I frowned when a tear slid down her cheek.
“It’s okay Ria.”
She didn’t respond and my heart ached. I tried to convey how I felt without words.
The female growled. “Come on, it’s time for the trial.”
I knew one day I would be behind those doors, but I never thought my mate would be. “Take me, leave Azaria out of it.”
She laughed. “No can do, beast. The queen wants to see her specifically.”
Well hell.
“How can I get the queen to let her go and take me—”
“No!” Azaria said. “We can do this together.”
Her voice softened at the end melting my heart for the first time in so long. I needed to get us the hell out of this. We needed to complete the bond. It would be like we knew each other forever then.
Fated.
The woman sighed when I didn’t react the way she hoped. She didn’t like that Ria had my complete attention.
“Fine, let’s get this over with.” I knew there was no way out of this and Azaria had to be involved. She was a princess for fuck’s sake. That was asking for war. I couldn’t believe they were stupid enough to take her—just to get me. They were on the verge of a cliff of desperation. They might as well have jumped without looking because once King Quinton found out his daughter was in a dungeon, they were up shit’s creek.
The female nodded and unlocked the chain from the wall. She tugged it a bit too tight to assert her control. There was no reason to fight her.
“Come on mutt,” she said.
I growled but followed her.
She looked at Azaria. “Someone will be back for you.”
***
Azaria stood next to me in front of the Fae council. None looked very happy to see us, but none stopped me from sliding closer to her so the sides of our bodies touched. She sucked in a sharp breath and I tried not to smile. The warmth of my body seeped into the chill of hers. A vamp went cold when stressed, angry, or hurt. Needless to say, she was two out of the three.
“So, we finally have you here, Dulex.”
It was the queen. Of that I was certain. She radiated power and domination. The Fae were led by the women, and the men stayed in the background unless called upon. Women were more power both mentally and spiritually. Men were strong physically and with magic. That’s how my mother explained it to me before she was killed.
“I don’t know how we ended up with her though,” the queen said and pointed at Ria.
She glared behind me and I knew the male who had taken my mate was there. It was tempting to turn around and rip his head off.
“I thought getting here would lure our target to us—and it worked. He is here because of her.”
Azaria tensed beside me and I wondered what happened. She didn’t look my way. Her eyes were glued to the wall above the council’s head.
***
Azaria
I’d never been inside the Fae’s council chambers. It was exactly like I pictured it. The walls were made of some natural thin material with colorful fabrics flowing in the light breeze. Candles lite every inch. There were bright orbs that floated above me. It was magnificent. If they weren’t holding me captive things might have been different.
I watched as Dulex tensed when I did. It seemed he could already feel what I did. I tried to calm my nerves because if he could sense it there was a good chance the others could as well. I was a Royal Living Vampire for hell’s sakes. I was tougher than this. Problem, I’d never be accosted by the Fae. Father had such a good relationship with them throughout the world, I never thought it could be.
“You’re the princess?” The queen sneered as if she smelled something bad.
I licked my lips and cleared my throat suddenly very nervous. “Yes, Princess Azaria Jade Lucian.”
The queen stood and stepped of her pedestal. No joke this queen was that kind of female. She glided towards me and I made sure to hold my head up high. She circled around me and sniffed. “You stink of fear, little girl.” Then she touched my arm and her magic flowed through me. I shuddered not happy very this was going.
“You’re not much are you. Sort of puny compared to your ancestors.”
I’d show her puny if she didn’t get her filthy hands off me. She pissed me off, but there was nothing I could do. I had to keep my cool and stay calm.
A loud explosion shook the grounds. I teetered to the side and gripped the queen before she fell. Her hands went cold at my touch and then I was thrown across the room. I whipped through the air knocking one of the beautiful orbs to the side. My back slammed into the wall that didn’t look like it had amounted to much. But it did. The breath was taken from me and I slid to the floor too shocked to keep from falling. I landed on my back.
The bitch was strong as hell. I should have been able to with stand her magic—apparently, I couldn’t. I blinked as the orbs floated above my head. Lights danced before my eyes before I felt the building magic. It heated its way through my veins and then wrapped around my heart. Breathing, became harder and I gasped as my throat began to close.
Standing over me was the same male Fae—the dominant. He smirked and waved. “Buh-bye, bitch.”
My eyes fluttered closed.
Chapter 7
Dulex
I couldn’t find her. I wasn’t even sure what the hell happened. One minute I was bursting to knock the queen off my mate, and the next the whole chambers shook. Everything went to hell after that. The Fae all banded together to figure out how to fight whatever it was that attacked. The chambers filled with the whole platoon of warriors in a matter of minutes.
I took that moment to find my mate and get the hell out of dodge. It was perfect distraction. The room filled with smoke smelling of Vampire magic and then I knew. Ria’s family had arrived. Part of me worried I’d be killed on the spot, but the other part was over joyed with the help. As soon as I knew she’d gotten involved I was willing to do anything to make sure nothing happened to her. It was my responsibility to make sure she was safe. It wasn’t her job to protect me, and the beast inside of me cringed we hadn’t been able to do anything to ensure our mate’s safety. The Fae wanted to come out and play.
