“Be careful, child,” Zenny shouted at Fina. “For crying out loud, that dress isn’t made of bricks. It’s delicate.”
“Sorry,” she responded as Trina assisted her.
“Maybe I can help,” Dorian said from the door. Fina and Trina disappeared in a flustered wisp of magic.
I sighed with relief. “Yes, please.”
He looked so incredibly handsome in black pants, a white shirt, and a jacket made from the same material as my dress. His sandy was cut short, allowing me full access to his gorgeously rugged face. Soon, he would be king. I had a crown made for him, but he refused to wear it. At least not until after he proposed, and we were married. “Or I could help you out of it?” His strange eyes that exactly resembled mine danced with mischief.
At his words, my heart melted, and my fangs pressed against my mouth. “Do you think?” I wanted him. His lips, his blood. He already gave me his heart.
He let out a joyous laugh. “My dad and your mom would never forgive us.”
“I guess.” I held up the front of the dress so it wouldn’t fall off my shoulders.
“Allow me,” he said, pretending to be hoity-toity and coming to stand behind me, pulling on the laces.
I stuck out my tongue, but quickly drew it back in my mouth. Dorian’s playfulness was gone, his eyes trained on my bare back. He caressed me tenderly, one of his fingers running the length of my spine and stopping at my waist. I shivered.
“You’re so beautiful, Snow.” His hand circled my waist, pulling me against him.
“So are you.” My lower belly was on fire. Every inch of my body longed for his touch, his lips on mine. He kissed my shoulder before turning me so that I faced him.
My dress hung on my arms, sinking low in the front. His fingers stroked my cheeks, sending flickers of heat all over. Lowering his head, his lips brushed mine. Soft. Loving.
I responded with force, opening my mouth, hungry for him. A deep growl escaped the back of his throat and our gazes locked. He picked me up, moving me to the bed, laying me down before climbing on top. Our lips met again with profound strength and I let out a mew, something I’d never done before. I wanted to wrap my legs around his hips, but my blasted dress was in the way…
Someone cleared his throat behind us.
“I’ll come back later. Your hair is already a wreck, Snow. I don’t even know why I try,” Zenny said.
I smiled against Dorian’s lips. “Help me get this damn thing off.” I tugged at my dress.
Dorian lifted my skirt out of the way, and I clung to him with my legs.
“Bite me,” he whispered, a naughty glint in his eyes. “I know it’s been a while since you’ve had any blood.”
I gave him a thoughtful look. The reason I hadn’t drunk in a while was because I only wanted his blood and he hadn’t offered. “Are you sure?” I extended my fangs.
“Damn sure. You are who you are. A queen. My love. And a vampire. It’s one of the many things I love about you.”
“Good,” I said, and kissed his neck, no longer able to hold back.
Dorian sighed sexily. “You’re amazing,” he said, kissing a trail along my shoulder.
My stomach quivered. The scent of his skin, his blood, was incredible. Dorian tilted his neck, giving me better access to a vein and I tugged him more tightly against me as my fangs sank deep. He groaned in pleasure as I ran my hands through his hair, along his shoulders, and down his back.
I counted internally.
One.
Two.
Three.
He tastes like Heaven, I thought, sucking harder. Dorian’s fingers brushed my cheeks as he pressed his body into mine.
Four.
Five.
Six.
He tastes like… magic.
Seven.
Eight.
A cracking noise sounded from the dresser near the bathroom. It was loud, like the sound of a boulder splitting. I pulled away from Dorian’s throat. My blood haze had me feeling euphoric. Dorian’s face looked the way mine felt, I was sure, and I wanted to keep going. But I twisted my head so I could see the dresser.
I placed the black gem there after Cindy left so I could put on my dress. A surprised gasp escaped my throat. The gem had doubled its original size.
Dorian looked up. “What is happening?” He stood, pulling me with him. My red lipstick was smeared on his gorgeous lips.
