Part 1: Mate's Lore Read online

  Using every last ounce of resolve she had, she turned to face the big vampire. “So you drink blood?” Damn, that’s not what she meant to say.

  His lips twitched in anger?…amusement?

  “Sorry. Forget it. I don’t know what I was thinking. Do I call you Lord or Your Majesty?”

  “You may call me Brant.” This time he did smile and her heart did a flip flop. The cutest dimples appeared on either side of his sinful lips. When he swept his tongue across the expanse of those generous folds, she had to suppress a sigh.

  “As to the blood…” Something flared in his eyes as they dropped to the pulse at her neck. “I only partake from other vampires, so you have nothing to fear.”

  She nodded feeling oddly disappointed. It was like she’d actually felt excitement at the prospect of him biting her. No freaking way.

  “What is your name?” He stretched out on the soft leather seat, his thigh brushed hers. Heat seared at the area where their bodies touched.

  It took a few seconds for her to register that he had spoken. “Oh, um…Tanya Milan.” What an idiot, she extended her hand out.

  His eyes crinkled at the edges, he leaned forward and clasped her hand in his much bigger one. The air must have thinned because she struggled to draw a breath.

  “It is good to meet you Tanya Milan.”

  Man oh man, she was so screwed. She loved the way he said her name. Loved it far too much for a woman trying to escape.

  Chapter 2

  Delicate, delectable so undeniably beautiful he couldn’t help but take her in. Dark hair that cascaded halfway down her back. Tall for a human. Tanya’s curvaceous body had him drooling. She wore a shapeless t-shirt that did nothing to hide lush breasts. Her hips were flared and her ass was shapely enough to take a firm hold of…if the need arose. His cock twitched at the thought of all that warm softness underneath him. Brant tried to adjust his seat, needing to relieve the pressure building behind his unforgiving zipper.

  Another thing he liked was her fierceness with more than enough determination to match.

  “Why did Zane…I mean King Zane choose that woman? She didn’t want him. It’s nothing short of rape.” The moment the words were out, she bit down on her plump bottom lip. Twitchy as a deer down a hunter’s scope.

  It was with great effort that he managed to lift his gaze. Her large hazel eyes were beautifully framed by long, black lashes.

  “It’s understandable that she is afraid, yet you must know that her fear is unjustified. Zane might be a bastard but he would never force himself on a female.”

  “She doesn’t know him and she didn’t look like she wanted anything to do with him.”

  He found himself smiling at her…again…how bizarre. “Are you afraid?”

  “Should I be?”

  Her heart rate remained even. The only time she’d shown any major physical emotion was when he’d shook her hand.

  “Come here,” he patted his lap.

  “I don’t think so.” Her eyes were wide. They gleamed with defiance.

  “I won’t bite. Not much anyway.”

  Her heart sped up. Tanya made a noise of refusal. Brant leaned forward and clasped her by the waist and carefully slid her onto his thighs.

  “No. Hey stop! I really don’t think that this—” she ended the sentence on a sound of frustration. The female squirmed but didn’t try to move away. “I’m too heavy to be—”

  “Bullshit, you weigh no more than a delicate flower.” He left his hands encased around her waist.

  She blushed. The pink complemented her wine stained lips perfectly.

  “I realize that humans don’t have great senses, so it would help if you put your nose into my neck.”

  “No way.”

  “If you were to scent me, you would understand what it is I need to explain to you.” He moved his head to the side and gestured to his neck.

  “I really…” She stammered.

  “Do it.”

  She obeyed. Her hot breath fanned against his skin. A lesser man would’ve reacted by pressing her to him, by having Xavier stop the vehicle so that he could take her. Against a tree, on the soft earth. It wouldn’t matter just as long as he was inside her.

  He may be a vampire, but that didn’t make him an animal. She squirmed some more but his hands held her firmly in place. If she moved just a little bit higher she’d know exactly how she was affecting him.

