Tanya walked over to the door, she knocked and announced herself. There was a tell-tale sound of a key turning in the lock. She couldn’t help but to give Xavier a self-satisfied smile. Arrogant, full of it jerk. She thought a little bit of grovelling would do him good.
Esral smiled a small, unsure smile. She was wearing another robe. It was slightly darker than the one she had worn the day before. Her large eyes were still red rimmed with dark smudges underneath them.
“I take it that you didn’t get much sleep.”
Esral shook her head. Her lip quivered. “I am a failure, defective.”
“Stop saying that, you are not a failure. I thought you understood that after our talk yesterday. You are a beautiful woman. You should never have been given away by your father.”
“Every day since I first really understood the way of our people, I prayed that things would be different but still resigned myself to my fate. It is the way of our people.”
“By fate, you mean being given in marriage?” Tanya asked.
“Marriage?” Esral’s brows pulled together in confusion.
“Marriage is the same as mating. You would be forced to mate with someone?”
Her mouth pulled to the side in thought. “I don’t know that force is the right word.”
“Being given to someone against your will after being brainwashed into believing that it is perfectly fine is force in my book. Just because you didn’t run away screaming doesn’t make it right or consensual.” The nerve of some species. They called humans puny and weak, but at least most of her species had made progress with regards to women’s rights.
“I used to pretend that I was one of the commoners. It’s only the high born that suffer from this fate. Males included,” she huffed. “Our high born males are all a bunch of arrogant idiots.” She paused for a few beats. “I was glad when my father told me that I was going to be given to Zane. Very scared, but glad. I had hope for the first time. You see”—she blushed—“I’m already twenty four, truth is my father should’ve given me to someone by now but all the eligible males are terrible.”
“Arrogant idiots.”
“Oh, yes. I had hoped that there would be a spark between Zane and I. Like I said, I was really scared at the thought of having to mate a big, scary vampire but anyone other than the high born elves would’ve been an improvement. Besides, I had seen his picture and thought he was attractive. You are lucky.” Her eyes welled. “I just want to feel like a normal female for once. The girls in our village go on dates and get to have fun. They get to choose who they spend their lives with and I want that.”
“You can have all of that.”
Her eyes lit up, “I can?” Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head. “My people would not understand.”
“What did I tell you? You’re one of us now.”
“I would disappoint my father.”
“He will eventually understand. It sounds like he loves you very much. He tried to give you what you wanted in a roundabout way.”
Esral sort of smiled. “He does love me. Maybe in time. What were you saying about the vampire males?”
She may as well just say it. “Vampires are highly sexual and might try funny business with you.”
“By funny business you mean they’ll want to rut with me?”
Tanya nodded and Esral laughed. “It is a normal bodily function. One which highborn females are denied while the males can run after every village girl they like.” Her face flushed in anger.
Tanya prepared to argue. It wouldn’t be good if the virgin elven princess moved from bed to bed.
Esral laughed. “I can see by the look on your face that you don’t like the idea of my rutting with the vampire males.”
“I think that being a virgin is something special. Sex should be special. I was an idiot and don’t want you to make the same mistake that I did. It was my senior year in high school and one of the jocks took an interest in me. Little old plain Jane me…I couldn’t believe it. Taylor was so popular, I thought he was a hunk at the time, but what he really was, was a grade-A asshole.”
“Ass…hole? He was a hole? What is an ass?”
Tanya laughed. “It’s another way of saying arrogant idiot.”
Her mouth rounded in an “o” and she gestured for Tanya to continue.
“Anyway, it turned out that the asshole only wanted into my panties. He saw a self-conscience young lady and used it to his advantage. I had that nagging voice in the back of my head that told me sex for the first time in the back of his pick-up was not the actions of a guy that really cared, but Taylor was a sweet talker. He literally charmed the pants off of me.”
“I have heard that rutting for the first time can hurt?”
It had hurt like a bitch when Taylor had shoved himself into her before preparing her first. The bastard. She really hadn’t had much luck with men, at least until Zane and Brant. What a cruel twist of fate to throw two really great males at her. If only they could all get along.
“Your silence speaks volumes.” Esral had wide eyes and looked a little nervous.
“If you are with the right male, it won’t be so bad.”
“Sex must be good though since everyone seems to want to do it all the time. I’m so curious to find out what it’s like.” She smiled.
“Sure it’s good, but that doesn’t mean you should just jump into bed with anyone just to appease your curiosity. You don’t need to have all out sex, you could fool around a bit.”
“Fool around?” She shook her head, her eyes clouded in confusion.
“Have they kept you wrapped up in cotton wool?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
Tanya made a sound of frustration. “You can touch someone and they can touch you back. Touching can feel good too. First, I would suggest a date or two. If you really like someone, you can kiss. If you really really like them, you can let them touch you a little. Take your time though. You are still young. No sex. Virginity doesn’t seem to be a big deal for vampires. Sex is considered…like you said earlier…a normal bodily function. If you allowed it, you would be on your back in no time.” Tanya worried for the innocent elven female. The vampire males would have her for breakfast quite literally. “I’ll talk to Brant about letting you go on a date.”
