Shadowed Valor (Daughters of the Vieux Carré Book 3)

by Rhys Rowlyn

  Bram gasps, stepping farther away from me. “I have never forced a woman in my life, and I don’t plan to cause that pain to my mate.”

  My cheeks heat up and I look down, knowing I’ve offended him. “I’m sorry, but all the stories I’ve heard of Vikings are that they rape and conquer.”

  “Vikings were also explorers and family-oriented. Let’s call a truce. You can do away with all your preconceived notions, and I will move at the pace you are comfortable with.” Bram takes my hand and leads me away from the bed to a blanket in the meadow.

  We lie side by side, and he links our fingers together. We stare up at the sky, watching the clouds roll by.

  “I used to love to lie on the riverbank and watch the clouds.” I bend my other arm, covering my forehead and shading my eyes.

  “Would you do so with your mother?” He glances toward me, and I meet his gaze.

  I shrug, smiling, and remember those lazy afternoons without a care in the world. “Sometimes, and other times, it was friends I had made at school.”

  “How did you end up living with Giselle?” Bram props up on an elbow, facing me. He runs a finger along my cheek.

  “My father was killed during the Civil War, and my family owned the Sugar Oaks Plantation. I was a small child and have no memory of him. I only have a few memories of my life before living with Giselle. After the war, some crooked men came in and basically stole the plantation from my mother. We came to town so she could find work. Giselle found us, and my mother became her housekeeper. She allowed us to live with her. I always thought it strange she slept during the day, and my mother thought she was someone’s mistress, but we never saw a man. When I was sixteen, cholera swept through the city. My mother and I both became sick. She died, and I was near death when Giselle changed me.” I grieved horribly for my mother and was angry with Giselle for some time for not saving her.

  After a while, I realized why it wasn’t possible and what it meant to change someone. I have never felt compelled, and the way Giselle explained it was you had to do it. It was an urge you couldn’t fight.

  “What about your friends? Didn’t they notice the change?” Lying back on the blanket, Bram links our hands again.

  “Giselle told everyone I was dead. Most of the girls I knew had died from the disease. We locked the house and pretended to leave until enough time had passed that no one would know who we were. I wanted to travel, but Giselle wouldn’t leave the famille, so we lived in the shadows for many years.” I say this a bit more bitterly than I intended. I may have more resentment harbored for these men than I realize.

  “We owe you and Giselle more than we could ever repay. I can’t imagine how horrid life must have been. If I could change things, I would never have allowed Gabriel to trust those women.” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.

  “There is nothing you can do about that, and I don’t blame you. Truly I don’t. What was she like?” My family was always a mystery. My grandparents were long dead by the time I was born, and our family records were left at the plantation.

  “Who, astín?” Bram turns toward me, wrinkling his brow.

  “My ancestor.”

  “Aimee? She was shy and scared of her shadow. I was surprised she had gotten up enough nerve to make the journey. I remember one time catching Simone bullying her, and I became so angry. I confronted Simone and informed her Aimee was under my protection, and she wasn’t to touch or speak to her again. I still believe the evil wench terrorized poor Aimee while I was asleep, but she never did it where I could see.” He frowns, shaking his head.

  “That’s horrible that she betrayed you. She should have never agreed to the curse.” I don’t understand this way of thinking, I would never allow someone to talk me into putting someone who helped me under a curse. Loyalty is very important to me.

  “I don’t blame her. I’m sure she had little choice in the matter. Some of those other women were awful.” Gazing at the sky, Bram’s mouth quirks to one side, and under his beard, I notice a dimple.

  I turn toward him and trace the indention with my finger. I wonder what he would look like without his beard. “Who was Simone? I’ve heard Giselle mention her a few times, and it’s never in glowing terms.”

  “She was the leader of the pack and the rottenest of the bunch. Gabriel took her on, and we all gladly let him. She is also the one Gabriel gave the gold to, so I imagine it was up to her who got what.” His gaze roves over my face but stops at my lips. I feel my cheeks flush and start to lean forward but stop myself.

