Reyna's Vampyr

by Zena Wynn

  When Tariq had first informed her of Ragnor’s death, Reyna hadn’t really cared. In her hurt and anger, she’d considered the pride dead to her. The feeling hadn’t lasted long. Though she was learning to embrace her Vampalien heritage, in Reyna’s mind she’d always be Felini first, and vampyr second.

  Thinking of her pride made her remember their reactions to the Vampaliens in their midst today. “Did you see the way the pride reacted today? They treated Alvaro with awe and deference, and their wariness of Tariq bordered on fear. I expected it of the humans. I thought the pride would be more…hostile.”

  Jorlan smirked. “I didn’t think you’d noticed. You seemed rather…enthralled with your new husband.”

  Reyna felt her face flush. With his Felini senses, Jorlan would have been able to smell her lust. So would the others.

  “Alvaro ripped Ragnor apart with his bare hands,” Jorlan said seriously, though an amused glint still lingered in his eyes.

  Grateful he’d decided not to tease, she said, “True. That explains their awe toward him, but they acted a bit strange with me, too.”

  Jorlan gave her a “Duh” look. “Kitten, your father’s a member of one of the seven ruling houses on Vampalien.”

  “So?”

  “You know what that makes you?”

  The same thing the Felini had always despised her for being. “A half-breed,” she said flatly.

  He shook her briefly. “No, royalty.”

  “Get out of here,” she scoffed, shrugging out of his hold. She took a few steps away before turning to face him. “The Felini don’t care about status and social ranking.” Not like the humans did.

  “No, you don’t care about such things because in the pride, you never had either, but the Felini do respect power. All species do and you, my dear, are rolling in it.”

  Reyna rolled her eyes. “Jorlan—”

  He came closer and took both of her hands in his. “Hear me out, Kitten. Not only is your father a high ranking member of Vampalien society, so is your mate. Your mother is the only surviving daughter of the Felini’s former top leader, and the newly revealed mate of your father. Now that the stigma has been removed from your birth…” He trailed off, leaving her to connect the dots.

  She remained quiet as his words sank in. How ironic that for most of her life, her parentage and the circumstances of her birth were a source of deep shame. Now both were thought by others to be a source of pride? Reyna couldn’t wrap her brain around it.

  Frowning up at him, she said, “Jorlan, I’m the same person I was before. They didn’t accept me then.”

  Jorlan cupped her chin and stared directly into her eyes. “Kitten, what others think about you was never the issue. It’s how you think of yourself that counts.”

  

  After her conversation with Jorlan, Reyna left work and stopped by the store to purchase packing boxes and tape, drove to the den, and spent over an hour packing her clothes and belongings. When finished, all totaled there were less than three pieces of luggage and five medium sized boxes. Not a lot to show for eight years of living in the same space.

  Of course, she hadn’t been allowed many personal possessions when she lived with the main pride. A blessing since Reyna would have had to leave most of it behind when she’d been kicked out. Once she and Jorlan had settled here in the complex they called home, she’d never developed the habit of acquiring a lot of belongings. There were the clothes she wore to work, those she relaxed in, and a few personal items of decorations she’d purchased because of their beauty and the peace it gave her to view them.

  As she studied the stack, wondering the best way to get everything loaded into her car, Tariq appeared beside her.

  “What’s all this?” he asked.

  “My things. I told you we needed to collect them,” she said, relieved he’d come.

  Tariq caught her chin in his grasp and lifted her face to his. “Are you sure you’re ready for this step? A lot has been thrown at you in a short period of time. I understand if you want to wait until you’re more certain of me, of us.”

  Reyna pressed her palms to his cheeks and staring directly into his eyes, opened herself fully to him, letting him see everything in her heart and soul. But just in case he didn’t get the message, she said, “I’m yours. Every part of me. For as long as you want me.”

  His eyes blazed a vibrant red. “Forever. I want forever with you.”

