Seven hours passed, and the sun had gone down. Majestic was on her way westward, and Nikolai woke a happy man. “Regan, come here beloved,” he said sitting up in the bed.
“Well it is about time you woke,” Regan said, smiling in the doorway.
“I have not rested this well in quite sometime. How are you doing? You have been awake for three days.”
“I am beginning to get a little tired, but I did not want to rest until I knew you were okay.”
Nikolai patted the bed. “Come, sit.”
Regan sat next to Nikolai. He kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”
“And I you,” she said smiling.
“How about when we get to America, we will have an American style joining. Would you like that?”
“I believe they call it a wedding,” Regan said.
“How did you know that?”
“What do you think I have been doing all of this time? I have been reading.”
“Impressive. What else have you learned about this ‘wedding’?”
With his question, her face lit up with excitement. “There are gorgeous dresses, and tuxedos. The parents of the couple get to participate in the ceremony, as well as having as many friends as they want.”
“Perhaps when we are ready to have this ceremony, we will have joined a clan, and we will have family and friends around us to help us celebrate.”
“That would be nice.”
“Perhaps we will join Dimitri’s clan.”
Regan immediately stood up in protest. “I do not trust him beloved.”
“Why not?”
“Since when are there Daywalkers outside of the Clan of the Night?”
“Regan, we have never ventured away from home. We do not know what type of vampires live outside of our borders. He is the closest thing to a friend we have right now. He has taken this trip before, and he can help us.”
“Perhaps,” Regan said pouting. “I do not like the way he looks at me.”
Nikolai stood and wrapped his arms around her. “I do not like it either, but once we arrive, he can help us. I will not let him touch you, beloved, I promise.”
“He said he would like to take me on a tour of the ship. I told him I would not go without you.”
“Perhaps we will go and find him a little later. I do still have to pay him. However, for now, I wish to have you. We have not been together for two days.”
Regan smiled. “Make it quick.”
Nikolai laughed aloud, grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the bed. He turned up his powers a bit, and kissed her on the lips. He straddled her body and gave her several chaste kisses from her forehead to her neck.
“Nik,” Regan said softly. “You no longer have to use your powers. You already have me. Besides, when you do this, you have to feed more often. Save your energy beloved, and just make love to me.”
Surprised, Nikolai looked into her eyes, and said, “Very well.”
They made love, quietly and passionately. When they were finished, Regan looked at Nikolai and smiled. “I will shower first.”
“Regan dear, are you certain you want to take a tour of the ship? I still think you need to get some rest.”
“I will sleep when you do,” Regan said shaking her head. “I hate not having something to do for twelve hours.”
“It is a deal. Now, go shower, so I can as well. We will put on our finest, and go mingle with the food.”
Regan smiled. “You mean the guests?”
Nikolai chuckled. “Yes, of course, beloved. The guests.”
Regan stood up and left the room giving Nikolai time to be alone with his thoughts. Since he ran away, he had not had time to think about his family. How did his disappearance make them feel?
At the time he left, he was not on speaking terms with his father, Alec. He may not have liked his father at the time, but he was his father, and he still loved him. His mother, Brie, was probably having a nervous breakdown for lots of reasons. First, Nikolai murdered her third and favorite son, Lucas, right under the nose of the king, and then disappeared. Nikolai thought of his sweet mother, and hated that he had to break her heart.
His thoughts then drifted to the woman who he thought would be by his side forever. Angeline. He handpicked her when he was only thirteen, and their relationship only blossomed from there. Before he ran, they had been together for thirteen years. What did his disappearance do to her?
Then, there was his youngest brother, Byron. As much as Byron wished it, Nikolai could not allow himself to get close to his younger brother. Nikolai was in love with his brother’s wife and knew he eventually was going to steal her away from him.
He thought about the lie he told Byron in the king’s room of solitude. ‘However, I am no longer pursuing her. She has joined with you, and I, do not wish to have her any longer. I do this out of respect for you.’ Nikolai could not believe he told his own brother such a lie. He thought it was very selfish, but he did what he had to do so he could be happy. He no longer wished to yearn for Regan. He wanted her to himself, and now he had her.
