Lanlin wraps the coat around my shoulders. “I have never had to think about anyone but myself. This is new to me. But I won’t forget my nest mates again. I’ll have a fine coat designed for you, my Vampire Queen.”
I hug Lanlin’s coat around my shoulders. “You’ll be cold now.”
“But my Omega won’t.”
“Hey, what about your Blood Lover?” Daire strides to join us, exaggeratedly shivering.
Lanlin levels him with a long look, before he starts to drag off his robe.
Daire looks startled that his bluff has been called, before he stills Lanlin’s hands. “Woah, hold on, bat. As much as I both enjoy watching someone strip outside and having a King serveme because that’s hitting all my kinks, maybe we don’t give anyone who could be spying a show?”
Lanlin tilts his head. “Why?”
“Because you’re the King and I’m only?—”
“MyKing.” Lanlin possessively grabs Daire by his curls, before snatching me by my hair as well. He pulls Daire and me together, until our chests are touching. Daire wraps his arms around me, and his smiling eyes meet mine. “My Queen. Bride and Blood Lover. If I wish to strip until I am naked to keep you warm, then I will. If I wish to slit my own throat to keep you alive with my blood, then I also will.”
I turn a stern look on Lanlin, while also nuzzling against Daire’s throat, sniffing his sunshine, oak, and frost scent. “You won’t, unless you want me to kick your ass in hell because I would follow you. No dramatic dying, you swear?”
I’m going for playful, but both Lanlin and Daire stiffen.
Their expressions darken, before shuttering.
Suddenly, anxiety sheets through me. My guts churn with dread.
What the hell are these two planning?
“I can only swear, my dear,” Lanlin replies, although his hold on my hair and Daire’s becomes harsher, as if he’s frightened that if he lets go, then he will lose us forever, “that I will protect you. And you won’t follow me because after death, you will fly over the moon to join your ancestors, as it should be.”
I hate the mournful edge to his voice.
I hate the fact that he could be right.
I hate even more the way that tears are glistening on Daire’s eyelashes.
If there is a way across the Rainbow Bridge between heaven and hell, then I will find it because I won’t be parted for eternity from my mates. And Daire is certain that he won’t be going to the same place as I am after death.
“Kiss our Omega, Dove.” Lanlin pushes Daire and me closer together, holding us like dolls by the back of our heads. He’s fucking powerful, except I don’t want to break free. “Make her happy again.”
“Demanding.” Daire’s expression brightens. “But you never have to command me to do that.”
Daire kisses me, and it’s soft, and tender, and makes me feel alive, tearing me away from dwelling on what will happen after their deaths.
I relax. My eyelashes flutter shut.
Purring, I take deep breaths of both Alphas’ deepening pheromones. I’m lost in them, flying.
My mates are still here with me now, and everything else is just me jumping at shadows, right?
Finally, Lanlin let’s go of our hair, taking a step back. But he can’t hide how hard his cock is in his robe, or how flushed his cheeks are.
Daire gives him a half-hooded look. “I’m not the only voyeur then, aye?”
Lanlin tosses his long hair. “Who said that you were?”
I blush.
Shadow prowls to join her sister beneath the fig trees, curling around her sister. She lays her large head down; her burning eyes are bright in the dark.