  Tariq crushed Reyna to him and captured her mouth in a kiss that said everything her love-starved heart needed to hear. Then he showed what it meant to be loved by a Vampalien. In the aftermath of their loving, as they lay on her bed breathing each other’s scent, he said, “My heart beats for you.”

  “I know,” she said simply. It was hard to argue with the truth.

  Finally, he stirred. “As lovely as this is, we have a dinner invitation to keep tonight. I don’t want to insult our hosts by being late.”

  Reyna frowned, searched her memory and came up blank. Lifting her head from his chest, she asked, “Dinner invitation?”

  He quirked an amused brow. “Your father invited us, this afternoon in your office.”

  “Oh,” she said, still drawing a blank. Reyna sat up and pushed the tangled mass of hair out of her face. “Do you think Isabella will be there?”

  “Does it matter?” Tariq asked, watching her closely.

  She shrugged one shoulder. “I want to get to know my father. She comes with the package.” Inside, Reyna wasn’t feeling quite so blasé about the situation, but she’d deal.

  Tariq tugged her down on top of him and rolled them to their sides. Cupping her face, he said, “I know what she did hurt you, no matter the reason behind her actions. I hope one day you’ll be able to make peace with her. For your sake, not hers.”

  “I don’t know if it’s possible,” Reyna said solemnly.

  “Anything’s possible, given enough time. I never thought I’d find you. Yet, here you are,” Tariq reminded her.

  His comment deserved a kiss, which she happily supplied. One kiss led to another, and then another. Kissing led to touching, and touching led to other things. Soon, they were making love again. When their need for each other had been temporarily sated, Reyna said, “I’m so glad you found me.”

  

  Bathed and groomed, an hour later Reyna and Tariq stood outside the door to the guest quarters where her mother and father were being housed. Her belongings had been moved and stacked in a corner of Tariq’s—their, she mentally corrected herself—lair, to be dealt with later.

  “Do I look all right?” She nervously tugged at the hem of the little black dress she’d elected to wear. The dress hugged her lean frame, stopping a little above mid-thigh. The long length of her legs was bare, and Tariq hadn’t been able to keep his eyes and hands off them.

  He leaned down and nibbled the exposed skin of her neck, working his way to her ear. “You look…totally edible, and I find I’m hungry.”

  Reyna actually giggled. A sound she didn’t ever remember making in her life. “Your hunger is the reason we’re late,” she reminded him.

  Tariq slid his hands down her sides and around to grip her thighs, his fingers lightly stroking the area where the material ended and skin began. “No, that was your hunger we were satisfying.”

  At that moment the door opened, interrupting their byplay. Jorlan stood staring at them, a disgruntled look on his face. “Glad you two finally decided to join us.”

  Reyna grinned at Jorlan, so happy she couldn’t contain it.

  Jorlan blinked and then slowly smiled. “I don’t want to know what you two have been up to, but if it keeps Kitten happy, keep up the good work,” he told Tariq as he stepped aside to allow them entry.

  As soon as Reyna entered the apartment and saw Isabella with Alvaro faithfully by her side, her whole demeanor changed. She lost the smile and somberness settled over her. “Isabella. Lord Alvaro,” she greeted them with a nod.


  Alvaro winced. “Please, no formalities between us. I hope one day you’ll feel comfortable enough with me to address me as father, but in the meantime, Alvaro will suffice.”

  Reyna nodded her agreement.

  “Alvaro, good to see you again. I don’t believe I’ve met your mate,” Tariq said, sliding a supportive arm around Reyna’s waist.

  She leaned into him, needing the contact. Reyna had thought she was prepared to see her mother, but she now realized she’d hoped Isabella would cry off as she had the last time.

  Ignoring the men’s conversation, she focused her attention on her mother. Isabella glowed. The tight expression she usually wore had relaxed to one of serene contentment. Even the fine lines around her mouth and eyes had smoothed out. She looked almost…happy.

  “You look well, Reyna,” Isabella said.

