Gabriel
I paced outside of Audrina’s room, cursing myself.
I’d royally fucked this up.
I could smell her scent, fear co-mingled with sadness. I could also sense her anger. She was livid with me for keeping my true nature hidden. I’d planned to tell her I was a vampire-of course I had. But it was too much all at once. I didn’t want to scare her away.
I knocked on her door. “Audrina?”
Silence.
“Chef has prepared breakfast for you.”
“Leave me alone.” Her voice was hoarse.
I went back to pacing.
I reviewed the events from the night before. Audrina had permitted me to touch her at the party; she’d initiated physical contact with me in the elevator. After that, we hadn’t been able to keep our hands off each other.
I’d crossed a line with myself at some point during the evening. I’d decided that I would take her. I would claim her and make her mine. But although I’d answered Audrina’s questions about what the term “claim” meant, I hadn’t gotten into the mechanics of it. She didn’t yet understand what it meant…forever.
Claiming a human virgin was a serious thing. It differed vastly from merely biting or having sex with one. A vampire could do either, or both, without claiming the virgin. For example, I could have taken Audrina’s maidenhead at the party. I could have pinned her against the wall and plundered her. Sinking my fangs into her creamy flesh and drinking her blood was another option. Because the scent of a virgin was irresistible to us, most vampires in my position would have done both.
But I had abstained.
Because without claiming her as mine, Audrina would have no obligation to me, and also, no protection. I would merely have deflowered her, making her fair game for any other vampire to seduce or attack. She would never be a double virgin again. Had I taken her maidenhead or pierced her neck-or both-without offering to make her mine, I would have sealed her fate. I could never claim her after that.
A legitimate claim involved several steps. First, the vampire stated his or her intention to claim the virgin. Then the virgin needed to give informed consent-which meant that the virgin must know what the vampire was, and the exact terms of the claim.
Once there was a proposal and informed consent, consummation was required to seal the arrangement.
The vampire achieved this by having sex with the virgin while drinking from him or her.
I had never personally experienced consummating a claim. But legend had it that the act was explosive, addictive, and the greatest pleasure any vampire, or human, could ever know.
Once consummated, the virgin was supernaturally protected from all other vampires. No one could attack them. No one could drink their blood or have sex with them; they belonged to their vampire master exclusively and were safeguarded by the connection.
Still, claiming a virgin often led to primal, territorial behavior on the part of the vampire. The sex was addictive, as was drinking their pure blood. Even after the claim was consummated, and the virgin was protected, many vampires hoarded their mates. They obsessed over them-having sex with them, drinking from them, worrying if anyone else was thinking about having sex with them or drinking from them…
The vampire and his claim were monogamous unless again there was express consent on both sides.
The vampire drank only from the virgin. The vampire only had sex with the virgin. This was why many vampires abstained from such claims; it was a massive commitment. Most of my kind enjoyed plundering the field too much.
Claiming a virgin was also a permanent arrangement. It could only end in one of three ways: in marriage, in death, or the virgin’s release by the vampire.
In all my time, I’d never heard of a vampire who’d released their virgin. The bond was too strong. Most chose to marry and make their virgins immortal eventually. Sometimes the vampire’s existence ended; the virgin was then set free. Or the virgin’s human life ended for reasons outside of the vampire’s control, and thus, the claim was dissolved by nature itself.
But no one released a virgin.
I, for one, believed that the ability to release your virgin from the contract was yet another of our many tricks. Vampire rules required we explain the rules of claiming to our prospective mates before they could accept. Telling the human who was often weak with lust at the time the proposal was made-that they might one day be released from the arrangement made the terms more attractive. Little did the humans know no vampire had ever, over the centuries, exercised that option.
The ability to release the virgin was smoke and mirrors. It was a contract term in name only-one designed to get us exactly what we wanted.
I stood outside Audrina’s door, hands clenched.
I’d been willing to claim Audrina, to make her my mate. My desire to do so had not abated. Which meant that I was prepared to take her away from the only life she’d ever known-the sunlight, Hawthorne Hall, her beloved sister. I had hoped that last night, in the throes of passion, in the depths of her desire, she would agree to the arrangement.
But the morning brought a fresh set of circumstances.
I knocked on her door again.
