Her Vampire Vow: Reverse Harem Serial (Vampire Bond Part Two)

by S. L. Knight

  I told them about riding with Xavier, a blush staining my cheeks as I recalled our kiss, and my failed attempt at practicing magic. Noel assured me I would get the hang of it.

  But as we ate, the sense of them hiding something continued to nag at me. My feelings for them were growing; but if they weren't open with me, how could we ever truly be mates?

  Chapter 4

  Adrian appeared at my bedroom door the next morning, greeting me with a shy but heart-stopping smile. I had just showered and dressed, and I took him in with surprise.

  “I’m here to take you on our date. It's not far," he said, extending his hand.

  Smiling, I took it, and that familiar rush of heat filled me at his touch. Without a word, he led me out of my suite of rooms and down the winding staircase. We made our way down the long hallway until we reached a set of double doors. He pushed them open, gesturing for me to follow him inside.

  I entered . . . and gasped. The room was a library. And not a small study-like library, but a massive three-story library, stuffed to the brim with books. The bright morning sun shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving it an almost magical glow.

  “This is amazing,” I whispered, taking it all in. “I feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast.”

  Adrian frowned, confusion marring his handsome features. I shook my head; of course he wouldn't be familiar with a human fairy tale. “In the human world, it’s a story about a—never mind,” I said awkwardly. “How come you guys didn’t show me this room on the tour?”

  "I told them I wanted to take you here for our date; they agreed to keep it a surprise,” Adrian said. “Ever since I found out you were planning to work in a museum in your world, I thought about having this library turned into a museum for the nearby townspeople. The history of Velar is all here in these books.”

  I looked at him, my eyes brimming with tears. But he misinterpreted them, stepping forward to rest his hands on my shoulders.

  “If you choose so, of course,” he said quickly.

  “No, I’m not upset,” I said, blinking back my tears. “It’s just—this is so thoughtful.”

  Adrian’s shoulders sank with relief.

  “You like it?”

  "That's a joke, right?" I asked in disbelief. "I love it. It’s amazing. I can see myself spending a lot of time here.“

  Adrian’s smile widened, his amber eyes lighting up.

  “We would like that, Liana,” he murmured. “Very much.”

  The door swung open, and a smiling Berenzi brought in a tray of breakfast heaped with breads, juice and fruit.

  We sat down at a breakfast table that sat in the center of the library. Berenzi left us alone, and Adrian told me he was from Sofai, a small town in the Voznes region.

  "I'm the youngest of four brothers. They were fighters, but I just wanted to bury myself in books. I’m not as adventurous as Gabriel, Xavier and Noel,” he admitted. “I never would lave left Velar to travel to the human world on my own. I only did it to see you.”

  I smiled, my heart fluttering at his words.

  “You are welcome to bury your head in books,” I said. “I’ll be right there with you.” Looking around the library, I shook my head. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  But Adrian’s smile faded.

  “I’ve had to put all my reading aside for the time being,” he said. “There are . . . dangers we need to attend to.”

  His eyes darkened, and he looked troubled. I put down my croissant, leaning forward.

  "When I came to dinner last night, you were all discussing something," I said. "What was it?"

  Adrian’s face flamed, and he lowered his gaze.

  "Adrian—“

  “It’s not—it’s best if we don’t discuss all that now,” he said, giving me a beseeching look. “Xavier and Gabriel had their alone time with you. Can I have my time as well?"

  Taking in the visible tension on his face, I softened. I would get answers out of them, but now was not the time.

  "Of course," I agreed.

  Adrian’s smile returned. He reached out and took my hand. We stood, and he guided me to the back of the library. There, tucked into the base of one window, was a small reading nook.

  “Your own private reading area,” Adrian said, “for when you want to get away from your annoying mates.”

  "You don't annoy me," I said. “You guys might get tired of me, though.”

  I was still finding it hard to believe they were so enamored of me. Adrian frowned.