  “Funny, I was just thinking the same about you,” Reyna said wryly.

  Isabella glanced at Alvaro who was still speaking with Tariq and Jorlan, and her features softened. “For the first time in a long time, I’m at peace.” She turned back to Reyna and sorrow filled her expression. “I know a simple I’m sorry will never be enough to make up for your childhood. I did what I had to do to keep both of us alive.” Isabella’s eyes dampened and she blinked rapidly. “And, I’m ashamed to admit, there were times when I couldn’t bear to look at you. Your eyes, you see, reminded me of all I’d lost. After a while it became easier to avoid you unless absolutely necessary. I know it’s too late to be a real mother to you, but I hope one day we can be friends.”

  Reyna realized the men had fallen silent. She looked up at Tariq for support, not knowing what to say.

  I’m here, Tariq said telepathically.

  Her past could never be erased, but the pain of it could and eventually would heal, if she allowed it. Isabella had lived in her own personal hell. Could she really fault her mother for any of her actions? The child Reyna had been would never understand, but the woman she’d become certainly could. Once she realized that, Reyna found the words. Turning back to Isabella, she said, “Someone very important to me recently told me that with enough time, anything is possible. Let’s take it one day at a time and see what happens.”

  Isabella smiled even as tears flowed down her face. “Sounds like a very wise person.”

  Tilting her head up, she gazed into her mate’s eyes as she told her mother, “He is.”

  Dinner was a jovial affair. Jorlan entertained them with stories of her and Isabella’s youthful antics. Reyna saw a side of her mother she hadn’t known existed. Tariq kept the laughter going by sharing some of his and Alvaro’s escapades when Tariq first arrived on earth. The conversation lasted for hours.

  They’d relocated to the living room and Reyna had muffled her third yawn before Tariq noticed. He immediately stood. “As enjoyable as this evening has been, it’s time for us to leave. This one needs her rest.”

  “You make me sound like a two-year-old,” she grumbled.

  “Fine.” He reached down and hauled her up. “Please excuse us. Reyna and I are going home to have sex.”

  Reyna felt her face heat with mortification. “Tariq!”

  Jorlan laughed. “You asked for that.”

  “Saturday, if you don’t have other plans, we’d like to return the favor. Jorlan, you’re always welcome. Let’s say around five,” Tariq said smoothly.

  “Thank you. We’ll be there,” Alvaro said as he rose to his feet.

  In an effort to maintain some semblance of dignity, Reyna turned to Alvaro and said, “I really enjoyed myself this evening. Thank you for inviting us, and I haven’t forgotten about the other. Give me a few days to get settled in Tariq’s apartment and then we’ll start.”

  Alvaro smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Reyna’s attention shifted as her mother came forward to stand next to her father.

  “I know I have no right to ask, but may I?” Isabella held her arms out, silently asking for a hug.

  Warily, almost hesitantly, she stepped forward and her mother’s arms closed around her. Reyna felt stiff and uncomfortable in the unfamiliar embrace. Then another set of strong arms closed around her from behind, and for the first time in her life, Reyna was enfolded in her parents’ arms.

  “I want you to know I love you. I have always loved you and I always will. I’m sorry it took twenty-nine years for me to be able to show it,” Isabella said softly into her ear. She pressed a kiss to Reyna’s cheek and slowly pulled away. Tears ran down her face. “Go home and get some rest. If you have time, I’d like to see you tomorrow.”

  Overwhelmed, Reyna nodded numbly.

  Behind her Alvaro rubbed his cheek against her hair and murmured, “My beautiful daughter” before releasing her.

  Reyna drew in a shaky breath and stumbled into Tariq’s waiting arms. He immediately ‘ported them back to their quarters. As soon as they were alone, Reyna let the tears fall, trusting Tariq to be her anchor as she charted these foreign emotional waters.

  “Are you all right?” he asked after she’d wound down.