He thought about his great-grandfather, the king, and his grandfather, his mother’s father. Darth and Xander. What were they going through? Darth loved Nikolai because he was special. Xander loved Nikolai because Nikolai was the only one of all of his grandsons to share his blood.
What about the rest of the clan who were so close to him? Boris and Isabella Bloodworth, his clan leader and his wife. Boris was his father’s closest friend, and Isabella was closest to his mother. Remus and Emma, Angeline’s aunt and her husband. What were they going to have to endure because of what he had done?
Nikolai was on the bed, naked and in deep in thought, when Regan came in and disturbed his thoughts.
“You were thinking about home?”
Nikolai sat up. “I was. Our family is suffering because of what I have done,” looking at Regan with regret in his eyes.
Regan walked over to Nikolai and gently kissed him on the forehead. “Nik, I have the same feelings of guilt as you. However, we would not have been happy if we did not choose to do this. You told me this yourself, did you not?”
“I did.”
“Well, it is your turn to shower. I will dress, and do my hair and makeup. By the time you are ready, I will be as well. We will then go find Master Dimitri, and he can take us on a tour, and tell us more about himself.”
“You wish to know about him now?”
“You made a good point, and I had time to think about it, so yes.”
“I am glad you see things my way.”
“You are my protector. I have no choice.”
Nikolai showered and put on his clothes. By the time he had tied his hair back, Regan was also finished. She wore a stunning indigo blue strapless gown, with shades of pink in organdy over satin with a beaded bodice and skirt. Regan also purchased the matching organza wrap, just in case it was cold. Not that she felt the cold. She did what she needed to do to blend in with her surroundings. She completed her outfit with full-length matching gloves and indigo blue shoes. Nikolai never saw her look so beautiful, even on her wedding day to Byron.
“You look stunning.”
Regan smiled. “You think so? I just could not pass this one up.”
“I am glad you did not.”
“You also look very handsome. Do you like your tuxedo?”
“I do, beloved, thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
Nikolai sighed. “Well, it is time for us to wow the humans with our beauty as master and servant. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I will ever be. Let’s go.”
Minutes later, they knocked on Dimitri’s door. He answered it, also ready to go mingle with the guests.
Dimitri couldn’t believe his eyes. “Wow, the both of you look fantastic.”
Nikolai stuck his chest out and replied, “Thank you.”
Dimitri stepped back to allow his guests in the door. “Please come in.”
Nikolai allowed Regan go in first and he followed.
Dimitri closed his cabin door and turned his attention to Nikolai. “I’ve met a woman. A striking creature by the name of Adriana. She was in Sussex visiting with her sister. She agreed to be my date for the evening.”
“I do not wish for her to go on the tour with us,” Nikolai disagreed. “There are several things I wish to discuss with you.”
“Not a problem. We’ll go to the main dinning room, have a drink or two, and I’ll excuse myself.”
“Very well, let us go,” Nikolai said taking a step forward.
Dimitri held up his hand. “Nikolai, before we do, I have to ask, and don’t take this personal. It’s obvious you come from a wealthy background, but do you have to speak as though you do?”
“I do not understand. This is the way I talk,” Nikolai said, somewhat offended.
“You don’t know what a contraction is?”
“No. What is it?”
“Listen to me. Listen to the way I talk. It’s a way to shorten your words. The French have used contractions for years to make their language sound better.”
“I have no need to shorten what I have to say.”
“If you’re going to be an American, I think you should think about it.”
“Dimitri, what do you mean?”
“I mean if you’re going to fit in, you should try it. Instead of will not, try won’t. Instead of I will, try I’ll. You’ll fit in better with people from America if you do this.”
“I am not certain I can. This is the way I speak.”
Dimitri sighed. “For tonight, I’ll let it go. But before we reach the shores of New York City, you’ll have this committed to memory.”
“As you wish my friend. Lead the way.”
Dimitri turned toward the door and quickly turned back. “Oh, one more thing. I, being vampire myself, know that Regan is your woman. Who is she tonight?”
“Come again?” Nikolai asked, confused.
“What role is Regan playing? Is she your woman, or is she your servant?”
“What does that matter?”
“It matters because I don’t wish to screw anything up for the both of you.”
“Which is more acceptable?”
