by Marie Medina
She tilted her head far to the right and exposed her neck.
He kissed her pulse point first, sending a shiver down her spine, one that seemed to go straight to her core. She gasped as his fangs pierced her skin, and then the pain faded. She held to him as he drank, and her entire body warmed. The sensation took over so much that he could’ve done anything he wanted with her, despite what she’d just said. But he sealed the wounds and then kissed her lips gently before turning her in his embrace and placing his arms around her.
“I think this is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen,” he whispered into her ear.
“The suns setting?” she asked as she leaned back into him and watched the twin suns sinking, one of them just touching the horizon. She could feel every inch of his lean muscle. And his cock, which pressed against her left leg briefly. Her mind wandered, considering what it would be like for his hands to move away from her waist. She blinked as she scolded herself for such thoughts, but then she reconsidered. Wouldn’t it be bad if she wasn’t having those kinds of thoughts?
“Yes,” Sean said, breaking into her thoughts. “Such vibrant colors.”
“Mmmm.”
He kissed her temple and held her even closer. “That tells me a lot, too.”
They stood there until a chill came to the air. As they walked back to the castle, it finally truly dawned on her how much her life had changed.
And what an exciting adventure she was embarking on.
****
The Next Morning
Sean couldn’t help smiling as Agatha sashayed up beside them with a ledger and quill in her hand. To Iris, the older woman said, “Good work, my girl. I’d heard rumors about the discontent and lack of organization here, but it’s worse than I thought! I may send you two home alone if Gregor will really let me tuck into the problem!”
And just as suddenly, Agatha took a turn down a side hall and was gone.
“Does that mean dinner will be better tonight?” Sean asked.
“Maybe. The lamb was a bit overdone last night.”
“I thought it looked a bit dry. I avoided it.”
Iris looked up at him. “Seems like it would be convenient, not needing to eat. I hate having to eat food that hasn’t been prepared right, even though I know better than to waste food.”
“If you become a vampire, you won’t be hungry anywhere near as often. Most humans are so used to eating they don’t change their habits, but you really won’t be as hungry.”
“So I could skip the main course and just eat dessert?” she asked with a smile.
“You’ll still need to get protein and essential nutrients, but you will be much stronger in every way. Though we could certainly hire a good pastry chef.”
Her smile widened. “You said you live with your brother. Where would we live?”
Sean reached down and took her hand. “We’d buy our own home. Wherever you wish. Big, small, whatever we like. It would all be up to us.”
She laughed. “Really? Any kind of house? Anywhere?”
He smiled, glad he’d pleased her. “Of course.” He loved seeing the excitement in her eyes. The night before had been spent replaying the previous day in his mind. The memory of the kiss they’d shared outside, and the ones they’d exchanged before he’d forced himself to leave her for the night, had proven sweet memories indeed. But he’d also found himself, for once, analyzing every single word she’d said, both to understand her and to judge what she thought of him. He’d never been serious enough about anyone to give thought to much more than getting them into bed a second time. He’d hardly ever given any man or woman this much of his attention without seducing them.
Four days, and I’m seeing a few kisses as progress. Seems matehood is changing me already.
“I’d love to live somewhere more rustic,” she said as they came into the foyer.
“I’m sure we could find something. Or build one ourselves. Our own design.”
That made her eyes really sparkle, and she seemed to lose herself in thought as they came to the front door, which stood open.
Gregor stood on the top step with his arms folded. Two trunks were being secured to a carriage, and Perin stood at the bottom of the steps, looking like a pouting child. The former steward got into the carriage after casting a sullen glance up at Gregor.
Sean cleared his throat as the carriage pulled away. “No trouble?”
Gregor turned. “Not really. I think I narrowly avoided a temper tantrum. He’s obviously never been turned down before.”
Iris gaped at the carriage. “He tried to slip into your bed again?”
Gregor laughed. “Oh, he was already there last night. Naked. About five glasses of wine in. I’m starting to think the person who recommended him misunderstood my need for someone to ‘take care of things’ around the castle.”
Sean laughed as well. “Who recommended him?”
“One of the stable hands. I’m probably being unfair. I think they’re related in some way. He was probably just trying to help family out.”
“Agatha seems happy,” Iris said.
Gregor turned to her. “She definitely does. I soon saw you weren’t exaggerating.” He glanced between them. “Did you get everything sorted?”
“Yes,” Sean said. “Agatha is in the room across from Iris now. And there was so much hustle and bustle late last night and early this morning that getting up to mischief was out of the question.”
“Up to mischief?” Iris said with a laugh. “You make it sound like we’re trying to sneak out of the schoolroom to kiss under a bridge.”
“And who were you doing that with? I may need to start a list,” Sean said.
“You may need to start a list?” Iris shook her head slowly, the desire to laugh showing in her eyes. “I was pure as the driven snow before I met you.” She held her skirt up and began walking down the stairs.
Sean called down. “And now you’re irreversibly sullied?”
She stopped halfway down and put a hand to her bosom, lowering her eyelashes demurely. “I have now been kissed three times!” She raised her eyes. “Imagine the scandal if word carried home!” She grinned at both men and finished her descent.