  She looked up from his chest. “Yes, I just never imagined…”

  He dried her face with his thumbs. “Dreams sometimes come true.”

  “This was more like a miracle,” she said.

  “Even miracles happen when you least expect them,” he reminded her.

  Reyna gave him a watery smile. “This entire day has been full of them. I don’t have the words to describe what it’s been like for me. I used to dream of having a large family of my own, like the humans do—a husband, children, parents, and in-laws. To have people who belonged to me and to whom I belonged. We’d have friends we spent time with and our children would have playmates to grow up with. I wanted it all. Today I got a glimpse of what it must be like to be normal.”

  “Normal is overrated,” Tariq said, frowning slightly. “You’re special, unique, and anyone who doesn’t realize it, that’s their loss.”

  She sighed. “You know what I mean. For so long all I wanted was to fit in. It’s hard always being on the outside looking in. As much as I tried to be I wasn’t completely Felini, and I abhorred my Vampalien nature. That left humans as my role models.” Reyna grinned suddenly. “Jorlan used to sneak me human fairytales. I read stories about women being rescued by their prince and living happily ever after. I was fascinated.” Reaching up, she cupped his cheeks with both hands. “You weren’t what I was looking for, but you’re definitely my dream come true.”

  Staring into her eyes, Tariq said, “I plan to make all of your dreams come true.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Most definitely,” he promised and kissed her.

  

  Reyna stood at the back of the cathedral, waiting for her time to walk down the aisle. Near the altar on the right stood Tariq, dressed from head-to-toe in black leather. With him stood his masters—Thor, Isis, Enrique, Darth and Conall. Each one appeared lethal.

  On the left stood her friends—Jacey, Caitlyn, Delany, and Lexy. They’d been allowed to pick bridesmaid’s dresses that suited their personality. It had resulted in a rainbow of colors and styles ranging from modest—Jacey—to vampish—Lexy—to sex kitten—Delany—to runway model—Caitlyn.

  Her mother, Isabella, was on the bride’s side of the sanctuary, in her place on the front pew. Behind her sat Reyna and Jorlan’s entire den, and quite a few of the Felinis from the main pride. The groom’s side of the church was filled with Vampaliens from both Tariq’s and Alvaro’s clutches. The two sides viewed each other warily, but no blood was shed nor had any fights broke out.

  The organ music swelled with the sound of Here Comes the Bride. Alvaro stepped forward on her left and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” she answered, hooking her arm on the elbow he held out.

  To her right Jorlan said, “If you’ve changed your mind, there’s still time to escape.”

  Laughing, she took his arm and said, “I’ve been waiting f
or this man, this moment, my whole life.”

  Tariq had promised to make all her dreams come true, and he’d come through, in ways even he didn’t realize. Tonight she’d share with him her discovery of the final fulfillment of her dreams—their child she carried in her womb.

  The End

  About the Author

  Zena Wynn is a multi-published author of erotic and sensual romance in various romance subgenres: Interracial, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and Christian. She writes the type of stories she loves to read—stories with great characters who, through love and determination, overcome all the challenges that come their way. Her heroes and heroines are passionately, lovingly, devoted to each other. Zena wants her characters to stick with readers long after “The End.”

  To learn more about Zena Wynn, visit her website: www.zenawynn.com. Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenawynn. Or contact her by email: zenawynn@yahoo.com.

  True Mates: Carol’s Mate

  © 2010

  (prequel to True Mates)

  Life happens when you least expect it…

  Carol Scott has everything planned. She’ll finish her studies, do her internship, and return to Refuge to help run the medical center being built by her pack—the Ravens. When the time is right, she’ll chose a male from her pack to mate with, push out a few pups, and life will continue—nice, neat, and orderly, just the way she likes it.

  Then she meets Mark Johnson, sexy, handsome…human. Forbidden. A man who won’t take no for an answer. He stirs her senses and even has her wolf sitting up and paying attention. What’s a girl to do? Obey the rules or follow her heart and damn the consequences?