Evelyn

I was a little apprehensive about speaking with Shaun on my own, considering how his son was… Shaun had also showed me kindness originally. Will this meeting show me who he truly is? I entered the room, and he was sitting on the floral couch eating a biscuit. He stood as soon as he saw me, bowing.

“Lady Evelyn,” he greeted. There was no one else in the room, and the door was shut. So far he was keeping the same façade.

“My father stated you wish to speak with me?” I got straight to the point.

“Hmm, yes. I wanted to make sure you are well, I noticed you left the ball rather early last night. Your father mentioned you were not feeling well. But, was my son not polite to you?”

His questioned caught me off guard, why would he care what his son was like to me? Or, maybe he was worried about me breaking off the wedding and not getting the antidote for his people. I should take that off the table now. Maybe then I’ll get the truth.

My father stated not to tell him the ingredients, he never mentioned I couldn’t give him a bottle already prepared. I pulled a jar of dark liquid out my pocket of my dress. I walked over to him and held it out to him, “Here, this is the latest rendition of the potion. It may completely cure now, I haven’t had a chance to properly test it yet, it may or may not last.” He took the jar looking closely at it, I continued, “I’m fairly confident it will work though. If you’re hesitate about it, I’ll get the other stuff, it just that for sure will need more dosages down the line.”

“I did not think we were getting this until after you married my son,” replied Shaun.

“While my father may have made that an obligation, I will not put other people’s life at risk. The Heva disease has been known to kill,” I remarked, he looked at me with relief and gratitude.

“My child, you have put my mind at great ease.” Shaun slipped it in his pocket. “You will be a fine Coven leader, I feel much better leaving my people in your hands when the time comes.”

“That’s kind of you to say, but if this was the reason for allowing me to marry your son. With this, if you do not wish for me to marry him, I understand.” I did not want to be a pawn in their game. By giving the cure, it took that piece off the table.

Shaun looked at me confused, “My dear, what has my son said to you? He has been known to be vain, but your kindness, I’m sure will win him over one day.”

He honestly looked concerned for me, but that couldn’t be right, I know what his son thought. “I thought that was the only reason you agreed to this marriage, because you needed the antidote. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”

“There has already been a contract signed my dear. I look forward to having you as a daughter-in-law, and I know my people will fall in love with your kindness and devotion to helping others. Do you not wish to marry my son?”

I continued to avoid the questions on his son, “If we are doing this to combined the Covens, why do we need to wed, could we not just combine without a marriage, a friendly agreement?”

Shaun shook his head, “I’m sorry my dear, but this is a blood contract, your father made sure of that.”

“A blood contract,” I felt hollow in my pit. If a blood contract was unfulfilled, the bearers of the contract would perish, and considering the bearers were listed as both Covens…. “I gave you the antidote, you no longer need it. That would nullify the contract, right?” I asked hopeful.

“It does not work that way.” Shaun looked sorry for me. “If my son has upset you, I am truly sorry. But, I also know my son, when he gets to know you more, he will love you.”

“My father made it sound as if anyone would go against the contract, they would be ban from the Coven, but if it’s… How could he do this?” Did he really believe I would never find love, or was he just extremely power hunger?

“I believe you father wanted to make sure you were well cared for. Calous is a good leader, and powerful witch. Give him a chance,” requested Shaun. “If you do not mind, I would like to head home for a bit, for my people. I will speak with my son before I leave. I will have him call on you. At least speak with him, please.”

I felt like I could not say no to this man, he acted kinder to me than my own father. I nodded my head before I could fully consider the idea. Whatever small thought I had of maybe getting out of the marriage, I couldn’t do so now. I will give him a chance, maybe we will learn to love one another. “I’d like that. Please, when you return here, let me know how the potion worked.”

“Thank you again, Evelyn, you are an amazing woman.” He walked out of the sitting room, and I felt more trapped than I had ever felt.

With that revelation I went straight to my father’s office. It was one thing to threaten being banned from the Coven for breaking the marriage, it was another to put everyone at risk. I didn’t bother knocking when I got to his room.

“Evelyn…” he sat poised behind his desk.

“What are you doing father? Creating a blood contract, putting our people at risk?” I demanded, I’ve never once blew up at my father, there was a charged feeling from this.

“Our people are not at risk. I did this for you, I have secured you a husband. Do not think I do not hear the whispers about you?” he remarked.

“Let me see the contract. I don’t want a husband who does not love me. I’ve already given Shaun the antidote, they will still combine their Coven with ours.” I wasn’t entirely sure that was the truth, but I did feel Shaun would aid us if needed.

