The words startle me out of my thoughts. Luci’s father is staring right at me. My father is squirming uncomfortably. When did the conversation drift back to Revivalists?
“Yes,” I say with a warm smile, as if I don’t know damn well it is a thinly veiled insult. “A couple of generations ago, a branch of the family tree was sadly involved with that cult. They got what they deserved, hence why the Count Felford title is now a subsidiary title for the Marquess du Colvert.”
Luci’s father nods as if this is vaguely interesting. The gall of the man. I know he is well aware of all this. Why is he bringing it up and being a jerk?
“And what befell the shrine?” he asks.
Is that what he is doing? Checking up on me? The nerve of the man! He is not here as a Council official. He is here as my in-law.
I grind my teeth. “Well hidden and well warded. As all former portals to the fey realm should be.”
A loud clang rings out. Luci hastily retrieves his fork while muttering an apology.
“I see,” says Luci’s asshole father. “Does that mean a peek at it is out of the question?”
“I’m afraid so.” If I smile any more, my face is going to crack.
My gaze flicks back to Luci. He is visibly trembling. No doubt his father being an ass, has unnerved him. Seeing him like this is stirring my simmering anger. I’d like nothing more than to scoop him up into my arms and take him away from his awful parents.
But my parents would never forgive me for making a scene. And it’s only a few more hours to get through and then we will be free. I’ll never invite them here again, nor accept any invitation from them. It will be fine.
If Marquess Mallory has any doubts about my ability to guard the shrine, he can take it up via official channels. I’m sure my parents will have my back. After all, they have seats on the Council too.
I shovel a forkful of my dinner into my mouth and try to appear perfectly calm. My mother steers the conversation to the terrible time she is having with her dressmaker. She receives the compliments she is fishing for, and I tune it all out.
Dinner drags on and on. Eventually, it ends and we move to the drawing room. I offer cigars to my father and Luci’s. And Luci takes his place at the piano.
The ladies sit themselves on a chaise lounge and busy themselves with conversation.
The fire is burning merrily and the wind is blowing a gale outside. Despite the unpleasant company, it actually feels cozy in here. If these were people I liked, this would be a lovely evening.
A few notes tinkle out from the piano, and I look over in surprise. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Luci play before. There is a look of rapt concentration on his face, but the music flowing from his fingers is quite lovely.
A whack on my back jolts me. “You’re looking quite besotted there, my boy!” says my father.
I snatch my gaze away from Luci, but it is far too late. My father laughs, and a dark, pleased look crosses over Luci’s father’s face.
“Happy with the match we made for you?”
“Yes, thank you.” My face feels hot. Oh gosh, am I blushing? I don’t blush. That’s what pretty boys do. Not me.
My father chuckles and Mallory puffs on the cigar I gave him. His dark eyes look over his son with an appraising look and I do not like it one bit.
“Perhaps you should take Lucien upstairs?” he says.
My fists clench by my side. Of all the inappropriate…wait. Luci’s magic. It is brimming. Warm tendrils are spilling out across the room. Potent. Alluring. I see the moment my father senses it. He blinks and then avarice ignites in his eyes.
My fists nearly rise, but I take a deep breath. My father is a mage. Desire is a perfectly normal reaction to sensing a ripe vessel.
“If you will excuse me, gentlemen,” I say, far too curtly.
I stride across the room to my vessel. My hand reaches out and rests on his wrist, silencing his playing. He startles and looks up at me with wide, green eyes. Hazy and slightly unfocused with all the magic swelling within him.
“I think it is time to go upstairs,” I say softly.
His eyes widen even more, and his cheeks color. “But we have guests!” he whispers.
“And you are ripe, they will understand.”
Surprise and shock flow across his beautiful face. He clearly hadn’t realized how full his magic has grown.
He nods and bites his bottom lip. I help him to his feet and lead him away. On the one hand, this is fabulous timing. It’s the perfect excuse to get Luci away from his parents, on the other hand, it is awkward as hell.
But my cock is already full. That part of me knows no shame at all. It only knows that Luci is ripe and I get the privilege of emptying him.
As far as my libido is concerned, tonight has turned out to be rather marvelous.
Chapter twenty
Luci
“Where are you going?” asks Felford.
I’ve only just disengaged myself from his arm and taken two steps across my bedchamber floor.
“Just to pop a changing gown on,” I say.
Felford tilts his head and grins. I’ve never been quite sure what a wolfish grin is before, but I think I am looking at one right now. And it is a mighty powerful thing. It’s making me forget that my parents are downstairs.
