Selene felt like a mouse trapped in the sight of a cat ready to toy with its prey. It had been over fifteen years since she was in the same space as Lord Blackthorn.
Xavier started to make his way to Selene before she could attempt to escape. However, someone reached for his hand to make him stop.
Xavier looked down at where Gabriel was foolish enough to grab him. What made this fool think he came here for him?
"Unless you wish to learn how to hold a sword with one hand, I suggest you remove your hand before I rip it off," Xavier warned the so-called town hero.
Gabriel released Xavier's hand. He was in good spirits to take on the old vampire but the voice of reason quickly reminded him that he wasn't any match for a pureblood.
Gabriel cleared his throat. He didn't want to appear afraid of Xavier in his home. "Enjoy the banquet."
"I do believe I will," Xavier replied, setting his attention back in the direction of the little mouse he was chasing but she was gone already.
It was easy to find where she wandered off to.
There was a banquet to celebrate her husband yet she was outside?
What a little weak thing she had turned into.
Xavier found Selene standing near the entrance of the garden.
"The banquet is inside or is there a secret party the guests weren't to know about?" Xavier questioned, his eyes glued to her frame.
Selene looked to the right, not fully turning to face him. "The banquet is inside, Lord Blackthorn. I assure you there isn't a secret out here."
"No, but there is a sight not to be missed here. Tell me, why do you hide when it is your home and your husband is celebrated? Is it because of the human? Found it hard to snap her neck? It only takes one squeeze," Xavier said, his slowly curled inward as a demonstration.
Selene frowned. Xavier still had that twisted mind she remembered. "I am not planning to kill her. She is his lover if you couldn't tell."
"Oh, I could tell. These eyes are as wonderful as they look," Xavier replied as he walked to stand beside Selene. "I hope you are not out here ready to cry your eyes out. That would be a bore. She is not worth it and as much as they try to fill his head, he is not worth it."
Selene was pleasantly surprised by Xavier trying to comfort her. "Thank you for your comforting words, Lord Blackthorn."
"Comforting? No," Xavier shook his head, clicking his tongue in disapproval. That was far from what he was doing. "I find what you are doing to be insulting to our kind. To let a human take your space and you find your place out here."
"I should have known better," Selene smiled, noticing he truly had not changed. "We were not that close when we were younger so why are you here? Why did you accept my invitation?"
"I have not heard from you in years and then out of the blue, you sent me an invitation. I had to see why the sudden interest," Xavier answered.
"I did not host any banquets or social gatherings before this. I apologise for bothering you," Selene said though she didn't need to. She just wanted him gone. "I didn't think you would accept the invitation. Now that you know, would you please return to the banquet? I want to be alone."
"Why? So you can cry?" Xavier asked, peering down at the woman beside him. Anyone could guess why she was out here."You're a pureblood, Selene. Act like it."
Selene smiled since it was the first time in a while anyone acknowledged she was a pureblood.
"You went and fell in love with that fool," Xavier realised.
Selene didn't feel the need to answer. They weren't friends to be talking about her marriage.
"To save yourself the trouble, I wonder why you didn't come to me to propose marriage," Xavier said, not understanding her way of thinking.
Selene turned to face Xavier. "Why would I do that?"
"Because your marriage is all a lie. Or did you think you had me fooled?" Xavier questioned, enjoying her look of disbelief. "You could have knocked on my door and I would have listened to your proposal."
Selene shook her head. Nothing would have come out of going to him. "You are a man sought out by many women. Even the human noblewomen had you in mind. I would have been competing with too many women to win your favour."
"Yet here I stand unmarried," Xavier pointed out.
"I just know it wouldn't have worked and Gabriel was a good man to pick. I am still a pureblood but I don't have anything else to offer you. Knowing that, would you still have given me a chance then?" Selene asked, not believing his words.
"Right now, I am willing to let you use me-"
"Selene," Gabriel's voice disrupted the conversation.
Selene feared Gabriel overhearing what she asked Xavier. "It's not-"
"I was just speaking to the host," Xavier spoke over Selene.
Selene looked at Xavier, not understanding why he wouldn't want to clear up why she was out here alone with him.
Gabriel narrowed in on the closeness between the two, his hands balled into fists at his side.
Since when was Selene close to Lord Blackthorn?
Gabriel smiled, masking the anger he felt. He had to keep his composure in front of Lord Blackthorn. "Selene," Gabriel held out his hand for her to come to him. She was still his.
Selene went to Gabriel without hesitation and held his hand. His hold on her hand was tight, revealing the anger he tried to hide. She could take such force but she didn't like he was doing it to her.
"I don't want anyone to misunderstand my wife being alone with you. You must remember she's a married woman," said Gabriel.
"You'll have to excuse me. I thought there were spots open in your marriage but I see that is just for you. What a shame. I was enjoying my talk with the host. I will take my leave now," Xavier said as he walked by the pair.
Gabriel's smile fell to a frown after Xavier left. "What was that?"
"What? We spoke to each other for a moment. Would you please let go of my hand?" Selene asked.
Gabriel added more pressure to where he held Selene. "Don't think you can just leave me now."
Selene was flabbergasted by his words. "I am not thinking of being with anyone. That is all you."
Gabriel pulled Selene close. "Is this your way of getting even with me? Do you think Lord Blackthorn will be your new saviour? A man like Xavier Blackthorn doesn't want anything to do with a woman like you."
Selene's lips folded into a thin line. Once again, she tried not to cry. "When my husband doesn't want me, how could I possibly think someone else would?"