“I don’t know.” I touched the gem. “It is warm.”
He touched it as well. “Strange. It almost feels like there’s something alive in there.”
The top half of the gem cracked, leaving a zigzagged line. Dorian and I pulled our fingers back at the same time and we waited.
Nothing happened.
“It’s probably nothing.” I took his hand, hungry to spend more time in his arms.
Dorian looked at me. “I love you, Snow. But I’m not gonna lie; you’re a wreck,” he said, playfully running his thumb across my bottom lip. “And there are thousands of creatures just beyond this wall, waiting for you.” He kissed my nose.
I gave myself a once over in the mirror. He was right. My hair had fallen from the pins Cindy placed around the crown. The crown itself was tilted sideways, almost dangling. My lipstick was smeared along both sides of my cheeks. I let out an embarrassed laugh. “Cindy’s going to kill me,” I said, grabbing a tissue and wiping at the lipstick.
Dorian took the tissue from me and licked it.
“You’re gross,” I whispered, but I was mesmerized by him.
He rubbed the wet end of the tissue against my cheek softly. His eyes danced with such happiness. “Even a wreck, you’re the most beautiful creature in the world.”
I watched his face, knowing without a doubt he meant every word, and loving him for it. “I never thought I could love someone the way I love you,” I said tenderly.
Dorian’s smile lit up his whole face. He set down the tissue and reached into his pocket, pulling out a black box. Then he got down on one knee.
Nervous excitement danced through my veins. “What are you doing?” I asked. But I knew. He was going to propose. My heart thundered in my chest, reminding me that while I was a creature of the supernatural world and always had been, I was still the same klutzy human girl who wanted it all—a career, a husband, children, and love. From Dorian, I felt so much love. It was the greatest gift I would ever receive.
He opened the box. Inside was a diamond solitaire, elegant and beautiful.
My hands went to my mouth.
“Snow Merriweather White, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Was I ready for this? It wasn’t that long ago that I defeated the vampire queen. I studied his eyes, so full of love, and knew there would never be a love greater than his and mine. “Yes, Dorian. Without a doubt, yes!” I dove into his arms, knocking him to the floor and smothering his face in kisses.
He chuckled happily until I kissed his lips, then all laughter was forgotten. In its place were hunger and desire. I wanted him. All of him.
“I love you so much, Dorian.”
His eyes roamed my face and down my body. “I love you, too.” He sat up, adjusting me in his lap, and took the ring out of the box before sliding it onto my finger.
I studied it for a moment, surprised by all that happened. Through all the trials and the heartache, we found each other, and I would never let him go. “I hope you’re okay with being mine always and forever, Dorian Henry.”
“More than okay with it.” He took my face in his hands and kissed me.
I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him back with all the pent up love and adoration I had to give.
He dragged the dress down my arms, and I unbuttoned his shirt. We were going to seal our love with more than a kiss and I was finally ready.
A loud pop sounded from the dresser.
Surprised, we both looked over.
A piece of the gem fell onto the floor. “It broke,” I said, standing up. Dorian did
too, and we went to it, bending to get a closer look.
“It looks like there’s something inside,” I said, and heard the wonder in my voice.
“It’s a—”
“Vampire,” I finished, as the most adorable pair of lavender eyes fluttered open. “I think.” The face of an angel, I thought, moving closer, remembering the depictions I saw in the Museum of the Supernatural.
More pieces of the flecked ebony gem broke away, making it easier to see all of her. There was no doubt it was a vampire, and she had wings.
“It’s a girl,” Dorian stated.
“I noticed,” I said. She was tiny, the size of Dorian’s fist. Black wings were tucked against the back of her human body with a shuck of silky black hair covered her head.
“Did you know about this?” he asked, scooping her into his hand. The baby vampire shivered, and he cupped his hand around her. I ran into the bathroom, trying to keep my dress up with one hand. With the other, I pulled a hand towel from the counter and rushed back.
“No,” I finally answered, shaking my head in shocked amazement.
