Clove : Book 4 of Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Epilogue: Bang-gah-ding-gah-ding: Part One

I took one last drag of my cigarette and flicked it over the side of the balcony. I swear he had me on lowjack. I blew the cigarette smoke up into the air just as the wonderful scent of blueberry taffy enveloped me. Those long arms came around and hugged me back to his tallness. “What did I tell you about smoking?”

“Only do it when you’re around?” I shimmed slightly back against him. Sex taught me that one.

He stilled. I was discovering I had a sense of humor. Lanny’s laughter broke the silence of the early evening. I smiled and really backed into him. I had found a kind of peace here in the House of Von Drachenfeld--crazy and chaotic and mixed up as it was. The puppies were all puffed up because they had the honor of being First Litter. Claudius had been right when he said you had to watch Raissa and Arashi when they got to scrapping. It was worse than an arena ranking fight. In the end, it was about Ping being pregnant and Claudia being not. I remember rolling around in the sand of the beach with Sex when we heard Princess Raissa command Papa Xavier to get to work and make some more princesses. Azrael found it funny too but got all stoic and pointed out just how did our darling little six year old going on seven knew about were babies came from. That dried up the laughter pretty quick.

“You are amazing, Skell.”

Hmmm? I brought my thoughts to the here and now. “You, Blueberry are good for my ego. Is it time?”

“Almost. Liam is here.”

I frowned. “What does he want?”

“I don’t know…” I tiled my head sideways and gave Lanny a sly look. “Really, I don’t.”

I lifted my hands and angled them behind me to cup about the back of my long tall Seer’s legs. He stiffened…everywhere. I let my hands rise up to that oh so touchable derriere. “You are evil. Do not get me started. Your body has got to be somewhere else in less then an hour and a half and your hair is going to make up most of that time.”

“Should I apologize?” I pressed my hips back into his upper thighs.

“Skell…”

I turned in his arms and snaked on arm up to his shoulders, gently urging him down for a kiss. I was healing. I didn’t even realize I had been so wounded. I had been bleeding out in the tender care of Orel Wessel but the brothers three – my brothers saved me. I let my lips open under Lanny’s kiss. He was like Sex in some regards. He did nothing in half measures. I got my suck face on…or maybe it was better to say, I got my face sucked on. My man could give a masters course in the art of the seductive kiss. I blinked. “My man.”

“Am I?”

“Do you want to be?”

“Absolutely.”

“So be it.”

“That easy?”

“I am Emperor in training after all. Besides…you are too dangerous to be left running wild.”

“Dangerous….hmmmm, I think I like that.”

“Another thing…I’m only going to be calling you Blueberry or Muffin from now on. You are not my wolfhound. I’ll let Azrael have all the dog terminology he wants.”

“I can live with that, milord.”

“No…don’t call me that. It sounds like you’re forced to be with me. You’re not, are you?”

“I want to be with you. If it wasn’t for your brothers and your other mates, I would never leave your side. How about Polar?”

“Polar? As in Pole Star—the North Star?” I couldn’t connect the dots on that one.

I got picked up and swung around. Holy crap. My stomach clenched but I kept a hold on panic mode. I was with Lanny. My Lanny. I was safe. “No, as in Polar bear. You make me want to cuddle you.”

Oookkkkayyyy. He set back on my feet and leaned over. His hair fell forward and encased me. I looked up into those red eyes of his. He had nothing to hide. He was an open book. My blueberry muffin o’ love. I let my tongue run along his. Hmmmm, tasty.

“Oh, for the Empire’s sake, stop playing hide the tongue and get moving.” I narrowed my eyes. Liam. He was proving to be the master of inappropriate timing. “There’s a wedding getting revved up as we speak.”

I parted the curtain of blue locks and looked over at our Grandfather. Yeah, he did look like Billy Idol with a giant hicky extending from his shoulder to his hairline. What the hell did….no, I don’t want to know. “Give us a minute.” I let Lanny’s hair drop. He smiled down at me, his eyes smiled too. I wanted that. I know Sex had it, but I wanted it to. How do I get smiling happy eyes? “Practise…” I kissed Lanny’s slightly swollen lips. “Practise…” I flicked my tongue gently forward licking the inside of his upper lip. “Practise.” I allowed Lanny’s tongue into my mouth and sucked on it gently. I could do gentle. I owed it to those I fucked over so badly. I could do gentle. There would be no more rape. No more tears. I was a brother of Von Drachenfeld. I would make myself worthy.”

