by T. S. Ryder
Tindra blinked, eyes widening. "Okay . . . I didn't want to be a vampire. Not that it wouldn't be awesome. Clearly, you’re very awesome. I mean, because you're a vampire. You’re already a vampire, so of course you’re awesome. I just don't think it's for me. The whole blood drinking thing . . . Is it true that you can drink from other vampires too?"
"Yes. It’s true. Vampire blood isn't as nutritious as human blood, though. It gives us what we need but not enough to be at peak strength." Rollon moved a little closer, noting how her cheeks darkened and her eyes fluttered. "This is why I commission blood collection from humans. Not every vampire can be trusted to have a human companion, after all. Many would simply drain them dry."
"I see . . . "
Rollon breathed in her scent and forced himself to step back. He needed to go. Had a mission to complete . . .
"Is that what I will do?" Tindra stepped forward, as though drawn by him. "Have my blood collected?"
Stop. "No. Thor will take directly from your vein. Because that is how it is done between mates – companions. Humans are never mated to vampires."
She kept inching forward, eyes locked on him, that familiar flush on her cheeks. Her scent becoming all the sweeter as her blood rushed to the face. "Will Thor be the only one?"
"Yes." It came out harsher than he intended, but there was no point in pussyfooting around. "Thor will be the only one to drink from you. When vampire drinks from a human, it can be very . . . exciting. Not always, though. There has to be a spark of attraction there to begin with. There is a reason why there is that stereotype of vampires seducing their human prey. It's very much true. As soon as our fangs pierce your delicate skin, you are unable to control yourself."
Finally, she showed some sense. She shuddered and stepped back, not looking at him. Her arms wrapped around her middle and she was silent. Roll breathed out a sigh of relief. She belonged to Thor. He could not allow himself to feel these things.
"You will need to give yourself to my son soon." He stood straighter and made his voice cold to hide the bubbling anger he had at the thought of anyone, even his son, laying their hands on this delectable creature but himself. "Your bond will not be complete until that happens. Other vampires will desire you until his scent overpowers yours."
"And if I don't want him?"
"Then go home. But you do want him. He is a proud warrior and a mighty man." His eyes roamed her figure. "I hope to see you ripe with his child soon."
Her whole stance changed. Her spine went rigid and her eyes flashed. "What did you just say?"
Chapter Three – Tindra
The king's expression didn't change after her outburst, but Tindra still felt heat rush to her face. She twisted her hands, dropping her gaze. It had been a knee-jerk reaction, born from the many times her mother said things about needing grandchildren (but only after she had grown up a bit, as it was clear that she would be a lousy mother with her current state of character). She had hoped that among vampires the pressure would be eased, at least.
"Sorry," she mumbled at last. "It was unexpected."
"Hmmm." He didn't respond otherwise, just walking away.
Tindra let out a deep breath, shaking her head as the door closed. What was wrong with her? He was a freaking king. She couldn't just go around blurting out things like that. It would be nice if Thor had bothered to do more than just put her in this room and disappear, though. She had been at the palace for a couple of days, enough for her to get to know Ingrid and Hilda, and she still didn't know what exactly was expected of her.
Shortly after Rollon left, Ingrid and Hilda returned. The two blonde sisters looked more like mother and daughter than sisters. Hilda had apparently been changed almost two decades before Ingrid. According to Ingrid, those years had been difficult, and if it wasn't for Rollon, she didn't know if they would have survived.
"When is Rolly coming home?" Hilda sighed. "He promised to hire tutors for me soon. I'm studying solar panels this year," she added proudly to Tindra. "Last year it was wind turbines. But I like solar panels better. I want to make them look like gargoyles so that we can put them up on the roof and have them come to life at night!"
Tindra's eyes brightened at that. "Cool! Could you make them light enough to fly, too?"
