Miranda nodded into Cate’s hair and sniffled. “Everything?”
“Everything.”
“What about a certain vampire prince?”
Cate stiffened and pulled away. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she shrugged. “You mean vampire king. And no, I think you can leave that part out.”
She started rolling her luggage toward the doors and Miranda followed, entering the cool space of the airport. It wasn’t nearly the size of the Eppley Airport in Omaha, but it had the same feel with kiosks for checking your bags and long roped off lines.
“What happened between you two?” Miranda asked, chasing her down a line. “Why are you avoiding the topic?”
“I’m not avoiding.” She stopped in front of the counter and plastered a smile on her face for the ticket cashier. “I’m just moving on.”
“But I don’t understand, last night you two looked about ready to walk down the aisle together. What changed?”
Exasperated, Cate placed a hand on her hip and turned to her friend. “He became a king, that’s what changed.”
“And how does that change things?” Miranda had her bossy tone on, the one that told Cate she wasn’t going to get away easily without answering her questions. It was best to give in.
“He said he couldn’t live in a fairy tale world anymore,” she huffed, handing her passport to the woman across the counter. “That what we had meant nothing compared to the needs of his country now and the whole thing was shameful. Oh, and that I should leave first thing in the morning.”
Miranda sighed and tilted her head to one side. “That’s all?”
“Yes,” she answered through gritted teeth. “And it was more than enough to tell me he didn’t really care for me. That the thought of a lifetime with me as a vampire was repulsive.”
Tears sprung to the corners of her eyes and she wiped them away. She’d made up her mind last night before everything went wrong that she would gladly give up her mortal life for Viktor. The idea of becoming a vampire had already set her at ease and she was looking forward to experiencing it all with him. But when he’d shut her out, so quickly and so thoroughly, those dreams of the future had come crashing down around her. Now, she didn’t know up from down. She needed consistency and normal. She needed to feel her feet under her again.
Miranda took her hands in hers and squeezed them. Looking into her eyes, she leaned forward and frowned. “I’m saying this as your friend, so don’t get mad, but that’s a load of cow manure.”
Cate blinked and her chin snapped up as if she’d been punched. “Excuse me?”
“It’s a load of cow manure,” Miranda repeated, dark humor twinkling in her eyes. “Anyone could see he’s crazy about you. The boy just lost his grandfather and now he’s in charge of a country. He’s freaking out. Pushing you away. But this is the time he needs you most.”
“But he said...”
“He said a lot of things he probably didn’t mean, I’m sure. Trust me, I’ve been there. People say stupid things to the people they care about when they’re hurting. But people don’t suddenly fall out of love, Cate. He’s in pain and he needs you.”
She shook her head. “But what about Charlie and my broken good guy radar?”
“Charlie was a grade-A jerk from day one,” Miranda insisted. “He stole the light from your eyes. Prince Viktor was the one to put it back. And just maybe, your good guy radar wasn’t really broken. It just needed a vampire to come along and fix it.”
Her lips parted as her brow furrowed. Understanding clicked in her eyes as Miranda smiled.
“You really think he still loves me?” she asked, her hands trembling.
“Without a doubt.”
“And that he’s just being stupid.”
A grin tugged at her lips. “As men often are.”
Cate glanced at the sliding glass doors. “And that I should confront him about it?”
“That would be my style,” Miranda said with a laugh. “Lay it all on him. Don’t let him off so easily.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and thought about the prospect of seeing Viktor again. Of telling him off for pushing her away and refusing to leave. What would he do? Would he be glad to see her, or would she be led away by the guards? Either way, she had nothing to lose.
“Take me to the castle,” she said suddenly, grabbing her suitcase. “I’ve got one more thing to do before I leave this country.”
Miranda whooped and jumped, her eyes turning momentarily black. They sprinted toward the exit and burst into the morning sun.
