“I don’t know, Valerian. Ask me again tomorrow, I think I am still in shock right now.” Her arms circled around his waist and she laid her cheek carefully against his chest. She felt the secure warmth of Valerian’s arms come around her and she felt safe.
“Will there be a tomorrow for us, Kaitlin?” He had to know. He had to find out if she rejected him or not. Her concern for him when he was fighting Rovenski had been a healing balm to his broken heart, but he dared not expect her to suddenly come running to him.
Kaitlin pulled back slightly and looked up into wary green eyes of the vampire she knew now that she could not live without. She couldn’t explain it, she didn’t even want to try, but she knew she loved him beyond reason. “Yes, Valerian, there will be a tomorrow for us. I love you.”
“Dio Katy, Ti amo!” Valerian bent his head and captured her lips in a deep kiss. He groaned as he thrust his tongue between her lips and tasted of her sweetness.
Kaitlin tightened her arms around his waist as she moved closer against him, bumping against his wounded shoulder. Valerian winced in pain and Kaitlin pushed away from him. “Oh god, Valerian, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, piccola. Come back here.” He tried to reach for her, but Kaitlin danced back out of his reach.
“No Valerian, you are hurt. You need to go rest, heal or whatever it is you do.”
Valerian sighed, letting his arms drop to his sides. She was right, of course. He did need to go rest and heal. “I must feed first before I go to the earth. Let me take you home.”
Kaitlin’s eyes widened. “Feed? What do you mean? You are gonna go kill someone?”
Valerian raised an amused eyebrow. “No piccola, a vampire does not need to kill in order to feed. We only take what is needed, then we leave the person without remembering they had been fed upon. It is not at all that bad.”
“Oh.”
Valerian watched the emotions change across her face as she took in this bit of information and filed it away. “Come piccola, I’ll take you home.”
Valerian moved to take her in his arms, but she pulled away again and looked up at him. “Feed from me,” she stated calmly.
“What?” He wasn’t sure if he had heard her right.
“Take what you need from me. No sense in you having to go out and look for someone in your condition when you can just take what you need from me.”
Valerian studied her carefully, his heart leaping at her offer. “Are you sure, Kaitlin?”
“Will it hurt?”
“I will make sure that it doesn’t, bella,” he answered softly. “We can control the amount of pain you feel from the bite. We can make it pleasurable or we can make it excruciating.”
Kaitlin nodded as she moved closer to him. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes tight. Valerian watched her with a smile twitching around his lips. “I’m ready, Valerian.”
He laughed then as he pulled her into his arms. “Bella, bella, I swear to you that you will enjoy it. Come, I will take you home where we will be more comfortable.” Kaitlin moved into the circle of his arms and clung to him as they disappeared from the study.
Reappearing in Kaitlin’s apartment, she looked up at him, a bit nervous. She stepped away from him and found the light switch and turned on the living room light. Not being one who liked to beat around the bush, Kaitlin turned back and faced Valerian.
“I don’t have to become a vampire yet, do I?”
Valerian raised an eyebrow. “What brought that up?”
“Seeing what happened to Megan.”
“I see.” Valerian moved around to sit on the couch. He winced at the pain in his shoulder and shifted until he was more comfortable.
“Can I get you any aspirin?” Kaitlin asked concerned.
Valerian laughed. “Aspirin does not help, bella, but thank you for offering.”
“Oh. Well?” She wanted an answer to her question. She loved Valerian and she knew that eventually she would ask to be turned into what he was, but she needed to know more first. She also needed to settle things first with her job, with Mac, etc.
“No bella. If being a vampire turns you off that much, you do not have to become one of us. But you will grow old and I will stay as I am. I will stay with you until you take your last breath and then I will meet the sun the next morning,” he explained. His answer startled Kaitlin.
“Why in God’s name would you commit suicide?” she asked.
Valerian sighed. He was weak and needed blood and his patience was starting to wear thin. “Katy, you are my mate. Once a vampire finds their mate they can not be separated or it will kill them both.”
“We’ve been separated for several days, Valerian,” she pointed out.
“And it’s been hell on me. Didn’t you feel it at all?” Their eyes met across the room and Valerian knew without having to touch her mind that she had felt it. “Come here, bella,” he commanded gently.
Kaitlin hesitated for only a moment, then she crossed the room and sat down next to him on the couch. She knew he was in pain and a twinge of guilt washed over her. Here he was in pain, needing blood and she was arguing with him.
“Forgive me, Valerian,” she begged softly. “What do I do?”
Valerian reached for her and drew her across his lap. Kaitlin started to protest, worried about his shoulder, but Valerian held on to her and cut her protests short with a kiss. She laid her hand against his cheek as his mouth moved against hers. His tongue tangled with hers in a sensuous dance that left them both breathless.
