He had also saved my sister’s mental state as well by ridding her of the nightmares because she later confessed to me that she had been thinking about going to Cursed Ravine as I once had.
He had done so much for me already, for those I loved. Who was I to ask him for more?
After another moment, Maxwell nodded. “I am the host. As such, I must go and attend to my guests, but you are welcome to stay.”
Before I could say anything, he blinked and was gone.
In the doorway was a maid. She wore a simple dress that somehow seemed to put mine to shame.
In her hands was a dress that immediately called to mind the faint blue of his shirt.
And a golden necklace.
Apparently, he found my attire lacking.
As for the golden necklace…
I shook my head and refused both. I might be here to grovel and beg for his help, but I would not be dressed up like I was a toy. I was a living being, a human and therefore most likely weak in his eyes, but I would not be a plaything.
I had my pride, and I did not, would not, give in to that invisible tether between us that still drew me to him despite my hatred.
3
The maid trailed behind me. “Are you certain you don’t want to change?” she asked.
She’d already asked me that same question five times now, and each time, her voice grew more and more nervous.
Only the sudden thought that she might get in trouble because of my refusal caused me to halt, and I turned to face her.
“I am fine as I am now,” I told her firmly.
She lowered her head. “Then at least accept the necklace.”
The necklace. It was probably made of high-quality gold. Pure gold wasn't fit to be made into jewelry. It was far too soft, and it couldn't hold any shape without another metal mixed in.
Still, I brushed my fingers along the artifact. There was a pendant, but it was mostly covered by the dress’s fabric.
Could it be an ouroboros?
No.
Yes.
It was.
I lifted the necklace, staring at the twin snakes eating each other’s tails, the infinity symbol made by their entwined bodies in the middle of the design. So elegant and fitting.
It was precisely what a Chosen would wear.
I swallowed hard. This. This was what I wanted. I could take it and leave now and never see Maxwell again and still live. I would be safe.
Or would I?
No. No, I would not accept this. Not until he knew why I so desperately craved this.
Cravings could be fatal.
Not all Chosen are protected.
Vampires could be evil, just as humans could be, and just as humans could have enemies, so could vampires. Sometimes, you would hear stories about a Chosen being killed to get back at the vampire patron.
This alone might not serve to keep me safe.
Besides, he needed to give this freely, knowing the entire story, and he would have to be the one to put it around my neck. That was how it should be done, in my opinion.
Or maybe it was simply fear that he would grant me the necklace and then send me away that stilled my hand. If he did that, I was beginning to believe that would spell the death of me regardless.
“If you’re certain,” the maid said hesitantly.
“I am certain,” I informed her kindly. I smiled at her.
She blinked a few times and glanced at the ground and then back up at me again. When she spied that I was still smiling at her, she ventured a small smile back in return.
“I will return to the ballroom now,” I announced. “Unless…”
The maid nodded. “He will be expecting you.”
Hearing that made my heart start to race. It felt like it would pound its way out of my chest.
Feigning confidence, I returned to the stairwell. Seeing the multitudes of vampires below had me grabbing the railing, and I slowly descended the stairs.
Not that anyone was watching me.
As I took the last step, Maxwell appeared by my side. Without a word, he swept me into his arms, and we danced. So skilled was he that I had no choice but to follow his lead, and I never stumbled at all even though I honestly had very little experience dancing. I hadn't a reason to learn how to. My normal attire was jeans and a t-shirt, my long hair tied up in a messy bun as I hacked away at my computer. And when I said long hair, I meant long. My chestnut locks almost reached my shoulders, thick and wavy.
For the first time in forever, I had my hair down, and it flew around as he twirled me about. Was this the waltz? Did people still waltz? It was definitely some kind of formal dance. Other vampires were dancing as well, doing the same movements as we were, but I didn’t bother to pay them any attention, and they ignored me as well. I didn’t even know if another vampire danced with a human or if all of the other vampires danced with their own kind.
“Maxwell—”
“You didn’t accept… the gift.”
I swallowed hard and stiffened. For the first time, I faltered over a step, but he pulled me along.
“Do I not look good enough to be in your company in this? Most every woman owns a little black dress.”
He appraised me but said nothing.
“I need to talk to you,” I told him.
“You can.”
I glanced around. There were far too many ears here, but even if we were to return to the tea room, the vampires could still overhear.
But it seemed I had no choice.
“I need your protection,” I started