“Tick tock, people. Don’t make me go and get Frederick.” Liam called out to us.

Both of us finished the kiss and straightened up at that threat. We didn’t need a hyperactive screaming panic button on heels chasing a hyperactive overly excited mach ten Sex around in the confines of one small room. That was not a thing something to be looked forward to.

“I would ask for a dance later but this is Sex’s night.”

“So dance with my brother.”

“I will.”

Liam was closer now, “Lanseng, move it!”

I was returned to my upright vertical position and Lanny did that hair flip to sweep his long blue hair back over his shoulder. What did Xavier call it? A porn star flip. Damn, that was sexy. “Later.”

“Definitely.” I sucked in some air and bit down on my tender bottom lip and watched my blueberry saunter away. Sway, muffin, sway.

A pair of fingers snapped in front of my nose. I turned and looked at Liam kind of annoyed. “You remember this the next time you and your Honey Pops are trying to get your groove on.”

“Not that I don’t appreciate the art of Love, I just find it kind of in the way of getting the bride ready for the wedding ceremony.” Liam ran a hand through his short spiked hair. He glittered in the fading light of day because he had on….glitter? Ancients have no taste. Ha, listen to me. Azrael dresses me.

/Well get up here./

“I am not a bride.” I crossed my arms over my chest. Mmmm, blueberry essence lingered on my lips. Not that I didn’t like it, but it was wrong to be lusting after your baby brothers main squeeze. “Breath mint.”

Liam reached into his pocket and tossed me a little tin of unbelievably strong mints. That took care of lingering berriness. It also opened up my sinuses. “Damn, Liam – you stink like cayenne pineapple honey.”

A blush crossed his cheeks and burned into his ears. Someone had fun. Someone had surprised fun. I tossed back the mint tin. “I like these. Back in the day, I would have had to find some mint or chew on a clove.”

Clove! Schwing. Oh for heaven’s sake. Damn it. “And you pick on me. Just thinking about that black haired son of mine drives you to perversity.”

“Suck off, Praded.”

“Such language…actually, I need to speak to you, Sex.” Liam crossed to the edge of the ledge and sat down. He padded the cement beside him then pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He shook out two.

“I didn’t think you smoked.”

“William’s habit. It grows on you.” I took the cigarette then leaned over to get a light. I set my bangs on fire. Crap. Liam slapping at my head to keep me from going flambé a la Michael Jackson didn’t help. He might not be blue line, but he had raised William’s red strength to the highest level. It felt like I was getting punched by Mike Tyson. Now I have the lovely scent of burnt hair hanging around me.

I flicked the butt over the edge. “Nightshade was right, these things will kill you.” I pulled at my poor shriveled bangs. I was going to have to wash my hair, again.

“Sorry.” I almost playing the human torch, in a bad way, didn’t stop Liam from light up and puffing away.

“I need you to answer me a question, Liam. You’re not exactly forth coming with information.”

Liam took a deep drag. The orange glow of the burning edge case sharp shadows on his face. “I have learned the hard way, to keep my advice to myself. And it’s hard to say it, but that is a lesson I’ve had to learn again and again.”

“What Thomas said about Sigmund, about him asking for death. Was that true? I know you told X that you finally quit fighting Sigmund’s death wish, but…is Thomas an assassin or is he a second?

“You could mindfuck him. Get the truth for yourself.”

“I could but I am asking you. You were a witness.”

William was a youngster. In the blink of an eye, he seemed to have aged hundred of years. Liam took another drag off his butt then exhaled. He offered it to me. I shook my head and chewed on the lingering remains of mint. “I have known pain, little emperor. I have experienced the pain of childbirth. I have experienced the pain of a sword through the intestines. I have suffered through the loss of a child, of a mate, of leaving someone behind when the body I was in finally flickered out. The pain that Sigmund was in…that is something else. It was like something inside of him was twisted and pulled out of alignment. Life scarred him.’

