Chapter Fourteen

 

 

Kourosh dreaded these impromptu bonding’s that only he was tasked to perform. He could not understand why people didn’t simply take the time to adequately plan for such an important event instead of springing up out of nowhere in a desperate need to be bonded. He made a mental note to himself to bring it up at the next council meeting.

These bonding ceremonies were his idea. It was in an attempt to create order amongst his people, to end the depravity and wickedness. They were like pigs in mud, all of them falling under the weight of concupiscence. They were an embarrassment, disgracing not only him, but also themselves and each other. With such lack of restraint and no boundaries, many were killed. Kourosh shouldered the blame for it all. He alone had turned them into monsters and only he alone could fix.

Kourosh knew he had to do something before they destroyed each. He did not want to destroy his own people. He loved them too much. He wanted to save them, to give them one last chance to become more like the humans race.

This is where the bonding laws came into play. Once a vampire chose his mate, completed the bonding ceremony and rituals, he became the sole owner of his mate. No other vampires had the right to another vampire’ property. Witnessing of consummation verify the validity of a true consortium.

 Kourosh being, well, being Kourosh, made it mandatory that he inspected all potential consorts before any such bonding took place. He never allowed just anyone to enter into his world. Outsiders had to be touched, enabling him to look their hearts and minds to determine if they were worthy to become a vampire’s consort. Nowadays potential consorts had to be of good moral standing and have real intentions towards their bride or groom. All females had to show true strength, wisdom, and grace. Men had to display the ability to be leaders.

Flickering lights that came from sconces that hung from hooks on the concrete walls dimly lighted the ceremonial hall. The room was much like a gothic cathedral with high ceilings, looming archways, and an altar at the far end. Being fond of Washington’s National Cathedral, Kourosh designed his ceremonial hall to resemble it in many ways. The only thing missing was Gregorian chants and monks.  

At the altar, Kourosh sat on his cushioned throne. The four council members sat slightly behind him watching as Roman made his way toward them to request permission to take Desiree as his life-long consort. Reaching the platform, Roman went down on one knee and bowed his head to his master.

“So, once again you come before the council with another victim,” Kourosh said sarcastically.

“Yes, My Lord.”

“How many times have you stood in that exact spot proclaiming that you had found your true love only to have the poor woman take her own life within days after being bonded to you?”

Kourosh really didn’t need an answer. He just wanted to throw that fact in Roman’s face. Women were always throwing themselves at this man’s feet. Panties came off left and right yet he was unable to keep a woman despite whatever it was they found irresistible about him. Kourosh knew that Roman was ruthless when it came to carrying out punishments for disobedience. That was something he actually admired about him.

Over the centuries, Kourosh had grown to dislike Roman. There wasn’t one good reason why, there were many reasons. Top on the list was that he found himself always competing with him. It was exhausting and it made no sense. He was undoubtedly the more superior vampire.

“What is the poor woman’s name this time?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Her name is Desiree Chase, My Lord.”

Roman detested Kourosh twice as much as Kourosh detested him. But for now, he had to suppress his feelings of hatred and play it cool. He could not have Kourosh suspecting anything this early in the game. He had to make sure Kourosh spoke the words that would bond them for life and would make Desiree his property. Kourosh could never touch her even if he knew the truth. That she was his Betrothed.

Jabari, high priest and wizard sat on Kourosh right. He was one of the most sought after, black magic wizards who ever lived.

“What makes, Desiree Chase any different from the others?” Jabari asked.   

What made her different was that she was a goddess with untapped powers that he needed to make his men strong so that could fight to take over your throne. Roman pushed that though to the back of his mind and tried his best to forget about it.

“From the moment we met I could feel the bonding taking place.”

Roman wasn’t lying. He did feel something when he first saw Desiree standing there in his office. Whether or not it was bonding, he could not be sure. It could have simply been his cock reacting to her beauty.

Immediate bonding was not taken lightly in their world. It happened so infrequently that when it did it was looked upon as sacred and was treated as such. Immediate bonding only happened between genuine soul mates. It was said to be a love that transcended time and could never die. Not even through death. It is what every vampire longed to find.

“Are you aware of the seriousness of this matter? Are you sure the bonding took place immediately?” Jabari asked fascinated over the possibility.

“I am quite sure. I felt it right away.”

Jabari raised a brow and gave Roman a look of doubt. “This woman must be remarkable. I look forward to meeting her.”

Adise stood from her throne and descended to the platform. Still on one knee with his head bowed to her, Roman did not move until she spoke. “Please stand and face me.”

Roman stood to face the woman who leaned over him centuries ago and placed a tiny drop of her blood onto his tongue changing his life forever. She was just as he had remembered, erotically beautiful with sexuality oozing from every pore. Adise carried five hundred centuries well.

Kourosh leaned forward in his chair watching his sister. One would have to be blind to miss the look they shared. It was a look of past love and many regrets. He knew all too well the flame that she carried for Roman. That was also on his list of reasons why he detested the man so much. 

She reached up and gently stroked the side of his face. Her touch was gentle and familiar, soothing and warm. It sent an aching throughout his body. The longing in her eyes and pounding of her heart spoke to him in ways he thought he would never feel from her again.

“I’ve missed you.” She whispered low so that no one else can hear.

Roman fought hard to control his feelings. They were nothing close to the way he felt for Desiree, but he still felt something for Adise and he knew that Kourosh was watching them. He was like a hawk, watching over everything, never missing a thing. “I have missed you too.” He murmured.

Adise rose up on her toes to kiss him tenderly on the lips.

“Adise!” Kourosh roared. “Return to your seat at once or you will be banished from these proceedings.

Smiling at him, Adise ran her thumb over his lips, and then ran her hand down the length of his chest. She merely wanted to touch him again, to recall a time when they were happy and in love. She vanished and reappeared on her throne.

Nia, who was equally as beautiful as her older sister Adise was, cut her a look of disgust. She used her power of telepathy to speak to her.

“You are embarrassing yourself. The man is practically bonded, yet still you lust after him. Have you no shame?”

Adise did not know the meaning of the word shame when it came to Roman. If she did, it wouldn’t matter. She felt like she was born to love Roman. She went to bed thinking of him and woke up the same way. She would never give him up.

“Roman will always be mine. No amount of bonding will ever change that.” She spoke back to her sister.

Kourosh could hear every thought spoken between his sisters especially while they sat this close to him. His sister’s lack of respect to him, the throne, and ceremonial proceedings were a slap in his face. What really got his goat was the lustful display of affection toward a man who she knew was at the top his list of suspect for treachery. To him it was a blatant statement saying; fuck you, dear brother, and all of your feelings.

Kourosh grunted as he gave her a look. He would definitely visit her room later to teach her a lesson in loyalty. 

Nia was much like Desiree. She would much rather kill a man than to have him take advantage of her in any way. She was a no-nonsense vampire with an ax to grind with anyone who stepped in her way. She would not waste her time to step down from her throne to greet a man she didn’t care for. When she looked at Roman, she saw nothing but a skilled manipulator who was able to seduce women by pretending to care about them when all he really did was fuck them and leave them. She had nothing to say to him, so she stayed put and said nothing at all.