"I don't know." Hilda chewed on her lower lip. "I haven't studied aerodynamics since the Wright brothers. I suppose with the right materials . . . "
"Your sketchbook is on the desk." Ingrid propelled her sister away before settling down next to Tindra. "I take it the meeting with the king didn't go so well?"
Tindra glanced away. "Why would you think that?"
"I could smell your embarrassment from the hall."
"You could not!"
Ingrid shrugged with a wry smile. "No. But it was written all over your face when we came in. Tell me what happened. Did you yell at him again?"
"No. Sort of. I don't know."
Tindra ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. This was so confusing. Why did she have to feel more drawn to the king than the guy who actually picked her? Maybe she should just go home . . . forget all about this whole vampire nonsense. Thor could literally have his pick of any woman off the streets. It wasn't like it would break his heart if she left.
Ingrid squeezed her hand. "Look, I'm not an expert when it comes to men, but I do think you need to talk with Thor. Now, preferably."
"Okay . . . "Tindra stood. "Are you just kicking me out so you can clean up my comics?"
"Go."
Tindra reluctantly left the room. Her feet dragged against the thick carpets as she headed for Thor's office. If he wasn't there . . . but he was. Half a dozen vampires were filing out of it as she approached, and Thor gave her a wide smile and gestured her in. She smiled back, waiting for her heart to flutter or her stomach to clench. Nothing. Maybe it was that he looked too young . . . She would have placed him in his early twenties if she hadn't known he was super old.
The prince took her hand and kissed it before closing the door, leaving the two of them in the office together. "What can I do for my lovely lady?"
"I need to go home," she blurted. "I'm all wrong for you."
The prince’s smile widened. "You are absolutely correct. You aren't any good for me."
Tindra’s jaw dropped. She had known it, but that didn't make it any less embarrassing when he said it. Was that why he hadn't tried anything with her? If he regretted his choice, why not just send her away? Was he just too busy? She found herself shrinking back, thinking of Rollon. If she left . . . would she ever see him again?
The prince chuckled. "Good thing I didn't choose you for myself."
Tindra stared at him for a long time What was he going on about? Eventually, she sat down in a chair and folded her arms. "Okay. I’ll bite. What does that mean?"
Thor continued to smile at her. "Ingrid told me I had to let you in on my little scheme, but I wanted to see how you got along with him first."
‘Him?’ Excitement and dread mixed together in her stomach and she held her breath, waiting.
"You see, my father is a very lonely man. He has been for a long, long time. True, he enjoys the company of many vampire ladies—"
Tindra couldn’t stop a strangled noise from coming from her throat.
Thor paused a moment. His eyes sparkled. "Jealous?"
"Of course not." She just didn't want to hear about Rollon’s conquests. Jealousy had nothing to do with it.
"In any case, he needs a companion. Since he would never take that step himself, I decided to take it for him. When I went to the choosing, I was looking for someone for him. Not me." He winked. "I thought you would be just his type."
Tindra couldn't stop herself from smiling. "How very Parent Trap of you."
"That may be where I got the idea. You won’t be competing against an evil stepmother, though. Just against my dad's stubborn head."
She surveyed him. Would that mean Thor could end up being her son? She didn't like the pressu
re of being told she had to have kids, but Thor was already grown. It wasn't like being his stepmother would be any real sort of mothering. She clasped her hands over her knees.
"I want kids of my own eventually. On my own time, though."
Thor nodded. "It would be expected."
"I don’t want it to be expected. That’s the point . . . " she trailed off. "I don't think your father has much interest in humans."
Her voice gave away her disappointment, but it was the truth. He didn't show anything but a cool, haughty look when they were in the same room together. That fierce, kingly aura around him made her want to both shrink back and throw herself all over him. Probably it was just as well that he had no interest in her.
She stood. "I should leave before I make a fool of myself."
"Sit down. You don’t know my dad. My mother was a human. I assure you he has interest."
"Your mother . . . So how come you’re a vampire? Were you born one?"
