Clove : Book 4 of Lord Emperor Vampire Series

Ya know, I found it rather odd that no one commented on the chapter title. Oh well...it is answered below. Tah!

Chapter 185: Bang-gah-ding-gah-ding: Part Two


Sasha. Sweet Sasha. Sexy Sasha. Sex’s Sasha. If I thought I could get away with it, I would jump his bones right now. Hmmmm. No, the pod is here. Actually the three hundred guests that were here I mostly recognized. Not that I counted or anything, my eyes were on the prize standing at the end of the roped off aisle Marcus was leading me down. We walked a long red carpet toward the stage.

He stood at the then of it. A vision in black leather. True to his word, he had on as his wedding suit that black leather number that had set my loins aflame during that fashion show. His black boots gleamed. I could see every tense of his upper thighs, the breeches were so tight. He had exchanged the white linen shirt for a deep burgundy and he had ruffles. That was about the only fussy thing on him. Everything else was streamlined. He let his hair alone and it was a long and black pettable curtain.

I smirked as he eyes widened at the sight of my white coat. He flashed some pearly whites at me. He knew something decadent was underneath. HA! He could be the picture of decadence in the Oxford Dictionary. His eyes zeroed in on my floral offering to this union. Those arctic blues softened. If you didn’t know Claudius, you would think that he had only one expression – stony resolve. My Sasha was expressive. He had emotions. He had up and downs. The downs were usually when I did something way beyond his comfort zone…and my boy had a huge honking comfort zone. So I deserved it when he had to get physical…in a non-naked way. I can see why Callia can cry so hard when Ded gets a spanking on. It isn’t fun.

Marcus lead me right beside Sasha and turned me toward him. Liam actually had tears in his eyes. No sign of that damned self-satisfied smirk anywhere. “I give my son unto you for safekeeping, Sex.” Liam extended Sasha’s left arm to me.

Marcus turned to inwards to face them. “I give my son unto you for safekeeping…Sasha.” Blue eyes flicked over at Marcus but there was no sign of anger just dry amusement.

“That is your only freebie, Marcus. Only one person gets to call me Sasha…and he’s holding my hand. Beautiful message by the way.” He gestured to my crushed bouquet. “My perfect lover with beautiful eyes - chips of jade.”

I was lost. Absolutely lost in his orbit. In the past he might have had them lined up around the block…I’d be kicking anyone to lined up now to the curb and probably stomping them through the gutter grates. This vampire was mine. I reached up with my freehand and tangled in in his hair. I hadn’t seen him in a week. He needed little urging. All we needed as a little fang and…I got the typical Sasha lip lock-- the urgent match me or surrender. Uhuh. I was done surrendering. He needed an equal not a toy. I needed a partner not a father. I would slow down so he could keep up. He would lift up to a newer level. Together we would be better. We were….sucking face in front of about three hundred people before even saying any vows.

“Enough already….” I turned my head and saw Claudia standing in front of us. “Can you wait five minutes? The winglets are watching.”

How the hell did he do it? I didn’t even know I had fallen into the typical arched back, one leg lifted mode. I was returned to my upright position and I had to blink the sexual magic away. I was such a wife. Heheheheh.

“What are you thinking?”

“You’ll find out later.” I whispered back.

Claudia raised one sculpted eyebrow at us as if to say are you done yet?

“Okay, lips back into your own corner.” I dropped a hand over his mouth. He could be so deliciously filthy.

Claudia waited like a teacher until both of us smartened up and assumed a neutral position. Finally she raised her eyes and looked out across the gathering, “Family and Friends. We are gathered here…in this house of excess …to witness a celebration and union of dear beloved companions. There are marriages of necessity. There are marriages of convenience. There are marriages of love. This is a union of the soul. Two of our beloved friends have discovered their other half. Darkness cannot exist without light. Light needs darkness to recharge. Together they fill each others voids.”

I heard a multitude of kitty snickers in my head /If you ruin my marriage so help me god…/

The snickers ceased. Damn now I missed what else Claudia said. Sasha took both of my hands into his. “What?”