  “Oh, great. I hope her descendant isn’t anything like her, or they’ll have to find somewhere else to live.” I flop back onto my back, putting my hand over my forehead.

  “Gabriel is the famille’s creator. He can’t be forced to live away from the group.” There is laughter in Bram’s voice, and he kisses my hand with a loud smack.

  “Then it’ll be an unhappy house because Giselle has become very strong-willed, and I’m not Aimee. From what I know of Fleur, she won’t be intimidated either. Rebecca is a loose cannon at the moment. Who knows what she’ll do… She’s still finding her way.” Rebecca would probably punch the woman simply for not being her friend. Hell, who am I kidding? I’d punch her for not being Rebecca’s friend.

  “Speaking of Rebecca, how does she fit in? And Giles too.” Bram holds my hand close to his chest, rubbing the inside of my wrist with his thumb.

  Goose bumps travel up my arm, but I try to act as if his gentle touch isn’t driving me crazy. “Rebecca was nearly killed by a feral vampire, and Phillipe felt compelled to change her. Giles has been a friend for a long time but lived in New York. He came to town to help us take care of the feral and decided to stay.”

  Bram tenses, his grip on my hand tightening. “Who was the feral?”

  “Phillipe called him Nigel and said Alastair was his creator.” Using my thumb, I rub his, hoping to calm him down.

  Bram immediately loosens his grip, frowning. “I knew Nigel. It surprises me he fell. Can I tell you a secret?”

  I lean up on my elbow and look down at him. “Of course. I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  “I never liked any of the vampires Alastair made after Gabriel. I tried to talk him out of most of them, but he said there were reasons for his madness. Nigel was a pompous blowhard, but even with that being said, I am surprised he wasn’t strong enough to persevere.”

  Unable to stop myself, I lean down and touch my lips to his. Bram stills, allowing me to make the next move. I climb on top of him, straddle his hips, and deepen the kiss, placing my hands on his bare chest.

  I run my tongue along the seam of his lips, and he opens for me. His hands move up my thighs lightly, and I move against him.

  Leaning up, I look into his eyes. “This is only a dream, so it shouldn’t hurt, right?”

  “Only if you think it will. Like you said, it’s only a dream, and there’s no pain in sweet dreams.” He sits up, wraps his arms around me, and kisses me deeply.

  I run my nails down his back, and he shudders against me and then rubs his tongue against my fang. I almost come unglued. Pleasure rocks through me as I moan deeply. Deciding to repay the favor, I touch his fang with the tip of my tongue, and he growls, flipping us over until I’m lying on my back.

  “Cassie, I’m going to love you now.” His mouth moves down my neck, and we are suddenly naked.

  He leans back on his knees, his eyes roving my body hungrily. Palming my breasts, Bram strums my nipples with his thumbs, and I arch my back to get closer. He takes one in his mouth and bites down lightly, then sucks away the slight sting.

  I bury my hands in his hair as he uses his mouth to make me want to lose my mind. He leaves my breasts and I whimper at the loss, but his mouth travels down my stomach to my navel. I suck in a deep breath when he circles it with his tongue.

  Bram spreads my thighs wider and opens me with his thumbs. He runs his tongue up my center, and my hips jerk forward almost dislodging him.
He brushes his tongue against my bundle of nerves, and I groan at the pleasure washing over my body.

  “Bram, I don’t know if I can take this.” I moan as he continues torturing me with his tongue. The pleasure is so intense, I feel as if I may explode.

  He slides his finger inside me and curls it ever so slightly. I scream as I shatter into a million pieces.

  He continues moving his finger and tongue against me until the waves subside and I lie there like a limp noodle.

  He crawls up and lifts my knee, bringing my thigh up to my chest, and enters me with a hard thrust. I gasp at the intrusion, and he stills.

  “Are you all right?” Kissing the side of my neck, he pants as he waits for my answer.

  “Yes, but please don’t do that if we’re not dreaming.” I don’t feel the slight burn any longer and need him to move.

  Bram leans up, looking into my eyes. “Why?”

