by Eve Newton
"Oh, the gods!" I cry out as the feeling of having both of sets of fangs in me is intoxicating. Lincoln isn’t feeding from me, although we did exchange blood during the Pairing that made me his Alpha, but his bite is sharp and sweet and leaves trickles of blood rolling down my chest, that CK laps up as he pulls back from my wrist.
Pulling back, Lincoln asks, "Where do you want us?"
Oh, everywhere, I think blindly.
"Hm, is this a private party or can anyone join in?" comes a lightly accented voice from over by the fireplace.
"What the fuck?" I exclaim as I open my eyes in surprise. "Who the fuck are you?" I yell, trying to cover up my bits. Not normally shy about nudity, it's somewhat different when you are caught in flagrante by a complete stranger.
Lincoln grabs my robe and pulls it over me. I clutch it to me as I stand up.
"Why are the wards not up?" I yell to no one in particular as I magick on some clothes.
"They are," Lincoln says.
CK stands with a sigh. "He can get through. He's family. Sebastian. It's been a while."
"Hello, Constantine. It has indeed. Paris too far for you to travel? Or have you been kept occupied by this lovely thing for the last several years?"
"That would be your Queen, Sebastian. Watch your tone."
"Ah, so you are the new Queen. Liv, isn't it? Or do you prefer Aefre?"
Who cares? I have that many versions of my name flying about, I don't really mind.
"Liv will suffice," I say.
He bows his head. "It is a pleasure. Sorry it has taken me so long to make your acquaintance, I was held up somewhat."
"No worries. I assume you are another one of CK's B.C. boys, seeing as you Teleported in?" I say, referring to the ability that only seems to appear to Vampires after a good two thousand years or more. Not to be confused, of course, with my own Astralling ability that is part of my Dragon Power package and nothing to do with my Vampire self.
"CK's B.C. boys?" he asks, confused.
CK looks at me, amused. "Is that what you call them? I quite like it," he chuckles.
I throw a laugh back at him.
"I still don't get it," Sebastian says, frowning.
"It doesn't matter. Fact is, you Teleported into my living room, trying to find our sire and in the process interrupted a rather important bonding session," I huff at him.
"Bonding session? He's not one of ours," Sebastian sneers at Lincoln, who gets his hackles up.
"He is one of mine," I snap at him and he has the grace to look contrite at my evident defense.
"Well, don't let me interrupt you. Please go back to your bonding. I'll wait," he says with a slight leer.
"Humph, you wish," I huff at him rudely.
He raises his eyebrow at me. “It has been a while since my sire, and I shared a bite to eat. Do you mind?" he asks as he steps closer, fangs dropping.
CK steps in front of me and holds his hand up. "Back off, Sebastian. You know she’s not for sharing."
"Oh, now clearly that is not the case," he says with a pointed look at Lincoln.
"He's different," he says shortly.
"You choose a Wolf over your own charge? I am wounded," he says sarcastically but retracts his fangs anyway.
"Her choice."
"Well, I have to say she is far more appealing in person than you spoke of. No wonder you kept her from me. She is exactly my type," he says eyeing me.
I glare at him. Taking the opportunity to eye him back as well. He is remarkable. Not really my type being blonde and green-eyed himself, but he is about Lincoln's height, maybe a bit taller with a slender yet well-muscled body.
Enjoying the lingering once-over, I’m giving him, he says, "Seeing as our sire seems to have lost his manners, let me introduce myself. I am Sebastian Gautier."
I chuckle at his comment that has made CK look like he is about to blow a gasket. "Liv O'Dell."
"The pleasure is all mine. Or perhaps it is all yours. If I remember correctly, Constantine knows how to please a woman."
CK growls low in his throat as I turn to him with a grimace. "Yes, he sure does," I mutter, but move into his arms to trail a long, black nail down his chest.
He looks smug at my actions and words. "Now if you wouldn't mind, we would like to get back to our… bonding," I say.
"Like I said, I don’t mind waiting, although, I know a thing or two myself on how to please a woman. I'll be happy to show you, if you like?" he asks me.
