Noel, Xavier, Gabriel and Adrian entered the room, freezing as they took me in.

“Berenzi, leave us,” Gabriel said sharply. Berenzi hesitated only a moment before obeying, closing the door behind us.

“What’s happening?” I asked, trying not to freak out. “Why is my skin glowing?”

“You haven’t been in Velar since you were a baby,” Xavier said. “It’s the magic contained inside of you. It’s acclimating to your return. It should settle down in a day or two.”

“A day or two?” I gasped. The skin of my arms, chest and legs seemed to be shimmering from the inside. And I could feel little bursts of electricity beneath my skin. I’d felt such sensations occasionally over the years. Had it been my magic all along?

The vampires moved forward until they stood next to me, and the shimmering faded. It was still there, but it was faint.

“How did you do that?” I asked.

“We didn’t do anything, cherie,” Noel said. “It was just our presence which calmed you. As your mates, our presence will always calm you.”

This filled me with both relief and nervousness. Did this mean I’d be on edge if I wasn’t around them?

“And—and if I don’t accept the mating bond?” I asked. I found it was hard to even say the words, as if my entire body was rebelling against them, but I needed to know.

All four of them looked pained at my words.

“It will be difficult at first, but you will learn to contain it,” Xavier said quietly.

“But we intend to do everything in our power to persuade you to accept us,” Gabriel said, his blue eyes holding mine in the reflection.

Heat skittered through me at his words, and I lowered my gaze. I stepped back from the mirror, taking in their attire. They had changed into dark pants and white button down shirts; it was akin to what men wore in my world, but the clothes only made them look more otherworldly. And sexy. Arousal spiraled through me as I took them in.

“You look dashing,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Is this Velarian dinner attire?”

“We thought we’d wear something you’d see on men in your world,” Xavier said, looking sheepishly down at his shirt. “Men here don’t dress too differently—a variation of the pants and shirt. But we do wear cloaks here. The night’s are chilly.”

They’d look sexy in anything; cloaks would only heighten their beauty. My mouth went dry at the thought.

“Before we eat, can I have a tour?” I asked.

“We were going to offer. What kind of hosts would we be if we didn’t, cherie?” Noel asked.

“Lead the way,” I said, smiling.

“This estate belongs to my family,” Gabriel said, leading me out of the room. He gestured to the other vampires. "When we learned we had a shared mate, we all agreed to settle here.”

The estate was even more extensive than I thought. There were at least two dozen rooms: bedrooms, surprisingly modern bathrooms, multiple studies, several dining rooms ranging from intimate to capable of seating fifty people, three sitting rooms, and two large living rooms. There was even a ballroom Xavier told me had once been a throne room.

I was still feeling overwhelmed over the luxury of the estate as they led me into one of the ornate dining rooms.

I took it in. The large circular wooden table was heaped with roasted meats which Noel told me were fowl, bottles of wine, and steamed vegetables. Except for a couple of vegetables I’d never heard of, the food of Velar was familiar, and relief swept through me.

I noticed the vampires had plates of their own filled with food. There were goblets next to each of their plates -- I suspected blood filled them.

I took a deep breath as I took a seat. Now was the time to ask the question I’d been avoiding since learning they were vampires.

“How—how do you get your sustenance?” I asked. “Human myths claim vampires need blood to survive. Is that true?”

The vampires exchanged a glance.

“It is,” Xavier said. “But we do not kill to get our blood. We get blood from animals, or willing fae.”

“There are vampires who kill for blood,” Adrian said. “But it is against the law. The Council made it illegal centuries ago.”

“One thing human myths got wrong,” Gabriel said, looking annoyed, “is that we can’t control ourselves—that we’re constantly thirsting for it. Don’t get me started on your films.”

“Gabriel’s not a fan of human books or movies about vampires,” Adrian said, looking amused.

Relief filled me, and I felt myself relax, until another jealous thought occurred to me.

“Do you take blood from women? Like . . . a sexual thing?”

“We do not,” Noel said, shaking his head. “If we ever drank from any woman, it would be from you. But only if you allow it, and we would only do it once we claimed you, cherie.”

Again, his silver eyes glittered with meaning, and a coil of desire wrapped itself around my body. A rush of dampness soaked my thighs, and I swallowed as erotic images of my vampires filled my mind.

"Were you all OK with sharing a mate?" I asked abruptly, taking a deep gulp of wine. I needed to change the subject, stat.

They looked puzzled.

“No. It’s the way things have been done for generations," Xavier said. "It would be the equivalent of us finding marriage in your world odd."

"And you don't get jealous?"

