“I think that right now would be a good time. Tell your men to stop the car. We can go into the wooded area.” She gestured to the forests to the right of the moving vehicle.
“It would be best if we waited. Your”—he swallowed hard—“first time should be in a bed. It should be special.” Fuck he really sounded like a class-A pussy. The thought of bedding her left him cold though. Zane had to buy time. Once he managed to talk to the king in private, he was sure he would understand.
Esral smiled, flashing him her teeth which all had sharp little points. He had to suppress the urge to clutch his dick. Thank the gods his female was human. “It is customary for our people to mate under the open sky on the earth as nature intended. I am ready for you.” Esral lifted her robe. Unfortunately, he reacted instinctually and looked just as she parted her thighs slightly. Even though she had a pleasant floral scent with earthy undertones, her hairless pussy held no appeal. He had grown to love Tanya’s strip of fuzz. The way it looked, it’s silky feel. It seemed that no other female came even close anymore. Esral must’ve sensed his indifference because she pulled a sleeve of her robe from her shoulder until a surprisingly full pink tipped breast sprang free. Griffin let out a choking sound, his eyes glued to the rear view mirror.
Zane leaned forward and carefully pulled up the silken fabric until she was properly covered.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I was told that I am fair. That males would not be able to resist me. That I would find a mate easily and that he would not be able to resist if…” A tear tracked down her cheek.
“You are beautiful.”
“Well then…” She reached to open her robe.
“Stop.”
Once again her eyes filled. “It is important that I am accepted and that we mate soon, or my people will think that I’m defective. If you send me back, I will be ridiculed. Destined to live a life of solitude.”
Zane rubbed his eyes and then scrubbed his hand over the stubble on his head. “I am to be mated to another in a few days.”
She nodded. “Okay, well then our information was incorrect. It was understood that you had lost your future mate. We have the wrong king. Then I will mate with Brant. Please take me to him.”
Zane shook his head. He needed to put an end to this right now. “Brant and I are to mate with the same female.”
Her chest rose and fell at an alarming rate and her eyes filled with horror.
“I will explain this to your father in private. He will understand.”
“No,” she sounded shrill. “You can’t take me back.” Her eyes filled with tears. This time she covered her face with her hands and cried softly.
He had little experience in dealing with hysterical females. Zane pulled out his cell phone and dialled Brant.
“Yeah.”
“We have a little situation,” Zane said.
“Did they refuse to swear allegiance?”
“No, they went a little overboard. Katar has given us his daughter.”
“What? Why?” A low growl.
“As a mate. He wants to secure the partnership between the species.” A pause.
“You told him we are to be mated?”
“We are not mated yet. There is one female and the two of us. Katar would never have understood.”
“Fuck,” Brant snarled. “You’re right. If you had refused, he would’ve seen it as an insult. Get your ass here, we’ll discuss it then.” Brant sighed. “We’re in so much shit.”
Zane had to chuckle. “Tanya will not be happy.”
Brant made a sound of agreement.
“Inform her before I arrive with the princess. We’ll meet in the dining hall in ten.”
“You want me to tell Tanya? You were the one that fucked up,” Brant whispered.
“You would’ve done the same,” he growled.
“Fine.” Brant ended the call. The princess continued to weep softly.
They’d had a fantastic day together. Brant had taken her back to his tower and had worshipped her body. First with his mouth and hands and then by making slow, sweet love to her.
They’d gone for a picnic on the grounds and had talked for hours. He’d had to take a call at one point and then everything seemed to fall apart. He’d insisted Zane was fine while they packed up and headed back to the castle. Zane had called a meeting so they made their way to the dining hall.
Brant had paced for a few minutes before finally telling her what had happened.
“The elven king did what?”
Brant took a deep breath, cleared his throat and spoke louder this time. “Katar gave his daughter to Zane as a token of his allegiance.”
“Why would he give…” Then the reason hit her, “…oh.”
“Didn’t he explain that he’s already…taken?” Tanya asked.
Brant shook his head. “The king is old school. All he knows is that there are two kings and only one chosen, so therefore he has given his daughter. If Zane had refused, it would’ve been seen as a major insult.”
“I thought Zane couldn’t mate unless with a chosen female.”
“He can mate, he just can’t have heirs.” Brant ran a hand through his hair and then jammed his hands into his jean pockets. “He is not going to mate her so don’t worry.”
This was wrong on so many levels. Just then the door opened and a tiny woman walked in, Zane followed close behind. She had to be at least one and a half heads shorter than Tanya and at least four dress sizes smaller. The princess had big, blue red rimmed eyes. Such a pretty little thing.
“This is Esral,” Zane said avoiding eye contact with her.
“Why has she been crying?”
“I told her that I am not going to mate her.” Zane turned his gaze on Tanya.
The elf female hiccupped rubbing a tear away with the back of her hand.
“Of all the insensitive brutish things.” Tanya put her hands on her hips. The princess cried harder. Damn these non-human men. “You are a bunch of boorish”—she walked to the princess and put an arm around her shoulders—“bullish, insensitive…”
Zane’s brow furrowed. “Do you want me to mate her?”
