Caitlyn

Cain was gone. Dead and out of her life…

Then why did Caitlyn keep waiting for him to pop around the corner, that sadistic smile on his face and a dagger in his hands? After three hundred years, she found herself free of the shackles of Cain. Yet, now that her life was not consumed by the need to find a way to rid the world of the monster, she didn’t need to constantly look over her shoulder in fear. Caitlyn felt numb, as if she had lost her purpose in life.

She knew deep in her bones that she should be ecstatic, that there was no need now for her to push Donnie away and that she was free to love and live the life she wanted. But you didn’t live for three hundred years with walls built around your heart and change overnight. It had only been twenty-four hours since Kenzie had taken Cain’s head and Caitlyn was uneasy with her newfound queen status within the vampire society. According to Chester, the vampires were a fickle bunch. They needed a figurehead to lead them, and since she had dethroned the king, apparently, she was the ideal candidate.

Speaking of Chester, the aged vampire had insisted on throwing a mating celebration for herself and Donnie at his sprawling estate with the elite of the supernatural community invited. The ballroom had been decorated to the highest of standards, from the sparkling chandeliers, to the elegant tables with candelabras glinting in the dimmed lighting. Even the polished silverware set out for nibbles and treats had been set up just right. The champagne flutes being handed out by the serving staff had a strawberry to the side that had been topped off with what Caitlyn could scent was rich, dark chocolate.

It was, Caitlyn admitted, a very romantic setting, taken directly from a romantic movie.

Then why did Caitlyn feel like she was suffocating?

Nodding her thanks to another well-wisher, Caitlyn glanced around the room until her eyes landed on Donnie, dressed in a dark grey suit that clung to his muscles and displayed the masculinity and strength coiled throughout his body. Not bothering with a tie, his crisp white shirt was open around the neck. Hands in his pockets, he laughed aloud at something Sarge’s Anna had said. The contentment, the sheer and utter joy in his handsome features, made butterflies flutter in her stomach. His hair had grown quite a bit longer than his usual clipped, skin-tight haircut, and Caitlyn had loved running her hands through it.

As if he knew she was looking right at him, Donnie turned and gave her the biggest smile. She tried to smile back, her lips curling just a smidge, yet found it hard to feel Donnie’s joy for herself.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Donnie’s gaze narrowed, and Caitlyn turned away from him. Guilt, sour and bitter, twisted in her gut. Casting her eyes anywhere but at the man who was now her mate, she did allow herself a little smile when the boy who was like a son, the vampire who had been her only friend until she had found her way to Cork, came toward her.

Skin of the richest hickory, Marcel had been born in an era where those of such coloured skin were nothing more than slaves who tended to the needs of the rich. Starving on the streets, Caitlyn had happened upon Marcel during a particularly cold winter and ended up bringing him home. But despite what was expected of Caitlyn by class, Marcel had spent most of his days being educated and helping run errands within the house to curb his boisterous energy. And when the time came and disease had called upon Marcel, Caitlyn chose a vampire she trusted to turn him, because she didn’t have it in her to kill him herself.

Marcel lifted the back of her hand to his lips, bowing slightly at the shoulders as he spoke. “My lady, congratulations on your mating. I am overjoyed that you have found someone who is worthy of your love.”

“It is me, Marcel, who has to ensure I am worthy of his love. Thank you for coming.”

Releasing her hand, Marcel took a step back. “I would not have missed it for the world, Caitlyn. Perhaps, when we have celebrated your new mating, we can meet to discuss something else, if you please?” Marcel’s tone turned serious in the blink of an eye.

“You can always speak with me, Marcel. Come now, we have spent far too much time together to skirt around one another. Please, go ahead.”

Huffing out a breath, Marcel’s lips pressed together in a grim line before he spoke again. “I have come to ask permission from my queen to exact a blood rite.”

“You do not need to ask such things from me, Marcel.”

“I do when the rite concerns your grand-niece.”

