Reaching for Home (House of Garner Book 3)

by Erin R Flynn

  “And a necklace wouldn’t work for a lion,” I muttered.

  “We can retrieve them if we shift on the fly just like we do everything else,” Trisha decided. “Otherwise we tuck it with our clothes and if someone tries to steal one, we bring pain down on them.”

  “Done and done,” I agreed when they all seemed to.

  Hope went to find the stock of the rings in the back while the rest of us moved on. They seemed excited, and I realized they wanted me to pick engagement rings I liked.

  “How much are they bribing you?” I checked.

  “A whole heap of a lot and to idiot proof it for them,” Trisha admitted with a smile. “Any you don’t like they want us to pull immediately—and box them up to help Kristof—while leaving a selection of what you like.”

  “I didn’t even tell them yet,” I grumbled.

  “The walls have ears, and they agreed not to hide stuff from each other unless you tell them in confidence,” she answered, hurrying to set displays out on the counters.

  “Fair enough.” I’d have to remember that. I went to the first one, and a discard box was already there. It was like a shoe box, and it amused me as these rings weren’t cheap but we were treating them that way. I picked up one and put it in the box, answering their unasked question. “It’s just too busy. I don’t like the overwhelming ones where I’m looking all over it.”

  “Plus, you’re going to wear it on a necklace, so they have to be ones that will lay well,” Maggie muttered as she checked out some other ones.

  “That’s a good point,” I agreed. Ruling out was actually really easy.

  Picking wasn’t… Until I found one I loved. It was a platinum setting with five princess cut colored diamonds. I adored it.

  “This. I love something like this,” I whispered and told them why. “Okay, I want to laugh that I like the princess cut best, but I do.”

  “How would you want them to give it to you?” Trisha asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

  It hit me. “They’re all here, aren’t they? They blurred over there to hear you guys grilling me.”

  “I can neither confirm nor deny that they are on the second floor listening,” she said, looking like she was losing the battle to laugh.

  Still, I answered. “Something sweet but hot and sexy like they are.” I kept looking, knowing I was holding them up now too and ruling out rings was easy. “Like they’re inside me and suddenly the ring is on my body with their blood. No, on them. I’m riding them and it’s in their blood on their chest and I lick every drop.”

  Maggie cleared her throat. “The blood thing with you guys is a bit…”

  “Much?” I offered, nodding. “I still don’t get all into it, but I do understand it now. Anywhere their blood touches me is like an extra erogenous zone, my body tingles so much. Or blood on those zones is just so much more that I can orgasm from it.”

  “Nice,” Trisha snorted.

  “But I want their blood every day,” I said firmly. “Every day they put their blood on their ring and renew their vow to me and I do the same. It’s not once and forgotten. I want forever and both of us to remember what we felt when we accepted the other.”

  When I finished, I walked into the hall and glanced up to the second floor where there was a glass barrier so people could look down and an open floorplan.

  “You can figure the rest out on your own, and this was my alone time with my knights to have fun and explore without feeling pressure. Oh, and I expect gifts from that Lush up there because Hope says it’s expensive bath heaven.”

  “We already have a bag for our princess,” one of them said in a super squeaky voice so I couldn’t tell who it was.

  But that surely ruled out Kristof, as he would never think to do that.

  “Don’t you four have work to do?”

  “There’s five up there,” Trisha sang, giving me a knowing look.

  “I’m only courting or engaged to four,” I muttered as I darted ahead into Urban Planet. She let me know when they were gone as we shopped. I wasn’t finding a lot of what I wanted and mostly only tops so far. “There really isn’t low rise anything. It’s all ultra high waist and skinny jeans.”

  “Yeah, this wouldn’t have been the fashion I’d want the modern world to have ended on,” Lara complained. “People just take everything too far. Even the low rise style I loved—I hated the whale tail trend. Underwear is for under clothes.”

  “Or those flashy thongs that were meant to be seen?” Trisha added with a snort. “Too far. It’s why I stick with cargos mostly, as they’re not skinny anything or too high waist.”