"More or less. I grew up fairly normal. Started taking blood around puberty, and then when I was in my twenties I just stopped aging." He shrugged. "Old enough to understand but young enough to enjoy immortality. And I’ve been like this for, oh . . . a hundred years?"
Tindra nodded. She was shell-shocked by the fact that he was born a vampire. According to what she had always heard, vampires were human until they became vampires through a mysterious process that was kept under closely guarded secret by the king.
Thor leaned back in his chair, letting two legs lift from the floor. He really did look like the younger, less experienced version of his father. But while Rollon oozed sexuality from every pore, Thor had a more playful aura about him. Like sex and romance weren’t on his mind. Which, Tindra supposed, was good for her. If he had been interested in her while she harbored these feelings for the king, things could have gotten very awkward very quickly.
"So. You say you want kids but on your own time. Care to expand on that?"
Tindra folded her arms. "You said it would be expected that I would have kids. And Rol – I mean, the king said something about wanting to see me ripe with a child soon. What’s that all about?"
Thor was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "No. No, I’m not the one to tell you about all that. Sex and babies and all that . . . not my area." He actually shuddered. "Nope. Right now, I want to know about you. Why so reluctant to have children right away?"
"You mean besides from the fact that I don’t even know if your dad likes me?"
Thor shrugged.
Tindra picked at her thumb before muttering her answer. "My mom is always pressuring me to get married and have kids. Is it too much to ask that I live my own life? I know I have a lot of growing up to do before I can properly take care of a child."
"Growing up? In what way?"
"My comics, for one thing. What kind of mother would read comic books as bedtime stories? But they make me happy. Why can’t I just be happy? It’s not hurting anybody. I don’t have kids and–" She cut herself off and shook her head. "Forget it. It’s like I’m arguing with my mom and she’s not even here."
"Hmmm. Comic books. I don’t see any reason why that means you can’t be a good mother. But that is something you’ll have to discuss with your mate once you two are together. For now, we have to work on getting you together. So. How about a dinner between the three of us where I get mysteriously called away?"
Tindra couldn’t help but smile as she leaned conspiratorially toward him. "Too obvious. Any other ideas?"
"Well . . . " His eyes sparkled. "There is one."
Chapter Four – Rollon
Rollon’s muscles ached from swinging his silver sword for many hours, but the burn felt good. It had been relaxing to be in battle again, and it wasn't as though that was the longest one he’d ever fought in. Before he established his kingdom, it was common for him to go days in near-constant battle against marauding humans, other vampires, and shifters alike.
Rollon stepped from the shower, reaching for a fluffy towel. The battle had taken his mind off of the situation at home, at least for a little while. But how much longer could he stop himself from thinking about Tindra?
Not long, apparently.
He shook his head as he toweled himself off and pulled on a comfortable, business-casual outfit. The human was causing problems for him. Perhaps it was a sign that he should find himself a companion – one to satisfy his base urges. That was all it was, he knew. The dark desire every vampire was created with. The one looking for blood and a taste of dominance over those weaker than himself.
He headed for the library. He could always count on peace there.
As soon as he entered, though, his nose was hit by her scent. He froze, his gaze seeking her out at once. Tindra sat in a corner with Hilda, poring over something that he couldn’t see.
"Rolly!" Hilda ran for him, grinning. "You’re back."
Rollon caught her and lifted her into the air. He hadn’t seen her this happy since Eva . . . He pushed the thought away. I’ll have to ask Ingrid how she is faring soon.
"What are you two doing?" he asked.
Hilda turned up her nose. "Nothing that concerns you."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Tindra press her hands to her mouth. Rollon, however, only laughed and set the child back down. "Run along and help your sister. It’s almost time for supper."
Hilda scowled but did as he said. The human remained where she was, her gaze locked warily on him. He was tempted to turn around and leave, but what for? She was his son’s chosen, and he wasn't going to let her affect their relationship. He ignored her as he strode towards the shelf where all his favorites were.
