Clove : Book 4 of Lord Emperor Vampire Series

I had a OMFG moment. I couldn’t remember what Armor/Marcus’s essence was. I had to look it up. Gack. Gasp. Egads. The darkness continues to swirl. In more ways than one. I had been made redundant. That is a nicer word than terminated. So….my fucking luck continues. I will continue to post until I have to give the laptop back. Never fear, I will continue to write. The library has computer labs on Wednesdays.

So, get it while you can!

Chapter 178: …a little cake in the afternoon

I got slammed into a corner with the force of being hit by a mac truck. I hung there like a smushed fly then was peeled off wall by the force of gravity and landed on my knees. Holy….who hit me? A great black wing pressed into my face and head and forced me on my ass then to the floor in the corner.

Claudius.

He had a hand of lightsabre in his hand. Wow, Sex must have taught him that. Focus here. No one was moving. I leaned over and glanced at the Regency Council and they were all sitting stock still in their chairs. The Hunters had their guns up and aimed. “Father, put it away before everyone dies. The Regency doesn’t care about the Covenant.”

Father is the only one who could get away with it. Anyone else would be stammering and turning blood red with embarrassment. Father just glittered away the hand of light and the black wings then offered a hand down to me to get me vertical again.

“As you can see, I have more advantages that a mere Coven Fledgling.” My face was red but I was able to make eye contact with the Council members.

“You are here, and here you will stay. It does not matter to me how you came into the Nation. You are my son. You are under my wing…literally.” Claudius stated in a tone that spoke of matter of facts.

The steel bun lady stood. “You come before us, as a son of Lady Xavier. A Vampire of the Royal House. As Lord Emperor…”

“Well actually, I haven’t reclaimed that title. I have taken back my position as CEO of Shadoe Inc. Claudius is still Lord Emperor.” I could feel Father’s eyes on me. It was the truth. He hadn’t abdicated. He was Lord Emperor Claudius the First. Right now, I was just an angel with a dirty face…and an aching ass. Father didn’t pull any punches in his zeal to protect me. /Thank you, Father./

/I can knock you around anytime if that means you will be safe./ Claudius returned with a touch of glee in his voice. It was gratifying to hear it but it was also a little disconcerting. Don’t be changing on me too much here, Father. I’m dancing on a narrow cable here and if I fall…fledglings are going to die.

Steel Bun leaned forward letting her sharp grey eyes pierce me. “You have reclaimed Shadoe Inc. There was a tv spot on the sudden appearance of Sex the supermodel at a fundraiser spectacle. That was two days ago. How long have you been freed from Orel Wessel?” There was skepticism ripe in her voice. ”The Regency has long believed that Shadoe Inc is more than just a simple corporation. It cannot be confirmed but we believe that Shadoe Inc is just a front for a kill for hire group.”

“Xavier is the CEO of Shadoe Inc. He headed up a successful coupe. There is no doubt of his claim.” Claudius spoke with conviction in my defense.

“You stepped down from that position?” Father was now the recipient of the steely stare.

“I had no intention of allowing Xavier control of the corporation. I was literally thrown out of my seat.” Claudius arced an eyebrow in her direction as if to say, are you really questioning my word?

“What does this have to do with the Coven’s disappearing last night?” Steel Bun spoke up again.

“What was that?” This was questioned by another Council member with short layered salt and pepper hair.

“The Covens were rounded up last night by Marcus and those men in black. Every pocket that was under surveillance has reported the same thing.” Steel Bun returned watching both of us carefully. I had no reason to lie.

“This comes back to the topic I started with. Orel Wessel.” I started again “I thought they were just using the Coven fledglings as their feeder for their experiments on the Bloods. It turns out, Orel Wessel is placing orders. For House members. For specific Blood traits. When they couldn’t find it in the Vampire Nation, they went hunting for humans.”

I cast my eye out across the council table. “This is just not a Vampire problem. I’ve already started cleaning my own backyard. I offer the destruction of Orel Wessel to the Regency Hunters. If you chose not to do something about it, I’ll tell you right now, Von Drachenfeld will. Once my House starts to move, your chance is gone. I will not tolerate interference.”

“Threats?”

