Shattered: Paranormal Vampire Romance (Immortal Love Series Book 4)

by Anna Santos

  Things between Eric and I were great. We had made a lot of progress. We became inseparable. He made me laugh, and we always had things to talk about on our dates in town or our long walks in the palace’s gardens. Eric was kind and respectful. Hugging, kissing, and holding hands made me feel young and innocent again. Not having the pressure of the sexual component helped me realize that we worked well as a couple. Spending time together only made me fall in love harder and harder, to the point I couldn’t see myself without him anymore.

  ***

  Jessica sat beside Eric and I and hugged one of the cushions from the sofa. We were waiting for Anna and Shane to arrive for our movie night.

  “The Mating Festival is next weekend. I can’t believe the time has gone so fast! Have you decided yet what to wear?” Jessica asked me.

  Eric kept looking at his phone while using one finger to swipe and tap.

  I leaned against his shoulder and shrugged. “I’ve never been to one. What happens?”

  “There are parties and dancing,” Eric replied without looking away from his screen. “I’ll offer you a mask and take you to dance. The men will hunt to provide for the meat. The singles will flirt with the females and hope to find their mates.”

  “Did you use to go there to find me?” I asked, looking in his direction.

  He raised his eyes and smirked at me. “It’s been a while since I bothered to go, but I’ve been to some.”

  Jessica huffed. “As the queen, I need to host it with Marcus. The other years, he didn’t bother to attend, but this year it will be different. I want everything to go according to the schedule. Not to mention that we’ll be hosting a dinner gala at the palace to receive our allies and boost our friendship.”

  “Is my sister coming? Did she say anything about that?” Eric looked at Jessica with hopeful eyes.

  “It seems we would see her first if we traveled to London. Which isn’t something I’m considering in the near future,” his mom replied.

  “Do you need help with anything?” Eric asked.

  “I have the majority of things organized. Dulce and Anna are helping. The school has the kids choreographing songs and dancing routines. We’ll have a few famous bands performing, and the security details have been discussed with our allies and neighbors. You just need to show up on time to take your mate dancing.”

  He smiled at me. “I can’t wait for that.”

  “I’m still on to help with the paper flowers for this week,” I warned Jessica who was looking at her nails with a bored expression.

  “Good. We’ll need a lot of floral arrangements to make everything look pretty. I also invited a few witches from town and surrounding villages, so we can do a mystic theme night,” she said with a grin. “Like that, the ones that don’t find their mate can have their fortune told.”

  “I’m sure this will be a festival to remember,” Eric said.

  Pushing the cushion aside, Jessica stood up and looked at her phone. “Anna is late. Why are they taking so long?” Then she looked around. “Where’s Marcus? He told me he was finishing the illustration and would meet us here.”

  Jessica stormed out of the office.

  “What do you think of this bathtub?” Eric asked, showing me his phone. “I need to finish the remodeling of the new houses, but I can’t decide on the bathtubs and the backsplash for the kitchens.”

  I analyzed the image. “It’s nice.”

  “Just nice?”

  “It’s small.”

  “I’ve already chosen a soaking tub for the master bedrooms,” he said. “But this is small if we had to compare it to the one George had in his house. I had completely forgotten about how his house was modern for the time it was built.”

  “His bathroom was gorgeous. It looked like an ancient Roman spa. I loved the frescos. Did you have time to think about what I said?”

  “Yes, but I would spend a small fortune to remodel and bring it back to its former glory. The majority of the materials would have to be imported. Then it would be hard to find a buyer, especially when we can’t allow humans to buy houses in our town.”

  I puckered my lips. “Have you decided what to do with that house, yet? Was your buyer interested in the property?”

  “I’m busy with other projects, so I didn’t have time to run the numbers yet for a selling price. But the buyer was interested. I’ll send some engineers to check the foundation and see if we are able to salvage the outside walls.”

  “Father would have loved to meet you. You would have a lot to talk about.”

  Eric put his phone down and circled my shoulders with his arm. “You said he was a politician, politics bore me.”

  I moved closer to him. “He was also a poet, a writer, and a philosopher. He became a Republican in the time the monarchies were being overthrown, and the majority of the vampire families were against the liberal ideas and the technological advances.”

  “He would’ve loved George. He was the one who convinced my father to move to America. He fought for the abolition of slavery and believed all races were equal.”

  “Don’t you believe that too?”

  “Yes, I do. I try to honor his memory. Still, I enjoy building and creating more than going to war and fighting.”

  “There’s nothing wrong about that. My family was peaceful and endorsed the arts. Father knew that there were cruel and vicious beings, but he was happier when he was writing his stories or watching us perform.”

  Eric arched his eyebrow. “Perform?”

  “Ballet. Haven’t we talked about this?”

  “You don’t talk much about your family, and I try not to pry because I know it’s painful for you to remember your sister.”

  I lowered my eyes and scratched the fabric of his shirt. “Marie and I were ballerinas. The vampire community in Europe was substantial and liked festivities and to endorse the arts. Our passion for dancing was approved and seen with pride by my dad.”