  “Plus, you look hot in them,” Hope praised.

  “I didn’t know that,” she purred, making us all laugh.

  We had a ton of fun at the Disney Store, and I got way too much of everything cute, fuzzy, or even naughty if worn alone. I announced I had an idea and raced off to the nearest department store, going right for men’s and picking out fuzzy jammie pants for my nobles.

  Fine, five nobles.

  Then we found ones with kitty cats and yes, we got them for the other knights. I thought Maggie was going to keel over laughing.

  “So we want some harnesses for you, but what else is on the agenda?” Trisha asked as I looked at the navigator again. She raised an eyebrow at me with a smirk. “Really?”

  “Apparently Canada is very open with their sexual needs because there are a lot of adult stores just in Edmonton.”

  “Good for them. Judgmental prudes suck. Hope, do a good sweep of Sephora while we start loading up, and then we hit both places before we run out of time.”

  We got a move on because it wasn’t super early morning anymore and it would take us a bit to get back to Prince George. I told them what Darius had said about Lara Croft, and they ended up finding me what they promised was pretty damn close even if I wasn’t going to wear the holsters with shorts, as that was uncomfortable I guess.

  Or according to them. It made sense. Shoulder harness for shorts weather, got it.

  We made it with a bit of time to spare, but not much. I thanked the others and Trisha for getting us there before heading to find who I wanted. Darius was waiting for me, giving me a sexy smirk like he had something up his sleeve.

  “They went to meet up with the nobles hunting bears and culling wolves. And I know what trains we need.”

  “Awesome, but I had an idea. Will you help me?”

  “Always, my love,” he promised, giving me a gentle kiss.

  “You saw the hospital?” I waited until he nodded. “Take us there. My idea is across the street, but if it doesn’t work, I need you to get me out of there.”

  He swallowed loudly but nodded. They hated what the ghosts could do to me, but I didn’t like the attention the driving around brought. Especially with hostile and shitty visitors now a possibility. It also wasn’t a long term plan, so I really strived to improve on what we were doing always.

  What I could do at least.

  I pointed to the building just down the block. He didn’t ask, bringing us there and then busting open the door. I decided to explain as I turned on the flashlight and he had his guns ready just in case.

  “Wilson made some snarky comment that I needed a bubble put around me from the ghosts or like one of those protective patient rooms. It was funny, but then I realized maybe I could have that. What about radiation rooms? Those places where they administer radiation or even quarantine those who’ve been exposed to radiation.”

  “It’s a cancer treatment center,” he surmised.

  “Yup. I asked James, and he said when people have been exposed the others tend to wear suits, but to administer radiation—”

  “There’s a room for that,” he muttered, taking over the lead, and I wasn’t sure why he knew what to look for, but then he pointed to the signs. Okay, so he had memories of life and hospitals and he got to lead then. And he found it, so good call. There were warning signs and more all over the place. “Alright, let
’s try it.”

  He let me in and closed the door behind us, giving me a heated kiss to remind me he was with me or maybe just because he could and kisses were always good.

  “Are you going to drink from me today, my princess?”

  “Are you going to give me a nice massage?” I teased him.

  He grabbed my arms and moved me away, searching my eyes. “How did you know that? Did someone snitch I have it all set up in our room?”

  “No, but that’s hot,” I groaned. “I was just thinking about all the spa stuff.”

  “Me too,” he admitted. He flinched when I yelped at the ghosts starting.

  I swallowed loudly as I gave them time to gather, my eyes going wide when I could only feel those in the room with us. Something about the protection in the walls or whatever blocked them, and only the room could fill up.

  And it was a small room.

  “We need one of these in the castle plans,” I told him, giving him a thumbs up. Then I went to sit on the table but realized I didn’t want to get that close to the machine that gave out the radiation, moving to sit in the corner instead so none of them were at my back. I focused and started dissipating the ghosts as I put my ear buds in except they weren’t in my iPod this time, but my exchange phone.