I shook my head. “I am the last person to criticize the Regency. My human family has served as Hunters for generations. When I had my opportunity I lost my sight and with it any desire to learn more about the Regency. I do know what you take a dim view of actions that upset the status quo; of events that endanger humanity. Orel Wessel is a danger. A menace. It preys on humans. It preys on Vampire. While I don’t have evidence of it, I doubt that the other Blood Races are free from Orel Wessels’ tender mercies.”

“Where are the Covens? Is there a cull again? It’s only been nine years since the last one and that was a total annihilation.”

“The Coven Fledglings have been gathered under my orders for their own protection. I offer you proof of what Orel Wessel has been doing. I will allow you to interview individuals rescued from a testing facility before you make your final decision.”

“And if we decide that this is a Vampire Nation matter?”

I left my voice grow cold and a bit of my blue flame rise in my eyes. “Then it is a Blood matter. When humans begin die by the hand, claw or fang of the Bloods, it will be members of Orel Wessel and the Regency will do nothing. You have been given your chance to act.”

There was a little bit of silence then I heard a throat clear. This lady had the face of a mature woman but her age was difficult to pin down. Her hair was snow white, but it was a dulled yellow compared to mine. “I remember you, Sigmund. I was part of the Mage Trio who had to incant over you after the Lycan attack. Even then, I knew something was different about you. You were meant for something different. Your blindness was a surprise. Your bastard attitude that came right after that was hard to swallow after all the sweetness and light. It’s amazing to see that bastard attitude still with you.”

I shook my head, “I’m not Sigmund.”

“I know that. You’re not Edward either.” Huh? What the hell did that mean? She looked familiar but I couldn’t come up with a name. She continued to speak, “Your Mother is a remarkable woman. Her fortune was told in the cards on the day of her birth. She was to be the mother of the Nation. That was a strange fortune. Humans and Nations—but she is, isn’t she?”

“I have never denied that I had a mother.”

“No you did not, once and future Lord Emperor of the Vampire Nation. I make the motion to re-convene the Regency Council at the site where the Coven Fledglings are being held. Disturbing news has come to us regarding disappearances, Vampires, Lycan, werewolves and humans. Mage Xavier has tried to track down this group called Orel Wessel. Little to no information could be found on it. All our usual avenues of information have closed down when the name was mentioned. That indicates to me, that what ever this Orel Wessel is, they are powerful enough to use influence against the Regency.”

Steel Bun seconded the motion.

The yellow mage continued speaking, “Another item. To all Hunters present and Council members, I require an oath of secrecy regarding Lord Xavier’s impassioned revelation. We know what happens to those poor fledglings who fall outside the sacred Covenant. It is only good manners to cement working relations between the Vampire Nation and the Regency.”

One by one the assembled Hunter guards came and knelt before the Mage swearing silence regarding my broken covenant. Each Councilor offered their oath as well but did not get down on their knees. Finally the yellow mage turned and bowed toward Claudius. She swore silence to the Lord Emperor.

Claudius bowed his head elegantly and lifted a hand to his chest. “Your oath is accepted. We shall meet at eight at the Golden Phoenix. By your leave.”

I mimicked him but I was no where near as refined.

We got down to the limo and I finally took a deep breath. Those women were scary. My Mom times five. Claudius caught me by my ear and threw me in the back seat. Riot just looked shocked as I bounced off the seat. Hell, I was shocked. Claudius climbed in and shut the door.

“You will never bring up that fact again, Xavier! It does not matter if you claim to be Blood Emperor, if the Nation finds out that you have been made without the Covenant. There will be an attempt to kill you; to kill Armor and against me as well for harboring you. They will also come for your children. It is a deadly weapon in the wrong hands. As it is, you are still in danger.”

I grabbed at my throbbing ear. “What do you mean? They gave an oath.”

“They are only human.” That was a rather racist statement. “The only ones I have known to keep their oath are Ranked Assassins. There will be rumors from the Regency regardless of the oaths. Put out one fire at a time, Xavier. As it is, I will have to kill those Hunters.”

“You are killing nothing.”

“I will not endanger my grandchildren.”

