A reality that felt somehow very hollow.
“Narcissa?” Declan’s accented voice was soft against my ear as I realized I’d come to a complete standstill. My body was shaking slightly in anger, and my eyes flickered from where they had been focused on the trees to my left, up into a pair of emerald burning yet concerned eyes.
His massive hands gripped my shoulders and turned me so that I was pressed against his chest, my arms wrapping around him in an embrace. I loved hugs. My boys could make me feel so effortlessly anchored and relaxed with such a simple action. I knew they had no idea how much that type of thing affected me.
I felt like a total sap, but this had made me realize how much more vocal I needed to be with my emotions… even if they were awkward, confusing, and made no sense to me in the least. Maybe the guys would be better at decoding them if I spoke them out loud.
“I’m fine.” I sighed slightly and tilted my head back so that I could look all the way up to where he stood at 6’3”. How was it fair for him to be this attractive? All of them. All six of them were unfairly hot. Don’t even get me started on Declan’s tattoos that I wanted to trace with my tongue… yeah, alright, I was in a weird as fuck place tonight.
A low rumble came from his chest as I pressed closer to him. I eagerly met his lips as he dipped his head to brush his lips against mine, causing me to let out a small embarrassing moan.
“Maker,” Alaric grumbled in frustration while tearing me away from my totally hot demi-god, who offered a dirty smirk as I huffed. I went to yell at Alaric for the move but couldn’t focus when I felt how hard he was behind me, that thick cloud of lust only growing heavier instead of lightening. It didn’t help that my magic had decided now, of all times, to flare up. I could have used this energy an hour or so ago. But no. That would have been far too helpful.
Alaric, my grumpy vampire, muttered something behind me as I tried to not smile. I knew he could probably smell my lust and feel how much blood was rushing through me, making my skin heated and flushed. I couldn’t help wanting to tease the man a bit, especially because when his control did break, it was so damn delicious.
Plus, I didn’t feel bad about his obvious frustration. Nope, not one bit. The vampire was totally in part to blame. I mean, did I suggest having a panty-melting twin sandwich threesome that I had continued to think about every other minute since then? No I had not! Alright, actually, I may have. But the point still stands—he was in part to blame for how worked up I was. The bastard didn’t even seem apologetic either!
“It’s not just his fault I am frustrated.” I wiggled against the vampire as his vise-like arms locked around me.
Alaric and his twin, Abel, were both massive, tank-like, 6’6” living vampires. They were built like true warriors and had a cool exterior that could easily turn lethal. Well, that was for most people. For me? They were totally softies. The exclusivity made me feel all that more special.
Although, if they ever found out I thought they were softies, they would probably react similarly to how I would if I was called that… by going to kill something to prove my badass-ness. So, of course, for the well-being of others, I kept that shit secret. It wasn’t like anyone would ever guess on their own—hell, they might not even believe me!
The Vladern twins were scary looking, with their dark designer fitted clothing, leather motorcycle boots, and stark Viking runes that ran down their arms. They weren’t exactly the type of guys that you would tease if you cared about your life in any way. Me though? I teased them enough for everyone.
I didn’t spend a lot of time around vampires. Well, actually, until recently I tended to avoid interacting with a lot of supernaturals outside of my queenly duty. I thought that was the easiest way to keep order. Now though? After meeting Mila, gaining a friend in Draco, and getting to know the local wolf alpha Lucas better... I was rethinking my analysis. Having friends outside my boys was possibly a very good thing, especially when it came to demons trying to take over my shit.
Although, I was still hesitant to befriend the other vampires—the non-living ones. They had been causing a lot of problems in NOLA. Small problems, but annoying nonetheless. But—since Elizabeth had shown up, things had been relatively peaceful, so maybe they were changing for the better.
I had to assume the non-living vampires were the reason for the vampire mythos in modern culture. You know, the ‘dead’ and being so pale they sparkled concepts. Because my guys? They were very much alive, and Alaric’s body heat radiated off him as he kissed the top of my ear gently, making me feel so completely at home.
It contrasted the way his icy arctic eyes darkened with heat on my expression. It wasn’t a calm, affectionate heat either. It was burning. I mean, love was totally there… but I felt like the man wanted to ravage me.
I think Alaric’s eyes were possibly the most expression-filled part of his face. They darkened and lightened according to how he felt. For example, if he was being possessive or turned on, they turned into this deep midnight blue. It was stunning.
Had it become clear enough yet how into them I was?
I smirked, thinking about the first time I had noticed it. I had hid my little secret for years until this past winter. I had kept the books hidden and never talked about it. When he and his brother discovered my tiny—I promise—Twilight series obsession? And then learned it was about a vampire? Well, he was a bit miffed, to say the least.
You couldn’t blame me for enjoying them! They were literally a goddamn craze when they came out, and I got swept into it… sorry, not sorry.
I tried to reassure him that I wasn’t Team Edward or Team Jacob, because Bella shouldn’t have had to choose, but that just had him looking at me even hotter. I really have no idea how I hadn’t caught on to their feelings towards me sooner. I had been so oblivious.
Sometimes I still caught him mumbling about killing Edward whenever I brought up the series. It was hilarious. I’d yet to get him to watch the movies, but that was coming—I swear to you, I would get him to watch those or read the books, one way or another.
…Although, the threat to Robert Pattinson’s life could become very real if I did that.
“Wait!” I paused my steps once again, turning to face the three of them. “Does this mean we are dead? Like officially dead?” Shit. This was so not on the schedule.
If you were wondering, yes. Yes, I totally had a schedule that I was just coming up with now to define this chaos. It included: getting out of Hell (well, killing Nero would have been my first preferable option, but circumstances had obviously changed), then killing Nero, followed by a movie night and drinks. Also, we probably needed to have a talk, the seven of us. You know, about important shit like ‘what the hell are we doing’ type vibe.
I mean, obviously I had an idea of where this was going, but I sort of needed to hear it from them. Can you actually blame me? There were six of them and one little old me. Why did I have to be the one to bring it up?
Dorian and I had already talked briefly about it, but somehow talking in a larger group made it all the more intimidating. I tried to not blush as I considered his words. Marriage. I had to admit, I expected a lot of different things in my possible future, but marriage to these hotties? I hadn’t expected that.
Hoped… but never seriously considered.