“Hellcat hecklers. It’s taken care of.”

“I, Alexander Claudius Sasha Von Drachenfeld, offer my life to you. Before you came to me, I merely existed. I have spent five hundred and ten years just existing in this world. In the short time I have known you, you have opened my eyes to possibilities, I thought were beyond my grasp. I ‘feel’ with you, Sex. Life is more precious to me now than ever before. I have broken my promises to you before and caused you pain and anguish, so I will make none to you today. Actions speak louder than words with me so, look to your right. Only death will keep me from that spot from now on. You, my sweet gentle hurricane, you have devastated me. Thank you.”

I started bawling. It wasn’t pretty. Everything I had rehearsed just went out of my head. Sasha stepped forward and gathered me in his arms. I hung onto him burying my face in his ruffles. “I think we just better keep moving forward, daughter.”

“Do you have the rings?”

Sasha had to peel me off like cling wrap. He wiped my eyes with a burgundy handkerchief. “Buck up, you have to claim me to make it stick.”

Huh? I felt a bump at my hip and Lex looked at me concern on his face has he handed me the pillow with Sasha’s golden wedding band still safely tucked in it. I was all thumbs. Marcus took pity on me and untied the ring and handed it to me. He picked Lex up and lifted him in his arms so my boy could watch. Claudius handed me his left hand.

“Repeat after me. With this ring I, Sigmund Edward Xavier Von Drachenfeld. thee wed.”

I pushed the golden circle onto his hand. “With this ring I, Sex Von Drachenfeld, thee wed. You’re mine until eternity breathes it’s last breath..”

“Claudius.”

I lifted my left hand and watched as Liam pulled out a huge honking piece of gold. What the hell was it? Claudius held it before me. Finger armor? Three rings hinged together. The front and back piece was delicate gold filigree. The knuckle section to which all the others were hinged was a big piece of gold that was engraved with the Von Drachenfeld glyph. Sasha whispered lowly, “I know I cannot have you all to myself. All your mates conferred on this.” He pointed to the ring closest to my palm. “This represents Xavier and Armor’s union.” He pointed to the smallest ring that would sit closest to the nail. “This ring represents your marriage to Claudia.” He hand reached out and brushed at my right nipple and the throbbing nipple shield. “This is Marcus and Azrael.” His thumb ran over the big knuckle piece. “This represents you and I.”

I turned into a big blubber head. Classy Sex. Just really classy. “You like it?” There was a hint of un-assuredness in his voice. Oh crap. I stuck my hand out and wriggled my ring finger. He slid the finger armor on. He turned my hand over and kissed the back of my hand “You light up my life, Sex.”

Shut up. Just shut up. I cried harder.

“You may kiss.”

I jumped up and hugged Sasha hard around the neck. He whispered into my ear, “I never meant to make you cry, beloved.”

/Shut up and kiss me./

Chaste. I wasn’t expecting that. “Any more and we are going to become the butt of all the jokes in the Nation for the next hundred years.”

“I love you.” I could finally get my mouth and my brain working at the same time.

“I know. I will show you how much I love you when this fandango is over.”

Fandango? I cast a sidelong glance at the Ancients. They didn’t spill the beans did they? Liam was standing behind Hades with both arms wrapped around his little Honeybee’s midsection. They looked…content. I think that painting in the entry way was more for Liam than for me. I think I just got gypped out of a wedding present.

Lanseng and Frederick were in their glory. Maestro conductors of the highest order of chaos and more chaos. The shindig was moved over to the other side of the room to banquet tables. This was a dance hall so kitchen facilities weren’t that impressive. We were reduced to buffet. That was fine More for me. Free flowing blood fountains were interspaced everywhere. My table was full. Sasha and me, Marcus, Claudia, Callia, Raissa, Lex, Mom, Dad, Shayne and Daniel. Liam and Hades had to shuffle off to buffalo.

The Imperials were taking up the tables immediately surround us. A row of Loyal and their spouses and significant others was the next row. I glanced around and saw a big pile of gifts. I was a little puzzled over it. Claudia caught my glance. “More than half the people here are from your work. They know about the…ahem…incident with the penthouse. I think these are more like housewarming gifts.”