“The Hunters are trustworthy. My parents…”

“Are human. The Regency Council did not see a human standing before them. They saw a ghost of one until you began to speak, then they saw a Vampire. A powerful Vampire that they now have something over if he does something the Regency doesn’t like.”

I opened my mouth, then snapped it closed. Crap. I knew Father was watching as clarity kicked in. “You can’t kill them. I called the meeting.”

“Then I will hunt down the rumors. Other than that, this went well. I would not have met with the Regency regarding Orel Wessel.”

“Well Tokyo Local tap dancing on Sex’s face reminded me that the Hunters can be a help or a hindrance. I would rather not have them as a hindrance.”

I flopped back on the bench. I felt drained. Well, Sex and Claudius did have a wild night. Claudius moved over my side and ended up arranging me on my side with my head resting on his lap. His rummaged in a side panel and a soft bristled brush was handed to me. He took Lanseng’s masterpiece out and began to brush me into bonelessness.

“Sleep, Xavier. I can sense the weariness in you. I fear I was too energetic with my Fallen last night.”

“T.M.I.” I let out a sigh. “Sex locks his private time with you away. I respect that.”

“Where are we going?”

“We don’t have to be anywhere until eight tonight. I missed the first six years of my winglets. I’m not missing any more.”

“Von Drachenfeld.” Claudius called up to the driver. I think I was drooling on Father’s lap before the limo started to move.

It was nap time in the Von Drachenfeld kindergarten. Callia and Raissa were cuddled together on one mat. Lex was flat on his back his arms and legs spread out across the way. Even the puppy crew was sacked out. Ronan smirked and nodded at me to come in. When in Rome. I grabbed a thin pillow and settled down next to Alexander. He turned in his sleep and huddled against my chin. I didn’t really plan on sleeping but I did. Apparently Claudius really did wear out Sex. I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

/Alpha….Lord Alpha…./ Oh, god, I was sweating to death and this blanket was heavy…wait.

/Lord Alpha, you awake?/ I blinked my eyes open. I was covered in children. What the…Lex was plastered to my chest. Raissa was draped across the indent at my waist. Callia had her arm across my neck and was burrowed into my hair. My backside was hot like a furnace. Five fluffy wolf pups were pressed up against my back, ass and the back of my legs.

/Haley?/

/Cook sent me to get you./

/I’m all tangled up here./

/It’s cute./ Haley made a chuffing sound in his throat and all the puppies moved huddling on top of each other without really waking up. Ronan came over and finished untangling me.

“Papa?” Lex muttered grabbing at my hair.

“I’m here, Lex.”

“You smell nice.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“Not a baby.”

“My mistake. Go back to sleep. See you later.”

“Kiss me.” He demanded this without opening his eyes. I brushed at his white hair then pressed a baby soft kiss to his cheek. He opened his hand and I was able to climb to my feet.

Ronan had moved Raissa back to her own mat. I took a good look at the little teacher. He looked worked over. It kind of reminded of when….I think my eyes must have snapped wide. He raised his finger to his lips but his eyes sparkled. I think Ronan Fielding just found himself a wife or more than likely, just got his werewolf tail claimed.
“Invite her to dinner.”

His cheeks flushed red. “What?”

“I’ve been present at a claiming. You only need to see those kind of marks once to know.”

He grinned stupidly. “She ran me to ground. I didn’t even hear her then she just ran me over out in the woods. I guess she caught my scent last month’s full moon and tried to find me for the whole month. She just laid in wait until I went running by.”

“Did you fight hard?”

“Until I figured out what the hell was going on.” I could see that the female werewolf had come prepared from the flash of gold on his ring finger. “Her name is Katherine Williams…well Fieldings now. She works down at that huge department store on 32nd Street. She’s a fashion merchandiser.”

“You got pups on the way?”

That question just stunned him. Ooops. He was reeling from just getting claimed. Fatherhood wasn’t something that he had thought of yet. Ronan would make a good dad. Haley took one look at Ronan and broke out into a wide grin.

He jumped and hugged Ronan around the neck. “Congratulations. Would you like my words of advice on a happy mating?”

“Yes, Prince Haley.”

“I wouldn’t mind a few pointers, myself.” I grinned back at Prince Haley. Well he was a Prince. I just kept forgetting.

