by L. L. Ash
And that quickly, he was an orphan.
“I’m so sorry Calix… I’m so...”
My words were cut off with his kiss.
He searched, begged for comfort through my touch and I quickly moved to give it to him. With little tongue, our lips melded, almost hugging like our arms were doing.
“I...I need you,” he breathed, breaking away from our kiss so I could breathe.
“You have me,” I told him. “You always have me.”
His agony-filled eyes met mine again, moisture there instead of tears.
“I’m going to get vengeance for them, Lily. The Dorians will pay for this. They will not have died and the debt remain unsatisfied. The Dorians will all perish.”
“Later,” I told him in a whisper. “Vengeance later. Live for now. Feel. Live because I need you too, Calix.”
His hand ran through my hair, pushing it back, away from my face.
“I would be lost without you,” he admitted, fisting the hair gently.
He moved forward, pulling my head back with the fistful of my hair and supporting me as he lowered me back toward the ground. He followed, inch for inch, body pressed against mine as if he needed every inch of me to survive the next second.
His mouth found mine again and I gave him everything I could, everything I was.
I needed to remind him the good parts of life. I needed him to stay with me and not retreat into an animal or monster. His humanity was weak and fragile, and I was the only thing helping him cling to it.
Calix left my lips again, his cheek brushing over my breasts and moved down before his hand pushed up the hem of my t-shirt. His cheek rested there, scratching the sensitive skin of my stomach as he kissed the skin near my belly button. I felt an instant tingling in my womb where our baby lay.
“I’ll take care of you,” he whispered to my stomach. “I won’t fail you. I swear to you I will avenge our name.”
No answer was forthcoming, but he knelt there, cheek pressed to my belly as I was sprawled on the cold, newly cleaned, stone floor.
When he finally moved, he hovered above me, chest brushing mine as he moved.
“I love you,” I breathed, pressing my lips to his in a soft kiss.
“You breathe life into me,” he told me, his hand pressing into my side almost painfully as he pulled me toward him. “I live for you, Lily. Nothing else.”
I lifted my head and kissed him again, finally demanding from him what I needed. I needed to remember the beautiful things amidst all the death, and I knew he needed it too.
His arm curled around my head, his body partially pressed against me as the other hand found and undid the tie of my silk robe. When it was spread open, he spent a minute at my exposed stomach, palm pressing flat against the skin there and sliding around my side until his arm was around me, squeezing my belly to his.
I pushed my arms around his shoulders, feeling comfort in his body so close, cool skin against mine as I fisted his hair in my hands.
“I love you,” I breathed into his lips, stealing mine away from his as I gasped for air.
The proclamation sent him into overdrive. He let go of my waist but pressed his palm against my arm as if to tell me to hold tight before he ran his fingers down to my hips, hooking my sweats and pulling them down in one fluid movement. Unencumbered by my pants, I anchored my legs around his hips, still holding onto his neck and shoulders. His jeans were next and suddenly we were flesh to flesh, breaking goosebumps out all over my skin at the sensation.
His arm wrapped back around my hips and I let go of his neck, sliding the robe and t-shirt over my head before tugging up on his. He let one arm out of the shirt then ducked his head through and let it fall on the other arm to the floor, gripping me close again until we were seamless, endless.
Eyes closed, he pressed his forehead to the curve of my neck and I dropped my head back, feeling him against my beating heart.
I was so ready for him when he finally pressed against my entrance. I wiggled my hips a little and he finally pushed until we were joined like pieces of a weird, offbeat puzzle that unequivocally fit together.
He pushed up on his hands, head and chest rising to hover over me as he moved. My fingers moved of their own volition, touching one rough cheek, thumb brushing over his kiss-swollen lips as his eyes caught mine. His swam with grief and passion, blues no longer hiding from me or shadowed in anger.
I pushed aside his hair, black strands rebelling and falling over his eyes.
My fingers dug in above his ear before I pulled him closer, our foreheads pressed together, noses touching as we breathed each other’s air.
He dropped again, chest pressed to mine with my legs still wrapped around him, holding him as close as I could as we moved. Shifting his head again, he settled into the crook of my neck and kept it there until he stiffened, grunted, then loosened his grip on me.
I unhooked my heels from his thighs but I kept my arms wrapped around his neck, our lovemaking turning into a long hug as we stayed that way.
“I love you, Lily… my goddess,” he said finally, voice weak.
I squeezed him, then had to let go as he pulled away. His arm reached out and he snatched a cushion off the couch before setting it on the ground next to us and the wall. Sitting on the cushion, he opened his arms to me. I got onto my side and sat up, managing to crawl over to him on the hard floor without hurting myself, where I eased myself into his lap, legs curled around him as our chests pressed together again. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, breathing in his scent of musk and sandalwood. Wrapping his arms tightly around me, we sat just that way, unmoving, for a long time.
Eventually I was stiff and I needed to move, but I didn’t want to. He must have known, because he shifted first.
“Thank you,” he told me, hand against my cheek. “I don’t know how you knew, but I needed you. I didn’t even know how much.”