Caitlyn cast a glance over her shoulder to where Kenzie stood, her eyes darting around the room, obviously uncomfortable at the number of vampires and supernaturals in the room. Dressed in simple black pants and a black shirt, her beloved scythe missing from her ensemble, the girl nodded to something Melanie said.

“She is the one who took my Jean from me.”

Caitlyn looked away from Kenzie to hold Marcel’s gaze. “She was under Cain’s influence. He told her that you and Jean trafficked children and that those in your care were there against their will.”

“She laughed at Jean, Caitlyn. Laughed as Jean begged her not to touch the young men and women at the vineyard. I saw it all on the security tapes. That girl, that murderer, relished in the kill. Wiped her scythe on Jean’s body as she simply walked over his decapitated head.”

Caitlyn folded her arms across her chest. “I too once relished in the kill. I have slain more of my own kind than Kenzie ever did. You know my fondness for you is unbound, Marcel, but as much as I think of you as my son, Kenzie is my blood. I cannot allow you to exact a blood rite.”

The boy she cared for dearly snarled at her, yet she didn’t even flinch. “So vengeance is perfectly fine when it is your vengeance, Caitlyn?”

Caitlyn sighed. “In the end, my Marcel, vengeance does not strip away the grief, nor does it bring back those we lost. Cain is dead, and I still do not have my babies in my arms to hold. Nor do I have streaks of paint on my face and hands from when my Bass smattered kisses upon me. We have lost people, Marcel, people we loved, and our grief will be with us for an eternity. Yet, Cain being gone does not sate the gaping hole inside me where my love for my family lives. We can let vengeance and grief diminish us and make us a monster like Cain. Or we can be better monsters. I strive every day to right the wrongs I have committed and will continue to do so. Tell me, Marcel, could you live with yourself if you slay the girl who was manipulated by the very monster whose hands we suffered under?”

A growl, not so much of menace, but one of tormented agony, ripped from Marcel’s lips, and Donnie was by her side in an instant, his strong fingers digging into her hip.

“I swear it, my lady, that if you turn me away today, I will never see you again. Are you willing to throw away the centuries we have been together, for that girl?”

Marcel’s voice rose, and not a sound could be heard within the ballroom.

“I am not willing to throw anything away, Marcel. I am stating that Kenzie is my kin, my family, and will be offered the same respect as myself.” Reaching out, Caitlyn cupped the side of his face and Marcel closed his eyes. Switching to their native tongue, Caitlyn said, her tone low, “My boy, my son, go gently into the night and find your heart once again. I pray we will meet again, once enough time has passed. I will always hold you within my heart, as much as a vampire can.”

Caitlyn watched him go, his face slipping from her hand as he sped away. The little boy who brought out the maternal instinct in her was gone, and Caitlyn really did wish that given enough time, Marcel would appear once more, that beaming smile on his face.

“You okay, Cait?”

“I will be fine.”

Her words came out harsh, her body language stiff, as she brushed off Donnie’s grasp and strolled through the open door and into the air. What must people think of her? Only yesterday, she had told the entire supernatural population of her rape and torture by Cain, of her mating with Donnie, and now, when happiness was upon her, the ice queen of vampires still had yet to melt.

Leaning her elbows against the stone pillars of the balcony ledge, Caitlyn thought back to when they had touched down from Paris, with Chester waiting for them in the hangar. His words had changed the course of her life, but for better or worse she was not certain.

“There is one law and one law only that can circumvent the sire ownership.”

Caitlyn stared at Chester as he set a book down on the table, opened it, and she saw the familiar handwriting. She gasped. “Where did you find it?”

“Technically I stole it when I left Paris.”

Donnie chuckled. “Chester, I never thought you had it in you.”

Chester bent his head and read from the book. “In accordance with the sire claim, there shall only be one aspect that can take the claim of sireship from a vampire and that is a mated pair. Should a vampire consent to taking a consort, then the claim of ownership will be relinquished unto the mate.”