“Because of Regan’s dark skin, she shouldn’t be in the main dining room at all. If she’s with you, she can come in as your servant, but you’ll have a hard time mingling. If she goes into that room as your wife, forget getting to know anyone.”
“Dimitri, you have managed to say a lot without saying anything. Which is more acceptable?”
“A servant.”
“Fine, that is who she will be. A favored servant in my house.”
“And, what’s your business?” Dimitri asked.
“Excuse me?”
“What business are you in? You’re about to enter a room full of very wealthy people. Some are in oil, and others, commodities. What’s your business?”
“Construction.”
“This is good. You’ll be very popular with a certain crowd. How do we know each other?”
“We met here on the Majestic.”
“No. We’ve been friends for no less than five years. People will accept this better.”
Again Nikolai’s frustration was beginning to show with all of Dimitri’s questions. “Shall we go? I do not have a need to spend so much time with those I plan to kill.”
Dimitri shook his head. “Get that out of your head right now. First class passengers are never food. Only feed from the third class. No one cares for them.”
“I’ve got it. Let’s go.”
Dimitri smiled. “You’ll fit in fine my friend. Let’s go to my date’s room and get her. From there, we’ll go mingle with the rich and famous.”
Regan uncomfortably watched Nikolai take lessons from someone they barely knew. She had nothing to say because this night was in Nikolai’s hands. She decided she would be quiet and say nothing unless someone spoke to her. Even then, she decided not to reveal her intelligence. She did not want to shame her love in front of hundreds of people.
They went to Adriana’s room, and Dimitri knocked on her door. She came to the door with a cigarette on the end of a long filter.
“Dimitri,” she said, surprised to see him. “I thought you said you were going to be late.”
“My friends were early, my dear, so I’m on time. Shall we go?”
“Certainly, just let me get my bag.”
She turned back into the room and came back out without her long filtered cigarette and a small black sequined purse to match her sequined gown. She closed the door behind her and locked it.
“Adriana, might I introduce my friend of five years, Nikolai Thorn.”
Nikolai smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you miss,” he said, kissing her gloved hand.
“And I you.”
“This is my housekeeper, Regan.”
“You’re taking her with you?” Adriana asked, surprised.
Nikolai smiled. “Yes. I’m going to America on business. My wife couldn’t make this trip. She insisted that Regan come with me to be sure all my needs are met. I told Regan she could come out with me tonight and have a drink.”
“You allow your help to socialize with you? I’ve never heard of such things.”
Nikolai bit his lip. “It’s not your business, my lady. Shall we go?”
Dimitri instantly knew they would not get along. He decided to dump Adriana as soon as he could.
They entered the grand ballroom of the Majestic. There were candles and white tablecloths on every table. Grandeur had not been lost with the loss of one of the fleet’s most memorable ships, Titanic.
It was a wonder people still traveled by ship even though they were aware they could lose their lives. White Star was more careful about safety at this point than looks. There were more than enough lifeboats on the ship, just in case of an emergency.
Adriana continued to watch Nikolai and Regan. Nikolai was a handsome man, and she wondered what his wife looked like. She was also wondering what type of woman she was. Adriana thought if she were married to Nikolai, there was no way she’d ever let him out of her sight. She was also quite disturbed that Dimitri shared the same circle with a servant. What was this going to make her look like?
For an hour, they were social. They mingled amongst their kind, talked about money and, in some cases, the lack of it. Once Dimitri had his fill of Adriana, he excused himself.
“My dear, I must spend some time with my friend. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen him, and we need to catch up.”
Adriana, uncomfortable around Regan, gladly excused Dimitri. “It’s fine with me. I’ll be in my room when you are finished.”
“I’ll see you then,” Dimitri smiled, and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Dimitri, Nikolai and Regan left the dining room before dinner came. This would eliminate the many questions about why they were not eating. They began walking about the ship, Dimitri showing them various things. As they walked, Nikolai was ready to know more about the vampire who helped him for so much money.
“Dimitri, might I ask your age?”
“I’m still quite young by vampire standards. I’m one hundred and fifty. And you?”
“I am even younger than you my friend. I am only twenty-seven, and Regan is twenty-two.”
