by Sonya Jesus
I don't know if that's a good thing. I raise my eyebrow and eye her skeptically. "What do you mean?"
"You are not my Chosen," she says earnestly. "I have experienced none of the signs that I am a Destined. I never felt the Pull, I experienced no lack of desire, I never even felt incomplete." She counts each item off on her fingers. "But after speaking with Damien, I am convinced we are not typical mates, either.
"Mates do not generally experience a sense of connection like we have. Nor does a vampire know instantly that they have met their mate. And the way I felt when I thought Mother was going to forbid a relationship with you..." She trails off, shaking her head.
I take her hands so she'll look at me. "I briefly considered walking away from this." I tell her. The fear creeping into her eyes makes me want to reassure her that everything will be fine, but she deserves to know this.
"There are significant obstacles in our way, and I didn't want to risk getting my heart broken. But just the thought of staying away from you made my chest hurt. I experienced literal heartache." The fear in her eyes is replace by wonder. "I kind of thought it was just a vampire thing." I grin sheepishly.
She shakes her head. "No, that is not normal. I don't know what we are to each other Shawn, but we must make this work. I cannot walk away from us."
I tug on her hands to bring her closer. "You don't have to," I say softly. Her head tilts up, and her eyes flutter closed as she leans toward me. Feeling victorious, I lean down to meet her. I meant for the kiss to be soft and tender, but as our lips touch, her passion flares.
Elly pulls her hands free of mine and runs them up my arms to grasp my shoulders. Following her lead, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her to me as tightly as possible.
Her kisses are intensely heated. I feel like if we weren't standing in her backyard, she'd be ripping my clothes off.
She breaks away from me suddenly, and we stare at each other. The air is crackling with sexual tension. Her eyes are nearly black, and full of raw hunger. We're both breathing hard, chests heaving as the moment draws out.
She moves forward, making me move back to make space for her. After a couple steps, my legs hit something solid and I thump down onto a bench. Elly doesn't waste any time. She climbs up onto the seat, straddling me.
My arms automatically circle her, holding her in place. She kisses me again, but I can tell she's more in control of herself, even as she grinds down against me. I can feel her moist heat through my pants, and it's enough to drive me insane.
My brain is about to cede complete control to my dick, when, abruptly, she's sitting on the bench next to me. I blink at the sudden loss of her heat and weight. What the hell just happened?
When I glance at her, she holds a finger to her lips. Okay, I can be quiet. But I still don't know what's going on.
Alyssa appears around the corner, nose in a book. "Hello Aly," says Selene cheerfully.
Alyssa starts and drops her book. "Oh! Forgive me, Sister! I didn't mean to intrude. Shawn, my apologies also. I won't trouble you further." Before I can say anything, she's gathered her book and has disappeared. Vampire speed can certainly be disconcerting.
Elly lets out a breath, though of frustration or relief, I'm not sure. "We ought to continue our discussion. As you may remember, this summer is my Grand Coming Out. I'd intended to ask one of my brothers to serve as my official escort. However, I would very much like you to fulfill that role."
I don't have to understand everything about vampire culture to know that what she's asking me is huge. "How will that possible, Elly?"
"There are two options. The first is for you to officially," she draws air quotes, "become my conquest. No one will question that you are at my side if you do so."
I'm going to learn to hate that word. "I don't know that I can do that, Elly. It sounds so demeaning. I don't want to sacrifice my integrity like that. I know you won't see me the same way others will, but I deserve better than to be seen as a pet." It's hard to say no to her. I want to be at her side, but not like that.
She nods, staring at a spot on the hedge. "I can understand that. Perhaps the second option will be more to your taste." She turns back to me. "You can ask my father for permission to court me."
I blink quickly as I process what she's just said. A courtship. If it's anything like the human world, courtship leads to marriage. Matehood? "I thought royalty doesn't mate with humans."
