by Paige Patton
Delilah had that covered too. She had the power to make Desiree’s image disappear for as long as needed to convince Kourosh and Jabari that it was indeed true. She was well acquainted with their rules and laws. She studied them over the centuries for this day. She even went a step further by enlisting the help of an actual vampire to school her on all of their rituals. She knew it all; everything from A to Z.
Once bonded, Desiree would become Roman’s permanent source of feeding. That alone placed him in a higher status than those who still needed to hunt like animals to feed. It elevated him even higher that his mate was a human. This shot him up to the status of an aristocrat. If they only knew how right they were because not only was Desiree, an aristocrat by royal descent, she was a goddess.
The room came alive with thunderous cheers and vigorous applauding as Desiree appeared. She did exactly what Ivy told her to do; she bowed her head, first and went down on both knees at Roman’s side. She didn’t have the slightest clue as to what was about to take place, but all of Ivy’s instructions were planted firmly in her head.
After a few minutes, the room grew silent. Desiree could hear the sound of footsteps approaching on the platform. Then someone was standing over her.
“Stand,” Kourosh commanded her.
Keeping her gaze downward, Desiree stood just as Ivy instructed her. A hand touched her chin and lifted it until their eyes met.
Kourosh was a vision of everything sinful and unholy, but all in a good, bad boy kind of way. Roman was the beginning, the middle, and the end of all things fine and magnificent, suave, magnetic, and charismatic. He was a creature far beyond anything that Desiree had ever seen. But this man was something different altogether. He was un-fucking-believable! Desiree could have stood there for the rest of her life staring up into his eyes and would have stayed happily amused. Oh, hell yes! She was for sure in a deep, dark coma because men like this did not exist in the real world.
Kourosh’s eyes rolled down the length of her body amorously, taking in every bit of her as he wondered where she had been all of his life and why they hadn’t bumped into each other before. It was odd how memories of his childhood started racing through his mind as his eyes lingered on her lips, and then her neck where he stayed for a few seconds too long before his eyes reached her breast. He felt like a child again, as he looked into her into her eyes confused, but not sure as to why. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to feel the smoothness of her chocolate skin, but the collar of ownership around her neck prevented him from doing so.
As her delicate body stood before him, he felt something. He felt human again. He wanted this woman for his own.
“You have chosen well.” He said with his eyes glued to Desiree. “You have found favor with your gods.” He added with a smirk.
“Yes, My Lord,” Roman replied knowing that his words were meant as a mockery. He knew that Kourosh had no faith, trust, or anything for that matter when it came to the gods.
“Speak your name before all who have come to witness this bonding.”
The sound of his voice sent cold chills down her spine. This man radiated intensity that was overpowering and a little scary. All she could do was stare back at him feeling small and at his “Desiree Chase.” She murmured, thinking what an awesome coma she was in, or, perhaps it was a nightmare.
Kourosh reached for Desiree’s left hand and gently turned it over so that her palm faced upward. He sandwiched her hand between his, holding it while he quickly examined her life.
“I am Kourosh. Lord and Master, Ruler of the underworld.” He leaned down to kiss her palm taking his time before looking up at her again.
Desiree felt all kinds of feelings, but mostly a sense of euphoria. The last time she felt this way, she had just snorted a few lines of cocaine. Oh, he could definitely qualify as a drug because her heart rate had increased to an alarming rate. She was breathless and wondered just what was up with Kourosh, Lord and Master of all?
He offered her a smile as he held on to her hand. “It is an honor to meet you, Desiree Chase.”
Lord have mercy! The man was beautiful, she thought as she stared up into his eyes that rendered her stupid. She could actually feel the power that emanated from every inch of his six foot three stature.
With his breath caught in his throat, Kourosh stood there befuddled and speechless. Never in his life had he been so utterly taken by a woman, at first sight. Desiree had overwhelmed and overpowered him in a way that seemed unnatural to him. He didn’t know what to say or even how to act in front of her. He felt an odd connection to her and tried to analyze the reason behind it. He quickly waved his hand causing everyone in the room to freeze.
“What is it?” Jabari asked rushing to his side.
To say that something was amiss would have been a gross understatement. Something was horribly awry, this he knew the longer he stared at her.
“Who is this woman? And did you do a thorough check of her?”
“Of course, my Lord, the moment she appeared I checked her. She is who she claims to be, Desiree Chase, a mere human, nothing special.”
Kourosh would never be convinced of that. Not the way she was sending off vibes and making, his body react in ways it hadn’t in years. “Oh, she is definitely special!” He snarled. “Find out what makes her special,” He demanded.
Jabari could never be labeled a coward, but even on a good day, Kourosh scared the hell out of him. He never wanted to disappoint his master so always did his best to please him. No matter what he asked of him, Jabari always came throught.
He quickly waved his hand opening a portal that enabled them to see into the life of Desiree from the moment she appeared on the steps of Saint Ann’s Orphanage. Her entire life played out quickly before them.
Kourosh watched intently, waiting for something to pop out that would signify that she was something more than just a mere human. There was nothing. She was as human as they came.