  Eric caressed my cheek and kissed my lips. “I’m sure you were amazing.”

  “Anna was talking about how there’s no dancing teacher in town. The school only has drama and no dancing classes.”

  “Yes, the community would benefit if there were dancing classes for the younger generation.”

  I bit my lower lip. “I’ve met Dulce … She’s a trained dancer.”

  “She enjoys serving coffee more these days,” Eric said and sighed.

  “It’s just to pay her bills. Her real dream is to open a dancing academy.”

  “Here in Affinity?”

  “Yes.”

  “That explains why she needs money and is selling her inheritance.” Eric rubbed his temples.

  I gazed up at him. “I could teach ballet. It would give me something to do. I have money that I could use to buy my share in her company. We could be partners.”

  Eric looked down at me and rubbed my head.

  “Working is therapeutic. Plus, the shrink everybody wants me to see is in town. I could work and go to the sessions. You could drive me to work. I’ve never learned how to drive.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “About wanting to work?”

  “That and seeing the psychologist.”

  “Eric, you’ve been amazing. The fighting lessons have also helped, but I still wake up with nightmares. The drops aren’t working anymore. I don’t let you sleep when I wake up crying and … I’m still afraid of being more intimate with you.”

  He kissed me with passion and made me lose my breath. “I will wait for you for however long you need me to wait. I’ll also support you if you want to teach dancing with Dulce.”

  “What about the psychologist? Could you attend the first sessions with me? I don’t think I can go alone.”

  “I’ll talk with Dr. Kent to schedule the first seasons. We’ll go together.”

  I smiled and kissed him. “Thank you.”

  Eric brought me to his lap, and we continued the kissing until Anna entered the office.


  “Sorry for being la-te … Oh! Where’s Jessica?”

  Giggling, I slid from Eric’s lap to his side and sat with my head against his shoulder while he rubbed his face.

  “Uncle,” Anna greeted. “Aunt Beth,” she teased. “Sorry for being late. I was talking with Kevin on the phone and lost track of time.”

  “Jessica went to call Marcus in the library and hasn’t returned,” I informed.

  “Good evening,” Shane greeted.

  “So, we aren’t late,” Anna said, heading to her place on the sofa and sitting beside Shane. “Has anyone made the popcorn yet?”

  I got up. “I’ll make it. Jessica is too stressed with the Mating Festival.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t want to reschedule the family night.”

  “That’s because I have a big announcement to make,” said Jessica, entering the office. Everybody looked back at her with King Marcus behind her. “Now that I have everybody here, I’m proud to announce that Marcus and I will renew our vows on the last night of the Mating Festival.”

  “You are going to get married?” Anna asked, jumping to her feet.

  “I am, and I hope everybody will be there. Especially the absent ones.”

  “I talked with my brother, he’s busy. But if you are going to get married, I’m sure he’ll find time to come.”

  “Good because I have a big reception planned.”

  Chapter TWENTY-FOUR

  Eric

  It was tradition to celebrate the Mating Festival on the outskirts of Affinity. The decamped near the forest belonged to my family. Every year stands of food, beverages, and handcrafted material stood along the path that took to the central stage where artists performed throughout the day and night. There was also a big tent with tables and chairs where people gathered for three nights to eat the game meat and dance.

  The revelers walked around and waited for the night to join the eating and the dancing. Single supernaturals of all races and colors would come in hopes to find their other half or just have a good time.

  It was the first year that I was joining in which I had found my mate. This Friday night was meant to eat and dance with Beth. Smoothing my shirt down, I knocked on her bedroom door.

  “You look gorgeous!” I voiced after losing my breath with her arrival at the door. She was wearing her hair down with a violet gown shaping her form. The fabric hugged her breasts and waist only to fall loosely down her legs.

  “Thank you. You look gorgeous, too. Do you think it's a bit too much?” She swirled around to show her figure.

  I grinned. “It's perfect. There's just something missing, and I have been waiting for the right opportunity to give it to you.”

  Beth puckered her lips.

  “Turn around.”

  She did so, and I grabbed from my pocket the necklace with the medallion containing her parents' portraits. After securing the chain around her neck, I fixed her hair and breathed her perfume.

  “What is it?” She touched the medallion and opened it. I felt her body tense, and her eyes widened when she saw her parents’ pictures. “I thought I’d lost this forever.”

  “I fixed it for you. I know it has sentimental value.”

  She nodded and spun in my arms. Tilting her head back, I perceived her shining eyes. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  I brushed her chin with my fingertips with my gaze falling on her lips. “I thought it was the only thing worth saving from everything else in the box.”

  “It was.” Leaning closer, her lips touched mine, softly first and passionate after a few moments of discovery. Her arms snaked my neck, and her body fell against mine. I closed my eyes to surrender to her need. My hands trailed down her delicate figure until my fingers secured her waist.

  “We should go,” I mumbled as I caught my breath. “Our family is waiting.”

  Her breath feathered my face. “I appreciate your kindness in letting me keep my necklace.” She gave me another kiss.

  “I have something else for us.” I smiled against her lips.

