Vampire King of New York (36 page)

Still it made Evelyn feel calm. The world around her brightened, and she floated in complete peace.

Max sat on his bed holding Evelyn in his arms. When they arrived, Laura pulled the Crueler out of her dead sister and dressed the wound. Noblesse had helped her change Evelyn into a simple white nightgown. They burned the blood stained clothes.

David dragged up a chair beside Max. “The news reporters say that the tidal wave hit only the one small beach in New Jersey and has retreated without flooding. The damage was minimal, although it did destroy the boathouse and three other deserted residential dwellings on the beach. No humans were injured or killed.”

“One human was killed.” A blood tear slipped down Max’s cheek.

Laura leaned over to him. “Max, if you weep, we’ll have to change Evelyn’s nightgown again.”

He growled, “I am not weeping.”

David put up his hand to his mate. “Of course, you aren’t, Father.”

Max turned to his progeny, both David and Noblesse were in the room. “I can’t leave her. It’s been over twenty-four hours. She should have awakened. She’s not coming back.”

David put a hand on Max’s shoulder. “It took longer for Laura. Perhaps it takes longer for Telkhines. Laura and Noblesse will stay with her, if you’d like to come into the next room and have something to eat.”

Max shook his head no. “I will wait for her.” He leaned over her and kissed her lips.
Don’t leave me, Evie.
He didn’t hear anything from her. “Laura, do you hear anything from her? Is she mindtalking at all?”

Laura shook her head. “No. I’m sorry.”

David left and returned with a goblet. “Max, drink this. Your wounds are healing slowly because you’re blood deprived. If she is to drink from you, you have to be strong.”

Reluctantly, Max put her carefully back on the mattress, her hair splayed across the pillow like gold starlight. He took the goblet and drank it down.

“More, please.”

David immediately left to get more and returned in a blur. Max drank that one down too.

“Bring another, please.”

David left.

“Max, look her eyelashes are moving.” Laura knelt on the other side of the bed.

Max leaned over his love.
Evie. Evie, come back.

She sighed.
Max? Max, are you there?

“Evelyn, open your eyes. I’m here.” He kissed her forehead and released her to gaze at her face. Those beautiful summer sky eyes opened.

David walked into the room with another goblet full of blood. “Oh, my God, Evie, you’re back.” He hurried over with the cup and put it on the nightstand.

She struggled to sit up, and Max put his arm around her to help her.

“Oh, I feel dizzy.”

“You need blood.” Max rolled up the sleeve of his shirt.

Evelyn grinned and stretched. Blinking, she looked at the vampires at her bedside. Passing her tongue over her teeth, she found the fangs.

“So you made me a vampire, Max.”

“You asked me to.”

“Thank you, Laura, for hearing me.”

“Anytime.”

Evelyn turned to Max and put a hand on his cheek. She started to shake.

Immediately he put his arm to her mouth. “Bite me, my Evie.” Taking a breath, she pressed her fangs against his arm. She closed her eyes and bit down.

The sensation of her sharp new fangs piercing his skin tingled through his body, but the rush and fluttering feeling was missing. “Evie, you have to suck.”

His heart fluttered, as she sucked his blood. It was almost as good as sex. Not quite, but almost. Too quickly she pulled away, and the wounds in his arm healed. He took the goblet on the nightstand and held it for her.

“Drink, my love. Please, drink.”

Evelyn drank, little by little. The taste was different from the honey of Max’s blood. It was cool and citrusy. When she was finished, she asked, “What kind of blood is this?”

“Salmon blood from Iceland. Do you like it?”

She smiled and licked her lips. “It’s very refreshing.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I guess I really am a vampire.”

All the heads in the room nodded.

She laughed. “Stop being bobbleheads.”

Laura giggled. “How do you feel?”

“It might be weird to say but I feel pretty wonderful.” She looked to Max. “As my sire, am I obligated to you in anyway?”

“No, you are free to do as you wish.”

“I read in one of the books that promises made while I was human are null and void once I become a vampire. Is that right?”

Max took a deep breath. “Yes, that is true.”

“So I can travel the world and have all the men I want?” As soon as Evelyn said it, she felt waves of anguish and despair coming from Max.

Laura grinned like the cat that ate the canary.

Sighing, Max looked past his love. “Yes, if you wish. I will not keep you against your will.”

“Um um.”

Max turned to David.

“You should remember, Max, that the Cordelais sisters can be mischievous.”

Max turned back to Evelyn and frowned. “Do you want me to release you from your promise to marry me?”

“I want to know about Maximum,” her sister said. They both turned to her.

“Laura, honey, don’t use that expression again. I’ll explain later. I really need to talk to Max now.”

“But …”

“I got it.” David scooped his mate up in his arms.

“Put me down. I have a right to be here. She’s my sister.”

“And she’s his lifemate.” David opened the door, carried her out, and shut it behind them.

Evelyn heard the door lock. Max was leaning over her, waiting for her reply. His eyes were filled with pain at the thought of losing her again. “In your new freedom, have you decided not to marry me or are you teasing?”

Max, can you hear me?

Yes, Evie.

I am angry with you for breaking your word and leaving me. Why should I keep my word if you cannot keep yours?

Please, forgive me. I did what I did to protect you and the city. She would have killed you.

She wouldn’t have killed me, and we would have found a way to get her, Max, without you taking such a big risk. I want you to promise me, you will never leave me alone again. Not for any reason. Not to save me. Not to save our children. Not to save the city or the Arnhem Knights. There is always another plan, another way. Now promise.

I promise.

Swear it in the blood.

You don’t believe me?

I believe your intentions, but I know that you can be deceived into thinking you’re doing something noble.

I swear in the blood never to leave you again.

