CHAPTER 14
Slade
Rue’s nose scrunches, an adorable little tell for when she’s confused. She perches on the edge of the couch, Rhys and Caylix on either side of her. Kathan is standing behind them, which usually would grate on my nerves having another supernatural above me, but I find I don’t give a fuck.
I made everyone move to the living room because I want ma petite sorcière to be sitting when she hears what I have to say. There’s a bit of fire in her eyes as she waits for me to continue, but it’s not that simple.
“What I need to tell you is a closely guarded secret.” I level a gaze on the three shifters. “I have to know that what I say won’t leave this room. Rue has shown she can’t be compelled, but she’s equally proven she can be trusted. You all on the other hand...” I trail off, allowing them to make their own connections.
I expect them to automatically jump up and start trying to throttle me again, which their first attempt was pitiful, but they don’t. Instead, they turn to each other, considering. But Rue shakes her head. “No, I won’t let you compel them. They will keep this secret for me. Because not only do they owe it to me, they love me.”
It’s sort of eerie how in sync they are as Caylix and Rhys place a hand on her knee, while Kathan puts his on her shoulder in a display of unity. Nuit, I’m still bitter about having to share her with these sacs à puces, but I also know where her heart lies and that little organ of hers is far too big to be contained with one lover.
“Very well.” Even though I don’t need to, I blow out a breath. “Vampire lords are direct descendants from the First Vampire, which means our blood is less diluted than other vampire spawn. Not every vampire can become a lord.”
“That’s not a secret,” Rhys states when I pause.
I sigh. “Sometimes you wolves are insufferable. Many don’t know this, or have simply forgotten over time, but vampires originated in France. It was my very ancestors that traveled here to New Orleans in the 17th century, bringing our French roots when we migrated. I am a direct descendant of that bloodline, which affords me more power and luxuries than most.”
Caylix eyes me curiously. “Where are you going with this, Slade?”
I lean forward, meeting Rue’s gaze. “That means when you and I bonded,” I begin, my voice low. “My blood afforded you some... powers, if you will. It’s obvious you’ve inherited my ability to heal faster. I assume you’ll become faster and stronger since your lifeforce is now tied to mine.”
Rue’s mouth pops open in shock and horror flits across her face as she leaps to her feet. “No,” she breathes. “Oh, Gods, Slade. Why–how–what have you done?” Her reaction stuns me, a spike of hurt settling between my ribs like the sharp end of a stake. And I’m intimately aware of what one feels like there, seeing as my sire tried to kill me. It’s the one and only time I’ve had something that close to my heart.
Well, before Rue. Somehow she’s made the useless organ start beating again.
I raise an eyebrow to mask my true feelings over her reaction. “I’m sorry, mon amour. But I’m not certain I understand why you’re so upset.”
“Because I’m a target! My life can’t be tied to yours; I’ll get you killed!” she shouts, her voice a mix of fear and anger. Her chest rises and falls rapidly with each breath she pulls in and I don’t have to hear her heart to know it’s galloping a mile a minute. Because mine mirrors hers. “I’ll get you killed,” she repeats.
Tears glisten in her eyes, threatening to spill over. I drag her into my arms, placing one hand on the small of her back and the other under her chin, pulling those stormy blue eyes to mine. “I wouldn’t change a single thing, mon trésor.” She opens her mouth to protest, but I stop her by planting my mouth against hers, showing her exactly how much I mean it. Every slide of my lips on hers, every dip of my tongue, is a testament to my feelings.
She stops, gasping for air. “But Slade—“
“But Slade nothing, mon amour. Tu es ma vie. You are my life. If you go, I’m going with you.“ I wipe away her tears with the pad of my thumb before bringing her lips to mine once more. She melts into me, molding to my body as if we’re two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting into place—our kiss a desperate exchange of passion and vulnerability.
“We were made for each other,” I murmur, before diving in again. The room fades away, leaving only the intensity of our connection. I pull her closer, unable to get enough of her warmth and the taste of her on my tongue.
When we finally break apart, breathless and clinging to one another, she gazes up at me, fear still lingering in her eyes, but understanding is prevalent too.
Caylix clears his throat, reminding me they’re in the room. “I never imagined having to share Rue with you. And I’m still not exactly sure how I feel about it, but I love her. We love her,” he admits. “And you’ve given her something we couldn’t. Eternal life.”
“Does that mean she’s no longer a witch?” Kathan questions.
I shake my head. “No. Rue is still very much a witch. Simply a stronger version that’s harder to kill. If my soulmatch would’ve happened to be a vampire already, they would’ve only gotten faster, stronger. But since Rue was mortal... she gets a little extra.” I shoot her a wink and she blows out a breath.
“Wow,” she whispers, sinking onto the couch like she’s made of jelly.
The wolves surround her immediately, sensing her distress and offering comforting touches, stroking her arms and legs in reassurance. Seeing their loyalty and protectiveness toward her fills me with a sense of contentment; I know she will always be taken care of by one of us. No matter what happens, one of us will always be at her side. She needs all of us in different ways. Her own little pack.