Caramel: Book 3 of the Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Chapter 139: Destination Unknown – Part Two

I was married. To a woman. I must have had a panic attack because I remember very little of the actual ceremony. It wasn’t even supposed to be a ceremony, all we had to do was sigh the papers in front of witnesses. My Dad was videotaping everything so no doubt I’d get a copy, but as for it actually taking place? I remember getting to the hall and everything was crowded. Every Loyal who ever swore allegiance to me was there. If they were working, they were by themselves, but there was a hell of a lot of black suits and ballgowns. Von Drachenfeld staff were there mostly working the crowd, mixing in blood and h’ors derveurs What happened to my fifty people tops?

Lanseng was easy to see but getting to him was like trying to swim against the current. He was directly traffic easily. I got lassoed by a tuxedo’ed arm and I ended up bobbing behind Armor’s wake as he plowed toward the front of the hall. People waved and called. I’d never met them before. What the hell? My pseudo wedding has been crashed.

Armor found us a dark corner and we stood there fore a moment. “Who ordered the circus?”

“For a moment, I thought you did but the absolute panic on your face tells me a different story. Little One. Relax.”

“I thought it was going to be intimate and interactive. Not….cirque du soliel. I looked past Armor up to the roof, just to make sure it wasn’t.

“There has been a change in plan. Claudia is sick…so you are going to walk down the aisle. She will wait for you.”

“What?”

Armor caught my chin and made sure he had my attention. “Claudia is suffering, Little One. Your three babies are beating her up. She looked like absolute crap until Edna’s makeup artist got a hold of her. So, you are going to walk up the aisle as a bride.”

I shut my mouth. I’m not that much of a bastard. Lately.

“Father has already agreed to walk you up the aisle.”

“What about my Dad?”

“He prefers to work the magic. Those where his exact words.” I frowned at Armor, why would Dad be conjuring here? Then I spied him with the digital video camera. Ah. We were going to be getting something from beyond Hollywood from him. “It’s show time.”

Armor walked away. Haley and the rest of the Lycans surrounded me and we cut a path to the back of the room. I was starting to feel like a ping pong ball. Marcus climbed up on the stage and got ready to play his violin. I had asked Armor to be my best man. He declined. I must have looked like hell because I got a sweet and soo tender Armor special. It still didn’t lessen the blow. I blinked at him.

“You are asking too much of me. I am one year older than you and right now I want to grab you and head for the hills where no one could find us. That is what I would like to do, but it does not matter how those babies came into the world, you have claimed them. You will be a wonderful Father, X. I will be a loving Uncle. I just cannot stand there beside you and watch you marry Claudia. She is in the place I want most desperately want to be.”

“But I love you.”

“Xavier…Xavier. Marcus will attend your wedding. I will be at the reception. “I like Claudia, but I don’t know if I could control myself, so I will not attend.”

“But…but…but…”

“You sound like a motor boat. Just remember this, Little One. Do not forget who is taking you home and in whose arms you are going to be. Little One, my love, my heart, save the last dance for me.” He ran his thumb over my mouth tracing my lips. He pressed a kiss to my forehead and walked off.

Which is why Haley was now my best man. Go figure. Father was giving me away. Armor wanted nothing to do with me. Marcus just wanted his violin. If I didn’t know that they loved me, I would be off crying in a corner some where, which I still might do. I was walking the bridal mile. Was I ever going to be the alpha male in any of my relationships?

Then I got the pleasure of meeting the Female Alphas. I was Gabrielle to five Xenas:
Amara, Sheila, Nori, Akane and Svetlana. Good Lord. I am not short. I’m not. I could take cold comfort that I was taller than Haley…by a hair’s breath.

They were all in the same deep purple as my waistcoat. Yes, I said waistcoast. Father had been quite insistent that I have the traditional tailored three piece mourning suit. So I stood surrounded by Amazon women, aka the Female Imperials, in a grey tailcoat, with a purple silk waistcoat and dark grey pinstriped trousers. The suit is worn with a white wing collar shirt and matching purple silk cravat, but I jumped up and down, well Sex did when the top hat came out. He was adamant that he was not messing up his do. That shocked the heck out of me.

