by Marie Medina
Stop thinking that! She tried to push away her more carnal thoughts as she listened to the priest talk about the beauty of this union and the blessings the gods would bestow. She thanked the gods she’d never been browbeaten and taught that sex was dirty, but she’d always known Erik and Lucas would be disappointed if any of the girls got pregnant before they married. And the poor boy’s life would likely be in danger to boot for getting her pregnant. She shifted the flowers in her hands, as her palms were starting to sweat a little. She didn’t regret her decision to stay chaste, but sadness washed over her as she wondered if she’d ever really find the kind of love Erik and Lucas had, the kind Heather and Adam seemed to have in their future. She wanted that even more than she wanted passion, yet she hoped she could find that with a lover as well.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced in Sean’s direction again. This time, she met his gaze and held it, letting her lips curl up a little. It was a wedding, so smiling was certainly expected, wasn’t it? But he didn’t smile back, though he held her gaze. She waited for him to blink, starting to wonder if maybe something was wrong with him. Why was he paying so much attention to her? Last night when he’d arrived, he’d smiled and said a brief hello to her, nothing more, as he’d rushed past her to greet someone else who had arrived at the same time. If he was attracted to her, he’d certainly kept it hidden. They’d last seen him a month before at a festival, and he’d been charming and witty, but in a distant and flirtatious way. That was how he always was. He made small talk and complimented the girls and tried to make them all laugh and blush. He never really talked to them about anything of substance or tried to get to know them, except for indulging Violet’s wild stories and jokes.
Iris tore her gaze away. She refused to be seduced by someone who’d had dozens upon dozens of partners. She didn’t care what other people did, but she wouldn’t lower her own standards for anyone. It wasn’t the sex—it was the flippancy. Seduction and romance were two very different things, and Iris definitely wanted both, with the romance coming first. She didn’t mean to judge Sean or anyone else. She shifted her position on the dais. The wedding had her dwelling on the subject far too much. She’d spent the last week preoccupied with her own unattached status. What did it matter? She had a loving family and friends all around her.
If the gods wanted a man in her life for some reason, they’d send one along in their own good time.
****
Sean had ceased to feel bad about being caught staring when Iris had smiled at him. It had been only a slight, brief smile, but it had still been a smile. He knew with his head that she’d probably only been trying to be polite, but his heart believed that it was a start. As the bride and groom recessed out to the formal gardens, Sean tried to figure out his next move. Imagining himself in Iris’s position had only discouraged him throughout the entire ceremony. She was eighteen and had a world of possibilities before her, so how was she going to feel about the gods barging in with this plan for her life? She hadn’t had much of a chance to explore the world at all, though Sean knew Erik did take all of them on trips frequently. What if the idea overwhelmed her and caused her to reject him outright? If she did that, Erik and Lucas wouldn’t let Sean anywhere near her again.
Hanging back, Sean watched everyone beginning to mingle. He sidled his way over to Matthew slowly, not wanting anyone to see him seeking the other man out with purpose, though he laughed at his own paranoia just before he reached the steward. Once they’d moved back toward one of the stone walls at the side, Sean asked, “Is anyone courting her? Is there anything like that I need to know about?”
“There’s no one actually courting her, but you might want to ask my wife if you’re really concerned about anyone who might’ve caught her eye,” Matthew said.
Sean nodded slowly. Agatha did almost as much work as Matthew did, if not more, when it came to running the castle. And of course she’d be much closer to the girls, as she’d been there since before their arrival at the castle and had been a big part of their lives ever since. “I might do that. I’m going to need a longer time to think this through than I imagined.”
“It’s your decision. But since your intentions are honorable, I still say you should simply go to Lord Erik. He’ll appreciate the straightforward approach.”
Sean shook his head. “Too scary a thought right now.”
“If you say so.” Matthew pointed across the garden. “I think Agatha is over there, if you want to go that route.”
“Thanks.” Sean spotted Agatha but chose to stay in place as Matthew disappeared into the crowd. He watched Iris accept a glass of champagne from the young man who had escorted her down the aisle. He looked enough like the groom to be his brother, so perhaps that was all there was to it. But Sean still chewed his lower lip until the young man moved away to talk to someone else, leaving Iris standing with two of her younger sisters. The two sets of twins who came next in line after Heather and Iris were close in age and in height. From a distance, Sean couldn’t really tell which of the four stood there with Iris. He’d have to figure it out quickly, though. Suddenly, he understood the challenge Erik had faced when his fated mate had come with seven siblings in the bargain, and it no longer amused him in the same way.
Sean felt something hard and pointy press against his right side, just above his kidney, and he looked down, knowing he’d see Violet standing there with some sort of new weapon to show off. Violet had liked him right away because he never tried to tell her to act more ladylike, plus she seemed to appreciate most of his jokes.
“Stand and deliver, sir,” Violet said with shrewdly narrowed eyes.
“I’m afraid I don’t have anything at the moment,” Sean said with a smile.
“You have information, at least,” she said, drawing back her weapon, which turned out to be a very small knife that was fortunately still sheathed.
