Prince Vampire (9 page)

“They are,” one elf murmured, then tried to look innocent when Valdemar shot him a look to silence him.

Aureliann chuckled. “I like Bob, Bill and Binky here.” The elves looked at her in surprise.

“They’re not our names.” The elves stamped their feet in unison. “You couldn’t even pronounce our real names.”

“Maybe, maybe not but I know you are pissy little things and I like that.” She was surprised when they blushed and shuffled their feet, seemingly taken aback by her words. Elves—like all men they were easy to work out.

Thomas nodded his head in approval of her. “Women in Serawych have quiet, unbreakable power over all men regardless of race or species. The bond is so great no one can break it.” He then listened as Valdemar filled him in on what Marlow had found out.

“We must go back to Serawych. We cannot have this played out on the streets of this innocent city.” Valdemar was adamant on that.

Thomas nodded in agreement. “Yes and you need to rally the people.”

“What about the people? The castle?” There was great concern in Valdemar’s voice.

“Everything is under control,” Thomas assured him. “As you know they are strong and do not need to be led by the nose but if this dark force approaches—”

“You need to be there.” Even Aureliann could see that. A good leader always thought of his people and she could tell by the look in his eyes Valdemar wanted to go home.

“Come with me.” Valdemar spoke the three simple words to her.

Aureliann took a deep breath. She could feel all eyes upon her. There were so many reasons for not jumping into whatever this was she was mixed up in. She had her house, a job and bills to pay. No one Aureliann knew would consider this a normal thing to do. Though she was scared, she could not let go of Valdemar now. “Yes.”

“Good woman,” Thomas said with approval.

Chapter Nine

“Okay, so I didn’t tell you,” Valdemar said as he stood before her.

“You should have.” It was not a small detail that he should have left out. It was life- changing stuff and to forget to mention it was dramatic.

“Would it have made a difference?”

“Well…yes…no…I don’t know, but the thing is you should have told me, prince.”

Valdemar raked his hand through his hair. “You are the most frustrating woman, Aureliann.”

She rolled her eyes at his words. “You’re no walk in the park either. Besides, if you love me as you say you do, then you’ll put up with me.” Aureliann was aware how totally selfish that came across but his news had caught her off-guard.

“As will you.”

They stared at each other. Both wrong, both right and both in love and apt to say or not say something they should.

“I’m sorry, lovely.”

The look in his eyes made her melt. Valdemar was so damn sexy and sweet. Aureliann found it impossible to remain angry with him. “Well…”

“I was scared you would not come.”

Before they left Brisbane she had suggested inviting the vampires they had met along to aid them in the upcoming struggle with Victor.

“No need for that. We have a strong power base in Serawych,” Valdemar had said.

“But Marlow and Asher seem pretty switched on and—”

Valdemar interrupted Aureliann. “They may not be able to go back, lovely.”

She had stood gobsmacked as he explained in some cases people from other worlds had been trapped in Serawych. Apparently, as dimensions went, it was sometimes reluctant to let travelers passing through leave. Aureliann may not have come with him if she had known there was the chance she would not get back home. She looked at Valdemar. Despite his momentary lapse, the man was strong, smart and loving. So where was home now? In Brisbane or with him?

“What?” He reached for her hand and linked it with his own.

“I don’t know.”
I thought I used to know stuff but more and more I am out of my depth.

Valdemar pulled her to him. “It will work out.”

Aureliann knew she should have been more upset at him but she was helpless to do anything but mold herself to the heat from his hard body.

“It had better.” She stopped when she realized how that sounded. Aureliann did not want to come across as a harpy but she was scared of not being in control. She seemed to be losing it a lot with Valdemar around. “I’m sorry, Val.” Aureliann reached up and stroked his face.

He caught her hand and kissed it. “Lovely, you never have to be sorry. Damn…”

“What? Did I stand on your toe or something?”

“When you call me Val and look at me that way…”

Aureliann knew what he meant. There was a fierce hunger for him that she doubted would ever be quenched. “You have to go do prince stuff, remember? The whole ‘save your people and the kingdom’.” A week ago that statement would have made her snort in amusement. It was so soap opera.
And yet I seem to have walked into one.