"Those were my mother's words. What I propose is speaking with my father at Lys' Bonding ceremony. He will be in a good mood then. And, if Lys' dream proves to be prophetic, then we have an additional bonus, in that he would never considering making a scene before our Goddess. I think this is our best chance of him ever saying yes. And once he has agreed, my mother cannot disagree."
My heart pounds as I consider having to ask the king for permission to date, no court, his daughter. But Elly is looking up at me with eyes full of hope, and I won't take that away from her.
I nod. "If that's what I need to do, that's what I'll do."
She hugs me tightly, planting a kiss on my cheek. "So, you'll be my escort?"
I nod. "Yeah, as long as your dad lets me." Another potential problem occurs to me. "But that's in France, right?"
"Yes, at our castle in Nièvre."
Damn. "My parents will want to meet you before we travel together." I suddenly wish I had a great job and enough money to pay for my own trip. While my parents fund my life, they can set the rules. "Maybe," I say slowly as an idea occurs to me, "you can meet them at my graduation?"
"I suppose. Do you think they'll like me?" She asks shyly.
"Of course! What's not to like?" I say with a grin. "Oh, just don't mention being a princess," I tell her quickly. "Or a vampire. Damn, and they're sure to ask what you do."
"Can we simply tell them that my family is well-off and I spend my time volunteering for various charities?" She looks up at me hopefully.
I shake my head. "I don't think that would be a good idea. I don't want them to think you're a spoiled little rich girl who expects me to take care of her."
Her forehead wrinkles. "Oh, yes, good point."
"We could say you're still in school! You certainly look young enough."
She nods. "We'll tell them I'm studying fashion design. I can fake that well enough."
"Great, it's decided. I'll let them know you exist so it's not a complete shock when I introduce you after the graduation ceremony."
Her face lights up as she breathes a relieved sigh. "It's a plan."
SHAWN
The next morning, my ringtone startles me out of my laser focus on my homework. I snatch it up and peer at the screen for a moment before answering. "Elly?"
"Hello, Shawn. Are you busy?"
I stare at my assignments scattered across my desk. "Nope, just waiting until it's time to head over for Lys' Bonding. What's up?"
"I'll be passing near your house on my way home. If you'd like, I can pick you up on my way."
Hell yeah, alone time with my Elly. "Do you have a little extra time?" I ask her.
"I do... technically." She sighs. "But I ought to be home in case anything unexpected happens. Mother will be cross with me if she needs me and I'm not home."
Damn. No sexy fun time for us, then. "At least I'll get to spend a little extra time with you. When should I be ready?"
"Ten minutes," she answers, and hangs up after a hurried goodbye.
Selene arrives precisely on time, and it doesn't take long to get to her house.
"Mother!" She calls out as we enter. "I'm home if you need me!" She waits a moment, then nods, clearly having heard something I didn't.
With a sultry smile, she leads me to her room. "Unfortunately," she says softly, closing the door, "my room is not soundproofed, either, but I imagine we can find some fairly quiet ways to amuse ourselves."
I step closer and grin down at her. "It shouldn't be too difficult." I let my voice deepen. "Can you stay quiet, Elly?"
The small whimper that escapes her tells me everything I need to know. My hands slide lightly up her arms, and I lean down to kiss her neck.
Her head falls to the side, and I ghost kisses from her earlobe to her shoulder, enjoying her shudder each time my lips touch her skin. She's far more sensitive than most of the girls I've been with. I wonder if it's a vampire thing.
I let my hands slide slowly down the front of her shoulders, giving her plenty of time to stop me if she wants. But she doesn't move, so I let my hands reach her chest, cupping her breasts.
I knead them gently, then with more force when she arches into me with a quiet moan. The movement pushes her ass against my dick, which is already painfully hard. I suck in a breath at the contact.
I slide my hands lower, following the curves of her sides and down to her hips. With a firm grip, I pull her hips back against me and thrust my hips forward against her. We both groan at the delicious torture of that contact.
Her hands reach back and grab hold of my thighs, giving her extra leverage to grind against me.
