by Bianca Cole
Their men are crazy about them and make that clear with their body language and how they respect them.
Vlad treats me no better than a fucking slave in public.
How can I accept him like this?
I enter the bathroom and move to the sink, turning on the tap. The cold water helps calm me down as I splash it on my face and neck.
The door opens, and I turn around to see a woman standing there—Flynn’s mate.
“Hi, I’m Lucy,” she says, walking toward me with her hand outstretched.
I smile. “Rosie, it’s nice to meet you.” I shake her hand.
She tilts her head to the side. “I saw you storming in here and wanted to check you are okay.”
“Thank you, I’m fine. I just needed to get some space.”
I turn back to the mirror and check my hair.
Lucy steps to my side. “Is he treating you well?” she asks.
I look at her in the mirror. “Vlad can be trying at times, but I don’t seem to be able to resist him.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “You mean, you and Vlad are...” she trails off, shaking her head.
“Why is that so surprising?”
Lucy looks uncertain before nodding. “Vlad is renowned for keeping to himself. He hasn’t been with a woman, human, witch or vampire, for centuries.” She smooths down her hair too. “Any woman he does sleep with, it’s one time only, strictly.” She turns toward me. “That’s why it’s surprising news. He has broken more hearts than anyone can keep count of apparently.”
I swallow hard, wondering why I’m any different. “Oh,” I say, glancing down at the sink.
She takes my hand, smiling widely. “How long has this been going on?”
I shake my head. “Not long, about ten days.”
“Well, that’s far longer than anyone else has ever got, maybe you will be the woman to tame the elusive and brutal vampire king.” She tugs my hand. “Come on, let’s return. I think there is going to be an exciting announcement before dinner. She smiles and keeps hold of my hand, leading me out of the bathroom.
I let her pull me out, feeling a little uneasy. When Vlad sees me with her, he won’t be happy.
His eyes meet mine the moment we step down into the ballroom, and they darken.
I pull my hand from Lucy’s. “It was lovely meeting you officially.” I smile. “I’ll catch up with you later, I hope.”
Lucy nods. “Definitely.”
I head toward Vlad, who is looking at me like he wants to kill me. Once I’m within reach, he grabs me hard and pulls me against him. “What the fuck are you playing at?”
“Lucy just introduced herself in the bathroom. I’m not going to be rude.” Vlad growls. “Did you tell her your name?”
I swallow hard. “Yes, why?”
Suddenly, my panties start vibrating, and I have to bite my lip not to cry out. “What are you—”
Vlad clenches his fingers around my throat, cutting me off. “Your mine, Rosie, stop trying to fight it,” he growls, tightening his grip even more. “Stop pushing me to punish you by disobeying my orders.”
A shudder runs down my spine, as I clench my thighs, trying to hold my resolve. It’s increasingly difficult because I’ve been aroused ever since the bedroom.
A woman clinks a spoon against a wine glass, drawing our attention. To my relief, Vlad releases his grip on my throat and shuts off the panties, and I sag against him.
Aiden holds his hands up. “Everyone, I have a very important matter to address before we can have dinner.”
Ilsa looks shocked as Aiden falls to one knee, pulling a small box out of his jacket. Her eyes are wide as he announces, “Ilsa, you are it for me. My soul mate, my savior, my world.”
Pain clutches around my chest, as I realize I’ll never have that with Vlad. Despite this connection we share, he still treats me like a slave in front of anyone else. He has proven he can be gentle with me, but he has a persona to uphold in public.
Ilsa’s eyes are glistening with tears.
“I’m so glad I found you. This adventure is only just starting, but I want to ask you if the rest of it you will journey as my wife.” He opens the box, and I wish I were close enough to see the ring. He’s speaking such beautiful words to her. “Will you marry me, Ilsa?”
It feels like everyone in the room holds their breath, waiting for her to answer. She’s clutching at her chest, eyes still wide in shock.
“Of course, Aiden,” she says.
