“I love you,” I whispered before I captured her pouty lips with my own. God, she tasted of roses. I made a mental note to have the servants cover the mansion in nothing but white and red roses.
I continued my assault on her as she cooed and growled. I could hear the sounds of our lovemaking over the hiss of the shower. With nothing more than a growl from her lips, I felt her sex tighten on me and then she was flying. Her back arched and her hips bore down on me…and I was lost. I felt my seed shoot straight into her, and I smiled like a fool. I love marking my mate.
Mine!
Eventually the water began to cool and that was our queue to get ready for our trip to the hospital. Charity hadn’t quit smiling since we left the shower. Her emotions had calmed and now all she felt was love. But she still hadn’t spoken very much since we awoke for the evening.
“Are you okay?” The silence was killing me. I had to know if she was alright.
“I’m fine,” she smiled. I watched as she dressed for the night in a tight pair of jeans that hugged her in all the right places, and a pale blue sweater that would have made her old eyes sparkle.
“Are you ready?” I asked when she was finally done in the bathroom. I will never understand why it takes a woman so long to get ready.
A heavy knock sounded on the bedroom door. I walked over to answer it and found Simon standing there with my evening packet.
“Master Dragus,” he smiled. “I’m sorry to disturb you so early, but I was told to give this packet to you first thing this evening.”
“Thank you Simon,” I dismissed him. I closed the door and opened the packet. A letter was stapled to the front. The hand written note was from the human police chief. He wanted us to know that a pack of Lycanthropes, what were left of them, had been seen leaving the area just after sunrise this morning. He believed the threat was no more.
Usually, they run in packs. The Lycans stay together and migrate often. If this was true, Port Royal’s curfew could be lifted and hopefully life would go back to normal. They were headed south, toward Jackson County. There were a good hundred miles of forest between here and there. I would need to contact the Krieger of Jackson and advise them of the coming threat.
“What was so urgent?” Charity asked.
“The Lycans are gone. They were seen leaving the area this morning.” I turned around and noticed she was still smiling. Finally, everything was right with her. For that, I relaxed a little and allowed myself to look forward to a few weeks of peace before our big day. A day that may stress me out even more than the Lycans could ever do.
Charity
The first thing I saw was the curtains had been pulled tight, giving Adam privacy inside his room. My first reaction to seeing the windows covered was to think the worst. I didn’t dare go inside, for fear of seeing that he was no longer with us.
“Charity,” I heard Lydia’s voice coming from behind me.
“Lydia,” I gasped. “What are you doing here?”
“Dragus called me,” she said shyly. “He thought you might need a friend.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, then turned to see two nurses coming out of Adam’s room.
They both immediately curtsied, “My lady.”
“Is he up for visitors?” I asked hopeful.
“Yes, my lady. He is up and around.” The older nurse motioned for me to go inside the room.
Lydia grabbed my hand and we stepped forward, allowing the sensor to detect us. The doors opened and I saw Adam Castillo as I had never seen him before. He was buttoning the last two buttons on his navy blue polo shirt. He wore a pair of beige carpenter pants. Those beautiful emerald eyes from his picture looked back at me. He immediately bowed fist over heart.
“My lady,” he whispered. “Charity.” His sandy blonde hair had grown since the picture I had seen was taken. It fell into his eyes and he had to brush it away when he righted himself.
“Adam,” I sighed. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better thank you.” He stepped forward to reach out to me then stopped. He looked frightened by his actions. It was then I realized he was about to embrace me and then stopped himself before he touched a Lady of the Krieger without permission. And by the sudden feeling of the warrior behind me, Dragus had sensed a male was about to place their hands on his bonded mate and he had come to my rescue. (See how protective they are? Yeah, they can even sense another male within a few feet of their mate. Annoying as hell!)
“Master Dragus,” Adam greeted him.
“Adam,” he growled. I reached back and squeezed his arm, warning him to behave. I felt another propriety growl coming from inside his body. I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore his juvenile behavior.
