“I’ll be right there.” I turn to my future sisters. “Alyssa, Selene, thank you so much for your help today. I don’t know what Damien will want to do now, but, in case I don’t see you again today, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” I hug them both, surprising them, I think, then go join Damien in the hall.
“Are you finished, Chérie?” he asks me. “We need to go find our Bonding gifts.”
“We give gifts?”
He shakes his head. “Not exactly, these are offerings to our Goddesses.”
“Oh, okay. To the mall?”
He nods. “That is as good a place as any to start.”
***
We walk through the mall, combing through every store carefully. Damien explains that there are no set guidelines for Bonding Gifts, but I want to find something perfect. I’m sure that when I find it I’ll know. We look at jewelry, knick-knacks, and everything in between. I’m getting tired of searching when we try a dingy little store in the corner that looks out of place. I carefully examine each dusty display case, searching for the perfect gifts.
“Damien! Come look!” I’ve found several small, ceramic figurines, two of which are perfect. They depict identical women with long flowing gowns and hip-length hair. Signs of the night surround one, and the other is surrounded by signs of the day. “Are these too small?”
“No, they are exquisite,” he answers with a pleased smile. He pays for the two figurines and the cashier packages them away in Styrofoam and boxes. On our way out of the mall, I spot a really cute black mini-dress with ruching and decide to try it on. It comes a little short of mid-thigh, but it looks really good on me. When I step out of the dressing room to show Damien, his eyes pop.
I grin at his expression. “Do you like it?”
His shock slowly morphs into a heated smile. “I think you should wear it home, Chérie.”
“Okay, then let me get my clothes.” He insists on paying for the dress, saying he’ll get more enjoyment out of it than I will. My other clothes are put in a bag, and I follow him out to his motorcycle.
I put on my helmet and climb on behind him, pull myself right up against his back. “I wouldn’t want to show off too much to others. This dress is really short.”
“You play a dangerous game, Chérie,” his voice is a growl. I let my hand dip down, brushing the top of his jeans, then grab on tight as he speeds out of the parking lot. The ride home is quick; I don’t want to know how fast we’re going. The world passing by in a blur is a good enough indication. I barely get the door closed before he’s pinning me against it.
“Ma chère, I desire you so.” He bends down and kisses my neck.
It takes me a moment to formulate an answer. “You know we have to wait.”
He runs his lips up my neck to my ear. “But Elysabeth—”
I give him a little push, before my hormones get the best of me. “No, Damien, you know better than I why we can’t.”
He sighs. “You are right, of course, Chérie.” He pulls away and looks at me with eyes dark with desire.
I grin. “But, you’re allowed a drink, right?”
“Not here.” He picks me up easily and carries me up to my room. He lays me carefully on my bed, then slides his way up my body.
“Damien, what—” He silences me with a kiss, a good one too, before working his way back down to my neck. Without warning he bites, and takes several drinks, sending us both into waves of ecstasy.
“Elysabeth,” he pants. “I shall never . . . grow tired . . . of the exquisite . . . taste . . . of your blood.”
“I wonder what yours will taste like.” I grin at him, evilly. “I can think of some great places to bite you,” I purr.
He nuzzles my neck. “Really? You have a few places I would like to try as well, ma chère.”
We lean back against the headboard to calm down a bit, and my eyes land on the mask he gave me for Christmas. I giggle at my new understanding of his reactions to my gifts.
He gives me a little squeeze. “What is so funny, Chérie?”
“I remembered your reactions to my presents. It must have been so hard for you to not reveal your title, or the goddesses.”
“It was. Why do you think it took me so long to comment on the pocket watch? Everything I thought to say would have revealed more than I cared to. Then again, between the crown and the moon phases, I was certain you had discovered my secret.”
I shake my head. “If only I had. That would have been helpful.”
He nods. “Indeed.”