He slips the ring onto her finger, and when he stands, she jumps into his arms. It’s impossible not to smile as they kiss passionately in front of us.
Everyone around erupts into cheers and applause, and I join in.
Vlad gives me a nudge and warns me with his eyes, but I ignore him. He can’t ruin such a special moment.
I won’t be stopped from celebrating in the good news of these people. Suddenly, the panties come on again, and I moan softly. “Vlad, please don’t—”
He yanks me against him again. “Then stop defying me, baby girl,” he murmurs.
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
He shuts them off, and my knees wobble. Luckily, he’s still holding me. Otherwise, I might have fallen into a heap on the floor. “Let’s find out seat, and no more funny business, Vlad says.
“Yes, sir. I promise.” I let him lead me toward the table, wishing I could fight the natural urge to obey this vampire. It looks like I’m powerless to resist the pull of whatever connection exists between us.
21
Vladimir
Rosie is testing my patience. We’ve finished eating, but she spoke multiple times. Each time, I turned the panties on, warning her to shut the fuck up. She’s had some odd stares as I almost brought her to climax in front of them.
This woman will obey me. She’s mine, and she needs to understand what that means.
I hate that she defied me and told Lucy her name. It means that Rhys will soon learn her name. In turn, it risks him remembering who she is.
Dinner is winding down, as everyone is finishing dessert.
Flynn is who I need to speak with. My attention has been on him throughout dinner, except when Rosie decided to disobey me. I can’t understand why them sticking me down the other end of the table gets to me. It feels like I’m not truly welcome as a part of this fucking council.
“How do you like the food?” I ask her, leaning in.
She glares at me, clearly irritated by my constant punishment. “It’s fine. I would have enjoyed the entire experience more if it weren’t for you,” she quips.
I press the button on the panties, and she jolts in her seat. “Fuck’s sake,” she spits, eyes full of fire.
“I warned you about disobeying me, Rosie. If you learned your place, it wouldn’t be so torturous.” I’ve bought her to the edge of climax so many times tonight, only to deny her. I can’t wait to play with her later in the bedroom, but now I have work matters to address. I flick off the panties and then stand, approaching Flynn.
He’s sitting with Rhys and Aiden, and I can’t help but feel there’s a divide between us. I’m not part of this council. They keep me away from them because they don’t feel they can trust a vampire. I clear my throat, drawing all of their attention to me. “Flynn, would you mind if we talk now?”
Flynn raises a brow. “No, of course not, but is this something that only involves me, or shall Rhys and Aiden join?”
I grit my teeth. “I’d be more comfortable just speaking with you.” I glance at Aiden and Rhys, feeling too uneasy around them. Faeries and Vampires have never really clashed, but shifters and vampires are natural enemies. It’s going to take time for me to put that behind me, and it seems where they seated me tonight, the feeling is mutual.
Flynn nods. “Very well.” He glances at Aiden. “Where can we talk?”
Aiden nods toward a door. “The study should suffice. Let us know if you need anything.” He glances at me again, suspicion in his gaze.
Fl
ynn shakes his head. “We’ll be fine. Shall we.” He stands, and I lead the way toward the door, opening it and marching inside. I can’t understand why leaving Rosie at the table makes me uneasy, but I do it anyway.
I’ve kept her close all night, bringing her to a meeting with Flynn would be a step too far.
Once we are behind closed doors, Flynn clears his throat. “So, how can I help?”
I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “I’m in the shit, Flynn. The vampires have turned against me, and they tried to overthrow me.”
Flynn’s brow furrows. “Oh, I hadn’t heard about that. When did this happen?”
“Three days ago. They ambushed me at my castle, and I escaped.”
Flynn paces the floor. “Why did they try to overthrow you?”
I sink my fang into my lip, knowing if I answer that, I reveal the truth about Rosie. “A misunderstanding.”
“Have a seat, Vlad.” He signals to the two armchairs by a fire, which isn’t lit. “I think we need to address some issues.”