“Do what she says, when she says it because you are going to end up doing it anyway.” His face was earnest.

That wasn’t what I expected but…yeah, it would work. He wrinkled his nose at me. “What?”

“Well, since you’re the wife with all your mates…except Claudia…”

I screeched, “I am not.”

Haley cocked his head to one side, “Well, actually you are the wife to her too.”

“Papa?”

“Daddy?” The feathers and fur had started to stir.

“Out!” Ronan slammed the door behind us.

Haley stuck out his tongue and tore off down the hall. He glanced back to see if I was following. I shoved him in the shoulder and sent him running into the wall. He bounced back, twisted around and jumped back at me. I highstepped it further down the hall. Haley was hard on my heels.

I took the corner too hard and skidded back first into the wainscoting. Ooof. Haley hit the same slippery spot. I had nowhere to go. He slammed into me and we ended up tumbling on the floor. We came to a halt with me pinning his shoulders to the floor.

“Ahem.” I glanced forward to see sensible heels. I glanced up and Haley took advantage. Owww. I landed hard on my back. Ping just arched an eyebrow at us, hiked her skirt up and stepped over our tangle of legs. I was so expecting the loud “Haley!” I lifted my head and watched her walk down the hall. She glowed.

“You dog.” I hit Haley in the shoulder. I got a flash of teeth and then he used my face to springboard back to his feet. I cracked the back of my head off the tile but it was just a little rough and tumble. “When did this happen?”

“The usual way.”

I slowly rolled over and did a push up. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m officially an Adult.”

“And the other thing?”

“I’m officially an Adult present.” Haley reached down and yanked me to my feet. “This litter is guaranteed to be Alphas.”

I frowned. “The puppies?”

Haley kept a hold of my hand and pulled me after him. “Pure blood Lycan know if they are going to be Alphas. It’s an instinctive feeling. We are counseled to keep it to ourselves as we get older because of jealous and…until the age of change we are vulnerable. It is easy to get dead if you are of the wrong blood line. The parents always know who is an Alpha.”

“Your puppies…”

“Arashi and Ike are the only Alphas in our first litter. I had hoped Wolfgang would be. Maybe that’s why I named him after my Father, because I knew he wouldn’t be. This new litter is smaller, but they are all male. You will soon have a second generation imperial pack for your Winglets, X.”

I was touched. I teared up so easily. Damn it! I was the wife. Haley pushed open the kitchen door and I staggered to a stop. There were wedding cake samples on every surface. “Since this is for Sex and Claudius, and it is just for family, the staff of Von Drachenfeld are not taking a no for an answer. They are going to cater this wedding.” Haley announced.

I busted out crying. Oh my god. And I used to think I was alone and no body cared. “Lord Alpha?”

I wiped my eyes. “Thank you…you have no idea what this means to me…to us…to Sex.”

“Wife.” Haley muttered it lowly.

I kicked him in the ankle.

“Okay…what do you want me to eat?” I sniffed my tears back and rubbed my hands together.

I could die and consider myself with a passport already stamped as going to heaven. Cake heaven. Chocolate paradise. Vanilla exotic. Grand Marnier…soaked something. Kaluha whatchamacallit. I was on a sugar high and half cut. Haley was basically past out on the floor. For that wife remark, I smeared his hair with butter crème icing. I giggled to myself and turned ready to head to the next sample table and walked into a broad chest. I blinked and looked up…and up.

“Pretty!”

“You are drunk.” Armor reached out and then pulled his hand back rubbing his fingers together. Apparently my own hair was full of icing. I took the strands and stuck them in my mouth. Mmmmm. Which one was that? I turned and looked at the cake debris. “You know what? I think that cake is all I ate today.” I giggled again.

“How did you get drunk?”

“Oh…the unusual way.”

“Unusual way…X…” His voice was exasperated.

“Oh, oh…here, you have to try this one….I like this one. Would Claudius? He doesn’t strike me as a sweets kind of guy. Then I never thought he’s be wearing pink or chopping his hair off…damn, he’s hot. How the hell did…” A hand landed over my mouth.

