63: 63 Son-in-law (AVOT)

63 Son-in-law (AVOT)

As Daisy and Helena set the table, the tantalizing scent of the prepared meal wafted through the room. Daisy felt a twinge of sympathy, knowing Rhain wouldn't be able to enjoy this feast.

"Why not invite him now?" Helena suggested, placing the silverware with meticulous care. However, even with their combined efforts, Daisy noticed the difference. The table lacked Rhain's impeccable touch, his keen eye for detail. And the roses... they were due for a change. Had Rhain done that for her that morning?

Before she could ponder further, Rhain appeared as if summoned by her thoughts, a bouquet of fresh roses in hand. At times, he felt too surreal, as though he'd stepped out from a dreams. Ones even she dared not dream of.

"For the table," he murmured, his smile effortlessly charming.

Helena's eyes sparkled with surprise, darting between Daisy and Rhain. "Lord Blackthorne, these are exquisite."

Approaching with grace, he responded, "Please, just Rhain will do." With practiced ease, he exchanged the wilted roses for the vibrant ones.

Daisy caught her mother's knowing glance.

"The aroma is delightful," Rhain complimented Helena.

The ease with which he spun charming lies was almost enviable, but Helena was visibly elated. Ever the gentleman, Rhain held out her chair, assisting her to sit.

Daisy suppressed a playful scowl. She could shake him – not out of genuine ire, of course. Rhain's knack for playing the charming host was infuriatingly impressive. 

As they all settled, Helena eagerly offered Rhain the first serving. Gratefully, he accepted, handling his cutlery with an everyday ease.

Daisy braced herself as he began to eat, but his expression remained enigmatic.

"It's absolutely delightful," he complimented.

She found his ability to feign enjoyment staggering. Yet, Helena was none the wiser; her face lit up with pride. Their meal was accompanied by lively conversation, with Helena waxing poetic about her culinary passions while Rhain told tales of exotic dishes from his travels. He even promised Helena a recipe book containing foreign dishes. 

Throughout, Daisy played the silent observer, her heart swelling with joy at seeing Rhain engage so effortlessly with her mother. However, the mood shifted when Helena, in a moment of enthusiasm, placed her hand over Rhain's, squeezing it affectionately.

Daisy  sensed his sudden unease as a subtle tension wrapped around him, though it was visible only a heartbeat before he masked it, but she knew it was still there for the rest of the conversation. 

Her mind raced back to a previous encounter. The alarm in Rhain's eyes when her mother had first touched him was unmistakable. What could have triggered such a reaction?

The end of lunch should have been Rhain's reprieve, but Helena's announcement of her homemade delicacies suggested otherwise. 

Sugar — Daisy recalled Rhain's aversion to it. A subtle dread lingered in his eyes, but Helena was blissfully unaware. "My sweets are an absolute treat."

Attempting to save Rhain from another culinary ordeal, Daisy interjected, "Mother, we're quite full. And Rhain doesn't have much of a sweet tooth."

As Rhain opened his mouth to speak, probably to feign politeness, Helena interrupted, genuinely perplexed. "Really? My desserts could convert anyone."

Daisy inwardly cringed as her mother stood up, telling them to relax. while she prepared the sweets. 

With Helena momentarily out of the room, Daisy turned to Rhain. "You could make a quick exit. I'll cover for you, claim there was an urgent matter."

Rhain smiled. "Don't fret. I can handle it."

She regarded him, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you certain?"

He reassured her, but she reached for him, trying to convince him again. His icy hands alarmed her. "You're colder again. You are not this cold."

He took her hand in his.  "A warm night ahead, remember? Naked by the fireplace, I'm reading you a book of recipes." 

"I doubt recipes will be fun."

"How about poetry?"

She shook her head. "Give me a good horror story."

"Oh," he raised a brow. "Alright." 

Outside, the skies darkened, bringing with them a biting chill. As Rhain set off to gather firewood, Helena began brewing tea. Then she came with her tray of sweets and tea to the parlow. 

"He's quite the handyman," she whispered to Daisy, admiration evident as she observed Rhain's efforts with the fireplace. She set the tray on the table. 

Settling into her seat, Daisy wrapped herself in a blanket, still feeling easily cold since Rhain had her blood.

Once the flames danced heartily, Rhain approached Helena with another blanket. "Please, make yourself comfortable," he offered gently.

Helena curled up on the sofa, gratitude evident in her eyes, as Rhain draped the blanket over her. The intimacy of the scene touched Daisy deeply, and then the moment of truth arrived as Rhain sampled Helena's sweet treat. Through sheer willpower, he managed to keep his expression neutral, even managing a smile. "It's quite a unique flavor," he complimented.

Helena beamed with pride and nudged the plate closer, urging him to indulge more. With each bite, Daisy couldn't help but marvel at Rhain's show of endurance, but then worry began to settle. It was almost as if he was purposefully torturing himself. 

The sweets led to wine, where Rhain offered Helena to have a taste of his wine collection. She abandoned her tea and began drinking with him, her delight leading to deeper conversations where she asked about Rhain's family and his past. 

When Rhain told her his real parents passed away when he was just a boy and his adoptive father took him in, she asked about his adoptive mother. Rahin had none, and that made Helena look at him sympathetically. 

"I lost my mother young too and only grew up with my father. It is not quite the same." Helena said.

Rhain nodded slowly, his eyes showing no emotion. His face was passive. Her mother continued with questions, and Rhain replied with that same detachment, almost as if he was speaking of someone else when he was talking about himself. Some of the things he said, made her wonder. Where they true? Some he had already told her, and others she knew were lies because of the timeline.