Out of the three sisters, Alarah was the one who was the most lovable. Just as beautiful as her two sisters, she was sweet and demure, playful, childlike and seemingly happy at all times. But don’t let her playful manner fool you. She could gut you like a fish quicker than you could bat an eye.

Alarah jumped up out of her seat and approached Roman with a big smile on her face. It was apparent that she was happy to see him.

“If you so much as touch him I will rip your arm out of the socket and feed it to the alligators!” Adise warned, using her powers of telepathy.

Alarah ignored her sister’s threats as she reached up and planted a kiss on Roman’s left cheek and then the right. Taking a huge chance, she wrapped her arm around him in a tender embrace and whispered quietly in his ear. “Be careful. Eyes are everywhere.”

She pulled back to look at him with a smile on her face. “You look well Roman and many congrats on finding your true love. I’m sure she’s beautiful and I can’t wait to meet her.”

Roman took her hand and kissed it, then bowed his head. “Thank you. She is indeed most beautiful.”

Alarah caressed the side of his face and kissed him on the lips knowing that it would infuriate her sister, but she did not care. How many times had they both infuriated her, even going out of their way to do so; leaving her behind to deal with Kourosh as they went off on their travels. How many times had they tricked her into doing things that upset Kourosh and left her to take the blame? How many times had she been punished when they were at fault? If kissing Roman upset her older sister, then good. It was called payback and she deserved far worse. Adise and Nia were bitches and she didn’t very much like either one of them. 

Adise appeared at her sister’s side and yanked her away from Roman by the hair.

“You cunning little twit…”

“I’m either cunning or a twit, sister; I can’t be both, so choose!”

“Enough!” Kourosh yelled at them, but Alarah wasn’t finished playing with her sister’s head. She had centuries of built-up anger to lay on her. She knew using Roman would hit her where it hurt the most.

“Soon your heartthrob will belong to his beautiful consort. He will be out of your reach forever. How does it feel to know that you’ll never have the man that you have pined over for centuries like an idiot?”

“Enough, Alarah,” Kourosh shouted, but Alarah was on a roll.

“You’ll soon have the pleasure of watching him fuck his consort. I’m sure it won’t be as pleasurable for you as it will be for her.”

Roman stood looking at Alarah in a different light. He admired her spunk. From what he remembered of her, she was considered the mutt of the Taghavii clan- Always last and always being picked on. He had to smile as she gave Adise her comeuppances.

Kourosh could not understand the sick and twisted fascination his sister had when it came to Roman. She was in a permanent state of lust that caused her to act out in ways that were extremely unbecoming for a member of the council. This worried him and often gave cause to consider killing her. He would have done so centuries ago, but Jabari talked him out of it. Now as he looked at the way she was behaving over a man she could never have, he was reconsidering his original thought. 

“You keep your lips away from him or I’ll rip them off and shove them up your...”

“Adise to your room, now!” Kourosh yelled his voice echoed and bounced off the walls, but Adise didn’t move. She just stood there looking up at Roman, the only man she had ever truly loved. The only man she ever wanted. The moment her blood mixed with his he opened his eyes and stared up at her. She knew that he was special. From that moment on, they were inseparable. It started out innocent, but soon turned into something wild, crazed, and destructive. Lust, then jealousy, then rage took over. Adise went wild, out of control over any woman who so much as looked at her man. Kourosh had to put an end to their volatile love affair forbidding them to see each other again.

“I won’t be as understanding the next time, sister,” Kourosh warned as Adise stared at the man who owned her heart. She wished she could tell him how much she still loved him, but Kourosh blocked her ability to communicate with him. 

Roman could only stare at the woman he once cared for. Though he never really loved her the same way she loved him, he did care for her deeply. He owed her his life and hoped that he would one day have the opportunity to let her know how he felt.

 Adise vanished and appeared in her room crying hysterically as she fell onto her bed. She put new meaning to the phrase, “drama queen” as she sobbed like a child who was denied a piece of candy in a candy store. Nia appeared on the bed next to her.

“Seriously, Adise?” The man has aged miserably. He is no longer a hottie. You can do much better than, Roman DePaul.” 

Adise stopped crying long enough to look up at her sister as she hissed, showing her fangs. “You take that back right now or I’ll have your tongue removed for spewing such filth!

“Okay, calm down. He is still hot! I was only trying to ease your suffering. But since you have lost your sense of humor I’ll leave you to carry on alone.”

Nia started to fade away, but Adise stopped her. “It’s not fair. Roman is mine. I still love him. Whoever this Chase woman is she will never be good enough for him.”

“How would you know? She may be perfect for him.”

Adise raked her sister with a cold look. “She is human, you idiot!” She shouted and she disappeared and reappeared across the room pacing the floor. Nia stretched out on a chaise and listened as her sister went on and on about how unfair life was, how she and Roman were made for each other.

Adise had everything. Stunning good looks a shamelessly fab body, more money than she could ever spend, mansions across the globe, a top-notch education, men chasing her from here to Timbuktu. You name it, she had it, and if she didn’t have it, it was because she didn’t want it. The only thing she truly wanted was Roman DePaul.

“One of these days our brother is going to push me too far.”

“Oh, please. Give it up, Adise. You can never beat Kourosh.”

“One day he will find his match. I only pray that I am around to see it and rub it in his face.”

“His match,” Nia said laughing aloud. “Truly, sister, there is no match for our brother. Jabari and his demons would have them fried if it were.” 

Adise vanished and reappeared in front of her sister. “Whoever this woman is, I want her head on a platter.”

“Impossible. Roman will have that pussy guarded 24/7.”

“Nothing is impossible.”

“Then what purpose would killing her serve? Any kind of relationship between you and your man is still forbidden. Kourosh will kill you himself if you disobey him with this.”

Nia was right. Kourosh was at the end of his patience when it came to Adise and Roman. So many times, she had tried to love another man, but it wasn’t right because it wasn’t Roman; seeing him again today opened her heart again to the possibilities of what could be, what should have been had it not been for Kourosh and his damn rules. The only way she could ever have Roman was if her brother was out of her way. Realizing what had to be done, she began pacing the floor again, thinking, plotting and planning her move.

It was for this very reason Kourosh instructed Jabari to put a curse on all female vampires that would limit their magical abilities. After watching them go after each other over men, clothes, and something as petty as a bottle of nail polish, he didn’t trust their judgment. Their jealousy, mood swings, uncaring nature, and selfish behavior were unpredictable. He thought it best to curve their powers in order to save the world and his sanity. Adise was his biggest problem. When she wanted something, she stopped at nothing to get it. She was quite patient in her endeavor but ruthless in her attack. There were times when he admired that quality in her, but he no longer trusted her. She had turned into a vampire bitch and he was determined to make her change, or end her life. 

Feeling the presence of her brother near, Nia stood abruptly “Good luck sister.” She popped out of the room just as the door burst opened and Kourosh appeared in front of her. Adise rolled her eyes at him, then headed over to her vanity and took a seat. 

“Why install doors if you’re not going to respect their purpose?”

“You are pathetic. Throwing yourself at a man who threatens to destroy everything we have built.”

“But I love him, Kourosh.”

“I am your brother!” He yelled at her. “You should love me more!”

