Scion's Freedom (Siren Publishing Classic)

by J. Annas Walker

  She watched him over her shoulder as he found his rhythm. It was as though she could feel his pleasure and hers simultaneously. Their wetness drizzled down her thigh into the cooling water. A few harder strokes and he came as deeply into her core as he could. There was more force behind the eruption this time. The usual pumping had become forceful spurts. There was an extra creaminess Cassy instantly fell in love with and knew she wanted to taste later. Lost in the moment, instinct and hunger took over. Fangs flashed in the mirror as he sank them into her shoulder. Only a clenched growl escaped him. The wave of his pleasure crashed into her, bringing her to climax once again. The ripples of orgasm passed between them along the bond until they dissipated like ripples on a lake.

  He fell forward, placing his forehead between her shoulders.

  “If this was my last night on Earth, you have made it all worth it,” he cooed. “I can’t imagine life without you. You were right. The two lusts do blend into one. Maybe it’s the magic and maybe they’re one in the same, but I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she added.

  He released her braid, and she sank back into the water. He sat down beside her. She picked up the soap and cloth, lathered it, and began washing them both. Afterward, they held each other until the water had gone cold. The hall clock struck four.

  Cassy let out a long satisfied hum. “It’s been a long night. Hold me in bed till sunrise?”

  “Longer,” David agreed. He lifted her back out of the tub and dried her off. They went to bed and slept in each other’s arms.

  * * * *

  David scooped into his arms and carried her to the bath. It was effortless. He stepped into the high-sided, round, porcelain tub without losing his balance. Sinking down in the hot water, he sat back placing her in his lap. She nuzzled into his chest. The thrumming of their hearts still sounded like one beat.

  She took a wash cloth and cleaned the blood from his face and neck. The skin was smooth, perfect. He would have no scars from the deep gashes. He looked into the full-length mirror by the door at his eyes. He could not get used to the new color. It matched hers. His paling skin fascinated him. It changed color in tiny increments as he watched. He stopped staring at himself a few moments later.

  “I think I’m going to like this new me, once I figure everything out.” He chuckled. For the first time, he noticed his own voice in the small bathroom. It, too, had a musical edge. “Maybe someday I’ll get to run with you through the treetops.” She dropped the cloth

  “That would be night, and shut up and kiss me,” Cassy insisted.

  He crushed down on her lips harder than he intended, but she took it. She flicked her tongue across his new fangs and curled her fingers into his dark hair. He wanted to deepen the kiss, to consume her passion. His slipped his wet hand down between her legs and worked her plump clit. She opened her legs for more. His fingers found her open and waiting to be explored.

  His cock stiffened. He slid one finger then another into her pussy, caressing her. She was softer than before. He could feel the velvety folds and tiny nooks of her flesh. He had to have something in his mouth, to suck the closest nipple. Not used to having fangs, the sucking left two bloody pin pricks in her skin. Two beads welled up. He licked them off. It was like drinking in life itself. His chest heaved as his excitement built. He fingered her faster, harder, bringing a flood of her slippery nectar as she got off. Her fangs snicked into place.

  He lapped at the blood once more and then positioned her on her knees. He used her hair like a rope to hold her in place. He wanted to ride her from behind and watch himself slipping in and out of her body. She pressed against his hips and waited for his stiffening dick.

  He nudged his cock against her pussy. Wet sticky juices ran down over his dick. She was ready to be ridden. He thrust into her cunt in a single motion. He steadied himself with his free hand on her waist. Her pussy quivered. His cock transferred the ripple effect over his entire body. He sped up in increments until the thrusts became a continuous stroking.

