Page 43 of My Big Fat Vampire Wedding
And Pandora finally picked up on that mischievous look in her mother’s eyes.
“Pandora,” Elias said as he slid into the seat beside her. She could smell his cologne, something rich and spicy, yet understated. It should have been overwhelming in a pleasant way. But all she could think was that Victor smelled so much more delicious. “I have heard so much about you.”
It was right then that Pandora put it all together.
This wasn’t just a random dinner guest.
And the seat beside her hadn’t just accidentally been left empty.
This had all been planned.
By her mother.
Who didn’t approve of her daughter’s plan to marry a human.
So she’d brought in the most handsome, wealthy, and charming vampire she could find as another, more suitable, love interest.
“Funny,” Pandora said, aware of Victor’s intense gaze from across the table. “I haven’t heard a thing about you.”
13
“She didn’t!” Lucy gasped in Pandora’s ear.
Shortly after Elias had joined the table, he’d proceeded to compliment everything, from the room to the food, charming everyone with an ease that Pandora had both admired and hated in equal measure. Since he also seemed to be making Victor uncomfortable, Pandora had offered to go get more wine in the kitchen.
And had promptly grabbed her mobile and called her best friend to tell her what her mother had done.
“She did,” Pandora said, checking the labels of the bottles of wine. “And now Victor seems tense and broody, while Elias just lays the charm on thick. My father is half in love with him already. Mostly because he’s a brilliant businessman and can ‘take care of’ me.”
“You’re about to be an heiress. You don’t need to be taken care of.”
“I know, right?” she said, pulling three bottles of wine to the center of the island to bring back into the dining room.
“What are you going to do? Confront your mum?”
“Not in front of everyone. But I can’t just let her think this is OK.”
“Darling, are you hiding away?” Ophelia called out.
“I have to go,” Pandora whispered to Lucy.
“Call me later! And get me a picture of the hottie.”
Pandora quickly tucked her mobile back into her handbag as her mother’s heels clicked into the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, Elias was right behind her.
“Yes, my love?” Ophelia looked back toward the dining room, as if hearing her husband call for her. But Pandora knew her game. “Elias, can you help Pandora with the wine?”
“Of course,” Elias said, even giving Ophelia a proper little bow.
“Happy engagement,” Elias said, his gaze slipping to Pandora’s hand. “The human?” he asked.
“Obviously,” Pandora replied.
“Not your mother’s first choice for you, I take it.” Elias reached for the corkscrew and started to open the first bottle of wine.
Pandora gave him a tight nod as she passed him the next bottle to open.
It was right then that she smelled vanilla, leather, and cinnamon wafting toward her, the scent immediately comforting.