Adise could see the hurt in his eyes and it saddened her, but Kourosh was a hard person to love every day. “You have no proof that it is him.”

“Prove to me that it is not!”

Adise picked up a brush and began brushing her hair that flowed down her back.

“Everyone is under suspicion until we find the true culprit.” He took a step closer to stand behind her, running his hand through her hair. “Pray that it is not your dear, sweet Roman because if it is,” he said as he fisted a handful of her hair and pulled her head back. “I will hand you his genitals to wear around your neck. Maybe then you will finally be done with him.”

“He is mine, Kourosh. You have no right to threaten me with his life.”

“He will never be yours. Once I bind him to his consort, it will be unbreakable. No longer will he be one flesh, but two and what I join together no one can put asunder. That includes you. So, my brotherly advice to you is to give up and move on.”

If he was trying to hurt her, it worked. He should have just driven a stake through her heart because she felt like she had just died. A human was snatching the only man she had ever loved away from her.

“But on the bright side, you, dear sister you belong to me. I created you and for that, I will bear the burden.”

When Kourosh started talking this way, it never ended well for her. But she was never one to beg her brother for anything. She took her punishments with her head held high. Whips, chains. She didn’t care.

“You need to be taught a lesson.”

Deep down, Kourosh loved each of his sisters with everything he had. Each one was special in their own unique way. Every punishment he gave felt like a punishment for himself, but they were unavoidable. 

 “Get up!” He snarled.

Adise stood to face her brother. Her heart was aching from the truth that Roman would never love her the way she loved him.

“You are banned from this castle until further notice.”

Oh cool, she thought. A nice vacation away from him would benefit her greatly. It would give her some time to think about how she was going to kill him.

“That’s fine with me. I hate it here anyway.”

“I’m taking control of your life from this point on.”

Her eyes went wide with fear. “I am sending you to India.”

Oh, India wasn’t all that bad she thought. There were plenty of nice places to live and visit there. She always wanted to visit Goa Beach and Kanyakumari, the place where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal meet up. She heard that it was a place to enjoy moments of solitude while gazing at the darkening horizon.

“You will stay there until you have learned to control your desires and urges for things you cannot have. You will work as a volunteer helping the poor and those who cannot help themselves. I will be relieving you of your power. You will live as a human.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” She shot back at him.

“I wouldn’t? Just stand there and watch me,” He said cutting her with a look so hard she could feel the deep shit up to her knees. “You should be grateful that you are still breathing. You have Jabari to thank for that. But you won’t be so lucky the next time you show disrespect towards our name and me. Sister or not, I will waste no time killing you along with Jabari.”

The tone in his voice cut through Adise deeper and sharper than any knife ever could. She stood there with her heart lodged in her throat. She knew that he loved her, but looking at him this way, she was no longer sure.

“That’s heartless and cruel, even for you, Kourosh.”

“Thank you.” He beamed with a smile. “I’ll be sending Nia along with you. She will have limited powers. The village where you’ll be staying is not a very safe one. Go and try to be happy there, sister.”

They shared a look for a moment as they remember the days when they actually were happy; the times when they truly did love each other as innocent children running around playing childish games, the days before they became monsters. Adise vanished.

 

****

 

Watching Desiree through the eye of Horus, Delilah moved her hand over the Oracle making sure her daughter was heavily protected. Shielded from Kourosh and Jabari’s powers. If he discovered her real identity, he would have every right to her. There would be nothing that she could do to stop him.

She watched as the proceedings were about to begin. Spectators filled the room eager to witness and celebrate the bonding of a fellow vampire to his true mate-his one, and only soul mate.

This was an important event in the world of vampires, but the proof would be in the pudding as they say or better yet, in the actual consummation. If it turned out that Desiree was his true love, his soul mate then it was said that for a split second their bodies literally became one; melted together to show the world that they were indeed made for each other. Kourosh and Jabari had to witness this occurrence in order to deem it authentic.

Delilah had that covered too. She had the power to make Desiree’s image disappear for as long as needed to convince Kourosh and Jabari that it was indeed true. She was well acquainted with their rules and laws. She studied them over the centuries for this day. She even went a step further by enlisting the help of an actual vampire to school her on all of their rituals. She knew it all; everything from A to Z.

Once bonded, Desiree would become Roman’s permanent source of feeding. That alone placed him in a higher status than those who still needed to hunt like animals to feed. It elevated him even higher that his mate was a human. This shot him up to the status of an aristocrat. If they only knew how right they were because not only was Desiree, an aristocrat by royal descent, she was a goddess.

The room came alive with thunderous cheers and vigorous applauding as Desiree appeared. She did exactly what Ivy told her to do; she bowed her head, first and went down on both knees at Roman’s side. She didn’t have the slightest clue as to what was about to take place, but all of Ivy’s instructions were planted firmly in her head.

After a few minutes, the room grew silent. Desiree could hear the sound of footsteps approaching on the platform. Then someone was standing over her.

“Stand,” Kourosh commanded her. 

Keeping her gaze downward, Desiree stood just as Ivy instructed her. A hand touched her chin and lifted it until their eyes met. 

Kourosh was a vision of everything sinful and unholy, but all in a good, bad boy kind of way. Roman was the beginning, the middle, and the end of all things fine and magnificent, suave, magnetic, and charismatic. He was a creature far beyond anything that Desiree had ever seen. But this man was something different altogether. He was un-fucking-believable! Desiree could have stood there for the rest of her life staring up into his eyes and would have stayed happily amused. Oh, hell yes! She was for sure in a deep, dark coma because men like this did not exist in the real world.    

Kourosh’s eyes rolled down the length of her body amorously, taking in every bit of her as he wondered where she had been all of his life and why they hadn’t bumped into each other before. It was odd how memories of his childhood started racing through his mind as his eyes lingered on her lips, and then her neck where he stayed for a few seconds too long before his eyes reached her breast. He felt like a child again, as he looked into her into her eyes confused, but not sure as to why. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to feel the smoothness of her chocolate skin, but the collar of ownership around her neck prevented him from doing so.

As her delicate body stood before him, he felt something. He felt human again. He wanted this woman for his own.

“You have chosen well.” He said with his eyes glued to Desiree. “You have found favor with your gods.” He added with a smirk.

“Yes, My Lord,” Roman replied knowing that his words were meant as a mockery. He knew that Kourosh had no faith, trust, or anything for that matter when it came to the gods. 

“Speak your name before all who have come to witness this bonding.”

The sound of his voice sent cold chills down her spine. This man radiated intensity that was overpowering and a little scary. All she could do was stare back at him feeling small and at his “Desiree Chase.” She murmured, thinking what an awesome coma she was in, or, perhaps it was a nightmare.

Kourosh reached for Desiree’s left hand and gently turned it over so that her palm faced upward. He sandwiched her hand between his, holding it while he quickly examined her life.

“I am Kourosh. Lord and Master, Ruler of the underworld.” He leaned down to kiss her palm taking his time before looking up at her again.

Desiree felt all kinds of feelings, but mostly a sense of euphoria. The last time she felt this way, she had just snorted a few lines of cocaine. Oh, he could definitely qualify as a drug because her heart rate had increased to an alarming rate. She was breathless and wondered just what was up with Kourosh, Lord and Master of all?

