The Vampire Prince

by Juliette N Banks

  He turned to Brayden and gave him a little frown.

  “This is our decision. I will see you at the airfield tomorrow night.” The prince’s eyes bore into his, challenging him.

  “A great decision it is,” Kate said, smiling. “Hopefully, you will be with us for the ball. It’s a Victorian theme, so we’ll have beautiful gowns and jewels to wear. Oh, how I miss the fashion of that era.”

  Brayden let out a little cough. “Yes, well, we were all a little different back then.”

  “What’s it in celebration of?” Willow asked boldly despite her fear.

  A smile crept to Vincent’s lips. Of course his brother would choose a mate with spirit. He bet once her fear faded, she would be quite the dynamite.

  “It’s the annual royal ball held each year on the anniversary of my coronation,” Vincent answered.

  Kate laid a hand on his arm. “We host over three hundred guests. Some years it’s held on the great lawn, but this year, the grand ballroom will be decorated in all its glamour. We’re even having a jazz band.”

  “For a Victorian-era theme?”

  “Oh yes. Jazz began near the end of the Victorian era. We loved it, didn’t we, Brayden?” Kate grinned. “The king isn’t much of a dancer, but he was forced to step up in order to get my attention.”

  Vincent shook his head, kissing his mate’s head. “These two will never let me forget it either. I hope you can dance, Willow; your mate is quite famous on the dance floor.”

  He watched as Brayden pulled the human closer against his side and glanced down at her possessively. A warmth spread through Vincent as he watched his brother with his mate. The love was front and center, leaving no question as to whether she was the one. That and Brayden now had the solid ring around his iris that confirmed he was mated.

  If the human accepted him, she would be loved by that brother of his beyond anything she could ever dream. He would be loyal, strong, passionate, and protective unlike anything she’d seen. The private smile they shared gave him hope.

  Kate leaned into him with a sigh. She’d seen it too. He wrapped an arm around her, and they shared a smile. He remembered the moment he realized he loved Kate. He had been such an idiot. When they had finally gotten together, the fireworks had lit up the skies. He felt his pants tighten.

  The poison was leaving his system and his strength was returning. While he wasn’t fully recovered, he certainly had enough energy to pleasure his queen. His hand slid down onto her hip, and she laid a hand on his abdomen and let her nails dig into him.

  A silent groan rumbled in his chest.

  “Let’s just take it one step at a time.” Brayden smirked. “No pun intended.”

  Willow grinned, shaking her head, and Vincent hoped, for the sake of their bloodline, it was a positive sign.

  “We will see you both on the jet.”

  While they could teleport back home, Vincent had decreed they should act as humans when appropriate to fit into the world around them. Appearing in different parts of the country or world without a travel footprint was something they did only when it was an emergency.

  Vincent held the door open for Kate and let it close behind them. She began to walk off, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her up against his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “My lord?” She gasped playfully.

  Pushing her up against the wall, he nudged his knee between her legs. “We have some lost time to make up for. I want these panties off, and your legs open for me.”

  Dude, take your smooth moves elsewhere. I can hear you in here!

  He groaned, shook his head, lifted his mate into his arms, and flashed into their rooms.

  You might have learned something, brother. He quipped back.

  Pfft.

  Yeah, he had a point.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  “Leaving in five, Willow.”

  It was the second time he’d called out. He understood the enormity of the situation, but did she really need two suitcases of belongings for one week?

  “What if I never come back?” she had asked.

  “Of course we can come back. We can teleport or bring the jet. If you choose to become a vampire, you can port back with me. If you choose.”

  He’d answered many questions over the past twenty-four hours while trying to be patient, but with so much on the line and his own fears in the mix, it was exhausting. Though an exhaustion he was happy to have the opportunity to have.

  In the back of his mind was the king’s safety, and he was eager to get back to the airfield and be near his family. Craig was on the ground there already with many of the king’s senior team, including Regan, preparing to depart on the second jet.

  She stepped out of her room dressed in a pair of tight blue jeans, white heels, and a flowing white top. Her brown curly hair flowed around her shoulders, dominating her small frame. His heart stuttered as it did every time he saw her.

  Nowadays she had a vulnerability to her that hadn’t been there before. He hoped it would pass as she became used to his kind, and their world. As she learned about his life and their role in the royal family, it would become evident to her, as his mate, that she would become a Moretti princess.

  He hadn’t yet imagined what their ceremony would be like or how she’d look like standing beside him as they said their vows. Or how their little vamp babies would look with her beautiful hair and his dark features.

  Okay, so perhaps he had, but he couldn’t get excited. Not yet.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  She walked into his arms and tiptoed to reach his lips. He lifted her, hands on her hips, and felt his chest swell when she giggled. “Vampire strength has some great benefits.”

  “Oh, baby, you don’t know the half of it.” He slid her down his body, keeping his lips on hers until she reached the floor. “But you will, and I’ll show you it’s worth it.”

  Willow tipped her head to the side. “Where were those moves last night?”

  He stood to his full height, towering over her as he held her eyes. “One thing at a time, Willow.” He ran his thumb over her lips. “I won’t do anything to risk losing you.” Brayden felt her shudder beneath his hands as she gave him a little nod of understanding.