❖
Viktor leaned his head out the window of the town car, cursing at his luck. A field of soft, fluffy, white sheep had invaded the road, bleating at him as if he were intruding on their day. No matter the amount of honking, they just wouldn’t move. He’d never hated an animal so much. The order of business for the rest of the day was to destroy sheep agriculture when he got back to his office.
“Can’t you just make them move?” he asked, turning to Stasia sitting in the passenger seat. “I don’t know, bark at them or something?”
“What do you think I am, a sheepdog?” Her eyebrows raised and she clicked her tongue. “Really, I ought to bite you for that one.”
He smacked his hand on the steering wheel and cursed. Cate’s plane would leave any minute now. He’d never catch her if he didn’t take things into his own hands.
“I’m getting out,” he announced, throwing his door open and standing up. “I’ll run to her if I have to. I just can’t let her leave without telling her how I feel.”
“I’m not so sure that’s going to be necessary,” Stasia replied as she stared out the windshield, her eyes growing large.
Viktor followed the direction of her gaze and had to do a double take. A compact gray car was barreling down the road toward them, its lights flashing and the horn honking. Sheep scattered everywhere, running for their lives. A few narrowly escaped and bleated their disapproval as the car passed them by.
“Is that...?” He stared in shock at the occupants of the tiny car. A woman hung from each side of the car, sticking their heads out the window and shouting curses at the farm animals. On the driver’s side was Miranda, the werewolf he’d met just last night at the ceremony. And on the other, was the woman he’d given his heart to.
“Cate!” He rushed forward, wading through the thigh-deep fluff. “Cate!”
They’d driven as far as they could into the mess and the car stalled. The passenger side door sprung open and Cate jumped out, her hair wild from the wind. She started pushing her way through the flock, swimming toward him. Finally, when they were within ten feet of each other, she stopped and placed her hands on her hips.
“Viktor Romanov, I don’t care what you’ve come to say, but you will listen to me.”
He stared at her, frozen in place, afraid one move would scare her off. She was wearing a soft blue skirt that whipped around her knees in the ocean breeze and a yellow long-sleeved tee. Her cheeks were flushed in the most alluring pink and passion flashed in her blue eyes.
“I know you’re going through a rough time with the death of your grandfather,” she said, her cheeks puffing out in anger. “But I will not allow you to push me away like that. Not until I’ve had my say.”
She paused as if she expected him to argue. When he didn’t make a sound, she inhaled a deep breath and continued.
“The last few days have been some of the most terrifying of my life. Not only did I get sucked into this crazy dating show, but then I found out I was surrounded by supernatural creatures. You can’t imagine how much that rocked my world. But most terrifying of all, I fell for you.”
A sheep baaed loudly next to her, causing her to shake her finger at it.
“I wasn’t finished,” she scolded and turned back to him. “Where was I?”
“You fell for me.” He took a step closer, his dark eyes never leaving her face.
“Right...” she said, faltering as their eyes met. �
�And I’m pretty sure you still love me, but you’re too scared to admit it. Just hours ago, I was ready to commit to you. Become a vampire and leave my entire life in Nebraska behind. That’s not an easy decision, but I made it. I want to stand by you through this tough time. I want to help you. When someone loves you, you don’t get to push them away so easily. So, before I leave this country and all the plans that we made, I have to hear you say that you don’t love me. To my face.”
Her chin trembled as she pressed her lips together and stared him down. He could tell she was trying to be so strong and hide the gut-wrenching nerves inside of her. With another step closer, he felt her tense.
“So, let me get this straight,” he said, working his jaw. “All I have to do to get you to leave is tell you that I don’t love you.”
She blinked her tear-filled eyes and nodded up at him. “Exactly. But I don’t think you have it in you.”
He barked a laugh, throwing his head up. Even now, the woman was incorrigible. She was surrounded by sheep, in the middle of a paved road, staring down a vampire, and she had the nerve to call him on his bluff. It was no wonder he’d fallen for her. She was every bit as strong as him and even more stubborn. What a fool he’d been.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said as he closed the distance between them. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll tell you exactly why I asked you to leave.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and she gulped. Bright pink spots flared across her neck and chest.
