Fangs with a Heart

by Tempeste O'Riley

  She took the box and carefully removed the silk, handing it to one of her servants. Sasha knew she would use it for something later, just as he would have. A gift was a gift, but the silk was part of the gift. Finding a good use for it was just as important as whatever was inside. The box was simple, but within was a nesting doll! One unlike any he’d ever seen—a cute trick, since they were a Russian tradition and he had many in his coven who crafted and sold them all over the world.

  Her gasp could be heard throughout the area, if the looks and craning necks were anything to go by. She immediately took it over to one of the tables along the side and set the large doll down. Tatiana took her time looking it over. Sasha, with Trace following behind him, joined her. Jason, to the side, smiled as Keith stepped up behind him—still in his Chosen form.

  “It’s beautiful. This is… this is Sasha’s father.”

  “It is. I already had a couple of these contracted when I found out about today, so you get the first one,” Jason whispered as he looked at Sasha but didn’t meet his gaze. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not, hon. Thank you.” Turning back to Tatiana, he added, “Well, you going to open it?”

  “I was admiring the detail and artistry, but of course.” She opened the first level, and the next one was Sasha’s mother. Sasha had to fight the urge to take the doll and demand to get to keep the set himself. Beneath that was Sasha; then Nadia, Sasha’s sister; then Chosen of Baast, Alpha Orin, Nadia’s fated heart. After that was Trace in his lynx form. Sasha would recognize a generic lynx from Trace, though Tatiana might not.

  “That’s Trace,” Sasha murmured.

  “I figured it was him. I was positive. I’ve only seen him a couple of times in his lynx skin, but thought it had to be him. It’s so well done! Particularly as it’s not done by Russians.”

  Beneath that one was a doll that wasn’t as detailed but was obviously meant to be Tatiana. And inside that one was the traditional baby.

  “How did you manage to add me to the doll so quickly? It takes a lot of time and work to make these. You can’t just up and change them at the last minute.”

  Jason smirked. “You can if you had designed the inside to hold more than the single baby. Changing it so it held a new doll and one baby was doable. Unfortunately the Tatiana doll isn’t as fancy as the others. My artist said he can keep working on it to finish fancying it up after this, if you will allow, but I didn’t want to miss welcoming you to the family.”

  “You’re not in the doll,” Tatiana said, a slight frown on her face. She turned to Sasha and asked, “Why isn’t he?”

  “I didn’t order the doll. You’d have to ask him why.”

  She turned back to Jason. “Why aren’t you part of the doll? Everyone knows you’re family to Sasha.”

  “Not official like you and Trace are. He’s my best friend, and my grandfather asked him to watch over me when he passed, but he didn’t adopt me or marry me or anything.”

  Her brows pulled together as she seemed to think about what Jason said, but Sasha was too busy not liking what Jason implied to worry about her take on it. Jason didn’t think Sasha considered him “really” part of his family? How could the man miss something so simple?

  Trace touched Sasha’s lower back, pulling him out of his musings. “Sasha, right now Tatiana needs to go mingle. We need to make sure everything goes as planned, and did you notice that Jalin had Dimka walk Tatiana’s now ex-mother, I guess, out already? Jason’s comment and your displeasure with it can wait.”

  “Thank you, and you’re right. Tatiana,” Sasha said a little louder. “It’s time for you to go meet your coven as their new princess. I know you’ve met many of them already, but it’s different now.”

  “I know, and thanks. You have no idea what this means to me.” She kissed both his cheeks before she did the same to Trace. Tatiana then turned and walked out on Jalin’s arm into the crowd that awaited her. Before the party that would follow, she would be able to go dress properly, but meeting a few of the higher-ranked members first would help her, as this was her home now. Thankfully she was already popular and well-known. She had visited off and on since they were small children.

  “SASHA, THANK you for tonight.” Tatiana hugged him tight, tears still occasionally streaking down her cheeks. They were in his and Trace’s sitting room this time, having seen Jason and Keith out and escaped the rest of the coven already. “But there is something I am not happy with.”

  Sasha sat back in his chair as she retook hers. Trace settled on the plush rug beside Sasha’s chair by his own choice, as had become his norm. “And what is that? I thought things went quite well. I know it had to be hard to hear and respond to your mother, but—”

  “No, not her. What bothers me is what your human, Jason, said, and the fact he’s not in the doll. He doesn’t truly believe you see him as family? Or that his station is lacking? I don’t understand, and by the scowl on your face at the time, you seemed disturbed by what he said as well.”

  Taking a deep breath and holding it a moment, he tried to sort his thoughts and failed. “I’m not entirely sure why he’s relegated himself to not as important, but I don’t like it.”

  “You’re a prince, Sasha,” Trace said, looking up at Sasha, one hand curled around his calf. “He’s merely a human, a common, stuttering geek that you became friends with as a side effect of a promise to his grandfather.”

  “He is my friend and family. He was my only family before I met you, Trace. How can you relegate him to of no import like that?” Sasha snapped.