  He saw her watching him over her shoulder. Somehow he knew they were sharing each other’s pleasure. The scent of sex filled the room. It overloaded his sensitive senses, and he pressed as deeply into her core as he could. It was unlike any orgasm he had had. There was force and more substance to the action. The usual fluids seemed thicker, more potent, and harder to pump into her. In an instant, instinct took over. The need for blood mingled with the sex, and he sank his fangs into her shoulder. The blood was sweet. It brought a growl from deep in his chest. She came again. Her sweet snatch gripped and released his cock over and over. The bond passed the sensations of one to the other and back again until the ripples used up all the energy and dissipated.

  He fell forward, placing his forehead between her shoulders.

  * * * *

  When the next evening arrived, they found clothes had been lain out on a table. Someone had cleaned the room and bath while they slept. A tray with two goblets of blood sat on a stand by the clothes. A note stood like a tent beside them.

  When you are ready, please come down

  to the library. Fret not. All will be well.

  Lady Helena and Lady Ursula

  “Close your eyes and don’t think about it,” Cassy advised as David picked up his goblet. He eyed it with uncertainty. She picked up the other cup and sniffed. Her mouth watered, and her fangs dropped. “Just be careful not to chip the side with a fang. Blood is hard to get out of fabric.”

  She took heavy gulps and sat it down empty on the tray. He winced and followed her lead. He sat it down with a surprised look. “That was better than I thought. I mean, it was good. Who knew?” He gave her an approving grin. She smiled back.

  “Now,” she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. “Let’s go face the music. As long as we’re together, right?”

  “Right,” he assented.

  Together they went down to the library. There was no one in the halls or corridors. The whole house seemed to be void of life. The only sounds were those from the library. Cassy could hear her Father’s voice. It held the same calm rage she had seen used on countless victims. A trickle of fear welled up inside her. Some of it was hers. The rest was David’s.

  “Don’t do anything. Let him have his say. Remain calm and contrite. Trust that I will not let him have you. Pray he and Ladies Helena and Ursula have come to an arrangement on our behalf,” she whispered as softly as she could.

  “What can he do? I mean, what do you think he will do?”

  “When he is this angry, there is no telling. Last night, he had a problem to solve. Now he’s had time to stew about it.”

  “Cassandra! Stop lurking in the hall and do not keep me vaiting!” The more upset her father was, the thicker his accent became.

  She squeezed David’s hand and hurried forward. Stopping just inside the door, she dropped into a small curtsy. David followed her with a small bow.

  “You, boy, are not my equal. Subjects fall to one knee. But that is neither here nor there for the time being. Sit down, both of you!” Vlad pointed to two silk cushions in the floor at the elder witches’ feet.

  “I vish to thank you, good Ladies, for the caring of my daughter. I vill, of course, pay for the damages to the nursery complex and to make restitution of your lost Mother,” he addressed the witches.

  “We accept your offer and would like to thank your speedy removal of the threat to our children. We were happy to take your suggestions in upgrading our security,” Ursula said with gratitude.

  “The pleasure vas all mine. I assure you. I enjoyed dispatching him personally,” Vlad said with a sincere head bow. He shifted his attention from the two women and trained his gaze on Cassy.

  “As for you, I hope you have learned vhat becomes of princesses who do not heed their fathers. Your insistence to live outside the rules has cost much. I should have never indulged your rebellious nature once you vere found. I now see how unstable he vas. It vould not have been a goo
d match.

  “Gregory took your rejection very personally. His reason for existing no longer applied. When his clan vould not find him a replacement match, he helped incite the Russian revolution. The Bolsheviks were going to revolt anyway. Gregory just made sure certain people met vith the executioner. The entire Romanov line vas viped out, the humans, vampires, and vitches.

  “He began bribing handlers of the other three houses to add quicksilver to the food supply. They have been unsuccessful in bearing children because of it, your brother included. He needed to eliminate us and our vay of life in order to eliminate himself.

  “In an effort to ruin our family, Gregory compelled members of congress and the banking industry to purposefully crash the economy with over-taxation and regulation. Then he compelled them to print money uncontrollably to guarantee inflation and a devaluation of currency. He is responsible for The Fall and vas trying to blame us.” The last syllable hissed at her. He paused for a few heartbeats.