"I . . . " she started.
Don’t look at her. Too late. Her large eyes were on his, drawing him in.
"I’m surprised, your majesty. Your grace . . . What am I meant to call you?"
"Rollon is fine unless we are at a formal event. In which case, my lord will suffice."
Tindra nodded. Her hands twisted around each other. "I’m surprised you would let her talk to you that way."
"Who? Hilda?"
"Yes."
Rollon selected a book and sat, but didn’t open it. "Hilda is a child. No matter how old she gets, she will always be a child. As you can imagine, we don’t get a lot of kids around here. She’s a good girl, but I confess that I feel somewhat guilty for her situation. Never to fully experience life . . . "
"Did . . . did you turn her?"
His expression darkened briefly. "No."
"Then why―"
"My sister did. Eva. She was my first lieutenant for many years and convinced me we needed to build an army of vampires to create some peace and stability for ourselves. Hilda was dying when she was turned . . . You see, Ingrid was Eva’s lover."
Tindra nodded again. "She told me she was a lesbian. But she didn’t tell me she was sleeping with the king’s sister."
"She’s not." Rollon sucked in a deep breath. "Not anymore, at least. Eva betrayed us all. She tried to kill me and fled before justice could be served. We haven’t told Hilda the truth, though. Eva was like a mother to her, and I didn’t want to see her in that pain."
"I see . . . " Her eyes actually shone as she looked at him. "It takes a strong man to do that. If it were me, I’d be badmouthing her from here to kingdom come. But for you to be able to put aside your grudges for Hilda’s sake . . . I really admire that."
She needed to stop looking at him like that. What did she think she was talking about, anyway? Was he a good man for not hurting a child’s feelings? That was the basic decency that could be expected from anybody. It didn’t make him any more good than not kicking puppies made him good. He turned his face away, hands clenching.
"I built this kingdom on blood," he spat out harshly. "I killed thousands of people. And not just to protect me and my own. I’m a vampire. We have all fallen into bloodlust at one point or another, that thirst for blood that seems unquenchable. I turned dozens of hum
ans into vampires. I said that it was a gift, but I was stealing their lives from them. And you think I’m a good man?"
Her eyes were like saucers, hands clenched on the arms of her chair. Rollon flinched. What had he done that for? He didn’t need to frighten her. It was unnecessary and uncalled for.
"But . . . " she squeaked. "But you changed your mind. You realized what you were doing and took action against it. Bad men don’t admit they were wrong and change their ways."
The king was silent for a moment before nodding. "Perhaps. I’m sorry for speaking so harshly."
"It’s fine. You’re just not used to dealing with humans, right? Thor told me."
Rollon grunted. "You and Thor spent time together, then?"
Why did it make acid burn in his gut to think about? He wanted Thor to be happy, and this woman was beautiful – he didn’t understand how he had once classed her as merely pretty – and was charming, sensual and a gem to look at. Everything he wanted for his son.
"Uh . . . " Her cheeks stained pink and she bowed her head. "I suppose you could say that, yeah."
What did that mean? Rollon frowned as he leaned towards her, flaring his nostrils. Her scent rang strong between them. Too strong. If she had been physical with Thor in any way, even just embraces, then his scent would be clinging to her. As it was, there was hardly a trace of Thor’s scent on her. Enough for some casual contact in the same room, but not enough to indicate anything serious. Why was this human dragging her feet so much? Rollon narrowed his eyes at her. Was she defective in some manner?
"Why haven’t you bedded him yet?"
Her spine stiffened and she sat bolt upright. "Excuse me?"
"You heard the question."
"That is none of your business."
Rollon clenched his teeth for a moment. "As the king and Thor’s father, it is. Without his claim on you, others may challenge him. I don’t want to see him hurt because of it. You signed up for the selection. You didn’t protest when he chose you. Why are you here, if not to be his companion?"
