Chapter 13
I was at the castle, getting ready for the official coronation. In the eyes of all magical creatures, I was the new Vampire Queen. Tonight was a formal technicality. Plus there would be food and dancing. This castle was my new home-for now-maybe forever. Sure, I still wanted to attend college. And I would. Someday.
No one knew what happened to Sharra. Not even Abernathy. He believed that wherever she was, she wasn't dead.
"Balance," he said. "It's been restored. "Had she died, the balance would still be off kilter."
My mom decided to live with me in the castle. She had a room down the hall from mine. We'd stayed up until the early hours of the morning talking. I'd wanted to know how she was rescued. It was an exciting tale. The brothers did little else but talk about it. From what my mom said, Cindy sounded like the hero. Cindy was more demure, and I wondered why. We hadn't had a chance to talk yet.
Getting to know my mother again would take time. But, I figured that was what a person did. Made an effort for those important to them. And my mom was a significant part of me.
Cindy was going to live at the castle too. As was Daniel and Salvatore. I had a feeling Cindy wouldn't stay for long though. It made me sad. We were growing, and moving on.
Heathcliff would divide his time between the house in Salem, and the castle, as would Professor Pops. They'd decided to keep the testing facility in Salem open and in tact, but they were going to build one here in Sharra as well.
Several of the magical creatures, including Ryden, were on board to help. It seemed the idea of science and magic melding together was exciting to lots of creatures. Not just humans.
Gabe would stay at the house in Salem. He wasn't thrilled about the way magical creatures had free reign of the Earth once again. It turned out he'd liked the way the old Vampire Queen had things. He was of the opinion humans would be safer, as would creatures of magic, if they were kept separate.
Sebastian, and Bart opted to stay at the house with Gabe. Not because they weren't behind my decision, but because, as Bart said, "We need to keep the chayot leader from getting uptight or taking himself too seriously."
Gabe and I would be working together often. As the leader of the chayot, his new purpose was to make sure humans were treated fairly. The chayot were no longer desirous to kill me, at least not outwardly anyway. And, as the new queen, it would be my job to make certain all magical creatures were happy and treated equally.
I quickly realized ruling wasn't going to be easy. That was obvious within seconds of the Vampire Queen's disappearance. She'd forced her subjects to be loyal. That kind of allegiance didn't last.
But I possessed one thing she hadn't. The love of family and friends. Real love. Real friends.
Plus, I had Dorian.
"Why don't you let me fetch Fina and Trina," Zenny said, bringing me out of my musings.
Cindy had already fixed my hair. Soft curls cascaded down my back. She pulled up the sides, and pinned them around the small, diamond and onyx encrusted tiara. My makeup was subtle, except my lips. They were blood red.
"It's appropriate, Snow. You're the Vampire Queen. Own it," Cindy said with a large smile.
She left to get ready and check on Gabe.
At the moment I was trying, without success, to zip a big, poofy, old-fashioned, irritating dress. Zenny designed it, and the fairies made it. The dress was beautiful, but overwhelming. The material was velvet, and deep purple. Black ribbing crisscrossed in the front, and tiny pearl buttons peaked from between the laced bodice. I stood in front of a large, oval mirror. Zenny had his hands on his hips, huffing, and stomping his feet.
"Be careful, child. For crying out loud, that dress isn't made of bricks. It's delicate."
"Sorry," I responded.
"Maybe I can help," Dorian said from the door.
I sighed with relief. "Yes, please."
He looked so incredibly handsome. He wore black pants, a white shirt, and a jacket made from the same material as mine. On his sandy hair was a crown. His onyx eyes, that exactly resembled mine, danced with mischief.
"Allow me," he said, pretending to be hoity-toity.
I pulled a face, but whatever I intended to say flitted from my head. He face was no longer playful, but intent and serious. He was staring at my back, where the dress opened. I shivered.
His fingers grazed my skin, and I sucked in a breath. "You're so beautiful, Snow."
I opened my mouth to respond, but couldn't speak. My lower belly was on fire. We had yet to kiss again, and every inch of my body longed for his touch, his lips on mine. He brushed his fingers over my shoulders, and turned me.
My dress hung on my arms, so I was barely covered in the front. His fingers found my face, and stroked my cheeks, sending flickers of heat all over. Lowering his head, his lips brushed mine. Soft. I responded with force, opening my mouth. A sound escaped the back of his throat, and his eyes met mine. Then he growled and picked me up, moving me to the bed. He laid me down and climbed on top. His lips met mine with profound force and I let out a mew, something I'd never done before.
As I wrapped my legs around Dorian's hips, I barely heard Zenny say, "I'll come back later. Your hair is already a wreck. I don't even know why I try."
I smiled against Dorian's lips.
"I thought he'd never leave." Dorian tucked his arms under me so our bodies were pressed together everywhere. "Bite me," he whispered, a naughty glint in his eyes. "I know it's been a while."
I gave him a thoughtful look. "You are my true love. Of that I have no doubt, but..." I extended my fangs. "I'm still a vampire." I smiled, and went for his neck.
Dorian chuckled sexily. "You're amazing," he said, kissing a trail along my shoulder.
My stomach quivered.
I wanted to comply. The scent of his skin, his blood, was incredible. But for some reason, at that moment Christopher's words entered my mind. He'd told me not to let anyone drink from me. Since Dorian wasn't a vampire, I would never allow that to happen, but I wondered why. Not that I cared. Whatever Christopher's reason, it'd been selfish.
Dorian tilted his neck, giving me better access to a vein. I sank in my fangs. He groaned in pleasure and I pulled him closer, knocking the annoying crown off his head, and running my hands through his hair.
I counted internally.
One.
Two.