Neither could come out. The collar sparked.
“Fuck!”
I had to find her. I narrowed my eyes and saw the male Fae from the dungeon standing over her with a wicked sword. My beast roared and my canine irrupted from my gums so bad I yelled out.
“Stay away from her, you sorry excuse of a Fae.”
That got his attention and he spun towards me with fire in his eyes. I couldn’t combat magic, but brunt force would have to be enough.
“Get out Ria.”
She didn’t move. It was then I realized she wasn’t conscious. Everything froze inside of me watching her to ensure he hadn’t already taken her from me. When I saw her chest moved I sighed in relief. The collar unclicked and fell to the ground meaning the specific magic was from someone who was no longer among the living.
Finally.
Just as the Fae went to slam the sword down into my mate’s heart, essentially shattering me, she rolled out of the way. Her eyes flared when she noticed the change in my scent. The Fae part of my dual nature broke free and I threw a ball of fire from my hand to him. It flew faster than the human eye. It slammed into the Fae’s back and he screamed with eyes full of agony. The sound of his pain and suffering echoed through the room but the warriors didn’t pay him any attention.
I wasn’t going to stick around and watch him burn. The part of me that was Fae and Bear relished in the fact that he was suffering.
He was trying to kill our mate.
I knew it was true. If I hadn’t noticed she would have been slaughtered right before my eyes. My body shuddered with an awareness.
We needed to mate.
It was the only way to make sure something like this didn’t happen again. I strode over to the beautiful Vampire in front of me and before she could speak
or fight I cradled her face in my hands as if she were the most delicate butterfly and kissed her. She gasped in shock allowing my tongue access to her mouth. I took advantage and caressed her tongue. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around me. As soon as she touched me, it was now or never.
Lifting her into my arms and ignoring the chaos surrounding us I carried her out of the large chambers.
***
Azaria
I could have died. Right then and there, but for the first time in my life, I had a mate, and he didn’t let me down. He was there to save me from the sword that was inches from my heart, and there wouldn’t have been anything I could do about it.
Then to make everything even more apparent was the kiss, and how he pulled me into his arms. He didn’t ask. He just did. My eyes flared as he carried me from the Fae Council chambers.
It was this moment that changed my life. I could see my need reflected in his hazel eyes. There was such a look of longing that I ached. My heart raced when he smiled at me.
“It’s time, Ria.”
I nodded. There was no arguing with Fate. I didn’t know where he was taking me and I didn’t care. My people had caused enough of a distraction we left without hassle. He didn’t speak as he carried me. I wondered where we were going but there were no words to explain how it felt to be in his arms.
It wasn’t long before he stopped and put me down. My feet hit the soft grass in front of a cute cottage.
“Where are we?”
He didn’t answer at first seeming to be deep in thought. “My mother’s home.”
“Why are we here?”
He raised a brow. “I think you know, sweet mate.”
I blushed and the red tinged my cheeks so bright there was no way I could hide it from him. “Completing the bond?”
“Yes,” he replied.
I didn’t say anything else. Instead I held out my hand. He took it with the same ease he did with my body. I was more than ready to mate. My body was on fire for him. And I finally realized that I had been so angry at him. It was because I was worried I would lose him before I had even had the chance to have him. It wouldn’t have been fair. Fate couldn’t mess with me this way. I’d never survive if I had to bond with Julian. Nothing compared to a mate.
“Let’s go inside,” he said and reached for my hand lacing our fingers together.
***
I wanted so badly to become one. My body shook with a need I’d never felt before. It ran deeper than physical. It was emotional and spiritual as well. “I’m ready.”
He looked at me with wide eyes. “I wasn’t sure if this was the best time considering. But your family is the reason we got free.”
“I don’t want to wait.” I licked my lips and slide my shirt over my head revealing my satin bra. I was glad I decided to always wear sexy under garments. It was times like these when they came in handy. And from the look in his eyes, he appreciated it too.
“Perfect. You’re beautiful, Ria.”
I let out a shaky breath wondering how this was going to work. Would he become someone else; hell, would I?
He stalked towards me like the graceful bear he was. I stood still waiting for him to take the lead. He didn’t disappoint. Before I could say anything else my bra was slid from my arms and I dropped it to the floor revealing my breasts. He lowered his head and bent at the knees to suck one a nipple into his mouth grazing it with his fangs. The bear had come out to play.
“Take me, make me yours, Dulex.” My voice had taken on that throaty quality that happened when I was aroused. But this was so much more.
He growled and stood back to his height, nearly towering over me and grinned. “As my lady wishes.”
Then he scooped me back into his arms and carried me across the room to a room that looked like it hadn’t been lived in for ages. I wrapped my arms around his neck letting him take the lead.
