by S. L. Knight
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Her Vampire Fate
Vampire Bond Episode Three
S.L. Knight
Copyright © 2017 by S.L. Knight
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.
Cover Design by Melody Simmons
Created with Vellum
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
A Message from the Author
About the Author
Chapter 1
We left under the cover of night after returning to the estate to gather all our things. I didn’t know if it was our bond or my intuition, but I sensed the unease of my mates as the carriage raced north out of the grasslands.
Gabriel had a trusted ally who we could stay with for the time being. From there, we’d determined where to go next.
My heart hammered as I took in the surrounding countryside. Fear and anxiety coursed through me, but I was grateful to be with my mates. How could I have ever thought I could leave them behind? I reached out to take Noel and Xavier’s hands, who sat on either side of me. They both looked down at me, their tense expressions softening.
“Would you have really been able to let me go through the portal?” I asked, glancing across the carriage at Adrian and Gabriel.
“We didn’t want to,” Gabriel said, pain filling his blue eyes, “but to keep you safe . . . yes.”
“We would have come for you eventually, cherie,” Noel said, meeting my eyes. “I’m not certain we’d be able to live without you.”
A rush of warmth filled me at his words. I had only known them for a short time . . . but I felt the same.
We made the rest of the journey in silence. Behind our carriage, I could hear a couple of other carriages clattering behind us. They were filled with our trusted servants—Berenzi, Nya, Adan, and a half dozen others. Gabriel had been careful not to tell the other servants where we were going; he trusted them with his life, but if the Council got a hold of them, the truth could be tortured out of them. He’d told them to go somewhere safe.
I shivered as I thought of the Council. Which one of them was working with Edelnar? A couple of them? All? Had one of them betrayed my parents? A rush of anger went through me at the thought, and I took a breath to calm myself.
Noel squeezed my hand, his silver eyes filling with concern. I wondered if the others had felt my rush of anger through our bond.
“All will be well, cherie,” he murmured. “Rest, now.”
I heeded his words. Fatigue filled every part of me, weighing on my bones like a great weight, and I gave into it, dozing off.
When I came to, it was dawn, and we were approaching an elegant estate.
“Where are we?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“Just outside of Voznes,” Gabriel replied. “This is the home of one of the few people outside this carriage I trust.”
Our carriages stopped in front of the estate. The doors of the estate flew open, revealing a man and a woman. I could tell that the dark haired and green eyed woman was a vampire, with her pale skin, preternatural beauty, and great height. I suspected that the tall blonde man at her side was fae.
We stepped out of the carriage as the couple approached us with warm smiles.
“Liana, this is Bastian,” Gabriel said. “Bastian, our mate Liana.”
Bastian’s eyes widened slightly at this, but he gave me a polite nod.
“I’m glad you took me up on my offer,” he said, turning back to Gabriel, “but I’m disappointed that you had to use it. The Council?”
“The Council,” Gabriel confirmed, with a grim nod.
“Come inside,” Bastian said, glancing around with unease, “we can hide your carriages in the back stables in case someone comes looking. You can stay as long as you need.”
Moments later, we were in a surprisingly cozy dining room, despite the size of the estate. I learned the woman was his mate, Carina. Bastian was only one of her mates. Two of her mates were visiting their families while one was back in the capital doing work for the Council. It was going to take me some time to get used to the fact that mating bonds were common in this world.
“My mates and I have long suspected the Council has been corrupted,” she said, setting down a tray of croissants and juice for me. “Both Bastian and I once served on the Council. My mate Elijah still works on the Council . . . but he’s acting as a spy now. We told Gabriel to come to us if he ever had any trouble with them.”
“It’s sad that it has come to this,” Bastian said, looking troubled. “It’s hard to know who to trust.”
“We don’t want to be here for too long. It’s only a matter of time before the Council issues a warrant for our arrest,” Gabriel said, “we don’t want to put you in any danger.”
“It’s no trouble,” Bastian said, “the Council has been suspicious of us since we resigned. We told them we wanted to prepare for starting a family; I don’t think they quite believe us. They only let us go when we agreed to leave Elijah behind.”
“I can have the servants set you up in a room. Will you be sharing a room, or do you need separate ones?” Carina asked casually, getting to her feet.
My vampires looked at me, and I realized the answer was up to me. I flushed, but looked Carina square in the eye.
“One room,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady as anticipation and desire coiled through me.
“I can show it to you while the men get reacquainted,” Carina said. A smile played on her lips; she seemed to understand the meaning of the one room request.
We left the dining room, making our way down a long corridor to the stairs. Though I’d just met her, I already felt comfortable with her. I knew there were more pressing issues to worry about, but I was dying to ask her something.
“You have a question for me?” she asked, her eyebrows lifting. I must have worn my intentions on my face, or she had some vampiric intuition.