Vincent stood up from behind his desk and came out around it, he was a few paces from me, his eyes blazed with anger. Before I knew it, he had slapped me across the face, “You insolent child. You will adhere to my commands, you will marry Calous.” I felt anger flared through me, I was about to protest, but he spoke again. “If you wish for your husband to love you, then lose some weight.”

I felt my mouth open, his comment hurt worse than the slap, it was a knife to the gut. My father was subtle about my weight when buying me smaller clothes, but he never outright said anything about it. I felt tears prick at my eyes. He almost look like he was going to say something, but I turned on my heels and practically ran out of the room.

I went to my room and threw myself on my bed, curling myself around Damien’s cloak, but the tears did not fall. It’s not like I haven’t tried to lose weight… I tried everything, besides magically getting rid of it, but that was vanity and often frowned upon. I breathed in deeply, the scent grounding me, allowing me to clear my mind.

Shaun believed if Calous got to know me, he would love me. I stood up, he asked me to give him a chance. Maybe if I took things in my hands… I needed to make this work, I couldn’t let anything happen to our people because of my father. I looked into the mirror, I looked as good as I usually looked.

I went in search of Calous. It was about fifteen minutes until I found him chatting with Stella, flirting, he was leaned against the wall, lightly touching her hand, making it seem casual, but the look in his eyes said it was anything but casual.

This didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would, I walked over to them, “Stella.” She jumped at the sound of my voice, taking a step back from Calous looking guilty. I smiled sweetly at her, “Do you mind if I have a word with Calous.”

“Of course not, I have things to do,” she scurried off.

I turned to look at Calous, he was eying me up with displeasure, it seems he was going to be up front about his feelings. Shaun must not have spoken to. “We need to get something clear, wife,” he grabbed my wrist hard enough to bruise. “You will never interrupt me when speaking to someone.” His already strong grip tightened. “Are we clear?”

I grinded my teeth, my fingers itching to taste fire. “Let me go.”

“Not until I get a confirmation.” He pulled my wrist near him, then slammed me back against the wall, leaning in.

I felt the fire dance in my hand, but I quickly put it out, I couldn’t… I bowed my head, “Yes.”

He gave a wicked smile, releasing my wrist, I rubbed it with my other hand “Good, maybe if you’re good, I may kiss you. Now, what do you want?”

I felt the anger simmer, but I kept it at bay, “Do you know we’re under a blood contract?”

“You’re such a stupid girl. If we were not under it, I would have cancelled this wedding already and blamed you,” sneered Calous.

I internally breathed a sigh of relief, at least he cared about his people, “Since we’re stuck with this marriage, we should try to make the best of it.”

“Believe me, I plan to do just that,” there was an evil glint in his eyes that made me feel uncomfortable.

I decided to push on, “I think we should spend some time together and get to know each other, maybe we can find common ground. Our Covens for example, we both care about our people.”

“Let me stop you right there, piggy. You’re lucky to have me, and as long as you do as I say, I may just treat you to some of my time.” I barely held myself together, I felt myself shaking with anger and the need to set him on fire. As I tried to calm my anger, he leaned in, and kissed me on the cheek. “See, you’re behaving, you got a reward.” With that, he turned and walked away. If I kill him, our people are still safe.

I headed to the library, maybe there was still a way to get out of the blood contract, I needed to read up on it.

“Evie?” I looked up from my book to see Jules. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Hi Jules,” I sighed, I was unable to find a safe way to cancel a blood contract, I had been pouring over books for hours, finding nothing.

“Your father was looking for you. He wants you to join Calous for dinner, he’s having the cook prepare things in the small dinning room.”

I stood up, grabbing the book to take with me. “What time is it?”

“It’s nearly dusk,” replied Jules. I looked to the window and sure enough, the sun was beginning to dip. Shit, I wanted to get the cloak out there before dark.

“Jules, I got to run. Tell my father you couldn’t find me, please.” I started walking out of the library.

“Evie, where are you going?” Jules walked by my side.

“I need to return something,” I quickened my pace to my room.

“Are you seeing that vampire again?” she whispered. “Evie we still need to discuss that.”

“I’m just going to leave the cloak and come back. I should be back before nightfall,” I reassured her.

“And if you’re not?” questioned Jules.

“You still have the crystal, right?”

“Of course I do Evie, but then it may be too late,” declared Jules. When we were younger we had enchanted or I had, two clear crystals to let the other know if we were ever in trouble, it would glow red.

“The longer you hold me up, the later it will get. I will be fine,” I promised.

Jules sighed, “Fine, but if you’re not back by midnight and the crystal still hasn’t glowed red, I’m sending out a search party.”

I gave Jules a quick hug, “I love you, you are the best.”