  “I’ve never done this before.” My cheeks are on fire, and I try to turn away from him, but he grips my chin, smiling down at me.

  He kisses me deeply and moves slowly inside me, building the pleasure again with each stroke. His thrusts become harder and faster, and a wave of bliss rolls through my body, carrying me to heights I’ve never imagined. He stills, and with a roar, he releases deep inside me.

  With a start, I sit up in my bed and look for Bram. I sigh, knowing he’s in his own room, and I wonder if it will be that amazing when it really happens. I’m going to have to hit Giselle up for more information.

  Bram

  Walking out of my room, I collide with Cassie. I grab her upper arms and steady her. Her cheeks turn a bright pink, and I lift her chin until her gaze meets mine.

  “Sweet, never be ashamed around me. Everything that happened was wonderful and will be forever etched on my heart.” I lean down and kiss her lightly on the lips.

  Cassie sneezes and rubs her nose. “Have you always had a beard?”

  “Since I was old enough to grow one. Do you not like it?” I scratch it with my fingers, frowning.

  “No, I do. I was only wondering.” She ducks her head and tries to walk away.

  Holding her still, I crouch down to meet her gaze again. “Cassandra, tell me the truth. You don’t like my beard.”

  “It’s not that I don’t like it. I think beards are hot, but I noticed you have dimples, so I wondered what you would look like without it.” Biting her lip, she looks at me through batting lashes, and I want to pull her into my bedroom.

  Tamping down my rising desire, I rub my beard thoughtfully. “I would most likely favor a wet-nosed boy. I haven’t been without a beard since I was old enough to grow one.”

  “Oh wow, that’s been a long time. It’s fine. I was only curious. Don’t do anything drastic.” She shrugs her shoulders, patting my arm.

  André walks into the hallway, waving a greeting. “Oh, Bram, thank goodness you’re up. We have a response from your witches in Ireland—or at least I hope they’re your witches.”

  “Oh, that’s exciting. I can’t believe they’re still around. I didn’t think witches were immortal.” Beaming up at me, Cassie claps her hands.

  “They are if they know how to tap into their power. It would seem most of the witches here are poorly trained or have weak powers at best. I would imagine throughout the years they’ve intermingled with the human population, and it has diluted their strength.” Walking around the city, I had come across several witches, and none were even a tenth as powerful as even the children from the Irish Coven.

  I wonder what happened here to cause this. Chi is in denial of his power, and I sense more in him than any others around.

  We follow André downstairs, and he pulls up the message. It is from Cara, and I am so excited to be in contact with her again. He gives me her number, and I immediately dial it.

  A tingling voice comes across the phone speaker. “Hello?”

  “Cara, it’s Bram Svenson. Is this Cara whom I knew long ago?”

  “Well, I don’t know. The Bram I knew would know how to greet an old friend,” the voice says, chastising me, and I have no doubt it’s Cara.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, having forgotten. “Dia duit.”

  Cassie narrows her eyes at my greeting, and I cover the phone and whisper. “God to you, and she’ll answer, ‘God and Mary to you.’”

  “Dia is Muire Dhuit,” Cara answers back, and I can hear a smile in her voice.

  “Cara! It’s so good to hear your voice. How have you been, my friend?” I haven’t heard or seen Cara since the sixteenth century, but it feels as if it were yesterday.

  “Bram, where have you been? And how are Alastair and Gabriel?” There is laughter in her voice, so I know she’s toying with me.

  “I would imagine you know we have been under a curse that is only now breaking. I haven’t seen Alastair in quite a while, so I can’t tell you where or how he is, but Gabriel is still sleeping like a babe.”

  Cara doesn’t have the gift of sight, but her sister Circe does. “Yes, I did know this, but I’ve been told it’s impolite to admit to knowing things before the other person has a chance to tell you. Circe even threatened to quit telling me things.” A long sigh comes across the line, and I laugh.

  “I imagine that is true, but you can forget the politeness with me. We’ve known each other long enough to simply be honest with one another.” I don’t have time for nonsense, and I know Fleur is anxious for any help we can get.

