Chapter 8 Aurelia
Aurelia
Idowned another glass of blood, hating the feeling of his blood still in my mouth, knowing all the blood in the world wouldn’t get rid of the pull in my chest to the man sitting right next to me.
I leaned into him and laughed at something random he said. My brother was eyeing us from across the table, looking for a flaw. But there wouldn’t be one.
Caspian wrapped an arm around me and left a kiss on my forehead. It was enough for my brother to look away.
The wedding party was small, with only a few of his most loyal allies and a few hours of laughing and kissing their asses. We would be done soon, though, because there was one thing we were required to do to keep our standing in the vampire community, and my brother knew it.
There was only one thing royal vampires loved more than a messy wedding.
A messy after-party, perfect for blackmail.
General Lee was at the end of the table, his eyes lingering on me for far longer than they ever had before. He was pissed, it didn’t take a genius to understand it.
I pulled one over on him to get this done, and his gaze told me I would pay for it, but he would have to go through my brother first. And, by the looks of it, he wasn’t going to escape punishment from Adrian that easily.
I pulled away from Caspian with a sigh.
“Well, this has been fun, but Caspian and I have to go…”
I trailed off and gave him a meaningful look.
“Break in this new bond,” he finished for me with a devilish smile that I’m sure any other vampire might have swooned over.
Inside, I was holding back my gag.
“Congratulations to the happy couple,” my brother said, raising his glass. His face held a smile, but his eyes were sharp and watching my every move. “I will see you in the morning.”
For punishment and a debrief.
As per our custom, we should be taken back to the family estate, but my brother wasn’t going to let me out of his sight so easily.
“How could we miss our first transfer?” Caspian said with a knowing smile. “Three hundred vampires, ready to take their bond, fifty feeders, and the deed to a very profitable gold mine. Just like we agreed on.”
On the outside, my brother’s face didn’t change, but the glint in his eyes was back. The other vampires around the table could barely conceal their gasps and whispers.
“Off with you now,” he said, his smile dropping as he turned to the rest. “Where were we?”
We turned, arm in arm, keeping close until we left the castle and were loaded into the awaiting car. As soon as the soundproof divider was up and we were away from hearing distance, I pushed him away with a scoff.
“Did you have to get so touchy-feely? Krae, the bond feels so gross.” I let out a noise of disgust and rolled my eyes.
“You think your blood was any better? I can’t get the disgusting taste out of my mouth,” Caspian replied, shooting me a glare as he continued to rub off the invisible dirt I somehow left on him.
“The blood you gave me was far more than I gave you. I should be the one complaining about the feeling of the bond,” I said with a hiss.
I could still feel it settling deep inside me, trying to push Vesper’s bond out. I hated how invasive it felt.
Back when I had been accidentally bonded with Vesper, I had been pissed. It hurt. Like I had been forced into a position I didn’t want. But then I realized it was just because I had been scared of what it meant to be bonded. Scared to lose her. Lose myself. Not because I didn’t want it. Her.
Now that I was bonded for the purpose of marriage to someone I barely knew, I started to understand what it truly meant for the choice of who I loved to be taken from me.
This was supposed to be the most important moment of my life. But the person was all wrong, and it was tainted with anger and the hope of revenge.
I shifted, trying to get as far away from him as possible. He signed on to this to help me. He was barely getting anything out of it. But I couldn’t help but hate every moment as the bond settled in my chest.
We were lucky Adrian accepted us without a public fight, though I was concerned about what it meant when I finally made my way back home. He hadn’t hurt me yet, mostly only threatened, his power enough to control me.
But I had a sinking suspicion my luck was running out.
Images of Vesper and Cedar as they fought against my brother’s guards came to my mind. I was happy she had been released. At least I hoped that’s what happened, given what Atlas said about them being her guard.
I yearned to go to them. To let them take me away like they promised. It was a dream. One my mind had wondered to more than once.
My bond with Caspian pulsed as I thought of my lost lovers. It felt like an intruder.