Dorian took the towel and carefully wrapped it around her. She sighed contentedly.
I reached the tip of my finger out, and she grabbed hold with one hand, sinking her teeth into my flesh. My heart melted.
“A baby,” he whispered. He was astonished, and I completely understood.
“A baby vampire,” I added. “With wings.” Sated, she released my finger and snuggled down in the towel. I shook my head. Was she the next step in the evolution of the vampires? A human-looking original, but with wings. I thought of Silindra and knew she would approve. At that thought, something inside my head snapped and like the unfurling of flower petals, I felt Silindra’s consciousness come to attention.
She’s perfect, Silindra said.
She is, I responded, wondering what it all meant.
I think the time will soon come for my mind and my body to become one again.
Your body is gone, Silindra. You’ll—
“Snow? How are we going to explain her?” Dorian looked at me, a confused expression on his face.
I shook my head. We’ll talk later. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe we don’t tell anyone. Maybe we keep this between you, me, and…” I smacked my forehead. “Abernathy can tell us what to do. That sneaky dragon probably knew what the gem was all along.”
Dorian stroked her hair with one of his fingers. She appeared to be sleeping.
“What should we name her?” he asked quietly.
A name immediately popped into my head. “Jasmine,” I answered.
Dorian chuckled softly. “I like it.”
“It’s strange. She isn’t covered in hair, like the original vampires were. Like Silindra was. Her body is like ours. Human in nature.”
“She’s a new kind of original, then. Not exactly the same as the first, but similar,” Dorian said.
“I think so.”
His gaze caught mine. “Is this where I say, ‘And they lived happily ever after’?” He grinned.
I snickered. “No, this is where we say, ‘They lived… triumphantly.’” I leaned in, careful of baby the vampire, seeing a little of Silindra in her wings. Silindra loved her wings. And she died believing she was the last of her kind. The baby vampire Dorian held in his hands would be Silindra’s legacy. Though Jasmine was slightly different, she was also the same.
A vampire with wings, I thought excitedly.
Dorian nuzzled my cheek with his nose, and I smiled. “Were you going to kiss me, or did you change your mind?” I asked playfully.
Dorian inched his lips so they barely brushed against mine. “You’re the most powerful supernatural creature on Earth; what do you think?” His lips pressed against mine and I felt it down to my toes.
Chapter 35
Happily ever after was never something I believed would be possible—not for me. Yet I was given exactly that. As I lay in my bed, listening to Dorian’s deep breathing, I admired our bedroom in the castle.
It was large and decorated in the finest linens in shades of gold, white, and cream. Thick, soft drapes hung from the windows, keeping out the morning light surely blazing against them, and a sparkling chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling. There was a fireplace to the left where a loveseat, chairs, and a coffee table were situated. To the right was the entrance to our walk-in closet and beside that, our bathroom.
It was beyond comfortable. Royal, in fact. But also homey. Jasmine’s bedroom was next to ours. How I loved her. She was the most amazing child. A year ago, she grew out of her crib and we moved her into a toddler bed.
But as I gazed on the man lying next to me—the man of my dreams—I was awed by my good luck. Dorian. My gorgeous husband and best friend looked so peaceful. He was sleeping on his back, without a shirt, the white sheet pooled at his waist, giving me an amazing view.
“Snow, what are you doing?” His voice was hoarse with sleep, but his eyes stayed shut.
“Just watching my gorgeous husband. You aren’t going to deny me, are you?” I smiled, then leaned in and kissed him on the mouth.
He growled softly as his arms came around me, rolling us so he was on top. Then he lips were on mine. Soft and urgent. I would never get enough of him. Not in a thousand years.
“I would never deny you, my queen,” he said, after a long while.
“You’re such a sweet-talker. It’s a wonder I’ve still got my figure.” I smirked, enjoying our banter and the scent of him. He always smelled so good.