He offered her a smile as he held on to her hand. “It is an honor to meet you, Desiree Chase.”

Lord have mercy! The man was beautiful, she thought as she stared up into his eyes that rendered her stupid. She could actually feel the power that emanated from every inch of his six foot three stature.

With his breath caught in his throat, Kourosh stood there befuddled and speechless. Never in his life had he been so utterly taken by a woman, at first sight. Desiree had overwhelmed and overpowered him in a way that seemed unnatural to him. He didn’t know what to say or even how to act in front of her. He felt an odd connection to her and tried to analyze the reason behind it. He quickly waved his hand causing everyone in the room to freeze.

“What is it?” Jabari asked rushing to his side.

To say that something was amiss would have been a gross understatement. Something was horribly awry, this he knew the longer he stared at her.   

 “Who is this woman? And did you do a thorough check of her?”

“Of course, my Lord, the moment she appeared I checked her. She is who she claims to be, Desiree Chase, a mere human, nothing special.”

Kourosh would never be convinced of that. Not the way she was sending off vibes and making, his body react in ways it hadn’t in years. “Oh, she is definitely special!” He snarled. “Find out what makes her special,” He demanded. 

Jabari could never be labeled a coward, but even on a good day, Kourosh scared the hell out of him. He never wanted to disappoint his master so always did his best to please him. No matter what he asked of him, Jabari always came throught.

He quickly waved his hand opening a portal that enabled them to see into the life of Desiree from the moment she appeared on the steps of Saint Ann’s Orphanage. Her entire life played out quickly before them.

Kourosh watched intently, waiting for something to pop out that would signify that she was something more than just a mere human. There was nothing. She was as human as they came.

 

****

 

Delilah was not at all worried about Kourosh’s apparent revelation. She poured herself another glass of wine and stretched out on her chaise to watch her daughter’s ceremony through the Oracle. She was delighted over his befuddlement and she took great pleasure in watching him squirm. She had to hand it to herself for going to such great lengths to ensure Desiree’s identity remained unbeknownst to the evil villain. He was a monster, born from a monster and had already tainted her daughter just by touching her. She would do whatever she had to do to make sure it never went any further.

She hated Kourosh for making her life a living hell. She wanted him to pay for the misery he had caused her, spying on her while in the throes of passion with her lover. She should have ended his life then, but no, she took pity on him because he was a child. Why had she been so foolish? She knew that no good deed went unpunished, but watching him suffer this way now was adequate payback.

She smiled as she watched him, wishing she could send a lightning bolt down to finish him off. Perhaps just knowing that he would never have his betrothed even though she stood inches away from him would be good enough.

She laughed aloud, as she watched him going around in circles, torturing himself as he tried to solve the mystery of Desiree Chase.

“Exhaust yourself as much as you will, my dear Kourosh,” She said. “It will be to no avail. I will see the sky tumble to the ground before I let you have her.”

 

****

 

“What about her parents?” Kourosh barked.

Jabari tried to manifest Desiree’s birth records but came up empty. It was as if she was born the day she was left on the doorsteps. “Do something!” Kourosh yelled at him. “I want answers!”

“I have no answers to give. If I may, I would like to call upon the Loa for help in the matter. If you would be so kind as to allow the Spirit to enter into your presence, perhaps she could give an answer to this most perplexing mystery.”

Kourosh’s hatred towards the gods, pharaohs and anything spiritual was palpable. Betrayal and disloyalty were something he would never forgive. These gods had taken everything from him; his wife, his family and his entire life and his faith. His belief and trust in the gods had run out, but for this purpose, he would allow the Loa to enter if she could be of help.

Desiree was about to be bonded. Once the ceremony was completed, no one or nothing could ever come between them. It was his law, written, signed, and sealed in his blood. 

“Do it. Speak to the bitch and get her out of my sight as quickly as possible.”

Kourosh stood back watching as Jabari closed his eyes and went into a trance, chanting as he called upon the spirit of the Loa, a deity who was an intermediary between the gods and humanity. Unlike saints or angels the Loa were not prayed to. They had to be served in order to receive their help. It had been centuries since Jabari had bothered to serve them.

A cool breeze filled the room causing the flames to flicker as Rada appeared before them. Young and beautiful she wore a light blue gown that fanned out around her small framed figure. Her long gray hair nearly touched the ground as it fell down her back and over her shoulders “Jabari, it has been a long time.” She said with a smile on her face.

“Yes, Rada, please forgive me for not serving you more often. I have been extremely busy.”

Her smile was warm and genuine even as she turned to look at Kourosh. “Kourosh.” She greeted him.

A tic worked in Kourosh’s jaw as he ignored the spirit. “Get on with it! Ask your question and be done with her!” He grunted.

Kourosh moved further away from the spirit. He could control his own desire to harm the spirit, but the beast was another story. When it craved blood and revenge there wasn’t much Kourosh could do to stop it from getting what it wanted. In this case, Kourosh wasn’t at all sure if he would even try. He knew how things worked with the gods and he was sure that the Loa played a significant role in his misery. They were all after him and for what reason he did not know.

“What can you tell us about this human?” Jabari asked turning his attention to Desiree. Rada turned her attention to Desiree and gently placed her hand on her forehead.

“She is human.”

“No, shit!” Kourosh blurted out. “You think we’re too stupid to know that? Tell us something we do not know or leave us!”

“I hate to disappoint you, Kourosh, but there is nothing more to tell. She is a human female. She is not the one you seek. This human was created for one purpose in life.”

Kourosh stepping in closer to the Loa taking his chances; if he couldn’t stop himself from strangling her then so be it. They were quick to vanish, but Kourosh was twice as fast. He could reach out, grab her, and pull her back before she had a chance to disappear.

 “And what purpose would that be?”

 Smiling, she inclined her head to Roman. “Everyone is born with a purpose in life, a reason, or a goal to fulfill before they die. Desiree’s purpose is to marry and honor Roman.”

Kourosh wasn’t buying a word she was saying. He felt a connection and that could only mean one thing. Somehow and some way, they were connected.

“Do you take me for a fool? I have touched many women in my life and never had I felt this way.”

“I can’t explain it, Kourosh. Perhaps what you felt was nothing more than indigestion.”

Was she mocking him? Did she dare make jokes while he was suffering? He snapped and reached out to grab her, but Jabari quickly stepped in his path stopping him.

“My Lord, please!” He pleaded.

“Get her out of here before I snap her neck!” He snarled.

Rada Loa vanished without another word spoken.

Never before had Kourosh felt so helpless. In all of five minutes, Desiree had ignited a sense of real passion within him. It wasn’t the typical feeling of lust he normally felt for women but a deeper sense of love and compassion. There was a strong connection between them; he could feel it as clearly as he could see her standing there. How could he possibly speak the words that would bind her to another while feeling this way?

Somehow, the gods were still at it, still fucking with him. Fine- He had gotten used to the abuse, but this time he would not allow them to get away with it. He would go through with the ceremony. He would even watch as they consummated their bonding, but he would make damn sure to found out the truth about Desiree Chase. He would keep eyes on her day and night until he knew exactly who she was.