****
Delilah was not at all worried about Kourosh’s apparent revelation. She poured herself another glass of wine and stretched out on her chaise to watch her daughter’s ceremony through the Oracle. She was delighted over his befuddlement and she took great pleasure in watching him squirm. She had to hand it to herself for going to such great lengths to ensure Desiree’s identity remained unbeknownst to the evil villain. He was a monster, born from a monster and had already tainted her daughter just by touching her. She would do whatever she had to do to make sure it never went any further.
She hated Kourosh for making her life a living hell. She wanted him to pay for the misery he had caused her, spying on her while in the throes of passion with her lover. She should have ended his life then, but no, she took pity on him because he was a child. Why had she been so foolish? She knew that no good deed went unpunished, but watching him suffer this way now was adequate payback.
She smiled as she watched him, wishing she could send a lightning bolt down to finish him off. Perhaps just knowing that he would never have his betrothed even though she stood inches away from him would be good enough.
She laughed aloud, as she watched him going around in circles, torturing himself as he tried to solve the mystery of Desiree Chase.
“Exhaust yourself as much as you will, my dear Kourosh,” She said. “It will be to no avail. I will see the sky tumble to the ground before I let you have her.”
****
“What about her parents?” Kourosh barked.
Jabari tried to manifest Desiree’s birth records but came up empty. It was as if she was born the day she was left on the doorsteps. “Do something!” Kourosh yelled at him. “I want answers!”
“I have no answers to give. If I may, I would like to call upon the Loa for help in the matter. If you would be so kind as to allow the Spirit to enter into your presence, perhaps she could give an answer to this most perplexing mystery.”
Kourosh’s hatred towards the gods, pharaohs and anything spiritual was palpable. Betrayal a
nd disloyalty were something he would never forgive. These gods had taken everything from him; his wife, his family and his entire life and his faith. His belief and trust in the gods had run out, but for this purpose, he would allow the Loa to enter if she could be of help.
Desiree was about to be bonded. Once the ceremony was completed, no one or nothing could ever come between them. It was his law, written, signed, and sealed in his blood.
“Do it. Speak to the bitch and get her out of my sight as quickly as possible.”
Kourosh stood back watching as Jabari closed his eyes and went into a trance, chanting as he called upon the spirit of the Loa, a deity who was an intermediary between the gods and humanity. Unlike saints or angels the Loa were not prayed to. They had to be served in order to receive their help. It had been centuries since Jabari had bothered to serve them.
A cool breeze filled the room causing the flames to flicker as Rada appeared before them. Young and beautiful she wore a light blue gown that fanned out around her small framed figure. Her long gray hair nearly touched the ground as it fell down her back and over her shoulders “Jabari, it has been a long time.” She said with a smile on her face.
“Yes, Rada, please forgive me for not serving you more often. I have been extremely busy.”
Her smile was warm and genuine even as she turned to look at Kourosh. “Kourosh.” She greeted him.
A tic worked in Kourosh’s jaw as he ignored the spirit. “Get on with it! Ask your question and be done with her!” He grunted.
Kourosh moved further away from the spirit. He could control his own desire to harm the spirit, but the beast was another story. When it craved blood and revenge there wasn’t much Kourosh could do to stop it from getting what it wanted. In this case, Kourosh wasn’t at all sure if he would even try. He knew how things worked with the gods and he was sure that the Loa played a significant role in his misery. They were all after him and for what reason he did not know.
“What can you tell us about this human?” Jabari asked turning his attention to Desiree. Rada turned her attention to Desiree and gently placed her hand on her forehead.
“She is human.”
“No, shit!” Kourosh blurted out. “You think we’re too stupid to know that? Tell us something we do not know or leave us!”
“I hate to disappoint you, Kourosh, but there is nothing more to tell. She is a human female. She is not the one you seek. This human was created for one purpose in life.”
Kourosh stepping in closer to the Loa taking his chances; if he couldn’t stop himself from strangling her then so be it. They were quick to vanish, but Kourosh was twice as fast. He could reach out, grab her, and pull her back before she had a chance to disappear.
“And what purpose would that be?”
Smiling, she inclined her head to Roman. “Everyone is born with a purpose in life, a reason, or a goal to fulfill before they die. Desiree’s purpose is to marry and honor Roman.”
Kourosh wasn’t buying a word she was saying. He felt a connection and that could only mean one thing. Somehow and some way, they were connected.
“Do you take me for a fool? I have touched many women in my life and never had I felt this way.”
“I can’t explain it, Kourosh. Perhaps what you felt was nothing more than indigestion.”
Was she mocking him? Did she dare make jokes while he was suffering? He snapped and reached out to grab her, but Jabari quickly stepped in his path stopping him.
“My Lord, please!” He pleaded.
“Get her out of here before I snap her neck!” He snarled.
Rada Loa vanished without another word spoken.
Never before had Kourosh felt so helpless. In all of five minutes, Desiree had ignited a sense of real passion within him. It wasn’t the typical feeling of lust he normally felt for women but a deeper sense of love and compassion. There was a strong connection between them; he could feel it as clearly as he could see her standing there. How could he possibly speak the words that would bind her to another while feeling this way?
