by A. R. Ford
I would beg for Mia’s forgiveness, and pray the gods would soften her heart. But only after I expressed my irritation at her cowardly approach.
I ran full tilt as rage began to brew. The voice of reason demanded I address the rage. Finding it impossible to do so, I continued running until the settlement appeared. My bellowing roar came without warning.
A group of settlers intercepted me. The bellowed question about Mia’s whereabouts brought their retreat. Their directions were not needed. My mate’s scent drew me to her cottage.
She dared to deny me entrance. Only when she opened the door did a sense of reason return. She was paler than I remembered, her face pinched, brows drawn together. My hands ached to caress her belly, now huge with our baby. My heart called for her. The need to pull her into my arms was overwhelming. I knew she would not allow it.
The weeks apart damaged our pair bond. For the life of me, I could not bring myself to blame her. She offered tea before staring off in the distance. Her fingers grasping the table’s edge until her knuckles blanched. Something was wrong. I knew that much. She blamed her behavior on a backache. Lies. I could not understand the need for her to lie. The voice of reason in my head argued and explained.
You left her, twice, when she needed you. You failed to comfort her after the miscarriage. What did you think would happen?
“You won’t mind if I summon Berenger? For safety’s sake,” I assured her.
“You’ll do as you wish without consideration for my opinion,” Mia sniffed disdainfully. She left the kitchen without another word.
I called Berenger on the mini-COMM unit strapped to my wrist. After hearing my observations, he promised to come at once. Mia’s bedroom door was locked when I searched for her. Unwilling to risk upsetting her, I remained in the living room until Berenger arrived.
“You have some nerve,” he said. Both arms are folded on his chest, mouth set in a line, he waited for my response.
“I can only promise to be a better mate,” I paced the floor, hands flexing at my sides. “Learning that One World was defeated revived memories of my time in the One World prison. Of the things I did. The blood I shed. Innocent blood. Mia, and my child, are innocent. They deserve better than I thought I could give them.”
“It’s the same tired excuse, Kade.” Berenger’s words smacked of disgust. He sat in the rocking chair while he waited for me to continue.
“Being separated from her made me realize I can control my feral nature. For her, I will do anything.” I paused in front of him. “I think she is in labor. She denies it, swears a backache is the only thing bothering her. Examine her, please? I wish no harm to befall my mate, or our child.”
Berenger reached for the medical satchel sitting on the floor by the rocker. He held it in one hand, pausing as he spoke. “You broke her heart. And now you show up on her doorstep demanding another chance. I thought I knew you once, Kade. After this, I’m not so certain I know who you are.”
“You are disappointed in me.”
Laughter was the only reply I received. Berenger shook his head as he stood. A knock, and his request to enter, were met by Mia opening the bedroom door. She did not glance in my direction, not that I could blame her.
Muffled voices filtered through the door. Nearly thirty minutes passed before Berenger opened the door. “You’ll let me know if anything changes.” His statement was directed at Mia.
“Of course.”
I expected the door to close before it did. Once again, she placed a barrier between us.
“What did your examination reveal?” I asked the question with the hope that Berenger would give me some information. Anything to ease the worry.
“False labor,” he assured me. “She wants to rest for a bit. She asked me to remind you this is her home, and you are to leave as I do.”
“I will not leave her. I’ll sleep on the floor if I have to, but I will not leave her, again.”
Berenger chuckled, the first bit of humor he showed since arriving. “I told her you would refuse. You have a lot of making up to do, Kade. Your baby will be here within the next two weeks. Her cervix is dilated two to three centimeters, and the baby is head down, as it should be. Try to fix your mess before then. The baby is large. I would estimate at least ten pounds. Mia will have a difficult time, even under perfect circumstances. It would be nice to know she could depend on you.”
Berenger’s revelation caught me unawares. Blood drained from my face at the thought of Mia suffering, of a complicated birth. All the old wives’ tales came rushing back. Fear grew into the beginnings of terror.