Taking Desiree’s hand, Kourosh gazed into her eyes, as she stood motionless in front of him. He would know immediately if she was Delilah’s daughter. He would have known the second she appeared before him. Even if the gods were protecting her, still, something would have alerted him of her identity. He studied her face waiting for a sign, a clue, a hint, anything to help pull together the mystery of this prepossessing woman who had a hand on his heart and a grip on his cock.

He walked around her to see her from every angle before he faced her again. Oh, there was definitely something different about her. It had been centuries since he’d allowed himself to become bedazzled by a woman. They had a way of weakening his senses and diminishing his powers, but Desiree did just the opposite. She heightened all of his senses, which in return made him feel stronger, yet calmed him at the same time. This was the woman he needed next to him on the throne, and in his bed.

His desire for her baffled him. It was too much to go unnoticed. He wondered if she was indeed his betrothed. Kourosh could not remember the last time he prayed for anything, but for this, he would make an exception. It wasn’t as if he was praying to the gods. His prayers went to a much lower source, someone he knew personally and trusted to set things straight. His prayer was that Desiree Chase was the goddess that came to him in his dreams. The goddess he loved and craved more than blood. If she were the goddess of his dreams, he would not hesitate in doing whatever it took to have her.

Pushing through the thoughts that filled his head, Kourosh had to concentrate on the task. He had a duty to fulfill, one that he did not take lightly. Restoring all movement and continued with the proceedings.

As Desiree and Roman now faced each other as they waited for Kourosh to begin. He studied them for a moment in silence, considering the Loa’s words. Was she just a human born for Roman? Could she truly be his soul mate, his true love? How he wished, he had more time to investigate, to dig deeper into her history, to find out the truth. 

Reluctantly, Kourosh took Desiree’s right hand and placed it onto Roman’s left hand linking the two together. As he did, an evil thought crept into his vivacious mind. He would scare the hell out of her; make her think twice about bonding her life to the life of a vampire. Maybe she would ask for a day or so to think it over. That would be all the time he needed to find out who she was. He went on.

“This union is not to be entered into lightly, Miss Chase. You must have a full understand of your role as a vampire’s consort for it is a role that one may find daunting and quite unpleasant. It is unlike anything you have ever faced in life. Total obedience is demanded along with complete sincerity in every way you serve your master. Pretending obedience when you only mean to disobey is punishable. You will serve your master faithfully at all times. To be strict in the discharge of your duties not only when your master's eyes are upon you, but most importantly, when he is absent and away from you, can you do this Miss Chase? Can you devote your life to your master?” He asked as he watched for just a slither of hesitation from her, hoping that his words had made her reconsider.

Roman knew all of Kourosh’s tricks. He almost felt sorry for the man. Almost- But he was not at all worried about Desiree’s decision. He just wanted her to hurry up and say yes so that they could finally consummate their agreement. He had plans to fuck her like she’d never been fucked before. He did not care who would be watching.

Who knew that dying could be so deliciously entertaining? It was no wonder some people stayed in a coma for years on end. With two good-looking men like these two to stare at being in a coma should be the new trend. Women would be lining up.

Desiree decided to play along as she remembered Ivy’s instructions. She was at the end of her life anyway. Why not have a little fun on the way out?

“Yes, I can do that.”

Fuck! Kourosh shouted in his head. “Very well, then, let us continue. Do you take, Roman DePaul as your consort? Will you honor and obey him and look upon him as your master? Will you allow him to watch over and protect you? Will you be an obedient and loving servant to your master?”

Desiree glanced up at Roman before she answered. She knew none of this was real but if it were, Roman would certainly be the type of man she would not mind serving. Why couldn’t she have met him years ago? Why now when she was on her deathbed taking her last breaths?

Oh well, there was nothing she could do about it now. To be honest, if this was real life and she wasn’t in a coma she would certainly have a problem with all the master and servant crap- But what the hell? She could play this game out to the end. After all, Dorothy would have never made it back home to Kansas if she had given up in the middle of the yellow brick road.

“Sure I will, why not?”

“We’re looking for an, I do, Miss Chase.” Kourosh said.

“Sorry. I do.”

A smile covered Roman’s face as he showed his delight over her answer. He was far more than just delighted. He was enchanted, raptured by her beauty and the totality of his new consort. Her scent and seductive smile made his entire body throb with excitement. Did she know what she was doing to him? Was it her plan to beguile and weaken him this way? He would definitely have to keep both eyes open whenever other men were around. She had a seductive charm that went far deeper than just her beauty.

“Do you freely give your body to your master accepting and agreeing to all of the laws that will bind you together? Will you obey our rules, stipulations and take all forms of punishment? Do you, Desiree Chase, acknowledging that this man who stands before you is your master for life?”

Wait. What? No one said anything about any rules, stipulations, and submission. For sure, no one mentioned a damn thing about any type of punishments. Desiree didn’t like where this was going, even if she was dreaming or in a coma. She needed a time-out to think about all of this. 

Kourosh’ heart leaped with joy over the momentary spurt of uncertainty he felt swirling around in her brain. This was where they all paused to contemplate the answer. Just mentioning the word punishment alone sent most women running for the door.

On cue, the crazy voice in her head spoke up to offer her unwanted two cents. “You need not worry. Say yes” Delilah urged her.

Who was this lady who stayed camped out in her head making appearances on a whim? Oh well, what the hell! It didn’t matter anyway. It was all just a dream.

“Yes. I do.” Desiree answered, making a mental note to herself that in her next life she would ask more questions before agreeing to anything. 

Disappointed, Kourosh looked to Roman now. “Do you Roman take Desiree Chase as your consort, bestowing upon her all the privileges and pleasures that are handed down in the creed? Do you promise to teach her our ways and enforce them upon her until she understands their importance?”

“I do,” Roman, answered without hesitation. 

Desiree’s eyebrow shot up at the word enforce. What the hell was that all about? She wanted to raise her hand to ask a quick question. How stupid would she look asking questions in the middle of a ceremony? These issues should have raised and answered to her liking before she agreed to anything.

She made another note to herself. Don’t be so damn stupid in the afterlife.

“The sanctity of any bonding is a sacred. You are now of one flesh. You have freely entered a contract, a covenant in which your love for one another is sealed. It is a lifelong, exclusive agreement.”

Kourosh held out his hand to Roman and the two men shook hands. “Congratulations. You have yourself a beautiful consort. Let the consummation ceremony begin.” He said with a smile and a heavy heart.

Before they had a chance to even, think about kissing, Desiree was ushered away. She was led down a hallway that led into a room that had to be the Garden of Eden, or at the very least, a high-end spa. 

Receiving the royal treatment, Desiree felt like a princess. Never before had she felt so relaxed and at peace with herself than she did at that moment.

Was this it, she thought? Would the bright light be appearing soon coming to claim her and take her away? Was this indeed her end? Well, if passing away was this easy she was ready to go. It would be sad because she was still very young, but in any case, her life had been a good one, even without parents. Many things came to mind as her life flashed before her, Camille and how much she would miss her. How she never got the chance to do anything amazing, like volunteer or contribute to the world or even her own community. She was a self-absorbed bitch with only one friend on the planet who loved her, and all they ever did was drink too much and cause trouble. She wanted another chance, a do-over, and a chance to change and show the world that she could be a better person, but she knew it was too late. 