“How long have the both of you been vampire?”
“Regan was made a year ago. I, myself, was born this way.”
Dimitri stopped in his tracks. “Born? How’s this possible?”
“Both of my parents are half-human.”
“Nikolai, this isn’t possible either. Either one is human or vampire. There’s no such thing as half.”
“It is a long story that I will save for another time, but this is the way of my coven. I will say this. Our scientists found a way to allow male vampires to impregnate human women. Therefore, we have hundreds of half humans living amongst us.”
“I suppose the humans die in childbirth?”
“Yes.”
“Incredible,” Dimitri said and continued to walk.
“Where do you hail from?” Nikolai asked.
“I come from America, but I was made in Bristol, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Yes.”
“And what about you? Where did the two of you come from?”
“We come from Sussex.”
“Would you happen to be former members of the Coven of Kings?”
“We would.”
“I’ve heard of your coven.”
“Really? What have you heard?”
“It’s a very large coven and by far the most formidable in the country. Why’d the both of you leave, when you had the safety of so many just like you?”
Nikolai managed a small smile. “Let’s just say I’m the great-grandson of the king, and I’ve done things that would get me killed.”
“You don’t want to tell me.”
“Perhaps when we reach the shores of America I’ll tell you.”
Regan broke her silence. “Dimitri, tell me, how is it that you are a Daywalker like myself? As far as I know, only one clan can do this.”
Dimitri smiled. “The Clan of the Night.”
“How do you know the name of my clan?”
“Not everyone that originated in the Coven of Kings stay’s there, my dear. One of the Clan of the Night founded my small coven in Bristol. That’s how I’m able to walk during the day like you.”
“I see. So why did you leave?” She asked still trying to figure him out.
“Not by choice. My king sent me into exile for committing a crime. I escaped from my prison, snuck onboard Titanic, survived the disaster, and stayed in America.”
Nikolai was surprised. “You were on Titanic?”
Dimitri smiled. “I was. Of the passengers who died that night, not all of them died by drowning.”
Nikolai chuckled. “How many did you feed upon?”
“As many as I could in five days. I would venture to say at least ten.”
Regan looked at Dimitri. “Were all of them women?”
“I only feed on the blood of women, my dear. They were nothings. Third class whores.”
“You say they were whores, how did you know? Did they tell you of their profession?”
“Regan, have you always been this naive? I call them whores because I had sex with them before I killed them. As I said, they were nothings.”
Nikolai changed the subject before Dimitri had a chance to insult Regan again. “Where in America do you live?”
“New York. It’s a busy city with good work, if you can find it. I wouldn’t suppose you would be looking for a job, as rich as you are.”
“We would like to blend in as much as possible. We no longer have the protection of our coven.”
“Ah well then. There are several small clans in New York. Some with members as few as five. Not all are friendly. Most are very territorial so be careful.”
“What of your clan. How many are you connected to?”
“Seventy-five. My master is…well let’s just say he has good manners. But also territorial. He is looking to become the Lord of the City so he kills those he can’t recruit. At three hundred years old, he is by far the most powerful vampire I’ve seen to date.”
“Impressive.”
Dimitri was silent for a moment and thought about what he was going to show them next. “Nikolai, my friend, all of this talk about blood and women has made me a bit thirsty. I believe it’s time I showed you how to hunt aboard this ship. Are you ready to learn?”
Nikolai turned to Regan. “Regan, would you rather feed now or sleep?”
“As long as this does not take all night, I will go with you to feed.”
“Are you certain? You are starting to look tired.”
“Yes, beloved. Do not worry about me, I will be fine.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
“You’ll need to change clothes,” Dimitri said. “If we show up dressed like this where I’m going to take you, they won’t let us in. Put on some traveling clothes, and you’ll blend in fine. I’ll wait for you in my room.”
They changed clothes and went down to third class in the bowels of the ship. There they found everyone dancing and enjoying one another. They were drinking and laughing. Nikolai and Regan were amazed.
“I do not understand. Why is everyone so happy?” Regan asked.
“This is what the lower class does for fun.”
“What is it that they are drinking?” Nikolai asked.
“Beer.”
“I have never seen a beer that dark,” Nikolai said, watching a nearby man finish his glass.