When we were in the room he laid me on the bed and I sighed as he stripped down to nothing. He was big and large everywhere. My mouth watered and I licked my lips.
“Pants off.”
I obliged.
Both nude, he crawled onto the bed and hovered over my naked body. His lips met mine in fiery passion. I kept up and nibbled on his bottom lip. “No more waiting, we don’t have time.”
Sadly, our mating was on a time close. When all I wanted to do was let him love me all night. It wouldn’t happen. Not yet. But for now.
I’d be happy for now.
Chapter 8
Azaria
“I don’t think I can wait, Ria.”
“Then don’t. I want this.” I really did. There was no question. The consequences be damned.
Dulex didn’t hesitate. He took me for my word and didn’t question me. There was not any need for foreplay. Just being close to him was enough. My body tightened when his eyes lit.
He slid his cock past the barrier and took each inch in slow succession. I gasped at first realizing it had been far too long since any man had ever made me feel. In fact, I was certain I’d never felt this way before.
I wrapped my legs around his waist pulling him further inside of me.
“Damn woman. You’re hot as hell.”
It was the first time he hadn’t been proper with me. And I found myself relaxing as he thrust into me making our bond complete. Magic ran high in the air. It was the bond. With each moment we were making love, we were one.
I’d never felt anything like it before. The faster he moved the more it felt like being on air. When I finally managed to open my eyes, we weren’t on the mattress. We floated.
We were on air. No, we were on magic.
The magic lingered in the air and when my inner walls tightened and I orgasmed, so did Dulex. He growled and released inside of me, completing the bond that would last for as long as I lived. That’s how it worked for Living Vampires. It was forever. There was no such thing as divorce. Fate deemed who was meant to be with us.
1 week later
Azaria
It was time to show Father that Dulex was the right one for me. Things in the last week had been hectic and with Julian waiting in the wings, tension rose. Mother was thrilled I’d bonded with my true mate, but Father wanted Julian to be my master. I refused to let them win. It didn’t matter that they’d locked up my mate as soon as they’d found us. It was shortly after we completed the bond. I’d barely gotten dressed when Julian and my father, the King himself came into the house. They both weren’t happy with what they’d walked in on, but I didn’t care.
I stood in front of the council. Father hadn’t really talked to me since that night, but now he glared at me as if I were a problem. He was taking it too personally. I found my mate plain and simple. He needed to understand I couldn’t force his political agenda.
After staring me down, my mother smiled.
“It’ll be okay,” she mouthed. No one knew she was talking except me.
It had to be official.
A few moments later Dulex was brought into the room. He smiled at me and I sighed knowing what he was going through. It was the same thing every day. No one let it go and grudge holding was a must within the walls of the cattle. Everyone was different. Everything was different.
***
Dulex
Ria and I were doing great with each other. She was worried about her father, but otherwise, Julian had bowed out well enough. He realized nothing could come between a true mate. Fate couldn’t be stopped. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. I’d never let the bond between them happen. She was mine and I was hers. I’d never been happier.
It had been a week since the bonding and a week since I’d moved into the castle. I walked down the silent hall realizing for the first time I didn’t have guards following me. A smile crossed my face before I could help it. That had to be a sign the king was agreeable to me. He’d had me followed with every step I’d made in the last week, but now I roamed alone.
It felt good. No one had ever accepted me out
side of my mother. This had to be a sign that we no longer had to worry.
When I made it outside of the chamber doors I took a deep breath. This was the meeting I’d been waiting for. I’d asked to join the guard staff.
“why do you want to join?” he’d asked several days before.
“I want to protect my family.” It was the only answer. They would be my family. It would be a new type of family bringing together not only the bear shifters but the Fae and Living Vampires as well.
I opened the doors and sucked in a breath seeing my mate dressed in a pale lavender dress. Her long hair was in some sort of intricate hair style and she spun towards me with a smile.
That had to be a good sign, right?
“Come,” the king’s voice boomed, echoing along the stone walls. There were little tea lights on each of the window ledges. The flames danced along the walls creating a romantic atmosphere.
I wasted no time and strode to my mate. She laced her fingers with mine and squeezed.
“This is it,” she whispered keeping her eyes on her father.
I nodded but stayed silent.
“We have decided…”
Her mother rose and in a blur, she was in front of me pulling me into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Dulex the Fae-bear of no clan, you are now our newest warrior and protector. Serve us well.”
And that was it. All I needed to hear. I was too stunned to feel the relief that swept over Ria, but her hand tightened further on mine.
When her mother finally backed away and went back to her throne, Ria looked at me.
“I love you mate,” she whispered.
“I love you too.” I followed up with a brief kiss ignoring her mother’s sob.
It seemed I’d finally found my place in the world. It had only taken me almost dying and being saved by the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.
THE END
The Alien's Mystery (Uoria Mates IV Book 7) Page 65
