5. Julian #3
My eyes zero in on the gem. I wonder where Isidoro hides it, not that it would matter if I knew.
I can’t steal it, even if I wanted to. Unless Tommy willingly gives it to me, it would be pointless.
The ruby wouldn’t recognize me as its owner and wouldn’t bless me with its powers, not unless the human keeper names me as such.
I look around the backstage. Other than those two, everyone else is a vampire.
There’s no human I could bribe to steal it and crown me in place of Isidoro.
Part of me mourns that lost opportunity, but then I remind myself that I’m almost out of the trenches. A couple more minutes and I will be safe, married to the king who would be bound to protect me.
“You two are truly a sight to gladden the soul.” Isidoro appears from somewhere, nudging Niko out of the way as he struggles to make the bow even. “Let me?”
“Sure.” Tommy grins. “Niko is so shit at this. It’s painful to watch.”
Isidoro hums, his gloved long fingers moving with ease as he ties the bow perfectly on the first attempt. “No man can be truly perfect at everything, Tommy. It would be no fun.”
“You are,” the sassy blond challenges back, lifting an eyebrow.
Isidoro flashes his sharp incisors. “That is correct, dear friend, but I also am no ordinary man.”
He’s so full of it. Is he implying he’s perfect? That pretentious bastard? Yeah, right! He’s an evil tyrant with a taste for psychological torture and a big attitude problem.
I grit my teeth, vibrating with the need to hit something as I try and fail to take my eyes off him.
Fuck, why does he have to look amazing in that white, gold and crimson suit?
It hugs him so snugly, accentuating his lean and elegant form.
The frills on the shirt add to the whole royal vibe he already has going for him, and the colors bring out his eyes.
Even the white gloves with golden embroidery fit right in.
Bastard! Who asked you to be so hot?!
As if he can detect me fuming, Isidoro turns his attention to me.
My breath hitches. His wine-red eyes cut to me sharply, intense and arrogant as they stare me down.
I swallow hard, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
I forgot to check myself out in the mirror.
Do I look fine? Was there even a mirror?
Not that I need it, of course. I’m at least as hot as him if not more!
Nothing less than that is acceptable. I won’t lose to him.
Glancing down at my clothes, I realize I’m wearing the same colors—white, gold and red.
My shirt is of the frilly kind too, more contained than his, but still matching.
The seams of my pants aren’t embroidered in gold like his, but they are comfortable and I can tell from the way they feel on me that the material is of the highest grade.
Okay… If not my clothes, then is there something on my face? Why is he gawking at me like this?
Isidoro pats Tommy on the shoulder and heads straight for me.
Like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.
My insides twist and churn, my face heats up.
What is this motherfucker doing? He looks like he wants to eat me.
Or maybe kill me. Or… My heart lurches, trying to break free from my chest. I take a step back instinctively, which is a gigantic mistake because my foot gets tangled in the big, heavy curtains.
“Oh shit!” I nosedive for the floor on the other side of the curtain. That’s it, I’m about to make the most unforgettable and embarrassing entrance on stage ever. It’s not even my turn to be out there yet. I’ll never get Sanguine & Silk back!
Arms snake around me, strong and sure as they catch me before I’ve made an idiot of myself. I slump in them, my pulse thudding in my ears. Great, he saved me again.
“What is it with you and falling? Should I hire someone to teach you how to walk and stand?” Isidoro asks, a hint of amusement lurking in his voice. His eyes scan my face, curious in their examination, like he’s seeing something he hasn’t seen before.
Heat spreads through me, uninvited. He’s so close I can catch his scent. Darkness, blood and flowers. My head spins as saliva collects in my mouth. Fuck, he smells so fucking good. I bet he also tastes—
I don’t finish that thought, instead trying to wiggle my way out of his arms. But he doesn’t let me. “I just… tripped. Do you mind?” I nudge my chin toward the floor. I can stand on my own, thank you very much.
Isidoro lets me go. I straighten up, but before I can slip away from him, he fists the collar of my shirt and pulls me in, bringing our faces so close I can feel his tickling breath against my skin.