"That won't be necessary," CK says with a scowl.
"Well, this has been interesting, but would you mind waiting upstairs?" I point my finger upward and he looks up.
"Upstairs?"
"My apartment is upstairs. You Teleported into Liv's," CK explains.
"Fine," he says. He picks up his bag and says to CK, "I have what you were looking for."
CK's eyes flash and he nods, "I will be with you shortly."
Sebastian Teleports out before I get the chance to tell him to go via the door.
"What were you looking for?" I ask CK curiously.
"Nothing for you to worry about," he says shortly.
"If it's to do with the Regency, it is my business," I remind him sternly.
"It's not. I do, however, need to go and deal with this."
"But what about us?" I ask, a bit miffed off he's leaving.
He glances at Lincoln. "Have your fun, my sweet, then come back upstairs. Soon," he adds and Teleports back upstairs.
"Well, that was unexpectedly frustrating," Lincoln says, coming up behind me. "I was quite looking forward to seeing where that was headed."
"Mm, me too," I murmur as I turn in his arms, worried that CK seems so fine about leaving me here with another man. Especially during ‘his time’.
Lincoln leans down to kiss me, distracting me momentarily.
We hear a key in the door. I pull away quickly, ridiculously expecting Devon. I step forward.
"Lincoln? Oh, Liv. What are you doing here?" Scott, my assistant, asks in surprise.
"I live here," I snap, disappointed. "What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Savant called me this morning and asked me to come," he says, closing the door.
"He called you this morning?" I ask, confused how he got here so quickly.
He looks at his watch and sees it is 3 AM. "Sorry, I mean yesterday morning. I had a load of work to sort before I could leave," he says, pushing his glasses up his nose and sweeping his dark hair off his forehead in consternation, as he senses my anger.
I choke back a sob. "Yesterday morning?"
He nods warily, now picking up on my sorrow.
I look at Lincoln, who looks at me with pity. "He planned it. He didn't just go, he planned it. No wonder he wanted…" I put my hand to my mouth remembering his words: “I want it all.”
"Is everything, okay?" Scott asks.
Pulling myself together, I nod briskly. "Yes, fine."
"I thought you'd be upstairs with Mr. D'Arcangelo?" He points upstairs. Seems to be a thing now.
"Yes, I'm going back up in a minute. He's in a meeting."
"Oh. Well, it's late. If you don't need me for anything, Mr. Savant said I can use his room."
"Yes, that's fine, Scott. Good night."
"Good night." And off he goes into Devon's room.
I turn to Lincoln. "I guess I should…" I point and he nods.
"I suppose. Don't want to push my luck just when things seem to be getting better," he says, pulling me to him and kissing me. "I’m horny as hell though," he adds with a smile.
I smile back. "That makes two of us." He laughs as I head for the door out of habit, but Lincoln says, "Back the way you came, please."
"Shit. This is so confusing," I grumble, but stop as I see CK's phone on the coffee table where he left it. That is highly unusual. He is very much like me with regard to his phone and always has it with him. I hesitate, my hand hovering over it as I look at Lincoln guiltily.
He raises his eyebrow
at me and says, "V.A. Don't do it."
"I have to," I say quietly, in case he can hear me all the way from upstairs. I snatch it up and push the Home button. Passcode locked, of course. Lincoln moves to stand over my shoulder, clearly intrigued. What would it be? I vainly type in ‘1012’ but it fails. I tap my thumb on it, chewing on my lip. I won't get many more tries at this.
"Try it in Latin," Lincoln says helpfully. As it turns out, Lincoln was a master of Latin at Oxford University at the turn of the last century before he moved to America. Also, funnily enough he came across on the same boat as me and Devon, and we never even knew it until a conversation about when he ventured to America came up. Call it fate, destiny, whatever: we were bound to end up together.
I tap ‘MXII’ and it unlocks. I smile up at him.
"I don't condone this, you know," he says in mock sternness.
I roll my eyes at him. "Don't help then."
