by Vicki Cross
“She’s spent too long trying to be human,” my mother added.
“Your own doing,” Aunt Sheila remarked. “You raised her to think and act like a human, and it isn’t a wonder that she doesn’t understand her place.”
“How dare you!” my mother retorted, her voice unable to hide her anger.
“Enough!” I shouted making my way down to them. I couldn’t listen to anymore. There fighting didn’t make anything better and if I was going to sign my life away to Sebastian, they were going to hear me out.
“No more,” I cried out. “If marrying Sebastian will save our kind, then I will do it.” The room fell silent at my sudden outburst. My mother immediately turned to my father who was sitting comfortably in his chair. A few moments passed between us before Aunt Sheila moved towards me.
“Wonderful!” my Aunt Shelia beamed clasping her hands together in excitement. She danced her way towards me in a cheerful waltz. “What did I tell you Henry. She would make the right choice.” My aunt wiped the tears from my face and I did everything I could to not step away from her. “Now don’t cry sweetheart. You’re doing exactly what a princess is supposed to do.”
I rolled my eyes at her and folded my arms across my chest.
“Not before I say goodbye to Jude,” I replied stepping towards my father. I looked him straight in the eyes so he could truly see how unhappy I was. I hoped deep down, he could feel it and that it hurt him as well.
But they were getting what they wanted, now I wanted something in return. Just one last night with Jude, so I could give a proper goodbye. He deserved that.
“Well I don’t see a problem with that. Let the boy down gently and he will move on. They are simple creatures that way.”
I gave her a cold look. “Aunt Sheila, I need to talk to my parents alone.” She blinked a few times as if taken back by my request. “Of course darling,” she finally spoke giving me a soft smile. Once she was gone I made my way to my mother’s side and took in a deep breath.
“I won’t fight anymore, I’ll go to him and agree to everything,” I assured them. “I just need to say goodbye to him.”
My mother forced a soft smile as if she was almost disappointed with my declaration. She reached for me and pulled me into her arms. “Tell her Henry,” she began as she patted my head softly like a child. I lifted my head in confusion and gave them both a confused look.
“Tell me what?” I asked as my mother let me go.
“Henry,” she sighed.
My father placed his elbows on the desk and let his hands meet his forehead. He seemed upset and tired at the same time. As if he was about to lift a heavy burden off his shoulders. But he still didn’t speak.
“Jude is-,” she began but was cut off swiftly by my father.
“Louisa…I will tell her.”
“Tell me what?” I demanded again.
Father pushed himself up from the desk so quickly that his chair nearly fell behind him.
“Shay…Jude is…he’s a guardian. Your guardian.” He replied struggling to get out every word.
My eyes widen with the mention of guardian. “But that’s-he’s never took the oath,” I stumbled over my words as my confusion set in.
“He did,” my mother replied and I could swear I saw a hint of a smile.
“When?” I yelled at him.
His hands found his pocket as he seemed to relax a bit. “Nearly 12 years ago. The night of your spring dance.”
“That’s impossible Jude would have told me-,”
“Not if I made him swear that he couldn’t tell anyone.” He interjected. “Look, you trusted him by telling him about our family. You put us in danger, Shay. So, I gave him a choice that night. I could wipe his mind and erase any memory of you. Or he become a guardian and help protect our secret.”
Memories from that night flooded my mind. I remember waiting for Jude, and being so disappointed when he told me he wouldn’t be able to make it. He never gave me a straight answer and now I knew why. He did something he didn’t have to do for me. I had to see him. I needed him now more than ever.
“But you can’t let this change your mind about Sebastian.” He encouraged.
I swallowed hard trying to force all my anger down. “Sebastian…I will never love him. Bound to him or not! He is not who I want.” I declared.
My father rounded his desk to stand in front of me. “Who you want is not up to you! If I raised you to believe you were human, then that is my fault. But you’re a vampire and a princess who must do what is right for her kind and her family. You have a responsibility and if there was another way, I would do it. You’re my daughter but above all you’re a princess.”