A clap of thunder drew her attention to the window. Rain began to cascade from darkened clouds. How had Rhain predicted the rain earlier? This mystery only added to the growing list of questions she hoped to ask him.

Dinner consisted of leftovers from lunch. Helena's enthusiasm for cooking was dampened by her overindulgence in wine, which led to a slightly theatrical episode after the dinner. 

If holding his hand was too much for Rhain, now her mother wrapped her arms around his waist. Rhain froze in place while her mother rested her head on his chest with her eyes closed. "You are a wonderful son-in-law." She slurred. "No. You are a son now. I will treat you like a mother." 

Rhain's stiff shoulders slowly relaxed, but he did nothing to pull her away or hold her close. He just stood still. "I will take care of you, like you have taken care of my Daisy. I am glad she has you." Helena continued.

Rhain looked over at Daisy, something passing through his gaze that she couldn't understand. 

Desperate to defuse the situation, Daisy reached out to detach her mother from Rhain, but Helena clung even tighter. "Treat your husband well, Daisy. Take care of him. He is so cold… so pale." She mumbled. 

"Mother, please," Daisy said, still trying to pull her away but RHain reassured her this time. "It's alright," he murmured.

Taking the initiative, Rhain gently pried Helena's arms away and offered to escort her to her room. As Helena swayed precariously, he effortlessly lifted her into his arms, causing both women to gasp in surprise.

He carried her to her room, and gently laid her in bed. "I'll leave you to attend to her," he suggested to Daisy. 

She smiled at him. "Thank you," she whispered before he left them alone. 

After assisting her mother out of her attire and ensuring she was snug beneath the covers, Daisy sat pensively at her bedside. The day's events spun in her mind, a whirlwind of emotions, mysteries, and revelations. Yet amidst it all, there was a comforting warmth — the assurance that Rhain was there, caring for her mother in ways she hadn't expected. That meant a lot to her. 

Once back downstairs, Daisy's feet almost involuntarily guided her to Rhain's room. Warm, inviting light seeped out from the slightly ajar door. Drawing a deep breath, she gently pushed the door open wider, tiptoeing into the intimate space.

Rhain was meticulously setting a mattress near the hearth. Noticing her presence, he met her gaze and gestured to the book beside him. "A horror book," he remarked with a glint in his eyes.

She had thought his earlier proposition was merely a playful ruse, an excuse to lead them into the passionate embrace. The embrace of her vampire husband this time. The thought of what that might entail caused her pulse to quicken.

Noticing the subtle change in her demeanor, Rhain smirked. "Already afraid?"

She rallied her courage. "Absolutely not!"

He tossed the book aside and rose to disrobe. "Very well then," he started, carefully undoing the buttons of his vest, all the while keeping his gaze fixed on her.

Feigning innocence, she inquired, "Why the need to undress simply to read?"

"It ensures you won't flee," he replied with a mischievous grin. "But since you're so brave, this shouldn't be an issue."

Realizing his tactic, she shot back, "Or maybe it is just an excuse for something else?"0

He chuckled, his voice low and enticing, as he slid off his cravat with a simple motion that made her temperature rise a notch. "Absolutely not," he responded, and she felt a twinge of disappointment, which he seemed to sense. "However, it seems you were hoping otherwise," he mused, confidently discarding his shirt next. 

Determined not to be played, she kept her eyes fixed on his, resisting the temptation to let them wander. "I have no intention of undressing. My chemise will suffice."

He scoffed, amused, as he stepped out of his shoes. "That attire doesn't guarantee safety either."

"Then I'll remain in my dress."

He halted, holding the hem of his trousers and studied her with a raised brow. 

"Now it seems you are afraid of yourself if you get naked." he shrugged. "I only wish to read a story for you, Daisy. You are getting ahead of yourself, but I won't mind if you get greedy. There is nothing to be ashamed of." 

"I am NOT ashamed." She said. "And I know what you are doing." 

He nodded while she spoke, starting to unbutton his trousers and her focus waver. "Uh huh." 

"All this talk is just a scheme to get me to undress and make it seem like I am the one with excuses when…" 

But even as she protested, his seductive tactics seemed to work. Her words faltered, her gaze inevitably trailing after his hands as he slid off his trousers.

Standing there, completely naked, he regarded her with a challenge in his eyes. "When?"

She momentarily lost herself, trying to find her voice amidst the rush of emotions, "When..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes feasted on the sight before her.

In the dim light, Rhain appeared even more statuesque. Every ridge and curve of his body stood out in contrast. 

His fair skin gleamed, highlighting the raw strength of his physique; a canvas of lean, chiseled muscles. His broad shoulders tapered into a defined chest, each muscle fiber visible, leading down to his taut abdomen and lower to strong, toned thighs. It was as if his body didn't have an extra shred of muscle or fat. Just the right amount. 

There was an irresistible allure to him, drawing her in, making her want to trace every curve and ridge with her fingertips, to feel his strength press down on her, to feel his muscles move against her. 

Meeting his gaze, there was a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I only intended to read," he reminded her, well aware she had been staring. Staring with appreciation. "None of the sort you're entertaining."

Settling into the mattress, he extended a casual invitation. The implications of his actions left her questioning. He didn't want her? He was really just going to read? So she was the only one feeling this way? This wasn't an excuse? 

She took a deep breath and reached for her dress. If she was going to feel this way, then he was going to be in it with her. 

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