"Oh, we get jealous," Gabriel said, his voice coming out in a low growl. "Rarely of each other. Of other men, yes. You're ours, Liana. I won't hide that we feel possessive of you, especially around other men. I wanted to break up you and that human man, but I forced myself to stay away."

He was referring to Brian. My face flamed, and a stab of guilt pierced me, though I knew I wasn't at fault. How could I have known I was mated to four gorgeous vampires? That I was from another freaking world?

"We only get jealous of each other if you spend more time with one of us over the rest," Gabriel added. "So you're going to have to give us all your equal attention."

He winked, and I took another gulp of wine as heat coursed through me.

They told me more about Velar. The long days and nights, which were double the length of time in my world. The waters that glittered green and not blue. The massive sun and moon which dominated the sky. The lands that filled this world—Iasau, the grasslands of the north, which was where we were located; Barlad Isles, the islands of the east; Voznes, the surrounding mountains, where hostile vampires lurked, Stryiza, the meadowlands of the south, dominated by fae.

I was listening intently as Gabriel described the seasons, when Noel, Adrian and Xavier got up to leave. I frowned as they filed out of the room after murmuring good night.

"Why are they leaving?” I asked, confused.

“We’re honoring your wishes. You want to get to know each of us individually. It’s best if you spend a little one-on-one time with us," Gabriel said.

“Ah. I see," I said, a flush spreading across my cheeks as Gabriel's blue eyes settled on mine. "Well, then. Tell me about yourself, Gabriel Elouan Clidnol Doirend."

He raised his eyebrows, looking impressed I had remembered his full name.

"What do you want to know?"

"Start with your family. You say this estate belongs to them."

"Yes," he said, his eyes shadowing. "They . . . they were killed. Years ago. Like your parents, my parents and older brother opposed the mating bonds. They weren't fond of fae, I'm ashamed to say. They," he paused, taking a breath, "joined with other vampires who hated fae. They wanted to overthrow the Supreme Council. They were arrested for treason and sentenced to death. But . . . they fled. They are out there somewhere, living in exile."

He expelled a breath, and I realized his eyes shone with tears. I reached out to grip his hand. No wonder he didn't like talking about himself.

"I'm so sorry, Gabriel," I whispered, my heart aching for him.

"They wanted me to choose," he said, his voice wavering as his eyes met mine. "To give you up and come with them. But… I couldn't. I already felt connected to you, I was already dreaming of you. I didn't care if you were fae, vampire or human… I just wanted you. And because of my selfishness—“

"What happened isn't your fault," I said. "They made their choice."

He nodded, expelling another sharp breath. His eyes met mine again, holding them. They darkened with desire.

"And I've made mine."

He lifted his hand to place over mind, his thumb gently stroking my flesh. Little electric shocks danced over my flesh as he did, and my breath caught in my throat.

"You . . . you haven’t been as open as the others,” I said, when I could speak. “I wondered if . . . if maybe you didn’t want me as much as they do.”

In a quick move he had me on my feet, pressing my body close to his. I gasped as I felt his erection grazing my abdomen.

"Oh, I want you Liana," he purred. "Very much so."

He leaned down and claimed my mouth with his. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue probed mine, his arms pressing me even closer to his muscular body. Arousal consumed every part of me, and I was dizzy with desire when he released me.

“Do you still doubt how much I want you?” he asked, his eyes hooded and dark.

“No,” I whispered, touching my lips.

“Good. Now. The depressing part of our date is over," he said, wih a mischievous smile. "I'd like to take you on a walk through the back gardens."

"I'd like that," I said, smiling.

He took my hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm, leading me out of the dining room.

Fragrant flowers both familiar and strange filled the back garden; Gabriel pointed out the ones I didn't recognize. He told me of his childhood growing up here; he and his brother Fredarin would often sneak off to the surrounding woods with stolen ale and wine from the estate's cellars, with friends. He was close to his brother until he became vehemently anti fae.

"Do you miss him?” I asked.

"Very much so," he said with a sigh. "There's a part of me hoping he will change his stance and convince the Council to revoke his sentence, so we can be brothers again."

"Maybe he will," I said, wanting to take away the pain in his eyes.

"I doubt it," Gabriel said, turning to face me. "What matters now is I have my mate here at my side. My focus is on convincing her to stay with me."

He leaned in to kiss me again, and I returned his fervent kiss, aching for him, but he soon released me. Taking me by the arm, he led me up to my rooms, where he again sealed his mouth to mine. I let out an unwitting whimper when he released me; I wanted more. Much more.

“I will make love to you, Liana,” he murmured. “But we will give you time. I want you to choose your place here. To accept it.”

He reached up to touch the side of my face, briefly, before leaving me, to disappear down the hall.