  So I could listen to Branko’s sexy messages. Darius shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose and giving me that amused look only I got along with a smirk of mischief that he was plotting something. I hoped it was them reading books to me for this or something naughtier maybe.

  The second Darius saw I was itching, he grabbed me and brought us to the train yard, showing me everything we needed, and then had me demolish more. My brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders, but the second time around I realized it was so he or I could reform them into what we needed. I did more engines and then rebuilt some, glad when he nodded. He could handle the trailers that were all metal probably.

  “Take me somewhere we can be loud and no one will hear me scream your name,” I demanded when it was over. He groaned and brought me to a section of the river that was not unlike where we’d met. The grass was lush already and everything was gorgeous. He got us undressed in record time, and I straddled his face, not holding back at all as he pleased me.

  When I was ready for sex, I told him to sit on his feet and then I sat on him sort of like a reverse cowgirl, but I leaned forward so I was on my hands and knees. It was called the Leopard, and it was almost like doggystyle, but I liked it better. And so did he as he fucked me silly. I begged for him to tease my ass with his blood like he had before.

  I lost my mind when he bled all over my back as well. I begged for more and harder and just everything it was so good. I fed from his wrist too, so thirsty after all the ghosts and giving blood as traps. Another round like that and we were both spent.

  And not alone.

  “Shit, that was so fucking sexy I swear I jizzed myself,” Branko muttered from my right. “She’s seriously hungry.”

  I nodded, not having the energy to deny anything as I flopped to the grass.

  “Because she’s awesome,” Darius praised as he helped me, gently pulling out of me and then bringing me to his lap. “You should have seen how our fiancée handled the ghosts today, Jaxon. She was a beast, dissipating sometimes ten at a time. The whole floor was littered with seeds.”

  “I gotta go get them,” I muttered, my eyes closing.

  “After lunch and a nap,” he whispered. “So you like us teasing your sexy little hole, huh?”

  I nodded, snuggling up to him. “I was thinking of playing with plugs, but I think only those oathed to me will get to play with toys. Maybe a nice heart butt plug and when I wear it, they know they’re loved and will be in my ass that night.”

  “Fuck, that’s hot, love,” Cerdic chuckled. “Let’s get you fed.”

  “Someone also promised me a message,” I teased Darius.

  “I have it ready,” he promised as he touched my clit. “And I’m going to shave my princess while she rests. Oil her up and look my fill because she’s perfect and lets me.”

  Right, uh-huh, so he really wanted that. Okay, I could let that go. And it was easy when I was sleeping. I let out the energy from his blood after we redressed and someone actually brought food to our room after seeing how tired I really was. It was a lot of up and down. Too much energy, but letting it out made me hungry and need to feed, but the blood gave me energy to let out.

  Seriously?

  I ate a lot of leftovers from the pig roast and then let Darius take care of me. I woke just before dinner with a relaxed body and hungry again.

  My knights were waiting for me at dinner, knowing something was up from whatever vibe they’d gotten about our trip. Trisha handed me the box we’d put all the rings for them in.

  “So, I have a gift for my knights that shows you’re on my team and I’m on yours,” I explained as I sat down and opened the box. I found the one I’d already tried on and slid it on my right middle finger, liking it there best. “There are six styles, and I would be thrilled if you wore them so there’s never any confusion as to who I trust most and stands at my side.”

  “These are really nice,” Simon said as he pulled one out. He tried it on his finger, and it was too small so he handed it to Maggie.

  She shook her head and held up her right hand. “We already picked ours.”

  “Oh, and we got you guys another gift,” I teased as she wiggled the bag at me. I burst out laughing as she dumped it on the table near us and there was a pile of fuzzy white jammie pants with all kinds of colored cat silhouettes.

  “I’m stealing one even if I’m not a knight,” James grumbled, totally pouting as he went over and checked them for his size. “I’m still one of your favorites.”