Caitlyn trembled, but it was Donnie who spoke. “In plain English, Chester. Some of us don’t speak snotty vampire.”

Chester shook his head but replied, “What it means is that the only thing that can negate the laws of the sireship is when two vampires consent to take each other as mated partners for life. If you and Lady Hardi mated, then the king’s ownership disappears and he cannot take Caitlyn from you.”

“Non.”

The word had slipped from Caitlyn’s lips, dragging a growl from Donnie. “I will not force Donnie to mate with me so we can be rid of Cain. As if that would stop him. He would go after Melanie or anyone else I cared for because I dared to cross him.”

Donnie stepped in front of her, tilted her chin up and forced her to look into his hazel eyes. “There is no forcing here, Cait. I was ready to be yours the day I woke up curled against you in the dirt. There will never be anyone else for me. You are it. If doing what Chester says makes it official for everyone, including Cain, then let’s fucking do it.”

Caitlyn tried to slip free of his grasp, but her Donnie was stubborn. He held her gaze for a second, dropped his hands, and asked Chester, “What do we do to get mated?”

“The ritual states that blood must be spilled, then joined together while speaking the vows.”

“Donnie, no. This is not the way.”

“Cait, do you love me?”

Caitlyn blinked at the bluntness of his question and hesitated with her answer.

“Caitlyn, do you fucking love me?” Donnie growled, impatience in his voice.

“I…I…yes, yes, I do.”

“Then there are no ifs, buts, or maybes. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Chester handed Donnie a knife, told him to slash his palm, then handed the same blade to Caitlyn when Donnie had finished. Blood dripping from their palms, panic welled up inside her. What if this didn’t work? What if it made Cain even worse? How could she lose Donnie just like she lost Sebastian?

“Cait…” Donnie growled.

“Hush, you two. Now clasp your hands together and repeat after me.” Chester waited until Caitlyn slipped her hand into Donnie’s. “I pledge myself to you, for now and for always, with all that I have, all that I am. My blood is yours. Until the end of time.”

They repeated the words, Caitlyn stumbling over them, though Donnie’s were loud and confident. As soon as the final word was spoken, an invisible tether linked them together and Caitlyn felt the love Donnie had for her, how he would never cause her harm.

A feral growl came from Donnie as he yanked her to him and kissed the ever-loving hell out of her. His hips rotated against her, his hands roaming all over her body as he lifted her off her feet, leaving her with no choice but to wrap her legs around his waist as his hands cupped her bottom. Caitlyn faintly heard Chester leave, closing the door behind him as Donnie grunted. “I need to be inside you, Cait, like right now…but I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

If her heart could beat, it would have more than likely burst for the man who reined in his possessive vampire nature to make sure she was okay. Cherished was exactly how this man made her feel.

Caitlyn arched into him. “Take me, Donnie O’Carroll, take me and prove that I am yours.”

Unleashing the animalistic need raging inside him, Donnie set her down. He ripped off her pants in one smooth motion, her panties next, then shoved down his pants. Hoisting her back up, he entered her in one fluid thrust, wringing a groan of pleasure from them both. Donnie slowly moved inside her, his thrusts becoming quicker as they lost themselves in each other.

Their climax claimed them both at the same time, and by the end they were both panting. Donnie rested his forehead against hers. “I fucking worship you, Caitlyn Hardi.”

He kissed her tenderly and hugged her tightly as she struggled to find the words to convey just how much Donnie meant to her. She had been frozen for years until she happened upon Donnie dying in the streets, and over time, he had chipped away at the shards of ice encasing her heart, piece by piece.

“Tu es mon coeur, Donnie. You are my heart.”

A soft kiss against the nape of her neck, Caitlyn shivered as Donnie wrapped his arms around her waist. “Hey, where did you go?”

“Sometimes the weight of the past is too much to cast aside.”

