Mate's Lore 1(6)
“Our fathers were enemies before we were born which makes us birth enemies.”
“Sheesh, talk about holding a grudge.”
He shook his head in what seemed like disbelief. A half smile graced his glorious mouth. “If it helps any, we are no longer at war. A truce has existed for the last twenty or so years.”
“But you don’t chat?”
The smile grew. “No, we very definitely do not chat.”
“He’s not your brother or anything is he?”
“No. Enough about Zane.” A low growl.
Tanya had to work to keep herself from biting her lip. Having Brant kiss her would be bad. Oh so very bad considering she still had to convince him to let her go.
The vehicles ground to a halt directly in front of a set of stairs that led to immense double doors. Tanya had meant to ask him how old he was, but she couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful house and surrounding grounds. Two wings of old school with a distinctly modern twist. Slanting slate roof tiles with wooden, roof trusses and enormous glass windows. Flat green lawns, a lake, even a sprawling forest. Acres of land as far as the eye could see.
Brant cleared his throat. Her eyes shot to his. He looked amused. His big hands squeezed her waist.
Oh heck. They’d been parked for several minutes and she still sat on his lap. She scrambled off, turning to face the opposite door. Brant took her hand. “This way.” He grinned at her and out popped those dimples. She had the ridiculous urge to kiss them. Not going there.
The iron knocker was shaped like a bat. Someone’s idea of a sick joke? Everybody knew that vampires did not turn into flipping flapping night creatures.
The interior of the house was somewhere beyond impressive, more into the realm of awe inspiring. Plush carpets, gleaming wooden floors and big crystal chandeliers. Real crystal no doubt. A nobody like her didn’t belong in this world.
“So, you’re seriously loaded?”
Brant chuckled, “Old money.”
“And a fair amount of it is new…” A tall woman said as she rounded the corner.
She was regal in stature. Her short, bleach blond hair was slicked back to her scalp. Big blue eyes and a full mouth completed the picture. She was riveting.
“Tanya, meet Stephany. My assistant.”
“Are you a vampire?”
Stephany winked. “A woman not afraid to speak her mind. I can tell I’m going to like you.” She inclined her head. “Yes, I’m a vampire.” They shook hands. “I’m sure you’re tired from your…ordeal, can I show you to your quarters?”
Brant turned to face her. “Stephany will take care of your needs. I’ll see you at dinner.” He flashed her a half smile.
Tanya nodded and allowed herself to be led by the other woman, she could feel Brant’s eyes on her as she followed Stephany up the tall staircase.
Her quarters turned out to be bigger than her whole apartment.
“Jesus…I mean goodness. This place is stunning.”
The tall vampire turned to face her. “I can tell why Brant chose you.”
“Oh, you mean another reason other than I smell like I might be a good fuck...” She bit her bottom lip. “Apologies, I’m trying not to swear so much.”
The other woman laughed. “Please don’t hold back on my account. All relationships need to start somewhere and if you ask me, being good together in bed is a good foundation. You seem”—the vampire walked over to her and ran her hands firmly down her arms and hips—“sturdy enough.”
Tanya choked. When she finally managed to get herself together she asked, “Is sturdy a nice way of saying overweight?”
“Hardly. It’s just that humans are so soft and fragile, some more than others, our males can break you very easily. That is why it is forbidden for us to be with your kind.”
“So why the whole every hundred year thing? Brant said that he wouldn’t bite and he said that although he would eat me”—she felt her cheeks heat—“it wouldn’t be in the way I was thinking. Now you’re telling me that there’s a chance he’ll break me? I have to put an end to this. I’m sure he can choose someone else.”
Stephany shook her head, and clasped her hands. “He cannot choose another as he has already chosen you. Once a king has chosen, he may not choose again.” Stephany’s blue eyes widened. “I’ve already said too much. This is not for me to divulge. You must speak with Brant.”
“Please, Stephany. I don’t want to die. I want to go home.” She squeezed the other woman’s hand.
“This is your home. Just be thankful it was Brant that chose you and not Zane.” She looked away and sighed before putting her glazier eyes back on her. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. Brant is a good man. He will be careful. There is a risk of damage during mating. Not all humans survive.”