“Your figure is deliciously perfect.” He pulled the sleeve of my nightgown off my shoulder before kissing a trail up to my neck.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I said, running my hands along his muscled arms, up to his shoulders, and down his back. At the scar where the Unknowns’ blade had driven into him over and over, I paused.
It was a month since we married. In that time, I discovered Dorian still suffered some pain in the area. I used the power of the Seal to heal it, but even I could sense that it wouldn’t completely mend. It was frustrating, but Dorian always played it off like it was nothing and made me promise not to tell Professor Pops or his brothers, so they didn’t worry.
As my fingers tenderly caressed the scar, he flinched. “Dorian, I think we should talk to Abernathy about—”
“My lover, I’m fine. Let’s not and say we did.” He winked and I laughed. “My first and most important priority this morning is to kiss every inch of you.”
My hands were locked loosely around his neck. He kissed each collarbone before trailing kisses along my chest and down my stomach. I put my hands above my head, enjoying the touch of his lips against my skin.
Since becoming the new vampire queen, life was busy. Beyond busy, but Dorian made sure we took time for ourselves, too. And without a doubt, I loved our alone time together. Nothing in the world mattered as much as being his wife.
Dorian kissed around my navel and I shuddered, pressing up against his mouth. In the last month, he showed me things—
“Mommy. Daddy. Are you awake?” Our door swung open.
Dorian quickly rolled off me and onto the edge of the bed where he swung Jasmine into his arms. “Hello, my little peanut.”
I quickly adjusted my gown, watching the two of them. They were so sweet together. Dorian was a great father and Jasmine loved every moment they spent together. In the last year she went from baby to toddler, and when Dorian tossed her in the air, Jasmine spread her wings, hovering above him and giggling like she was the happiest creature in the world. Her black wings were large, too big for her body, and feathered, soft as silk. According to Abernathy, our daughter would grow into them, but for now, her wings almost swallowed her.
“Yes, we’re up,” I said, once I was decent.
Dorian set her on the bed, and she used her wings to come to me, jumping up into my arms. I hugged her tight. “Jasmine,” I said, kissing her cheek.
She released me and ran ba
ck to Dorian. Once he was sitting against the padded headboard and she was snuggled into his arms, he took one of her hands in his. “How’s my girl?”
“Good, but Daddy?” She patted his face with her tiny hands. “I want unicorn blood for breakfast. And then I want to play with Sabrina.”
Sabrina was her best friend and a pixilette. The two of them spent most of every day together. Or, at least as much as they could.
Dorian smiled. “You’ve got your day planned out, then?”
She nodded. My heart squeezed. They had a special bond, one I found amazing and the slightest bit confusing.
Dorian adored Jasmine, and she reciprocated. Adoration radiated from them both. It was something I never had with my dad. Watching the two of them together filled my heart with such joy and sadness. I wondered where my father was, if he was okay. I hoped so. It still brought tears to my eyes that he missed my wedding. Mom came, but she hadn’t lingered. Not for long. She was busy helping Gabe and the other chayot or assisting the elves with their transition. It was never easy to make such big changes, but my mom was a champion and so committed to helping supernatural creatures of all kinds find a home for themselves.
“Have you decided to drink blood yet?” Jasmine asked Dorian, her face serious. She still didn’t understand that he wasn’t like her and figured that since she drank blood so should her dad.
I waited for his answer. Since he saved my life, he changed. Magic flowed through him now. His body was infused with power. Yet the wound on his back still refused to heal completely.
We talked about changing him into a vampire. In some ways it made sense, but whenever I thought about the decision, it didn’t feel right.
Dorian shook his head. “Not yet.” He gave me a tiny smile. “I’m still waiting.”
I smiled, knowing what he wanted, but worried it wasn’t an option. There was still so much about him we didn’t know, and I wouldn’t throw his life away for my own selfishness.
Queen of the Vampires: Snow White Reimagined with Vampires and Dragons (Seven Magics Academy Book 3) Page 14