  “That will never happen,” he said, reaching out to trace my lips with his fingertips. “I assure you.”

  His eyes filled with a raw hunger, and desire of my own circled through me. My eyes dropped from his golden eyes to his full lips, and my breath hitched in my throat. Would I ever get used to their beauty?

  "Liana," he rasped. He reached down to clasp the sides of my face, tilting it up to his. Even now, a faint blush stained his cheeks. I’d forgotten how shy he was compared to the others. “May I kiss you?”

  "Please," I begged.

  His lips descended to mine. Our kiss was fervent; his tongue probing the depths of my mouth with intensity. He moaned, pressing me close to his body. My heart hammered so wildly it was all I could hear; and his kiss consumed all my senses.

  When he pulled back, he studied me, still looking shy.

  "How was that?"

  "Amazing," I said, smiling

  “That—that was the first time I’ve done that,” he said, a blush again staining his cheeks.

  I studied him in disbelief.

  “That’s the first time you’ve kissed someone?”

  "I knew a mate would be chosen for me,” he said, looking a little defensive. “I was always shy amongst other female vampires and fae. I wanted to wait. And when I learned I was mated to you—you were all I could think about.”

  "Oh, Adrian," I whispered, a ripple of possessive pride flowing through me. He was beautiful, kind . . . and all mine.

  Our lips met again. This kiss lasted longer, and when we broke apart to breathe, I took his hand and settled him down into the reading nook with me. In between kisses, Adrian told me more about his life; his lack of closeness with his brothers, his deep friendship with my other mates.

  I was disappointed when our date came to an end; he had matters to attend to in the capital with the others. I resisted asking him exactly what matters they had to attend to. Instead, I decided to use my free time to practice using my magic with Nya.

  To my delight, this time I could actually perform some magic with Nya’s guidance. I watched in amazement as a thread of light flowed from my hands. I wanted to do more, but she shook her head.

  “We should take it slow, let your body get used to it,” Nya said. “And then we can get to the more advanced magic.”

  Back in my room, I stepped out onto the balcony, taking in the gleaming grass fields, the waters of the emerald river snaking through the land, and the massive sun hovering in the sky. It was so beautiful here. And . . . I was falling for the vampires. The thought of leaving them behind and returning to my lonely life back in my world made my heart clench in protest. But I needed to know what they were hiding before I committed myself. If they refused to fully let me in . . .

  I didn't let myself complete the thought.

  My plan was to confront them at dinner, but to my surprise, Noel came alone to my bedroom at dinnertime.

  “I thought a moonlit dinner on the river would be ideal for our date, cherie,” Noel said.

  “I’d like that,” I said, smiling. I was both disappointed and relieved to postpone my planned confrontation with my mates.

  Noel placed his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his tall and muscular body. I had to keep my breathing steady; a scorching heat filled my body at his nearness.

  “I missed you today, cherie,” he murmured, his lips close to my ear.

  “I missed you too,” I replied. I had missed all of them . . . intensel
y so. “And why do you keep using the French phrasing?” I asked, amused. “There’s no need for the charade. I know you’re not from my world.”

  “It stuck,” he said, as he led me outside to a waiting horse. “Besides, it’s a perfect phrase. I think of you as my darling.”

  I flushed as his silver eyes met mine. He climbed onto the horse behind me, pulling me close as we rode together out of the gates.

  I thought we were going to the docks, but instead we rode parallel to the river until we arrived at a boat. It was a larger gondola-style version of the boat Berenzi had picked us up in; there was a table placed in its center, already heaped with food. Adan, the young boatman who had greeted us when I first arrived at the estate, helped us onto the boat, untying it from the dock as we settled in.

  “Do we need to steer?” I asked nervously, as the boat drifted on its own away from the dock.

  “I had Nya infuse it with a Locator spell,” Noel said. “It'll steer us back to the dock when we’re ready.”

  I shook my head in amazement. I’d underestimated what magic could do in this world.