"Dammit, Elly, that feels good." My hands drop even lower, to the hem of her dress, and run slowly back up her bare legs. Her movement against me grows more frantic the higher I go.
I stop just before the apex of her thighs. Her frustrated groan makes me grin. "Do you want something, Elly?"
"Touch me!" She demands.
I nibble her earlobe. "I am touching you. You feel amazing under my hands."
"No, touch my sex. My bud. Please!" Although I've never heard anyone refer to their bits that way, I'm certainly not going to complain. Not when she sounds so needy.
I trail my right hand back up her body to her breast and slide the other under her panties to cup her mound. Her pleased sigh as she presses into my hands is like a shot of aphrodisiac. I swear I can feel my heartbeat through the head of my dick. How is it that just having my hands on her is so intense?
I run my thumb over her nipple, and she cries out, arching her back to press further into my hand.
"You're supposed to be quiet, Elly. If you can't be quiet, I'll have to stop."
She breathes out a quiet moan. "No, please don't stop."
I slide my middle finger along her slit, groaning at how wet she is. "God damn, Elly. You need this, don't you?"
"Yes!" she moans. "I need more!"
My finger presses deeper, just teasing her entrance, relishing her little panting moans. I swear she's ready to cum already. She's so much fun to touch.
"Ready?" I whisper at her ear.
"Mm hmm." I slowly feed my finger into her. She's tight. I wonder how long it's been since she was with someone.
"Yeeessss." She sighs contentedly when I've penetrated her fully. Elly tenses as her phone starts ringing, completely killing the moment. "Ignore it," I tell her.
"I can't," she laments. She pulls away from me, and I reluctantly let her go. My hands already miss her warmth. "It's Aly. She said she'd call me when she and Lys were coming through the gate. We'll have to postpone our fun."
Damn! I was really enjoying this. "Okay, Elly. Go do your thing. We have plenty of time to have fun."
Elly gestures to the door to her right. "Feel free to utilize the facilities." Her eyes drop to my crotch. "You may be well served by a shower."
She winks at me before straightening her dress and heading out the door. She's right, I'd better take a cold shower before leaving the room.
SELENE
Cursing their ill timing, I race to meet Aly and Lys in the hallway.
"I thought that was for weddings." Lys questions Aly's declaration that Damien can't see her until their Bonding.
"Where do you think that tradition came from?" I ask her. "Now, come along for lunch." While she eats, we discuss hairstyles, then hurry her down the hall to start catching up on her preparation schedule.
Aly walks Lys through the entire schedule, answering her questions as necessary, while we prepare for flower oil massages. Rose to represent our Goddess Nyx for Lys and lavender to represent our Goddess Diasta for Aly and myself. A massage is one of life's underrated pleasures.
We slowly find ourselves closer to on schedule, as Lys proves to be incredibly efficient. She both knows what she likes, and how to ask for it, excellent qualities in a future queen.
"Isn't that supposed to be for one night?" Lys asks as we place a few boxes of condoms in her going away bag.
I shrug. "One never knows how enthusiastic you'll be." I tell her. "There's been a bit of a dry spell." Truthfully, we're packing extras as we can't be certain that Damien has thought to purchase any.
"Goddesses, save me. I'll remember this for your bondings." She warns. That makes me pause, considering I have already found my mate, but Aly just finishes packing, completely unfazed.
"Who knows when that will be," she says airily. "Now, we need to get you in your dress." Lys stands on the pedestal we brought into the room earlier, and Hilda rolls in her dress moments later.
Between the four of us, we have Lys dressed and accessorized in short order. Aly and I help each other into our own gowns before pulling Lys' attention away from her reflection.
Mother meets us in the entrance hall. She holds her arms out to Lys as she approaches. "Oh, Cara, you look exquisite."
"Thank you, Mrs. Delanciennes," she answers, blushing.
"Are we ready?" We all nod eagerly and climb carefully into the limo. While Lys is confined to the tent so our brothers and father don't see her before the ceremony, Aly and I rush among the group, relaying messages and information.
