Chapter 3
Dulex
I didn’t open my eyes worried where I’d find myself. The pain was excruciating but it wasn’t as bad as it had been when I’d lost consciousness. How could that be? There was no way I’d healed from that iron enough to be alive. I should be dead. They should have won.
But I was alive.
Still with my eyes shut I smelled something delicious. The bear in my head roared and the Fae preened flapping its translucent wings. I pried my eyes open and came face to face with the most beautiful woman Fate had ever created. She smiled at me, and my body went hard. I sucked in a breath.
Mate.
“Holy fuck.”
When her smile disappeared, I realized I said that out loud.
She sat at the edge of the bed and frowned. “Are you hurting really bad?”
I lifted the thin sheet and realized I was naked in a strange bed and my mate was less than two feet away. This had to be heaven. I had literally died and this was my happy place.
“I had to give you my blood. Though I wish I’d known you were Fae too.”
It was then I realized she was a living Vampire. Her fangs extended and she shrugged. “Our kinds don’t get along.”
If that wasn’t obvious. “I know, but why did you give me your blood. “That was what I tasted on my tongue and my mouth watered. I only craved blood in beast form, and not the way a vampire did, but right at this very moment I think I might have understood her in a way that should have come later.
“You weren’t breathing when I found you. I knew as soon as I felt you a week ago. I knew I had to find you, and I did.”
She smiled at me showing fang and dammit if that didn’t turn me rock solid. I’d never liked a Vamp before.
I sat up slowly as to not open the stitches. I looked down.
Stitches.
She must have really taken care of me. “How long?”
Azaria scooted closer bringing that delectable scent with her, and then I realized—it was her.
“A week. I found you and you were out. You haven’t really woken up, but I did all right I think.”
My hand found hers before I could stop it. It was instinct. My beast was nearly salivating to take a bite out of her. “Thank you.”
“Of course, you’re my mate.”
“Who are you?”
She frowned. “Azaria Lucians, Princess to the King and Queen.”
Oh no.
That couldn’t be good. I had the princess of all Vampires holed away in some place, I had no clue, and now I realized I was the mate to a princess. I wasn’t cut out for this. I was an abomination. I wouldn’t be able to survive and be the mate she needed. Not when there was a high price on my head.
“You’re the princess?”
“I just said that.”
“I see.”
This time her lip wobbled and I felt like an ass. I squeezed her hand. “Look at me.”
She glanced up but struggled to meet my eyes.
“Look at me, Ria,” I said softly.
This time she did and licked her lips. “I don’t have to stay.”
Thump-thump.
The others I shared my soul with weren’t happy. The bear roared in rage. The Fae curled its lip and its wings fluttered.
“No, don’t leave. I’m just shocked that Fate deemed me worthy of a mate of your stature.” It was true. I never thought I’d ever find a mate. Better yet, the royal vampire princess.
“If you’re sure. I’d like to stay and help you get better.”
“I want you to stay—for good. Where ever it is we are?”
She laughed. “Oh, it’s an abandoned cabin. I have some people after me.”
Great, I did too and now not only was I on the run but I was harboring someone who would be missed. “Why are you hiding?” If someone hurt her, I would rip their hearts out and feed it to them.
She fidgeted and it was then I knew she didn’t want to share, but I needed to know what we were up against. I knew she could hold her own, but she was my mate. I was bound to take care of her. The bond between us would have to be different. I wasn’t any type of Vampire. “Tell me.”
“I’m supposed to be bonded in a few months. Father ordered it. But I can’t do it. I knew you were out there somewhere.” She chuckled and pushed her hair from her face. “Well I knew my mate was close. Mother told me so. Once I felt your pain.”
That told me everything I needed. “You felt my pain—from the attack?”
“Yes, you were stabbed.”
I sucked in a breath. “I should have died.”
“But I found you, saved you. I don’t know what that means though, since I’m a vampire, and a living one at that. My blood is potent”
With how I healed that was obvious. “Thank you, Ria.” I liked calling her that. I was certain no one else did.
“You’re not out of the woods yet. It could very well backfire.”
I tugged on her pulling her closer. She didn’t fight. When she was next to me I brushed her hair from her face realizing how unruly it was. She leaned into my touch and I sighed. Even through the pain for the first time in my life I felt a sort of contentment I’d never thought was possible. It had everything to do with the very woman sitting next to me. I leaned in, hoping it would be okay and brushed my lips across hers. It was a light touch, but it sent a spark through our bodies. She shivered and leaned into the kiss as if she wanted me to press my lips harder against hers.
I did.
Kissing her was like nothing I’d ever felt before. Her lips were full and soft when they moved against mine. The tip of her fangs peaked out and I ran my tongue along the point.
She gasped when they pricked my tongue and pulled away.
When I looked into her eyes, they glowed. She tried to look away but I gripped her jaw. “Never hide who you are from me.”
She licked the tip of her fang that pierced my tongue and the glow grew brighter. And if that wasn’t the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
“You taste good,” she said and groaned.
I couldn’t agree more about her. I pulled back and smiled. There was no need to rush this. We had plenty of time to create our bond. But first we needed to find a way to survive those who were after us.
***
Azaria
I knew he was my mate before I touched him, but the moment he pressed his lips to mine, it was even more apparent. Lust shot through my body in ways I never knew possible, and just from the smallest of touches. His lips, they were rough, yet smooth at the same time. Who knew a man could make me feel the way he did with just one kiss, and I didn’t even know his name?
“What’s your name?” It should have been the first question I asked. I was more concerned about his wellbeing, at that moment it had been most important.
“Dulex Devore.”
I smiled and held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
But instead of taking my hand in his he leaned towards me and kissed me a second time. This time he pulled me onto his lap and I gasped hen I felt his arousal, and then when he tensed when my body brushed his wound. I’d done the best I could with the stitches, but I was no doctor.
When I would have scooted away, he wrapped his arms around me like steel iron. As much as I wanted to be wrapped up in his arms, I wanted him to heal first. I was strong, but not that strong.
“I’m fine.”
“Right.”
He sighed. “Really, having you close helps. A mate is healing to a shifter.”
That much was true, I knew. Through the years I’d heard that, but mating to a shifter had never even crossed my mind. It was going to cause a rift. Because feeling his arms around me was all it took to realize that I wouldn’t ever go back if it meant I couldn’t be with my mate. If I had to bond with a Vamp I’d wash my hands of my family—but only if Father forced my hand. And I wasn’t sure he’d want to do that. Our family would never rule again.