“Yes, I do.” Valdemar’s mouth descended onto hers and kissed her with the hot, needy passion of a man in love.

They walked out to the forecourt of the castle. Aureliann had not seen much of her surroundings but what she had seen was mind-boggling. The building they were in was a huge gothic castle set on the rise of a hill. The city below seemed to spread out for miles. She had to admit she was eager to further scope out new surroundings.

“Wow.” She watched in amazement as what seemed like a battalion of elves stood ready, waiting to serve the heir to throne.

“They are very loyal men.” The original three elves who Aureliann had taken to calling Bob, Bill and Binky appeared. “They will look after you.”

Aureliann liked these men and enjoyed battling wits with them. “What do you do?” She arched her eyebrows and looked at them with mock interest. “Bite people’s ankles if they attack? Maybe gnaw on an enemy’s toe?”

“You’re a bitch,” one of them retorted with a reluctant smile.

“But we kind of like you,” another one added.

“Ah, you’re just saying that to get on my good side.” It was nice to have someone other than Valdemar in this strange land. While she loved him, she knew he had his duties to perform. She expected no less of him. But having someone else to talk to, albeit a challenge, was a bonus.

“Maybe we are, maybe we aren’t.”

Aureliann put her hands on her hips and looked down at them. “Listen, don’t try to do inscrutable with me.” They stamped their feet. She stamped hers back. “You’re not going to rattle me, lads. I’m a bigger pain in the butt than all three of you combined.”

Valdemar shook his head in amused confusion. “Are you all going to play nice?”

“The gnomes—I mean elves—and I are just having some fun.” Aureliann stuck out her tongue at them.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine with us, your highness.” All the elves nodded. “We’ll show her where she can swim in the tar pits and maybe let her play in the snake house—”

“Oh boy,” Valdemar murmured in concern. “Maybe I had better stay.”

Aureliann put her hand on his arm. “Bill, Bob, Binky and I will be fine, Val.” She leaned in and kissed him, savoring the taste of pure male on her lips.

“Oooh Val,” the elves all cooed in girly-sounding voices as they made smooching noises and hugged themselves. Aureliann pushed him away. As she watched him go, she wanted him back already.
Yeah, I’m in love.
She turned to the trio.
And I have smart-ass elves. What more could a girl want?

Valdemar did walk away but stopped and turned back to stand behind a pillar. While he trusted the elves, if anything happened to Aureliann it would kill him. He smiled as he heard Aureliann’s voice.

“So, do you lads have girlfriends?”

Valdemar smiled. Few people understood elves straight away but she did. Elves liked to test people. They came across as nasty and a pain in the ass to some. But others, like Aureliann, understood right from the start that it was all an act on their part. Once an elf gave you loyalty, it was forever. Valdemar admired her more than he could put into words. He had given her the shock of her life and yet here she was ready to stand beside him and face whatever would come.

“We have hundreds of women.”

“Of course,” Aureliann responded cynically.

“Elves are highly prize for their sexual prowess.”

“Wanna know why?”

“Gee, no thanks.”

Valdemar could almost see the look of amusement on his beloved’s face. He suspected Aureliann was unaware of how expressive her features were and how they often gave away what she was feeling. That was how he knew she loved him.

“So you read the book and fell in love with the big guy.”

Valdemar was about to move off but stopped when he heard the elf’s words. He needed to hear her response. In fact he longed to hear the words from her lips. That Aureliann loved him he did not doubt. Women like Aureliann did not throw themselves at any man. They had too much pride and class to be with just anyone. Women like Aureliann wanted more than a meaningless fling.

“Why do you want to know?” Aureliann asked.

“Because he’s our prince and if you mess with him you mess with us.”

“Well that just scares the crap out of me—not.”

Valdemar held back his laughter.

“You talk tough,” an elf pointed out.

“So do you,” she responded.

“Well?”

There was a moment’s silence before Aureliann spoke. “I love your prince.”

Valdemar felt like he had been given the greatest gift in the world. He wanted to rush back and hold her to him and never let go.

“You’re a big softy.” The elf’s voice, although harsh, sounded pleased.

“So you’ll be our queen.”