“I asked you to leave because I was afraid. Afraid of putting you in harm’s way, of losing you like I’ve lost so many. Seeing you in Jezebel’s grasp was terrifying and it felt like just a tiny taste of what was to come. I was a coward and I hid behind my grief, pushing you away.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but he pressed a finger to her lips.
“I wasn’t finished.” His eyes flashed with humor. “You were right about everything. I was wrong. I need you in my life, Cate. Now and forever. I know now, love is worth the risk. And for you, I’d risk everything. Forgive me?”
Her jaw snapped shut and she leaned in against him, the hard lines on her face softening. Wisps of hair blew across her face and he softly pushed them behind her ear before trailing his fingertips down her neck. She shivered underneath his touch, causing an ember to flair to life in his stomach. He’d never get tired of seeing her react to him. Of being the one who got to kiss her every night.
“You’re sure about this?” she mumbled, closing her eyes and leaning into his touch.
“Are you?” he replied. After all, she was the one changing her life for him.
“Absolutely.” A sweet smile lit up her lips. “As long as you agree to the six kids and a gigantic wedding.”
He laughed and cradled her chin. “I’d agree to twenty kids and a wedding that would bankrupt the kingdom if only you’d come back to me.”
She opened her eyes and peered up at him, fixing him with a gaze that made the fire in his stomach roar. “You have me. Now and forever.”
It was all the confirmation he needed. His mouth crashed down on hers as he swept her up and spun her around. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and deepened the kiss. Setting her back on her feet, his hands spanned the width of her waist and he pulled her closer, growling when she nibbled on his lower lip. Heat rose to his skin as they kissed in the morning sun, spreading a delicious feeling across his body. If this is what it felt like to be consumed by the sun’s rays, then he would gladly die a thousand death’s in Cate’s arms.
If it wasn’t for the sound of cheering in the distance, they would’ve been lost forever in their embrace. But the noise caused them to pull apart and Cate ducked her head when they spotted Miranda and Stasia sitting on the hood of the Prius, whooping and hollering.
“I guess this isn’t the most private place to make out,” she mumbled happily.
He pressed his body against hers, wrapping his arms behind her back, and gave her a suggestive smile. “I know of several places much more private back at the castle that I’d love to show you.”
Red flared in her cheeks as she gulped. He laughed and pressed his lips to her forehead, breathing in the floral scent of his hair. Never in his life had he felt so deliriously happy.
And it was all because of a ridiculous reality TV show and one giant mistake.
Chapter Twenty-Five
CATE LEANED ON HER elbow and watched the sleeping man lying next to her. A satisfied grin lit up her face and excitement twinkled in her eye. It wasn’t until Viktor opened one eye to peer at her, did her smile threaten to crack her cheeks.
“Were you watching me sleep?” he grumbled, rubbing a hand over his face.
She bit her tongue and grinned. As pleasurable as it was watching the extremely sexy man that she loved nap in bed next to her, she had other things on her mind that morning. “No, just waiting for you to wake up.”
“It’s the same thing,” he growled pulling the sheets up over his face.
She frowned and reached under the covers, splaying a hand over his well-defined abdomen. The grumble in his chest was the only warning she got before he yanked her under and trapped her in his arms.
Placing sensual kisses along her jawline, Viktor nibbled at the curve of her neck, scraping the skin with his fangs. She moaned and pressed her hands to the back of his head, wriggling underneath his touch.
“It’s time,” she whispered as his kisses moved lower.
He paused, his hands glued to her abdomen. “Today?”
She laughed and swatted his shoulder. “Yes, today. Your coronation is in three days. You promised you’d do it by then.”
