by T. S. Ryder
"Sofia, I am going to ask you a question, and I want you to be completely honest," he whispered in her ear. "Do you want me?"
"Yes," she panted.
"Do you really?"
Sofia stared into his eyes as he brushed her hair from her face. Her body cried out for his, but her mother's voice was in the back of her mind, telling her–screeching, more like–that she was worth more than one night with a handsome man. "It's not just tonight, right?"
"No. It will be every night as long as you want."
"Then… yes. I want you. But… but maybe not tonight. I didn't think you'd care if I wanted it or not. I thought it was just part of the job…"
"I am buying your blood, Sofia. Not your body." He pulled away from her. "This is your choice. Goodnight."
The door opened, making them all look round. Lucy and Vivian stepped to block the woman who stepped through, but Sofia grinned. She jumped to her feet, running to the woman. "Gloria! Oh, it's so good to see you! Lucy, Vivian, this is my friend, Gloria. You haven't met her, yet, but I've known her for ages."
The two vampires scowled, but let her in.
Her childhood friend hugged her, grinning. "I saw you pull up and I couldn't wait to see what you brought me."
"I didn't bring you anything, you greedy hag," Sofia teased. "I haven't gotten an RSVP from you about the wedding, either. Are you coming?"
"Yeah, I'm coming." Gloria stepped back and appraised her critically. "Goodness! You must have put on ten pounds since I last saw you. How do you plan on fitting in your wedding dress with those hips?"
Heat rushed to Sofia's face. Her weight had always been a point of embarrassment for her. Her mother had insisted from the time she was young that she was too thin, but Sofia knew it wasn't true. Everything about her was round, and she had more than a few lumps in her body. And as Gloria was never embarrassed to call her out on, she wasn't exactly good at shedding the extra pounds.
"I am going to look fabulous," Sofia told her friend. "Just wait until you see me! I wish you could be in the bridal party, though. It sucks that you have so much work that you can't get out of."
Gloria shrugged. "A witch's work is never done. But let's not talk about that. Are you excited about your wedding? What about the wedding night? I heard that vampires have massive—"
"Gloria!" Sofia's mother jumped to her feet. "Please, keep your tongue under control. There are children."
Eva had just stepped into the room, wearing the deep plum gown that Sofia had chosen for her little bridesmaid. She giggled, both hands clamped over her mouth. Sofia rushed over to her sister, clapping her hands.
"Perfect! You look just like a princess."
"Do I?" Eva looked down at herself and sighed. "Maybe when I grow up, I'll marry a vampire as well."
"You will not," her mother said sternly. "I can't stop this iron-willed sister of yours, but I won't have all my girls marry vampires. I want grandchildren, after all! You can't have babies with a vampire."
Sofia felt tension creeping into her shoulders. This had been her argument against marrying Aaron for the seven months since he proposed. "We're going to adopt, Mama. Just because I can't get pregnant with him—"
"You might be able to," Gloria interrupted. "I actually just got this new fertility potion recipe, and I'm pretty certain it will work with vampires. I'll help you make it. All you have to do is drink it before you want to conceive, and you will."
Sofia stared at her friend, excitement bubbling in her chest. It was something she had given up on, thinking that she was going to get pregnant. She had always known she wanted to adopt most of her children, but she also wanted to be pregnant, even if it was just once. And she knew that Aaron would love such a thing as well. She nodded eagerly.
"Thank you so much, Gloria! Yes, that would be wonderful."
Gloria beamed, the familiar 'I'm the best' gleam in her eye. "I'll just go back to my house to get the supplies, then, while you parade your fancy dresses."
Sofia nodded her thanks as Gloria left. Her heart pounded in excitement, and she was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hardly heard her mother asking if she was sure she wanted to play with magic… She couldn’t wait to tell Aaron about this!