“How is it?” I asked shyly. “Having multiple mates?”
“Do you love them?” she asked, as we reached the base of the stairs. She stopped and turned to face me, studying me.
“Yes,” I said, without hesitation.
“Then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. It will all come naturally,” she said, smiling. “You’ll see.”
She turned, and I trailed her up the stairs, wondering if it was that simple. She led me to a large bedroom at the end of the hall. There was a large bed in the center of the room, one that could comfortably fit me and my four vampire mates. I tried to play it cool as I gave her a nod of thanks, all the while my heart beat in nervous anticipation. I knew there was more to focus on than consummating the bond with my mates, but I suspected it was all I’d be able to think about for the rest of the day.
We returned to the dining room, where I learned more about Carina, Bastien and her mates. She and Bastien had left the Council when some fae members had expressed anti-vampire sentiment—the whole point of the Council was to nurture an alliance among the two groups. Her mate Elijah was st
ill trying to discover who on the Council was working against the alliance.
“I’m sorry about what happened to your parents, Liana,” Bastien said, turning to me with a sorrowful look. Astonishment rippled through me; I was surprised he knew about that. “Many of us knew about their fate,” he said, answering my silent question. “You should know—your parents weren’t prejudiced about you mating with vampires, but they were fearful for your safety. There are dark fae out there who would rather kill their own kind than see them mate with a vampire. Their hatred runs deep. Given your bloodline, they were fearful you’d be a target.”
Relief and sadness filled me at his words. Ever since Gabriel told me about my parents fleeing Velar to escape the bond, I’d worried that my parents were prejudiced against vampires. They’d left this world to protect me, but it had cost them their lives.
“How do we stop Edelnar?” I asked, fury replacing my sadness. He was the one behind all this.
“He’s hard to track down, as you all know,” Bastien said. “He has many loyal allies and powerful magic.”
“We hear you were able to use your magic on Edelnar—back in your world,” Carina added, looking impressed.
I looked at my mates, who were smiling at me with pride. I flushed.
“Yes . . . but I really didn’t know what I was doing,” I said, “it was a total fluke.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself,” she said, holding my gaze. “Your magic may be the way to defeat Edelnar.”
Chapter 2
I spent the rest of the day practicing my magic with Nya. We found a space in the back of the house, enclosed by tall wooden gates. Nya was very encouraging, but as I worked on casting defensive spells, I still didn’t feel strong enough yet.
My mind was so preoccupied with my lack of magical strength I’d almost forgotten I was sharing a room with my mates until after dinner. Earlier in the day, it had been all I could think about. As we headed to our guest room together, my heart rate increased with nervous anticipation as my mates entered the bedroom behind me.
I turned to face them. Their desire was plain on their faces as they took me in.
“Liana,” Xavier murmured, “if you want to wait—”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m ready. I want you. All of you.”
“Once we seal the bond . . .” Gabriel said, stepping forward, his eyes roving over my face. “It’s permanent. There can be no turning back.”
“I made my decision the moment I decided not to go through that portal,” I said, straightening. “I’m your mate. And all of you . . . you’re mine.”
They all sucked in their breath, and Gabriel drew me to him, claiming my mouth in a fervent kiss. As he kissed me, my other mates closed in, gently disrobing me. I moaned against Gabriel’s mouth, and he lifted me into his arms, carrying me to the bed.
I gazed up at them, infused with desire as they disrobed. Their bodies were pristine, muscular . . . perfect. Moisture crept beneath my thighs, and an aching need coiled throughout me.
“I need all of you,” I whispered.
Adrian moved forward, leaning down over me to kiss me, as Noel and Gabriel lowered their mouths to my breasts. I gasped into Adrian’s mouth as Xavier moved in between my thighs, his mouth plunging onto my center. I came almost instantly, moaning. Adrian released my mouth, and Noel and Gabriel released my breasts, as Xavier crawled on top of me.
“Liana,” he whispered, sinking into me. I whimpered as he began to move, his green eyes pinned on mine as if we were the only two people in the world. The others stroked my hair, kissing my shoulders, and any exposed skin they could get to, as Xavier moved languorously inside of me.
When we both shuddered our release, Xavier bared his fangs. He sank them into my throat, and I cried out as pleasure coursed through my body like electricity.
“Oh . . . God . . .” I moaned, my body quaking.
I was still shaking when Xavier stood, and Adrian moved onto my body. Love and tenderness filled his amber eyes as he kissed me. His kiss was gentle but fervent, and I held him close. I could already feel another wave of desire mounting and writhed against him.
“Please . . .” I whispered.
Adrian obliged, sinking his long hard length inside of me. His eyes widened in wonder, and I remembered that he was a virgin. I smiled, cupping my hands on the sides of his face, meeting his eyes.