I shook my head stepping away from them both, trying to fight the tears but it wasn’t working. I could feel them sliding down my face as I lost all control of emotions.
“Shay,” my mother began and by her movements I could see how much she wanted to reach out for me again but didn’t. She knew there was nothing she could say. “Go, say goodbye to him.” She replied in a low voice.
I spun quickly on my heels to get out of there. It felt as though the walls were caving in on me and any second I would be crushed. I knew I could only find peace with Jude, and so I went to him.
Jude
The knock at the door came in very slow motions. I nearly missed the sound of it, if it wasn’t for me turning the sound down earlier when my found ranged. Shay’s voice was on the other end, telling me that she needed to see me and I could tell something was wrong. Every tremble her voice sent chills down my spine.
I opened the door quickly and there she was standing in her green dress getting wet by the rain.
“I could have come to get you,” I replied as she stepped in sliding her flats off as she did so.
“Show me,” her soft voice spoke.
“Shay what’s happened?” her bloodshot eyes caused a pain in me I had never felt. She stepped closer closing the distance between us and placed a hand over my heart. Her brown eyes peered up at me with such pain and despair.
“Show me,” she cried. I knew immediately what she meant and suddenly felt like the mark was burning from her touch. The heat from her hand warmed me and I slowly unbuttoned the top of my shirt and made my way down my chest.
She didn’t wait for me to open it up myself, instead she slid her hands under my shirt and around my shoulders to reveal what she already knew. Pushing my shirt off my shoulders she let it fall to the floor and she traced the outline of the mark with her fingers.
“You didn’t have to do this?” she whispered her eyes swelling up again with tears. She was right, I didn’t have to but I couldn’t choose the other option. I knew that I loved her and erasing her from my mind was never an option for me.
“I did. I couldn’t just forget you,” I smiled thumbing away her tears. I wanted to tell her. So many nights I lay awake wanting her to know how much she meant to me. That I would easily give my life to for hers. Her father had me swear to not tell and it was oath I couldn’t break.
“Would you ever have told me?” she smiled closing her eyes to feel the warmth of my hand on the nape of her neck.
“I-I don’t know,” it was the only answer I could come up with. She searched my eyes for a few moments and before I knew it, she was on the tip of her toes crushing her lips to mine.
With one quick motion I pulled her closer to my body and picked her up. She instantly wrapped her legs around my waist as I made my way to the couch. I placed her down gently feeling her heavy breaths. She kissed me quickly and I pulled her back onto my lap. My hard cock was itching for her as she pulled up her skirt and sat on top of me.
“Are you sure?” I breathed breaking the kiss and looking into her eyes to gage her willingness. I wanted her, more than anything but I didn’t want her to regret any part of being with me.
She placed her forehead to mine and nodded. “Yes. I love you.”
After those words, I didn’t need any more convincing
.
I slide my hand under her dress and down her in between her thighs. She pushed herself up gently so I could slide my hands closer to her hot and wet center. She moaned instantly at my touch and I grunted in pleasure. Reaching for her panties I quickly pushed them to the side and found her wet slick opening. She gasped at the feeling of my thumb circling her clit and threw her head back. I wanted to make her scream in pleasure and hear her moaning in pure ecstasy.
Her wetness hardened my cock more and I pulled her closer placing kisses all across her collarbone. This was the warmest I had ever felt her body.
She let out a low playful giggle as I neared her chin with my lips and kissed the corner of her mouth.
“I want to feel you inside of me,” she moaned finding my cock with hands and rubbing me through my jeans. “Fuck,” I groan as her hand finds the head of my cock.
I quickly undress and she slides her dress off her shoulders and lets it fall to the floor. Stepping out of the damp clothes she makes her way back to me and I pull her back down to the couch so she lay on her back and me over her. Her brown skin was so beautiful against white flesh.