Everything smells like him. All I can see is him, those mesmerizing reds, that delicate brow ridge, the sharp but elegant cut of his jaw.
His fiery hair cascades down his shoulders, braided in a few places with a thin golden thread and an onyx bead at the end.
A single, iridescent feather from Mary Eli has been incorporated into the golden earring gracing his left ear, the right one left alone.
I swallow my tongue yet again. Holy shit.
He’s gorgeous. A bone-rattling shiver crawls down my spine, culminating in my balls.
This is not good. Fuck me. The man I am marrying out of necessity for survival, my enemy that I manipulated into this whole thing…
He’s not supposed to be a walking wet dream.
His fingers find their way to my chin, tilting it up. His eyes drop to my mouth. I suck in a sharp breath, the world around me blurring and blending together as my body catches fire. I can hear the hum of his blood, I can smell its sweetness.
Desire coils inside me. No, no, no. Shoo!
Isidoro’s nostrils flare, his eyes fluttering closed for a heartbeat as he breathes me in deeply.
Oh my god. This is bad. Very very bad. The corner of Isidoro’s mouth quirks up.
I fixate on his lips. They are so close, like last night.
Within reach. Just a couple of inches away.
My cock jumps, anticipation and need taking over my body.
I have to do something! Anything. I can’t give in!
“Let me go, Isidoro,” I blurt out through half-clenched teeth as my heart tries to drill a hole out of my chest. “Or what, do you want to kiss me again?”
Part of me screams in protest at my words.
I silence it down as that tempting, single-minded focus drains from Isidoro’s face in an instant.
His eyes go wide, and for a split second, he looks truly shaken, like he doesn’t know where he is or what he’s doing.
His hands retract from me like I’m a viper attempting to bite him.
I stumble, almost trip again too, but manage to maintain my balance.
This time, Isidoro just stands still, watching me in disbelief as his hand covers the left side of his face, where a hint of a blush is doing its best to remain hidden. No way! Did I strike gold? Did he almost kiss me again?
Giddiness and a sense of accomplishment wash over me.
Could it be he got carried away and almost couldn’t resist my charm?
Is that why he’s embarrassed? In shock? Shit, I’ve never seen him like this.
My world tilts on its axis. Who would’ve thought that teasing the vampire king about kissing would get him all shy and speechless?
It’s kind of cute. I grin. Fuck, this is going to be so much fun now that I know how to rile him up.
“Mr. Altamirano, it’s time,” Samuel says, placing his hand carefully on Isidoro’s shoulder.
That seems to snap Isidoro out of his stupor. The two vampires exchange a look I can’t decipher, Samuel’s fingers curling into Isidoro’s shoulder. Another heartbeat, and Isidoro nods, beckons Tommy over, and they walk past me and onto the stage.
The audience cheers, then calms down when Tommy steps forward.
He removes the bloodstained ruby from around his neck and slots it into the compartment under the tips of the golden crown that sits on the altar.
He then picks it up and holds it high as Isidoro kneels down and bows his head.
This is all for show, Isidoro is already the king, but I have to confess that it’s rather inspiring to watch him claim his throne before a public like this.
“Before all assembled here, I, Thomas Hale, hereby crown you, Isidoro Antonio Altamirano, the king of all vampires.”
Tommy leans in and kisses Isidoro’s forehead, then unties his cloak. In a motion as fluid as if he’s practiced it a hundred times, he throws the luxurious fabric over Isidoro’s shoulders, then offers his hand.
Isidoro takes it and stands. The audience explodes, chanting his name. He lets that go on for a while, then raises his hand, silencing the pews, and looks at me.
“It’s our turn,” Niko says from next to me, adjusting the clergy collar he’s put on. “Don’t screw this up for Isi.”
The woman who dressed me swings by then, handing Niko a black priest’s robe.
He takes off his suit jacket and puts it on over his dark gray shirt before he herds me out onto the podium.
Isidoro holds his hand out to me the moment I step out, and I take it.
I will play this role perfectly. I will wow everyone.
All for the sake of my life and company.