“My my, you just a chatterbox when you’re drinking. Which on was it?” I pointed at a yellow round cake. It was lemon and it had a fruit layer in the bottom one. The next tier was a light fluffy angle spongy thing but it was loaded with strawberries that had been soaked in champagne. I ignored the dainty knife and fork and scooped up a handful of the middle layer. I turned and held it up to Armor’s mouth.

“There are plates.”

“I taste better.” God, I missed him. I used my other hand to pick up a succulent strawberry out of the cake crumble and pressed it up to his lips. I was rewarded with a red flash of passion. Baby…

I watched absolutely fascinated as his lips parted and his white teeth bit into that sweet alcoholic meat of the fruit. I wanted to be that strawberry. Devoured so lusciously.

“Yes you do.”

Huh? “Yes I do what?”

“You taste better.” My big man. He opened his mouth and I popped the rest of that berry in. He leaned over and I started up into those big brown eyes that were burning with banked desire. His hand came up and speared through my sticky hair. Strawberry and apple mixed with some sparkling grape and cinnamon warred in our mouths as we kissed with Vampiric abandon. I hit the back of the counter with the small of my back as Armor plastered himself all over me. Like a good little band-aid.

“Consent me Pretty.” I turned my head and offered my neck. I stuck my ear into icing. I really didn’t care. I got smeared with…smelled like Grand Marnier chocolate cake. Armor worked some magic fingers and jazz hands on my body following it up with a busy and talented tongue. I ended up hoisted on my back on the counter. I know knew what a desert cart felt like.

Armor lifted his head from my flesh and I smiled lazily horny at him. He was my decadent chocolate surprise. Sable hair, warm chocolate eyes and a ring of dark chocolate caked around his mouth. His tongue flicked out at the corner of his mouth. I flared white hot blue desire. Cakes went flying. Plates broke on the floor. My new bowling shirt got ripped open. My pants were snapped open and I helped kick them off. Eeeewwww, squishiness. I was bare assed in a mishmash of deserts.

Armor made all my petty concerns just float away. My big Vampire had a mouth on him and he wasn’t afraid to use it. I ended up flat in the cake with a pillar up my back. I shifted and reached behind me. I pulled out a hard plastic column out and threw it over my shoulder. Armor worked my hard cock like it was a day long sucker…only he wanted to get to the gooey center pretty quick. “Hmmmmmmm,…Prettyyy.”

I don’t know if it was the sugar, or the alcohol or just the fact that it was my appley goodness but I came hard and fast. I gritted my teeth and moaned as he drank me dry. I panted heavily and hung onto his long lovely locks. He gave me one last lick and looked up at me. I finally got the expression –the-cat-who-got-the-cream. He had one damn fine satisfied look on his face. He licked his lips. I groaned again.

“That is a sound I will never tire of.”

There was a yelpy moan from the floor. Armor stood up and leaned over me. “Is he drunk?”

“We had to try all the cakes.”

Armor looked around the counter. “I think you have tried enough. What is with all these cakes?”

“Sex’s wedding. Trying to find a wedding cake. Some of them had more alcohol than others.”

“Stay there.”

Armor turned and began looking for something. Now that the passion and heat of the moment was fading, cake up the back of your thighs isn’t that great a feeling. I slid off the counter and my knees just gave out. Armor caught me before I smacked into the floor. He hauled me back upright by one arm. Owww.

A table cloth was wrapped around me and I found myself caught up in bridal pose. That felt nice. I leaned my head up against his shoulder. My nose was up against his neck. She smelled mouth watering. I opened my mouth and scratched him with a little fang.

“Let us save that for the privacy of our bedroom, Little One. Once I start consenting you, I am not holding back.”

“Is that a promise, Pretty?”

“As Lex says, “You betch cha.”

Armor carried me out of the kitchen. Haley was still passed out on the floor. “Huh, what…”

“Haley’s a big boy now. His wife will take care of him.”

I nestled up against Armor’s shoulder and leaned my icing filed ear and hair on his shoulder. I felt good. I don’t remember feeling this good for a long long time. Gonnea get some smexing with my man. Just have to close my eyes for a second…just rest just for a bit before the loving starts.

I passed out in my husband’s arms.

* * *