After an hour of pampering and contemplating her life, Desiree was covered in a long black cape that was made of a thick, yet, soft material. The inside lining was blood red and possibly silk. She wonder if this were an indication of whom she would be facing once her life was over.

 She was left alone for a brief second before Alarah materialized right in front of her. “Roman was right. You are beautiful.”

There was no need to freak out over all the weirdness that was going on. Her life was ending. What difference did it make that people were appearing and disappearing right before her eyes? Dreams worked that way.

“My name is Alarah, Kourosh’s baby sister.”

“I’m Desiree Chase.” 

“You are Desiree DePaul now. How does it feel to be the consort of the most sought after vampire alive? You know all women will envy you. 

Desiree didn’t know what to say to that. Sure, Roman certainly was hot and charming in many ways. There was no questioning that. But most sought after? The man was far too domineering and let us not forget, weird. She went along with it because it was a dream and shit was getting interesting.

“I guess I should consider myself lucky that I nailed him, huh?”

“You truly are lucky, Desiree. Finally, you will get to see what a real man is like. All of the men in your life before were nothing, merely boys compared to Roman.

Desiree didn’t know what to say to that either. If a real man had finally stepped up to the plate then she wanted to live long enough to experience the feeling, to see with her own eyes what a real man looked like.

One minute they were standing and the next they were stretched out on sofas. A woman appeared from out of thin air and began brushing Desiree’s hair. She laid her head back, closed her eyes, and enjoyed it. How often was she pampered this way?

“I hear that Roman is a magnificent lover.”

Desiree didn’t doubt that. He looked like the type of man who liked to fuck and took his time doing it.

“I hear that he likes to look at you as if he is sizing you up, then he steps back to determine which way he will take you first.”

Well now, this dream just went from interesting to fucking interesting. “What else does he like?” She asked, intrigued.

“You will find out soon enough. But I warn you, he has the capacity to go on for days at a time because he never loses his erection.”

Shit! Desiree was more than just intrigued, she was fucking fascinated. She tried to picture a man going around with an erection for days. It was medically impossible and dangerous.

“I seriously doubt that’s possible, but please go on.” She said, with her eyes still closed while enjoying the soothing feeling of the brush pulling through her hair.

“Oh, it’s possible. Adise has shared plenty of their lovemaking sessions with me. She claims the man is a wild animal in bed.”

Desiree had no doubts about Roman being an animal. He had shown that side of himself many times and it had nothing to do with sex.

“Who is Adise?” Not that she cared, well maybe just a little. Any mention of another woman’s name in the same sentence with his irked her for some reason.

 “She’s my older sister and she’s a bitch. Lucky for you Kourosh banished her from the castle.”

“Why?” Desiree asked. She had to admit that it was all very interesting like watching an episode of the Real Housewives.

“She embarrassed the family, mainly Kourosh.” She moved in close to Desiree to whisper in her ear. “She cannot control her emotions whenever she is around Roman. They were once lovers.”

“Well, she can have Roman. I’ll gladly take Kourosh instead. Your brother is beautiful.” Desiree said jokingly. 

Alarah quickly stood. “Never say that aloud.” She said with fear in her eyes. “The walls have ears.”

Desiree opened her eyes. “I’m sorry, I was only joking.” She wasn’t joking. She was dead serious. Kourosh did something to her. It was as if he placed a tiny piece of himself on her heart the moment he touched her.

“You couldn’t handle Kourosh. He fucks his women hard and then discards them like last weeks old leftovers. And anyway, Kourosh is waiting?”

“Waiting for what?”

“His betrothed.”

“Seriously? They still do shit like that in this day and age?”

“She was promised to him centuries ago when he was only a child.”

Centuries ago, Desiree thought. Just how old is this guy, but then she remembered, she was dreaming.

“The gods have played a cruel trick on my brother and they continue to do so even now.”

“What kind of a trick?”

“The cruelest kind of all, a trick of the heart; but what they don’t know is that Kourosh cannot be deceived when it comes to matters of the heart. He will eventually find her and have her in his bed where she belongs.”

Men! How sad that they waste so much time on hunting women and sports. “Where is this woman and why won’t he just go and ask her out? Get the ball rolling?

“He would if he could find her.”

“Maybe I can help. I have a P.I. business.”

“I’m sure my brother would be grateful, but you will have your hands full with Roman. He is very possessive and demanding.”

Before Desiree could ask what she meant, the doors opened.

 “It is time,” Alarah said as she waved her hand manifesting a Pontarlier glass that was half filled with a cloudy, greenish substance, which she handed to Desiree. “Drink this. It will help.”

Desiree brought the glass up to her nose smelling its contents. It had a very spicy aroma, a combination of star anise, fennel, and other herbs that she could not place. The smell alone was very soothing.

“What is it?”

“It is absinthe. It will help you relax. You will need it for what’s to take place.”

Desiree took a sip of the milky substance. “It’s delicious. Tastes like licorice.”

Alarah smiled as she coaxed Desiree to drink it all. “Perhaps you’ll want to keep a case around at all times.” Alarah was well aware of male vampires and their raging libidos. When they fucked their women, they fucked them royally. It’s why she never considered becoming a consort herself. The vampire race was possessive, aggressive, domineering mad men. The only way to cope with them was always to stay heavily under the influence of a strong spirit.

She waited as Desiree downed the entire glass. “How do you feel?” She asked, as Desiree placed the glass on the table and stood. Everything around her seemed sharper. She laughed aloud but had no idea what was so damn funny, she just felt happy and light.

“Amazingly good and happier than I’ve ever felt…”

“Perfect. Soon you and Roman will consummate your bonding making you officially Mrs. Roman DePaul. Once you become a vampire’s consort, you must say goodbye to your old life.

Desiree could not be sure if it were the drink, or the fact that she was dreaming, but she could have sworn she heard the word vampire. It was not the only time either. She vaguely remembered Ivy mentioning the word. Surely, they could not possibly mean the blood-sucking, walking dead kind of vampires that you see at the movies. That kind did not exist. “Why do you call him a vampire?” She had to ask. She had to know.

“Because that’s what he is. We are all vampires. Were you not aware of that?”

Desiree couldn’t move. Whether she was dreaming or not, she was confused as hell. Did she just say that she was a vampire? She needed clarification and a picture of Dracula to show her, to make sure they were on the same page about vampires. She knew that some people used the word lightly. Referring to others who drained them dry emotionally or financially, you know, like leeches. Could that be what she meant?

Before she had a chance to ask, Desiree was standing alone in a dimly lit, circular room. Looking around all she could see was a wooded; four post bed that sat in the center of the room. Heavy fabric was tied back to each post and the same material covered the bed.

The bed was surrounding by what looked to be hundreds of tea-light candles. Heavy black draperies hung from the ceiling to the floor around the room giving it a warm, cozy feel.

  The cape that covered her body disappeared. She was now completely naked and alone. This must be it, she thought. The doctors have decided to cut off all life support. She was going to fall asleep and never wake up again.

She couldn’t believe that she let a man get her drunk and now she was paying the ultimate price for another wrong decision. Her life. How sad, she thought. She would never get the chance to say goodbye to Camille. Never get a chance to experience true love. Those were her only regrets.

