Page 22 of Seduction in Blood
"I thought you weren't allowed to eat in here." I was never great at the art of conversation. And this was one of those awkward moments when I proved it. When Anna and Lucas glanced at each other, I realized how rude I'd sounded.
Lucas nodded as he pushed his plate away. "I understand. Yesterday morning, Devon wanted time to speak to you alone without everyone stopping by to see the new house guest."
"We're all so busy with our duties, we sometimes forget to stop for a meal, or we take them at odd hours," Anna added. "But Devon likes his rituals, meals being one, so when you're available, he expects you to attend all meals unless told otherwise."
I should be thankful he wasn't at breakfast this morning. Maybe by dinner I wouldn't turn into an idiot when I saw him. Before I finished the last of my fruit, footsteps brushed along the carpet behind me. When Devon walked in, my body vacillated between run-like-a-bunny panic and the desire to quench the burning ache between my legs. I cringed at the heat that flooded my cheeks and dropped my head to focus on my plate, wishing there were more than two bites left.
"Devon." Anna sounded surprised. "I thought you'd already left."
"It's all right, Anna. One of my appointments was canceled, so I have extra time this morning."
I raised my head long enough to see something pass between Devon and Lucas. Great, now I was thinking of him by his first name. After that sultry dream, it was impossible to think of him any other way. And how would that change our relationship? It's only a name, Cressa. "Could you pass me the toast?"
I needed something to keep my hands busy and had asked the question of Anna, who was closest to the basket. But I hadn't realized Devon hadn't sat yet and was surprised when he offered the toast. I lifted my gaze to his, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt, unsure what to expect.
The sparkle in his eyes and the charming smile wasn't what I'd expected, and all I could do was squeak out, "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome." He sat at the head of the table as Letty hurried in with a bowl of oatmeal and fruit. He nodded to her, and she glanced over the table, retrieving dirty plates before hustling out.
"If you're finished with your breakfast, I need some time with our guest. Lucas, if you could check in with Sergi, he has some updates to our timeline. And Anna, our evening plans have changed. I received an invitation to a tea party, and I'd like to take Pandora."
Anna picked at the edge of her napkin, her gaze darting around the table. Her milk-white skin paled, which told me this tea party wasn't what it sounded like. Even Lucas appeared perplexed. My skin itched, wondering what this was about.
"Is Pandora what we should be calling you?" Devon asked.
At first, I didn't realize he'd asked a question, too focused on the intent of this party. Then the question slammed into me. We'd never discussed my name, and I hadn't seen a reason to give it up freely. I wasn't sure what difference it would make, but I had little left of my dignity or freedom and clutched at the tiniest bit of control.
When I met his glance, there was something there I couldn't read. His expression carried only a smile with no hint of what he might be thinking. Why was he being nice to me again? I couldn't help but remember the dream and the warm glow that coursed through me when he'd said my name. My true name. And for a brief, terrifying moment, I wondered again if he could read my mind—or my dreams.
"I had the impression Pandora was more of a code name."
I shrugged. "Not of my choosing. I'm not even sure who started it. Maybe Harlow. He likes nicknames."
"So, what should we call you?"
Screwed six ways till Sunday, I thought and held back a snort. At the end of the day, what was a name?
"Cressa."
A quick flash from those icy blue eyes before he dropped his head to take a bite of oatmeal.
"She doesn't have an appropriate dress for this type of party." Anna pulled at her fingers, still seeming out of sorts.
Devon sipped his coffee and laid a hand on hers. "I've already arranged for something. Everything will arrive this afternoon." He glanced at me before directing the conversation back to Anna. "Today, I'd like you to focus on etiquette at formal dinners, banquets, and balls. The differences are archaic and a nuisance, but something we have to live with."
When Lucas and Anna rose, Devon raised a hand. "One more thing. Just a light lunch today. I'd like to start our training session at two sharp. And Lucas, I'll need you for that."
They both nodded before leaving. Lucas slid me a smile that relaxed my shoulders and eased the tension in my neck. I wondered if he knew how grateful I was to know he'd be my instructor this afternoon.
I played with the toast, eating the bits without butter or jam and leaving most of it in crumbs.
Devon finished his oatmeal, poured himself another cup of coffee, and held the carafe up in offering. I nodded. He ate two bites of fruit before sitting back. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night."
My gut wrenched at the thought of the dream.
"I received upsetting news that dredged up old memories and put me in a foul mood. I had no business being in the training room with my temper. I should have sent Lucas."
I felt stupid when my first thought had been my erotic dream and not the terror I'd felt in the training room. But it was all drowned out by his apology, which I hadn't expected. He didn't seem the type to do that often.
