Purebreds and Power

Gideon jumped from his seat and dashed toward Han’s position. “How dare you misrepresent my son?”

Han held a hand up, stopping his father in his tracks.

Sera chuckled. “As if I could replicate a permanent mark.” She licked her index finger the rubbed the darkened spot on her neck. “It’s permanent. Real.” She slid her hand around Han’s arm. “I am marked by an ancient vampire.” After caressing Han’s smooth chin, she turned to the guests. “Han’s mine.”

A slow smile crept onto Han’s stoic face. A sly sparkle appeared in his eyes. His fingertips glossed over the mark, and Sera shuddered. “Beautiful, isn’t it? Ancient. Pure. Refined.” Taking Sera’s hands, Han looked into her eyes. “Sera, dear, please tell our lovely guests when this happened.”

“You know I’m terrible with exacts.” Sera nuzzled into Han’s chest. “Long before this whole charade. That’s for sure.”

“Now, now.” Han pushed Sera away and spun her so her back was to his front. “No need to hide this.” With one tug, Han ripped Sera’s asymmetrical collar, leaving one side in place—her shoulder and mark bared to all. His palms skimmed her arms, leaving visible goosebumps. Then he squeezed her shoulders. “Don’t lie about the details.”

“That’s kind of private.” Sera dropped her head. “The details aren’t important.” Looking over her shoulder at Han, she bit her lip. “What is important is that it’s there.”

“Indeed it is.” Han stepped away from Sera. “Our kind cherishes the ancient mark. It passed on to very few. Given to our spouse. Replicated by our progeny when they take a permanent partner.” He turned to Sera. “Only one family’s mark is different. From an original bloodline. Changed for eternity by powerful magic. Changed because many tried to claim what wasn’t theirs.”

Sera’s eyes grew wide, and she covered her neck. “But it’s yours. I heard it…”

“We both know it’s not.” Han looked out at the guests. “Those very few are in this room, however.”

Murmuring spread throughout the room.

Speculation proliferated.

Tension rose.

Fingers pointed.

“It’s mine.” Chamberlain stood. “It’s my mark.”

Sera shook her head.

Chamberlain approached, then bowed. “My sincerest apologies, my liege. It was never my intention—”

“Do what you must.” Han clasped his hands behind his back and angled his body toward Sera.

Following a heavy sigh, Chamberlain slowly straightened and cleared his throat. “Sera, as your sire, as the one who bestowed the ancient mark—”

Sera backed up, thrashing as she knocked into floral arrangements. “This isn’t necessary.”

“For the act of immorality,” Chamberlain seized Sera and restrained her movement. “I sentence you to death.” His teeth tore into her neck.

Chunk after chunk of flesh left her body as Sera screamed.

She sputtered, gasping.

She clamored for help, finding none.

“As an immortal with healing powers, the process for your demise will take no less than three days.” Chamberlain held Sera’s limp body. His hunched shoulders matched his downturned lips. “I’m sorry, my liege. I’ll return when the task is complete and explain.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“But, your grace, I need to—”

“I won’t repeat myself.”

Chamberlain bowed one final time. “I understand.”

—--

Gideon’s servants scurried about, picking remains from the floor and while James rearranged the fragmented flowers. Han pushed his way toward the ballroom doors, sidestepping curious attendees with his father’s help.

Han had not heard about his bride.

Trend after tread, the winding grand staircase went on forever.

Door after door, the guest wing seemed to stretch before him.

Two burly guards stood in the hall, back to the door. The door frame cracked in places. Deep scratches marred others. Spinning around, the staunch defenders growled. Their eyes changed color and their nails and teeth grew. Muscles rippled beneath their shirts.

“I’m here for my bride.”

The men stood their ground before their shoulders fell and teeth retracted. They looked at each other then again at Han. They bowed their heads and knocked twice on the gnarled door.

Rumbling.

Clunking.

A sudden crash.

When the entrance finally opened, Eckard Whiteshadow appeared. Furrowing his bushy eyebrows, he glared at Han. His nose twitched and nostrils flared. Then, as if discovering unexpected treasure, he clapped his hands together and smiled. Angling his body, he opened the entryway for the groom.

Lilly sat on a blue velvet settee at the end of the bed. The ornate, hand carved flowers of the couch shimmered in gold but did not compare to the bride’s natural radiance.

Han stood, unmoving. Hundreds of butterflies filled his stomach, dancing to the beautiful rhythm of Lilly’s heartbeat. A proverbial python slithered up his spine and snaked its way around his heart, squeezing it in his chest.

Then Lilly stood.

And all breath left his body—the refreshing warmth that coated his lungs, the gentle pressure that pushed at his ribs.

“Lilly…” A breathy sigh marked the word Han had been holding, repeating in reverence, spinning in angular movement with timing particular to only one word's sound.

The single rose Lilly was holding drifted to the floor and Lilly lunged. Her strong arms wrapped around Han, pulling him close. “You’re here.” She squeezed tighter. “You’re safe."

“I am.”

Lilly looked up at him. “Those new vampires. They attacked the car. Then James.” Her hands covered her mouth. “James!” She shoved Han away. “Then they were here. They said Sera wanted me dead.” She backed away. “They attacked this room.” She plopped onto the damask covered seat of the settee. “What’s going on?” She plucked a sheer piece of fabric from the fitted bodice of her dress. “A what’s with the dress? Though I love it.”

Han took Lilly hands in his own as he settled beside her. “James is fine although busy. He’ll be pleased to hear of your concern.” His thumbs traced slow circles in Lilly’s palms. The uneven flesh spoke to his beloved’s true spirit. Tough. Fierce. “Sera desired to be my bride.”

“No kidding.”

Han cleared his throat.

“Sorry. Please continue.”

“She attempted to replicate my mark and claim me.”

“That bitch!”

Han stopped rubbing Lilly’s hands.

“My bad.”

“She will not bother us anymore. In three days time, she will be no more.”

Lilly stopped Han’s movement, putting her hands around his. “I don’t understand. Aren’t you immortal?”

“We are. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to cause our end.” Han ghosted his fingers down Lilly’s cheek. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Lilly pressed her cheek to Han’s palm and closed her eyes. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

A slow smile spread across Han’s face. “It’s been only a night, but I’ve missed you.”

“Last time I saw you, you broke my neck!” Lilly frowned and thumped Han’s broad chest.

Han chuckled. “Forgive me?”

“How did you know you wouldn’t kill me?”

Han raised one brow and smirked. “Rhia confirmed what I already knew.”

“So she was in on this?”

“No.” Han stood and held a hand out for his bride.

Lilly beamed and took Han’s hand, standing. “I love you.”

“And I, you.”

“Ahem.”

Lilly and Han peered to their left, finding the twisted face of Lilly’s father. He crossed his arms, fisting his jacket in his hands. “Would someone care to explain?”

Lilly took a step forward. “We’re getting married.”

“Obviously, I know that.” He tilted his head and took a long whiff. “This smell.”

Han and Lilly glanced at each other and knitted their brows.

“You’ve marked him.”