“Yeah and you’ll have to obey my every command.” Now Aureliann sounded pleased.

The elves all laughed. “Yeah right. Sure.”

“Let’s go see these tar pits,” Aureliann interrupted their mirth. “I’ll jump in after you do.”

“But you’re our guest, you must go first…”

As they walked off Valdemar shook his head. “I love my life.”

Chapter Ten

Victor looked at the thirty or so mercenary vampires he had collected from Brisbane and sneered. They were an indolent lot but then what could one expect when you sought out the scum of the earth? He had virtually no followers of his own in Serawych that he had not paid dearly for. It angered him that his cousin was the popular one. How could the people mistake his kind, calm words as strength? He was exactly like the old king and he had never capitalized on the great wealth that could be used for the benefit of their family. Instead they lived in an old gothic monstrosity of a castle that sucked the money out of the family purse because his uncle had not wanted to burden the people with the repair of the castle. One of the first things Victor planned to do once Valdemar was dead was to knock down the castle. Neither his cousin nor the castle would remain. They were symbols of the past and Victor saw his future very differently. He was going to use every single asset that Serawych had for his own pleasure. That was what kingship was about, otherwise what was the point of the crown?

Since these mercenaries had arrived they had lolled around, argued with each other and made spectacles of themselves with the whores of Serawych. They were not like the vampires Victor knew. Vampires were lords in his town. They had class. They had breeding. This lot had no self-control but then they did not have a kingdom to conquer. Victor did not have time for indulgences. Already Valdemar was back and amassing his army. Many were loyal to him including those vicious elves who knew how to fight and win despite their size.

“If only I had them on my side,” Victor muttered to himself. Elves unquestioningly followed their leader. They were also skilled in war and if called upon knew how to make a human suffer unbearable pain. “Out!” he ordered as his surveyed the half-dressed women. The vampires of Brisbane narrowed their eyes at him as the women fled. If Victor had been a lesser man he would have been afraid of these men but he wasn’t. There was no time for fear. He was on a timetable to take the crown. Victor had been planning this since he was old enough to know he would never inherit and Valdemar would. But for the fate of his father being the younger son, he would have been the heir. It still galled him that he both missed out on the crown and had the misfortune to look like Valdemar. It was a queer genetic trait that often happened in their family. Some thought the likeness was cute. It only reminded Victor of what he did not have and what he planned to take. As Victor and Valdemar were the last ones standing he planned to obliterate his genetic competition. “You know what I want from you.”

“To cause chaos,” one murmured lazily as if it seemed fairly obvious to him.

“Yes,” Victor hissed, the anger inside him making that one word sound snakelike. He knew Valdemar would strike soon and he needed a comparable force to match that of his cousin’s.

The vampire called Arrow approached him. “And we want blood. So far we have not been allowed any.” He did not look pleased as he flashed his fangs at the prince.

Victor was not worried by those pointed weapons. Vampires never sucked the blood of their own kind. It made them sick. “You will get it when the job is done.” Not that Victor planned for them to stick around and indulge in an orgy of blood. He would have them staked through the heart by then.

“The thing is, prince, we cannot survive without blood.” Arrow’s eyes were cold on his. “As you need us more than we need you, we can quite easily get rid of you.”

A threat. This was more like it. He wanted evil bastard vampires not Lotharios intent on getting their cocks sucked by whores. Victor smiled at them. Fine. He would give them blood. He needed them strong. What he planned to do would also serve as a warning to Valdemar.

“Follow me and I will allow you to feed.” The vampires stood. “But after that you must do as I bid.”

Arrow nodded. “Where are we going?”

“To a little place I know.” They would get no resistance there. It was a place of spiritual contentment and peace. The dwellers did not believe in aggression. They would be like lambs to the slaughter for these vampires. “I promise you much blood.”

* * * * *

Aureliann was impressed by all that she saw on her wanderings with the elves. They had shown her much and, despite their initial pithy reluctance, had patiently answered her many questions. The book,
The Vampire’s Kiss
, did not do justice to the land, the castle and the people of Serawych.

“The people are so friendly,” Aureliann had said as she was greeted with great interest everywhere they went.

“That’s ’cause you’re the prince’s main squeeze,” the elf she had chosen to call Bob replied.

