Page 42 of Velka Manor

“I cut off some of her toes and then made her wear them as a necklace,” Bastian adds, snaking his arm around her waist from the side, placing his lips on her hand right next to mine. “I still have it somewhere if you want it.”

“I think I’ll pass on that.” She pulls away, scrunching up her nose. Don’t blame her on that front. “In terms of jewellery, I’llstick with platinum, maybe some silver, but never toes, Bas. Never toes.”

Bastian tilts his head, shaking it from side to side. “Fingers?”

Octavia rears back, and I close my eyes, counting to ten.

“No, Bastian. No body parts of any kind.”

“What about my cum? I’ve seen a shop online that dries it out and puts it into jewellery. They look so pretty, and it would match this outfit perfectly,” he counters, trying desperately for some inane reason to get her to agree to it.

She sighs heavily, her foot tapping on the ground. “You’ve already got it, haven’t you?”

My eyes fly open, and I stare at Bastian’s guilty face. His cheeks turn red, and he scuffs his boot on the ground, letting go of her waist, shoving his hands in his black jean pockets.

“No,” he mutters, and that is definitely a yes.

“Bastian?” she says, trying to get him to look at her.

“I said no. That would be a stupid gift to get someone.” He forces a laugh, staring intently at the floor, scuffing his shoes.

Octavia runs her fingers through his beard, forcing him to look at her as she softens her voice. “I would love a necklace made from your…cum.”

“Really?”

His head snaps up, a big wild smile on his face that proves infectious. I can’t help the little smirk on my own, and it grows wider as he pulls the necklace from his pocket.

“A pearl necklace.” I chuckle, and he scowls, pulling it closer to his chest, hiding it.

Octavia frowns at me over her shoulder, giving me the evil eye. “It’s beautiful, Bastian. I love it,” she says, giving him her full focus. I let them have their moment, moving over to the door, leaning against the frame.

“You like it?” he asks with all the hopes of a puppy dog wanting attention from its owner.

“I love it. Put it on me?”

She turns around, lifting her hair, waiting for him to clasp the necklace around her neck. It is quite pretty—a small delicate gold chain with a single round pearl that rests in the centre of her chest. She twirls the pearl between her fingers with a warm smile as she gazes up at him with so much love in her eyes that I feel it in my gut.

I take a step towards them, clearing my throat, feeling like a total bastard having to put a stop to their moment, but time is ticking on. “We need to go, sweetheart.”

Bastian raises her chin with two of his fingers, placing a soft kiss on his lips before taking her hand.

“Okay, sugar tits, let’s get the show on the road.” He winks, sending me a kiss, but I don’t take the bait. With Bastian, you have to know which battles are worth it and which ones aren’t.

Octavia reaches for my hand as we leave, squeezing tight, her nails digging into my skin. “It’s all going to be okay, angel.”

I’ve made sure of it.

Grandfather is already waiting for us, sitting in our father’s spot at the dining table, taking a sip of scotch. He swirls the amber liquor in the crystal glass, raising an eyebrow at the three of us.

“You’re late.” His voice booms in the room, echoing off the walls, his tone low and scolding. He’s trying to make us feel ashamed, but it’s been a long time since any of us were children.

Waiters flurry in with plates of food, placing them expertly on the fully decorated table with the best black lining and silverware, dahlias as the centrepiece as I instructed. Grandfather’s favourite.

“It seems we are right on time,” I say, directing Octavia and Bastian to our seats.

The moonlight shines through the large windows, stars twinkling in the sky: the perfect night for the final pieces to fall into place.

I had every seat at the table removed, leaving only the two chairs at opposing ends, one having two flanking it on each side. Octavia sits on my right, Bastian on my left. I can tell by the twitch of his hand when he releases her that he doesn’t want to be on the opposite side, but he doesn’t say anything.

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