Vampire Princess of New York (Arnhem Knights of New York)

by Susan Hanniford Crowley

  “Okay, then in three days Noble and I will marry. If that’s okay with you, Sha?”

  Noble smiled. “Oui, mon chéri. And I’m going to stay here with you.”

  Mina hurried to the bed and brought with her a tall glass containing a blue liquid. “Noblesse, you’re going to need to drink this now and at least six times a day.”

  “What is it?” Donovan asked.

  “Shuma Moot.”

  Noblesse felt Donovan’s reaction throughout her entire body. He knew what Shuma Moot was used for, and a smile grew wider on his face. “Noble, were you going to tell me something?”

  “All right, everyone, out of the room,” Max commanded.

  Instead, Laura and Evelyn rushed toward the bed and hugged their father and Noble. After a few words of “congratulations” and “I love you,” everyone left with the exception of Mina and the couple.

  “Donovan, vampires are sterile. They use Shuma to get pregnant. Did you two use Shuma?”

  “No, I didn’t,” Noblesse said.

  Donovan shook his head.

  “Then a miracle of a human making a vampiress pregnant has occurred. I have to go to my lab at VMeer Industries and come up a birth control for you, as who knows how many children you could possibly have unless you practice restraint.”

  “Mina, your efforts on our behalf are appreciated, but right now I want to focus on my wife and child.”

  “Just make sure she drinks a glass of this six times a day. She needs it so the baby will grow.”

  Mina hugged them both and left closing the door with her.

  Donovan smirked. “You know, I heard all the sexy things you were thinking about when you first saw me.”

  Noblesse blushed. She heard a distinctive click. “I know Mina didn’t lock the door, and I didn’t.”

  “I did.”

  “How did you know how?”

  “When I was human, I watched your mind when you locked the door from across the room. Then I worked with Lily to find out everything about vampiric powers.”

  “You can read my mind that clearly?”

  “Most of the time.” He chuckled in that rolling baritone of his that made her warm down to her toes.

  “What else can you do?”

  Her ivory lace blouse disappeared and reappeared neatly folded on a chair near the bed. Next, her slacks disappeared. Then her panties and bra disappeared and were added to the pile on the chair.

  “How did I end up in pajama bottoms?” he asked.

  “Your clothes were in such a bad state that Max gave me a pair of pajamas for you.”

  “So it was your idea for me to be shirtless and commando?”

  His pajama bottoms disappeared. A second later, they folded themselves and floated down onto the clothing pile. Before Noblesse could blink, they were under the covers and face-to-face in a tight embrace.

  “When did you know?” he asked.

  “Not until after you were dead. I was afraid and asked Father to put me in stasis. He refused. Then Mina said I couldn’t because of the baby. I didn’t know until that moment. I knew I had to come back for the baby’s sake even if I couldn’t have . . .”

  “Have me?” He sighed. “Oh, Sha, did you forget? I am yours.” Donovan kissed her so deeply she nearly forgot that vampires don’t need to breathe.

  Stasis would have killed the baby. Thank God, Father said no.

  “I will have to thank him for that,” Donovan said.

  “You’re reading my mind again.”

  “Your mind, your body, your heart, Sha. I know it all now. I was always coming back to you if God allowed it.” He kissed Noble again. Kiss after kiss sent her into ecstasy. He tickled to make her laugh. She reached for him but Donovan was faster, caressing and sensually massaging every part of her. After countless tastes of her lips, he pushed them open with his tongue.

  Noble gasped as his tongue stroked one of her fangs. Heat poured into her making her writhe, eager for him, wanting him inside her.

  Donovan pulled back and gazed at her. He spoke directly to her mind. Would you stroke my fangs?

  Are you sure you want me to do that? You’re new and it’s very intense.

  He smiled, his eyes darkened. I really want you to, Noble.

  She kissed him, and in seconds, he opened his mouth inviting her in. Using the slightest pressure, Noble caressed his right fang with her tongue.

