“I’m not ready to unpack it yet,” she whispered. “It was so much, and once we escaped there was even more. I don’t think I slept a full night for five years after that.”
“How old were you when you escaped?”
“Ten. I held Eliza in my arms and watched the others crawling from the dirt like worms. The rain was pounding down on them, churning their bodies into the dark dirt and mud. I remember thinking that I would never see anything more terrifying than that in my life. Every single girl that crawled out of the dirt was meant to die.” Lanias pressed her forehead against his neck. “I’ve carried that memory with me ever since.”
“The day I lost my wife she was meant to go and help Sorin learn how to hunt. I remember kissing her goodbye and greeting our children as normal and without sound or fanfare. The beautiful day erupted in fire. I remember thinking that I had finally met my mortality.” Alek revealed.
“Why didn’t Zaharis kill you?” Lanias inquired softly.
Alek sighed, looking at nothing. “He got in an argument with your father then suddenly he was gone. Your father seemed reluctant to continue his path of destruction. I didn’t know whether to be grateful or resent him at the time.”
“Is that why you wanted to kill him? Because he left you alive.”
He didn’t answer her right away, instead opting to entwine his fingers tighter with hers. And enjoying the beauty of their merged tones pressed up against each other. When he finally answered her, it wasn’t to the question she’d asked.
“Noble Vampires, children of the elder ones are typically more capable than an average Vampire. We can walk in the sunlight and enjoy food as we do blood. While I’m referred to as the ‘Monarch’ the blood line of our kind is strong in my sons. They are similar in their ability, but something that haunts us eternally is our hunt for The One, our soul mate. After my mate, Gloria died, I wasn’t sure I’d last long. First the mind goes and then shortly after our soul. I should have eventually turned into an empty husk. However, I lingered. Maybe because of my strong desire for revenge and need to protect my children I remained sane, or as sane as described by Beings like us. I lived day to day, pushing myself to breathe and continue to be a father. Believing that after I killed those who’d put me in such a hell it would allow me to rest in peace forever. I’d hand the title over to Sorin and end my life.”
“What changed?” she asked.
“I saw you.”
Their eyes met, and Lanias was hard pressed to look away. Nervously she laughed, “I’m your soul mate?”
“I prefer to call you my Queen,” he said, a slow sexy smile taking over his lips. “I saw you and knew you were meant to be mine.”
“You have a great way of showing it,” she groused. “No hello, just let me violate your space with a lecherous grin.”
He shrugged. “What can I say, you’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
“So, what comes with being Queen of Vampires?” she asked, moving so that she faced him. “I’m already pretty dangerous as a Witch, well actually; I’m a demi-god.” She blinked. “Wait, I’m a goddess.”
Hearing this said out of Lanias’ mouth, triggered Alek to laugh. “How did we get from Queen of Vampires to Goddess?”
Swatting at him, Lanias poked her lips.
“Well, with the way the Surrem act and their magic, they can’t be anything other than Demi-gods of some sort. And I’m half Surrem, so that makes me a Goddess.”
“No, my love you’re only going to be two things.” He said lifting her up, ignoring her surprised gasp and placing her in his lap. “My wife, and my Queen. That’s it.”
She lovingly gazed down at him. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, I never said I would be either.”
He gave a swift smack to her behind.
“What was that for?” She demanded, glaring into his eyes.
“For saying something we both know isn’t true.” Resting his chin on her shoulder he wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve waited long enough.”
She wriggled in his hold, forcing him to open his arms so she could get out of his lap. Standing she placed her hands on her hips and gave him a saucy look. “Is there anything else you want to rehash Vampire? Because the shower is calling my name.”
“Yes,” he reached out hooking his fingers in her towel and yanked. The towel unraveled and hit the floor. “I wish to see you all the time, every part of you. Don’t hide this beauty from me.”
Looking down at the towel, Lanias shrugged, “I’m not that shy anyway,” She paused and looked back down again. And spotted a tattoo of a sword wrapped in thorns on her chest. Pressing a hand against it, she pursed her lips.
“What’s this.” She asked herself.
“It’s our mate mark.” Alek answered, reaching out he pressed his fingers against it.
She met his gaze, “And when did it get there?”