“She’s delightful, Sean,” Gregor said softly. “I always thought a cheerful and witty mate would suit you.”
“I pray she’s as happy as she seems. Just a few days and I already feel something would be missing in my life if she rejects me.”
“Why would she do that?” Gregor watched her as she admired the fountain in the middle of the courtyard. “Didn’t your letter say it was her idea to get away from her family so you two wouldn’t be hampered? She may be young, but I think she knows this trip is a step toward accepting you.” Gregor studied him. “Are these the beginnings of love I see in your face? It can creep up on you, you know.”
Sean considered that as he watched her move over to a flowerbed to talk to the girls weeding there. “Perhaps.” He refocused on Gregor when the girls all began looking their way and giggling. He studied his friend in return. “I’m sorry about Kit. I know matehood can cause pain to others as it brings joy to the couple.”
Gregor looked sad a moment, but then he managed a smile. “Byron loves him very much, and he’s happy. Very happy. Seeing him still affects me, though. I’ll outgrow it.”
Sean thought about Jensen. He hadn’t been in love with him, or anything close, but it had been bittersweet seeing him and other former lovers with their mates. “I wish I knew what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say. I should be thanking you for not telling me off. I haven’t been good company. Sorry I missed dinner last night. I’m not used to sitting down to the table these days.”
“It’s fine. It gave Iris and me time to talk.”
“And?”
“And what?” Sean said.
“Things seem to be going well. Do you think she’s warming? Feeling the way you are?”
“I doubt she’d feel my loss. She’s yo
ung and beautiful and could find another suitor right away.”
“But she’s never had one. A serious one, I mean. The other sister was engaged, and that was broken. Then there were a couple of others. They’re close in age. It’s odd such a charming and beautiful girl hasn’t had a serious suitor. Unless my gossip is inaccurate.”
“Her youngest sister says she’s picky.”
“The one who acts like a boy? I rather like her, but she doesn’t like me for some reason. Or at least she doesn’t seem to.”
Though he was curious, he didn’t want to reveal anything Iris had told him privately. “Violet’s an opinionated girl. There’s no telling.”
“Erik is so devoted to those children. Maybe it’s inclined Iris to trusting the gods.”
She lifted her gaze a moment later and gave him a smile before inclining her head toward the stables and beckoning him.
“I hope so. If you’ll excuse me,” Sean said.
Gregor said, “Wouldn’t dream of keeping you.”
Sean hurried over to Iris and asked, “Were you talking about me?”
She slid her arm through his and continued walking. “Of course. Weren’t you two talking about me?”
“Of course,” he said with a grin. “But everything we said was good.”
“Ah. I see. Our talk was only half good,” Iris said.
“Better than I expected,” he said with a chuckle.
Iris laughed. “I was told to watch out for a few of your past conquests.”
That took the laughter right out of him. “Really?”
“Yes.” She looked up as if visualizing a list. “Miriam in the kitchens, and Philip and Stephen in the stables.”
“Well, everyone knows you’re my mate, so I doubt they’ll bother you.”
Her eyes gleamed as she looked up at him. “Oh, that’s not what I was warned about. The girls said I should watch for them trying to crawl into your bed again, since everyone knows we aren’t sharing a room.”
He felt a little relieved at her humorous tone. “None of them are going to do that.”
“I don’t know. I hear your talents are legend here.”
“You’re only teasing me.”
“Do those names not ring a bell?”
He waited a moment before saying, “I remember them.”
“Mmmm hmmm. I have my work cut out for me.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, I’m going to have to make my claim very, very clear.” She stopped abruptly and grabbed him by the collar.
Before he could say anything, she’d yanked him down and pressed her lips to his.
Of all the ways she could’ve reacted, he hadn’t expected anything like this.
Chapter Six
Iris coughed for the third time since they’d sat down to dinner, not sure why her throat and chest burned. She glanced at her glass of wine, but it had come from the same bottle Sean and Gregor drank from. They both seemed fine, and they’d actually had more to drink than she had. The wine wasn’t anything unusual—it struck her as rather bland, actually. She reached for her water glass and took a long sip. After setting it down, she looked to her food and laid her fork on the table, her appetite gone. She cleared her throat again, surprised as pain worked up her throat. She felt something on her hand and wiped at it.
It was blood.
Another cough came, and more blood appeared on her hand. “Sean…” she said, trying to rise as her heart raced and dizziness took hold.
Sean looked over at her and actually rose and jumped over the dinner table. He caught her as she wavered, and he lowered her to the ground. “Agatha! We need help! A physician. Someone. Now!”
Iris clutched at her throat, the burning growing worse. She knew Sean was beside her, but someone else was there as well. She blinked, and Gregor came into focus.
Someone came skidding into the room and almost collided with Sean.
“Poison, my lords! Three in the kitchen are ill! It was the lamb!” said a young boy she didn’t recognize.
“What?” Gregor said, his tone vicious.
“She must drink this, before her throat closes. Agatha has sent for help. She believes this can help neutralize the poison for a time. Until help arrives. And she needs to vomit, if possible.”