I look back at the phone and I’m amazed to see a picture of him and me on his wallpaper. It's an older picture, about two years ago, I think. I don't remember the photo being taken but it was clearly a posed picture as I am grinning into the camera as he gazes down at me adoringly, our arms wrapped around each other. I remember the dress I was wearing. In fact, I think it is still at his penthouse in Milan. We were at the only one of his many charitable foundation fundraisers that he attends, in Milan. Quite the philanthropist, my sire. It's a perfect photo. I can see why he likes it but wonder why this one. Surely there is a newer one of us he could use? But no, there isn't. I have been snapped with Cole, Devon, Lincoln, and even Scott and I got our picture in the tabloids once. But I haven't been anywhere in public with Constantine, probably since this photo was taken, except for La Scala last June. Even then, I don't think there were any pictures taken of him as he is master at dodging the press. It's all been secret rendezvous for us, in castles and mansions and hotel rooms. I must rectify that.
"You look beautiful," Lincoln compliments me. "I'm surprised he has it on there though after… everything."
"Me too." My thumb hovers over the Phone icon and I push it, followed quickly by Recent Calls.
"Liv, what exactly are you looking for?"
"I want to know how many others there are," I say, tugging absently at the collar.
"Why don't you just ask him?"
"I tried once but I’m not sure he told the truth."
The list of recent calls is as long as my own. Marguerite has (101) next to her name and that worries me. I never did find out what he is hiding behind his wards at Ponte.
"Who is Marguerite?" Lincoln asks.
"His castle keeper," I say.
"Castle keeper?"
"Well, it's not exactly a house," I point out and he chuckles.
There are hundreds of names, most of them Italian, both male and I gulp, female. I shudder to see that I am listed under ‘Liv’. Arsehole. But then clear my throat as I remember changing his from ‘CK’ to ‘Constantine’ one night in a fit of temper.
"Well, it doesn't really tell you much. Look in his calendar," Lincoln says, now fully engrossed in this horrendously invasive snooping expedition.
I do as bid but it's all just lists of business meetings. I note with disgust that ‘Liv’ has been allotted her times yesterday through to tomorrow.
"I'm just going to ask," I say eventually and back out of the apps. I push the lock button. I wipe the screen on my dress to erase any trail of my snooping.
"What about me?" Lincoln asks innocently.
"What about you?"
"Aren't you going to ask me?"
"Do you want me to?"
"If you like. I have nothing to hide," he says with a sly smile.
"Do you have any others?" I ask him sweetly.
"No, just you. I have told you this before, Liv. A wolf mates for life. Your extracurricular activities are your own business, but I only want you."
"For now," I impress on him. "You will have to be with another Shifter, another Wolf, when you want to have kids. I can’t give that to you, sweetie. Despite my Dragon heritage, I am still a Vampire."
"I don't want kids," he says in exasperation. "I knew what I was getting into when I picked you as my mate. I had factored in your lack of procreative abilities and I still wanted you."
I sigh. He will never discuss this properly, so I drop it. "Well, I should definitely get going now." I pull him in for a lingering kiss and then Astral upstairs still clutching at CK's phone.
CHAPTER NINETY
I find my sire and my newfound sibling huddled over the kitchen counter, discussing something in French, which I don't catch as they both stop speaking as soon as they see me appear. Well, fine. Whatever. I shrug. I hold out CK's phone to him. "You left this downstairs."
He snatches it off me and quickly checks to see that it's still locked. "Thank you," he says as he pockets it.
"What are you up to?" I ask innocently.
"Just discussing business," Sebastian says, just as innocently.
I have to say I’m madly curious but don't press, as I know I won't get any answers.
I sidle up to CK, who I am disappointed to say has donned a t-shirt, and wrap my arms around him. Tugging on it, I look up at him and say, "Are you about finished? I’m in need of some proper sire time."
He looks down at me and smiles his glorious made-just-for-me smile that I haven't seen in forever. "In that case, we are finished. Sebastian, if you will excuse us."
"Sure," he says mildly. I give him a half wave as we stroll over to CK's bedroom, arm in arm.
