The Vampire's True Love Trials

by Kristen Painter

  Tessa had explained to her mother that she already had a man in her life.

  Her mother had laughed, realized her daughter was being serious and insisted that Tessa bring this man to Paris for her and Den, Tessa’s father, to meet.

  Which was why they were on the train.

  Sebastian sat down in the seat next to her. In all his lean, muscled, perfectly proportioned glory. “We’ll be there in less than four hours.”

  She nodded and took his hand. “Thank you for handling all this and for being so willing. I realize it’s not what you had planned—”

  “I like Amsterdam, but I like Paris too. Whether I spend the next week there or here, so long as I’m with you, I don’t care. The company is what matters.”

  “And you’re really not bothered about meeting my parents? Or the fact that they’re trying to marry me off to another man?”

  He smiled. “I’m happy to meet them. And if anyone understands old-fashioned sensibilities, it’s me. We’ll get this whole thing sorted out.”

  “True.” She settled back against the plush seat and sighed.

  He twisted to face her. “Are you worried that they won’t like me?”

  She kept her gaze straight ahead. “I honestly don’t know what to think. I don’t think they’ll care too much that you’re not a berserker, but then again, my parents are a strange mix of old-school and modern. I can never predict what they’ll do.”

  Which was what worried her the most.

  “And if they don’t approve of me, what then?”

  She finally looked at him. At his handsome face, at his eyes filled with sudden worry. Freya help her, she loved this man so much it hurt. “Then they’ll have to figure out a way to get past that, because it’s not going to change the way I feel. I don’t need their approval to love you.” To marry him, though, that was a slightly different story. “And I’m very sorry I didn’t tell them about you right away.” So sorry.

  “I appreciate that.” He smiled. “But you’d like them to approve, wouldn’t you?”

  She nodded. “I would. It would certainly make things easier. Is that awful?”

  “No. Do you think this Gunther fellow is going to put up much of a fuss when he finds out you’re not marrying him?”

  “I don’t have a clue, but that’s my parents’ mess to clean up.”

  “All right, then.” He shook his head, clearly amused. “Do you need anything? There will be a meal service, but I can get you something from the bar if you want a drink. I do.”

  “No, I—actually, yes. A drink would be good. Wine.”

  He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t be nervous. I know how to make a good impression.”

  “I’m not worried about that.”

  He stood. “Be right back.”

  She watched him go. Took note of some of the other women in the train car watching him as well. There was something about his presence that made him instantly attractive to a certain kind of female. And lately, he didn’t scowl nearly as much, which broadened his fan base.

  Although, she didn’t mind the scowl. She loved grumpy Sebastian as much as she loved happy Sebastian. All of his facets were just fine with her. He was the most remarkable man. Smart, funny, caring.

  Hard to believe they’d met because he’d needed someone to pretend to be his fiancée. And now…she might actually fill that role in truth.

  She twisted her hands together. It just hinged on what happened in Paris. If only Jenna hadn’t let slip where Tessa was, this whole meeting could have been put off until after she and Sebastian were firmly engaged. But of course, she hadn’t, and Tessa really couldn’t blame her sister.

  Jenna already felt bad enough based on the apologetic text Tessa had gotten from her. She was genuinely excited that Tessa had found someone so perfect. She’d been skeptical about Sebastian at first, but she’d really warmed up to him over the last eight months.

  Too bad Jenna hadn’t also told their parents about Sebastian, but Jenna had thought that news ought to come from Tessa herself.

  When being Sebastian’s intended had just been an act, Tessa hadn’t given a second thought to the consequences of her parents finding out. But the act was over, and things were very real between them. The kind of real that made her heart beat faster when she was in Sebastian’s arms. The kind of real that had her thinking about baby names.

  She glanced at the ring on her finger. The kind of real that meant forever.

  She exhaled and looked out the window. The train’s sleek red exterior matched the red upholstered seats. She ought to be taking pictures and enjoying her first European train trip. Instead, she was worrying about whether or not her parents were going to put Sebastian through the wringer.

  And how he’d do in that wringer.

  It was a valid concern. But it was also sucking the joy out of what should be some very pleasurable moments. She resolved to stop worrying. Maybe nothing would come of it. Maybe when Sebastian met meet her parents, they would see the folly of promising her hand to a man she’d never met, and they’d all have a good laugh about it.

  Sebastian returned with a glass of wine for her and whiskey for himself. He handed her drink to her, then sat. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  “I don’t think they’re worth that much.” She smiled at him, very much wanting to be in the moment and not in her head. She clinked her glass against his. “Thank you again for arranging all this.”

  He shrugged. “The concierge helped rather a lot. I must confess, I miss Greaves’ efficiency and organization.”

  She laughed. “You miss it? How can you tell it’s gone? You’re the most efficient, organized person I know.” Sebastian’s rook, Greaves, had stayed home to look after Duncan, Tessa’s cat. He’d gone from kitten to teenage nuisance in the last eight months. His antics and energy were highly amusing and enough to wear out even the most tireless supernatural. Greaves adored the cat as much as Tessa did.

  “I do my best.” Sebastian sipped his drink and went silent for a moment. “Is everything all right? Between us, I mean?”