Chapter Three – Aaron
Attendants buzzed around him like flies, making sure the creases of his tuxedo were crisp, and the lines of his jacket were smooth. He'd decided on a navy blue outfit for the wedding, partly because it looked great with his complexion, partly because the media was so convinced he was going to wear pure white like this bride. There was something about sticking it to the tabloids that always gave him a feeling of satisfaction.
His PA stood nearby, directing everybody in their duties while receiving frequent updates via the Bluetooth headset he wore. Aaron himself made sure he was utterly still, trying to keep his breathing even, projecting an image of calm he didn't entirely feel. Today was the day that he was going to marry the woman he loved, and it made him more nervous than he cared to admit.
He had never expected to fall in love. But from the moment Sofia walked into his life, he had been helplessly, hopelessly in love. He wanted to give her the world, and though he couldn’t do that exactly, he gave her everything else she wanted. And tonight they would be bound together. He couldn't wait until he tasted her fresh blood, flowing hot into his mouth.
Of course, he had drunk her blood before. Just not from the vein, as that would make things too heated to resist. Imagining it fresh, warm and sweet on his tongue made him ache with desire. The night couldn't come soon enough…
"Sir, there is a protest at the gates," his PA said. "The numbers are slightly larger than we expected."
Aaron rolled his eyes. Ever since his engagement to Sofia had been announced, there were protests. Apparently, some people didn't think that it should be legal for a vampire and human to marry–but there were always people like that, and as the king, Aaron couldn't let cries of disgust get in the way of other people's rights. After all, it was Sofia's choice to marry him, just as it was his choice to marry her. The protesters would just have to deal with it.
"Increase security at the walls, and make sure they're on high alert for possible magical plots," he said. Nerves were itching at the bottoms of his feet and he swallowed hard. There was still half an hour before the ceremony would take place in the grand hall. "Everybody out. I need to meditate."
His PA opened his mouth to protest, but a glare from Aaron stopped that. Everybody streamed out of the room, leaving the king alone with his thoughts. Only then did he allow his nerves to come to the forefront. He paces the room, wringing his hands. Rereleasing his nervous energy felt good.
It wasn't that he was doubting his decision to marry Sofia, nor was he worried that she would change her mind. It was the production of it all. She had scolded him for spending so much money on the wedding, and now that it was almost time for her to walk down the aisle, he was wondering if he had made the right choice by making it so big.
This wedding wasn't for him and Sofia. It was for the eyes of the world that were on them. And that was what was making him so nervous.
Aaron closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, remembering the moment that he had first told Sofia he loved her. They had gone for a picnic and were laying in the sunlight after a delicious, satisfying meal.
"I love you," he said, raising his face to the warm light.
Silence.
Aaron opened his eyes and glanced over at the human he had spent almost every moment with for the last three months. She was staring at him as though he had begun stripping naked while dancing to an eighties rock song. One of her hands went to her mouth and she began chewing on her nails.
"Sofia? I love you."
"It's only been three months."
"I know. But I love you."
Sofia's eyes narrowed. "If this is you trying to convince me to sleep over in your bed—"
Aaron grinned. "No. It's not me doing anything but saying I love you. And
I want to marry you. How about it?"
"Well. That's not a very romantic proposal." She grinned and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard. "Yes. I love you, too. Let's get married."
Somebody started talking just outside his door. Aaron's eyes snapped open. He glared at the door. What was the point of telling everybody to leave if they were just going to stand outside his door and talk to each other at the top of their lungs? Maybe he should have been more forceful in his orders.
"I tell you, he's one lucky man," the man said. "I'd give a whole month's pay for a woman that looks like that."
Whoever the man was talking to snorted. "She's too fat for my tastes."
"You can't get breasts and an ass like she's got on her without getting the full package," the first man said. "If he wasn't the king, I think I'd have a go at ramming her. Just thinking of her—"
Aaron hadn't even realized he was moving until he tore the door off its hinges. The two men just outside the room started in surprise. Their faces paled and they stepped back, but the king moved faster than both of them. He grabbed them both by the collar and smashed their heads together. His fangs flashed as he released one to pummel the other.