  In a blur, Donovan was on top of her, his eyes glowed with a white light. Trembling all over, Noble tried to calm the fear that made her ache and not in a good way. The last time she’d seen eyes like that was when Max was in battle for his life with a dangerous Ancient.

  Donovan slid off to her side. “I am scaring you, Sha?”

  “Yes, but no.” Damn, she didn’t want to upset him. “You have to remember that you’ve come from death into a vampire body rather fast. Your body is still undergoing changes. So it might be more sensitive.”

  “So I had intense battle eyes.”

  She nodded.

  “Maybe, in three days you will stroke my fangs again?”

  “Yes, all you want. What did you feel when I . . .?”

  “I melted down to my core. Fire roared through me. I couldn’t control it. The sex would have been too fast and hard. I have to be careful of you and the child, Sha. Everything must be slow and sexy from now on.”

  Noblesse chuckled, and leaning on her side to face him, kissed him. “Sha,” she said purposely imitating his Cajun accent. “I love you.” Moving him onto his back, she purred, “I’m going to make love to you.”

  He smiled up at her, then asked, “Should I participate?”

  “I’ll tell you when.”

  She began with a kiss that brushed his lips with a hint of hunger. Then she possessed his mouth but refrained from touching those young and vulnerable fangs. Pulling away, she kissed his eyes, his nose, and each cheek before moving around his jaw and down his neck. Each kiss was followed by a faux bite, touching her fangs to his skin.

  He moaned. “More, Sha, more.”

  Kissing and nipping her way down to his chest, she rolled his nipples with her tongue and he writhed on the bed.

  “I could stay there,” she whispered, “But I won’t.”

  Noblesse chuckled and continued kissing a hot trail down his stomach, pausing, and then taking his long firm cock in hand. Pressing her lips to his tip, she breathed a delicate kiss. Then starting at the base she licked slowly up his silky firm rod.

  Before she could take another lick, she was on her back looking up at him.

  “Sha,” she said, purposely imitating him, “I was supposed to be in charge. You need to fully change remember.”

  Grinning from ear to ear, he kissed her with such force, Noble gasped.

  “Are my eyes glowing now?”

  “No. Right now they are back to their beautiful dark blue color.” Gazing into his eyes made her entire body shake.

  He smiled and his fangs were so sexy. Fangs being so commonplace in her world, she never considered them one way or another. It crossed her mind that if he wasn’t lifemated, other vampiresses would be hitting on him.

  “And I wouldn’t even notice them.” His laugh rolled through her like butter, which made her think about licking him and where that would lead.

  He laughed again. “I’m just so edible, but then Sha, so are you.” Donovan gazed deeply into her eyes. His grin went from sexy to sinful. He nibbled first her bottom lip before taking her in a kiss so sweeping, heat raced through her. Chuckling in a maniacal way, he possessed her mouth fully but briefly, leaving her moaning.

  “Donovan,” she breathed, her voice reaching for his name.

  “Yes?” He laughed and planted scorching kisses down her ja
wline to her neck where he grazed her skin with his fangs. Ooh, he learns so quickly. She shivered all over.

  His kisses on her breasts became more intense. As he nibbled each tight bud, he sucked it into his mouth. Noble couldn’t stop squirming.

  Abruptly he stopped and kissed his way down to that soft warm spot between her legs. All he had to do was give the slightest push, and her trembling legs opened wide so he could kneel between them.

  Noble was still catching her breath from his last escapade. “What are you doing down there?”

  “Everything to pleasure my love.”

  His face disappeared between her legs, but a second later, she felt his wicked tongue. He teased her folds increasing her tremors. Noble bit her lower lip. Then his tongue penetrated her, caressing her from the inside. Each movement, each touch felt so wonderful, so exciting, so . . . The climax came so fast and fierce that she shuddered from head to toe, clawing the sheets. She screamed.