This time, she didn’t bother to answer.
*********
“Bianca’s family is in an uproar.” Even though it was ten in the morning, Julian poured himself a whiskey. “Leonora’s mother is in hysterics-she’s demanding to see her.”
I glowered at my brother. “That is hardly my concern.”
Julian grimaced. “I know that, and you know that, but it does nothing to quell the drama! Even Madam Ives is upset. She feels responsible-”
“She should-”
“But it is not her fault that Leonora was driven insane with jealousy.” He downed the whiskey and poured himself another. “Your choice of companion was enough to drive us all to the brink. Bianca and I could not believe the number of couples mating at the party, it was more action than any brothel.”
I coughed. “No one was complaining last night.”
“Of course not, brother. Everyone enjoyed themselves-it was the party of the century. My point is people were caught up in the moment. Your connection with the virgin, and her obvious, nubile excitement, were infectious. Your talk of claiming her had everyone electrified. Such passion ignites others. We could not expect Leonora to remain immune.”
“She was going to drain Audrina,” I thundered, “and you are looking for my sympathy? The only thing anyone should expect from me this morning is a sharpened stake with Leonora’s name.”
“Do not misunderstand me,” Iulian said quietly. “You did nothing wrong. But you must see that she was so wild with jealousy and regret, she could not control herself. That does not make her innocent, but it makes her slightly less culpable.”
“No, it doesn’t-”
“Brother, think it through. Leonora did not attend the party intending to attack your date. She wanted to be included for the same reason as all our other guests: it’s a royal celebration. It’s an event, one to see and be seen at.”
He paused for a moment. “No one expected you to bring a virgin, let alone to state your intention to claim her. It was extraordinary, as was your clear passion and happiness. Leonora saw you had moved on, and that your new choice of mate was a triumph by any standard. She was swept away by her emotions, her basic instinct. No one in their right mind would attack the king’s virgin. That being said, we should afford her the same rights we’d grant to any other prisoner.”
I shook my head. “I am the king. It is weak for me to be merciful to someone who comes after what is mine.”
Julian watched me carefully. “It is not weak to be merciful, brother. I am begging you-do not to stake Leonora. Give her the normal prison term. Let her mother visit her if that’s what she wishes. You lose nothing. Audrina is safe. She is yours. No one will ever touch the king’s mate again.”
I frowned.
“Brother?”
“Fine,” I bit out, “I will grant Leonora the standard punishment. Have Cristian handle the arrangements, I know you have much to do.”
Julian bowed. “Thank you. You are a worthy king, one who inspires all of our devotion.”
When he rose, his eyes were sparkling. “Speaking of devotion-you must tell me. How was the claim? I’ve heard so many tales. Was it as exquisite as they say?”
I coughed. “I don’t… I don’t know.”
Julian looked puzzled. “I’m sorry?”
“I said, I don’t know. I did not claim Audrina.”
“You decided it was not worth it?” His brow furrowed.
“No.” I shook my head. “It was not my decision.”
His eyes widened. “She did not accept the proposal? I am shocked-she was ripe for you last night, ready. Bianca believed there was more to it, too. She could sense her thoughts; the girl has feelings for you.”
I winced. “I did not… I did not offer her a proposal.”
“Ah. You just took her?”
I coughed again. “No.”
Julian frowned. “I don’t understand.”
I took a deep breath. “She remains a double virgin.”
My brother looked gob-smacked. “How…?”
“She locked me out of the room.”
Julian almost choked on his whiskey. “What?”
I glowered at him. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
He took one look at my face and immediately composed himself. “Absolutely. I will leave you to attend to your business.”
“Thank you.”
Julian hesitated. “We leave for Vegas in a few hours. Are you… Are you still coming?” A hopeful note crept into his voice. The party would not have the same status if the king did not attend.
No matter what else happened, I would not let my brother down. “Of course, Julian. But I cannot speak for Audrina. To keep this private, can I ask for your discretion in this matter? Please do not speak of the situation, not even to your Bianca. I will settle the matter and deal with it before the plane departs.”
“You have my vow. I will not say a word.” He swept into another bow and then took his leave.
I sighed as the door closed behind him. I was alone again-except for Audrina.
And I had no idea what to do with her.