“You looked beautiful up there, Edward.” Mom called out form across the table. “Where’s the rest of your outfit?”

I had slipped off the white leather coat because, damn three hundred people really heat up a room. I thought Sasha was going to swallow the olive in his martini glass when he saw my crimson-ness. Can you say white on rice? I guess this outfit was worth becoming the butt of all jokes for the next century. A finger slipped into the side vent of my leather pants. I twitched in surprise. Marcus caught it. Thankfully no one else did. I glanced at Sasha, he was talking to my Dad while he felt up the son.

“This is an original.” I cleared my throat and answered Mom.

“Where’s the back? You’re sweet and sexy, there is no need to dress like a hussy.”

“Mom!”

Callia picked up on that one real quick. “Uncle Marcus, what’s a hussy?”

“Smooth move dear.” Dad murmured.

“A hussy is someone who wears clothes that are too small for them.” Marcus covered easily.

“Is that why Papa’s Eddie’s pants are ripped?”

“No…Papa Eddie picked out these wedding clothes when he was still sick. Now that he’d all better again, those are too small so the tailor made them fit.”

Callia tilted her red head to the right and looked at me. I met her gave evenly. “You are very pretty Papa. Don’t be a hussy any more.”

Sasha broke out laughing. I had seen his chuckle before but never an outright head back laugh. He sat back up, draped an arm across my shoulders and nuzzled his face into my hair. “From out of the mouths of babes…you are my hussy.” I just shivered.

“Father, are you drunk?”

“No. I am retired.” There was a tink tink tink of spoons against crystal. I forgot about this part. Sasha didn’t. He cranked his elbow and angled my head up towards his. “If I am intoxicated, it is because I am finally with you”

I had been chowing down on prime rib and scalloped potatoes. Sasha didn’t care. I wasn’t settling for that little chaste peck on the lips this time. I think it was shades of Alexander that was here. He was charismatic and when you were the center of his attention, the world just fell away. I met his ardor. I sucked hard on his tongue. His other can came around and tangled in my hair pulling me closer towards him.

/Aooogah, Winglets at the table, Sexy. Winglets at the table./ Mo cautioned with a kitty smirk. I think my eyes were crossed when I pulled back from that kiss.

“I need to keep that dazed expression on your face, Sex. You look like that right after you orgasm.” He whispered into my ear, his lips fluttereing against my skin. I quivered.

Randy Sasha. Holy crap.

The band was setting up on the opposite side of the room. My little pack rat would probably have loved something tangible from me as a wedding gift. I looked down at the golden finger armor It was absolutely awe inspiring. “I have Marcus and Claudia’s names engraved on the inside.”

“Just when I think I understand you, Sasha…you do this.”

“You surprise me every single day, Sex. I have to keep your interest.” I leaned my elbows on the table and looked out at the pod. I felt all warm and tingly. Both Sasha and I were different from them. We were…stunted emotionally. Sasha closed in on himself. I went the other way. Together…I leaned over into him, and pulled his two fingers out of my pants, and gave a contented sigh. It was like what Claudia said. We filled each other’s voids. I lit his darkness. He gave me a place to rest in the shade.

Hades was back into master of ceremonies mode. Since most of the crowd were Vampires and it wasn’t their eating day, you can only sip a cup of blood for so long. The band started up. “Can we have the Prince and his Consort over to the dance floor to lead the first dance.”

I didn’t clue in for half a second. Prince. That was me. Duh. I got to my feet and held out my hand. I got an arched eyebrow but Sasha let me take the lead. “You know Skell learned the piano the hard way. That might not be the way you meant it, but we know how to play now. I’ll never really appreciate your long haired music but this is my present to you.”

I lead him the middle of the dancefloor, lifted his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. I let my tongue come out and flick at his flesh. “Stay there. I’ll be right back.”

“Sex?”

I jumped up on stage and made my way to the piano there. I had been practicing when I could slip away from my watch dogs. I wasn’t the pianist heading to Carnegie Hall, but I think I could make my Vampire happy. I tried to learn some of that moldy stuff but it just didn’t speak to me…sing to me….play for me…whatever you would call it. I’m a twenty-first century Vampire.