“I will do anything to mend our relationship.” My voice was strained, a hand trembling as I scratched my chin.
“King Kade is afraid. It’s about damned time.” Berenger walked to the door. He paused with a hand on the doorknob. “Call me if anything changes. And do your best to keep Mia calm. In other words, don’t be a jackass. You can censure me later if you feel the need.”
The door closed behind Berenger. Don’t be a jackass. I knew he would remind me of that. Although I hated to admit it, my friend was right. He knew me long enough to understand part of what drove me. He knew how I ticked. I realized it was time to ask for support. My first call was to Gorn. He agreed to meet me at Mia’s cottage. It did not take long for my friend to arrive. I knew I could trust Gorn to steer me in the right direction.
Gorn took a seat on the sofa. That left me to sit in Mia’s rocking chair. There was something comforting about the easy motion of the rocker. I could understand why babies enjoyed it.
“Tell me why I’m here,” Gorn grumbled. He glanced at the mini COMM on his wrist before crossing one leg over the other. “Does Mia know you’ve broken into the house?”
A chuckle rumbled within my chest. “I did not break into the house. She knows I am here. Why do you think the bedroom door is closed, and locked?”
A welcome gale of laughter informed me Gorn understood my predicament. He held his head in both hands. “You’ve really done it, this time. Word is she wrote a decree asking for a divorce. Gods, Kade! You were the first couple to get married. Don’t tell me you’ve let things go until Mia thinks divorce is the only way to carry on.”
“She does.” The thought unsettled me. “I let fear of my past get in the way of my present, and future.”
“The warlord king of Barkjour let fear drive a wedge between him, and the woman he professes to love?”
Gorn’s words made me wince. The entire situation sounded worse now that I thought about it. Perhaps courting Mia would assure her of my love, and dedication.
“I should court her properly. How does one court?”
The bedroom door opened, interrupting further conversation. Mia stood with her arms akimbo. Her face was devoid of emotion. The tendril communicated nothing. She finally cut me off. Not that I could blame her. I sealed my end of the tendril after she left. And it still terrified me to feel nothing communicated from her end of the tendril.
Gorn was the first to speak. “Mia, it’s good to see you, again.”
“Don’t ‘Mia’ me. I would appreciate it if you both would leave. This is my cottage. I prefer the privacy it gives me.” She stood glaring at Gorn, but turned her attention on me when I made the mistake of chuckling. “I mean it!”
“As you wish, madam,” I stood, bowed, and motioned for Gorn to join me. Once we stood outside the cottage, I explained my plan. “We can camp out on the lawn. It’s big enough for both of us. We have tents aboard one of the transports.”
“Camping out?” Gorn asked with brows raised. “You’ve gone off your rocker, Kade. Just apologize to Mia. That should do the trick.”
Only an Alpha without a pair-bonded mate would think to solve the problem so simply. My glare convinced him of my seriousness. He returned with items we would need.
The settlers appreciated the tent pitched on Mia’s lawn beneath a shade tree. One by one, they investigated, and learned of my quest to once again win
Mia’s heart. An older Beta built a fire. He provided short, flat logs for us to use as chairs. Another Beta brought food. Before long, the entire settlement knew, and applauded my efforts.
Mia was less than pleased. She saw the tent through her bedroom window. I held back a grin when she beckoned to me.
“How dare you!” she hissed when I approached the window.
“Lady Mia!” I called before bowing. “My heart aches with emptiness. Return to me, my love!”
Gorn, and several of the settlers, collapsed against each other. They laughed uncontrollably. Mia’s snort of disgust brought my grin.
“Have you been reading Shakespeare?” she grumbled. “I’m not impressed.”
Now was my chance to impress her with my seriousness. “What would impress you, my love? I’ll strip naked, and howl at the moon, if it pleases you.”
“Not likely. I’ve seen you naked. You, sir, do not impress me.” She lifted her chin, eyes narrowed as she glared at me.