  We tucked into our meal of grilled wild fish and vegetables as Noel told me about his travels all over Velar—and my world. He’d grown up in the Stryiza region, a region dominated by fae. His family was the polar opposite of Gabriel’s; they were friends with many fae families and were delighted when they learned he was to be mated with me. It was surprisingly refreshing to hear, and I felt myself relax.

  “Why do you travel so much?” I asked. “Usually people who travel much aren’t crazy about where they're from.”

  “I love my home . . . but I’ve always been restless. I only felt the need to stay in one place once I learned of our mating bond. But I would love to take you to explore more of Velar,” he said.

  When we finished eating, I stood up, looking up to take in the multitude of stars blanketing the night sky. I inhaled the sweet-smelling air and closed my eyes. When I opened them, Noel stood before me, his silver eyes filled with desire.

  “You’re beautiful, Liana,” he murmured, before pressing his lips to mine. Our kiss was slow but passionate, and when we broke apart, I was breathless with need. He pressed his forehead to mine. “We will give you as much time as you need to decide, Liana . . . but I ache for you. We all do.”

  “And I you,” I whispered.

  We continued to kiss as the boat drifted back to shore. To my surprise, it wasn’t Adan who was waiting by the shore for us. It was Adrian, Xavier and Gabriel. Their bodies were rigid with tension, their faces filled with worry.

  “What? What is it?” I asked, as Noel helped me off of the boat.

  “It’s the Superior Council,” Gabriel replied, his expression grim. “They’ve summoned you to the capital, Liana.”

  Chapter 5

  “Why do they want to see me?” I asked.

  We were now back at the estate, gathered in one of the living rooms. From the looks on their faces, I assumed a summons from the Superior Council was not a good thing.

  "Your parents fled Velar, which is a crime here,” Gabriel said. “They were fugitives; it’s forbidden for fae and vampires who aren’t approved to venture into the human world. We got special permission because you were there, and you were in danger from Edelnar; but it was only for the purpose of bringing you back. Settling in and living there like your parents did is not allowed. Our worlds aren’t supposed to meet. I suspect they think you knew about all this—and willingly chose to remain a fugitive.

  A chill fell over me at his words. The thought of my parents being fugitives had never occurred to me. Nor had the thought of not being allowed to return back to my world—ever.

  "Does—does this mean I can't leave?” I asked, shaken. “You said if I choose I can go back to—“

  "You can,” Noel said swiftly. “If—if that’s what you choose, we’ll help you get back.”

  “But the Council isn’t as flexible,” Xavier said.

  I closed my eyes, pressing my hands to my temples. When I opened them again, I expelled a breath.

  “What else have you all been hiding from me?” I asked. At their visible hesitation, I continued, “If we’re going to be mates, you have to be open with me.”

  They exchanged glances, and the silence stretched for so long I feared they wouldn’t answer.

  “We think the Superior Council might be compromised,” Gabriel finally said. “That one of them might be working with Edelnar and his people to bring it down. It’s the same thing my parents were arrested for—only they were on the side of vampires. We think whoever’s working against the Council wants Velar to be ruled by fae. If Edelnar marries you and secures you as queen, it legitimizes his claim to rule.”

  “Queen?” I gasped. “But I’m new to this world. I wouldn’t know anything about ruling.”

  “I doubt he’d let you truly rule,” Gabriel said bitterly. “All he cares about—and the people he’s working with—is your royal blood. Royal blood holds a lot of sway with fae.”

  "We're sorry,” Adrian said, his eyes filling with remorse. “We should have told you all of this before… so you could be more prepared. We were hoping to root out the traitor in the Council without involving you and putting you in more danger.“

  “But I am involved,” I said slowly. “If . . . if the Council wants to see me, then we should obey.”

  “It’s too dangerous, cherie,” Noel said, shaking his head.

  “We don’t want to rouse their suspicion, right?” I said. They gave me reluctant nods. “Then I should go.”