“Adam, this is my friend, Lydia,” I pointed to her. Adam smiled at her and reached out to shake Lydia’s hand. I found the gesture very comforting.
“Nice to meet you,” he smiled.
“Same to you,” Lydia tried to be polite, but I noticed she was still a little mad at him for the accident I was in.
“Lady Charity, I just wanted to thank you for everything,” he smiled.
“I need to know,” I paused. “Can you shift?”
“Yes, that was their first question when I rose for the evening. Dr. Mason said they needed someone to help the others with their new abilities. He asked if I would be interested in helping, since I had lived with the Lycans the longest. And because I seem to have an easier time shifting than the others do.” He smiled at his last words.
“I agree with Dr. Mason. You should do it. I’m sure you can help the others.”
Adam turned to Dragus, “Master Dragus, I want to apologize for my actions toward Lady Charity. I never wanted her to be hurt. The Lycanthrope that attacked her was the alpha of the pack. He was stubborn and refused to see reason. I begged him not to hurt her, but when that round of pain struck us both, he thought she had hurt me. Of course that is no excuse for what I did. I should have never taken over her body like I did, but she was my only lifeline. I had no other choice…I was scared.”
“I understand your reason, to a point, son,” Dragus scolded. “But if you ever connect to her again, where she can’t get away from you, the Lycanthrope poison will look like a walk in the park compared to what I will do to you.”
“Dragus!” I snapped.
“It’s okay, my lady. He has every right to scold me for my actions,” he dropped his head in shame. “I’m just so happy that you helped me, instead of letting me change into one of them.”
“You’re welcome,” I smiled. “I want you to work closely with Mistress Kai, to make more potions. Something we can distribute if this happens again. That is, if you’re feeling up to it.”
“You want me to help her?” he asked.
“Yes, you know how to get to them, probably better than anyone else.” I turned to Dragus. “I think we need to see if we can have each of the Krieger offices keep vials on hand.”
“That is a good idea,” Dragus smiled.
“Yes, I think that all of the hospitals that cater to vampires should keep a supply of the potion as well. That way, the victims don’t have to wait so long to be healed. Plus we will probably need to find somewhere to start harvesting the Wolfsbane.” I saw Dr. Mason coming toward the I.C.U and walked out to grab him.
“Lady Charity,” he bowed. “What can I do for you?”
I explained to him about the idea I had about getting the potion mass produced. He agreed and seemed excited at being in charge - along with Mistress Kai and Adam Castillo - of marketing the idea.
Lydia had stepped out once she saw Ashby enter the hospital. They were standing over in the corner of the nurse’s station talking. They looked so cute, like two teenagers flirting with each other. I don’t know why she doesn’t think he is interested in her. I heard Dragus chuckle and I turned to see what he thought was so funny. His face was his usual hard mask. I raised an eyebrow wondering what the hell he had been laughing at. Dragus just nodded and walked o
ver to speak with Bastian.
The sliding door to the room next to Adams opened. I automatically turned around to see who was walking out. The last person I thought I would see in the intensive care unit stood there smiling wide, like the Casanova he claimed to be.
“Romeo?” I gasped. “What the hell are you doing here?” Immediately Lydia was at my side. She must have seen him the same second I did.
“I was bitten,” he spat in his native Italian accent.
“I had no idea,” I laughed. “I thought you had packed up and left town with my money.”
“No, Charity. I wouldn’t do that to you. We still owe you two performances at the club.” Romeo’s eyes looked over my shoulder and he stiffened.
“That is Lady Charity to you,” Dragus growled.
“I’m sorry, my lady,” Romeo bowed. “I was just on my way out. Someone will be in contact with you about our arrangement.” And just like that Romeo darted out of the room. Poor Romeo was always a lover, but never a fighter.
Lydia busted out laughing like a damn hyena. I stopped her with a hard stare, “Damn Lydia, give the guy a break. He’s so scared of Dragus. I’m betting he’s in the elevator crying.”