  “Let’s get your bags before I use my superpowers to throw you on the bed.”

  That smile. He wanted to see more of it. Brayden planted another kiss on her rosy red lips and stepped away.

  An hour later, they were pulling up in front of a private jet with Moretti Enterprises painted on the tail.

  “Whoa,” Willow said in awe.

  If this impressed her, she was going to lose her shit when they arrived at the castle. The Moretti assets were vast and matched those of the wealthiest families on the planet. In all honesty, they probably exceeded them.

  Very few knew the exact figure, likely the king, Regan, and their accountant. If Brayden cared, he would be given the number, but he didn’t.

  With thousands of years of investment and income behind them, the Moretti family had amassed a fortune in properties on every continent, art, precious jewelry, shares, and other collections.

  Not all vampires were wealthy. Many had chosen to work night jobs so they could live in the human world. Where necessary, the Moretti Foundation had contributed by setting up their houses with the appropriate protection on windows so they could function without turning to ash from the sunlight.

  Modern technology allowed them to fit into life on the planet with more ease. Shops were open longer, delivery services, computers—they all contributed to an easier life for the ten million vampires currently on earth.

  It was a small number and spoke to the low fertility rate of their females. While the gestation period was the same—nine months—female vampires ovulated only a few times a year. Like all animals, the only sign was an increase in desire, which given the healthy sexual life of a vampire, could easily go undetected. Hence, very few vamp babies.

  Bra
yden helped Willow out of the vehicle, shaking his head. It was the second time he’d thought about damn babies today. Some alpha he was.

  “What?”

  “What?” he asked, confused.

  “You look annoyed.”

  Oh. “I’m not.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m just nervous. I’m scared of fucking this up, Willow.”

  It was a clear night with a crisp breeze. He pulled her into the warmth of his arms.

  “I want you to promise that if anything scares you, you’ll tell me. Immediately.”

  Willow surveyed the airfield and the steps to the entrance of the plane where two vampires stood waiting.

  “Everything scares me, Bray. Everything.”

  He took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

  “I will, though. I’ll tell you.” She gripped his forearm. “I want this as much as you do, honestly. Stay by my side and I’ll do my best, okay.”

  He nodded. It was all he could ask of her, and damn, he was proud of her courage.

  “I’m not going anywhere, baby. You’re safe and so fucking loved.”

  She leaned into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. As he held her, he glanced around, wishing he could teleport them somewhere the two of them could just exist without any of their challenges. In their own bubble. He’d never wished to be human. Never. Not even now.

  Okay, maybe just a little.

  “Your highness,” Margaret, their private flight attendant, greeted them as they boarded. He gave her a small smile. With a hand in the small of Willow’s back, she stepped into the aircraft.

  “Oh my goodness.”

  He smiled at her reaction. The interior was very luxurious. The entire space was white with a rich blue and black accent colors. Seats in rows of two, a dining area, curved sofas, and two private rooms made up most of the aircraft.

  “I feel like a movie star,” Willow said as she strapped in.

  “Would you like a drink, your highness?”

  He glanced at Willow in question and she ordered a vodka, dry. “I’ll have a whisky. Neat.”

  Willow’s eyes followed Margaret as she left to get their drinks, then looked around the cabin before finally returning her eyes to him.

  “Does everyone call you that?” He nodded. “Is it weird?”

  Brayden smiled. He’d been called your highness for thousand years. It was inappropriate for most of the race to refer to him otherwise. She had much to learn, and it would take time, which he respected. Not only was she entering a new race she hadn’t known existed until recently, but Willow was also joining a royal family with traditions and rules.

  “No, I’m the prince.”

  She chewed the corner of her lip, nodding. “I guess I keep forgetting. By the time I get to Maine, it should be etched in my brain with all the branding around me.”

  He peered at their family crest on the seat across from them and laughed. “That’s our Moretti family crest, not a logo.” When he saw her face, his laugh faded. “Sorry, just sounded funny. It’s not like we’re Coca-Cola.”

  “What do you call the thing on the outside of the plane then?”

  He shrugged. “I call it fitting in with humans. We have to have a business and pay some taxes.”

  Willow threw out a hand, all told ya so, and said, “Ergo, a logo, smarty-pants.”

  “Okay, fine, but it’s still a family crest.”

  “Noted,” she relented with an eyeroll.

  Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Brayden reached over and took Willow’s hand. She’d paled. They could both hear Vincent’s voice as he ascended into the aircraft. As could the people in Africa, the guy was so loud.

  “No, I need both bags. Kate, ask him to bring it on board! Oh hey, Brayden! Willow! You’re here.”

  Brayden pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Pipe down, brother. Can you please not scare my mate.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  The king suddenly slowed his walk down the aisle and looked back and forth between her and Brayden.

  She lifted her hand in a small greeting.

  He was an intimidating man. He seemed to always wear black leather pants and a matching black shirt. On his arm was an enormous watch. Like Brayden, he had dark hair, except his was shorter and appeared to have no curl. His eyes were dark brown. Their face shape, solid jaw, and big eyes made it obvious they were brothers.

