“The Black Princess and Master Delacroix share a special kind of love. One that doesn’t happen to our kind often. It is in these times that we see the true depth of devotion. Through pain has emerged a bond so true that I can say without regret that this union is meant to be. With that…” Margo turned to me. “Master Marko Delacroix, do you as leader of Austin, take Princess Tessalyn Kennedy as your concubine? As your one and only mate, for as long as she lives?”
The grin on Tessa’s face wiped away any worry or questions I may have had. She was beautiful. The only one I would ever love or take vows with.
“I do,” I said, squeezing her hands.
The smile grew as she kept her stare locked to mine.
“Princess Tessalyn, do you as the new leader of Austin, take Master Marko Delacroix as your mate for as long as he shall live?
The smile melted from her face and it took me a moment to make sense of Margo’s words. A gasp and whispering filled the room and I couldn’t break from Tessa’s apologetic expression. New leader? As in, she’d just taken my throne?
“I do,” she said, lowly.
“Excellent,” Margo said, loudly. “We have a joining. You may kiss your concubine, Master Delacroix.”
My jaw clenched and I had to stop the rage that was screaming in my head. My hands cupped Tessa’s cheeks firmly and I didn’t leave her eyes as I brought my lips down to brush against hers. It wasn’t the kiss I had dreamed about. Or the joining. I had been conned. Duped, right at the altar, in front of every single vampire I had ruled over.
Tessa’s hands locked onto my wrists and she held to them tightly as I drew back. She knew I was pissed. What made it worse was her reaction. She was ready, as if I was going to try to fight her for the position over the city. For her to think me capable after how much I’d confessed to loving her … it blew my mind.
“The meeting room,” I ground out.
I clutched to one of Tessa’s wrists and jerked her toward the tunnel so fast that I left the enforcers racing to catch up. The moment we were inside the room, I spun her around cupping her face one again.
“What is the meaning of this? To turn what was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives into a God damn spectacle of besting me in front of the city…? What were you thinking?”
“I didn’t know,” she rushed out. “I mean, I knew it was going to happen, but I never thought…” Tessa trailed off, jerking her face out of my touch to look at Margo. “Did you have to do that right then and there?”
Margo had barely made it to the room before she was hit with the question. “Yes. It was best to get it into the open as soon as possible. Princess Tessalyn rules this city now. It had to come out with her arrival.”
“You don’t even know if she’s stronger than me,” I burst out. “You can’t just hand her over the city because you feel she deserves the right.”
“It depends how one measures strength. She may not be able to physically outmatch you, but she’s stronger,” Margo said, matter of factly. “This is her city. It is your responsibility as her bonded mate and former leader to make sure she learns to rule correctly. Besides, after what you did to the Army Base, you’re lucky you’re not behind bars.”
I stood straighter, shrugging. “No one can prove it was me.”
“Aetas knows,” Margo snapped. “If he wasn’t preoccupied with the one person you failed to kill, you’d be locked away for abusing your powers.”
My mouth turned dry at the thought of Hunter. “He has him, then?”
“Yes,” Margo hissed. “And the outcome will not be good unless your new concubine can somehow put an end to what he plans to do.”
My attention went back to Tessa and I could see the worry on her face. “What does he plan to do?”
Tessa’s hands rose to my face and I watched as her lids closed. I was hit with flashes so hard and fast that it took my breath away. The vivid colors, the walls that rose around me, it placed me in a room I’d only seen once. Dallas underground.
A musky scent filled my nostrils and if Tessa would have wiped my mind to make me forget who I was, I would have really thought I was standing in the heart of the city with Hunter not feet away. He was poised in the leader’s seat, as if he ruled Dallas. The sight alone surprised me, but what began to play out was even more shocking.