I pushed her legs at apart with my knees and smiles waiting for me to do what we’ve both been wanting for a long time.
“Tell me you love me,” I whisper kissing and cupping her breast. I suckle on nipple and she draws in a deep breath and places her leg over my back. I find her wet folds again and push two fingers inside her.
“Oh! yes!” she screams before grabbing the cushion of the couch and gripping tightly. I look up at her once more and I can her eyes are glazed over with want and need.
“Tell me,” I tease then nibble on her nipple before pushing my fingers deeper inside her.
“I love you!” she moans finding my hair with her other hand.
I smile up at her and bring my attention back to her lips, which I so desperately want to kiss. She licks her lips and I bring my fingers to my mouth and taste how sweet she is. She smiles shyly and I instantly kiss her to let her know that I’m here.
The throbbing of my cock lets me know that I can’t take anymore and I have to know how it feels to be inside her. I center my cock at her wet entrance and she instantly moans ready for me to take her. I push forward slowly, wanting to take my time but the hunger in me wants more, wants to feel her tightness surrounding me.
“Oh fuck,” I grunt out as I slide in deeper. Her nails grip my back and the pain and pleasure causes me to push a little more. I feel her tighten around me, her eyes are close as she enjoys the way we fit together and I place a kiss on her forehead.
Shay touches my mark again her hand and slowly start to thrust inside her. Her eyes light up with desire as she throws her head back taking every inch of me. No woman had every come to close to how she felt against my body. I wanted every day of my life. I’ve known that since we were kids and I know it now.
“Tell me,” I moan thrusting harder.
She opens her eyes at me and moans become too much for her to say the words. “I-” she began as I could feel her reaching her climax.
“Tell me,” I groan finding my own climax reaching to the break the barrier.
“I-I love you,” she shouts and it sends me over the edge. My warm seed spills inside her and I smile as we both try to regain our breaths.
“I love you,” I say before claiming her mouth with my own.
Chapter 9
Shay
I didn’t sleep. I just watched him the whole night breath in and out. He was at peace. Jude lay comfortably on his stomach with a leg draped across mine and his head facing me. I felt safe. Knowing what I know now, I could finally understand why. Jude was my guardian and he had vowed to protect me even when he could have chosen otherwise. I have asked so much of him by telling him my secret and all he asked me to do, was to choose him. How was I going to tell him that I had to go to Sebastian? How would he ever forgive me for saying goodbye?
Tears slowly trickled down my face and I couldn’t help but let them. If I was smart, I would leave now before he wakes and prevent the pending hurt and pain of my leaving. But I wasn’t smart, I was in love and I needed him to know how much it hurt me to say goodbye.
I brush some of his hair out of his face and he stirs in his sleep. I soft giggle breaks my lips and his eyes slowly flutter open. “What are you laughing at?” he smiles then pulls my naked body to his. I don’t answer. Instead he places a kiss on my wet cheek and quickly pulls away.
“What’s wrong?” he questions his brow is up, as he searches for an answer.
“I-I’m just happy.” It was the truth, but now wasn’t the time to tell him what I was really thinking about. I just wanted this moment with him. I wanted to be as peaceful as he slept. Just knowing that tonight I was his and he was mine.
He smiles wide and places a soft kiss on my lips before rolling me on top of him. “I bet, I could make you happier,” he teases kissing me along my jaw line. His hand grabs my ass and places a soft smack on it, and I gasp in shock.
“Like that?” he laughs then hits me again, this time harder and I let out a yelping sound. “I think you do.”
I kiss him on his cheek and nod in agreement. “More,” I giggle and he lands another hard smack.
I yell in a mix of pain and pleasure and I start to feel his cock harden under me. A moan escapes my lips as he rocks me gently on his cock and I am in a different world. I feel the nub of my clit rubbing against him and my wetness becomes more. The ache to feel him inside of me is growing stronger and stronger.