"If I ever hear you speaking so disrespectfully of your queen again, I'll take off your head!" he shouted.
"My lord." His PA appeared behind the two guards. "My lord! You've torn your jacket, your bride is going to be angry! You know she doesn't like you fighting, especially because of her."
Aaron punched the guard one last time before he let the vampire drop. Another growl rose from his throat as he inspected the damage he'd caused to his jacket. Both shoulders seams had popped. Great. He poked at it and shook his head.
"Can it be fixed before the wedding?"
"No." His PA shook his head. "I'll send for one of your other tuxedos, and I'll inform the wedding party that things will be slightly delayed."
"And get these two posted to wall duty," Aaron added, gesturing to the two vampires. "I don't want to see their faces again. Ever."
The two guards, one whose face was bloody and bruised, both bowed and slunk off behind the PA. Aaron lifted the door back into place, although it was going to have to the replaced, along with the doorjamb. Of all the days for this to happen… Maybe he could think up an excuse for Sofia when he confronted him about it after the wedding. Although the truth would probably be better. It usually was.
Moments later, the door fell down. Aaron turned to see his bride striding into the room, a look of disappointment on her face. He winced. Maybe he ought to have gone with his PA to go get his tux. He dropped his gaze.
"You wanted me to wait until you walked down the aisle to see you in your dress."
"I did. But I wanted to know what happened myself, instead of listening to the lies everybody kept telling me. You lost your temper again, didn't you?"
With a sigh, Aaron explained what had happened. By the time he was done, her shoulders were stopped in her strapless dress. He still didn't look at her. It was partly out of shame, but it was also because he didn't want a good look at her. When she walked down the aisle to him was supposed to be a glorious moment…
"I know that you're the king and that sometimes you have to fight," Sofia said quietly. "But ripping doors off their hinges? What was it for this time?"
"They were speaking disrespectfully about you."
Sofia shook her head. "While I appreciate that you want to protect me, this is too much. I told you that when we first started seeing each other, I didn't want a man in my life that thinks he has to police everybody around me."
Aaron shrugged. "It's just hard, trying to overcome hundreds of years of social training. The world I lived in for most of my life is far different than it is today. And that's a good thing. Society is much better than it was even fifty years ago. But it's hard to keep up."
Sofia stepped up to him and brushed her fingers against his face. "I know. And I want you to know that you are doing great. I can see how hard you're trying, and I really appreciate it. But just before our wedding?"
"I know. I'm sorry."
Aaron clasped her hands in his and let his eyes trail up her body. The dress was ice-white, the color brilliant against her skin tones, with a ball gown silhouette. The sweetheart neckline showed just the right amount of cleavage, and the lace overlays on the chiffon material made her look like she had just stepped out of a 1950s fairy tale. A beautiful white gold tiara was fixed on her head, matching a jeweled belt around her waist.
"Wow."
Sofia grinned. "Like what you see?"
"You're so beautiful. And I think I'm glad you came here. Now the first time I saw you as my bride, it's just the two of us, instead of us sharing the moment with the whole world."
Sofia ducked her head. When she looked up again, there was a coy smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. "Just wait until you see what I'm wearing under the dress."
Aaron's eyes brightened when he imagined it. Sofia gave him a saucy smile as she sauntered out as his PA rushed back in with the attendants to hurriedly ready him again. The king forced himself to relax. Soon, he and Sofia would have everything they wanted.
Chapter Four – Sofia
The wedding and following reception were both magnificent, but Sofia was glad when she and Aaron finally retired to their new, shared apartment in the palace. It had been custom-built for the two of them, but Sofia didn't pay attention to any of the fineries that Aaron had stuffed into it. At the moment, she only had eyes for her new husband.
