Not ten minutes later, she held the gown up in front of her. “I think this will work great.”
The rest of the ladies were still sorting through different potential dresses for Esral to wear. More like arguing. Becky wanted to see the princess in a hot pink sheath dress. Tanya felt a long lavender sleeveless gown would look amazing on her. Charlotte had chosen a floral strappy dress with a conservative neckline. It widened out into a flared skirt that would fall mid-thigh. None of them could agree on which dress was right, but they were all in agreement that Esral should definitely not wear the robe.
Tanya felt her jaw drop when she caught sight of her gown. It was even more beautiful now that it was together. “Are you done?” She clasped her hand over her mouth for a few beats. “I can’t believe you’re done.”
The little elf giggled, the sound almost musical. “No, silly. We first need to make sure it fits properly before I do the final stitching.”
“Okay.”
“Here”—Becky threw her the bra—“don’t forget this.” She wagged her eyebrows. “I bet you that dress gets you that vampire sandwich you’ve been fanaticizing about.”
Charlotte laughed. “I happen to know that Zane quite enjoys…” She froze. Probably caught the dirty look Tanya threw her. “Oops. Sorry, I keep forgetting that humans are more reserved about such things.”
“It’s not about being reserved, I just don’t like to hear about Zane with other females.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Let me know if you ever want to know more. I have often been with two partners. There are some interesting things that you should know. Really enjoyable things the three of you could do.” Her eyes brightened. “Stuff that wouldn’t be possible with just one if you catch my drift. But then again you don’t need me to tell you because…” She dropped her eyes to the floor. “Forget I ever said anything.”
“Charlotte”—Tanya put on her best warning voice—“out with it.”
The vampire’s shoulders slumped and she let out a sigh. “You’ll just get mad.”
“I won’t.”
The vamp’s blue eyes met hers, instead of answering though she crossed her arms and pursed her lips.
“Tell me damn it.”
“Fine, Zane is already familiar with the things I was talking about. He’ll know what to do and how to do it.” Charlotte held her breath.
Although Tanya didn’t like that Charlotte had slept with Zane, hated that the female had experienced things with him she probably never would, she managed to somehow school her thoughts. “Thanks for letting me know.” She bit her lip trying to keep a tight hold on the emotions coursing through her.
“You’re not mad?”
At first Tanya had to force a smile, but when she saw the relief on the other female’s face she found herself smiling for real. Her vampire males had a past. Moping about it wouldn’t help.
Tanya turned back to Esral, who held out the gown. It was so perfect. Somehow representing each male. Very different yet working perfectly together. Each piece enhancing the other. “Oh wow,” Tanya gushed. Esral handed her the garment which she couldn’t help but to crush to her chest. Hopefully they would find a solution in their reality. If only it could be as simple as finding a seamstress.
Making for the bathroom, she turned back. “I’ll be right out.”
Tanya undressed quickly. The bra Becky had recommended was tight, her friend hadn’t lied though when she said it would make her boobs look huge. Next she stepped into the gown, holding the silky fabric to her chest.
“Please, can someone zip me up?” She said as she walked back into the bedroom. No one reacted. When she looked up, they were all looking at her with shocked expressions on their faces. “Oh my word, what’s wrong?”
“You look…” Charlotte left the sentence hanging.
“Freaking amazing!” Becky shrieked. “You’ll get your vampire sandwich for sure.”
That bundle of nerves in her tummy pulled tighter making her feel a little queasy. Her hands felt clammy and her heart raced. It wasn’t that she wasn’t sure about mating with Zane and Brant, she was just worried that the males wouldn’t behave themselves. They’d barely kept it together during her heat, would they be able to play nice today? It hurt her to even think about it, but she doubted that they could. Brant had already expressed his concerns. Neither male had communicated at all with one another about how things would proceed with the mating. She swallowed hard, her tongue sticking to her pallet.
“I need a drink,” Tanya said.