I raise a brow. “What kind of issues?” I sit in the seat, but lean forward, fingers together.
“You are a member of our council, but you don’t act like it.” He sighs. “I get the feeling you don’t trust us—despite the blood agreement we’ve all signed.”
He’s right, but the distrust isn’t one side. “No, I don’t, mate. Don’t take it personally. It’s in my nature.”
Flynn runs a hand through his hair. “You need to trust us for the council’s work to be successful.”
I narrow my eyes. “It’s not one-sided, you know. Take the table tonight, all the council members were one end, and I’m the other with random guests I don’t know.” I grit my teeth, anger rising inside of me that he’s confronting me over the trust issue. “None of you trust me either. It goes both fucking ways, you know.”
Flynn smiles. “Indeed, that’s true. Perhaps we can all work on our prejudices.” He shrugs. “I trust you, but vampire and shifter history is far more complicated.”
I nod. “It is, but I’m coming to you for help.”
“Okay, but level with me, Vlad. I need to know why they tried to overthrow you.”
It’s not in my nature to ask for help, and it’s not in my nature to trust anyone. I stare into the eyes of the council leader. The faerie king is renowned for being loyal and true, but even knowing that, I feel uneasy.
“The woman I’m here with tonight.”
Flynn’s eyes widen. “They wanted to overthrow you because of her?”
I stand and start to pace the floor. “Yes, I don’t know what it is about Rosie, but when I went to get the chalice, we met. Her blood drew me to her so powerfully, and I forgot everything and anything.” I sigh heavily, glancing at Flynn, who is listening intently. “She helped me get the chalice back, and then I took her, unable to let her go.”
Flynn’s brow raises. “Against her will?”
I grit my teeth. “Yes, but she’s not here against her will now. Ask her.”
Flynn sighs. “It’s not a good start to a relationship to force someone to do something.”
“All due respect, I didn’t ask for dating advice,” I growl.
He holds his hands up. “Fair enough, so the girl is your mate?”
“Vampires don’t have mates, but I don’t know, I’m bonded to her deeply.” I shake my head. “And, it’s not a blood bond because it existed before I’d fed from her.”
“Weird. It sounds like some kind of mating bond to me.”
I nod, agreeing. It took a lot for me to reveal it to him, but I can’t deny it feels like a weight has been lifted. I’ve kept my feelings for Rosie under wraps, knowing how dangerous it is for both of us.
“Thank you for trusting me with this. I’m sure it is hard for you.” He stands and approaches me. “I will help you with this, Vlad. You need to understand that we are here for this, to help end all the wars between kinds and stop people thinking they can stop interspecies relationships.” Flynn’s eyes twinkle. “Maybe Rosie would like to be part of the council, with Lucy and Anastasia?”
I can’t deny that the thought of her having anything to do with this worries me. She’s too precious to risk, but maybe Flynn is right. This council is a safe place for our kind of pairings. Lucy and Anastasia wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen to her. “Perhaps,” I say.
A commotion outside sets my heart rate accelerating, and Flynn and I exchange glances. “We best check that out,” he says.
I rush for the door, blood pumping through my veins. My instincts tell me Rosie is in danger. When I step through the door, I lose it.
Rhys Verne has shifted and is trying to get past Ilsa to Rosie. She’s holding him back, but by the look on her face, the strain is taking its toll.
“Motherfucker,” I shout, rushing for the wolf without a second thought.
I’m held back, though. Flynn uses his magic, stopping me in my tracks. “Let go of me,” I growl.
He steps closer. “No, I will have order. Rhys won’t hurt her, and we will resolve this like civilized creatures.” He walks over to Rhys and sets a hand on him, somehow getting close without him noticing. Suddenly, he morphs back into a man, standing there entirely naked.
He doesn’t seem to care, still glaring at Rosie.
“Stay the fuck away from her,” I shout, still held to the spot. I’ve not met many fae, but it seems they are far more powerful than I ever imagined. Witches can’t do what he is doing right now, focusing his power in two places.