‘When I came to him and he merged with me, I was able to ease some of that torment, but I got weary of it too. It was always there weighing down on your every thought and move. Sigmund was a tormented soul and the sad thing was, that he knew it. He knew what happiness and contentment was because once upon a time he had it. He couldn’t escape the pain until he hooked up with Armanita. I think she was the original dominatrix. The physical pain she gave Sigmund, drowned out the inner anguish.”

Liam tossed the remains of the cigarette over the edge. “The first Hellcat soul was an accident. He reacted like a drug addict. It deadened the pain, and made him feel a part of this world. After that everything he did; he just wanted to stop the pain.”

“He asked Thomas to kill him.”

“Yes, he did. He came down from his Hellcat high in the middle of the carnage he created in order to get the Hellcat souls. You have seen how majestic Hellcats are. Now imagine a clearing of thirty bloodied and hacked to pieces. Adults, cubs and kits. He had slaughtered them all to ease his pain and in the end he made it unbearable. Thomas was his right hand man. He begged him to kill him. He laid out how to do it and he made Thomas promise to take over the ruling of the Nation. He warned Thomas not to allow Armanita full rein. Now we now why he left that warning. Armanita wasn’t a whole cookie either.”

“Then what the hell was Orel Wessel doing working with Thomas?”

“By that time, Sigmund was out of control Armanita was directing that Blue line and she was cultivating the Church to start the Blue Blood cull. Orel Wessel actually was a godsend to the humans at that time. When there is unrest in the Vampire Nation, it filters down. There were two nutjobs in control with ultimate power so the hell that broke lose…it was expected.”

Liam stood up and let out a big breath, “What Orel Wessel is doing now…the original founders would turn in their graves. This trouble with Orel Wessel isn’t over Sex. You might have wiped out the eastern division, but there are more, and now they know for sure that the Royal House of Von Drachenfeld is back. Not only is it back, but it’s established with a new generation. We may have cut off the arm of the beast, but we didn’t kill it. A wounded beast is even more dangerous.”

Oh fuck.

“You know it’s out there now, Sex. You and yours will be on guard. They will not be able to touch you or your family again.”

“You sure know how to rain on my parade, Liam.”

“You asked. Now you know why I don’t offer advice. I rarely have anything good to say.” I turned and looked over at Liam. He looked so weary right now. He didn’t look anything like the giant on the beach who had been so intent on taking over this body.

“I take it, things are looking better for you and Hades. Based on the size of that hickey on your neck.” Liam’s hand flew up to his neck. “Other side.”

“That little bastard. Where is it, can I hide it?”

I trailed my finger lightly along the kiss bruise. “Damn it!”

“Hold still.” I used just a touch of healing light as I cupped my hand around the discoloration. It was just less than a second and it was gone. “Why didn’t Sigmund use the healing light?”

“He tried. It didn’t work. I don’t know why. I’ve used the healing light on wounds that should have been mortal. I’ve cured sickness. I’ve eased pain and suffering. It failed us. Death was his only salvation.”

The cell phone at his waistband rang. He glanced down at the display. “Move it, Frederick has moved to Defcon 5.”

I grabbed at my bangs. Okay, they weren’t bangs any more but they weren’t all curled and burnt either. I dropped my hair when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and William looked back at me.

“I never thought you were good enough for Hades. I still stand by that remark, but I do see the good you have brought to Claudius. He..” William searched for the right word, “endured Hades. With you he is a different vampire.”

I cocked my head to the side, “Are you apologizing?”

“This is as close to one as you’re going to get from me.”

“I’ll take it.”

“You’ll know our wedding present to you and your Consort when you see it. Happy blessings to you and Claudius, my Blood Emperor.” William stepped back and dropped into reverent post.

“Thank you, William.” I took a few steps forward then turned back, “One thing, how they hell can Hades stand to bite you. You have got to be the nastiest combination of essence in the world.”

Liam rose that damned smirk on his face. “I think all the years of hemlock poisoning killed his taste buds. Honey Pops. I’ll have to remember that.” The cell phone started ringing again. “Defcon 4. Move it.”