“Liana . . .” he moaned, and he seized my mouth to kiss me as we rocked together. I felt the others mouths on my body as we moved, but for the time being, it was just me and Adrian.
I gasped when I felt his fangs graze and then sink into my throat, and he cried out his release as he drank from me.
“Liana . . .” he whispered, pulling back. He froze as he looked down at my skin. I followed his gaze. My skin was shimmering again.
“It’s your magic,” Adrian murmured, “it’s reacting to the sealing of our bond.”
Pleasure surged through me, and I only dimly heard his words.
“More,” I whispered. “Please . . . more . . .”
I needed my other mates. Adrian kissed me one last time before releasing me, and Gabriel moved forward with a growl of desire, lifting me up into his arms. Keeping his cobalt blue eyes seared onto mine, he impaled me on his erection. I groaned, wrapping my arms around his neck as he began to move me up and down.
“Ours,” he moaned, as we rocked together. “You belong to us . . . to all of us.”
“Yes,” I whispered, locking my eyes with his. “Yours . . .” My voice trailed off into a moan as my orgasm rocketed through me, and Gabriel sank his fangs into my shoulder, drinking. Gabriel shuddered as he came, holding me tight until his body stilled.
Gabriel lifted me up, placing me back on the bed. My mates peppered my body with kisses as Noel hovered above me, his silver eyes filled with longing.
“Do you need a break, cherie?” he asked. “Or—”
“I need you,” I whispered, and desire infused his expression. The others withdrew as he leaned in to kiss me, moving down my throat and my breasts until I writhed with need. Only then did he sink into me, his thrusts slow and gentle at first, and then increasing, our eyes locked as we moved together. Our release came at the same time, and he sank his fangs into my throat.
Noel collapsed onto the bed beside me as I lay there, spent, and the others settled in around me on the bed, pulling me into the warmth of their bodies. As I drifted off to sleep, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was home.
“I love you all . . .” I whispered, as sleep claimed me.
Chapter 3
Our peace was short-lived; I awoke to the sound of frantic shouts.
I sat up at the same time as my mates. Noel barely had time to cover me when our door flew open.
Bastien stood there, his face ashen. I flushed; my mates and I were all naked, but Bastien didn’t seem to notice or care.
“A carriage is approaching,” he said, “it looks like Edelnar’s. We can hold him off, but you all need to leave—right now.”
My mates were out of bed in a flash as soon as Bastien closed the door. I hastily got dressed. Hours ago, bliss and love had consumed me. Now, I was practically shaking with panic.
“Stay close to us, cherie,” Noel said, as they finished getting dressed. “But if necessary, leave us behind. Adan knows the way back to the portal.”
“I’m not leaving you,” I said fiercely.
They all looked down at me, tensing, but I held their gazes. I wasn’t going anywhere. I’d hoped they’d figured that out by now.
My mates formed a protective barrier around me as we moved to the door, and then headed out of the room, making our way down the corridor. Outside, I could hear more shouting and the sounds of pained cries. Bastien and the others were fighting. My heart twisted as I thought of the servants, and of Carina and Bastien. They had been so kind to us. Were we really going to leave them behind?
“Carina and Bastien are strong. As are Berenzi an
d Nya. We’ll come back for them, but they can hold their own for now,” Adrian whispered, reading my mind. “We need to focus on getting you out of here. Edelnar is here for you.”
They guided me to a second stairway that I hadn’t noticed before, at the far end of the corridor. We crept down it, careful not to make a sound.
It led to a back door, and we hurried out. But as soon as we stepped outside I froze, my panic turning to fear.
Edelnar stood there, a cruel smile curving his lips.
“It’s easy to use distraction to get what you truly want,” he said calmly. “Come, Liana. It’s time for you to be reunited with your own people.”
“I am with my people,” I hissed.
My mates charged forward with snarls. Edelnar lifted his hand, and they fell back with the force of his spell. He turned his hand towards me, and to my horror, my body moved towards him against my will. I couldn’t even summon my magic.
Soon, I was within reach, and Edelnar pulled me into his arms, his nostrils flaring with anger as he took in the bite marks on my neck.
“You bonded with them,” he growled.
“Yes,” I said, my eyes flashing as I met his, “and I enjoyed every second.”
I used his momentary angered distraction to lift my hand, silently issuing a spell that sent him flying back. Behind me, Gabriel and Noel got to their feet and pounced. In a series of rapid moves I could barely track with my naked eye, they began to fight.
“Liana, let’s go,” Xavier said, rushing forward to grab my arm.
“No,” I protested, shaking my head, “I’m not leaving Gabriel and Noel!”
“We have to get you out of here,” Adrian said.
“I can’t leave—” I began, faltering when a spell flung Xavier and Adrian back.
I whirled, panicked. Gabriel and Noel were now on the ground, eerily still, as Edelnar advanced towards me, rage contorting his features.