“I think it’s the whole mate thing,” I told him, giving him a small smile. “I want to be there for you. If you’ll let me.”
He nodded.
“I’m not used to having someone...there. I’ve lived on my own for so long, I don’t know how to ask for help or lean on someone for support. Luckily you’re stubborn. Almost as stubborn as me.”
I huffed.
“I’m not nearly as stubborn as you. What an insult!”
He grinned but it quickly melted.
“Thank you.”
I nodded.
He took my hand and helped pull me up as much as he could from his spot on the floor.
“My legs are numb,” I admitted, stumbling a little when I got to my feet.
“Those human bodies... so weak,” he said, a half smile on his face.
“Yeah, well fuck you too.”
He chuckled, actually chuckled as he stood in one graceful, swift movement.
I carefully moved to my clothes and started picking up the tangled pieces when his arms went around me again.
“Just another minute,” he said quietly. “One more minute before it all falls apart again.”
I straightened and let him hold me a little longer. I would stand there all day if that was what he needed.
Eventually he did let me go and we got dressed. He plopped into his chair and I looked for mine but found it missing.
“Bloodstains,” was all he said before patting his knee.
I perched there as he propped his head on his hand, elbow planted on the desk.
“This will be a bloody war,” he told me. “We are well matched in numbers, and after an attack like this, the Drakos will be fierce. But now we have no king to unite and no father to guide. My remaining sisters will have to choose who will succeed my father and they will have to do it fast. I’ve already talked to Bion and Leon, and they’re packing up and heading here for it. My other brother Heron has lost his mates and is in mourning. He will follow soon. Within the week we will have a new king.”
I nodded, feeling a fract
ion of the pressure that has fallen onto Calix’s shoulders.
“What can I do to help you?” I asked him. “Can I... prepare? For your brothers and sisters?”
“It’s all being done if it isn’t done already. Be with me, be as you are and that is enough, Agápi Mou.”
I sighed, nodding in acceptance of what I didn’t want to hear.
“I do have news for you, though,” he said slowly, carefully.
“Your brother and sister… I felt as though they wouldn’t be safe anymore. I... sent some men to collect them. The Dorian know who you are and there is a chance they will hurt you by hurting them. I know this is not the life you want for them, but I’m sure death isn’t what you had in mind, either.”
“Of God...” I groaned.
Not here...not with these people.
Part of me was excited to see them again. I hadn’t seen them in weeks and I missed them, but this was not the life I had planned for them. At least they would get away from my mother and be with me here.
“Will I have say over them? Will I get to decide what happens to them and where they stay?”
“You and I together will decide, but I will generally concede to your wishes on the matter. Only when it’s important and would be dangerous will I intercede.”
“Thank you. When will they get here?”
“Soon. I sent for them a few hours ago.”
“They know not to hurt them, right?”
“Explicitly ordered not to. Don’t worry.”
“Ok, I trust you. And Nyx arrives this evening?”
“She does. I’ll forever thank God we asked her to come when we did. If we hadn’t she’d be dead. I just… I wish I had demanded Ariston come with her… He’s still missing. They haven’t found his body in the rubble.”
“And nobody’s been able to get ahold of Nyx on the plane?”
“No. She must have turned her phone off. She does that sometimes. It irritates me to no end.”
“Well, I’m so grateful she’s ok.”
“Physically she will be. Her heart will break when I have to tell her...”
Calix shook his head and propped his cheek against his hand on the desk.
“I’ll be with you. I’m with you through this. Tell me what you need and I’ll provide it. Ok?”
He nodded.
“Prince.” Thomas stuck his head through the door. “The children are here.”
“Bring them in.” Calix waved his hand at him and he disappeared through the door again.
“They’re here?” I almost hyperventilated.
“It seems so. Sooner than I expected. I’ll let you handle this in your own way, Lily.”
The door pushed open again with the sounds of my sister’s harsh voice telling the ‘brute’ to get his hands off her.
They came through and were pretty much shoved into the room.
“Lily?” Maggie gasped from the doorway, being followed in by Chrys and three vampires.
“Lily!” Chrys shouted and stumbled over his own feet, running to me.
I grinned and chuckled, choking on my tears as I ran to meet him.
“Oh my God! Chrys! Maggie! I’ve missed you guys so much!”
Maggie threw her arms around us and we had a big family hug.
“Are you ok?” Chrys asked, holding my face between his hands.
I stared back into his bright blue eyes and smiled.
“I am. It’s been a hell of a month but I’m ok, unharmed. I’m safe. We’re all safe now.”
“Safe?” Maggie shrieked, pointing a finger at the three vampires. “Look at them! They look like freaks!”
“That’s 'cause they are freaks.” I laughed. “This is going to sound nuts, but I want you guys to remember that it’s me saying this. I wouldn’t say it unless I was positive.”
I glanced back at Calix who was still lounging in his chair, watching.
“They… all of them. They’re vampires.”
Chrys and Maggie stared at me like I was stupid.
“You’re… you’re serious?” Chrys asked quietly, glancing over my shoulder at Calix.
“Yes. I’ve seen more than enough proof. They are, and you’re best to not piss anybody off, got it Maggie?”