Really?
Tanya couldn’t help it when her finger pointed at the big vampire. “You did not just say that, Zane.” She wagged her finger at him and he had the good grace to look sheepish. “No, you will not bloody well mate with her. Unless you want to that is.” Her eyes narrowed and her heart raced.
“I said I did not. You are all I need.”
She felt herself both soften to Zane’s words and anger as the princess’ shoulders shook beneath her arm. “You are all a bunch of barbarians and should be ashamed of yourselves.”
“This isn’t our fault.” Brant moved in next to Zane.
“Not your fault?” She paused clenching her teeth. “You vampires don’t hold a little ceremony every century or so where you force young women from their homes, their families, to mate with and raise your heirs?”
Brant shuffled. Zane’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s barbaric and wrong. The elven king gave you his freaking daughter. You have to see that as wrong on some level as well. Females are not possessions to be shuffled from one to the other, here to scratch an itch and raise your children. We have feelings.”
“We know that,” Brant said.
“Our females are prized. The mating thing is to secure our partnership…” Zane stopped when she narrowed her eyes on him. “You are right. We will relook over the rules of the choosing ceremony.”
“I want one of you to mate me. I can’t go back. I told you I will be seen as defective to my people,” Esral sniffed.
“Who brainwashed you into believing that load of bull?” Tanya shook her head. “You are a beautiful and intelligent woman. You don’t need to mate with either of these males. You don’t have to mate with anyone. You are free to choose.”
“No, she isn’t,” Zane spoke softly. “She has to mate vampire royalty or her father will see it a
s an insult and declare war.”
“You can talk some sense into him,” she paused. “Better yet, let me meet him and I’ll talk some sense into him.”
“Sense…” Brant looked flustered. “Cenwein, you can’t talk sense into him. He won’t get it. Age old beliefs and traditions will not fall away because you say so. I hear you and I agree, but he’s not—”
“Call him, set something up…” Hang on just a minute, she thought. “Unless you want to mate her, Brant.”
He pulled in a breath, his eyes wide. “No, that’s not what I meant. I thought I made myself clear earlier when I said that you were the one for me…us,” he quickly added.
She held up a hand to stop him and ushered the elf female to a chair. “Sit.” The princess sank into the soft fabric looking defeated. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Esral shook her head.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Tanya said to herself. The freshly squeezed orange juice looked so good. There was condensation on the glass jug. Rivulets of water ran down the sides. Tanya poured a glass and downed the contents.
“I’m not calling him,” Brant said.
“Please don’t,” Esral pleaded.
“You don’t need a man to complete you. You can stay here as long as you please. Until you meet someone you want to be with that is.”
“You’d allow me to stay?” Her voice was filled with awe. Her eyes held hope.
“Yes, Esral. For as long as you need. We can be your new people.”
“Cenwein, it would still mean war. Unless the princess mates with royalty…wait a minute.” Brant laughed. “I have the solution. Why didn’t I think of it sooner? Xavier is royalty.”
The male stood by the door. “No freaking way,” he said as he shook his head.
“You must. You are a prince and royalty so technically if you were to mate the princess…”
Xavier shook his head, his grey eyes darkened. “I’ve always been happy that I wasn’t born as heir, because I wouldn’t have to be saddled with all the bullshit. I have other plans and they don’t involve a mate.”
“You are royalty and will do what is best for the people.” Brant’s even voice brought chills to Tanya’s spine.
Xavier’s mouth pulled into a thin white line.
“You may be royalty but you are not a king. Katar says that she is stronger than she looks. Although not as fertile as humans, the princess should get you young.” Zane said.
“Did you not hear a word I just said?” Tanya narrowed her eyes at Zane. She turned to the princess. “Esral, it is your choice. You don’t have to mate him or any other.” She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry. “You don’t have to have…young. You can decide.”
“No, she can’t.” Brant looked frustrated. “If she is not mated by vampire royalty it will be considered an insult. According to Esral, the mating will need to take place soon. No pressure.” He added looking at Xavier who had turned a lighter shade of ghost.
Esral shook her head. “I have to say that since hearing your female talk of having a choice, I like the idea of being able to choose my own mate. The male doesn’t even want me.” Esral looked at Xavier. Her lip wobbled. “I need time to think about it.”
“That’s not what you said to me when you were disrobing in the vehicle.”
“Disrobing?” Both Tanya and Xavier said together.
Zane threw up his hands. “I didn’t ask her to. I told her to stop.”
“I’m sure you did,” Tanya narrowed her eyes at Zane.
“I’m done talking. You mate her ASAP.” Zane pointed at Xavier and Esral in turn. He strode towards Tanya picking her up in one easy move. Her breasts flattened against his chest. “I may have to keep telling you over and over while we rut, you are the only female for me.” The way his eyes heated told her his words were true, except at that moment her eyes were pulled to the pulse at the base of his neck.
Her mouth felt dry.
So thirsty.
She licked her lips, feeling sharp little fangs instead of canines. Holy shit. Still carrying her, Zane moved towards the door in determined steps.