A grin spread over her face as he carried her through the doors into the bedroom. When he set her down, he pressed his mouth to hers. She eagerly responded. Though her feet ached and her back hurt, heat swirled through her, making her body feel ten times lighter. For the first time, she didn't have to hold anything back, and she was determined to take advantage of her new-found freedom.
"Wait, I forgot to tell you!" Sofia pulled away abruptly, shaking her head. "My friend, Gloria, she found a potion that will allow me to get pregnant with you."
Aaron's eyes widened. "What? How?"
"I…" Sofia ducked her head. "I guess I didn't really think about that. I was just so excited… I meant to talk to you about it before, but we were never alone together. But I made the potion last night and I—"
"Don't tell me you took it."
"I… did."
Aaron closed his eyes and shook his head. "How long have you known about this potion?"
"A few days… I was just so excited. I know we agreed to adopt, and I want to adopt, but I just thought… having one child that I carried and gave birth to… it's something I've always wanted, Aaron. And you were busy, and whenever we were together we were busy planning wedding stuff and there were other people, and… I guess I should have waited."
The king turned away, sighing. He shook his head. "Well, at least it didn't poison you. I wish you have let the physicians run some tests on it first, though. I would love to see you swell with my child, but I would rather make sure you're safe and whole. Drinking strange potions—"
"Gloria is a good friend. She wouldn't recommend anything that might hurt me. Besides," Sofia added with a grin, "this gives us an extra excuse to lock ourselves away for a few days. The potion only lasts a week. So you will have no time to waste on running your kingdom."
Aaron sighed again, but his grin soon echoed hers. His mouth returned to hers, causing the familiar sparks to explode in her brain. She moaned, pressing herself to her toes as her bounteous skirts crushed between them. He ended the kiss with a quick nip to her lower lip. His eyes were dark as he brushed her hair off her neck.
"Let's get you out of this dress," he murmured, his voice husky. "Wouldn't want to stain it."
Sofia nearly moaned again as she nodded. Aaron kissed her deeply again, his hands tracing the curve of her hip. They moved to her back, where his fingers found the silky laces of her dress and tugged them free. Sofia felt her body decompressing as the tight garment slid of
f her, letting the heat that was building in her core flare to the rest of her.
"Oh, wow." Aaron's gaze trailed down her body, eyes widening. "You were like that the whole time?"
Sofia grinned as she stepped back, revealing the black lacy garters keeping her white stockings up… and nothing else. She giggled. "I thought it added a bit of a naughty touch."
"Naughty indeed." Aaron loosened his tie. "Lie on the bed. I want to do something I've been dreaming of since the moment I laid eyes on you."
Still giggling, Sofia ran to the bed and threw herself onto it. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, her hands trembling. She was excited to experience her husband drinking from her. But there was also trepidation. Having his fangs sink into her neck was going to hurt, no matter how blissful she assured the aftereffects were. Could she handle the pain?
Aaron tossed off his jacket as he stalked towards her, a predatory gleam in his eye. He stopped when he was standing over her, a grin on his face as he very, very slowly removed his shirt. Sofia propped herself on her elbows, enjoying the show he was giving her.
But after he tossed his shirt aside, he didn't go for her neck like she expected. Instead, he gripped her hips and pulled her to the edge of the bed before kneeling. Something inside her clenched as he kissed her thighs, separating them.
"Not that I'm complaining, but why not drink from me first?" she asked.
"You can't go straight to the orgasm without the foreplay, my sweet." His head lowered.
Sofia's spine arched, little explosions of fireworks working up and down her spine. Heat pooled in her belly and she fell back, moaning. Her eyes slid shut. She grasped the blankets beneath her, digging her fingers into the bedding. She tried to move past the pleasure that was already burning through her, brought quickly to a peak by Aaron's expertise, and tried instead to focus on him. On the sounds of satisfaction he made, the feeling of his hands on her thighs, the chuckle he gave when she rolled her hips, increasing contact.