“Katy,” he groaned against her lips. Kaitlin gasped softly when she felt his fangs graze against her jaw line as he left a wet trail to her throat. She moved her hand to clutch his thick mane. Suddenly it was important to her that he know how she felt.
I love you, Valerian, and I do want to become a vampire someday and spend eternity with you. I just need some time. This has all just happened so quickly.
Valerian’s arms tightened around her as he growled against her throat. His tongue stroked over her pulse and he could feel the blood flowing beneath her skin.
There is no rush, piccola. We have time and I promise I will answer all your questions later.
Take what you need, my love.
Valerian groaned as his arms tightened even more around her. Her trust was everything to him. His fangs sank into the softness of her throat and he drank. Kaitlin gasped softly at the sensations that rushed through her body. She clutched at his hair and pulled him harder against her neck. After a few moments he withdrew his fangs and gently caressed the tiny wound on her throat. He inhaled deeply of her sweet scent and felt the strengthening of their bond as her blood now ran in his veins.
“Ti amo, Katy,” he whispered against her ear. “Per sempre (forever)!”
“How do you feel, Megan?” Nick followed her into her old room. They would not sleep there, but it was as private a place as any for them to talk and they both needed to clean up.
Nick was not looking forward to this conversation. He thought he had put his past behind him and had never planned to look back, but now he was faced with it again and he hoped he did not alienate Megan by having kept it from her.
“I feel strange, Nick. Everything is so much more intense that it’s nearly overwhelming.” She moved into the room and sat on the bed. “Colors are brighter and deeper, I can smell everything, sounds are clearer, and dear god, when I was talking with Kaitlin, I swear I could actually hear her blood running through her veins.”
Nick smiled. “You did hear her blood, cara mia.”
“I’m hungry, Nick. Do I need to drink more blood?” The expression on her face caused Nick to laugh. It was a look of annoyance. Her eyes flashed up at him. “You are laughing at me!”
“Forgive me, amore. It’s just, well you made it sound like having to drink more blood was getting in the way.”
“Well, it is. I want to know who those people were that were here tonight and I want to know why they called you their Prince and me, Princess. I do NOT want to deal with going out and drinking more blood when we have such a short time left before the sun comes up.” Megan paused in her tirade then she smiled at Nick. “Do I get to sleep with you? When the sun is up?”
“Absolutely. We will never be separated again, Megan.” Nick moved closer to her and caressed her cheek with his fingers. She needed to feed. He could see it in her eyes; it hummed between them through their bond. He could not continue until she was taken care of. “Wait here, I will return quickly.”
“Where are you-”
But Nick disappeared. Megan sighed as she glanced around the room, the hunger clawing at her insides. Would it always be like this? This incessant hunger? Was this what Nick went through every minute of every day? She stood up suddenly, unable to stay still. She paced the room. Where did he go? Why did he leave? How long would he be gone?
She felt his deep chuckle vibrate through her. Relax, dolcezza! I will answer all your questions in time. Right now I am just getting us a little midnight snack. Why don’t you draw yourself a bath and I’ll return in just a few minutes?
Megan sighed. What was wrong with her? A bath does sounds nice.
There is nothing wrong with you, Megan. You have gone through a big change and it will take some time to adjust. I’ll join you when I return.
Megan entered the bathroom turned the water on in the tub and began filling it. After dumping in some scented oil, she striped off her dirty clothes and went to stand in front of the mirror. She wanted to see if she had changed any, but when she got there she saw nothing. She cast no reflection.
“Well shit,” she exclaimed. “I guess there is no such thing as a vain vampire.”
Turning the water off, Megan sank down into the warm water and sighed softly, closing her eyes. It was hard for her to believe that Rovenski was finally gone and that she was now a vampire herself. Megan smiled. She had eternity with Nick now, they could finally be happy.
She felt the fullness of Nick’s lips against hers as he bent over the tub and kissed her. She felt the scrape of his beard against her cheek and the tickle of his long hair against her breasts as the curled ends dangled down into the water.
“Nicolae.”
Nick slowly explored the inside of her mouth with his tongue. He took his time enjoying the exquisite taste of her. She was his now. For all eternity! He pulled back and stripped his clothes off. Megan moved so that he could join her in the large tub. Turning to face him, she straddled his hips as he stretched out his long legs. She moved over him, guiding his hard length to her wet opening and then slowly sank down until he filled her completely. Megan gritted her teeth as he stretched her. Good lord, even sex was more intensified! No wonder Nick was always afraid he’d hurt her. She felt as if every nerve ending in her body was ready to explode, and they had just gotten started.