I had to have the last laugh. I do believe everyone thought Frederick and I would combine our frenetic energy and turn into a cyclone of destruction and panic. I was Mr. Mellow. Frederick was…well, Frederick but I couldn’t be budged from my comfort zone. We were getting ready at Von Drachenfeld. Sasha was getting ready at the Golden Phoenix. The wedding and reception was there as a private invitation only function on the second floor. The third floor was designed for the groom and…hey…I was the bride!

I was primped and prodded, buffed and braided and then I finally got the go ahead to get into my wedding finery. I was the friggin scarlet pimpernel. I was so going to kick Azrael’s ass when I got the beach again. Azrael and Marcus had ordered a duplicate of my blue fighting leathers except these were metallic red, candy apple red. Frederick had bugged the crap out of Xavier for a week to come down and get fitted for these. Thank the stars he did. I got fat. No, let’s correct that. I got healthy. I liked tight pants but I couldn’t get my gluts into them.

I turned sideways to the mirror and twitched my butt. Hmmmm. I liked the alternations. The sides had to be slashed and now laced up from about my mid thigh all the way up to the waist. Commando time. The apron shirt wrapped around it slightly so it was making my slightly exposed flanks more of a peek-a-boo show. I finally was allowed to look in the mirror. I was a vision in red and white. I looked like the Canadian flag. Two pale white arms surrounding a red core.

Warbraids had been woven into my hair again, this time with red rubies being interspaced throughout it. Sasha had liked directing traffic with these things. Liam brought my white leather coat that went with the outfit. It had been altered as well, vents were placed in the back for wing clearance.

Sheer lip-gloss was applied. Pale pink eye shadow to bring out the lovely mint green eye color. I drew the line at mascara. I cry at the drop of a hat. I didn’t want to be running around in front of friends and family looking like Tammy Faye.

My hair was draped around my shoulders and finally I was pronounced ready.

I was marrying my Sasha.

My face broke out into a huge grin. I was getting married. I was so tempted to do a happy dance. I turned from the mirror and…everyone dropped down in reverent pose. “Congratulations, Blood Emperor!”

Happy dancing right now would lead to cracked noggins. Okay, I’ll just save it for later.

I got the limo to myself. That in itself was amazing because the past ten days since the dissolution of the High Council and the re-establishment of the Empire, I couldn’t go to the bathroom without someone being there. Awkward. At least it was Armor or Riot. Some bodily functions should just stay private.

I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the seat. /Pretty satisfied with yourself eh?/

That voice. I popped my eyes open and looked across the way to the opposite seat. Yellow eyes opened and I spied a jet black ball of fluff. “Mo?”

/Awww, you remembered./

Morose, my own personal hellkitten, had returned. I held out my hands as the puff ball sprouted legs a curly tail and the cutest little kitten ears. He jumped off the seat. I caught him and brought him to my chest, rubbing my chin on the top of his head.

/I missed you, Mo./

/Sorry I died. I couldn’t out run the poison./

/I really cried when you died, Morose./

/Snowflake told me. I’m back and not I’m heading out on you again. So he finally decided to buy the cow…./ Kitty snicker rang inside my head.

/Moo./

/You truly love him that much? No body else to sample./

/I don’t need anyone else’s samples. I’ve got the best. Screw the rest./

/That’s what your giving up, Sexy. Tied to one man forever…and for you guys forever is a mighty long time./

/Forever is not long enough for me./

/Good. Glad to hear it. Now, scratch my head./

I broke out laughing. I got Mo purring. I was purring myself. Together forever out in the light. I had never even hoped to dream that I would find this. I never had hoped to have an inkling of this happiness. I wanted to dance. Well I wanted to do something else with my Sasha, but we had to get married first. I was getting married.

/Keep it down. I’m just a kitten here./

“Sorry.” The limo eased up to the front door of the Golden Phoenix. I looked out at the cue waiting to get in. All the bullet holes in the décor had actually accented the place and made it more popular which was good because I had a feeling that Hades would have no qualms about hitting us with the repair bill. Money grubbing little bastard that he is.