  As much as I wanted to keep kissing her, I knew I needed to control the lust stirring and boiling the blood speeding inside my veins.

  “What is it?”

  Taking her by the hand, we exited to the corridor and stopped in front of a chest of drawers with a decorative silver dish. There were two black velvet masks on it.

  “We need to wear these to the festival.” I took her mask and helped her place it over her pretty face. “Vampires use black masks, were shifters wear blue, and witches wear red.”

  “What about hybrids?”

  “White as all the humans who will join.”

  Beth helped me with my mask. We looked at each other for a few seconds.

  “Why the masks?” she questioned, trailing her fingers on the embroidered collar of my coat.

  “It's fun, and we can keep our identities secret.”

  “I find it odd,” she confessed. “But I can recognize you even with your mask on.”

  “We know each other’s clothes.”

  “We distinguish our mates not just by the smell but by their eyes. I understand now.”

  “You can fully turn if you wish. Tonight, everything is allowed.” I let my fangs out and smirked at her. She looked down and shook her head. I cupped her face. “Why not?”

  “My eyes are black.”

  “It doesn't matter, Beth. I am not ashamed of you. You shouldn't be either.”

  Her arms laced my neck, and she hugged me. “I just want to have fun with you tonight. Dance and feast.”

  “Let’s go, then. The queen and the king wait for us, and the fireworks will illuminate the sky soon enough.” I grabbed her hand and escorted her to my car so we could drive to the party.

  ***

  Beth

  I had been to many parties in search of my mate, but none took place in the wilderness and with so many different species. It felt exotic and exciting to attend the festivities with my mate. My smile was genuine as was my awed expression when I saw all the different stands showing embroidery and leather work, as well as jewelry and regional food. It seemed like a craft fair where everybody wore their masks and fancy clothes while mingling with the crowd.

  The fireworks lit the dark sky and announced the arrival of the single males who had been hunting for meat. They arrived wearing masks of many colors, most of them shirtless, and covered in dirt and blood. Being an achieved hunter used to mean something. Nowadays, it was just a ritual to impress the single ladies who giggled and lustfully looked at the males.

  King Marcus and Queen Jessica were on the throne, sitting on an improvised platform with velvet chairs. They blessed the meat before it was taken to be cut and grilled. On the meadows, several bonfires illuminated the space. In the forest, bulbs placed inside empty bottles hung from the trees. There were also flower arrangements everywhere.

  Eric showed me around before we went to the royal family's reserved table. There we watched the band of electric violins and flutes perform joyful music that made people dance and clap their hands. It reminded me of old Celtic music. I had fun when Eric grabbed my hand, and we joined the dancing crowd. We swirled and tapped our feet until the musicians took a break, and we went back to our table.

  Upon arrival, Dulce and her brother were seated there, wearing blue masks and talking with Jessica and Marcus. Anna and Shane were nowhere to be found. Since they were helping with the patrolling and keeping everybody safe, their absence wasn’t a surprise.

  “Kevin assured me that he would arrive tomorrow,” Jessica said. She wore a red gown, the same color as her mask, and a fishtail braided hairstyle.

  “Kevin wouldn’t miss your wedding vows,” Sebastien, Dulce’s brother, said.

  “He’s been busy in Chicago since he took a commanding position. The responsibility will do him good, but I would love if he were closer to home,” Jessica said. Sighing, she added, “I’m not there to save his butt, and that’s troubl
ing.”

  Dulce and Sebastien chuckled.

  “According to him, it’s the other way around,” Sebastien retorted.

  “Excuse me, darling.” The king got up and placed a hand on Jessica’s shoulder. “Eric and I need to mingle with the crowd and greet a few important people.”

  “Do you want me to go with you, too?”

  “No, stay here and talk with your friends.” He walked to Eric. “Son, Beth will be okay here with our friends and family. Would you join me for a walk?”

  Eric frowned but got up. “Sure.” Then, he looked at me. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave the table.”

  I smiled at him. “I’ll be fine.”

  Once he left, Dulce looked at Jessica. “What was that about? It’s something wrong? Someone making trouble?”

  “It seems that the Mountain Pack requested to join the party. A few of their single members are here, but they are misbehaving, especially with the hybrids,” Jessica explained.

  “Oh! The king shouldn’t have let them join. They are bullies and don’t play along with the other packs. They are always trespassing our territory,” the werewolf female said. Leaning back in her seat, she looked at her brother. “Did you know they were attending?”

  “It’s not our territory. At least they asked permission this time. Two years ago, they showed up unannounced and caused trouble after trouble. I remember that Shane had to use force and several of them spent the night in jail.”

  I dared to ask a question. “Why would someone cause trouble in a festivity like this? Aren’t they looking for their mates, too?”

  “Not everybody that attends has honest intentions,” Sebastien replied. “This year, we made pamphlets to educate the hybrids how to proceed in case a pureblood claims they are their mate.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Many lie and just want to get laid with a pretty woman or man. This year, there was an increase of hybrids females joining the party. We have posted instructions on how to proceed and who to call if they are being stalked or bullied. There’s also men and women wearing yellow masks that are here to keep everybody safe.”