“I will pour you a water.” The tall vampire made for the table.
“I need a real drink.”
“You’re pregnant so forget about it.” Becky put her hands on her hips.
“I know, but right now a bottle or two of champagne sounds fantastic.” There was no way she’d put the baby at risk, but her nerves were starting to get the better of her. At this rate, she’d be a blithering idiot by the time the ceremony started. Tanya took a deep breath, she could do this. She could handle her men. Clenching her fists to stop the tremors, she faced her friend with a smile plastered on her face. Becky raised her eyebrows not buying the act so she turned to the large bay windows instead and nearly fainted. Zane and Brant were on the lawns. Together. Heads bowed, inches apart. Brant nodded, Zane did too. Heaven help her, it looked like they were actually agreeing on something for once.
She released a pent up breath. Her heart rate slowed down just a smidgen.
Chapter 5
This was it, the moment every girl dreamed about.
Her big day.
The strange thing was that a sense of calm had descended upon her as she stepped onto the red carpet. Tanya had never pictured that she’d ever have her ceremony in the open. Though it was a magnificent setting, with the stone castle as a backdrop and rolling lawns that were swallowed by a dense forest. The lawns were covered in chairs as vampires from both covens were present.
Becky waved from the front. Tanya felt a pang at the thought that her father wasn’t there to walk her down the aisle. That her mom couldn’t be here to see this. She could just imagine how her eyes would’ve filled with tears. Her mom could be emotional like that.
Then there was a momentary feeling of guilt that flooded her for not having invited her elderly aunt, but this wasn’t the right…situation to let her know which path she had taken. It was probably better if the old woman was kept in the dark for now. Little by little she could get her used to the whole vampire threesome thing.
She took a deep breath and clasped Xavier’s arm.
“Ready?” His silvery grey eyes met hers and she nodded once, not trusting her voice. He looked straight ahead and tensed. Tanya followed his line of vision. There stood Esral wearing the floral number that Charlotte had picked out for her. In the end Esral had decided between the various options herself. The result was astounding, the princess was petite with serious curves in all the right places. Several sets of male eyes were focused on the little elf. Tanya was sure she spotted drool on the lips of more than one. Xavier must have noticed too because his eyes narrowed and his jaw locked.
“Are you okay?” Tanya whispered.
He nodded once while taking a slow step forward.
There were certain human things that she’d requested, like an escort down the aisle and a wedding ring. Otherwise she’d followed vampire traditions. Charlotte had prepared her for what was to come. At least she hoped the slightly ditsy blonde had told her everything without either leaving something out or embellishing on anything.
Allowing her gaze to travel to the end of the red carpet for the first time, she caught Zane’s intense stare. He gave her a quick half smile as she locked eyes with him.
Managing to pull her eyes from the magnificent sight of him, she sought out Brant. His eyes smoldered for a second before he too smiled. Maybe she’d been wrong to worry. She willed herself to smile back, but her lip trembled so she bit down on it instead.
Brant wore a gre
y suit that fit his body like a second skin. Beneath the jacket was a white dress shirt and tie. Her breathing hitched because they both looked so unbelievably handsome. Zane was all in black. His big body encased in a fitting suit. His tie and dress shirt were both dark, as were his eyes as they tracked the contours of her body.
Tanya took a deep breath as she continued her walk. Each of her soon to be mates were standing at the end on either side of the aisle. Before she knew it, she was taking up position between the two males.
Her males.
She never thought she’d ever be saying those words.
“Welcome,” a voice sounded. Tanya had been so focused on Brant and Zane that she hadn’t noticed the male at the foot of the aisle. It took some effort to school her reaction because he had grey hair, hunched shoulders and lined skin. A long red velvet robe adorned his tall, bony form, the hem sweeping the ground at his feet. “Yes, child…” he said. “We do eventually age.”
Tanya bowed her head in respect, feeling bad for her reaction to the old vampire.