/Yo, Mo can you go white. You’re leaving black hairs all over my coat./

/Bitch, bitch, bitch. I missed you, Sexy./

/Diamond collar?/

/I’m worth it, ain’t I?/

The kitten shivered and suddenly a long haired pure white Himalayan with golden eyes blinked innocently up at me. Yah…right. Innocent. I waited for the door to open then climbed out. The Loyal was around. Sang Ku stood at the door with the regular bouncers and turned into an ice breaker as we approached. Damn it was crowded. Probably even more so because the humans and non invited vampires were stuck on the first floor. I lifted Morose to my shoulder and let him settle in my hair. I glanced up at the entry way and staggered to a stop.

So this was William and Liam’s wedding gift. I was off of Hades wall. Billy Envoy was in the forefront in his signature man from glad white suit. His arms were crossed infront of him, almost in an unwelcoming gesture but there was merriment and devilment in his expression. The kicker was the white haired Norse godling behind him, dwarfing him. Liam, Mr. L aka the asshole from the beach had an arm across William in a parody of the infamous kilt pose. There was that damned smirk on Liam’s face. Then the white wings filled the rest of the entryway. Someone else might think that it was artistic license but no. If my wings were a spitfire, then Sasha’s were a harriers and then Liam’s was the Hindenberg. Size wise.

/Whoa./ I felt Mo’s head rub against my ear as he looked up at what caught my attention. /He’s in the little guy?/

“Yeah. William will burn out quicker because of it. Liam just can’t be contained.”

/The expression tells me he doesn’t mind./

“He doesn’t. That’s love for ya.”

I was motioned forward. Toward the velvet rope that cordoned off the passage and the access to the second floor. Technically, since I was the…ahem…bride and was the last person to arrive if I wanted to linger I could have. I’ve lingered long enough.

This was just like the swirl of activity behind the scences at a fashion show. Morose was pulled out of my hair and patted on the butt while being scolded for being a bad kitty and ruining my hair. Mo was set on the ground and the scoldee almost fainted as Mo whipped himself up into his favorite cat, a white Bengal tiger. The wide tail came back around and smacked the scoldee on the butt then Mo moved off to join Her Majesty and Snowflake. See cats can be many things.

I was all fluffed again then was handed a bridal bouquet I had created with the aid of a florist of purple xeranthemum, a single vergiated tulip, a single orange rose, scads of orange bittersweet all tied together with Baby’s breath. He knew what flowers meant. We were more complicated than just red roses. I wanted to walk up to him with the symbols of eternity and immortality; my perfect lover with beautiful eyes, my desire, my truth and my happiness in my hands. I knew the florist thought I was nuts but Sasha and I were unique. I maybe a cookie cutter brother, we may carry the same scent but I was nothing like X, or Az or Skelly.

“Papa Eddie! Papa Eddie!” I turned and looked down at my kids. I squatted before the fairy princesses. Once we told them that Ded and Papa Eddie were going to get married they demanded wings. Well Callia and Raissa did. Lex was a little quiet but he didn’t seem too adverse to the idea. Don’t look at me funny. I’m not having my children running around calling out for Papa Sex. That would just cause so many problems…and misunderstandings. I was born Sigmund Edward Xavier, but I was Eddie first. My babies could call me Eddie. My sister and nieces could call me Eddie. Anyone else, I was going to break their kneecap.

My girls were doused in glitter. Hades. They had their firey red and jet black hair in ringlets that only looked good on little girls. Perfect pink princess dresses all pouffy and glittery and they had store bought fairy wings clipped to their back. “You look all pretty Papa.” Callia came up and hugged my neck. “Uncle Marcus said we get to ride the kitties down the aisle.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I don’t have a hellcat.” Lex spoke up with a pout. “I don’t’ get to ride anywhere.”

/Yo, Mo!/

I turned and hauled my pouty ringbearer up to me. “What makes you think that?”

“Callia gets to ride Nightshade. Raissa gets to ride Snowflake. No more kitties.” Lex was looking down at the ground and didn’t see the white tiger stalking up behind him. His sisters opened their mouths but I shushed them with a finger. “Who said there’s no more kitties.”

/Small cat, Mo. You’ll scare him./

Mo’s version of a small cat was a mountain cougar. Lex turned around and looked right into the yellow eyes of hellcat number three. “Alexander, this my bonded Hellcat, Morose. I call him Mo.”

“’ol Mo.”

/I like him, he’s just like you./

/Scary isn’t it./ “Ask him, Lex.”

