Until the Sun Falls from the Sky (The Three #1)(134)

Cressida’s eyes narrowed on me.

My smile got bigger.

I heard Isobel chuckle.

Cressida’s eyes narrowed further.

I forced myself to quit smiling.

“The Buchanan smell.”

This came from Etienne and I looked to him to see he was studying me in a way that made my flesh crawl.

“I have, of course, smelled it at Selections over the years but haven’t partaken. You, my dear, have changed that. I believe you have cousins who’ll be attending their Selections soon?” he asked but didn’t wait for me to answer. “I’ll be certain to arrange it so I’m free of concubine and I’ll act quickly at their Selections to declare my intentions.”

Oh yes, my flesh was crawling and I tasted bile considering it suddenly crept up my throat.

I didn’t want my cousins to service this man and my eyes flew to Lucien to communicate this fact. The instant they caught his, his locked on mine and they were intense. I knew what that meant and I swallowed the bile, deciding I disliked Etienne even more considering he put me off Edwina’s dessert. I didn’t know what it was but by the looks of it she’d used a heavy hand with whipped cream so I also didn’t care.

Now I knew I’d have to force it down.

I pulled in a breath, looked back at Etienne and lied quietly, “I’m sure they’d be honored.”

Actually, what I was sure of was that I’d warn my aunties about this and prepare my cousins for this eventuality. They could refuse him and would have to wait for another Selection but it would be worth it.

“And how do you find serving your Master?” Etienne asked what I considered a rude question. I hadn’t sat down to lunch with vampires, except, of course, Lucien and Stephanie, but what I did for and with Lucien was personal, not a topic for luncheon conversation. And I didn’t like the way he put it. Lucien had called himself my Master in the beginning so I guessed this was accepted language in their culture. But I still didn’t think the way Etienne phrased this was nice.

My gaze again went to Lucien to see his jaw was hard and his eyes were still intent.

I was right, it might be accepted language but Etienne wasn’t being nice.

I forced myself to smile a small smile at Lucien, take in the elegant dining room where we were seated and I looked back at Etienne.

“I believe I’ve done well,” I replied. “At least for my part. You’d have to ask Lucien if he agrees.”

“Oh, Lucien always enjoys his meals to their fullest,” Cressida put in. I fought against my back going straight even as I felt the air in the room get thick but she wasn’t done. “Of course, considering all that is you, he’s enjoying it even more.”

“That’s enough.”

This was said quietly and surprisingly by Magdalene and all eyes went to her to see she was looking at Cressida.

“You are at Leah’s table in Leah’s home eating Leah’s food. She is concubine. She is Buchanan. And you have repeatedly disrespected her,” Magdalene went on, again quietly, her voice soft and if it wasn’t for the sharp look in her eyes, you wouldn’t know she was angry.

But that sharp look in her eyes, so sharp it was piercing, you couldn’t mistake it.

Magdalene wasn’t done.

“I know for a fact that if Lucien referred to your Teo as your ‘meal’, you’d challenge him without hesitation. And yet here you sit, at his concubine’s table in her presence and his and treat them both to your insolence. I’ve shown you patience, Cressida, until now. One more demonstration of your lack of regard for this family, it will be me who challenges you.”

Cressida’s brows went up. “This family?”

Magdalene sat back. “Are you not seated at a table with your son, his sister, their grandparents?”

“Are you not inferring that Leah is family?” Cressida shot back.

“If that is what you wish to read into my statement, be my guest. I, for one,” her eyes intriguingly slid to Etienne before going back to Cressida, “hold my concubines in deep regard so I have no issue with that.”

Cressida had no retort. It was clear she didn’t like this because her face went hard and her nose scrunched.

Magdalene dismissed her and looked at me.

“My apologies, Leah. I’m deeply sorry we’ve intruded on you and my son only for you to be treated to this behavior.”

“Good Christ,” Etienne muttered in clear contempt. “Apologies to a concubine?”

I so did not like Lucien’s father.

But with effort I ignored him, held Magdalene’s eyes and said quietly, “Thank you.”

She nodded to me and her face went soft.

I so did like Lucien’s mother.

I smiled at her, picked up my spoon and forced myself to take a bite of dessert. I was right. Lots of whipped cream with a hint of strawberries and chunks of moist, rich yellow cake. I was also wrong. Even the antics of Lucien’s crazy family didn’t make me not enjoy Edwina’s scrumptious dessert.

Edwina was a genius.

I was scooping up more dessert when I heard in my head, I’m proud of you, pet.

I kept my attention on my bowl when I replied, Thank you, darling.

Only when I swallowed my next bite did I look to Lucien.

His eyes were on me.