  “And?” he raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

  Her pulse raced. Her breathing was uneven. The scent of arousal filled the confines of the vehicle.

  “And what?” her voice was shaky.

  “Do you like the way I smell?”

  “You smell…fine.” The scent of arousal kicked up another notch. His driver turned up the fan on the air conditioner.

  Brant chuckled. “My turn.” He buried his face into the soft skin at the base of her neck and inhaled deeply. Tanya moaned. His cock hardened up a whole lot more. He ached with the need to bury himself in her. “Fucking delicious.”

  She tensed. He hadn’t meant to say that.

  “Please don’t eat me.”

  “I promise that when I…eat you, you’ll love every minute.” He pulled back catching her look of shock as her cheeks flushed.

  Part of him wanted to apologize, but she was here as his soon to be mate. His chosen female. If he were to follow tradition, he would bed her immediately. Seal the deal as soon as they made it back to the manor house, but some traditions could be altered. Brant would give her a chance to come to terms with her circumstances first before making her his.

  “Okay, if you can’t admit what your senses are telling you, I’ll be honest then for the both of us.”

  She tried to look away, so he took hold of her chin. “I love your scent, I will even begin to crave it once we are mated. Of all the other females at the ceremony today, I picked you because I could scent that we would be sexually compatible. On a baser, instinctual level, you will feel the same way about me. I will not have to force you to my bed just as Zane will not have to force his female.” Brant had known the second he’d stepped onto the platform that this human was the one. He hadn’t zoned in on her immediately for fear of Zane choosing her out of spite. He wouldn’t put such a move past a bastard like him.

  That lush ripe lip went back between her teeth.

  “Stop that.”

  She gasped, “Stop what?”

  “You keep biting on your lip. It’s distracting me, makes me want to kiss you.”

  Tanya’s eyes widened and she pursed her lips instead. This was going to be a very long few days. He wanted a relationship born out of mutual respect. If that meant taking it slow then so be it. Brant would not push her into anything she wasn’t ready for.

  “Oh my,” she gasped.

  They had driven through the main gates and were rounding the bend. The manor house had come into view in all of its magnificent glory.

  “Is this where your people live?”

  He tried to suppress a laugh, but failed. “No, I live here. The grounds are vast, no need to share.”

  “Just you?”

  He nodded, “And my staff.”

  “Where does Zane live?”

  ****

  Brant turned to stone beneath her. His hands tightened on her waist almost to the point of pain.

  “Why do you want to know so much about him?” His dark gaze held hers.

  If she didn’t know better she would think he was jealous. “I’m interested and I don’t want to hear that girl’s screams.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Any screams you would hear would be screams of pleasure. I assure you. Unless…” he paused. “Never mind. Zane does not live here. We are birth enemies. You will not see him again.”

  “Birth enemies? What does that mean?”

  “Our fathers were enemies before we were born which makes us birth enemies.”

  “Sheesh, talk about holding a grudge.”

  He shook his head in what seemed like disbelief. A half smile graced his glorious mouth. “If it helps any, we are no longer at war. A truce has existed for the last twenty or so years.”

  “But you don’t chat?”

  The smile grew. “No, we very definitely do not chat.”

  “He’s not your brother or anything is he?”

  “No. Enough about Zane.” A low growl.

  Tanya had to work to keep herself from biting her lip. Having Brant kiss her would be bad. Oh so very bad considering she still had to convince him to let her go.

  The vehicles ground to a halt directly in front of a set of stairs that led to immense double doors. Tanya had meant to ask him how old he was, but she couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful house and surrounding grounds. Two wings of old school with a distinctly modern twist. Slanting slate roof tiles with wooden, roof trusses and enormous glass windows. Flat green lawns, a lake, even a sprawling forest. Acres of land as far as the eye could see.

  Brant cleared his throat. Her eyes shot to his. He looked amused. His big hands squeezed her waist.