Rhys glares at me, snarling like a fucking animal—they call me a beast. Anastasia crouches beside him, setting a hand on his shoulder and pulling him back to reality.
“Calm it, Rhys, I want to get to the bottom of whatever issue you have with this human, but she is Vlad’s mate.”
I grit my teeth, realizing that I never got around to asking him to keep it a secret despite the fact I told him in confidence.
Rhys’s eyes widen as he glances between Rosie and me. “That’s impossible.”
I narrow my eyes at him, as Anastasia pulls him to his feet and wraps a towel around his waist. “Let’s hear what Flynn and Vladimir have to say.” She grips his shoulder.
“Why the fuck did you attack her anyway?” I ask, moving forward, finally free of Flynn’s entrapment.
“She killed the alpha of one of my packs.” He runs a hand through his hair. “It’s an instinct thing to take a life for a life.”
I feel more rage flood through me. “That fucking bastard wolf tried to rape her, and she stabbed him in self-defense. She was seventeen years old.” I can feel my muscles coil with tension as I step closer, but Flynn gives me a warning glance. “There’s no fucking debt that she has to repay. If anything, you fucking wolves have a debt to repay to her.”
Rhys looks guilty, glancing down at the floor. “I wasn’t aware of the circumstances. Neil was renowned for liking underaged girls, and being pretty heavy-handed with women.” He meets my gaze. “I didn’t know he was rapist, though.” He holds his hands up. “I’m sorry, I will strike through the hit on her for all of the shifters in North America.”
His apology hardly helps the rushing of blood through my ears. It may be a good step in the right direction, but I find it hard to accept that these assholes can help me. Sure, they want a better world, but they’re hypocrites. Vampires have been brutalized in his history for too long, but it’s not me who almost killed someone. I move quickly toward Rosie, closing my arms around her protectively. “Are you okay?” I murmur.
She stares up at me, a mix of adoration and surprise in her eyes. “You told them that I’m yours.”
I kiss her quickly. “Yes, I’m sorry about the way I treated you tonight.” I sigh heavily. “This is all new to me.” I turn my attention to the council members. “All of you need to take a long hard look in the mirror. You say you want peace between all races. Vampires, witches, wolves, dragons, humans, and faeries, and yet, ever since I’ve met all of you, I
’m treated differently.” I shake my head. “All of you are hypocrites. We’re supposed to put our prejudices behind us, but vampires have never been able to escape this bullshit image of being brutal and unreasonable.”
I grab Rosie’s hand and leave the ballroom, not waiting as Rhys calls my name.
I’ll speak to them tomorrow after they have a chance to think. Right now, it’s time for me to make love to my queen.
22
Rosie
Vlad hasn’t said a word since he got me back into the bedroom. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. I’m almost too scared to speak, worried that he might snap at me.
When Lucy told Rhys my name, I saw all the pieces click into place on his face. He lost it, turning almost instantly. If it weren’t for Ilsa, I’d have been ripped apart. I don’t hold it against Rhys. It’s an inbuilt instinct to avenge one of his alphas.
His vow to call off my death is a relief, as all wolves will have to obey his order. It means I could return home to America for good.
I swallow hard, wondering if Vlad would consider moving here. Britain is too behind the times. I want to be somewhere that is accepting of our relationship.
I move toward him and set my hands on his shoulders. “Vlad, are you okay?”
He glances up at me. “I almost lost you, Rosie.” His voice is haunted.
I know it’s true. “Luckily, Ilsa saved my life.” His jaw clenches. “I should never have left you alone.” He grabs my hands, yanking me to stand between his thighs. “I’ll never leave you like that again.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t your fault. Rhys recognized me once Lucy told him my name, so it’s my fault for telling her.”
Vlad raises a brow. “Are you saying you should have listened to me?”
I can’t help but smile. “I guess so.”
He grabs my hair suddenly, pulling my mouth down to his and kissing me hard. The passion in the kiss makes me shake.