What shocked the hell out of me was that all the Female Imperials were wearing one piece of jewelry, a diamond studded ‘X’ which hung from a purple ribbon. Marcus’ playing of the wedding march got a flurry of activity back in the hall. I grabbed at Haley. “Where did they get those?”

“You said no females could be branded with your mark.”

At three thousand a piece, Frederick must have been doing cartwheels. “I didn’t know you had money.”

“Ping charged it to your account.” Speaking of Ping, she ghosted up and took Haley’s arm. The best man and the matron of honor, the Zsigmond and and Elek, Lycan of the Imperial Pack.

“You look pretty, Lord Alpha. That’s our cue.” Ping and Haley started out down the aisle.

The Female Imperials paired off with the Male Imperials. Sang Kyu was the last of my ushers. He shouldn’t even be here. One eye was glazed and I worried that his sight was messed up. Akane took his arm and let him lean on her. I was going to….I got slammed into the back of my head.

I grabbed at my offender and ended up with a handful of red tail. “What the hell was that for?”

/Breathe. You’re going to pass out./

Claudius came up. “Your Majesty.”

/You look good, Xavier. You can tell Claudius, he is smoking too./

I turned and drank in Father’s appearance. Oh yeah. Elegance, thy name is Claudius. He was in a dark grey version of my wedding gear except he had a black waistcoat. Edna had done a damn fine job on his hair. It gleamed even in this dim light. He stepped back to allow Shade and Snowflake to walk down the aisle. A matched set of Hellcat panthers – regally red and white purity.

I got two sets of arms wrapped around my legs. I knelt down and hugged Lois and Lane. I think this is the first time they were both frilly and feminine. Lane was chomping at the bit to get rid of her girly white shoes.

“You look nice, Uncle Eddie.”

“You smell nice, too. Mom said you’d buy us a car if we were good.”

‘Each of you a car when you turn sixteen and only if your Mother says okay.”

“Ladies, they are waiting.” Claudius turned and handled over a huge basket full of white rose petals. Together my twin nieces took the basket and began their flower girl routine.

“White? They should wither and die as soon as I step on them.” I said self-depreciatingly. Slap. Damn it. I straightened up and held my stinging face.

“I will not tolerate any disrespect to my sons, even if it from you.” Well, Father seemed to be fine. He reached out and re-fluffed my cravat. “Xavier.”

He pushed my hair back over my shoulder. “I know that marriage to my daughter is the last thing you could want. You have acquiesced to the Council’s demands graciously. Claudia know what she is walking into. She knew that even before she went and took your babies. Do not make her life miserable. She hopes to serve the greater good.”

Marcus struck up the beginning notes. “I have no intention of hurting Claudia. None of us do. She is the mother of our children. Like you, Father, I will not tolerate any disrespect to any that I cherish. Are you okay?”

“I am tender….no, not like that. My back is a constant dull ache.” I pulled him close and pressed my palms to his back. Just a little healing. He took a deep breath and then stood up. “Thank you, Xavier.”

I heard the whole congregation shuffling their feet and body shifting to look at me. Crap. I had to worry about falling flat on my face in front of a hundred people. I can do this. Catwalk…it’s just a catwalk. I concentrated on that spazzy walk. I left Father in my wake of rose petals. I worked so hard at staying upright that when I finally reached Claudia’s side, I was startled.

She was beautiful.

She had on the silk brocade uchikake I picked out for her from Japan. She wore it over a white kimono. Her hands held a purple orchid. She turned and looked up at me. Her hair gleamed and aside from the pound and a half of makeup to hide how the toll of carrying three winglets, she glowed. She looked like she should be marrying someone she loved. I took a shift sideways and felt a blade at my side.

“You stand my my little girl, I’ll make you sorry.” Claudius whispered into my ear. At the point, I have no clear memory, except now I have another gold ring on my left hand.

“Xavier?” I looked down at Claudia. Her eyes were troubled though she kept her face calm.

“You deserve better than me.”

“If you’re good enough for Daddy..”

I winced. This was truly a family affair.

“You are beautiful.”

“So kiss me.” She even had the same arch of the eyebrow. How can any Vampire not see that she is his daughter.