“I can’t help it, Char. Anything that sets that jerk straight always makes my day,” she laughed so hard she actually snorted.
“Well, once we get the club back up and running, your buddy Walter and his band still owe us two shows. After that, Romeo will leave town. Who will you find to be the butt of your jokes? Walter?” I laughed at Ashby’s dark expression when I mentioned Walter. Oops.
“When will that be?” she asked Dragus, ignoring my reference to her on again, off again boyfriend. She called him her ‘friend with benefits’.
“Well, the curfew has been lifted, so Thursday night you can reopen. Take tomorrow night to get everything in order.”
“Great, back to work,” Lydia grimaced. “I’ll call everyone and have them ready to open. I’m going home and I’ll call you tomorrow.” She pulled me into a tight hug then headed to the first exit out of the hospital.
It took me a second to realize that Dragus and I could both take off work tomorrow, it was Tuesday. No crazy werewolf attacks to deal with, no hiding at the estate, no club to take up my time. I think all I wanted to do was stay at home in bed with my warrior. With that thought, I grabbed his arm and headed out the same door Lydia used to make her escape.
Dragus
March 1st
“Dragus!” Ashby snapped. “Would you please quit shaking?”
“I can’t help it, I’m nervous,” I snapped back. Ashby had tried three times to tie this damn bow tie correctly; he had just given up on his fourth try.
The Joining was in a few hours and I haven’t seen Charity since four o’clock this morning, when she went to stay with Lydia. Charity thought I was being too overly cautious because I sent Brock and William with them for security. Little did she know, but I sent four Nachtmann over there during the day to watch over the house. I should have sent six. As soon as she found out about the extra help, I felt it. Charity’s agitated growl echoed through my head, along with a few choice words I’d rather not repeat.
Charity had arrived at the estate about an hour ago. She was using the east side of the mansion to get ready; I was camped out on the west. A few times I tried to sneak over, but was caught by Brock and William. It seems that Charity turned the tables on me. She wanted to do this by the book. We were not allowed to see each other until the moment she walked down the aisle.
Adam Castillo was to give her away. They had become close over the past couple of months. Charity took it upon herself to oversee the quality control of the potion distribution. She felt obligated to help other hybrids. She even put up the entire cost for starting a rehabilitation center for the recovering dual natured citizens. Adam and I had become good friends in this process. He has a weird sense of obligation to protect Charity when I am not around. For his loyalty to her, I am planning on offering him a role as Krieger, after the ceremony.
Granted he will be an honorary member. Krieger recruits are chosen from human applicants. If they are chosen, they are changed with Krieger blood only. This passes our abilities and strength down to each new warrior. I will have to get the queen’s approval, but I doubt she would deny his faithfulness.
“Okay,” Ashby interrupted my thoughts. “If I can’t get it this time, you’re on your own, buddy.”
I laughed and tried my hardest to settle my nerves. While I waited for him, I tried to sneak a peek at my bride to be. Before I could get into her mind, Bastian stepped up behind me and smacked the back of my head with a shoe.
“Oh, no you don’t!” he snapped. “Not until its time.”
“Fine,” I growled. “How much time do we have left?” I had no idea of the current time. The wedding was to start at midnight.
Bastian checked his watch, “One hour and forty-five minutes, brother. The queen sent word that she will be up in fifteen.”
Great, that just started a whole new round of nerves. Thankful that Ashby had finally secured my bow tie, I sat down on the high back chair in the corner of the room. The queen ministered all Joinings for the Krieger. This was the law. She had to approve all the Joinings and it was her policy to be the one to complete the bonding.
Charity and I would exchange vows, light an eternal candle, that would be displayed in the Krieger estate until one of us passed, and the most important and final act of the Joining – the blood bond. The queen would cut each of our wrists, allowing our blood to mix in a sacred goblet. She will then add two drops of her own blood into the mix, as a sign of her blessing. We both drink from the goblet and then we are considered as one for the rest of our existence.