“But now you’ve got my handsome ass to share it with. By the way, have I told you how damn sexy you look in that dress? I quite like it. I promise to be careful when I strip you out of it later on.”

Caitlyn shook her head, smiling softly to herself. “This dress is one of a kind, a custom design just for me. It cost more than my Bugatti.”

Donnie whistled, planting another kiss to the nape of her neck. “The way that red lace is sculpted to your body, it’s worth every goddamn penny.”

Caitlyn laughed, the sound so free and light that it surprised her. Donnie pulled her back, sinking into a chair. Caitlyn lifted her legs so she cuddled against Donnie’s broad chest. His hand lay comforting on the small of her back, the plunging back meaning his fingers branded her skin.

“Hey, Cait? I’ve a question to ask you.”

Lifting her head from his chest, Caitlyn looked into his eyes as he brushed a stray curl from her face. “I know we are mated now, but do you want to get married, like as in the human way?”

Caitlyn thought on it for only a moment and responded softly, hoping not to insult or hurt Donnie. “Non, mon chéri. I promised, in my human life, that Sebastian would be my only husband and I hold my wow. Sebastian held my human heart, but you, Donnie, only you hold the vampire one. I married only once in my human life, and I will only marry once in the vampire way. I hope you understand.”

Donnie leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a quick peck. “Of course I do. And it makes perfect sense to me.”

“I do not know what I have done to deserve you, Donnie.”

“Right back at you, babe.”

Shaking her head, Caitlyn told him, “I need time to come to grips with everything and I may retreat into myself. I will try not to hurt you when I do.”

“I told you, Cait, you and me, ride or die, we take on the world together.”

Resting her head back on his chest, Caitlyn closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of him, masculine and strong, her fingers playing with the buttons of his shirt.

“But, we have one more thing to discuss. I mean, you keep bringing home strays and we are running out of room. I think we need to do a complete remodel.”

Hand placed over where Donnie’s heart used to beat, Caitlyn felt relief wash over her. Going back to sleep in the room where Cain had yet again violated her by rolling around in her bed sickened her. They had slept together in Donnie’s bed today.

“I believe that is a very good idea. I will contact an architect in the morning. We can design it together.”

“Besides, neither of our beds is sturdy enough for the amount of time we’ll be spending in it. I have twenty years of pent-up sexual tension to work out. I plan on breaking some headboards.”

Caitlyn heard the teasing tone in his voice as she let loose a contented sigh. “I do not care where I am sleeping, as long as it’s with you.”

Donnie ran his fingers through her hair. He was just about to pull her head up and kiss her when Melanie appeared in the doorway.

“Sorry to interrupt, guys, but, Caitlyn, there’s a lady asking for you.”

Caitlyn slipped off his lap, pulling him by the hand behind her. Stepping back into the ballroom, Donnie froze at her side as she leaned against him. “You gave me a family when I never thought it possible. Kenzie came back into my life and I have a second chance with you. I figured it was only right that you found a connection to yours.”

A small mousey-haired woman stood waiting for them. She approached when she spotted them. Donnie’s aunt looked about sixty years old, and Caitlyn saw they had the same shade of eyes.

“Donnie, this is Eileen. Eileen, this is Donnie, your nephew and the best man I know.”

The woman clasped a hand over her mouth, tears springing free from her eyes. “You look just like her. It’s surreal. I’ve been trying to find you for years, since I found out what happened. I would like to get to know you, introduce you to your cousins. I am very sorry for what happened to you.”

Donnie cleared his throat. “Don’t be, Eileen. Every single thing that happened to me led me to this woman here, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Eileen threw her arms around him, engulfing Donnie in a hug. Caitlyn stepped away, looking at her man, her mate, who mouthed to her, I love you.

I love you too, Donnie.

Happiness was within their grasp, but Caitlyn just hoped that centuries of darkness would not rear its ugly head and endanger the fragile future awaiting her. Caitlyn hoped she would not be the one to rip it apart.