I found a song that would work for both of us…I hoped it would anyways. Bongos started up. I can do this….this is for Sasha. I got my fingers warmed up. The base drum kicked in. It was a latin rythym with samba sensibilities. More bongos started in. Bang by Robbie Rivera. He had to love it. I started pounding on the keyboard. Horns started in.

The words were nonsense but the music made you want to dance, make you move. Bang-gah-ding-gah-ding. Bang-gah-ding-gah-ding Come on baby Boom-ba-boomboom-ba-boom. Boom-ba-boomboom-ba-boom

I let hands rise over the keys. It was simple chords but I poured my heart into them. The rest of the musicians stopped playing for a few beats and my notes carried the melody forward.

/Dance with me!/ I turned and looked at my black haired vision of loveliness. He held one hand up towards me. /Dance with me to this music, Fallen./

I looked over to the keyboardist I had momentarily replaced. He catch my gesture and stepped forward. I abandoned the keys and jumped off the stage. Sasha caught me in mid flight shifted his hands to just under my arms and began to spin with me off the ground in the samba beat. Slowly he lowered me down his body until my feet hit the floor. I had no choice but to follow his lead. He locked an arm around my waist. I did the same and we began to spin around each other at vampire velocity. 1 & 2 & 1& 2 & 1 & 2 &

We came out of the spin into exaggerated rumba walks. Look ma, I’m stylin’ I threw back my head and laughed, my white hair was everywhere. His black hair was flying all over the place. We looked like cousins It in mirror reverse. He held me in relaxed dance motion, on hand on my hip the other up to guide me around the floor. My vampire could shake his groove thang when he wanted to. And damn, he wanted to. Who said the first dance had to be a waltz? True that waltz at the fetish show turned out to be smokin’ hot but this was ours. We are the samba kings! The music died and I was somehow in a dip about half and inch from the floor. Sasha lowered his hand to the floor beside my head and pulled me up towards him. “Thank you, Fallen. That was the best gift you could have given to me.”

I closed my eyes and lifted my face for a kiss. Nothing happened. I opened my eyes. His were bright with tears. “Kitty? Something wrong?”

“I am happy. I am truly happy, Sex.” He gently pulled me back up to my feet then took my face in both hands and kissed me as if I was something precious and cherished. I had gone from unwanted to cherished. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close letting my hands rest of his buns of steel. Hmmm, warm black leather.

/Lord Alpha…we might have a problem./ Sang Ku cried out to me. All the Imperials went on alert. I snapped up alert and turned toward the sweeping stairway. Sasha immediately dropped into assassin mode. “What is it?”

“Don’t know yet, Lycan warning.”

A familiar face appeared at the stairway as the light from the mirrored disco ball sparkled everyone in flashes of brilliance. Bruce. I narrowed my eyes and looked around him. He was alone. Winter was leading him forward carrying a yellowed piece of parchment. Claudia came up and stood beside us. Marcus followed. Bruce got about ten feet close, then Garrote pushed on his shoulder to get him into reverence pose.

“My apologies, Empress, Prince Xavier, Lord Claudius. You have an important guest wishing to join the festivities.” Winter handed Claudia the parchment then stepped backwards exposing Bruce to our sight. I looked him over. The flesh of his right hand was discolored from the Phoenix burn I gave him back at X’s wedding but other than that he didn’t look any worse for wear.

Claudia tensed and snapped her eyes toward the stairs. “Allow them through.” She let the parchment slightly roll up and handed it over to me. She turned slighty. “Britta the Elder is here.”

What!? “She brings you a wedding present.”

I opened the parchment. “The Northern Pack of the Lycan Nation extends their congratulation to Prince Xavier on his nuptials. As a gesture of good will, Britta the Elder wishes an audience to negotiate an armistice between the Lycan and the Vampire Nations by the joining of the Royal Pack and the Royal House.” I frowned. What did that mean?

Sasha read over my shoulder. “That means a betrothal between the houses.”