“Please do. I would love to go out with one of the gorgeous males.” Esral crossed her legs under her while smiling broadly. Then her face turned serious. “I will think on what you said about being a virgin though. I don’t think I could rut with just anyone anyway. Too many years of...what did you call it…brainwashing. I was always taught to save myself for my mate.”
Tanya didn’t know what to say to that. On the one hand staying a virgin for her mate wasn’t a bad idea, but it was ultimately Esral’s decision. She didn’t want to fall into the same trap of telling her what she could and couldn’t do. So she took the safe route and changed the subject. “You need to eat something or you’ll waste away.”
Esral grimaced. “They keep bringing me dead things.”
Tanya laughed. “You mean meat?”
“That’s what I said, dead things.” She wrinkled her nose. “Disgusting. I only eat food from the earth.”
Tanya nodded. “I’ll have something brought up. Would you like new clothes? I really like your robes, but maybe you would prefer garments that would help you to fit in around here a little better.”
Her eyes lit up and she gasped in excitement. “Really? That would be wonderful. I would love something like what you are wearing and blue…” She raised her eyes in thought. “…jeans. Did I say it right?”
“Yeah you did. What size are you?” Esral shrugged. “Okay. What size underwear?”
“No idea. Unmated females are not permitted to wear underwear.”
“Fucking barbaric.” Tanya couldn’t help the anger that coursed through her veins. She would take it upon herself as queen of the freaking vampires to change some things around here. She would also
make it her mission to talk to their species allegiance partners about some of the outdated, sexist practices that were still normal to them and carried out. “I will have Charlotte come and measure you. You’ll get underwear, dresses and blue jeans. I’ll talk to my males about the whole dating thing. They won’t like it, but they’ll like it even less when I withhold sex, so don’t worry your sweet little head.”
Esral nodded. “Thank you, Tanya.”
“We’ll chat later.” She slid off the bed. She turned just as her hand touched the door. “Get out a bit. It might take a few days for my boys to agree to the dating thing. It’s not good for you to be stuck in here though. Xavier will look after you.”
“He’s the one that I’m supposed to mate with.”
“I told you, you don’t have to mate with anyone. He’ll keep you safe though.” She turned the knob just a fraction.
Esral’s eyes narrowed, stopping her from leaving. “The kings want me to mate him.”
“Look, Esral, he is royalty so your father’s wishes would be granted if you chose to mate with Xavier. It would still be your choice in the end though.”
“Good, because I don’t think he likes me very much.”
“He likes you just fine.”
“He refused the mating.” She put her hands on her tiny hips.
“Just like you don’t like being told who you can and can’t mate, neither does he. He was just a bit shocked. Don’t let it concern you. He happens to think that you are very pretty.” A tight piece of ass. “He was very jealous when he heard that Griffin has the hots for you.”
“Who is Griffin?”
“He was one of the vampires in the front of the SUV that day you arrived with Zane.”
Esral laughed. “The one who saw my breasts in the mirror? I was a bit worried that he would crash the car.”
Tanya laughed. “That’s him. We’ll talk later.”
Esral nodded, “Okay. Thank you.”
Tanya nodded and left the room. The lock turned as soon as the door closed. She felt that Xavier and Esral still had a chance. Xavier was definitely interested, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
“And?” Brant crossed his arms across his chest.
Xavier didn’t say anything, but she noticed how his eyes tracked her closely.
“Firstly, she doesn’t eat meat. Have them send her fruits and vegetables. Also, I must get a hold of Charlotte so that she can be measured for a wardrobe.”
“Pity. Silk looks good on her,” Xavier cleared his throat. “I am a male, I did notice her legs under the short robe.”
Tanya smiled. “I’ll bet. She will still wear her robes but would also like to try some of our clothes. She especially mentioned blue jeans. Anyway, she also mentioned that she wants to go out on a date.” She didn’t mention the fact that Esral didn’t seem too keen on Xavier, or that it sounded like the princess wanted to play the field a bit.
Xavier made a frustrated sound and ran a hand through his hair. “Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Date?” Xavier spat out the word like it left a bad taste in his mouth. “I don’t date.”
“Fine. If Esral leaves the room then you follow her.”
Xavier raised his brows before replying, “Yes, my lady.”
Tanya purposefully squared her shoulders and strode down the hallway. Brant was soon in stride beside her. “You gave up too easily,” he whispered. “What are you planning?”
“Your brother can be an ass.”
Brant chuckled. “He has always maintained that he does not want to mate. Hates the thought of being tied down to one female. The whole species thing is also an issue for him, but yeah he can also be an ass.”
“What’s with the whole – it has to be a vampire female – thing?” Tanya asked.
“I’ve told you that my father wasn’t permitted to drink from our mother. She was only ninety six when she died…so really very young. My father—”
Tanya held up a hand. “Ninety six is considered young?…She was human wasn’t she?”
Brant nodded.
“Ninety six is not young for a human.”