“It’s probably made with either wheat or rye. This is what gives it the dark color. Would you like to try some?”
“I believe I will have some a little later with my food.”
Dimitri laughed aloud. “I’ve gotten a little drunk myself this way.”
Regan stood and watched Nikolai and Dimitri’s acquaintance begin to blossom into friendship. Still, she was not comfortable. There was something about him that was not right, and she still couldn’t put her finger on it, but she would keep that to herself.
Regan looked at Dimitri. “So what do we do now?”
The look on his face of pure joy. “We join the party, my dear. Never give anyone your real name, and if they lead you away from this common area, feed on them when they get you back to their room, and don’t come back in here. If you manage to drain them, you shouldn’t have to feed again.”
“Once we go to their room what happens?” Regan asked.
Dimitri looked at Regan. “Anything goes. Just be quiet about it.”
“I am not sleeping with any of these vagabonds.”
“I didn’t say you had to. I just said keep quiet.” Thinking Regan needed a distraction, Dimitri turned to Nikolai. “Nikolai, would you mind if I danced with Regan?”
Enjoying his surroundings, Nikolai said, “Not at all, my friend. Go right ahead.”
“Regan would you like to dance with me?”
Regan looked at Nikolai in protest, but said, “Certainly.”
Dimitri took Regan’s hand, grabbed her around the waist, and danced with her around the floor. Nikolai was watching to see if she was going to begin to enjoy herself, and eventually, she smiled.
As he was standing there, several of the women in the room were watching him. One in particular made eye contact and she slowly moved toward him. Nikolai was ready for just about anything with this crowd of people. She was tall, blond, with green eyes. She walked right up to Nikolai and said, “Hello handsome. Would you like to dance?”
“Only after I get your name,” Nikolai said with a smile.
“Brenda.”
“My name is Alec,” Nikolai lied. “Are you here on Majestic alone, Brenda?”
“I am here with my sister.”
“Are you married?”
“No. How about you?”
“As a matter of fact, no.”
“Now will you dance with me handsome Alec?”
“Certainly.”
Nikolai took Brenda by the hand, smiled at her, pulled her close to him, and began to dance. All the while thinking she could be the one he was going to feed upon. She was pretty, and Nikolai hoped her blood was just as tasty.
They danced, flirted and left with the one of their choosing. Regan kissed the man she was with when they arrived in his room. She took off his shirt and rubbed his chest. She pushed him on the bed and straddled him, and kissed him about the neck and shoulders. When he was relaxed, Regan began to nip at his neck. The man was enjoying it. Regan licked the blood that oozed from his small wound, and he still didn’t object. She opened her mouth wide, not really wanting to hurt him, and bit down as gently as she could. The man began to struggle to get up, but she was too strong. Within a minute, his struggling stopped. Regan was able to drain him dry. She wiped her mouth, covered him up with his blanket, and went back to her room. It was there she found Nikolai sitting waiting for her.
“What took so long?” He asked.
Regan rolled her eyes. “I had to practically seduce him in order for me to get close to his neck.”
“So, you are full then?”
“Yes. What about you? How did your little adventure go?”
“My powers helped me. I didn’t even have to kiss Brenda. I turned my powers up full blast, and bit her. She didn’t even know what hit her.”
“Good,” Regan said as a sudden surge of jealousy hit her. She was jealous that the man she loved had taken the blood of another, and he didn’t have to work as hard as she did to get it.
“What is the matter, love?”
Regan shook her head and lied to him. “Nothing. Now that we are full beloved, can we rest?”
“If you wish.”
“I wonder how Dimitri did.”
“No doubt, he will be successful. He has done this before.”
Appalled at the thought, Regan replied, “I would almost bet he is having sex first.”
Nikolai tilted his head and asked, “Regan is there something going on? While the two of you were dancing, did he do or say something I should be aware of?”
“No. Something about him makes my skin crawl. I am fine beloved.”
“You will tell me if he does something wrong.”
“Yes beloved. Now, can we please go to sleep?”
“Certainly.”
They undressed, and got into the bed. Nikolai pulled her close to him, and smelled another man’s scent on her. Now he knew what Byron must have felt like. He did not like it at all.