  “With the contents of the thumb drive, the last unfortunate incident could have been avoided. Did you not receive instruction from Erica to call me?”

  “Yes, Father,” Cassy answered. She looked down at her hand still folded in David’s. David sat very still like a rabbit hoping to be overlooked by the predator.

  “And did you not ignore her warning about going to the police?”

  “Not entirely, Father. They came to me first,” she defended.

  “Indeed they did. Innocent as he may be in his own right, the man sitting beside you and his whole team vas sent out to find you. All those stake-outs were faked. You were the only target. It vas dumb luck that an honest man found you first. Erica used her contacts vith every one of the murder victims to help hide your identity. They vere tortured to peel away the layers of security Erica used to allow you to live in anonymity and still access your trust fund. If you had called me or sent me Erica’s research from before The Fall, I could have taken Gregory out before any of this happened! Gregory splashed your name and photograph all over the news searching for you vhen you vent into hiding. I could have prevented them from reporting the story. You will never able to live in the outside vorld again!” He shouted, flashing his fangs.

  “I understand, Father,” Cassy whispered. David pressed his hand tighter against her and bore down on her leg. The effect was steadying. She sat up a little straighter.

  “It is not your fault he was crazy or that he hated himself. It is your fault that you did not trust me enough to talk to me about this. If you had married him, you vould have been miserable, but I could have given him immortality and sent him away. You could still have had your freedom,” he said with a tired resolve.

  Prince Vlad turned his attentions to David next. His expression hardened. The rabbit was caught. His glare could make anyone cringe in fear. He had had centuries and many wars to perfect it. His upper lip twitched as though he smelled something awful. Cassy waited for him to snap. Instead, he became more calm and calculating, like a snake preparing to strike.

  “Gregory vas right about one thing. You vere sent to vatch her, not to have sex vith her. I understand the attraction, but I cannot excuse your lack of discipline. She is the last female of a failing royal bloodline. You have befouled a great house! If not for your bonding, I vould do to you vhat my father vould have done in such a matter, flay the flesh from your body and impale you by the castle gate. You could join the men rotting in the voods on pikes that attacked your home and her apartment. Do I make myself clear, boy?” His teeth clicked together as he bit off the last word. The gnashing snarl he made held its shape for nearly a minute. His nostrils flared as he took a moment to control his anger.

  “Yes, sir, very, very clear,” David said, holding in whatever anger he felt for having been threatened.

  “As things are, to kill you might kill her, and I vant her to live vith the shame of her mistakes. So. My judgment is this. Cassandra, you have never wanted to be a princess of the house of Dracul. You have run from your responsibility at every opportunity. If you want to live eternity as a common nobody, I vill oblige. You are hereby stripped of all title and rank, except those given by the vitches. You are not velcome in my home until such time as I feel you have paid for your stubbornness. You vill be given one million units of the currency of your choice. Make of it vhat you vill. You keep vhatever assets are currently in your possession and those of your servant, Erica Bergeson. David, you vill remain vith her forever. You vill make her happy or you vill wish you had never been born. I may not kill you, but you vill vish I had,” he commanded.

  “Yes, sir, I will make her as happy as I can,” David placated. Cassy gave him a quick encouraging smile.

  His hard features softened for a moment. He added, “You vill have to live somevere the outside volrd cannot harm you. The choice is yours, but I suggest seeking asylum vith these good Ladies.”

  Vlad picked up his coat and prepared to leave. He stopped and knelt down eye level with Cassy and David. “I expect to hear good news in the coming years, if his eyes are to be believed. You may not be a princess, but there might still be hope for a little prince.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Elves. I vould never have guessed such vild magic could do this.” And with that he stood and left without as much as a good-bye.