The start of the ceremony was very similar to that of a normal wedding, the priest welcomed everyone and all present were asked if they objected to the union.
Tanya held her breath, thankful when no one stepped forward. Brant shifted next to her, he slid his hand in hers and gave her a small squeeze. She turned her head to him and he winked. On the other side, Zane moved in a bit closer, putting his hand around her middle. There was a collective sigh from the crowd behind them. For all accounts and purposes, no matter how unorthodox, this was the royal wedding.
“I need you all to repeat after me in unison. When you speak, it will be each to one and the other...” The priest bowed his head, his eyes shut. “Let us begin,” he paused. “To you, I give of myself.”
They all repeated the words.
“My vein is your vein.”
Again they repeated.
“My blood is your blood.” Brant squeezed her hand as he spoke.
Zane leaned in so that his deep, smoky voice washed over her as he said the meaningful words.
“Together as one in this life as well as the next.”
They repeated the priest’s words and her eyes pricked. Tanya turned her head from side to side so that she could look at Brant and Zane. Both sets of eyes were dark and intense. Brant’s adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
“It is time for the ceremony.” The old vampire removed a dagger from a sheath at his side. It was a rose tinged gold, bejewelled with rubies. Both men released her. “This will sting.” The old priest directed the statement to her.
Great, the part she’d been dreading. All three of them held a hand out to the old man. The priest moved to her first. “Once I slice Brant’s hand, you need to act quick as the wound will seal.”
It didn’t feel right that this would happen one at a time. If she wanted the three of them together in this then it needed to start with her first, so she held out both her hands.
The old man seemed taken back for a beat, but then he nodded in understanding. Closing her eyes, she tried to think happy thoughts but still gasped when the sharp blade sliced through her skin. It was difficult not to react when all she wanted to do was to pull her hand away as pain flared. The priest moved to her other hand and it took everything in her not to blanch or to tell him to stop.
“Wait,” Brant said, his brow creased. “You don’t have to do this.”
She looked down at the hand that had already been cut. It welled with blood and did more than just sting a little bit. It hurt like a bitch, but she had to do this. “We’re in this together, all three of us,” she added with emphasis. Brant’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t try and talk her out of it. She reached her hand further towards the priest. Both males put their hands on her back meeting somewhere in the middle. Both stiffened and snapped their arms away.
The knife sliced a second time hurting more than the first, if that was even possible.
****
Not reacting to his female’s pain was one of the most difficult things that he had ever had to endure. There was nothing he could do to help her through this. If only there was some magical way in which he could carry her pain. Zane knew he would if he could.
Her mouth was set in a firm, white line. Determination and pain warred with her delicate features.
“Congratulations”—the Sentinel lifted his watery eyes—“finally a human female fit to be queen.” He bowed low to Tanya in the ultimate show of respect even though she was not yet queen. “Now to complete the ceremony.” He gestured to both Zane and Brant and they held their hands out to the priest palms up. Almost in one swift motion, he sliced both of their palms. The tiniest sting, a minor irritation. Then again, he had almost died many times and had healed from so many wounds inflicted in so many places. Not to feel pain in this moment was not something to celebrate. Brant didn’t flinch either.
Using the same quick movement the Sentinel had used moments earlier, both he and Brant reached for their female. Already he could feel his flesh knit.
“My blood is your blood,” they announced in unison.
His female repeated after them.
“With the rising of the new sun, Tanya Milan shall be queen.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” She looked at the Sentinel and then to each of them.
Brant smiled and his eyes flared with understanding. “I have it here, Cenwein.” He reached into his jacket pocket at his chest and removed a small blue velvet box.
The rings.
Zane reached into his pants pocket while glancing over at Brant who carefully slipped a band onto Tanya’s finger. It comprised of a large diamond surrounded by smaller rubies on either side. It was an alien emotion for him, but for just a second he felt uncertain. What if he’d made the wrong decision? What if she didn’t like it? Maybe he should’ve chosen something new. Something with less ghosts attached to it.