After a few minutes, we go back downstairs to watch a movie. Damien loses interest halfway through, and decides to braid my hair. He has, apparently, often braided his sisters’ hair, and knows they find it relaxing. When the movie is over, I make us both dinner, before asking if he intends to stay the night. I’m joking, but he apparently takes the question seriously.
“I suppose that as long as we actually sleep, there is no harm in it.”
“Great.” We put the dishes in the dishwasher then Damien goes outside to cover his motorcycle. I go upstairs to my room, intent on finding some pajamas, as I so seldom wear them. I find an old, oversized t-shirt I can wear with my underwear that will do. I take the clothes with me into the bathroom and turn on the shower. I don’t know how long it will take him to get back upstairs, but I figure I should probably hurry. I’m not fast enough.
“You are far too tempting to leave alone, Elysabeth,” Damien whispers in my ear as his arms encircle me. “Perhaps I can wash your back?”
I sigh happily, pressing back into him. “All right, but no funny business.” We spend some time washing each other before we finally step out of the shower and dry off. Considering what we’ve just done, I decide to forgo my pajamas. I towel my hair dry then lead him out to my room, tossing the shirt on my dresser before climbing into bed. He stands at the door to the bathroom, looking stunned.
“Decided not to stay?” I tease.
He shakes his head slightly, then joins me. “You do not wear nightclothes either?”
“Nope. It’s more comfortable this way, isn’t it?” I turn off the light and turn on my alarm.
“Yes, indeed.”
I snuggle into him, and let my hand drift down his stomach. “Good-night, Damien.”
He groans. “This will be the most difficult night I have ever spent, you minx.”
I giggle. “You mean the hardest?”
He kisses my forehead. “Indeed. Good-night, Chérie.”
***
The next morning when I wake, Damien is gone. He’s left a note on my alarm, though.
Elysabeth,
I could not trust myself to abstain with you lying next to me so deliciously bare. I hope you forgive me for leaving you in the night. I will see you soon.
Yours eternally,
Damien
I carefully put away the note then get ready for the day. I call my mom for a short chat, letting her know I’ve been really busy lately. I don’t correct her when she assumes it’s with homework and projects. When I get downstairs, Shawn is sitting at the kitchen table.
“Good morning, Shawn! What would you like for breakfast?”
“You’re in a good mood,” he grumbles with typical morning surliness.
“Yeah, I am. So, what would you like?” I don’t usually offer to cook, but I’m feeling rather pleased this morning.
“Pancakes?”
“Coming right up.” When we’re done, I dump the dishes in the dishwasher. “So, where were you last night?”
“I was at the library until it closed. I’m so glad this is our last semester. These finals are going to kill me!”
“Aw, you’ll make it through no problem, Shawn. You’re still coming to see my dress today, though, right?”
“Of course, wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He grins and blushes.
“Uh, huh, and it has nothing to do with a certain vampiress?”
Shawn turns a darker red and I let it go. Damien arri
ves not long after. We plan to hang out for a while before going to his house.
“Elysabeth, how are you?” He asks, pulling me into a hug.
I cuddle into him. “I’m great. I had a great night’s sleep.” I grin. “How are you?”
Before Damien can answer, his phone rings. He pulls it out and mouths a “Sorry” to me. I nod.
“Hello, Father . . . Yes, she is here with me . . . I am glad you found what you were looking for . . . Yes, we will be there this afternoon . . . Perfect . . . Goodbye, Father.”
“Your father is back from France?”
“No, but he has found some information about your family history.”
“That’s wonderful, what did he find?”
“I do not know. He asked that we call him when we are at my parents’ house.”
“Okay, then we should probably get going.” Shawn claps his hands enthusiastically.
“Eager, are we, Shawn?”
He’s completely unembarrassed. “Hell, yes.” I smile to see him so happy.
I grab my purse from my room then meet Damien and Shawn outside. “Damien, I’d like to speak with Shawn, so, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll ride with him.”