  “Trisha’s wearing a ring too,” I told him gently. “You guys don’t have to give the oath yet. I get it’s a lot, but I trust you and you’re on the team.”

  “Thanks,” he said, not being a smartass for once. I saw it eased something in him, and I got that. There was so much crazy that we wanted to cling to what we could… But sometimes it was stuff we shouldn’t maybe.

  While they checked it all out, I stood and went over to Kristof, noting he was involved in a conversation with Jacob and Sebastian, and several others were listening in… Including Dennis, and I wanted something very, very clear.

  “Sorry for interrupting, but I wanted to ask if you are free for a date tomorrow morning after we handle some things?” I asked him as I ran my hands over his button up shirt. “I’m sure you can find us some chaperons and we can go play.”

  He nodded, searching my eyes. “Play?”

  “Do you want me to spoil the surprise?” I gave a playful huff when he didn’t answer. “Yes play. We’re going to have some fun and you can chase me.”

  His lips were on mine in a flash. “Yes, I will absolutely chase you and anywhere, My Princess.”

  “Mmm, sounds fun, and I have prizes for when you catch me.” I pulled away, biting back a giggle when he looked ready to eat me up. My eyes went wide as he turned and punched Dennis in the face so hard part of the vampire’s face caved in.

  “I told you if you made another shitty comment about her I would punch in your face. Next time I will punch off your head completely,” he warned, not even giving the man another look. Okay then. Like wow. I wanted to ask what was said, but that was private it seemed.

  I did notice the amused looks both Sebastian and Jacob tried to hide.

  Nice.

  14

  Jaxon hurried into the dining room just as I’d sat down with food and was waving something in his hand. “I knew it. I knew something was up. She’s doing research. That’s what’s going on. I went to unpack her bags and organize us better, and one of the jackets fell off the books we’ve seen her with. It’s a sex book.”

  “There’s no way,” Kristof replied.

  “Seriously?” Darius asked as he snagged it from him. “Holy fuck. This is a
Kamasutra book.”

  “So that explains the positions she’s been trying,” Cerdic said, taking it from him.

  Jaxon nodded. “Yeah, and there’s more. A lot more. I mean, fuck me dead, there was a naughty date idea book and all kinds of—”

  “If you do not take this conversation somewhere private, none of you will ever touch me again,” I shouted, mortified in a way I’d never been before. I couldn’t even look at them, look at anyone as they did this in the full dining hall. The room was completely silent with my outburst, and when tears burned in my eyes, I turned and ran, darting out of there as fast as I could before I cried on top of it.

  I had just reached the lobby when a strong arm wrapped around me and blurred us away. I could sense who it was, just like the others, so I didn’t worry or struggle, letting Branko carry me off before I broke down. He set me on my feet and held me tight as I readjusted.

  “Where are we?” I rasped, glancing around.

  “A hot spring not too far away that’s a natural one and safe,” he answered. “It’s what I always want to do when I’m upset.”

  I nodded as I glanced down at the shallow pool. It wasn’t bubbling like the hot tub at the last hotel, but it looked just as inviting. Fuck it. I undressed and got in, shivering as the air felt too cold as the water was way hotter than I would take a shower in.

  “You are so fucking breathtaking,” Branko whispered, reminding me he was there. “Can I join you?”

  I nodded again, not such a bitch I wouldn’t let him after he’d brought me here, gotten me out of there when I’d needed it. He was naked and right by me before I could blink.

  “It’s okay,” he murmured, hugging me to him as he slowly sat us in the water.

  “It’s not,” I choked out. “That was so humiliating. In front of everyone and they—why was that so shocking? I know that I’m a baby vamp and new to sex, but am I that bad? Is that why Kristof didn’t believe it? There was no way I was that bad if I’d been doing research? Fuck, in front of Dennis. Jaxon’s dad just got to hear that. Cerdic’s mom’s noble. The only friends I’ve ever had. I wanted to die.”