Desiree closed her eyes and prayed for one more chance. When she opened her eyes, Roman was standing in front of her. She assumed that she was dead and he was her guardian angel sent from heaven to help her adjust to her new life.

Thank you, Lord for looking out! The man was smoking hot wearing all black. What was the fascination that everyone had with black around here? Wait a minute; wasn’t white supposed to be the appropriate color for where she thought she was going? Oh, crap! She was going to hell. Well, at least Roman was going with her; and whatever the fascination was with black, it was definitely working for him.

Roman went ramrod stiff at the mere thought of being in the same room with her while she was naked. He gazed into her eyes for a moment to feel the connection. It was there and without the use of any magic. What he felt was genuine. One hundred percent real.

He tilted her face up so that her lips could meet his. “You look amazing, Desiree.” He whispered as he leaned down close to her lips barely touching them.

Desiree whimpered as moisture pooled between her legs. The softness of his lips connected with hers. She could smell his breath as he gently kissed her leaving behind his sweet taste. Her heart skipped several beats as he dragged his tongue along her jaw and down to her neck where he kissed and licked before moving to the other side.

Desiree gave in. She was no longer in control of anything. She wanted it that way.

Her breathing and her body was all doing their own thing. Even if she tried hard, she could not stop it. This man had some kind of power over her that caused her to go crazy.

Her breathing became deeper causing her breasts to heave up and down as he kissed and licked her neck to find the perfect spot to impale her. Finding it, he pulled back and began circling around her like an animal sizing up his prey. He stopped in front of her again, staring into her eyes before he spoke again.

“It's imperative that you keep your eyes closed at all times, Desiree. Can you do that?”

And miss out on looking at his gorgeous face? That should be classified as a sin she thought. “Why?” She asked between pants.”

“Because I’m asking you to...”

The way she felt she would glue her eyes shut if it would make him happy. “I can try.” She panted.

“That is not good enough. Tell me that you will obey my every command.”

The word obey jolted her brain and stabbed her in the gut. They were all warning signs alerting her to run.

“Just go with it, Desiree. You are too close to run away now.” The voice in her head told her.

What the hell! You will be dead soon anyway. Just go with it she told herself. “Yes, I will obey your every command.”

“Excellent.” He said, staring at her with a smile on his face.

The sight of him made her weak. She could actually feel the blood vessels in her genitals dilate as he stared at her unrelentingly.

“What?” She asked clueless.

“Now, Desiree. I need you to close your eyes.” 

Desiree promptly did as told and closed her eyes. 

“You will address me as, master while we are here. You will not make one move without my permission. Do you understand?”

If there were any hairs left on her body, they would have been standing straight up in protest right about now. There was no way in hell she would be calling him, or any other man, master. Houston, there could be a potential problem.

“Answer me, Desiree.” His tone was sharp and angry now.  

Oh, why not she thought… If this was going to be her last booty call at least, she had it with a seductive, erotic, hypnotic, and dangerous creature.

“Yes, master.” She murmured, wishing she could see the look on his face.

He reached into his pocket and removed a blindfold, gently placed it over her eyes and tied it, making sure that it was nice and tight.

“Just in case, I can’t have you peeking,” he whispered in her ear. “You would not like what you would see.” He then kissed her ever so lightly on her lips, her chin, and then her neck while he twisted and tugged at her nipples.

Desiree reached up to touch him, wanting to feel his body, but her wrists were quickly tied together behind her back.

“I am in control of everything, Desiree. You do nothing without my permission. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Open your legs for me.” He said in a tone that was both chilling but still a fucking turn on.

Desiree did as told and opened her legs. She could feel him kneeling in front of her. With his thumbs on each side, he opened her up and pressed his nose deep inside, smelling her before he ran his tongue along the folds of her wet pussy to taste her.

Desiree’s head fell back as a warm feeling shot through her body causing her belly to tighten. It was electrifying and it touched every nerve she had.

“I knew you would smell like sweet sex.” He said as he flicked his tongue over her clit relentlessly, playing with it before he ravaged it. Sucking and licking as if this was his last meal, then fucking her with his tongue.

Desiree’s moans and cries of pleasure fueled the beast within him. They both loved hearing the sounds of a woman in the throes of being taken. To Roman, there was no better sound. Knowing that he was the cause of her outburst and that she was at his mercy.

Blindfolded and tied this way, Desiree was totally at his mercy as she let the feeling consume her. As if, she had any other choice. He used his tongue like a weapon, flickering back and forth over her swollen clit and then deep inside her repeatedly.

Desiree cried out as her cream leaked between her thighs. She swallowed up by an unbelievable feeling that took hold of her causing her body to shiver. She almost fell to her knees, but he held her up as the beast enjoyed the taste of her sex.

This was all a part of the ritual, a requirement for the beast. He needed to become familiar with the woman that was also his. He needed to be drenched in her juices so that he could smell her from miles away and know when she was near. He needed to have the ability to find her when they were apart. This was a way of protecting her.

“Come for me, Desiree. I need to taste your cum.” He said as he looked up at her.

Desiree came with a fury that shook her hard and to her core. It sent shivering waves through her body that threatened to bring her to her knees.

Roman’s face was smirked with her cum as he took his time with her. This was food for the beast. It kept him calm and happy.

Once the beast was sat, Roman stood and kissed her with a hunger that made her knees buckle. He didn’t just kiss her lips; he kissed her entire face as he held her up with one arm. With his free hand, he fisted a hand full of her hair, pulled her head back, and went at her, kissing, licking and biting his way down her neck until he reached her breasts. There he sucked on each nipple until Desiree was on the verge of madness and close to another orgasm.

This is what he wanted. From the moment he laid eyes on her. Now he could not control himself. He wanted to eat her alive, to taste her blood.

His eyes flashed to red as he watched the vein in Desiree’s neck pulsate. Hissing his lips drew back showing an impressive set of fangs. His once handsome face now contorted into the face of a blood-sucking vampire as he pulled her in closer, holding her tight he sank his fangs into her neck and took what he needed from her.

Desiree body went limp as he drank his fill of her. Her blood was sweet and rich, the blood of royalty that would empower him even more. He could feel the surge of all the ancient Egyptian gods coming together to gift him with powers beyond measure, skills to help him fight the battle against evil on earth.

Desiree could feel her blood being sucked out of her vein. The pleasure from this act was beyond explanation. It was unlike anything she had experienced in her life. She was no longer in control of anything; she was completely at his mercy as an incredible surge of pure bliss consumed her entire body. It was a mind blowing and earth-shattering experience that was more powerful than a hundred orgasms put together. Now she finally got it. No wonder she was spellbound by him. Now she understood why. He was a vampire.

Getting his fill, Roman pulled back to look at what was now his. Their lips drew near, and then clung together in a passionate kiss of hunger and need. His tongue invaded her mouth like a deadly weapon and awakening every desire within him once again. Never before had any woman made him feel this way.

Using his powers, he released her hands but the blindfold remained. Lifting her, he carried her over to the bed where he laid her down and took a moment to admire her nakedness. He wanted to lick every inch of her body, to play in her pussy again, but not now. Now he had to complete the consummation and prove to Kourosh that they were soul mates. His clothes disappeared from his body and he climbed on top of her.