“I will see you there, then, Elysabeth.” He gives me a quick kiss, then gets on his motorcycle. Damien rides down the driveway, then takes off down the street. I don’t usually see him from this point of view on his motorcycle; he’s breathtaking.
Once Shawn and I are on our way, he shoots me a quick look. “What’s up, Lys?”
“I’ve decided I won’t be inviting my parents to my Bonding ceremony,” I say, staring at my hands. “They won’t understand, especially my dad. And I certainly can’t tell them that Damien and his family are vampires. But you are meant to be there. You were in the dream I had. I’d like you to walk me down the aisle. Would you?”
“You . . . wow, Lys! Thanks, that means a lot. I’d love to, yeah, sure!” His face falls. “Shit. I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I’m sure we can find you something, or have something made.”
“Right, a seamstress on premises.”
“Yeah.”
“So, have you considered your plans for after school now that you’re joining a family of vampire royalty?”
“No, not really. That part sort of got left out with all of the revelations. Damien and I discussed the necessity of me moving to France with him though. I can understand the reasoning, but I’m not happy about it. He and I will definitely need to discuss this more once this whole Bonding craziness is over. I’d like to maintain some aspects of the future I envisioned for myself, and don’t see any reason why I can’t.”
“You mean other than becoming a princess?” There’s laughter in his voice.
“If they can just leave home for a year, there’s no reason why I can’t spend time here for work. I don’t want to just leave everyone behind.”
“If you leave, I’ll miss you.” I hate how small his voice becomes.
“Maybe you’ll come too? I’d love to have you with us. I don’t intend to let our friendship go. I’m sure you can teach math in France, too. And I know it’s too early to think of the long term with you and Selene, but she said she feels a connection with you, too.”
“Lys, she’s a princess, literally. I’m finishing up my math degree. I don’t have anything to offer her,” he says sadly.
“Damien will be king, and I’m with him.”
“But you’re his Chosen. I mean, yes, he loves you, but the situation is different. You’re special. Do you honestly believe the king will let his daughter choose me? I’m sure she’s destined for some rich and powerful vampire. I’m just a 22-year-old human.” He does a great job of keeping his voice even, but I know him well enough to realize he’s hurting.
“Shawn,” I say, putting a hand on his shoulder. “If that’s really how you feel, then why are you spending so much time with her? Won’t it make it harder later?”
He sighs. “Yeah, it will. But I can’t help it, Lys. She’s amazing. I want to spend every possible minute with her. It’s like a physical ache when we’re apart.”
I sympathize with him. I felt like that when Damien and I first started seeing each other. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she was your Destined. But, you know, I’ll be queen someday, maybe sooner rather than later. I’m certain I can convince them—”
He shakes his head emphatically as he cuts me off. “No, Lys, don’t do that. You don’t want people to feel like you’re throwing your power around.”
“You’re a great catch, Shawn. You’re loyal, caring, a wonderful friend, and, I’m certain, an amazing partner to Selene no matter what anyone else may think. We know now why it never worked between us, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work between you two. If you truly mean to just let her go, then I think you should stop visiting. It’s not fair to either of you.”
Shawn sighs, but doesn’t say anything further as we arrive at Damien’s home. Damien and Selene are waiting out front. I shoot Shawn a grin. “I don’t think she’s waiting for me.” Shawn’s surly mood vanishes as he gets out of the car.
“Hi, Selene. How are you?”
“I’m wonderful. And yourself?”
“Much better for seeing you.”
Selene blushes and leads Shawn inside. “Come on, Lys,” she calls. “We’re meeting in the library to speak with my father.”
“Okay.” We follow Shawn and Selene into the library where everyone is already seated. This is obviously a family meeting, which means the news has to be big. I say hello to everyone then sit between Damien and his mother. Damien pulls out his phone and connects it to a speaker before dialing his father.
“Damien, are you all there?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Cuore Mio, what have you found?”
“Selini, if . . . when this information becomes public, we may face a difficult decision. Elysabeth, you are, truly, one-of-a-kind. My suspicions have proven correct.”
