else…something earthier.”
My guess earned me a warm smile from both men. Cassio complimented me in Italian, and Luke kissed my cheek.
“Brava,” he beamed. “My uncle will adore teaching you about his wine.”
“Are you taking her to the vineyard in Montefalco?” Cassio asked.
Luke nodded in affirmation. “If things get a little too heated here, I can whisk her away to get a little breather.”
“With what I witnessed, I hope that anything too fiery won’t get out of control,” his friend warned, glancing at my hands that had wielded the fireballs at Luke’s house.
I finished another swallow of the wine, a warm buzz flowing through my veins. “Don’t worry, I promise I will be on my best behavior.”
Another server walked by with a tray, but it held more drinks rather than food.
“Is there anything to eat around here?” I asked, my stomach rumbling a little at my sudden realization of my lack of sustenance due to nerves.
Cassio grimaced. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice or would have already eaten.”
“Tell me my parents have considered all of their guests when planning tonight,” Luke growled.
“I believe your betrothed may be the only one here who needs to eat,” Cassio said.
A little fuzzy from the fast consumption of wine and a very empty stomach, I gasped in realization. “They don’t intend for me to be the meal for everyone here, do they?”
Both men scoffed. Luke smooched the top of my head. “No, everybody here will be old enough that they have full control of their appetites.”
“Although I would not put anything past Amara,” Cassio snorted. “She does not seem to like you very much.”
I patted Luke’s behind, a little too emboldened from the wine. “That’s because she has her sights set on my honey bunny. But she has no idea who she’s tanglin’ with if she thinks she can push me aside so easily.”
Cassio tilted his head in observation and narrowed his eyes. “Did you know your accent just became a little stronger when you said that?”
I shrugged. “Granny says it always happens when I get too sassy for my britches.”
Luke’s friend frowned. “What are britches?”
“Something I’m not wearin’,” I said, speaking before my brain caught up. “Because it might ruin the line of the dress.” I turned around so the two boys could see my point.
“Never mind about that,” Luke interrupted, glowering at his friend’s amusement and taking my empty glass from me. “Come on, Rue, perhaps it would be better if I introduced you to my parents now rather than waiting. Then after that, I’ll take you to the kitchens and make sure you get something in your stomach.”
I winked at my handsome man. “Sounds like a plan.”
Cassio wished us luck, and Luke wrapped my arm around his as he guided us through the different groups of guests. He greeted several with friendly banter but kept us moving forward toward an area with the most attendees crowded around.
Through the throng of bodies, I caught sight of the most beautiful woman dressed in black with brilliant white jewels sparkling all over her. Her outfit created the effect of stars twinkling against a dark sky. But it was the flash of dark red from the choker around her neck that caught my eye.
Even from a distance, I recognized the same ruby amulet that Luke wore underneath his shirt. His mother and father wore theirs on full display for all to see.
Luke’s mother spoke to everyone with ease and seemed relaxed until she caught sight of her son heading in her direction. She kept her gaze trained on me but tugged on the arm of the man standing next to her, whispering to him. With his parents’ attention focused on us, the other guests took notice and began whispering and watching as we approached.
I snatched another full glass of wine from a passing server who hadn’t noticed all the hubbub, and took a couple of full swallows of drink for courage.
“Do you think that wise?” Luke whispered to me.
The warm buzz that chased away my nerves gave me my answer. “I think it’s necessary.”
Lady Eveline arrived at my elbow and took the glass away. “Courage does not come from the bottom of a bottle,” she admonished. “Keep your chin up, allow them to do most of the talking, answer when spoken to but do your best not to give away more than what is asked.”
My fiancé faltered in his steps. “Who is your friend?”
Maybe he’d been right about the wine. My manners had been muddied by the red drink. “This is Lady Eveline de…I forget the rest.”
“My full name is not important. I live in Honeysuckle Hollow with Charli Goodwin.” She nodded her respect.
“Ah, I see,” Luke uttered, squeezing my hand resting on his arm. “Your friend made sure we had someone in our corner. Very smart, for I am afraid our support here may be a bit