“Thanks,” I muttered after a few long moments. “For helping me.”
I turned to look at him, but instead of looking disgusted, he seemed only slightly uncomfortable. Both of us were coming to terms with the fact that, while this might not be what we wanted, it was working.
“It’s not like I have any use for my family’s fortune,” he said, then his gaze turned dark. “Plus, I would do just about anything to see that bastard pay for what he did to my little sister.”
The pain in his eyes pulled my own from deep inside me. The memories I tried to bury from my time in the witch coven were pushing their way to the forefront.
“Still, I’m sure there’s someone out there wanting to marry you for real.” I gave him a small, but forced, smile.
His eyes shifted to his hands, then the window.
“No, he made that very clear. This marriage, while not fully what I imagined for myself, will send a good message.”
I nodded and looked outside again.
I didn’t think it was my place to ask anything else, so I let us sit in silence the rest of the way to our destination.
After the wedding, the small club seemed like another world.
It was the same place. The same vampires. The same purpose. But it just felt… different.
Maybe it was because I was different. And now I had my husband at my side.
Well, not really. I looked over to see my new husband at the far corner of the room, two vampires leaning over him and a human in his lap, his fangs sunk deep into his neck.
He was enjoying himself while I was stuck watching Dalia and Fredrick suck face, drinking a glass of blood laced with some magical drugs.
I may as well live a little while I still have the chance.
I didn’t normally dabble in it, preferring to keep my wits about me, but this very well could be the last time I could have this freedom. After this, we were putting our plan into action, and for better or worse… I was going to end it.
Just as I was running through my plans in my head, my chest started aching. An annoying feeling that only got more persistent as the seconds went on.
I looked at Caspian to see if it had anything to do with our bond, but he was still fangs-deep in the human.
When it got more intense, I sat up. A prickle at the back of my neck told me something was off. Like the calm before the storm. My internal warning system was telling me to prepare for a fight.
Is something happening?
Then I heard it. The light murmurs of vampires in the house as new guests were welcomed.
Intruder.
But instead of evacuating, which was protocol, there was the sound of shuffling, like whoever it was was being let through.
Next, I smelled them.
The comforting smell of sage and a slightly newer—sharper—amber smell.
Vesper and Cedar. Atlas had to be with them, or they would have been turned around at the door.
Shit.
I had only a few seconds before meeting them and risking ruining this whole thing.
Caspian met my eyes, and with one look, I told him to stay put. I left the small room I was in and headed to the one upstairs, the same one I found Caspian in when I proposed.
It would promise us the tiniest bit of privacy, and it had to be enough.
“Come find me, Little Mouse.”
I knew she’d hear me, but her small growl was a good confirmation.
Excitement zapped up my spine as I hurried up the stairs.
I looked back over my shoulder, taking in the debauchery happening in the main foyer.
Vampires with their fangs sunk into necks, most of them wearing next to nothing, many with their faces twisted in pleasure even as a vampire hunter and a witch stood at the door.
Cedar and Vesper stood side by side, both looking up at me. Vesper’s eyes were narrowed and red. Cedar’s jaw was clenched.
In their gazes were promises of a punishment.
And I want to take it.
Everyone watched as they came in. Atlas was somewhere near the entrance. I couldn’t see her, but I could feel the heaviness of her gaze. Turning, I finished climbing the stairs and ducked into the room, which had nothing but a few chairs around the edges and a chaise lounge.
I sat right in the middle of it, trying to look nonchalant, even though the bond was stirring to life in my chest. Mere moments later, they burst through the door, their eyes finding me immediately.
“Can’t stay away now, can you?” I said, trying my best to sound like the spoiled princess they once knew. I even leaned slightly, letting my dress fall to the side.
My body was aching for them, and I knew with one look they were yearning for it too.
They were breathing heavily. Vesper was puffed up, looking like she was ready to attack.
But I didn’t expect her to actually do it.