“Betrothal?”

“An agreement that there will be a marriage between the two parties.”

“I’m too married as it is.” Sasha kissed my head through my hair.

“I think she means to negotiate peace in exchange for one of the winglets.”

“What?”

“Do not fly off the handle. We need to listen to her terms. I have never heard of Britta leaving her territory. This is an honor and it shows that she is serious about this.”

News of the Lycan Ruler’s arrival spread through the room and the dance floor cleared. Leaving just Von Drachenfeld standing there until the Imperial pack took up position in front of us. Haley and Ping took point. They held each other’s hand as they waited for Britta the Elder to arrive.

After all the hubbub and agony and death that has happened because of Britta the Elder, I was expecting….I don’t know what I was expecting. All I know is that I didn’t think she would look like Granny from the Clampetts – only she dressed better and she rode in on a caravan chair carried by four male Alphas. I would admit she knew how to make an entrance.

Her body might be old, but her eyes glittered with life and determination. She growled at Haley. /I hear that you are now and adult. It’s time for you to come home./

/I am home. Von Drachenfeld is my family now. My name is Saitou, you took Dennings from me./

/You defied me. You deliberately moved against my expressed will. I cannot show favoritism; not even to my own only surviving grandson. But you have been exiled long enough. Come home and take your place at my side./

/No./

/Bring your pack. They will make the core of your court./

/His court?/ Ping glared at the wisened old Lycan. /Explain yourself./

/Ah, Princess Ping. You are as stunning as your father claimed. You are an Elek without comparison. You stole this city from my Pack so easily./

/That still doesn’t explain yourself./

/I cannot live forever. I am near my end. If you do not take your place as my heir before I pass, the Pack will tear itself apart to get the Dominant Position. Hate me if you must. I acted as a ruler, not a grandmother. But this is your Nation. Your Pack. Do not abandon them./

/You said you came with an offer of peace. Where is it?/

/You hold the Vampires in good stead. As High Alpha of the Lycan Nation, you will keep peace between the Bloods. Join the House of Von Drachenfeld to the Pack of Saitou./

I pushed my way forward until I could stand beside Haley. I bowed as gracefully as I could. She was the Head of her Nation after all. “Britta, I am honored by your presence. However, could you speak in English. Many are not as fortunate to speak Lycan.”

“You are a cheeky little bastard.” Well she could speak English and she really didn’t like me. “Still, I owe you my gratitude for saving Haley.”

“Derry wasn’t so lucky.”

“Derry chose his fate. Only Haley was marked by the pack.”

/He was my best friend./

“Derry was your devotee, Haley. You have learned that the role of leadership is not all fun and games. Decisions must be made and pups might fall. But everything must be done to preserve the Pack. The name Saitou has been added to the Roll. Ping comes from a great and noble Eastern House. She is a princess in her own right. Where are my great grandchildren?”

The female Alphas blocked the puppies and kept them away.

/You have your own complete pack. You have female alpha pack. You have male alpha pack. You have…/ Britta flared her nostrils and then smiled down at Ping, /your First litter and more on the way. Bring them home. Bring them to the Den. Sit at my side as my heir so when I do finally die, the Pack doesn’t eat itself from within./

“I am Sigmond here.”

“As my heir, Von Drachenfeld will not need an Imperial Pack.”

Haley stilled.

“As my heir, you would dictate the policy dealing with other Bloods. You are friends with the Royal House. A truce would be easy to get. A peace would be beneficial to both. Do not condemn the whole of your bloodline because you despise me, grandson.” She looked over the Imperial Lycan. /I have not long left to me./

I could see Haley quiver.

Lycan were pack animals. I had watched the pup grow. There was a playful part still inside him but there was the Father and protector instinct as well. I had Skell’s memories of how Haley had protected him from Bruce out in the alley. He had grown strong. He had grown up. He was a pup no more.

/I release you from your oath of Sigmond, Haley. You have been born into a position of responsibility. Don’t you think, you’ve run from it long enough?/ Haley spun on his heel and stared at me as if I had just hauled off an smacked him one, and not in a playful manner.