Her breath left her in a whoosh as she settled down on him, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Their eyes met and Nick grinned.
“Vamping out on me already?” Megan smiled, revealing her fangs. Slowly, she began to rock against him.
“I have no control over it, Nick,” she moaned as Nick’s hands gripped her around the waist.
“You will learn control, cara mia. I will teach you.” His breathing was becoming more erratic as she moved her hips back and forth, up and down, slowly, methodically. The water sloshed around them as he released her waist and raised his hands up to frame her face. He pulled her head down to him for a kiss. Their tongues tangled together as his hands dropped down to cover her breasts. His thumbs brushed tantalizingly over her hard nipples, causing Megan to groan. The sensation was like an electrical current, and she arched her back, pressing her breasts harder against his hands.
It also caused her to pick up the pace of her rocking hips. She couldn’t help it, her whole body thrummed. She felt so alive! Alive with desire for the man who filled her body, alive with love for the man who filled her heart! Then suddenly their minds merged together and she was feeling what he was and he her. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before and she cried out, throwing her head back as Nick bent his head and drew a taunt nipple into his mouth. Water was splashing over the sides of the tub as Nick moved back and forth between her nipples, paying homage to each one over and over until Megan thought she might scream.
Megan heard a roaring sound in her head as her climax approached. It frightened her; she felt out of control. Her head snapped forward. “Nick, help me!” she cried out.
Nick pulled back slightly, then cocked his head to the side, exposing his throat to her. Megan swallowed hard, her eyes locking in on the pulse that beat there. She hesitated.
It’s all right, cara. I give to you willingly as your mate.
Nick . . .
Drink.
Megan licked her lips, then as she continued to rock wildly against him, she bent her head and sank her fangs into his throat. Her body climaxed as his sweet blood filled her mouth. She heard Nick cry out hoarsely as his body jerked beneath hers. His hands gripped her waist hard as he held her still. His hips worked hard pumping himself deep within her. Finally he stilled, his arms coming around to circle her and hold her against him as she continued to drink.
Megan saw nothing but a red haze, felt nothing but the need to drink and drink. She felt the body beneath her shift and she used her newfound strength to pin it to the tub beneath them. She had no coherent thoughts, only the beast that roared in her head.
Megan.
She heard the soft calling of her name through the frenzied haze of her mind. She growled.
Ti amo, Megan.
Strong arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer. She hesitated, her mind clearing, the red haze fading. She knew that voice. She felt the warm familiar touch of his mind meld with hers. She reached for it, allowed it to surround her, comfort her.
Nicolae?
Welcome back, dolcezza.
Megan gently removed her fangs and lovingly caressed the pin pricks with her tongue. She sat up and gasped softly when she saw Nick’s pale face. She could sense he was weak from blood loss.
“Oh my god, Nick, I’m so sorry!” she cried out.
Nick gave her a weak smile. “It’s alright, Megan. It’s a common occurrence with fledglings. You will learn to control it.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?” Megan asked as she gently slid her hand around to the back of his head and pulled him forward until his lips grazed the hollow of her throat. She felt the scrape of his fangs against her skin, then the quick sharp prick and she inhaled sharply as he began to drink. Moments later, she felt the caress of his tongue and he leaned back again. “Did you get enough?”
“Yes.”
Megan eased off him and she stood up. She stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel. Glancing over at Nick, she saw him watching her as she dried herself off. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He gathered himself and stood up. The water rushed off him and Megan drew in a breath at the beauty of his muscular body.
“I think we made a mess.” Megan glanced around, trying to distract herself before she attacked him again. She heard his deep chuckle and her gaze snapped up to meet his. He knew her thoughts and he winked at her.
Dropping the towel, Nick stepped forward and drew Megan into his arms. He dipped his head to kiss her and when he broke the kiss moments later, they were standing in a different room. Megan jumped slightly and looked around. Candles lit the beautifully decorated room. There were no windows and only one door. A huge canopied bed sat in the middle against the wall.
“Where are we?”
“This is where I come to rest when the sun is up.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “This is where we will rest together.”
Megan smiled. “I like that. No more leaving me at dawn.”
Nick leaned close; his dark eyes were intense and held a promise of their future. “We will never be apart again.” Megan shivered and moved closer to him.
Nick waved his hand and the bed covers turned down by themselves. Megan watched, fascinated. “Can I do that too?”
Nick laughed. “In time, cara. Some things come with age, others you have the power to do now, you just need to learn to control them and use them properly.”
They crawled under the covers and Megan snuggled up to Nick as he wrapped his arms around her. Megan placed a kiss over his heart then laid her cheek there. “Tell me,” she commanded softly, and he knew she wasn’t asking about her new powers.