“Can I ride on your back up to Ded? Papa is going to marry him.”

A rough kitty tongue came out and took off the glitter on one side of my boy’s face. /Give him a fighting chance, Sexy. He might like girls./ Mo lapped the glitter off the other side of Lex’s face. My boy jumped forward and wrapped his arms around the Hellcat’s neck.

“Go back to normal, Mo.” Lex squealed with delight as HIS hellcat was bigger and whiter than his sisters.

Nightshade sauntered up. /You clean up good, Sex. Showtime./ I picked up Callia and settled her on the Queens’ back.

“No kicking or pulling hair. Hellcats have feelings just like everyone else.”

I hoisted Raissa up. Her face was beaming.

Lex was trying his damnedest to get up on Mo. /Don’t tease him./

I got a snort then Mo laid on the floor. Lex climbed onto his back then hung on as the tiger climbed back to his full height. “Aren’t you missing something?” Lex looked around and realized he had dropped his pillow. I bent over and snagged it off the floor. The plain gold band was still tied to the ribbon. I tucked it back into it’s little snug pocket then handed it to Lex. “That ring is for Ded. You get up to the front and you don’t have that ring, Ded is going to be disappointed. You don’t want to see Ded disappointed.”

Lex dug one hand into the scruff and took a death grip on the pillow hugging it to his chest.

Hades scuttled to the curtain that separated us from the rest of the congregation. This wasn’t like that last wedding. Honestly we couldn’t even call it a wedding, we wouldn’t be legal in the eyes of anything. It was more of a celebration and confirmation between us.

“We are good to go. Your Majesty if you will.”

Callia hung on like a burr as Nightshade began to move toward dressed in her usual red panther self. The curtain parted and my baby girl rode out into the spotlight. Spotlight? Holy crap. What happened to the small intimate little family gathering? I turned back to the next in line. Raissa was laying on Snowflakes back whispering into his ear. I heard a faint kitty laugh then the white panther with red patches on his ears morphed up into a saber tooth tiger then stalked forward with my baby girl clinging to his back. Oh my god.

/Don’t get your panties in a twist, Sexy…oops, I forgot you ain’t wearing any./ Mo snickered as he walked past and flicked his tail off my ass. Crap that stung. I took two steps forward and bounced off of Marcus’ chest. His hands came out and caught my shoulders to keep me from falling over.

“Your children are safe, Sex. Do you honestly think the Hellcats would do something to harm them?”

I blinked. Marcus was all in that butter toffee 17th century fetish show gear. Impressive but… “What are you doing? I thought you were the best man.”

“Liam is giving Claudius to you.” My heart went doink. Really? Tears burned at the back of my eyes. “I found you. Armor may have birthed you but I am still your maker. I will give you to your Sasha.”

He reached down and picked up my dropped bouquet. “Please do not cry, Sex. Father will punch me in the head in front of everyone if he thinks I was mean to you.” His huge thumbs wiped gently at my cheeks. I jumped him. He staggered back as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I don’t think I’ve ever forgave you, Marcus. If you didn’t do what you did. I don’t doubt that we would be dead long ago.”

“What are you saying?”

I whispered lowly into his ear. “I forgive you for breaking the Covenant. I forgive you and Armor for making our first year a living hell but if you didn’t, you would never have gotten us to listen, or grow.”

I loosened my hold and dropped back to my feet. The big guy was stunned. I sniffed. Damn, I crushed my flowers.

“There is only a wedding waiting here!” Hades called back from the curtain.

I jumped up and down on the balls of my feet and blinked the tears out of my eyes. I took a deep cleansing breath and dropped my shoulders. Armor held out his arm to me as he crossed in front of me and took up position on my left side. I let my face break out into a excited smile. I felt like a kid on Christmas eve who had rummaged through the presents and now was just waiting to rip them open in front of the family.

Family. The weird pod of Von Drachenfeld.

I laid my left hand on Marcus’ forearm and nodded at Hades to pull back the curtain. I was blinded with spotlights. My hand tightened around Marcus forearm. His other hand came up and dropped on top of mine. I stepped forward into the white light and a new bright future.

“Let’s dance.”

________________________

part two is in the works. I promise not to rip your beating hearts out on my alter to my muse this time...er, I think.