“You’d better come with us.” Tanya met Brant’s eyes. “I need to tell you something important.”
Part V
Red Lust
Chapter 23
She licked her lips, feeling sharp little fangs instead of canines. Holy shit. Still carrying her, Zane moved towards the door in determined steps.
“You’d better come with us,” Tanya met Brant’s eyes as she spoke. “I need to tell you something important.”
Zane stiffened and stopped walking. “You are mine. He had his turn.” Zane gestured to Brant with his head since his arms surrounded Tanya in a firm grasp.
“Didn’t you listen to a word I just said?” Tanya paused trying to let her words sink in.
“I listened.” Zane took another step towards the door.
“I’m referring to the part about not being a possession and having a mind and a will of my own.”
“You are mine.” He tightened his hold. “I will have you now.” She pushed at his chest, trying to get him to release her. He ignored her completely. “As to having a mind and a will.” Zane chuckled, he put his lips against her ear. “You won’t mind when I lick your pussy and you will scream several times when I make you come hard.”
Tanya made a sound of frustration. Irritated by how her body responded to his crude words.
Brant took a step forward. “The female wants to discuss something with both of us.”
“The female? Not you too, Brant.” She said trying to throw him the dirtiest look she could muster.
“I’m sorry, Cenwein. You know I don’t mean it like that.” He scowled at Zane.
“Fine.” Zane strode out into the hallway. Brant followed close behind. “You will need to make it quick or Brant will get a show.”
Brant’s face tightened, his eyes darkened. “You’re acting like you haven’t just spent the last three days with her.”
“I haven’t rutted her since we were in the basement, so forgive my sense of urgency.” Zane rubbed a hand down her back clasping her ass. He made a strangled sound as he felt that she wasn’t wearing any panties. Tanya had to keep from gasping as his fingers skimmed her slit. Zane made an approving rumble while pulling her dress down over her naked flesh and then anchoring his hand on her ass.
Tanya wrapped her legs around his waist. Her tongue felt like it was stuck to the roof of her mouth and her eyes kept straying to the pulse at the base of his neck. Was it just her imagination or was his musky, manly scent stronger making her mouth water for a taste? Just a little kiss to his neck. One little tongue swipe across his skin. Who was she kidding? The thought of sinking her newly formed fangs into his skin had her blood rushing, had her pussy turning wet. The sight of Griffin and York trailing behind Brant had her biting her teeth together to prevent herself from doing it.
“Hurry,” she whispered.
“Needy little human.” Zane chuckled. “Can’t wait to scream my name?” He sucked in a deep breath. “Can’t wait until I’m balls deep inside you?” He groaned picking up the pace. “I sure as blood can’t wait, Ysnaar.” Tanya clenched her teeth all the tighter.
Zane reached the winding stairs, taking three at a time. Tanya clutched her arms around his neck and locked her ankles at his back. “I’ve got you.” His chest vibrated against hers.
Not even winded, Zane deposited her on the bed before unstrapping various weapons from his body. Brant entered, closing the door behind him.
“Take off your clothes and talk fast.” Zane’s eyes were on her, his lids half-mast.
“Slow down.” She held up a hand.
“Do you have any idea what torture it was to lay next to you and not have you?” Zane pulled his shirt over his head as he spoke.
“About that.” Brant’s hands fisted at his sides. “What game are you playing at? Why didn’t you rut with our female?”
“Stop calling
me that.” Standing, Tanya put her hands on her hips, trying to make herself as tall as possible. Yeah right. Next to these two she was a wilting flower and loved it.
“You don’t mind when Zane calls you female,” Brant growled, his eyes narrowing.
“You are you and Zane is Zane. I don’t like it when you call me female. It feels different coming from you.”
“Take your clothes off,” Zane repeated on a growl.
“I’m thirsty,” she blurted.
Zane rolled his eyes while grabbing the phone. He barked an order for several different types of beverages to be brought up. “Hurry,” he added before punching the disconnect button.
“You don’t get it. I’m really thirsty.” She tried again hoping they would get it this time.
“Answer me Zane?” Brant’s eyes darkened.
“I wouldn’t have liked you rutting with her in my absence, especially during the heat. We need to try and make this work. That means respecting each other.” Zane unbuttoned his leather pants. “It nearly freaking killed me. Thought my balls would explode.”
“I would’ve rutted her.”
“I guess that makes me the better male.” Zane’s eyes narrowed, his whole body tensed.
“No, it makes you a pussy.” Brant took a step forward.
“Next time I will take her.”
“There won’t be a next time,” Brant snarled.
Zane took two steps towards Brant, putting them chest to chest.
“Stop!” Tanya tried to talk above all the growling and snarling.
“It might be best if you stepped out of the room so that we can work this out.” Brant growled at her, not taking his glowing eyes off of Zane.
“I’m pregnant.”
Brant’s head snapped in her direction. His wide eyes caught hers. In a flash, Zane was in front of her. He picked her up, cradling her against his massive chest like a child. “What do you need? How are you feeling?”
The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3 Page 24