  Both gave off powerful vibes, yet with Vincent, there was something different. He was the king. It was in the way he stood tall with his legs wide, his shoulders back, and complete authority in his face.

  He’d shown her kindness whenever they had met, but Willow couldn’t help feeling that if she met him alone in a dark alley, she would be fearing for her life.

  It was different with Brayden. She’d been overwhelmed with attraction and sensed his protectiveness right from the start. Yet his power was his own.

  “Your majesty, welcome on board.”

  “Thank you, Margaret. I’ll have an ale for takeoff. Kate?”

  The queen stepped into the cabin, looking as beautiful and graceful as she had the first time Willow had met her. How she got her blonde hair so shiny was a mystery. Likely some vampire magical power.

  “Just a small glass of plasma, Margaret.”

  Brayden squeezed her hand.

  “Oh God, I’m sorry, Willow,” the queen said. “I hope it didn’t freak you out.”

  “I guess that’s what I’m here to learn.” Her voice came out all squeaky, which was completely embarrassing.

  The couple took a seat on the opposite side of the plane as their drinks were served.

  “Can I get another one of these now, please,” Willow asked Margaret pointing to her own drink, knowing she was going to need it.

  Another woman stepped on board, followed closely by a tall man in what looked like a black military outfit. “Sorry, sorry we’re late.”

  “Hey,” Brayden said sounding surprised. “What are you doing here?”

  The man lowered his head. “Captain. Your majesty.”

  “Welcome. Sit!” Vincent bellowed then shot an apologetic look at her. “The queen and I invited Sera and Carlos to join us on the flight home.”

  “Please find a seat,” Kate said.

  Willow glanced at Brayden, whose narrowed eyes suddenly softened before he nodded.

  “What’s going on?” she asked quietly.

  “It’s okay. Seraphina is the king’s secretary and Carlos is her mate. He’s also a lieutenant in our army.”

  Which did nothing to explain why he had tensed when they arrived. “And?”

  He shook his head. “No one usually flies on the royal jet except family—”

  He was interrupted by the queen. “Sera was a human before she met Carlos.” Willow glanced at the female and nodded in greeting. “I thought you could ask her questions. Learn about her experience. If you wanted. There is no pressure.”

  Willow turned to Brayden.

  “Kate, I know you’re trying to help, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to Willow about anything. At all.”

  He looked down at her. “I’m sorry. This is all too much, too fast.”

  Her palms began to sweat as the aircraft lifted into the air, and not from fear of turbulence.

  “Your highness, if I may.”

  “Speak freely, Seraphina,” Vincent prompted, though her question had been directed at Brayden.

  The brothers glared at each other.

  “Keeping the information from Willow will only increase her fear as her imagination runs wild.” Willow nodded slowly, giving the female a little smile.

  “That may be true, but I will be the one to tell my mate what to expect.”

  Vincent waved his hand. “The floor is yours.”

  “Stop, brother! I will not do it while we are thirty thousand feet in the air with nowhere for her to run.”

  The king shrugged and mumbled, “Seems like the safest place to me. She can’t run.”

  T
he queen told him off, and beside her, she heard a groan.

  “I’m not going to run.” Maybe. Probably. “Seraphina is right. I need to know.”

  “Christ, this is an absolute ambush,” Brayden growled, mad. “She’s my fucking mate! Do not”—he pointed to the king and queen—“try another stunt like this without my knowledge. You hear me?”

  His voice was low and dark, but the message was clear.

  “Be careful with your tone, prince,” the king warned, glancing at his queen.

  The air was thick with testosterone, sending panic through her body. Her heart began thumping wildly in her chest as she prepared for violence to erupt. These people were predators—who knew what they were capable of. Instead, she noticed they were all staring at her.

  Brayden wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

  “Okay, look, I’m sorry too. I just wanted to help,” the queen apologized.

  “I want to hurry things up!”

  Brayden growled again. To break up the two alpha males, Willow squeezed Brayden’s leg.

  “Fine. So tell me. How does it happen. Becoming a vampire.”

  Well, that shut everyone up. There was a whole bunch of silence all of a sudden.

  More silence.

  “I’ll tell her if you—”

  “You will not!” Brayden snapped at his brother. “Come with me.” He led her down to the rear of the aircraft, into a bedroom. Inside was a large bed, a bathroom, and some furniture affixed to the walls.

  “We do this alone. Well, as alone as one can get with vampire hearing.”

  They climbed onto the bed and she sat facing him, cross-legged. Brayden leaned against the headboard, one knee up with his arm flopped over it. With his other, he took her hand.

  “I’ve never turned a human,” he started. “There is a reason, one which I am blood bound not to share with you. Until, or unless, you become my mate.”

  She nodded, not understanding.

  “Even telling you this is crossing the fine line. Right now, Vincent will be wiping the minds of Carlos and Seraphina. As I will have to do with yours, should you choose to leave.”

  “Yes.” Her mind whirled. There was so much to learn and understand, most of all the decisions she had to make at the end. To become a vampire or lose Brayden.