He swept the sheet off of them and sat up. She reveled in the full sight of his naked chest and tousled hair. He still had that sleepy, animalistic look in his eyes, the kind that said he could devour her for breakfast. She didn’t mind. She planned to be on the menu that morning, anyway.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” He took her hand in his and concern washed over his face. “You don’t have to do it if you’re the least bit nervous.”
Flinging her wavy hair over her shoulder, she shook her head in disbelief and smiled. “Of course I’m okay with this. It would be done already if I had my way. But you wanted me to wait a week to be sure.”
“Yes, it was the responsible thing to do,” he said, his jaw tightening. “Consider the pros and cons.”
“I’ve considered them all and the only pro I care about is an immortal life with you.”
She shook her head again. Viktor had been so sweet about the whole change process. He only wanted to be sure she had thought everything through. It was hard to be frustrated with the wait when he was being so thoughtful.
His dark eyes gazed into hers for a long moment and his grip tightened on her hand. “Are you sure...?”
Groaning, she flipped her legs over the side of the bed and hopped out. Throwing her hands up, she marched toward the door wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt.
“Where are you going?” he asked incredulously.
“If you’re not going to change me, then I know a werewolf who would gladly share a bite. It might not be the ideal relationship you were looking for, but it’ll have to do.”
Cate heard a growl and then suddenly Viktor was beside her and scooping her up into his arms. His chest rumbled with displeasure as she threw her head back and laughed. Depositing her on the bed, he sat down beside her and frowned.
“You will do no such thing,” he said, his eyes flashing. “Don’t tell Stasia, but werewolves smell like wet dogs most of the time. I will not be married to a wet dog.”
Again, she laughed, imaging Stasia’s expression if she knew what Viktor had said. She’d make him pay for a year. Still giggling, Cate reached out her hand and interlaced her fingers with his. “Marriage, huh? I don’t remember you proposing.”
Shock crossed his face as he looked down at her. “What do you think this is? Some kind of momentary commitment?
When my soul enters your body, we’re connected forever. I assumed marriage was inevitable.”
She made a face. “Just what every girl wants to hear.”
Humor flashed in his eyes as he lightly ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “Wrong choice of words. What I meant is that I thought it was obvious that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, my vampire bride. But let me be more clear.”
He slid off the bed and onto one knee. Cate peered over the edge to look down at him.
“Marry me, Cate Mahoney. And make me the happiest immortal in the world.”
She clapped her hands in front of her face and grinned. Never had she been more sure of anything in her life. “I will marry you, Viktor Romanov. And the title of happiest immortal in the world will belong to me.”
He chuckled and launched himself back into bed, covering her with kisses. When they’d had enough, he pulled her in close and nuzzled into her hair.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his warm breath sending tingles down her spine.
“It’s now or never,” she replied with a nervous grin.
He opened his mouth just enough to flash his fangs. Moving slowly toward her neck, he stopped just a hairsbreadth short of where the jugular throbbed. She waited for him to continue, but he seemed frozen.
“What is it?” she asked, worry leaking into her tone. “Is something wrong?”
“This is the last time I’ll ever get to listen to your heart beat,” he said with the tiniest hint of sadness. “I wanted to memorize the way it sounded.”
She closed her eyes against the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. Anyone else might have thought it was from fear at her impending death, but that wasn’t the case. Once again, Viktor had surprised her at how caring he could be. She loved this man more every day and she couldn’t wait to join him on the other side.
“Ready,” he said, finally. “Just relax.”
The tiniest moan left her lips when he bit into her neck. She arched her back, but he supported her with his hands and eased her back into the bed. Pain lanced through his chest and he gasped through the bite. It was as if he could feel the piece of his soul breaking off. His dead heart clenched and fought against the intrusion. Viktor wondered if the agony would ever end. He’d never imagine the process to be so painful for an immortal like him. It was nothing compared to the change.
Drop Dead Single: Vampire Romance (A Monstrana Paranormal Romance Book 1) Page 16