Tessa walked forward, obviously confused. She didn’t appear to know where she was, or even who Hunter was as she came to a stop next to him. Their words played out and the moment he mentioned tasting her, I tried to lunge forward, after him. I couldn’t. This was a memory of hers. Or a vision. Either way, I couldn’t interfere. Upon seeing myself with Marie … mated … there were no words. My gut twisted and ached at the scene that was going down. By the time Tessa got to the rape she had to endure at Hunter’s hands, I couldn’t contain myself anymore. My body was spasming with fury, trying my best to escape what was in front of me.
The walls crumbled and I stumbled back, soaked in sweat. It dripped from my hair, running down my face as I looked between the faces of the people who now surrounded me.
“He can’t do that,” I breathed out, heavily. “Aetas can’t do that.”
“No, he can’t,” Tessa said, coming back over to me. “Not legally, anyway. Hunter tried to kill me. Aetas is breaking laws by not putting Hunter to death. I know they’re his laws, but there has to be something I can do. There has to be.”
“And if he goes through with this plan?” I looked between Tessa and the other members. They wouldn’t turn on our true leader. They may have wanted Tessa to out-rule Hunter, but they wouldn’t do anything to help her beside what they were doing now. If Aetas chose Hunter, they’d follow, just like they always did. It was the reason I harbored such hatred for Axis. It was their way, or no way—laws be dammed.
“Don’t answer that,” I said, pulling Tessa into my chest so I could hold her. “This is our wedding day. None of that matters right now. We’ll have plenty of time to go over everything in the following days. Tonight, let’s focus on me and you.”
I kissed her forehead, turning my attention to Margo and Gina. I had hoped they’d catch the hint, but Margo didn’t seem finished.
“Tessa is to resubmit a request to meet with Aetas in one week. She’s to make it urgent and immediate. Dehlia is already going to inform him of her choice,” she said, gesturing to the crown. “It was his. Tessa’s vampire has chosen his path. She’s meant to rule. Aetas cannot deny what this means.”
I swallowed hard, once again, taking in what sat on Tessa’s head. “And what if he does?”
“I don’t know,” Margo whispered. “That crown was retired, but the significance is clear. Their paths are the same. She could have chosen any, but she chose his. He has to honor that. It shows she’s the right choice, just as Dehlia has tried to convince him. He refuses to believe because of you. He thinks Princess Tessalyn will bend under your pressure. That you’ll rule in her favor. I happen to think she’s stronger than that. I think,” she said stepping closer, “that you’re just the person she needs to support her through the trails of leading us. Am I wrong, or right?”
My arms held to Tessa tighter, letting everything we’d been through play out. I knew the truth in my heart. As I knew what I was going to say was fact. “No one will ever support her more than me. If she’s meant to rule, no one is going to stop her.”
Chapter 23
Hunter
Sometimes love and hate were so close in depth that deciphering what you were feeling was impossible. I hated Aetas more than I hated anymore. More than Tessa for killing my uncle. More than Marko and his undying love for her. Even more than Sayer after he’d raped me repeatedly. Aetas was worse. He made me relive it all, over and over, until I knew the exact color of each fiber of threads that made up the blankets I’d stared at when Sayer violated me. To the rich smell of Tessa’s skin as I buried my face against her bare waist and held to her through the unbearable pain.
He tortured my psych, pushi
ng to boundaries no human was capable of enduring without going crazy. And maybe I had, days ago. Now, I was nothing but a body. I was what he wanted me to be. Completely empty. Completely emotionless. A blank slate. For that, I may have loved him.
Love. Hate. The two were mingled and had transitioned into a torturous relief. But it didn’t come without a price.
I still wasn’t where he wanted me. I couldn’t willingly say I wanted to become his predecessor and rule after his passing. If he ever did pass. I knew enough of who he was to know he’d lived thousands upon thousands of years, if not more, and I didn’t expect him to kick the bucket in my lifetime. But even though I couldn’t say, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t turn me anyway. He was just having fun playing with me like some toy. All he wanted me to do was admit the appeal. I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t want this life. I didn’t want Tessa, and revenge against Marko wasn’t worth the cost of eternal hell. And that’s what this would be. Forced to face centuries of run-ins with those two, all the while having to lead my own vampire city… No thank you. I didn’t want that.