  “I’m not. I’m telling you what he said earlier, just rearranged a little. He doesn’t doubt that you’re his friend or that he can count on you. He knows you would do anything for him and for Sean and Zeke. But see himself as worthy of being true family of a royal prince? He still turns red and stutters over being sought out for judgments or advice as the alpha mate. Put him behind a computer and he could rule the world. Otherwise he still feels that he’s a little lacking outside his circle of friends, family, and loved ones.”

  “And I don’t notice him act like that anymore because… I fall into that category of people he’s comfortable with, so he doesn’t act the same as he does with outsiders, right?” Sasha didn’t like what Trace said, nor did he know how to fix it.

  “So adopt him like you did me,” Tatiana said.

  Sasha snapped his gaze up to meet hers. “What?”

  “Make him your little brother in truth, not just like family, but be family.” She smiled softly at him. “I know it’s a bit unconventional to adopt a human, but he wouldn’t be in line or anything, so that wouldn’t be a problem, and it could be seen by the coven as a stronger tie to the coven with the tribe. You have bonded to their trainer, and your brother would be married to their alpha. Instant covenant.”

  “But he’s human, not a vampire,” Trace argued. “Won’t that be an issue? I don’t know the laws yet, but the fact he’s not shifter or vampire, I would imagine, would be a problem.”

  “That might be true,” Sasha mumbled, considering the idea. Making Jason an official member of his family was something he wanted with a deep craving now that it had been presented to him. But what were the laws? And what would Jason say? “I will have to research that immediately, but no matter what they say, there is the issue of if he would agree.” Would Alpha Keith try to dissuade him or encourage him? “If there’s one thing I can say with certainty with Jason, it’s that I never know what he’ll decide.”

  “Then I will help you research,” Trace said, his voice cautious but determined. “This is something important to you, but also something that could impact my tribe. Just promise you won’t do anything he doesn’t agree to do. Please.”

  Sasha cupped Trace’s chin and lifted it so their gazes met. “I would never do anything against him, mal’chik. Just as I never would against you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  THREE DAYS later Trace was settled in his new offic
e, staring at his new guard, trying hard to figure out what in Baast’s name to do with him. “Let me get this straight. Dimka has permanently assigned you to me, but you chose to come early and introduce yourself instead of waiting for either him or Sasha to make the proper intros and explanations?”

  The male was maybe six feet before you added in the thickness of his badass boots—then he was probably about six four? Then there were the leather pants, the leather corset-like jacket, and the streaks in his jet-black hair that were all in a deep crimson. He had at least a dozen piercings going up his right ear, with only three in his left… plus an industrial and one in the little nub part, two in his right eyebrow, one in his left nostril, and one in the center of his plump bottom lip. There were also numerous leather strips at his neck and wrists, various rings on his fingers, and his nails were done in black and tipped in crimson. All in all the effect was stunning but would stand out most anywhere but a club—and even in many clubs.

  “Dimka was summoned by Prince Sasha on our way here. I chose to continue. It’s not proper for you to have to borrow guards all the time, and as I’ve been assigned to you, I thought to introduce myself.”

  Trace sighed as he sat back in his chair. The male did have a point. Now that he’d accepted being Royal Consort Trace—and he was certain he heard capital letters when the words were spoken by any but Vlad—he had to accept the rest of the stuff that came with the station too. Ugh. “Fine. Can we start with a name? Oh, and while I don’t personally object to how you’re dressed, you do realize that you will not blend in most places I would go in the human parts of the world, right?”

  “I am Sloane, and yes, I know. You are a bit conservative, but I can tone down my attire when needed.” His lips curled down slightly as he touched the series of earrings on his right ear. “But, um, how plain will you require me to appear to be? Sir.”

  He couldn’t help but smile at the butch little bad boy worried about losing his metal. “Just tone down the clothing when needed enough to do your job, and I’ll be happy. I know full well that vampires have the ability to blend no matter what they’re wearing, to a point. When they want to. How else would they hunt—those that kill humans, that is?”

  “True. Thank you. Dressing as you are is just not me.”

  “Understood. Oh, and you don’t need to call me ‘sir.’ Trace is fine.”

  Sloane smirked. “Take it up with Dimka, sir.”

  “Damn vampires and your annoying formality.”

  “Right, and you shifters don’t have your own? You’re a trainer and work for their council, right? I’m pretty sure you have a long list of things you have to follow as well.”

  “Just because you’re right on this point doesn’t mean I like you right now.” They both chuckled. “But fine. I will speak to Dimka. Not like I’ve won that battle with Vasily either.”

  “And you won’t with him. The serving class, especially those who are chosen to be valets and all, would never dream of not giving you the respect your station deserves. Especially now that he serves you after being rescued from his… previous owner.”

  Trace didn’t like the idea but understood the principle. Still, though….

  Sloane continued, unaware of Trace’s thought, “If you befriend him, maybe after a few centuries he might, once in a while, use your name in private… maybe. You may be a shifter and commoner-born, but you are now our royal consort. The fated heart to our beloved Prince Sasha.” Sloane ran his hands up the back of his close-cropped hair—the top and front much longer and styled to frame his striking face—before dropping them to his sides again. “As much as he likes to run off and play with his hospital and hang out with his human brother-friend, he is effectively our king, and you his eternal consort. Not all outside our coven will see you that way because you are a lynx, but for us, that’s the beginning and end of it. I will protect you with everything I have, not because I know you—yet—but because I am loyal to my prince and will not allow anything to harm that which finally brings him happiness and peace.”