  The vampires looked at me with expressions varying from admiration to worry.

  “Are you sure?” Xavier asked.

  I wasn’t, but I nodded. I just instinctively knew avoiding this Council could make things worse for me, especially if they were already suspicious. And I wanted to see the Council for myself.

  I went to my rooms to change. Berenzi helped me dress in what I assumed was a traveling dress; a long, blue, silk dress paired with a silvery cloak. She seemed just as nervous as me.

  “Just answer their questions and be honest,” she said, tying my cloak shut. “You’ll do fine, dear.”

  She gave me an assuring smile, but her eyes were still clouded with worry.

  When I headed down to the courtyard to join the vampires, a carriage was already waiting for us. I had ridden in a carriage exactly once, during a trip to New York City with Alice. But I was too anxious to appreciate the novelty of a carriage ride.

  I sat in between Gabriel and Adrian with Noel and Xavier seated across from us. Their bodies were rigid with tension, their handsome faces infused with worry.

  “If I nod at you,” Gabriel said, giving me a serious look, “you turn and leave. We’ll handle the rest.”

  “But—“ I started to protest.

  “Please,” Adrian said. “We don’t know who on the Council can be trusted. Let us protect you.”

  Their gazes were relentless and firm, and I nodded. I wanted to protest I wouldn’t leave them behind to face danger—I couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to them.

  I tried to concentrate on the surroundings as our carriage made the journey to the capital; the grasslands stretching as far as the eye could see; the distant line of forests in the background. But I was too uneasy to concentrate.

  To my relief, it didn’t take long to reach the capital. It looked more like a medieval-style town, with a cluster of stone and brick buildings and homes nestled among cobblestoned streets. I could tell the townspeople who strolled through the streets were vampire and fae, with their pale skin, their massive height, their preternatural beauty. I didn’t have long to take in the town; we soon arrived at the gates of a fortress on the outskirts of the capital.

  I studied it as we stepped out of the carriage. With its foreboding stone exterior and barred windows and steel gates, it looked more like a prison than a government building.

  My vampires hovered protectively close as we ent
ered the building’s large entryway. We headed to a stone staircase, but as we began to climb, I gasped. The staircase had begun to move, acting more like an elevator as it rose past several stories to the top floor.

  Gabriel and Adrian gripped each of my arms while Xavier and Noel hovered behind us when we reached the top floor. Several cloaked vampire guards approached, but Gabriel let out a low growl.

  “We’ll escort her inside,” he barked, leading me past them towards a set of double doors.

  We entered what appeared to be a large meeting room. Seated around a long table were a dozen vampires and fae. I took them in, trying to be appear neutral. Several of them, who I suspected were fae, had wings. Actual wings sprouting from the back of their cloaks; I assumed there were holes in the cloaks that made room for the wings. It again struck me I was in a completely different world filled with creatures I had long assumed to be myth.

  “Liana.” A tall ethereally beautiful woman with long blonde hair and green eyes had spoken. She studied me carefully. “Are you unharmed?”

  “Why would she be harmed?” Gabriel demanded.

  “I asked Liana,” the woman cooly returned, still looking at me.

  “I’m—I’m fine,” I whispered, my mouth dry.

  “Our apologies for the late-night summons, but we’ve been eager to meet you. You’ve grown up in the human world, unaware of who you truly are. Is that correct?”

  A tendril of unease coiled around me. Already, this seemed like an interrogation. The Council trained me with looks of mild suspicion.

  “Yes,” I said. “I’m still overwhelmed. This—this still doesn’t feel real.”

  “But is it true you used your magic against your own kind?” asked a narrow-faced man, with crimson eyes and raven black hair.

  “I didn’t know I could do magic. I—I was scared and I was trying to get away from someone who abducted me,” I said, a swell of defensive anger rising in my chest.

  “Were you aware your parents were fugitives who disobeyed our laws and fled from Velar?” the blonde woman asked.