“I could simply strip naked, and show you how badly I’ve missed you.” A growl rumbled in my chest. Mia’s gasp assured me of its impact.
“Stop it! Don’t you dare growl.” Rosy color filled her cheeks. A raised hand fanned the air as if to cool her face.
“I love you, Mia. I will camp on your lawn until you understand I am serious.”
“You’ve drawn a crowd,” she observed with a bob of her head toward the tent.
I turned, only to see half a dozen more men had joined Gorn. More than one man clutched a bottle of wine in their hand. “Indeed, I have. I should go welcome my guests.”
“Kade, please,” Mia murmured. A hand came to rest on the top of her belly. “I need to rest. I can’t rest if my lawn becomes a tavern.”
Mia took a deep breath, her breasts swelled above the neckline of the low gown she wore. My eyes traced along every curve of her face. Gods, I missed her.
“I would more than willingly come inside with you. I haven’t forgotten the purr you adore, or how you enjoyed back rubs. You only need to ask,” I assured her in a low voice as a smile played about my lips.
“You’re not playing fair.” Mia clasped her hands together. Both clasped hands came to rest on her chest. “I can’t stop loving you, regardless of how poorly you treat me. I’ve only ever wanted you to love me the way I love you, treat me the way I treat you. You push me away at the slightest provocation, with no explanation. My heart was shattered the night you made me leave.” Tears welled in her honey eyes. Her emotional pain was nearly my undoing.
My gut clenched in response. I understood the pain she suffered. I experienced it after she left.
Before I could protest, she closed the window, and drew the curtains. I spend most of the night drinking wine with my companions. It felt good to mingle with my people. We fell onto the sleeping bags after the settlers bid us good night. My dreams were of Mia.
*****
Tree roots growing just under the earth create agonizing beds. I woke to an aching back unlike anything I have experienced in my lifetime. Said tree root jammed firmly into my solar plexus. I rolled over with a groan, only to be greeted by Gorn’s drowsy snicker.
“We’ve made it a week, Kade. She’s not showing any signs of giving in,” he muttered with a hand drawn across his face, fingers scratching a week’s worth of scruff. “I’m going back to the Garrison today where my soft, welcoming bed awaits.”
“You should keep your promise to stand by your king’s side, no matter the conditions.” I didn’t blame Gorn in the least. He awoke each morning with similar aches and pains.
“Talk to the women of the village. Perhaps they can tell you what courting is. I don’t expect it’s camping out on your estranged wife’s lawn in a tent, drinking wine each night until you pass out. I can’t believe Mia threw pebbles at us last night.” Gorn’s voice was tinged with disbelief. “She’s a firecracker that one is.”
We lay there until we could no longer stand the misery. Men of our age should not groan while leaving their bed. Yet, here we were. Mia sat on the porch drinking tea when I chanced a glance in that direction. She observed villagers without once looking in my direction. I could not take my eyes from her.
“You’ve got it bad, Kade,” Gorn observed from his place at my side.
“I do,” I replied. “She does not know the depth of my love. It is the only reason I sent her from me. I will never hurt her.”
Gorn retrieved his belongings from the tent. He thumped my back with a chuckle. “I’m headed home. I’ll check on you from time to time.”
“Coward.”
“Said the Alpha who refuses to walk ten feet to speak to his pregnant Omega. An Omega who is a third his size.” Gorn waved before turning to the path that led to the Garrison.
Perhaps it was time to approach Mia, again. Over the course of the past few days, we had numerous conversations at her bedroom window. Those conversations were singular during the first few days. Our talks began to increase in number as she saw I was serious about camping out on her lawn. We touched on many subjects. I never missed an opportunity to impress upon her my love, and desire, to return to my rightful place at her side. I sang my own awkwardly composed love songs. I brought her flowers, daily. I proposed, again, down on one knee.
Today was the first day she sat on the porch. I hoped something had changed. With that hope, I summoned every bit of courage within me, and walked to the porch where my Omega sat.