I had written my vows and studied them over and over, until I was blue in the face. The last thing I wanted to do was to forget the words I was required to say. In fact, this part of the ceremony scared me more than any other part of the Joining.
A light feminine knock sounded on the door. The queen had finally made her way to our room. Ashby opened the door and we all sank to one knee, fist over heart and head bowed, until she spoke.
“As you were Krieger,” her voice was very high and sounded like a wind chime.
Queen Elizabeth had been no older than thirty-five when she was turned, almost twelve hundred years ago. She was very petite; probably five foot four and less than a hundred pounds. She had stark white hair that fell down below her knees. Her eyes were as pale a blue as I have ever seen. Tonight she wore a blood red cloak that was adorned with gold embellishments.
She walked toward me with a gracefulness only meant for a queen. She handed me a small box containing the ceremonial ring I was to give Charity. “Thank you, your highness.”
“Oh Dragus,” she sighed. “I am so happy for you. Your bride is a beautiful and lucky young woman.”
“So you met her?” I asked.
“I just came from her room,” she smiled. “Go ahead and look at the ring I brought for her.”
The rings were a gift from the queen. She had each one specifically cast for the Joining. I opened the box and found the largest ruby I had ever seen. It had to have been five carats. The stone itself was semi oval and the ring was made of pure gold.
Vampires don’t use diamonds for their rings. Rubies were more personal, due to the bond by blood; the ring color signifies that bond. Humans would never understand the bonding of our kind. Once the bond is sealed, so to speak, there was no looking back.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you, my lady.” I bowed again as a sign of respect.
The queen was escorted out by her personal Krieger. We all breathed a sigh of relief once she left the room. The queen was highly respected and we all got nervous when she was around. Formal behavior around her was expected at all times. Although I had known her for a very long time, she still scared the hell out of me.
I tried once again to check on Charity and once again, I got another shoe to the back
of the head, “Ow!”
“I told you, she was fine,” Bastian laughed.
“I know, I can’t help it,” I grumped. I slid down in the chair and closed my eyes. I needed to cool my nerves. “Call down and get me a goblet of Merlot.”
“Do you think that is a good idea?” Ashby questioned.
“I need to calm my nerves,” I paused. “We didn’t feed this morning, because of her stupid rule of not seeing me the day of the wedding. Bagged blood just agitates me now.”
“Okay,” he laughed. Ashby grabbed the house phone a called down to the kitchen. Within a few minutes I was holding a half full goblet of wine. Damn Ashby for telling them not to give me a full one.
The next hour passed by very slowly, most likely because I watched the clock tick by each minute. It was time to take our spots downstairs. The queen was already in place. I stood in front of her. Ashby, my best man was on my right; Bastian, Powle, Rowland and Palo beside him. Across from them was, Lydia, Lady Michelle, Lady Elise, Mistress Kai and Meadow.
The main living room had been transformed into the wedding of fairy tales. Huge bouquets of white and red flowers cascaded from the ceiling. Every chair had been decorated with its own arrangement and matching satin bows hung from the backs. The whole mansion smells of roses. I smiled.
The music roared through the house and my ears started ringing. It took all of my will power to keep from fainting. The only thing that kept me afloat was the release of pressure on my chest. Charity was near. The guests stood and it was then she came into view.
She wore a simple white silk gown that flowed effortlessly down her beautiful body. Small white pearls made up thin straps over her shoulders. The material swooped down showing off the swell of her breasts. She held a bouquet of flowers that matched those decorating the house. Her breath taking smile lit up the room like a summer’s day so long forgotten. Her beautiful blonde hair was tied up, only allowing a few curling tendrils to frame around her face. Charity’s eyes were wet with tears as she marched slowly down the aisle on the arm of our good friend Adam. He nodded once as a sign of respect.
Blood & Roses: Warriors of the Krieger Page 24