The only thing that held my interest even the slightest amount was what ran through Aetas’ veins. He’d fed me enough of his blood to last a lifetime. Each drink was like a shot of heroin-based candy to my brain and speed-based ecstasy to my cock. I loved it. Ate that shit up like it was going to expire if I didn’t drink fast enough. And even now as I watched him lick his lips and think about what he’d do next, all my attention kept going back to was his exposed wrist. The one he loved to cut and tease me with. God … I was fucked if I ever made it out of here. I was addicted, and he was making sure I stayed that way.
“What if I let you kill Marko before I turned you? Would you want it, then?”
My eyes jerked up and I shook my head. “No. I’d pick Tessa to kill over Marko. It’s her I wish to put at peace. Marko deserves worse than a simple death.”
“Hmm. We’ll, I can’t give you the princess. I need her alive. But Marko, I’d let you keep for a few days. You could have your fun before I changed you. How about then?”
My eyes rolled and happened to stop right at his wrist again. “No.” My voice was monotone from the constant repetition. “I told you, I’m not letting you change me.”
“Wrong. You have no control if I wish to change you. What you’re doing is answering my questions. We’re bargaining in a way. I’ll give you something. In return, you accept that this is the way your life is now. It’s a win-win.”
“If you’re going to change me regardless, what difference does it make? What’s the point of bargaining?”
“Because it’s fun,” Aetas stressed. “And because I need you a certain way.”
I could tell he was losing his patience. Maybe he thought I would break already. Little did he know, I would never admit to wanting this life. I’d kill myself first. After the last time when I’d stabbed my heart in Tessa’s room, I thought he would understand that. He wanted me to accept. That would never happen.
Knocking had Aetas’ lids closing. When they opened I could see a light burning in their depths. His anger was worse than I’d imagined, but I wasn’t afraid. What was there for me to fear? The emotion didn’t exist within me anymore. He’d either kill me or turn me. If that happened, I’d just either kill myself, or continue to kill them.
Aetas turned, heading to the door. I glanced around the large room he had me in, taking in the desks and books. It looked like a library, yet not. There was a bed not far away from where I stood, but I didn’t feel as though this was his bedroom. Possibly a study, but nothing about this place made sense.
The wooden curved board I rested against hugged my body, almost giving the impression that I was lying down. There were no restraints. No ties that kept me captive. Aetas didn’t need them. His energy made sure I didn’t escape. And I never got tired of standing.
“Master,” a woman whispered. “I beg to speak to you. I’ve requested now for days. I have vital information that you must know.”
Red hair waved down past pale shoulders and the woman looked terrified to even be in his presence. A black dress hugged to her curves, exposing the cleavage of fairly small breasts. Even though I didn’t feel myself attracted to her, there was some odd pull as he waved her in. Brown eyes shot in my direction, but I didn’t feel as though she saw me.
“What is so important that you felt the need to knock on my door after I told you I would come to you?”
A shiver had her hands cupping her biceps while she hugged herself.
“It’s Princess Tessalyn—”
“I denied her request,” he snapped. “I said I did not want to speak with her. What is so hard to understand about that?”
“Master,” she breathed out. “It’s not her request I wish to speak to you about. She left two days ago. It’s her choice in crowns that I must speak to you about.”
Aetas tensed the smallest amount and shrugged as he stared at her impatiently. “Well … what about it?” His hand came up. “Let me guess. She chose Sayer’s line. No,” he immediately corrected himself. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“No,” the female breathed out.
Aetas’ lids lowered and I could see him actually start to think. I felt the seriousness in my body as his blood began to surge. “I can’t see it. Why can’t I see her choice? That makes absolutely no sense.”