  Horrified, Noble covered her mouth with her hands.

  In a blink, Donovan was nibbling her ear in a nonchalant way. “Don’t worry, Noble.”

  “Worry?”

  “I stopped the Arnhem Knights from breaking down our door. The whole house heard your scream, and you screamed with such force, Sha, that they thought I was hurting you.”

  “Oh no. This is so embarrassing.”

  “You are turning the loveliest deep shade of pink. I told your father that you were just enthusiastic. He stopped the knights. Everything is fine. They are not going to burst in on us.”

  “The whole house heard?”

  “You have amazing lungs.”

  She smiled. “You have an evil tongue.”

  “No, I have a very good tongue, but I strive for excellence.”

  Noble laughed, then a thought occurred to her, a disturbing thought.

  “Donovan, you mindtalked with my father?”

  “I easily mindtalk with Max. As easily as with you.” He stroked her hair and kissed her cheek.

  “So my father has seen . . .”

  “No. I’m good at blocking even from Max. Laura taught me when I was human.”

  “That usually doesn’t protect you from the vampire that created you.”

  “I know Max did not see a thing. What happens between us stays between us, except for your screaming. Should we try again?”

  “Can I be on top?”

  He chuckled. “Not yet.” Donovan took her in his arms and kissed her.

  She entwined her fingers in his thick dark hair. His kisses were heaven and she dissolved under this touch. Noble wanted him to kiss her forever; he was so good at it.

  “Only good?” he whispered.

  His eyes grew darker. She giggled and twisted a lock of his hair. He took her lips again and again and she craved the taste of him.

  “I need more,” she whispered.

  “Me too.”

  Their bodies melded together and their joining caught her in a breath of excitement. His every movement sent bolts of heat through her, a frantic need screamed through her. Noble wanted more. More . . . more.

  “Donovan.” She screamed again.

  He laughed into her shoulder. “Sha, you did it again.”

  It didn’t matter. She felt too wonderful. Smiling up at him, she sighed before drifting off to sleep. Noblesse couldn’t remember if he had stopped kissing her. Don’t stop, she thought to him. Don’t ever stop.

  When Noble opened her eyes again, Donovan’s head was on her stomach.

  He whispered, “Bébé, don’t worry about anything. I will teach you everything about being a great New York vampire. Hopefully, I will learn it all before I teach you.” He chuckled and rubbed her lower stomach. “I love you and your Mama. I will take care of you both, and there are so many fun things we can all do together.”

  Her lifemate was truly special. Noble laced her fingers in his hair and gently tugged.

  He slid off her and moved to face her. “You’re awake! Good evening, my Noble.”

  “I feel like I’ve slept for days. I keep remembering waking up and making love, then falling asleep again.”

  Donovan smiled and nodded. “We have for seven days.”

  “Seven days?”

  A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

  “A few minutes, please,” Noble called out.

  She got out of bed to get her clothes from the chair, but the clothes appeared on her before she stood. Donovan’s clothes appeared on him as he got out of bed and turned to make it, folding the blankets and setting the pillows just so.

  “How did you do that?”

  “I read about it in a book that Lily found for me while you and I were dating. During the times you had to be in the office, I studied about vampires.” Smiling, he took her hand and led her to the sofa over by the fireplace. “You may come in, Max.”

  Max entered with Evelyn on his arm.

  “How have you two been?” Evie asked. “We haven’t seen you for days.”

  “Yes. Feeling well rested?” Max asked.

  Donovan and Noble looked at each other. “Yes, we do,” they said smiling.

  Evie and Max took the loveseat opposite them.

  Mina poked her head in. “May I interrupt?” She came in without waiting for an answer with a tray of glasses, handing Shuma Moot to the expectant mothers and blood to the men. Then she was gone.

  Max laughed. “Mina has done an admirable job, coming in every time Donovan was awake to make sure you two got your Shuma Moot and your blood.”