  Oh heck. They’d been parked for several minutes and she still sat on his lap. She scrambled off, turning to face the opposite door. Brant took her hand. “This way.” He grinned at her and out popped those dimples. She had the ridiculous urge to kiss them. Not going there.

  The iron knocker was shaped like a bat. Someone’s idea of a sick joke? Everybody knew that vampires did not turn into flipping flapping night creatures.

  The interior of the house was somewhere beyond impressive, more into the realm of awe inspiring. Plush carpets, gleaming wooden floors and big crystal chandeliers. Real crystal no doubt. A nobody like her didn’t belong in this world.

  “So, you’re seriously loaded?”

  Brant chuckled, “Old money.”

  “And a fair amount of it is new…” A tall woman said as she rounded the corner.

  She was regal in stature. Her short, bleach blond hair was slicked back to her scalp. Big blue eyes and a full mouth completed the picture. She was riveting.

  “Tanya, meet Stephany. My assistant.”

  “Are you a vampire?”

  Stephany winked. “A woman not afraid to speak her mind. I can tell I’m going to like you.” She inclined her head. “Yes, I’m a vampire.” They shook hands. “I’m sure you’re tired from your…ordeal, can I show you to your quarters?”

  Brant turned to face her. “Stephany will take care of your needs. I’ll see you at dinner.” He flashed her a half smile.

  Tanya nodded and allowed herself to be led by the other woman, she could feel Brant’s eyes on her as she followed Stephany up the tall staircase.

  Her quarters turned out to be bigger than her whole apartment.

  “Jesus…I mean goodness. This place is stunning.”

  The tall vampire turned to face her. “I can tell why Brant chose you.”

  “Oh, you mean another reason other than I smell like I might be a good fuck...” She bit her bottom lip. “Apologies, I’m trying not to swear so much.”

  The other woman laughed. “Please don’t hold back on my account. All relationships need to start somewhere and if you ask me, being good together in bed is a good foundation. You seem”—the vampire walked over to her and ran her hands firmly down her arms and hips—“sturdy enough.”

  Tanya choked. When she finally managed to get herself together she asked, “Is sturdy a nice way of saying overweight?”

  “Hardly. It’s just that humans are so soft and fragile, some more than others, our males can break you very easily. That is why it is forbidden for us to be with your kind.”

  “So why the whole every hundred year thing? Brant said that he wouldn’t bite and he said that although he would eat me”—she felt her cheeks heat—“it wouldn’t be in the way I was thinking. Now you’re telling me that there’s a chance he’ll break me? I have to put an end to this. I’m sure he can choose someone else.”

  Stephany shook her head, and clasped her hands. “He cannot choose another as he has already chosen you. Once a king has chosen, he may not choose again.” Stephany’s blue eyes widened. “I’ve already said too much. This is not for me to divulge. You must speak with Brant.”

  “Please, Stephany. I don’t want to die. I want to go home.” She squeezed the other woman’s hand.

  “This is your home. Just be thankful it was Brant that chose you and not Zane.” She looked away and sighed before putting her glazier eyes back on her. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. Brant is a good man. He will be careful. There is a risk of damage during mating. Not all humans survive.”

  Fuck, oh fuck.

  Tanya had to try and get away. As soon as it was dark she’d escape.

  “Damage,” she choked out the word. “What do you mean by damage?”

  “I’ve said too much already, I will draw a lavender bath.” She turned and disappeared through a door. Tanya followed. It turned out to be a huge restroom complete with a jacuzzi bath. Stephany turned the faucets. “Relax. Freshen up. I’ll send for Alexandra to massage and dress you.”

  “Relax?” As if. “I still don’t understand. Why does he need to mate with a human in the first place? I’m sure they could have their pick of vampire females that could handle them.”

  Stephany shook her head, her face clouded. “Although on the rare occasion, it is possible for vampires to breed with one another, our wombs will not quicken with royal seed. The whole turn a human into a vampire myth is just that, a myth.”

  What the…heck? “Are you trying to tell me that they are taking mates to bare their children?”