  A wash of sorrow passed over her that he would think that was even a possibility. She realized her worrying was coloring her mood. Enough. She smiled and looped her arm through his. “Everything is perfect between us. I’m just concerned about how everything is going to go down with my parents. But it’s going to be fine. I promise that whatever worrying I’ve been doing is about them, not you. Never you.”

  He studied her for a second, then nodded, and his expression relaxed. “Parents can be difficult, I suppose.”

  He had no idea. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “It must be tough for you, seeing as how your parents have been gone for so long.”

  “True. But I remember what it was like to want them to be happy with me.” He kissed the top of her head. “Anything I should know about your parents?”

  “Well…my mother is a valkyrie and my father is a berserker. They’ve both served as trainers in the Ragnarok Guard, but they retired from that life about seven years ago and now just travel the world. They like new experiences as much as they like tradition.”

  “Then we should get on fine.”

  Tessa patted his arm. “I hope so.” And she did. More than anything.

  Sebastian tipped the bellman who’d carried their bags up to their suite, then shut the door. The train ride had been pleasant enough, and after he’d reassured Tessa that all would be well, there hadn’t been much more conversation about meeting her parents.

  But he wasn’t sure all would be well. He hoped it would be, of course, but every particular type of supernatural had their own customs and expectations. Especially when it came to marriage. Even more so when it came to marriage between one of their own and an outsider.

  Add in the fact that her parents had already matched Tessa with another man, one who was one of their own, and things could get very dicey indeed.

  He walked into the bedroom where Tessa was unpacking. He’d been a
bit of an outsider most of his life, so this situation shouldn’t be anything he couldn’t handle. But then again, her parents might genuinely expect Tessa to throw him over and agree to their match.

  There was no telling how Tessa’s father would react when Sebastian asked for her hand in marriage. The man could tell him to get lost. Or flat out say no. Or insist Tessa marry this Gunther. Sebastian was prepared for any of those outcomes. Taking care of the family’s finances had taught him to look ahead for all potential scenarios. He understood that sort of broad thinking when many men might not.

  But more than anything, he wanted his marriage to Tessa to have the best start it could. Her parents’ blessing wasn’t just important, it was necessary. “Did you text them that we’ve arrived?”

  She hung a jacket in the closet and turned. “I did. They want us to meet them at the restaurant at eight.” She smiled tentatively. “Are you nervous?”

  “No.” Maybe a little, but he wasn’t going to let her know that. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Then you’re braver than I am.” She bit her lip. “What are you wearing?”

  “My gray suit. Is that all right?”

  “It’s perfect. You always look good. I wasn’t questioning your choice. Just curious.”

  He went to her and slipped his arms around her waist. “And what will you be wearing? The little black dress?”

  “I was saving that for a special occasion.”

  He shrugged. “This seems special enough.”

  “I meant an occasion that’s just us.”

  “Nothing says you can’t wear it again. And it’s stunning on you.”

  She smiled. A tiny one, but the response pleased him. “Okay. I’ll wear it. Might throw my parents a bit. I don’t think they’ve seen me in anything but my boring librarian clothes.”

  “Then it will be good for them to realize how much you’ve changed and become your own woman these past months.”

  “Thanks to you.”

  He kissed her and let her go to start his own unpacking. “No, you’re the one who made the change.”

  “But you gave me the job that made it possible for me to afford nicer things. And really, Jenna had a hand in it too. Her little makeover helped me see that classic doesn’t have to mean boring. I have both of you to thank for my new confidence.”

  He unzipped his garment bag and took out his suit. If Greaves were here, he’d probably want to press it. “Whatever the reason, I like everything about you, including how you dress. I especially like those tight jeans you favor.”

  “Sebastian!” She laughed. “I guess I know what I’m wearing tomorrow on our museum tour.”

  He looked at her, brows lifted. “Then you should know we may be getting a late start.”

  “Your eyes are glowing.” She laughed and dipped her head as her cheeks reddened. “And, you should know, I could be talked into postponing that tour for a day. In favor of other activities.”

  He straightened, his suit forgotten, his need for her the only thing on his mind. “Text your parents. Tell them we’re going to be late.”

  She shook her head. “We can’t be late. Not for this dinner.”

  He shoved everything off the bed and onto the floor, causing a little excited gasp to slip from her lips. He started loosening his tie. “Then we’re already wasting time.”

  He made every second count, and when they eventually arrived at the restaurant, one of those quaint bistros tucked into every corner of the city, they did so with one minute to spare. That minute had been gained only because they’d taken a little less care with their appearance than they normally would have, although he thought the look suited Tessa. Her hair was slightly wild, her skin flushed and her eyes glazed with bliss. And all because of him.

  Yes, he liked that look on her very much. Her parents might not, however. He stopped them before they stepped inside. “Tessa, you said your parents are only old-fashioned about some things. Will they…that is…”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Will they be upset if they figure out what we were doing before we got here?” Her eyes twinkled. “No. Not once they figure out that we are very much in love and committed to each other.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  She reached up and adjusted his tie. “Why? Do I look disheveled?”