No way. Not possible. I take a deep breath. “How so, Mr. Delanciennes?”
“Not only are you the first Chosen destined to be queen, you are a direct descendant of our Goddess Nyx.” It seems like there’s an explosion of noise as everyone starts talking at once, but then the noise mutes.
“Elysabeth!” I hear Damien as though from far away before he pushes me down so my head is between my knees. That seems to help. After a few minutes, my hearing returns to normal, and I push back against his hand to sit up.
“I’m okay, Damien, I just—“ I swallow. “I wasn’t expecting that. Mr. Delanciennes, that’s not possible. Wouldn’t my family know its ancestry includes a goddess?”
“Miss Vance, forgive me, I should have found some less startling way to notify you. However, I assure you I speak the truth. There are well over a hundred generations between our Goddess and yourself. It is not surprising the connection was lost to time.”
“No, that’s okay, Mr. Delanciennes. And please, it’s Lys. So how were you able to trace it?”
“If you are certain, Miss—”
“I don’t care who I’m related to,” I interrupt him. “I’m Lys.”
“Very well. Now, our Goddess apparently mated with the second youngest son of the original vampire family. The reason why has been lost to history. However, it is obviously unusual. They had one child. Until fairly recently, your family has been fairly prominent. This makes it possible to trace your maternal line directly up to our Goddess Nyx and Ditanu.”
“Wait, Ditanu, of . . . of the first vampire family?” I speak slowly. “So . . . so . . . I’m . . . I’m related to your family? You would have descended from Alulim, right? Oh, hell, this is too much.” My stomach lurches, and I consider that I’ve been intimate with a cousin.
“Lys, please, calm yourself. The relation is minor; it must be traced back over 5,000 years. If traced back that far, almost anyone can be related to anyone else. You are no more closely related to us than you are
to your friend Shawn. You simply know the connection between our family and yours. Our ancestors have had no association since the time of Alulim and Ditanu.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to concentrate on that. “Okay, it doesn’t sound so bad when you put it that way. I think I can handle this. So, um, what exactly does this mean?”
“I am not entirely certain yet, Lys, I will do some more research before leaving tonight. I should return by tomorrow afternoon. I will attempt to answer your questions then.”
“Thank you, Mr. Delanciennes, for telling me.”
“You are welcome, Lys. I will see you all tomorrow. Selini, you have my love.”
“And you have mine, Donovan.” I smile at the love between them. If Damien and I are even a fraction as much in love as they are when we’ve been together for as many years, I will consider myself very lucky indeed. The meeting breaks up, and all of the ‘children’ go out back to the yard.
Selene comes up beside me. “Well, Elysabeth, I suppose I may call you cousin?” She says.
I can’t stop my grimace. “I think I’d prefer Lys for now, Selene. Cousin is a reminder that we’re related, however distantly, and that’s kind of weird for me.” Her face falls. “But I look forward to calling you sister.” I’m pleased when she smiles once more. “I’d like to speak with you in private if possible.”
“Of course, I will show you the maze.” I follow her into the hedge maze, excited. I’ve never been in one before. “What do you wish to speak of?”
“Shawn,” I blurt out, and she blushes. “I have to know, Selene, what do you feel for him? Is this just a quick fling before you return to France? If so, please don’t lead him on anymore. It will be hard enough for him as it is.”
She stares down at her fidgeting hands. “Shawn is lucky to have such a good friend. I acknowledge the truth of your statement; however, I currently do not intend to return to France permanently. I will, of course, be expected to attend my Grand Coming out, which means going home for the summer, but I hope Shawn will join me as my official escort.”
My eyes widen. She’s definitely not messing around. “That sounds like a big thing.”
“It is. It is also not something typically done. But I do not wish to be parted from him.” Her brow furrows. “We may not know each other well, but we share a real connection already. I know he is special, and I would like to get to know him better.”
The Most Special Chosen (Exalted Bloodlines Book 1) Page 29