It was time. Nick knew he could no longer delay the inevitable. She had to know, but he dreaded her reaction. Would she accept it? Would she accept who he was? Would she accept the role that he must step back into? Physically, she could never leave him. They were bound together by the bond they shared. She was his chosen, just as he was hers. If she tried to leave, in time it would kill them both. They could not be separated for long! Only the death of one of them could break the bond they shared, but in doing that it would kill the other, driving the one left behind into severe depression, leaving them with no will to live. Physically, she could never leave him, but she could still reject who he was. She could reject the role that had been cast upon him to play. He was the chosen Prince. He was the one crowned to rule over the vampires. He thought he could walk away from it, leave it behind, but obviously, he could not. He had no choice; it was in his blood. He should have known better. After all, it was written.
“I am the Prince of the vampires.” He felt Megan still against him. He waited for her reaction.
“I’m listening,” she whispered softly.
Nick closed his eyes and sighed his relief. She was willing to listen and it was more than he had dared hope for.
“Long ago, it was written that one would rise among the vampires, a direct descendant of Vlad the Impaler, or as you would know him, Dracula. He would be the chosen, the Prince to gather all the vampires and lead them into peace with the mortals.”
“Wait a minute!” Megan rose up on her elbow and looked down at Nick. “Are you trying to tell me there was an actual Dracula?”
Nick smiled at the disbelieving look on her face. “Yes, cara, there was an actual vampire named Dracula. He was the first. All vampires descend from him. But I descend from him in blood. Before he became vampire, he was human and had a family.”
Warily Megan nodded and lay back down against his chest to listen to the rest of this incredible story. “I’m sorry, continue please.”
“I rejected my role in the beginning. I did not want to be the Prince of anything, but gradually I accepted it and took my place to rule over all vampires. Once rules were implemented and kept, things settled down and the vampires blended in with the mortals.” Nick’s hand absently stroked Megan’s arm.
“So where does Marianne and Rovenski fit into all of this?” Megan asked curiously.
“I met Marianne during the time I was rejecting my place among the vampires. I was in a state of denial, rejecting everything, including what little we knew of a chosen mate for every vampire. It was so rare for a vampire, even then to find his or her chosen mate that I decided I would choose for myself. Marianne was my victim and because of my selfishness, she was killed,” he answered harshly. Megan’s flattened her hand on his chest and began to move it in a small circular motion. It had a soothing effect on Nick and he sighed softly. His hand came up to cover hers and he brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers.
“Rovenski and I fought and he escaped. I swore vengeance for Marianne’s death, but Rovenski continued to elude me. Depressed, I went to Naples, Italy. There I met Valerian. It was Valerian that convinced me to seek my revenge by accepting my role as Prince. So I did. Eventually Rovenski and I met again. We battled and it nearly killed us both. He escaped again, but barely. I heard his wounds were so great he had to go to the earth for a long, long time. I too was badly wounded. It took many years for me to eventually get back to my full strength. When I finally did, I had changed. I had become bitter with my life. I had no one to share it with and I was becoming more and more angry. I had been vampire for 1300 years and Prince for 800 years when I walked away.”
“They just let you go?”
Nick nodded. “They had no choice. I refused to lead.”
“So what did you do for 200 years besides become a P.I.?” Megan asked.
“Just wandered. Valerian, being the true friend he is, joined me and we traveled everywhere. Spent quite a bit of time back in Italy again, but eventually we ended up here.” Nick smiled. “And then you walked in my door and my life has been turned up side down ever since.”
Megan gasped and swatted him playfully. “You sent me away!”
Nick growled and moved forward quickly, pinning Megan beneath him. “And I was a fool! You were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and you took my breath away. I also saw you ruining my carefully laid out, simple life and I panicked. I had to get you out of there quick.”
Megan enjoyed the weight of him on top of her as she circled her arms around his neck. “What made you change your mind?”
Nick kissed her sweetly. “I would have come for you eventually, because I wouldn’t have been able to stay away no matter how hard I would have tried to convince myself. You were my mate and deep down even then I knew it. But I came when I did because of Rovenski. I could not allow you to become another one of his victims.”
“So now they want you back. Isn’t that what Raven said? The counsel had decided it was time for you to return?”
“Mmmm hmmm.” Nick nipped the sensitive skin beneath her ear. His hips settled between her legs and he easily slid his hard length inside the warmth of her body. Megan wrapped her legs around his as he moved easily within her.
“And are you?”
Nick paused and then lifted his head, their eyes met. “Only if you are by my side.”
“Only death will separate us, my love.” Nick bent his head and kissed her hard. He made love to her again before the sun was high enough that they were forced to seek rest. Megan fell asleep wrapped in his arms. She felt safe and secure and happy.
The end.