I pressed my forehead to hers as we swayed slightly in a mockery of a waltz as Marcus and Father played. “This I promise you, Empress Claudia. I will never intentionally embarrass you or our children.”

“So why the long face?”

“You should be marrying someone you love.”

“I did.” She giggled. I blinked and straightened up. “You have told me where I fit in your life, Xavier. I love you like a brother. A flaming gay supermodel assassin who will one day be Emperor of the entire Blood Nation.”

“I am not flaming.”

“I could roast marshmellows off your gaiety, little brother. Excuse me, Empress. I’m cutting it.” Shayne kissed her new sister’s cheek and let her waddle slightly off with the Xenas.

“I never thought I would be attending another of your weddings. You could be a Mormon.”

Shayne took lead, as usual and we waltzed in earnst. This is why we never won any competitions because she back lead me all over the place. “You made Mom happy. Triplets, a new daughter…a new kitty for the girls to torment.” I glanced over before I got swung around in a complete circle. Lois and Lane were riding the hellcats. Oh good Lord.

“I asked her Majesty first.”

“You spoke with her?”

“Lois did. I thought you had to bond with a hellcat to hear her?”

“You do, that’s why I had to get more hellcats. The brothers can’t talk to Shade.”

“Strange. Oh, I think they want Mr. Potato Salad.”

I turned and saw my cello. Sitting next to my favorite Vampire. I pursed my lips and sent him an air kiss. He grinned at me then turned and waved at Haley. Ah…we were going to do it.

“What’s going on?” I grinned at her and shoved her backwards taking over the lead. Just because I didn’t like to dance, didn’t mean I couldn’t. International Standard, Vienna Waltz. I maneuvered Shayne out into the line of dance and pushed it up a notch. She followed beautifully. I don’t think she could. You just have to take control X. We traveled the room and ended up in the center in a lovely tight flickerol. The music drifted off and I slowed us.

“Sex?”

“Nope.”

“Azrael?”

“Well you asked for Mr. Potato Salad. You dance divinely, sister dear.” I took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “Excuse me. My Marcus awaits.”

I ignored everyone who was hailing me. They crashed X’s wedding, ate his food, drank his blood and now wanted to chitchat. I don’t think so. I wanted nothing more than to climb my man and engage in some serious fornication…but, tonight was for Claudia. Marcus handed over the sheet music. Haley have Ping one kiss, bowed to Claudia as she sat regally, there was no other way to say it, on a folding chair surrounded by the Xenas.

“I take it you can read music, Father?” Claudius twisted on the stool and looked at me. Then glanced over at my cello.

“What are you up to?”

“We are going to sing a song for the Empress. Well I am. Your singing sucks.” Haley smiled toothly at Father then ducked as a hand lazily flicked out at him.

“My Immortal?”

“Trust me.” I left Father at the piano and set about tuning up my instrument. Marcus leaned over. “You dance.”

“I never said I couldn’t. I just said I wouldn’t.”

“You’re going to dance with me.”

“Yes, I will. Hey, look at that.” I gestured with my nose. Marcus turned and followed my interest. Chesterton and Haruka. I snorted once. Father turned his head toward me and I ran my bow across a few chords. Harold, you sly old dog. Harold and Haurka sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g…Oops. Father started.

Haley hadn’t been kidding when he said he could sing. He made it sound like all Lycan had wonderous voices. They probably did. Sex had wanted the Father’s crimson red concert piano here, but there wasn’t time nor the room. There was a small beat up baby grand here, but a few hours with a professional tuner and an automotive body mechanic with wax and a buffer made this thing look and sound like a choir of angels. As soon as the chords began to ring out, the noise in front of us faded away. They were in for a treat. The boys from Von Drachenfeld were playing.

Haley’s voice soared above the music. Just like the one time we practiced, his voice sent a shiver down my spine and made my hair on my neck stand on end.

“I'm so tired of being here
suppressed by all of my childish fears
and if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
because your presence still lingers here
and it won't leave me alone

I joined in, my cello crying lowly.

these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase

Marcus followed up sweetly, letting the sound spiral and sweep up in cry of longing.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
and I've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have…all of me

I glanced out at the crowd. Our mother was opening crying. She didn’t know I mindwalked for this. Dad was patting her shoulder as he kept the camera pointed at us.