Kourosh sat on his throne with Jabari at his side watching as the curtains slid open. If Desiree disappeared for the slightest second, it would mean that she was indeed his true love, his soul mate. No matter how he felt about her, he could never act upon it.

Feeling the weight of his body on top of hers Desiree wanted nothing more than to feel the fullness of his cock inside of her. She could feel the hardness of his erection, the length of it, the wetness, and the throbbing. It triggered a response in her that awakened a need that terrified her. She needed him; not just a need to be fucked, but also a necessity for the man himself.

Every part of her body was soft and wet aching for him to enter her, to come inside and fill her. She knew that it would be special, even magical.

She was right. The sensation of his generous cock stretching her open and filled her to capacity. It was more that magical. It was as if a secret door had been opened; a door that had been locked for centuries; a door that only Roman had the magic key to open.

His movements were slow and gentle at first as he moved in and out of her. His intoxicating, masculine scent filled her nostrils and only added to the experience as he leaned over her, kissing her lightly on the lips and face. His movements quickened as he thrust himself inside of her repeatedly sending shock waves through her body.

The feel of her soft wetness was more than Roman could take. He wanted to fuck her and eat her at the same time, then lock her away for himself. There was nothing that could compare; to the sweet, staggering glorious feeling of his cock inside of her, filling her completely.

Roman sat up into a sitting position with his legs tucked under him. Lifting her onto his hard cock; his face buried in her breasts, his fingers gripping her hips as he drove his cock into what was now his.

Desiree wrapped her legs around his waist and held on as she rode him, already close to release. She could feel the tight grip of his hand fisting her hair right before he pulled her head back exposing her jugular. 

Moaning, and crying out with sweet sounds of pure pleasure. The feel of his fangs dragged along the side of the exposed neck. The animal sounds that made its way up from somewhere deep in the back of his throat, all of it permeated throughout her body making her ready for what was to come.

She was no longer able to contain her passion for him. She came once again just as Roman sank his fangs deep into her neck and joined her.

The sensation sent Desiree into another world far, far away and over the rainbow where she wanted to stay forever. The feeling absorbed every care and worry she ever had. She felt light and carefree. She could have sworn she saw butterflies. For a split second, she felt an out of body sensation as if she actually disappeared into him and they had literally become one. The intensity consumed her and brought tears to her eyes as she held him to her neck while he drank from her once again. 

Roman pulled back just a little to look at her. He wanted to see her face while in a state of euphoria. He wanted her to look into his eyes and know that he was her master and that only he could fuck her this way.

He watched as a trickle of blood ran down her neck until it reached her taut nipple and settled there. He licked it clean, sucking and licking with such tenderness at first, and then with hunger so raw she came once again while he held her soft, warm body in place and close to his heart.

She made him hard and kept him that way just by breathing. He loved the way he felt when he kissed her, the moaning and her cries of pleasure she made. He loved the taste of her flesh, the taste of her blood. It was like the sweet nectar of the gods. He loved everything about this new consort and he would kill to protect her.

Seething with indignation, Kourosh vanished all spectators from the room and stood from his throne.

He approached the window and stood there watching as Roman turned her over and once again fucked her from behind like the animal he was. He could not despise the man too much because he would have done the same thing. Seeing the woman he had quickly grown to care about being fucked by anyone would have been difficult, but by Roman made it even worse. He decided right then that he would kill him no matter what. 

Two hours later, Kourosh entered the room where Roman and Desiree had just consummated their bond. He could still hear her moaning. He could see her face as her orgasms consumed her causing her to cry out in pleasure while Roman fucked her senseless over and over again. It was like a painful stab in the heart, yet, the agony of watching them oddly gave him pleasure.

He wanted Desiree at any cost. He would break every rule he ever made to have her in his bed. To claim her as his consort.

He stood looking down at the bed where the woman he knew belonged to him freely spread her legs and gave away what he would one day prove belonged to him. The savage beast wasn’t satisfied with fucking her once or twice, no, he had to take her seven times, wearing her out until she had no other choice but to pass out.

Outraged, Kourosh ripped the sheets from the bed and set them aflame. If Desiree was truly his betrothed he would have Roman’s head, but first he would make him suffer. He would drag him to this very room, chain his bloody body to a hot stone and make him watch while he enjoyed his consort before he ended his worthless life.

 All of the cares and vexations of his life were nothing compared to this. Kourosh wanted it solved, he wanted answers, and he wanted them now! He would make everyone’s life a living hell until he got what he wanted, and that was Desiree.

Jabari appeared before him. “Yes, My Lord.”

“What more have you found out about this woman?” Jabari knew the extent of Kourosh’s anger and the wrath that came along with it. No one would be happy if he weren't. It was everyone’s duty in the castle to make sure he got what he wanted when he wanted, it and that he remained pleased at all times.

“I have scanned every birth certificate since the start of recorded births. I have gone as far back in time as my powers will allow. I am unable to find any records, parents, or relatives associated with this woman.”

“She couldn’t have just fallen from the sky. Don’t you find that odd?” He scoffed.

“Yes, My Lord, quite odd.”

“Then find something. Call upon your bitches again if you must.”

Jabari took umbrage at his remark. The Loa was heavenly spirits, kind and gentle natured until angered. Then, you had better watch out. They would turn on you like an out of control wildfire leaving death and destruction behind.

Jabari would certainly never tell his master how he felt, or how to behave. He had witnessed the fallout of Kourosh’s rage. They often had their feuds and disagreements but never anything, that would put Jabari’s life in danger. He wanted to keep it that way.

“My Lord, I have come across a friend with whom she confides in. Someone she has known all of her life.”

“Who is this close friend?”

“Her name is Camille Kantari, but just like Miss Chase, she too seems to have fallen from the sky.”

Jabari could almost see Kourosh’s brain at work. He was going to get to the bottom of this no matter what he had to do or how long it took. “Would you like this woman brought to you, my Lord?”

Kourosh thought this over for a moment. Good friends never gave up another good friend. It might be best if he kept eyes on this Camille person. You could find out much more about a person when they were under the impression of being alone.

“Not yet. Send Kemen to watch her. Have him report to me daily with a full report of her activities.”

Jabari bowed his head in understanding and then vanished, leaving Kourosh alone to wallow in self-pity.

Feeling the rage of centuries of lie, and betrayals Kourosh could no longer contain the beast who dwelled within him. It became restless and wanted out. He knew no matter how hard he tried to fight it this time would be different. This time it wanted revenge on a world that had turned its back on him, but mostly on the people who had treated him with such blatant disregard. He flashed himself deep into the woods where he could be alone to release his rage.

As dark clouds rolled in and hovered over the treetops, Kourosh fell to the ground on his hands and knees. The sound of thunder echoed in the distance. Why couldn’t his life have been a normal one? Why couldn’t he have lived and died the normal way? Why was he burdened with the incurable malady of his father?

Kourosh hissed as wings grew from his shoulder blades, and talons shot out like razor-blade claws. His body was in transformation from man to a beautiful black bird of prey. A flash of lightning flashed across the sky as the transformation of nature righted itself. This is who and what he was. He was the son of the Impundulu.

Stretching his beautiful black wings, he soared high into the sky and disappeared into the night.