“Good morning, love,” I dared to let the faintest of purrs vibrate within my chest.
“Stop purring. You’re not going to seduce me this morning.” Mia attempted a fierce expression but failed miserably. Downcast eyes came to rest on the mug of tea held in one hand. She sighed, forefinger tracing along the cup’s rim.
“What ails you?”
“I miss you,” she whispered in a voice thick with tears.
It took those three words to shatter my resolve to let her come to me. I took the mug from her hand before setting it on the window’s ledge. She was light as a feather in my arms. Her head came to rest against my chest. I wasted no time carrying her inside. My world felt right for the first time in weeks. Sitting on the sofa with my mate in my arms definitely influenced my assessment.
We remained like that for quite some time. I simply held her. Burying my face in dark, silken hair brought a sense of peace. She sighed with contentment. A growl erupted when she nuzzled my chest. The baby stirred often. Our hands, fingers intertwined, cupped her womb.
I knew this moment was worth the days of sleeping on the cold, unwelcoming ground. Our tendril pulsed with love, and forgiveness. My Omega was my salvation. My heart. My world. She forgave me. Now that I knew what life without her was like, I vowed never to push her away again.
Days later, I held Mia’s hand, murmured words of encouragement, and sponged her perspiration-covered brow as she struggled to bring our child into the world. A wrinkly, red-faced, crying babe, sprawled on his mother’s breast, stole my heart.
It was fitting that I learned my heart was large enough to share with more than one person. By sharing my heart, I gained so much more. I was no longer lost. I no longer felt awkward in my own skin. Nightmares of One World failed to haunt my sleep.
Everything was right in my world. Just as it should be.
Dear Reader, please keep reading for a sneak peak of Simone, book one of the Vampire Passions duet!
Simone
Vampire Passions Duet
Book One
Copyright 2020 © A.R. Ford
Chapter 1
The Elder Council
London, 1632 A.D.
Clouds cloaked the sliver of a moon as the midnight hour drew nigh. A wolf howled in the distance as if warning others of the clandestine meeting scheduled to convene soon. A grin revealed ivory fangs stained with crimson from a snack taken only moments earlier. Only a fool would dare break the secrecy of the elder council’s gathering.
I was no fool.
Keeping
to the shadows, I made haste toward the manor. I entered the foyer in silence. Whispered voices drew my attention as I passed by a sitting room. Curiosity demanded I listen. Only secrets would be spoken in such a tone.
“You must convince them to adopt the plan.”
I would recognize the voice anywhere. Malachi. The youngest and most unpredictable member of the council.
“Trust me. The fools will adopt the decree before morning. I would never disappoint you, darling.”
Idris? Why would Idris and Malachi speak secretly about matters concerning the council?
“You and I will guide our kindred into the modern age. Imagine the power we will wield.”
It all made perfect sense now. Malachi plotted to assume power. His rule would only bring chaos and destruction to our kind.
My plan to tell Silvanus the instant I saw him fell apart when I arrived only to find the remaining members of the council present. Idris and Malachi arrived moments later. The information could wait until later. Who knew if I could trust the others? I assumed a position in a corner near Silvanus. From there I surveyed the room.
Flames licked along the length of a dry log. Sparks and smoke spiraled aloft only to be sucked through the chimney into the night sky. A draft fluttered a cobweb clinging precariously to its stony perch in one corner of the room. The voluminous chamber contained only a long oak table surrounded by chairs covered in crimson velvet. Two massive candelabras cast flickering tendrils of gold light onto the table and those sitting around it.
The occupants of the table were an odd crew. Any who saw them would pause, glance from one to the other, then run in terror as the truth of who stood before them seeped into their gut.
A gaunt-faced man sat at the head of the table. Piercing crimson eyes bored into one person for several seconds before snapping to the next. A curtain of white hair fell in waves even with his shoulders. Nails filed into coffin tips tapped the table top. Silvanus commanded respect. Not only did he lead the council. He held a place of honor as the oldest true born vampire.