You used to captivate me
by your resonating light
but now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice, it chased away all the sanity in me
These wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase

Ping walked up to the edge of the stage and began to sing in gracious harmony with her matebond. Out in the woods, on the Augural run, their voices as rose up in the night. That was the first time a howl of a Lycan didn’t send a frisson of fear through my heart. I had learned to live with that fear…X had learned to live with it, but that core of fear was still there, until that night.

Haley leaned down and pulled Ping up to the stage. She turned and pressed back against him, their arms interlocking over her noticeable lump.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
and I've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have…all of me

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

Father rocked with the motion of the his playing. I could see his talented fingers dancing on the keys. Marcus moved closer to me but gave me room to keep bowing. Claudia was openingly weeping. What? She wiped at her tears with an offered handkerchief and smiled waterly at me. Liam stood behind Hades, his arms over his eternal lover’s shoulders resting where his honeybee’s heart beat. He nodded his head once in our direction.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
and I've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have…all of me

Marcus and my playing faded out until Father’s piano was all that was left.

A single hand clap sounded throughout the hall. I looked up through my hair.

Bruce.

The Xenas closed around the Empress. Armor held Marcus’ violin and stepped partially in front of me It really wasn’t necessary. The hall was filled with Loyal. Bruce raised his hands and motioned with his head to his Pack to follow suit. Four other Alphas raised their hands as the Loyal surrounded them.

“What is your business here?” Thomas made his way to the front of the stage and stared at Bruce, Alpha of the Northern Pack.

“I am the official Envoy of Britta the Elder, Lycan Mother of the Northern Pack.” He raised his arm and held up a scroll. “I bring a list of grievances against the Lord Emperor of the Vampires, as well as an invitation to Britta’s Den.”

I lowered the cello back to it’s stand and rose to my feet. Father came and stood at my side. Armor set the violin back. Britta’s Den. Like I would walk into that.

Bruce submitted to a frisk. The scroll was unrolled and inspected then handed back to him. A aisle was opened as he walked forward. “Prince Haley, it has been too long since I last heard your voice.” His eyes flicked to Ping and her stomach. “Princess, you would be welcome as well.”

“I have touched Britta’s goodbye. I will stay with my own Pack.” Ping returned with a silent bow of her head.

“Our own Pack.” Haley returned pulling Ping close to him. I heard his low growl in his throat.

“You have a list?” Bruce turned and looked at me. He took in both Armor and Father then lowered himself on one knee.

“I am the official envoy of the Lycan Nation. I have been charged with giving this list of grievances to the Lord Emperor of the Vampire Nation.” He rose back to his feet. I stepped forward but he turned toward Father and held out the scroll, “Lord Claudius.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

“Shit.” Claudius voice echoed through the hall. He stared down at the Envoy for a moment then took the scroll.

“Lord Claudius, Britta the Elder will await your reply. Enjoy the evening. You play beautifully, Xavier. Marcus.”

Bruce turned and walked away. There was nothing in the hall just the sound of the fountains still pumping blood in it’s artful display. Liam and Hades came forward and dropped down in reverent pose…in front of Father. “Hail, Lord Claudius.” The congregation slowly lowered to the floor.

“Sasha?” I felt Armor pull me back and press against my arm. He dropped to one knee. He pulled on my arm.

“Sex…”

I watched as he stripped off his frock coat then his raven wings broke through the shirt, spreading out across the stage. I staggered back to avoid being hit with them. Everyone was kneeling before him. “Sasha…”

I saw Claudius raise his head and look back at me. “Swear to me, Xavier.”

“But, I’m Lord Emperor…I’ve done all these horrid things for the good of the Nation.” My throat tightened up. “I’ve killed so many for the good of the Nation.”

Armor grabbed at my wrist. “Sex…kneel before Father.”

“I got married for the good of the Nation.”

“Swear to me now, Xavier, or get out of my sight.” It was a whisper but I heard it. Armor heard it. His words just froze my heart. I can’t believe he just said that to me. My knees collapsed of their own accord. I sat on his heels as he set his wings back into repose. He turned and looked down at me. His eyes were hard. He wasn’t Carnage. He wasn’t my Sasha. I bowed my head to him.