  “You look beautiful. But one might say there is a distinct glow about you that comes from engaging in certain physical activities.”

  She grinned. “How do you know it’s not just because I’m happy?”

  “Because I was engaged in those certain physical activities with you.”

  She leaned up and kissed him. “Yes, you were. And if they figure it out, they figure it out.”

  “You seem at peace with whatever happens next. I’m glad.”

  Her smile faded a bit. “We’ll get through it, right?”

  “Right.” He opened the door for her. “After you, my darling.”

  She walked through, chin up. His beautiful warrior goddess.

  He followed her into the dining room where her parents were already at the table. “Mom, Dad, this is Sebastian. Sebastian, these are my parents, Magna and Den.”

  Her parents stood. Her mother fit the description of warrior goddess too, although perhaps in a fiercer, starker way. Her short, bright blond hair framed serious blue eyes and sharp but beautiful features. Her smile was kind, giving Sebastian hope. He extended his hand. “Mrs. Blythe, it’s my great pleasure to meet you.”

  She shook his hand, her grip firm. “And you as well, Sebastian, but please call us Magna and Den.”

  Then he turned to Tessa’s father, who was the largest man Sebastian had ever seen. But then, he couldn’t recall meeting a berserker before. The man wasn’t the largest just because he was tall, but because he was also wide. Everywhere. His chest, his torso, his legs. In fact, there didn’t seem to be much distinction between the man’s head and neck. His ice-blue eyes were deep-set, and stubble covered his jaw. Sebastian pasted on a smile he didn’t quite feel and stuck his hand out. “Den, a pleasure to meet you too.”

  Den’s handshake made Magna’s seem like a child’s. Sebastian’s hand felt trapped in a vise made of flesh-covered steel. He squeezed back. He wasn’t exactly a weakling. But even his best effort felt ineffectual against Tessa’s mountain of a father.

  “So you’re the man in my daughter’s life. We weren’t sure if you were real or not.” Den pulled Sebastian closer, his mouth a thin, hard line. “Are you keeping her happy?”

  “It’s my endeavor every day. And as you can see, I am very much real.” Sebastian thought his fingers might be going numb. Or they’d been broken and the nerves severed. Whether that was from his effort or Den’s, he wasn’t sure.

  Tessa swatted her father’s arm. “Daddy, let him be.”

  Den’s seriousness gave way to a sudden smile that was almost shocking. He laughed and released Sebastian’s hand, clapping him on the back. “It’s a father’s prerogative to put a little healthy fear into his daughter’s suitors.”

  Sebastian laughed, some of it from the rush of nerves that had just beset him. “Indeed. And well done.” He tucked his hand behind his back and flexed it a few times to get the feeling back.

  Magna shook her head as her husband held her chair for her. “Den, don’t scare the lad off before we get to know him.”

  “I promise I’m not that easily scared, Mrs. Blythe.” Sebastian helped Tessa into her seat, then took the chair next to hers, which thankfully put him between Tessa and her mother.

  “Please, call me Magna.”

  “Yes, of course.” Nerves were getting the better of him. He nodded and felt Tessa’s hand on his leg. She squeezed, as if reassuring him, then her touch was gone.

  The restaurant was surprisingly quiet. He glanced around, wondering where the rest of the patrons were.

  Magna leaned in. “I promise this is a great place to eat. Tessa’s father and I just thought it would be more conducive to g
etting to know each other if we had the place to ourselves.”

  Sebastian raised his brows. “Then you arranged this?”

  She nodded. “We booked the entire place for the evening.”

  “Very thoughtful of you.” Especially since this was most likely going to be a conversation best had in private.

  A server came and handed them menus, then took their drink orders. Sebastian chose whiskey. There was no reason to deviate from his usual. Tessa’s parents couldn’t expect him not to drink in a situation like this. Her father asked for beer and both women ordered wine.

  Sebastian glanced at the menu and immediately decided upon steak frites. He laid the menu down across his plate.

  Den had done the same thing and was now staring at Sebastian. “Tessa says you’re a vampire.”

  It wasn’t a question, but it felt like something Sebastian should respond to. “Yes, I am.”

  “Are you well-off?”

  “Daddy,” Tessa protested.

  Den looked at her. “Gunther’s got an office in French Lick and is about to open another in Evansville.”

  “It’s all right, Tessa.” Sebastian smiled at her father. “I don’t know what you consider well-off, but I can promise you that no one I care for lacks for anything.”

  Den’s brows lifted slightly.

  Tessa set her menu aside. “Dad, I’m doing very well for myself, you know. My new job pays me a generous salary.”

  “I understand that, Tessa.” Den looked at Sebastian again. “But I also want to know that any man interested in you can provide for you.”

  Sebastian softly cleared his throat. “I own one-fourth of the town of Nocturne Falls. Besides my home there, I own properties in London and the British Virgin Islands. I assure you I am capable of—”

  “Where in the British Virgin Islands?” Den asked.

  Sebastian frowned. This was information he hadn’t been prepared to share. “Ginger Island.”

  Den made a face. “We travel a lot, son. We were in Tortola six months ago. Pretty sure Ginger Island is privately owned.”