  Noble was blurry on that fact. Mina has been in and out of our room?

  Donovan hugged her to him. “You were not quite awake at times, so I made sure you drank your Shuma Moot and blood.”

  “Thank you. I don’t know why I’ve been so tired and sleepy. Vampires aren’t like that.”

  “They are if they’re pregnant,” Evie said. “When Max and I were walking in Paris, suddenly I was so tired I felt like my feet would collapse out from under me. He picked me up and carried me to a cab, and we went back to the house. My understanding is vampires don’t normally need sleep but some do because they find it enjoyable.”

  “You’re right, my Evie.” Max kissed her hand.

  “So I’ve been asleep for most of seven days.”

  They all nodded.

  “How do you feel, Donovan? Have you adjusted to your vampire body?”

  “I feel great.”

  Evelyn smiled. “Max, now would be good?”

  “Okay. There are several things I want to discuss, but Evie would like me to do this first.” He tossed a set of keys to Donovan.

  “What’s this?”

  “An early wedding present from Evelyn and me. A house two doors down went up for sale yesterday. I bought it for you and Bless. It has all new appliances, and I have a team making some special renovations. I will make sure you have a security system in place before you move in and a staff you can rely on.”

  Evelyn giggled in her excitement. “I hope you love it. I just loved it when we went with the agent. It’s beautiful. Of course, you can decorate it any way you like. I’ll help you with the nursery. We can go shopping for baby stuff together.”

  Noble gripped Donovan’s hand. Now I’m scared. I’m baby stuff shopping with Evie. I don’t know anything about being a mother.

  You will be great. Enjoy this time. Look how excited Evie is.

  Noble smiled. “Sounds like fun.”

  “We can move you tomorrow if you like,” Max said.

  “So soon?”

  “Well, when did you plan on getting married?” he asked.

  “I was going to call a friend who is a Catholic priest and ask him when he could do a small pri
vate ceremony for us. Noble and I are both Catholics, so I thought . . .”

  “Would we be able to come?” Evie asked.

  Noble couldn’t resist her adorable smile. “Of course. We’ll let you know.”

  Donovan nodded, keeping hold of Noble’s hand.

  “Still, we don’t have to move out right away?”

  Evie smiled that sweet gracious smile of hers. “Actually Max and I thought with you and Father being new lifemates, you could use the alone time.”

  “And,” Max added, “It would save wear and tear on the Arnhem Knights who run to your rescue every time you scream. I had no idea you could scream like that, Bless. We could hear you all over the house.”

  Donovan dissolved into hysterical laughter. Noble thought she would die of embarrassment right there. She hid her face in his shoulder.

  It’s all your fault, she growled at him.

  You are right. It is all my fault. We will just have to move to stop stressing out the rest of the Arnhem Knights. He laughed again, and even though she was blushing, she joined in.

  After a few minutes of regaining their composure, Donovan said, “Great idea. We can move out tomorrow. If we can get married first, we’ll get married and then move out.”

  “Good,” Max agreed.

  “There’s something else on your mind, Max?” Donovan asked.

  “Yes. I’ve heard that you intend on taking Noble to Paris for a honeymoon and to try to discover what happened to her mother.”

  They both nodded.

  “I’m going to ask you to wait, Donovan, until you’re fully trained as an Arnhem Knight.”

  “Why, Max?”

  “The vampires of Paris are not like us.”

  Donovan frowned. “How are they different?”

  “I think the way to look at it is how we are different from many of the vampires in the world. In Paris, they still hunt humans. They are hidden, recluses. Many live in the catacombs or any dark abandoned places they can find. Their diet is mainly human blood. They like to say they give humans a choice, but they also like to hypnotize and terrify those that they choose. Whenever I’ve seen one, they run from me. They like to teleport short distances to frighten their intended victims. First they are at the end of a street, then gone, then closer, then gone, then closer, then gone and suddenly they’re behind you.”