  “The whole medieval thing is still strange to me. Feels like I ought to be at a Ren faire or something.”

  Sloane shrugged. “It’s just how our society functions. I know humans moved away from this for the most part, but it works, and honestly, I can’t imagine trying to make vampires function where we had to vote and have a new leader every four years. We would tear ourselves apart within a decade. As bad as some princes and princesses are, this is still the best system for us.”

  “Just as tribes are for lynx. I get it. It’s just the bowing and the sirs and the wishing to help me get dressed and all… it’s….”

  “Weird? Yeah, I wouldn’t like that either. But that’s what you get for bonding with our prince,” Sloane said with a laugh. He sobered as he stared down at Trace’s desk. “Mind if I ask what you’re working on? I know it’s none of my business, but you had an odd expression on your face when I came in.”

  “You’ll hear soon enough anyway, so I don’t see why not. These are the plans for two houses that will serve as shelters for battered partners, no matter the gender of the victim or the abuser. Domestic violence shelters. One for shifters and one for vampires.”

  “I remember during the ritual Princess Tatiana mentioning you having a soft spot for those in need. I didn’t know she meant to this level. This will likely make you a target of those not wishing to lose their spouse, mate, whatever.”

  “I don’t really care. The fact an abuser doesn’t want to lose the one they hurt isn’t my problem. Besides—” Trace flashed a grin at Sloane. “—isn’t that why I have you? To keep all the big and bad from getting to me?”

  Sloane stood a little taller. “True, and a worthy cause. Humans, sadly, do not own the market on such crimes. But why do you care so much?”

  Trace took a deep breath as he looked Sloane over and made a decision. Talking about his past wasn’t something he did, to the point he’d never let himself heal and had nearly cost himself Sasha. Setting up and opening the two programs was good, but maybe he should start answering that question? “Until Duncan saved me years ago, I refused to ask for help, so I can understand where each one of those I hope to help is coming from. Hell, even after he rescued me, I didn’t want it, and without him, I would have died—quite literally, unfortunately.”

  Sloane twitched as he stared at Trace. “He what? What do you mean?” he asked, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “And who is Duncan?”

  “This is not show-and-tell time, Sloane. I have no interest in getting into my full history, thank you. But I will say that my projects are personal, as I’ve been there, nearly didn’t make it out the other side. The hard part for me, once they are running, will be not tracking down the pieces of filth that tore away at the body, heart, and soul of each of those we hope to help, and returning the pain they gave as sharply and as viciously as I can.”

  Sloane took a step back, his pale amber eyes going wide. “Dayum! Remind me not to piss you off.”

  “Never abuse your partner and we’re fine,” Trace snapped, then took a deep breath, working hard to calm himself. “Sorry. It’s nothing against you or any vampire. It wouldn’t matter what race you are. I hate abusers. Period.”

  “Got it, sir. I do as well.” He smirked. “My mistress would be pissed if I even thought of hitting her.”

  Trace chuckled. “Ahh…. Maybe I’ll get to meet her sometime. For now I need to finish up here and then get ready. Since you’re here I guess that means you get to go out with us tonight.”

  “Dimka said you were going out but didn’t tell me where or with who.”

  “The why is the more fun part. Tatiana and I are taking Jason out, but he thinks he and I are taking her out as a welcome-to-the-area kind of thing. So she can get a taste of Seattle from a human and lynx shifter point of view, not just where vampires tend to hang out.”

  “And why are you two tricking the human? Prince Sasha won’t like anything that upsets Jason. We�
��ve guarded him since he was a babe, though he never let us teach the human’s exes a lesson when they hurt him.”

  “I’ve heard the same grumble from Summer and Dimka and kind of agree with you, though I understand staying out of it. But it has to do with him saying he’s not really family. Tatiana wants to work on showing him that he’s wrong. On… including him in things that only family would be.”

  “But he is family, even though he doesn’t have fangs. We all know that. Just as none here would ever harm him or would have approached him before he knew of us. He belongs to Sasha as much as you do, only in a different way.”

  “Now to make him understand that….”

  “I LOVE this place, Jason,” Tatiana said as she looked out the large window of the restaurant on the wharf as they enjoyed a very late dinner. “I’ve never been to any place like this before.”

  It was a little hole-in-the-wall eatery that had the best fish and chips Trace had ever had—and that included when he’d gone to England many years ago.

  “That’s because you’re used to b-being treated as a p-princess, not a person, hon,” Jason said, then smiled.

  It had taken a little to get him to relax, but he had, for the most part. Now if they could get him comfortable with Tatiana enough to lose the stuttering….

  Trace popped a fry into his mouth and chewed, enjoying watching the two as they adjusted to one another. He scanned the area and noted Sloane at one table in the corner and Summer at another. Eventually Tatiana would end up with her own guard, but for now it seemed Summer was acting as hers. He didn’t see anyone for Jason, though he had a feeling there was at least one of the tribe’s guards outside as well.