When Shawn arrives, I take him aside to see how he's doing.
"I know you're nervous about speaking to my father, but I'm sure you'll do fine."
His eyes dart back and forth as though looking for an escape. "I... yeah... thanks?"
"Really, Shawn, everything will work itself out. Even if my father says no, there's no reason why you can't pose as my conquest. No one will judge either of us."
He nods. "I know, really. It's just, this is nerve-wracking." He stares at his shoes.
"There's something else, isn't there?"
"Lys has been my absolute best friend, my sister, really, for the past eight years," he tells his shoes. "And now, everything's changing. I mean, I knew things would change when we graduated, but I thought it would be a little while until we both found people and decided to go our separate ways." He sniffles lightly, still refusing to meet my gaze.
"I don't want to be those friends who only talk to each other once every few weeks or months. I'm afraid she's going to ride off into her happily ever after and leave me behind." He finally looks up and meets my eyes. "And I feel guilty because of course I want her to be happy. But I want to be a part of her happiness, like I have been."
My heart goes out to him. For this brief moment, he's not my mate or potential partner. He's a vulnerable young man who desperately needs some advice.
"Shawn," I say calmly. "There's nothing wrong with what you're feeling. Humans aren't well adapted to change. Vampires aren't either, really. But we all seek comfort. And there is comfort in known entities. You and Lys are both embarking on a new journey. But I'll bet she needs you just as much as you need her."
"But she has Damien now. He's — "
"A lovely person," I interrupt, "but no substitute for someone who knows her so well. Both her and my brother will require your assistance. Lys, in dealing with her new life, and my brother, in dealing with Lys. You will be invaluable to them both."
His eyes shine with a renewed hope at my words. "And," I say, offering him a playful smile. "As my mate, you won't ever be far from her."
He pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank you, Elly. For making me feel better and for understanding my relationship with Lys." He pulls back to look me in the eye. "Every one of my
exes has been jealous of her."
"What is there to be jealous of? Yes, she is your best friend, but she is my brother's Chosen. There will never be anything between the two of you beyond friendship."
"You're a special woman, Selene."
His words, spoken so sincerely, make me melt a little. "And you are a special man, Shawn." I hear Aly calling to me. It's almost time to start the ceremony. "Shawn, we have twenty minutes before midnight. You should speak with Elysabeth. I bet you will both feel better."
"Thanks, Elly." He brushes my cheek tenderly, then leans forward and kisses my forehead.
SHAWN
I rush into the tent, Elly's words on my mind, but I'm brought to a stop when I see Lys. "Wow, Lys, you look amazing." She would put any model or actress to shame.
Her smile at my words light up her face. "Thanks, Shawnie. And look at you!" She gestures at my body. "Selene's not going to be able to keep her hands off."
Wouldn't that piss her parents off. Shit! I still have to speak to Mr. Delanciennes. "Speaking of Selene, she told me I have to ask her dad for permission to date her." I have to get this off my chest. Lys should know what's going on. "She thought tonight would be best since he'll be all soft with the Bonding, but I don't know. I can't see how he'll be okay with me dating her. I'm a nobody. What if he says no?" I stop pacing and stare at her. I don't want to be Selene's conquest. I want to be her mate. "Lys, I don't know if I can do this!"
Lys' expression takes on that faraway look I've come to recognize recently. She's receiving information. "I'm sure it will be fine, Shawnie." She says when her eyes refocus. "Selene wouldn't have made the suggestion if he's likely to say no. You have to trust that she knows her father."
"Yeah." I nod. Okay, whatever she just found out has made her confident. That's a good thing. "Yeah, that's a good point."
She bumps me with her elbow. "You'll be fine. Mr. Delanciennes will say yes, and you'll get to date the lovely Miss Selene." She waggles her eyebrows at me, making me grin.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lys."
"Any time, Shawnie. Thank you for being here for me tonight. Thank you for always being here for me."