“Feels so good,” I moan
He gives me a sexy and seductive smile and I know he wants more. “Do you think you’re too sore for round two?” he asks. I immediately shake my head no. Even if that was the case, I knew that before the pleasure came the pain and I could do well with both.
“Good,”
Before I knew it, his hard cock was pushing at my wet and waiting entrance. He slid in gently and a winced slightly turning away as filled me. I felt his hand reach the side of my face as he pulled me back to focus on him. I kissed him and he held me close with one hand and flipping us over with the other. His strength amazed me, and I couldn’t help but smile up at him while.
“You feel amazing,” he breathed as he slowly started to thrust inside me. I gripped the sheet tightly as a wave of pleasure ran through my body. My body was on fire with every move he made. His kisses only sent me over the edge as he looked down at me with such hungry eyes.
I his thrust became faster and harder and I could feel his hard cock throbbing inside me. I wanted more, I wanted every night with him to be just like this. His thumb traced my full bottom lip and I instinctively licked it. He grunted with excitement and I couldn’t help but feel aroused.
Just when I felt like I couldn’t take any more he bent down and took my nipple into his mouth and nibbled hard. I moaned his name and he flicked it with his tongue and grabbed the other showing it an equal amount of attention. Every touch, lick, and thrust, sent a sensation through my body that drove me wild. It was wonderful. I never knew being in love could feel so amazing.
His thrust became quicker as I could feel him reaching his peak along with my own. I was going climax and I through my head back in anticipation. His grunts and moans became louder and he brought me into one final kiss before giving into his pending climax and releasing himself to me.
Jude was asleep again in a matter of minutes. I could feel his breaths against the nape of my neck as he we lay on our sides with my back to him. His arms rested softly under my breast and I linked my fingers with his. The raised skin from his mark felt calming against my skin and I felt at ease. For a brief moment I had forgotten about saying goodbye. Instead, it felt as though this was our life together. For as long as we both wanted it. I knew I wanted this forever, but I also knew Jude’s life was much shorter than mine. If he was like me, we could be together like this forever. The thought of making him a vampire crossed my mind. It wasn’t my call to make. Esp
ecially, since I must go to Sebastian. The frustration of it all brought tears to my eyes again. I could sneak out now and he wouldn’t be the wiser. But the heartache he would feel only made me cry more. I could never do that. He at the very least needed to hear me say it.
Jude’s phone went off like an alarm in the middle of the night and he stirred clearly annoyed by the sound. I couldn’t help but smile as he pulled the sheets from his body and sat up. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he reached over to the nightstand and retrieved his phone.
“Hello,” he answered his voice groggy from sleep.
My hearing allowed me to hear what the other person on the line was saying. Apparently a body was found in the next town over and they needed him to come down to see if he could help identify the body.
“Who do they think it is?” he asked the voice on the other side.
“Not sure, but the plates from the vehicle are registered in Pearl,” the voice replied.
“Ok, text me the location. I’ll be there soon.” He replied.
Jude turns towards me and gave me a halfhearted smile and I knew he didn’t want to leave me.
“Looks like the Sheriff in the next town found a dead body in a vehicle. License plates have them registered in Pearl, so they need my help to identify them.”
I nodded not wanting him to leave. “Do you have to go?” I questioned knowing I was sounding selfish.
He placed a kiss on my lips and said “I do. But I’ll be back later on.” He made his way to find his sheriff clothes and I turned on the light so he could see better. In the dark, I hadn’t noticed his room when he brought me in it earlier in the evening after I first round of fun. I could see how neat and orderly he kept it, and how my clothes looked bunched in a ball on the floor.
I pulled the blankets up to my chest and watched him get dress. I needed to tell him the truth. I needed him to know.
“Jude, we need to talk”
He pulled his shirt over his head and slid into his brown pants. “Can it wait until I get back?”
I thought about it briefly and gave him a quick smile. “Of course it can.”