At his roaring at the end, Dehlia jumped. “You can’t see her choice because you’re blocked.”
“Blocked? By who?”
“You. Master … she chose your crown. The one you retired. It … protects her as it did with you.”
“What?” The yell was so loud that even I jumped. “The crown didn’t protect me. I protected me. The damn thing just has my impression. It shields her because I shielded myself.” He growled, walking over and grabbing a glass of some sort of dark liquid. His back was to us and I could see how stiff he was.
“You know what this means,” she said lowly. “It is her. She must be the one to lead us.”
Aetas spun around, pinning her with a glare. “I will not hand my kingdom over to Master Delacroix. And that’s exactly what will happen if she rules. She will bow because of her love and he will destroy you all.” He shook his head. “I refuse. I’ve seen her love. I know … how they feel for each other. It’s not going to happen.”
“You’re jealous,” I said lowly. “I feel your conflict. You don’t even know that’s what it is, but you,” I paused, trying to assess the strange emotions within me. “You long for something you will never have.”
Aetas’ head whipped to me, but the woman seemed to not have heard.
“Master, I beg you. Meet with her. Princess Tessalyn will not bend to Master Delacroix. She’s stronger than that. You’ll see it if you just look into her again.”
“I’ve already seen into her. She always submits to him. It is only he who makes her weak. Now leave me.”
Tears flood the woman’s eyes and they angrily came to me. My pulse jumped and I was sure she was aware of my presence, whether she could see me or not.
“As you wish.” She turned, rushing for the door. A sniffle followed and I couldn’t get over the fact that there was something about her that was different.
Aetas growled, stalking toward me. “I am not jealous. That’s ridiculous. Petty and juvenile. Do you know who I am?”
“Yes. But no one is immune to emotion.”
“You know nothing. Your mortal brain can’t begin to comprehend the significance of the situation. I need a true leader. You can be that.”
“No.” I shook my head. “If anything, all I want to do is watch you all die. I’ll destroy what you’ve worked so hard to build up. I’ll do it intentionally.”
The vampire’s blood boiled inside of me, reaching degrees that had me thrashing against the invisible force that held me still.
“You will not want to destroy what you become a part of. Your vampire will not have that desire.”
“You so sure ab
out that? Are you willing to take the risk?”
Fingers bit into my face and Aetas’ enraged eyes met mine. I knew where this was headed. We were about to go right back into my past where he could once again torture me. When his hand flatted against my stomach, I gasped and nearly heaved at the soul-tugging feeling that took my breath away. Tighter, he clutched, jerking against the one thing that made me, me.
“Maybe they’re right. Perhaps I am just wasting my time with you.”
A yell was ripped from my throat at the rubber band feeling that stretched out my core. I tried thrashing so I could break myself away from his unexplainable hold, but escaping was impossible.
“You’re not tempted by power, love, or greed. What about pain?”
Heat scorched my insides at his anger and the pull grew even more intense. Lightheadedness had my head rolling to the side, but my screams never ceased. He was tearing me apart from the inside-out. He had my soul in his clutches and it didn’t matter whether I wanted him to have it or not. Something told me he could take it if he wanted. He could kill me with the disconnection and he was so close to achieving the unimaginable.
“Do it,” I yelled. “Take me from this nightmare and end this once and for all. Anywhere has to be better than the hell this place has become.” A sob left me for the first in as long as I could remember and all I wanted to do was escape the life I’d been forced into. To flee this world for another. I wanted to forget everything. To simple not exist a moment longer.
“Death will not be your savior, only acceptance. Take this gift, Hunter. Accept what I want to give you and everything will stop. You can be happy again. You can have whatever you want. Just say the words. Tell me yes.”
The seductive tone in which he spoke tempted me, promised me a release from the pain. But I refused to believe it. I’d seen their life. Seen what it would do to a person who was changed. That wasn’t me and it wouldn’t ever be.
“Never.”
Rule Page 18