  “Their heirs. It is imperative that the bloodlines continue, this is for the safety of the covens. The shifters…or the elven-kind would exterminate our species in years to come otherwise. If the kings do not take human females then the royal lines would die out. With the lack of dominant royal blood to rule, our species would become extinct. The covens would eventually implode.”

  Her fate, it seemed, was sealed. If she somehow managed to survive the mating, she would end up barefoot and pregnant. Locked away in this beautiful prison.

  No freaking way.

  Chapter 3

  Tanya’s heart pounded in her chest. “Where is he?” That vampire king needed a piece of her mind. She turned and strode out of the restroom, through the bedroom and into the hall.

  “You need your rest. Brant is…busy. He wouldn’t want to be disturbed.”

  “Well tough luck for him.” She kept moving, glancing into each of the rooms as she passed them. Decadence personified, but she would not allow herself to get drawn in by all of this. She wasn’t some kind of baby making machine and neither was she a pin cushion. If he thought that she would just agree then he was mad.

  None of the rooms were occupied so she made for the stairs. The reception, living area and kitchen were all empty. Maybe the second wing. To the right was the twin, marble staircase.

  “Please don’t. He’ll be mad.”

  Great. She was getting warmer. Tanya made quick work of the stairs and strode down the hall. There was a definite noise, just ahead, to the left.

  Not just a noise, it had been a gasp. Distinctly female.

  Tanya rounded the corner. There were two people on the bed. Tanya clasped the doorjamb when she realized that the man was Brant. His big stature, broad back, dark hair. Definitely him. His shirt was off. The woman beneath him was in jeans and a bra, her breasts heaved. His face was at her neck. The woman moaned.

  Her first instinct was to creep back out. To walk away. But hell…he had brought her here. Had chosen her as his future mate, yet here he was…drinking from another woman. The woman in question moaned again. It sounded like she was halfway to an orgasm. Her slender fingers slid around his neck as her hand tightened on his bicep.

  “No fucking way.” Tanya was grateful that her voice sounded just as angry as she felt. His head spun. His dark eyes widened as they landed on her. In one graceful motion, he leapt, coming to a crouching halt in front of her. Blood on his lips, fangs extended. Brant pulled himself to his full height.

  His massive chest had a smattering of hair. His biceps bulged as his hands pulled into fists. If it weren’t for the half naked woman on the bed behind him, she’d have found him attractive. Much to her irritation her body reacted to him even though he was a grade A asshole.

  “Leave,” his voice sent fearful shivers rushing through her.

  She took a tentative step back.

  “Not you.”

  There was a distinct sound of rustling as the woman got up and gathered her top. Instead of leaving, she stepped in next to Brant. Blood dripped from the two holes on her neck. Leaving no room for error on what they had been doing, or more precisely what he had been doing to her. Although Tanya had no rights over this man, she burned with anger. Jealous over a stranger. Frustrated because he held all the cards.

  The vampire female was tall. So far that seemed a prerequisite. She was slim with perky breasts. Perfectly straight shoulder length hair encased a startlingly attractive face. The woman slid her eyes down the length of Tanya’s body. A smirk quickly took residence on her face.

  “I see you chose a robust specimen.”

  Brant growled. Tanya seethed inside. Just her luck to be chosen by a species where all the women were toned and athletic. A few extra pounds was hardly something to be concerned with. Her doctor had assured her that she was perfectly within a healthy range.

  “Leave now.” His voice was a low rumble that brought goose bumps to her flesh. She took a small step back again even though she hadn’t meant to.

  “Robust, but timid.”

  “Out.”

  The leggy brunette made for the door, turning just before leaving. “Let me know when you need me again.”

  Tanya had to bite her lip to keep from telling the smug bitch what she could do with herself. By god, if Brant tried to kiss her, she’d kick the shit out of his family jewels. She didn’t want to carry his heirs anyway so it would be no loss to her.

  “Asshole.”

  -->