“Only squeeze.” The thought that any other woman could come between Aureliann and Valdemar was not an option. She did not share. She was also quite surprised at how possessive she was.

Bill eyed her and nodded. “Yeah, I reckon you’re right. Besides why would he want two mortal women? One of you is more than aggravating enough.”

It had been a good day of trading banter and seeing new things. Aureliann had arrived back at the castle tired but happier than she had been in a long time. She had been eager to look around the aging fortress but weariness had overtaken her so she gratefully allowed the elves to escort her to Valdemar’s quarters.

“Bloody hell,” Aureliann had murmured once she was alone. His bedroom was the size of half her house and its opulence was astounding. “You can bet nothing here was put together with an Allen key.” This was solid old furniture that bespoke age and wealth. And the carpet! Aureliann kicked off her shoes and let her feet sink into it. Orgasmic. She walked over to the massive bed. It looked like six people could quite easily sleep in it without ever touching each other. Aureliann flung herself down on it and looked up.

“Oh my God!” She burst out laughing. There was a mirror on the ceiling. She rolled from side to side and watched her reflection. “I look pretty good.” Aureliann struck a couple of seductive poses before rolling onto her back and flinging out her arms, wondering what it would be like to look up and see Valdemar’s firm, tattooed ass in the mirror as he ploughed inside her body. “Excellent,” she moaned softly as she felt the familiar wetness between her legs. That mirror was so sexy and not even green-eyed thoughts of other women in this bed could turn her off. Damn, where was the man? Aureliann needed him. As if in answer to her call Valdemar appeared.
Yay!

“Hi,” she sat up and smiled her most saucy smile at him. She stopped when she saw the tiredness in his eyes as Valdemar came to her. His clothes were dusty and the lines of stress on his face were evident.

“Hello, lovely, how did it go today with the elves?” He sat down tiredly on the edge of the bed.

Aureliann scooted over toward him. “What happened?” She touched his arm and felt the tension within.

“Victor and his mercenaries took a small, peace-loving hamlet west of here by force.” Valdemar’s eyes were sad. “The people still live. Just. My cousin allowed his vampires to almost suck the life from the people.”

She did not know what to say. This was so completely beyond her realm of experience that “I’m sorry” was not enough. Aureliann wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders and nestled in close to him, giving what comfort she could.

“Victor did not kill them because he wanted me to see the shattered wrecks who could barely crawl from where they fell.”

Aureliann closed her eyes at the horror of it. She knew she had to be strong, Valdemar needed her. She reopened her eyes and listened as he explained how they had spent hours helping the victims. She saw the guilt in his eyes.

“This is not your fault, Val.” Aureliann used her other hand to stroke his face. “Victor is a madman bent on something he cannot have.”

Valdemar sighed. “I feel so useless.”

“You are anything but, darling.”

He jerked against her. “You just called me ‘darling’.”

The pleasure on his face made Aureliann feel like she had given him a precious gift. “Well, you are.” Why deny it? In the space of a couple of days this man had become her world.

“Do you know how much I adore you?”

Valdemar’s eyes were so soft with love that for a moment she thought she might burst into tears.
So this is happiness? I like it.
Aureliann smiled at him and crawled off the bed. “I believe I do.” She stood before him and held out his hand. “You need to relax.”
And I need to be with you.

“I am quite relaxed here with you.” His hand engulfed hers. “Come here, lovely.”

“No, you come to me.” Aureliann had a good grasp on the strong flesh. She knew he could quite easily pull her back into bed with him but she wanted to do this her way. She dug her heels into the carpet and pulled.

Valdemar laughed as she made no headway into making him move. “I want you here.”

“And I want you to come with me.” Aureliann continued to pull at him, trying to make him stand.

“What incentive do you give, madam?”

“Well, I plan to strip you naked and then bathe you.” She could tell by the increasing bulge in his trousers that he was as turned-on as she.

He arched his eyebrows. “Do you offer this to other men?”

“I only offer it to the one I love.” Aureliann gave a start when the words came out of her mouth but she did not regret them. They were easy to say when you did not think about them.

Valdemar sucked in his breath. “You love me?” His voice was full of wonder.