/Alpha Sex!/

/I have come into responsibilities I didn’t want when I was birthed as a Vampire. With family, with friends and allies, I have started to make this Nation a better place for blues, reds and our forgotten children. You originally came to me with that intent as well. You came to save werewolves from slaughter. Prince Haley, you have the responsibility to make your Nation better./

I could feel Britta’s eyes on me. I turned and looked up at her. I could feel the weight of her gaze on me and a slow nod came in my direction. Apparently, I had passed muster.

“Take up your position, Haley. Sit at my side. This will bring an era of peace between the Lycan Pack and the Vampire Nation. This has never been done before in the ancient history of our lineage.”

“You know something, little brother. If you take over the Lycan Nation, that will make it a little easier to straighten out the Houses.”

Haley turned and jumped me. I caught him and hugged him tight against me. “But you’re by big brother…you’re my packmate….I promised to protect you…just like you protected me.” I could feel Lycan tears stream down my neck.

“You saved Skell out in the alley. You guarded my children when I was lost. Haley, you gave X comfort when he desperately needed it in Tokyo. We are grateful to have known you, but we can’t keep you from your destiny. You are a Prince. Your Nation needs you more.”

“I know…”

“Then you know what you have to do.” Haley hugged me once more then lowered himself back to the ground.

“Grandmother. Would you like to join us at our table. This is Lord Alphas marriage to Lord Claudius.”

Ping took up Haley’s hand and pulled him close. She bowed her head toward the Leader of the Lycan Nation. “Come and meet your great-grandchildren.”

The crowd of Lycan dispersed. I turned and blinked at the tears stinging my eyes. Sasha came up and wrapped me up in a warm embrace. “There was an awful lot of growling going on. Fallen?”

“Britta is dying. Her soul is almost detached from her body. It is just the force of her will that is keeping it there.”

“When why are you sad?”

“I just lost my little brother. I released him from his oath.”

“So that little puppy, is the heir to the Northern Pack?”

“He’s not a puppy any more, Sasha.” Music started up and the silence that had held the room in it’s sway began to break up into pockets of conversation. Sasha held me tightly just like a clench at a highschool dance. We just swayed back and forth. I breathed in the scent that was unique. I wouldn’t need to hide that spice bottle of cloves under my pillow any more. I had the real thing. I flexed my finger and felt the pull of the golden triple ring on my flesh. I took a big breath and let out a contented, if sadly tinged sigh.

“Fallen?”

“In the end of days,
He will come upon fiery wings,
A creature no Blood can call its own.
Through a storm of fire and silver he will walk
Rendering asunder all we have known
Or can remember.
Remaking the world in his own image.
Harbinger of destruction.
Destroyer of darkness.
He will walk in blood and light,
Hasmallim , the Illuminated
Let all the Blood tremble before him.
Revere him, love him, fear him
Hasmallim the Assassin;
Lord of the new Blood Nation.”

I whispered the words of the prophesy into Sasha’s ruffles. His hand came up and snaked through my hair, pushing my head against him. “I have rendered asunder all the Nation has known. Sigmund isn’t a crazy fruitcake anymore. The lost fledglings have their own house. The blue line is re-established. We will have peace between the Lycan and the Nation. The eastern division of Orel Wessel is smashed. Am I done, Kitty? Am I done with all of this?”

Sasha chucked a bent finger under my chin and lifted my face toward his, “No, my Fallen Angel. You are not yet the Lord of the new Blood Nation.” He kissed me—like a prince would do in a fairy tale. Soft and sweet, no tongue. I closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat even above the music. There was something else that was rendered asunder. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t in the dark. I had the warm of family and the light of a single silver feather. After all of this…I had love. I inhaled our mix of essence. Clove. Cinnamon. Dark tones that mingled together to create loving memories.

His voice was low and breezed through my hair. “I have an erection for you.”

I broke out into a wide smile. I have Sasha Wingkitty’s love. My life was brilliant.

____________________________________________________

End of Book 4: Clove

Thanks for reading!! (Shameless plug) Buy Cake!!