“If you continue to drink vampire blood, then you will age much slower. All mated couples drink from each other, it strengthens the bond. I’ve told you before that my father suffered greatly because my mother refused to share this with him. He had to watch her wither away.” Brant’s shoulders slumped. “He loved her very much and she loved him too but being that she wasn’t a vampire, she never could accept blood drinking. Unlike you…” He pulled her towards him slanting a quick, hot kiss across her lips.
“What if I don’t like drinking after the baby is born?” Her lips began to feel dry just thinking about blood. She was sure she could hear Brant’s heartbeat, she could definitely smell his delicious scent.
“You enjoy it too much, Cenwein. I don’t have much knowledge of humans, but I can safely say that you are nothing like my mother was. I remember how she struggled to take blood even when she was heavily pregnant with Xavier. It used to make her gag.” He slid his arms around her waist. “My father would beg her to take from him after she had Xavier and I could see that she really wanted to drink from him, but she just couldn’t. That is why I think Xavier fears being tied to someone who is not a vampire.”
“Oh shit, Esral doesn’t eat meat, is disgusted by it. She probably wouldn’t be able to take blood.” Her eyes dropped to his neck and she licked her lips.
“You never know. It is always a toss-up as to whether the thirst will hit. There has never been a vampire elven mating so who knows what would happen there. Or, how it would work out in the end. Try to understand my brother’s fear though.”
“He likes her.”
“He wants to rut with her, there’s a difference. My eyes are up here, Cenwein. Since when did I become a blood bank to you? You’ll hurt my feelings.”
She laughed, tearing her eyes away from his neck to look him in the face. “You became a blood bank after impregnating me. I’m thirsty.” Her canines had sharpened up into little fangs. Drinking would have to wait a few more minutes though. “Esral wants to date.”
“I’m sure Xavier will come around. He can take her out.” His hands were splayed on her back, rubbing her in easy strokes.
“I have my doubts that he will. It’s risky, but I think we should have Griffin ask her out. Let the two of them go out on a date.”
Brant tensed. He put his hands on her hips. “Oh, no. Griffin is a horny young buck, his dick is still bigger than his brain. Xavier might kill him if he so much as laid a single finger on the princess.”
She narrowed her eyes in a suggestive manor allowing a sly smile to form on her lips.
Brant choked out a laugh. “Little minx. You want to make Xavier jealous.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “Right now, even though he is interested, there isn’t enough of an incentive for him to go after her. I plan on giving him one. We need to get the princess a new, really sexy wardrobe and then let her go on a date with Griffin. Xavier won’t be able to think straight I assure you.”
Brant’s eyes narrowed in thought. “The only problem I have with this plan is that Griffin might end up rutting with Esral. We can be a persuasive species.”
Tanya took her lip between her teeth, squealing when her sharp fang broke the skin. Brant laughed. He kissed her all better but as he did, his eyes sprang open, and they were wide and glowing. He broke the kiss. His body hardened and he pulled further away.
“Are you okay?” he didn’t respond. “Brant?”
After taking a deep breath, his eyes dimmed somewhat. “Sorry, Cenwein. You just taste really good. Control is still a big issue around you. Even more so now that you are pregnant. I look forward to the new moon.” His face clouded taking on a familiar scowl, one that meant he was thinking of Zane.
“I can’t wait either.” She moved back into him.
“I’ve been thinking, Cenwein. I don’t wa
nt to mate you with Zane in the room. I’ll take you and then he can have you. We need to keep it separate.” Brant released her hips completely.
“Or, Zane can mate me first.”
His fists clenched and his jaw cracked as he ground his teeth. “Do you want him first?”
“It’s not about who goes first but that’s just it, it will become an issue if we keep things separate. I am mating the two of you, Brant. As Zane has pointed out before, we are in this together. The three of us.”
“I want our mating to be special. I want to make love to you, Cenwein. I don’t want him watching.” He cast his eyes to the floor. Emotion evident on his face.
Tanya took a tentative step towards him. “Oh, Brant. She clasped his jaw. We can make love. We will make love.”
His eyes narrowed. “I will go first and I will take my time, that bastard can wait.”
“Here we go again.” She rolled her eyes. “And all along I thought Zane was bad with his dictating ways.”
“Please don’t compare me to him.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” She put her hands in his. “This is new to me too. We will figure something out.”
Brant nodded. “I still think it is a mistake to have us all together on that night.”
“We are together whether we like it or not. Trying to separate the mating would end in the two of you in a fight.”
“Put the three of us in the same room during the new moon and we may end up fighting anyway.” His eyes bore into hers.
“Not if I’m naked, plus there’s the baby to consider. It would be dangerous if I ended up in the cross fire.”
His body remained tense.
Tanya pressed herself up against him. “Promise me that you’ll at least try to make it work.”
His eyes softened. “I’ll try, Cenwein.”
“I’m so freaking thirsty.” She nuzzled into his neck lapping at the spot where his pulse was strongest, but Brant pulled away.
He surveyed the hall looking in one direction and then the other. “I need to warn you that drinking in public is on the same level as walking around naked or rutting.”
She gasped. “Oh my gosh, really? I thought that there was nothing intimate about drinking.”
#5 Chosen by the Vampire Kings: BBW Romance (Part 5: Red Lust) Page 3