“Excuse me, but they were manhandling me and I don’t appreciate some stranger’s grubby little fingers on me.”
Thomas slipped into the room, touching the shoulders of the other men and motioning for them to leave. He took residence by the door and watched with his arms crossed in front of him.
“Now, you guys. It’s a really long story, but what happened was I kind of ran into a vampire. A bad one. Calix saved my life.”
I motioned to him sitting in his chair but he neither said a word or made a movement to acknowledge my words.
“Now we’re mates. I’m pregnant too, actually. But I guess it takes a while to cook a vamp baby.”
“Holy shit!” Maggie exclaimed, shocked.
Chrys just looked worried.
“Are you...” he looked at Calix again before leaning closer to whisper, “are you sure you’re ok? Are they holding you against your will?”
I shook my head emphatically.
“They did...at first. But I want to be here. I love him.”
Silence from my siblings.
“You love him?” Maggie said slowly, as if trying to understand the words coming out of her mouth.
“I do.” I gave one firm nod before turning to my mate.
“Calix, my sister Magnolia Rose, and my brother Chrysanthemum Hawthorn.”
His lips turned up in a smirk.
“So you all have botanical names?” he asked, one eyebrow raising up.
“Fuck you, pasty face,” Maggie growled, stomping toward him. “You’re going to let my sister and us go!”
“Your insults need some working on,” he commented dryly, but he was entertained, I could see it on his face.
Maggie growled again, ready to launch into round two but I slapped my hand over her mouth.
“Maggie! Don’t talk to him that way!”
“What’s he going to do? Beat me? Eat me?”
“No, but I might beat you!”
Chrys folded his arms over his chest and frowned.
“I apologize, I just find the theme of your names amusing. I am Calix Spiro Drakos, Prince of the Drakos.”
“Prince?” Maggie rolled her eyes, but Chrys remained silent, his eyes widening.
“So you’ve heard of us?” Calix asked Chrys, blue eyes clashing.
“I-I’ve heard stories… I thought they were all full of crap… Some of the kids at school they— They mentioned something about Drakos and vampires hanging out at some club. One of the girls kept bragging about uh...doing one of them.”
My nose wrinkled.
“Who are you hanging out with, Chrys?”
He smiled at me.
“You know me. Friend to the friendless.”
“There are a few clubs my people frequent, though they are supposed to stay discreet. I’m disappointed that they’ve been so careless.”
Calix frowned and sat back, looking behind us to where Thomas stood.
“Make sure they know the punishment for revealing us,” he said over our heads and I caught Thomas nod before leaving.
“Anyway, I wished to welcome you here. I hope that you are comfortable and happy under your sister’s care. There are some rules that Lily will go over with you, but generally you may live as you like as long as you do as you’re told.”
“I’m not taking orders from you.” Maggie bared her teeth before turning on me. “I can’t believe you let him take your purity, Lily! And a baby? What the hell are you thinking? Or were you thinking?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Mags.” I almost pouted at her outburst. “There are extenuating circumstances that you don’t understand, but right now this is where I am, and this is where you will be too, because it’s safer here.”
“Safer? With th
ese guys?” Chrys asked.
“There was an attack yesterday. They know I’m here and they tried to kill me,” I admitted. “Calix had you brought here because the people trying to hurt me know about me and that you’re my siblings. They would hurt you to get to me. I couldn’t have that happen. So Calix kind of saved your lives too.”
Both siblings looked at Calix.
“I wish you’d had a better introduction to my people,” Calix said. “But circumstances being as they were, I couldn’t risk Lily going out in the open. It’s too dangerous.”
Chrys nodded but Maggie still seemed mad.
“So I guess all the last couple months while we were all worried about you, you’ve been cooped up here having sex all day with mister vampire dude.”
“Maggie,” I warned. “First of all, that’s none of your business. Second of all Calix deserves your respect. So bite your tongue.”
She crossed her arms but didn’t say anything else.
“Calix,” I asked gently. “Are there rooms made up for them? Or will they share a room? I don’t know what you had planned.”
“There are two rooms made up in the west wing. I thought you would want them near you.”
I nodded.
“Yes, I would. Can you have someone show me?”
“I’ll take you myself.” He stood and rounded the desk, jeans and t-shirt clinging deliciously to his flawless body.
Even Maggie lost herself as he walked by, the air in the room following him out the door. I went after him and my siblings followed.
The way parted like the red sea as we went and I felt proud all of a sudden that I had Calix as a mate. I wanted my siblings to know how important he was for no apparent or particular reason. I just did.
I took Calix’s hand as we went and he looked over his shoulder when I did. He smiled gently at me before turning forward again.
We had almost arrived at our bedroom when more commotion erupted.
“Prince! Prince!” Thomas flew toward us in a blur, stopping on a dime which was rather impressive to me. “Your sister is here.”
“I can announce my own entrance,” Nyx stepped forward, looking around at my siblings. “And who is this?”
The question was directed at Calix, but her eyes were steady on Chrys.
“Lily’s siblings,” Calix told her steadily. “Both under my personal protection.”