Iris couldn’t see anything because her eyes were watering too much. She struggled to breathe as something was pressed to her lips. She tried to drink it, but she felt it dribble down her chin. Unable to speak, she clutched at Sean as panic set in.
“On your knees, my dear. And please forgive me, both of you,” Gregor said. “Go back to the kitchen, Reggie. Bring any news right away.”
The boy ran from the room, the sound causing a sharp pain in her temples. She felt the men moving her, and then Gregor was leaning over her, his long dark hair blocking everything out as it fell all around her.
“Sean, stick your finger down her throat. It needs to be open, and she needs to gag as I do this.”
Do what? Iris stared at the floor as Gregor grabbed her around her waist and Sean’s finger went down her throat. She did gag, but nothing came up.
Gregor clasped his hands together and thrust into her stomach so hard she felt as if she’d been punched. But then she began to vomit. A small measure of relief washed over her, even as the contents of her stomach burned coming up.
Both men held her hair up as she continued to vomit, and Gregor softly said, “I’m sorry if that hurt, my dear.”
The world remained a blur as tears fell, and soon she was gently rolled to her back and into Sean’s arms. He wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then brushed her tears from her cheeks with his thumb. After a few moments, she managed to drink whatever was in the bottle Agatha had sent. She closed her eyes as she leaned into Sean.
“I’ve got you. Help is coming,” Sean said, kissing her forehead.
The feeling of relief evaporated as her stomach clenched. She cried out at the pain and clutched at Sean.
“Agatha! Someone tell me what’s happening!” Sean said, his voice booming and making her head pound.
She whimpered and curled up against his chest.
Someone came running in. This time, a woman spoke. “The poison’s been found, we think. Creeper weed. What Reggie brought you won’t do, they’re saying. Agatha said they need blood, Lord Gregor. Vampire blood.”
Gregor rose right away. “I’m coming. See to your mate. I can handle three.”
Sean pushed her away from his body and looked down at her. “I need to ask you something.”
“I … don’t mind … drinking blood.” Her voice sounded so hoarse—practically unrecognizable.
He shook his head furiously. “Not what I meant. I can’t risk you. I need to turn you. Need your consent.”
She blinked, her head swimming. “You need … permission. Your family…”
“I dare the fucking king himself to be angry I saved my mate.” He stroked her face, his hand shaking. “I have to save you whether you stay with me or not. Do I have your consent?”
Everything seemed to be slowing down around her. She looked up, finally seeing how upset he was. Her stomach churned again, the pain increasing as she took in the distress on his face. “Yes. Turn me,” she said, clutching at his sleeve. “It hurts s-so m-much.” Her voice broke as she gripped him even tighter.
He didn’t hesitate, descending on her and latching on to her neck. This time, his bite wasn’t gentle. She felt dizzy, and then she remembered he had to come close to draining her. Her eyes slid closed, and everything went quiet. She felt something at her lips, and then his hand at her throat, massaging it to make her drink.
The more she drank, the less pain she felt. She heard screaming in the distance—it sounded like Gregor—but she couldn’t be sure. She took hold of Sean’s wrist and drank deep.
And then sleep came, warm and inviting.
****
Hours later, Sean lay in the bed beside Iris, on top of the blankets but still pressed right up aga
inst her. The magistrate had been summoned, and people were being questioned. Perin topped everyone’s suspect list, and Sean closed his eyes as he imagined ripping the man’s throat out. One of the women in the kitchens had died, and Gregor had practically wrecked the room in his anger. If Perin was guilty, the young man might be happy for the magistrate to find before Gregor or Sean did.
Agatha came in again and walked around the bed. She touched her fingers to Iris’s throat and then her wrist. “No change?” she asked. “Her pulse is strong.”
“She’s likely healing. The conversion can cause either euphoria or fatigue, depending on the person and situation. We can’t know what internal damage there was. I can’t bring myself to wake her.”
“Maybe she’ll wake up soon.”
Sean sat up on one elbow. “She agreed because she was scared. Probably in awful pain from the look on her face.” He met Agatha’s gaze. “Will she be angry? Will her family be angry?”
“They’d have skinned you alive if you’d let her die. Why would she be angry?”
“Something else made this choice for her.”
“Unless you plan on insisting that she belongs to you or some other type of nonsense, I don’t think you need to be worried.”
Sean gazed down at Iris again. “I won’t do that. But I don’t think I could let her go now. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Her dying would’ve devastated me.”
Agatha stayed silent a few moments as she fussed with the blanket and some things on the nightstand. “Why don’t you go sit on the balcony? Get some air? You’re worrying yourself unnecessarily.”
“I want to be right here when she wakes up.”
“As you like,” Agatha said. “The kitchen is being emptied. Lord Gregor refuses to trust a morsel of food there. I think he’s even ordering that any open wine bottles be emptied.”
“Have they gone after Perin?”
“Men have been sent, though there isn’t proof. Not yet. If they find him, they’ll only question him unless he does something to give them cause to arrest him.”
Sean looked up. “Who else could it be?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “A smart person who saw a disgruntled servant being sent off? You never know. Some people hate vampires for just existing. For being privileged and getting to rule just because they’re vampires.”