"Did you have fun with your Wolf?" he asks slyly as he closes the door.
I shake my head. "We were interrupted again."
"By whom?"
"Scott. Apparently, Devon called him yesterday morning to come here." I still can't believe the betrayal.
CK places his phone on the bedside cabinet. I put mine next to his and tap it, debating with myself.
"Constantine?" I ask as I turn around to face him.
"Yes, Liv?" he asks, with emphasis on the Liv.
I ignore his sarcasm and continue, "You know all of mine. I want to know about yours. How many others are there?" I twiddle my ring as I wait for his answer, avoiding his steely gaze. He remains silent, so I speak again, "I mean, are we talking tens, hundreds? Give me a number."
Another long pause, after which, he says, "None."
I bring my eyes to his. "None? None at all?" I say in disbelief.
"Yes, none. I have no reason to lie to you, Aefre. You are surprised?"
"Yes. I had assumed there would be always be others but especially now… after what happened."
"Well, I won't deny that there have been others in the past, you already know that but after I started seeing you again frequently last year, I was no longer interested."
"Oh? Why is that?" I choke out.
"Because I am not interested, Aefre. I am not interested in meeting new people and playing games and going out on dates," he says the word like it disgusts him. "And they always end up wanting more." He sighs. "I don't have it to give."
"More?" I stammer, now seeming to have lost all capability to speak properly.
"Yes, more. A commitment, a promise, a… declaration of love."
"And you don't have that in you?"
He runs his hand through his hair showing me how agitated he is with this topic. "I don't have it to give, because it has already been given. To you."
I stare silently at him.
"At this point, Aefre, all I want is you. I have too many years under my belt to play around. I don't want that anymore. I know you are still in a place where your affections are scattered and that's okay. I told you I will wait, and I will."
Dumbfounded by his words, I still just stare at him incredulously.
He sighs at me again. "The irony is not lost on me, Aefre, believe me. I am fully aware that we have switched positions," he says wryly.
I giggle at him. "Are you being serious?" I ask.<
br />
"Yes," he snaps. "I told you, I have no reason to lie to you."
"Oh, baby. I love you," I say with tears in my eyes. I go to him.
He pulls me close and kisses me before he says, "I love you. It's always been you."
"Make love to me," I whisper to him.
He responds by pulling my dress over my head. "You are so beautiful," he murmurs. "I want you so much."
He walks us back towards the bed and I pull his t-shirt off as we collapse. He scoots us up to the middle and kisses me. Just kisses me for the longest time. I have missed him so much and he is doing as I asked. No more fucking, just sweet love making, that I want to last forever.
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
He eventually lets me fall asleep somewhere around 5:30 AM, when I am exhausted. He may be able to get away with half an hour's sleep but me, not so much. I sleep more now, a lot more since becoming Queen. Turns out this nasty habit of falling asleep where I stand, is due to the amount of energy that runs through me to sustain my new Powers. My usual two hours has increased to four or more. But annoyingly, whatever time I fall asleep, I always wake at 6 AM and today is no different.
I groan in annoyance as my eyes open but that is soon muffled as CK swoops down to kiss me.
"Christ, do you never sleep?" I grouse at him and he chuckles.
"We have a lot of time to catch up on. I don't want to waste a second of it."
"Just give me a minute will you," I ask him sweetly as I snuggle into him. "I want to talk." Specifically, about something he said earlier. My hand absently going up to my neck, I find that he has taken the collar off me and a quick glance around tells me it is nowhere in sight. I smile.
"You don't like dating?" I start.
He grunts in amusement at my choice of topic. "Not particularly. I happen to be two thousand, seven hundred and sixty years old, you know. Dating is for children."
"Yes, I am aware of your age, old man,” I say sardonically.
He laughs at my insult but then sobers as we are entering dodgy territory.
"However, I would be inclined to take you out if you asked me nicely," he says, drawing the topic back to the one at hand.
"Why, thank you, kind sir. I will take you up on that. It has been a while. I remember our last date," I say and see his eyes flick quickly to his phone and back to mine.