Somehow, the gods were still at it, still fucking with him. Fine- He had gotten used to the abuse, but this time he would not allow them to get away with it. He would go through with the ceremony. He would even watch as they consummated their bonding, but he would make damn sure to found out the truth about Desiree Chase. He would keep eyes on her day and night until he knew exactly who she was.
Taking Desiree’s hand, Kourosh gazed into her eyes, as she stood motionless in front of him. He would know immediately if she was Delilah’s daughter. He would have known the second she appeared before him. Even if the gods were protecting her, still, something would have alerted him of her identity. He studied her face waiting for a sign, a clue, a hint, anything to help pull together the mystery of this prepossessing woman who had a hand on his heart and a grip on his cock.
He walked around her to see her from every angle before he faced her again. Oh, there was definitely something different about her. It had been centuries since he’d allowed himself to become bedazzled by a woman. They had a way of weakening his senses and diminishing his powers, but Desiree did just the opposite. She heightened all of his senses, which in return made him feel stronger, yet calmed him at the same time. This was the woman he needed next to him on the throne, and in his bed.
His desire for her baffled him. It was too much to go unnoticed. He wondered if she was indeed his betrothed. Kourosh could not remember the last time he prayed for anything, but for this, he would make an exception. It wasn’t as if he was praying to the gods. His prayers went to a much lower source, someone he knew personally and trusted to set things straight. His prayer was that Desiree Chase was the goddess that came to him in his dreams. The goddess he loved and craved more than blood. If she were the goddess of his dreams, he would not hesitate in doing whatever it took to have her.
Pushing through the thoughts that filled his head, Kourosh had to concentrate on the task. He had a duty to fulfill, one that he did not take lightly. Restoring all movement and continued with the proceedings.
As Desiree and Roman now faced each other as they waited for Kourosh to begin. He studied them for a moment in silence, considering the Loa’s words. Was she just a human born for Roman? Could she truly be his soul mate, his true love? How he wished, he had more time to investigate, to dig deeper into her history, to find out the truth.
Reluctantly, Kourosh took Desiree’s right hand and placed it onto Roman’s left hand linking the two together. As he did, an evil thought crept into his vivacious mind. He would scare the hell out of her; make her think twice about bonding her life to the life of a vampire. Maybe she would ask for a day or so to think it over. That would be all the time he needed to find out who she was. He went on.
“This union is not to be entered into lightly, Miss Chase. You must have a full understand of your role as a vampire’s consort for it is a role that one may find daunting and quite unpleasant. It is unlike anything you have ever faced in life. Total obedience is demanded along with complete sincerity in every way you serve your master. Pretending obedience when you only mean to disobey is punishable. You will serve your master faithfully at all times. To be strict in the discharge of your duties not only when your master's eyes are upon you, but most importantly, when he is absent and away from you, can you do this Miss Chase? Can you devote your life to your master?” He asked as he watched for just a slither of hesitation from her, hoping that his words had made her reconsider.
Roman knew all of Kourosh’s tricks. He almost felt sorry for the man. Almost- But he was not at all worried about Desiree’s decision. He just wanted her to hurry up and say yes so that they could finally consummate their agreement. He had plans to fuck her like she’d never been fucked before. He did not care who would be watching.
Who knew that dying could be so deliciously entertaining? It was no wonder some people stayed in a coma for years on end. With two good-looking men like these two to stare at being in a
coma should be the new trend. Women would be lining up.
Desiree decided to play along as she remembered Ivy’s instructions. She was at the end of her life anyway. Why not have a little fun on the way out?
“Yes, I can do that.”
Fuck! Kourosh shouted in his head. “Very well, then, let us continue. Do you take, Roman DePaul as your consort? Will you honor and obey him and look upon him as your master? Will you allow him to watch over and protect you? Will you be an obedient and loving servant to your master?”
Desiree glanced up at Roman before she answered. She knew none of this was real but if it were, Roman would certainly be the type of man she would not mind serving. Why couldn’t she have met him years ago? Why now when she was on her deathbed taking her last breaths?
Oh well, there was nothing she could do about it now. To be honest, if this was real life and she wasn’t in a coma she would certainly have a problem with all the master and servant crap- But what the hell? She could play this game out to the end. After all, Dorothy would have never made it back home to Kansas if she had given up in the middle of the yellow brick road.
“Sure I will, why not?”
“We’re looking for an, I do, Miss Chase.” Kourosh said.
“Sorry. I do.”
A smile covered Roman’s face as he showed his delight over her answer. He was far more than just delighted. He was enchanted, raptured by her beauty and the totality of his new consort. Her scent and seductive smile made his entire body throb with excitement. Did she know what she was doing to him? Was it her plan to beguile and weaken him this way? He would definitely have to keep both eyes open whenever other men were around. She had a seductive charm that went far deeper than just her beauty.
“Do you freely give your body to your master accepting and agreeing to all of the laws that will bind you together? Will you obey our rules, stipulations and take all forms of punishment? Do you, Desiree Chase, acknowledging that this man who stands before you is your master for life?”