“New knife?” he asked.
“Yes. Lucas gave it to me for my birthday.” She held it up, turning it to show off the green jade inlaid on the golden sheath.
“Very nice. And how old are you now, twenty-seven?”
“No, I’m twelve, which you knew because I told you at the festival last month.” She slid her knife into a little silk bag that hung from her wrist. He almost laughed, wondering if anyone had been tasked with stopping her from wearing the knife at the waist of her lilac bridesmaid dress. She’d been the only attendant to have a bag at her wrist, even though she hadn’t been the one carrying the rings, and he imagined the silk bag had been a compromise. The girl never went anywhere unarmed. He even recalled her wearing a sword to a christening once. “How old are you, anyway?” she asked.
“One hundred a few months ago.”
“Wow. You’re older than Lord Erik and his brothers, but you look younger.”
“It’s a bit of a mystery, just like how long any vampire might live. I’ve always aged very slowly. Used to have to convince people I’d come of age.”
She tilted her head and crossed her arms. “Why are you staring at Iris?”
Another hazard of having so many siblings. “What?” He tried to sound confused, but his voice rose an octave when he uttered that syllable. He hoped Violet wouldn’t notice, but her eyes narrowed again.
“I said I wanted information, and that’s it. You’ve been staring at Iris. Why?”
“I haven’t meant to. Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “You all look so lovely. Who picked out the dresses?”
“Agatha drew the design. She and her daughter and Iris did the sewing, mostly. Heather did the beads on the bodices.” Violet relaxed her stance a bit and looked across the crowd of people. “Staring at women is creepy. You need to talk to her, if you like her.”
“So you think I like her since you saw me looking at her a few times?”
Violet laughed. “A few times? You’ve been staring ever since she was escorted up the aisle. I’m twelve, not stupid.” She tightened her arms up. “We’re all pretty, like
Mama was. Men are always looking.”
“Are they?” Sean asked, trying to sound casual.
“Maybe not at me. They stare at me for other reasons, like wondering what in blazes I’m doing climbing a wall or covered in mud or something. But lots of men look at Heather and Iris. Pansy and Rose, too.”
“How old are the twins now?”
“Sixteen. Daisy and Flora are fourteen.”
“Ah.”
“Thing is, I thought you liked boys.”
“I do. I like both, as most vampires do. But I like girls as well.”
Violet smiled. “So you were staring because you like her?”
“When did I say any such thing?” He rounded on her. “And do you always talk to adults like this?”
“You know very well I do. You used to find it amusing.” She tilted her head the other way. “I guess you didn’t exactly say you like her, but I was just going to tell you that maybe you shouldn’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m well aware no one would approve, Violet. Don’t worry.”
“No, I meant because she doesn’t really like you.”
Sean wondered if she was trying to get him to admit he liked Iris or if she was actually telling the truth. While he’d never given Iris more than a passing thought until today, Sean knew he did like Iris. Nervous and worried as he was, he was happy with the choice the gods had made. He only hoped he could prove he deserved her. And win her. She was beautiful, but more than that he’d known her long enough to take note of her sweet nature and her kindness. “And why doesn’t she like me?” he asked, trying to keep his face neutral and not look across the garden at Iris.
“You wear too much cologne. It makes her queasy. And you’re smarmy.”
Sean tried not to react, even though hearing that word hurt. “Smarmy? Do you even know what that means?”
“Iris does, which is all that matters.” She unfolded her arms and leaned closer. “What does it mean?” she asked quietly.
“It means you act nice and polite but it’s not real. Or not believable.”
“Over the top, you mean?”
“Yes,” Sean said, his answer coming out a bit too curt.
Iris gazed up at him. “Did I hurt your feelings? You seem mad. I’m sorry, if I did.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t repeat things your sisters say. Things girls say in private should stay that way.”
“They talk about men all the time now. Men and weddings and flowers and jewelry.” Violet sighed. “It’s so boring.”
Though he felt a little panicky after Violet’s revelation, he asked, “You feel left out?” He could certainly imagine her feeling that way, as she was so different from her sisters and Lucas had less time for her these days.
“Yes, but it’s fine.”
“Is there a man Iris does like?”
Violet shook her head. “No. She’s incredibly picky.”
“How so?” He liked that idea. He’d never minded about the sexual history of any other lovers before, but his mate was different. The thought of another touching her bothered him, which he knew was hypocritical of him. But the protectiveness building inside him now wouldn’t be denied.
“She has all these things she wants. I can’t remember them all. Like personality things.”
Sean frowned. “I see. And you think I’m all wrong? I don’t fit her ideal?”
Violet toyed with the silk bag at her wrist. “She likes your hair. The white streaks from the sun. She said one time she wished hers would do that.”
The girls all had blonde hair with hints of red, like their brother. All of them except Violet wore it long, and it curled at the ends. Violet’s seemed to be just past shoulder length, barely long enough for the braid someone had arranged it in today. “You all have beautiful hair. You said you look like your mother?”
“Yep. I was two when she died, and they all say I don’t really remember her. But I know I do.”