“As you command, Lord…Alexander.” I pushed myself to my feet and walked off the stage. Oh…my chest hurt…it hurt so much…I couldn’t see where I was going but I was not going to let him see me cry. I almost made it to the door.

“Xavier!”

I stopped. I swallowed hard but kept my face toward the door.

“You have responsibilities you have to uphold.”

“That’s not my name.” I walked out of the Hall.

Bruce lounged on the outer steps. He looked up from his cigarette. “Well that worked faster than I expected. Britta may be old but she is cunning. You’ve been dethroned Lord Alpha. Do you think the new Lord Emperor will allow you a Lycan pack?”

I brushed at my tears. “You have no idea what you have done.”

“I have removed the thorn from Britta’s side. I will be rewarded.” The Northern Pack surrounded me. “Come with us, she wants to meet you.”

I ripped the cravat from my neck and tore my shirt open. The stains on my soul. The agony in my heart, the blood on my hands and that beat through my body was borne for naught. All I have endured was for nothing. I hissed as I pulled the pin on Marcus’ matching nipple shield. I unlatched the GPS and worked the other nipple ring free. My pink nubs pulsed with sensation. I tore the two gold rings from my finger.

“What are you doing, Lord Xavier?”

I brought my hand up to my neck. The locket hung there, warm from the heat of my body. I gritted my teeth and wrenched the torc free from my neck. “You freed me.” I stared at it for a moment then dropped it to the step. “I can do what I want. I answer to no one.”

I got my arms grabbed. Phoenix came in a cry of soul shattering pain. I burned so hot. The Lycan ashed who were holding me. Bruce staggered backward, an arm to up to protect his face. I angled my wings and lifted off the ground. My wedding clothes burnt off in a flash of color Bruce dived under the nearest limo. The other two Lycan ashed in a howly scream. I flapped once, twice and by the third flap I was four blocks away from the fire damaged steps.

The wind dried the tears on my cheeks. I couldn’t go home. I didn’t have a home. Everything I had was under false pretenses. If I stayed I’d go back to being Armor’s fuck toy…or worse, I would be the Imperial fuck toy. I flamed out and free fell for a moment then snapped out my white wings. You can’t cry and fly at the same time. It involved the same muscles.

I ended up in a familiar place. I hadn’t been back here since stalker Marcus. Reggie. I was naked except for my wings. My white wing glass chimes. I walked through the graveyard heading for his black marble monument. I’d have to find out how much it cost and repay Von Drachenfeld. I started crying again. I wrapped my arms around his cool black body, pressing my forehead into his unyielding neck. “At least you died before you found out how much of a bastard your heart could be.”

A sharp sting bit me in the fleshy part of my wing. I reached back and snagged an Orel Wessel dart. Damn it. I glittered my wings out of existence. I got another dart in the small of my back. I dropped to my knees. I screamed out all the pain and frustration. I saved him. I saved his ass from death and he does this to me. Betrayal, thine name is Father.

My hands hung weakly to the statute. “Reggie.”

“You have been given a drug, Xavier. It will make you sleep. It will make the pain you are feeling go away. Do not fight it’s effect. You are small, I don’t want to use another dart on you. Do you know who we are?”

“Orel Wessel.” My words began to slur.

“Why are you out here alone, Xavier?”

“My…my Sasha…my immortal betrayed me. All I’ve become for him….All I was…” I slumped forward onto the statute not caring if I smacked my noggin or not.

“I can make the pain go away, Xavier.”

“Edward…my name is Edward.”

“They have done so much to you in a short period of time, Edward. You can sleep now. Orel Wessel will watch over you. You are safe, Edward. You will be cleansed and pure again. When you wake, these tears you cry, will be no more. This will all have been a nightmare but you will be free.” I heard the tell tale zap of a tazer. I fell backwards staring up at the night sky was my vision began to fade. The last thing I saw was the huge black marble wings of Reggie’ angel of mercy. Black wings….my Sasha. Then everything just faded away.


* * *

Evilness I know, but that is my middle name.


TBC
BOOK 4: Cloves – Lord Emperor Vampire Series.
Going on vacation, no computer, no internet…going to recharge my batteries. Je na.