  “True, true. Fine, Circe stated you would be calling about a problem with magic, but she was unclear as to what exactly was going on.”

  “Yes, one of our famille’s mate’s mother messed with things she shouldn’t have, and I believe it’s gotten her into trouble.” If Circe already knows and Cara answered my call, they must have some sort of idea as to what we need to do.

  “Yes, well you need to go to the last place she was seen and find something of hers. We are planning a visit. We don’t really know everything that is happening, only that we need to come.” Her voice is slightly breathless.

  “Wait, you’re coming here?” I glance at the others, and they all stare back at me with wide eyes.

  “Yes, mine and the sisters’ bags are packed, and I’m walking out the door. You are going to need us in the coming months.”

  “This is wonderful news. I will find accommodations for you.” Covering the phone, I shrug at Cassie, and she nods back.

  “The house next door will be fine,” Cara says. “I believe it’s available. We will see you tomorrow.”

  The others continue to stare at me, but I shake my head. They will become accustomed to the sisters in time.

  “Ask if we need to pick them up at the airport.” Cassie motions with her hand, and I furrow my brow, wondering what she’s talking about.

  “Tell her no. Just open the house to air. You will be fast asleep when we arrive.” There is a slight pause, and I hear muffled talking. “The sisters are most excited to meet your mate.”

  “Tell the girls I’m most excited to introduce them.” I grin at Cassie as her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink.

  “Now go and find me something so we know how to proceed. I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Until tomorrow.” I hang up the phone and turn to meet the three pairs of wide eyes.

  “She’s coming here?” Fleur is bouncing up and down, clapping her hands.

  I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Yes, her and her two sisters, Ciara and Circe.”

  “Oh wow, it’s going to be so cool to meet real witches.” Fleur is now pacing and rubbing her hands together.

  “I believe you’ve met real witches. They just don’t know how to use their powers.” I turn toward Cassie. “Cara mentioned the house next door being fine. Do you own it?”

  Cassie nods. “Yes, and the one directly behind us, but it needs some repairs.”

  “Oh, André, maybe we could move into the other house.” Fleur turns to him and grabs his arms.

 
“The house behind us is split into four apartments. We used to rent them out, but it became a pain, so it’s been empty for a while. It needs some work, but it’s as much André’s and yours as it’s mine. It’s for famille use,” Cassie says. “We knew housing may be an issue once everyone woke up, and Giselle felt the famille would want to stay together.”

  “That sounds perfect, and we can fix it up like we want.” Hugging André’s arm, Fleur bats her eyes at him.

  He laughs, kissing her forehead. “Yes, love, we will go investigate the house later. Right now, I think we need to go to your parents’ and try to find something.”

  Fleur turns toward me, nodding determinedly. “Her crucifix necklace would be perfect. I believe daddy put it in her jewelry box at the apartment.”

  “Do y’all want me to drive?” Cassie eyes André with a smug grin, wagging her brows.

  André holds his hands up, shaking his head vigorously. “No, I would rather walk.”

  “Come, little brother. You aren’t afraid of a little automobile.” I slap his back, which propels him forward.

  “I don’t like the way they make me feel.”

  “It’s a good thing the witches are coming here. I can’t imagine what it would be like if you would have had to fly to where they live.”

  “What do you mean fly? As in the airplanes I’ve seen overhead and online? I would have done it for my mate, but I can’t say I would have liked it. I hope not to have that experience for a while.”

  “All the more reason to ride. Besides, I’m not in the mood to hide in the shadows tonight. There are too many people around this town after dark. Don’t they ever sleep?”

  “Nope, New Orleans is always awake. I need to go get my keys and tell Daddy where we’re going. Meet back here in ten minutes or so?”

  “Yeah, I’ll go open the house for the witches. It’s not supposed to rain, so I’ll open the upstairs windows.”

  After following Cassie into the backyard, we jump the fence into the next yard. The house looks similar to the one we’re staying in. It’s a large, square, red-brick mansion with white trim. The front porch has large white columns and a second-story balcony.