His female turned to him and his throat constricted. She had left her hair down and it swirled around her face on an unexpected breeze. A beautiful smile adorned her face. Holding out her hand, she took a small step towards him.
Pushing down the uncertainty, he squeezed his hand over the ring. It had been in his family for centuries and consisted of a large oval ruby in a simple setting. All of the queens of the past had worn it and it was only fitting that his queen would do the same. Careful not to hurt her, he slipped the ring into place. Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled.
“Good.” The Sentinel folded his hands in front of him. “Now”—he paused—“with fang and body it shall be done.”
The coven all stood and everyone clapped.
“Kiss her. Kiss her.” A tiny human female bounced just to the left of them. Tanya’s best friend continued to shout for them to kiss.
Zane couldn’t wait to finally mark his female. As dusk approached, he could feel the new moon calling. His dick twitched. Turning, he watched Brant claim her lips first. Possessiveness struck, the emotion welled until he could be denied no longer. He clasped his female’s waist and gave a small pull forcing them apart. Brant’s eyes narrowed in…hate. Pure and simple, what the other male felt for him went beyond simple dislike. Brant hated him.
Well tough. Brant would have to deal. Zane was done trying to appease the other male where Tanya was concerned. Sick to death of trying to keep Brant’s feelings in mind, or of offering to share their female during his time with her.
That punch to the face two days ago had been the last straw. Brant and Tanya had come back from their field trip to Sweetwater. The first thing Brant had done was seek him out and flatten his nose. Why? Because according to Brant, Zane had tried to steal his moment when all Zane had wanted was to please their female. Inviting Tanya’s friend had been about making Tanya happy. It had sweet fuck all to do with Brant. The other male could get knotted for all he cared.
Zane tugged her towards him. Her soft body fit perfectly against his. Dipping his head, he captured her
lips deepening the kiss as his hands clasped her tighter. His gums tingled as his fangs tried to descend. A low growl sounded behind them. Brant’s eyes were glowing. Instead of stopping, he wrapped his arms more firmly around his female while still keeping his eyes on Brant.
Mine.
Zane broke the kiss just as Brant took a step towards them. The muscles at his neck roped, his hands were in fists at his side. For a moment he was tempted to take back her sweet lips just to prove a point, but the whole thing would end up blowing up if he did. His soon to be mate would not appreciate a public fight so he held back.
“Let’s go,” he whispered. Tanya turned her gaze to Brant as Zane ushered her in the direction of the waiting vehicles.
“Sheesh, Charlotte wasn’t exaggerating when she said we would leave immediately. Do you feel the call of the new moon?”
Zane couldn’t help but to chuckle. “Yeah, Ysnaar. I can’t wait to be inside you in all ways. To hear you scream as I make you mine.” Her lashes fused and her nostrils flared. The scent of arousal clouded the air around them as Brant stepped up latching a hand around her waist.
Zane had to fight a snarl. With difficulty, he pulled his eyes from the other male’s direction.
“I thought it had to be dark?” she asked.
“It will be by the time we get to my cabin.”
His female gasped, “Is it safe?”
“The wolves are no longer a threat and will swear allegiance once Stephany is back.” Brant smiled down at their female as he spoke. “There will be guards posted. We thought we could use the privacy.”
“We wanted to get away. The new moon can be just as hectic as the heat,” Zane added. With what they had in mind, being away from the castle would be best. A fight was long overdue. He had been wrong to try and keep things amicable. It was not the vampire way.
Their little human sat between them in the back of the SUV. Neither male dared touch her. As dark descended, Zane felt his resolve slip. His gums ached. His dick was hard as steel. His nail beds tingled, his claws barely contained beneath the surface. The need to fuck rode him hard.
#5 Chosen by the Vampire Kings: BBW Romance (Part 5: Red Lust) Page 6