  Cassy turned to David and hugged him. Their joy was interrupted by a throat clearing. They turned in the direction of the noise. Lady Helena and Lady Ursula were waiting to be acknowledged.

  “Thank you for everything you have done. I don’t know what you said to him but thank you.” Cassy felt deeply grateful to the elder women.

  “We have a dressing down of our own to give you. You brought this on yourself and your mate. What is more, you brought danger to our door with your naïve trust. Gregory compelled our most vulnerable girls to do terrible things. One freed him, one helped kidnap and harm your mate, and one gave him a distraction to attack you and to avenge his birth by setting fire to our nursery. Mother Ellen lost her life saving every last witchling. Our judgment is thus. You will remain with us for a period of no less than 100 years to atone. You will teach in our schools, and you will allow us to observe your mate and any children you may have. We are most curious as to why he is different. Within him may lie the answer to a better way of surviving the ages,” Lady Ursula stated.

  “Oh, and you will have my grandson stay on to work with you, David. It will impossible for him to return to the humans, now that he has been outed on your behalf. You and he will improve our security and retrain our young ones in more modern defenses,” she added.

  “Yes, Lady. Anything else?” David was anxious. Cassy could tell he wanted to get away.

  “Yes, I think there is,” Lady Helena added, “The universe does nothing without a reason. I assign no blame. The answers will come when we are ready for them. While you are here, I expect you two to find a happy, full life. Now, go, children. The night is still young. I expect you have some celebrating to do.” She gave them a wink and a wide smile. “True love ordained by the heavens is a rare thing. Make the most of it.”

  Epilogue

  Down the hall from her usual bloodred-velvet bedroom, Cassy looked around at the handwoven bright yellow silk wall coverings in Lady Helena’s room. Around her several women stood fussing with her hair, makeup, and dress. They were tittering with such excitement, the air nearly crackled with it. She could feel it brushing her bare shoulders like feathers.

  Cassy stood in front of the full-length gilded mirror. Most of her hair had been curled and piled high on her head. The rest was braided into intricate patterns and intertwined with the mass of curls. Holly springs were placed along the top braid for decoration. The chocolate-colored hair made the bright red berries and rich green leaves stand out.

  A knock announced a new arrival. Lady Ursula came in quietly. She watched as the last puff of powder was applied and the laces tightened on Cassy’s deep red taffeta corset dress. The full black tulle petticoats showed beneath the
knee-length front of the skirt but were hidden in the back by the ankle-length taffeta. The red satin shoes were dyed to match. She gave an appraising nod of approval and dismissed the remaining helpers, who filed out of the room still giggling.

  She approached Cassy, pulling a small box from her pocket. She opened the lid and handed it to Cassy. Inside was a signet ring and matching picture locket in a very old bezel. The pieces could have been called antiquities, judging by their age. Cassy thought they were exquisite.

  “I thought you might like something of your mother’s on your big day. You father offered it to us as a part of his restitution payment,” she beamed. “It seemed a shame to keep these from you.”

  Cassy was speechless. She put both hands to her mouth in an effort to not cry. Never had she been given her mother’s jewelry. It was a born vampire tradition that such things would be passed on as a wedding gift. As Cassy had refused to marry the man her father had selected, she was denied her trousseau.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. It was all she could manage. A lump formed in her throat preventing anything else from being said. Cassy had on several occasions over the last few days wished her mother could have been with her. And here, in a small box, she was. She had to swallow hard several times just to breathe correctly.

  The elder woman twirled her finger over the box’s contents. The large gold oval locket lifted out of the box, unclasped itself, and encircled Cassy’s neck. She felt the clasp catch. Inside was a small porcelain disk with her mother’s portrait painted on the creamy background. Cassy’s eyes looked back at her framed with the same chocolate ringlets she saw in the mirror. The other disk held her father’s portrait painted in the same exquisite detail. She translated the Romanian inscription on the back. “Everything comes to he who waits. To C.M.D. From V.T.D. 1829”