Sean didn’t know what to say. “I’m sure you do. One’s mother is always important.”
“Is yours still alive?” She frowned up at him. “You look sad.”
“Yes, she’s alive. I was thinking about you all losing your mother, actually.” His lips almost curled into a smile as he studied her. Vampire’s eyes changed color often, typically revealing their mood, but his irises had never changed easily. “You’re very good at telling how others are feeling.”
“Empathetic. That’s what Agatha says.” She laughed. “And blunt. She says that last one will get me in trouble one day.”
“Maybe. Nothing wrong with speaking your mind.”
Her expression brightened, though skepticism lingered in her eyes. “Really?”
“Well, I guess it can be a problem at times.”
Lucas waved at them, trying to get Violet’s attention, it seemed.
“I better go see what they want now.” Violet smoothed her skirt and tugged at her bodice. “I won’t tell, all right? But I’m not kidding. You’re barking up the wrong bush.”
Sean had to fight to keep a straight face at her accidental double entendre. “Wrong tree, you mean.”
“Oh, yeah. Wrong tree.” She shrugged. “Just saying. She’s picky.”
“Thank you for the warning. I’ll heed your advice.”
Violet smiled up at him. “Too bad. You’re more fun than most vampires.” And she took off through the crowd without another word, raising her skirts and jogging around the guests.
Sean watched the girls gathering around Lucas for a moment. It seemed it was time for the bouquet toss, a part of human weddings Sean typically liked. But he moved away to wander back to the courtyard.
He’d always imagined taking a lover to bed and then discovering they were fated mates when he fed as they made love. It hadn’t been a fantasy really, but he’d always pictured it that way. But now? The gods definitely had other ideas for him, and for once he had no idea what to say or do. The urge to stake his claim grew stronger with each passing moment. He needed to clear his head and make some kind of plan, one that wouldn’t disrupt the wedding or distract Iris from this happy time with her family. He considered all their different potential reactions as he thought over the things Violet had said, and he quickened his pace as his feelings of possessiveness grew even more. If Iris caught the bouquet, he had a feeling he might end up making a fool of himself.
Chapter Two
Iris took the sheets down the hallway and pushed them through the laundry chute. As she pulled back, she realized she was caught on something. She tugged on her sleeve, and it ripped a little. Pausing in her efforts, she opened the chute’s door wider so she could get her head through the opening and see better. Her sleeve had snagged on a long splinter in the wood, and she tried to free herself without ripping the material any more than she already had.
“Do you need some help?” came the muffled sound of a man’s voice.
Iris leaned back to peer around the door and saw Lord Sean standing there. “I caught my sleeve, my lord. I was trying to free myself.”
He came around and looked, grasping her arm to hold it steady. “Ah. I think I see the problem,” he said very close to her ear, his breath hot on her neck.
Though their bodies didn’t touch, she felt a bit self-conscious with him so close. She could feel his warmth through their clothes, and she would only have to shift her position a little bit to touch him. And if someone else had stopped to help her, she might give in to the temptation, but she told herself yet again what a bad idea it would be. Sean freed the fabric after a few seconds, but he didn’t let go of her arm. He stood there holding it as he pushed the sleeve up to examine her skin. “Are you all right? Any splinters?”
“I’m fine. I don’t think it touched my skin at all. I was moving too quickly. In too much of a rush.” She didn’t want to be rude and pull away, but his fingers brushing her skin made her thoughts wander again. He was quite handsome so close up, and at least he didn’t reek of rosewood today.
Sl
iding her sleeve back into place, Sean took her hand and said, “I was actually looking for you.”
“For me? Whatever for, my lord?” She glanced at their joined hands briefly. It began to seem far more likely that he had been staring at her the day before because he was attracted to her.
Sean opened his mouth, then closed it again. After clearing his throat, he said, “You don’t have to use my title all the time. We’ve known each other for years.”
“All right, but why did you need to find me?” She wanted him to answer so she could figure out what to say in return. He didn’t seem set on seduction, but what else could he want with her?
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Yes, I suppose.” She indicated a door farther down the hall, puzzled by his seriousness. “There’s a little sitting room here.”
“That will do.” Sean kept hold of her hand as they moved down the hallway.
Iris didn’t resist but made a point of not only pushing the door back so it would remain wide open but also taking her hand back once she sat down. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for Sean to sit down. When he didn’t, she asked, “Is something wrong? You don’t seem yourself.”
Sean laughed, but it sounded more nervous than anything else. “Perhaps that’s good.”
Even more confused, Iris said, “Maybe you should tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m trying. The words don’t seem to want to form.”
Iris frowned. She’d never known Sean to not be ready with a witty comeback or sly joke. “I can’t help you there.” How was she supposed to help him with something so important he was worried how to say it? “Do you need to see Erik? You look upset.”
He attempted a smile that wavered a bit. “Nerves.”
“Nerves?”
Sean finally sat down beside her and held out his hand. Though she began to feel somewhat unnerved herself, she put hers in his. “Unless there was some kind of mix-up with the bottles of stored blood,” Sean paused, swallowing, “you’re my fated mate.”