“Well, ya big dope, haven’t you worked that out yet?” Before she could say anything else, Valdemar launched off the bed, taking Aureliann unawares. She was hoisted into his arms within seconds. “Where are we going?” Not that she cared. Her only wish was to be with Valdemar.

“You promised nudity and bathing.” He strode with her out of the bedroom. “I’m yours, lovely.” Valdemar went into the adjoining bathroom.

“Wow!” The word shot out of Aureliann’s mouth. She was in awe. The bathroom was so elegant she wasn’t sure she should even be in it. She wriggled around in his arms, trying to see everything. There was a huge bathtub that looked out on what appeared to be a private, palm-tree-filled courtyard. Big fluffy towels were awaiting them and the brilliant opalescent sheen on the tiles made the whole room dazzling. “Wow!” Aureliann repeated as Valdemar placed her feet on the ground.

“Do you like it?” He looked pleased by her reaction.

“Everything is so big here.” Aureliann noticed his amused grin. She looked him up and down, stopping to focus at the prominent erection. She knew what he was thinking and his thoughts matched hers. “Don’t get too cocky.”

“Oh but I plan to.”

“I’m in charge here.” She reached over and placed the plug in the bathtub. Aureliann felt his hands on her ass. “If you touch me again without permission then you won’t get all that I promised you.” She turned on the water and sprinkled some of the bath salts, which were on a well-stocked shelf beside the bath, into the steamy water that rushed out. The smell of frangipani scented the air.

Valdemar swatted her butt before he backed away. “I love forceful women.”

“Good, remember that when I am premenstrual.” Aureliann turned to face the man she loved. She wanted so much to ease his pain. “Stand still like a good vampire.” Aureliann’s hands moved to his chest, her eyes locked with his as she undid the buttons of his shirt. She smiled as he flinched when she parted the material and touched the hot flesh below. Aureliann liked being in charge. It had infinite sexy possibilities for her. She moved around his body and pulled the shirt from his shoulders, leaning in to lick the skin on his back in one long stroke of her tongue.

“Aureliann.” Valdemar sounded like a man about to lose control.

“Do not move.” She came around to the front of him again. His trousers were tight and tenting with a persistent cock that needed release. Aureliann dropped to her knees and worked on his boots. She took one then the other off and threw them in the corner. His socks followed. Aureliann ran her hands up his legs to his thighs, cupping his cock through the fabric, feeling the weight of it.

He groaned as if in pain. “’Trying to kill me, lovely?”

“Actually trying to seduce you.” Aureliann looked at him uncertainly. “Am I not doing it right?” So far all moves of intimacy had been initiated by Valdemar. “I have never stripped a man before.”

“I love it and if you stop I may cry.” His green eyes sparkled down at hers.

She laughed at the thought of this tough man crying. Aureliann reached up for his belt. It was a bit of a struggle as he was so tall. She pressed up against him, squirming to free the leather.

“Oh man.” Valdemar bit his lip and tried not to react to her breasts rubbing against his thighs.

Finally she released the buckle. Her hand moved to the zip. Aureliann was so hot and wet she was wondering how she was going to be able to pace herself and not demand once again he fuck her until she could not walk straight. His engorged penis came out. As hard as it was to ignore the stiff flesh, she worked at pulling his trousers down.

“Lift,” she commanded as one foot then another was released from the fabric until he was naked. She stood up, denying her need to touch him, and went to the bath. The force of the water had the tub half full. Aureliann took his hand and led him to it.

Valdemar sank into the hot water gratefully. It had been a horrible day but to come home to Aureliann’s arms made it so much better.
And she loves me. I can live on that forever.
“Are you joining me?”

“Not yet,” she moved around behind him and turned off the water.

He turned to watch her every move. He did not want to miss a second with Aureliann. Even the way she lathered the soap between her hands made Valdemar hot. She was the most watchable woman he knew. That she was worried about seducing him was sweet. Aureliann just had to look at him for his balls to tighten. When her hands started massaging his shoulders, Valdemar closed his eyes. “Oh lovely,” he groaned and closed his eyes. She relieved all tension just by being with him.

“You like?” She grinned at the large man relaxing in the warm water.