I love you, my Maximum. I want to marry you and have children.

He drew back the covers of the bed and joined her, gathering her to him. “I love you, and I’m going to show you just how much.” He started kissing her, a thousand well placed kisses on her face and neck and breasts.

Evelyn melted into his arms, accepting every caress, every lick and nibble. Racking her fingertips over the muscles in his arms, his shoulders, down his sides to his waist, she reached between to grasp his manhood and fondle him into an oblivious paradise.

Max suckled her breasts with more vigor than usual.
I want to have a baby with you, my Evie.
He leaned up and then lowered himself to kiss her stomach.

Her breathing became ragged, filled with passion. With one hand, she pushed him up. “Maximum, I need you to do something for me.”

He kissed her. “Anything. What do you need me to do?”

“I know you bit me to change me, but I don’t remember how it felt.”

“You were dying.”

“You’re very strong, Max. This is going to sound dumb but do you think you can bite me while we’re making love—a very gentle bite?”

He kissed her again. “Yes, I can manage that. I won’t hurt you, and if you don’t like it, I’ll never bite you again.”

She kissed him, first the lower lip, then the upper lip. Evelyn kissed him with everything she had, her tongue bursting through his surprised mouth and stroking his fangs. He groaned into her mouth.

You are mine!
He roared through her head.

Yes
, she thundered back at him.
And you are mine!
She wrapped her legs around his waist pushing against his already engorged shaft rubbing against her core. Oh, the feeling of him. The need for him.
Please, Max, don’t keep me waiting any longer.

He plunged into her and rode her like the tide of the ocean, pulling out and rushing in. Every time they came closer together, he embraced her tightly, building the fire between them white hot. Slow licks on her skin made her shiver. The feeling echoed throughout his body.

Evelyn lurched, pushing against him, wanting more of him. He held her down, kissing her. This time was his turn. His tongue parted her lips and he slowly stroked her fangs, moving first to one and then to the other.

Aaaaiiiiiieeee!
Her squeal of ecstasy jumped and bounced through her and him and back again with a hot, wet, wildness begging for release.
Max, what are you doing to me?

Beloved Evie, that is what I feel when you stroke my fangs.

Whoa.
She giggled.
Do it again.

He did and she writhed beneath him in exquisite agony. Max thrust into her and sat up. Pulling her with him made their connection more intense, each movement vibrating through them both. She cried out. He put his mouth on her shoulder and kissed her, before piercing her satiny, pale skin with his fangs.

The delicate cream taste of her blood filled his mouth. He withdrew his fangs slowly, while he rammed into her with rapid ferocity.

She screamed and collapsed entwined with him. Max let the delicious moment shiver through him several times before he relaxed into the afterglow. He caressed her hair.

They lay entwined for hours, playing and nibbling and making love. Finally when it was nearly dawn, Evelyn whispered to Max who opened his eyes.

“Max, I need you to forgive me two things.”

“I can’t possibly fathom why I would need to forgive you.”

“When I was dying and I realized you couldn’t hear my request, I used Laura. Then you didn’t believe her. That’s why I had her say, ‘Maximum, bite me.’”

“I figured that. I’m sure you’ll have a talk with your sister. Only you can call me Maximum.”

“I will.”

“What’s the other thing?”

She caressed his cheek with her hand. “When you were taken by the evil bitch, we had to ask permission of the King of New Jersey to enter his territory. I remember you saying something about alliances. I requested his help and to honor him said that we would name our firstborn after him.” She winced, biting her lower lip in anticipation of his reaction.

Max’s mouth dropped open and then he laughed. “My love, his name is Vladimir. Surely a burden for any child in his day and age.” He shook his head and sighed. “We will manage it.” He kissed her, and Evelyn rested her head against his shoulder. “Have no more worries.”

“What about the wedding?”

He whispered in her ear, “We’ll manage it. Now go to sleep.”

Chapter 27

Evelyn was a nervous wreck. “Are you sure vampires can wear white?” She stared at herself in the mirror. The bodice of white Spanish lace started below her shoulders and fitted her curves down to her hips; then tulle flared out to the floor. “Will Max be pleased?”

Laura fixed the small gold crown with its veil of interlocking roses onto Evelyn’s head. “He’s going to love how you look.”

David burst into the small room. “What’s taking so long? Max is a nervous wreck. He says he feels your nerves and that’s making him even more nervous. Evie, you wouldn’t run away or anything, would you?” All the women in the room laughed.

“No, of course not. Never on Max.”

Donovan Dupre entered the room and handed his oldest daughter her bouquet of deep red roses and white lilies. He kissed her on the head. “You almost ready? There’s a huge crowd out there.”

“Really?” If Evelyn could sweat, she would have. Her brain went in a million directions. “Oh, no, I’ve forgotten my vows. Did anyone see a little scroll of parchment?”

“Right here.” Laura handed it to her.

Evelyn handed it back. “No, you hold this. I have too much to hold already.”

“Great.” David moaned. “Now Max needs me. Try to get out there soon.”

The bridesmaids lined up, and her father placed her shaking hand on his arm. They exited through the door and walked down the corridor to the great hall with its gold double doors engraved with all the creatures of the earth. With their approach, two vampires opened the doors.

An entire room of nearly five hundred rose. The Arnhem Knights were all present and many of the guards from New Jersey were there as well. Max felt it important to invite all the resident vampires of the city and many of its supernaturals, like the werewolves who did the flowers. Near the front, her Cousin Dexithea Tremaine stood with her daughter, Dex. They were the Cordelais cousins from Pennsylvania. Everyone dressed in their finest formal attire. Evelyn’s hands trembled and a sick nausea washed over her.
Too many people.

Evelyn.

She looked down the long aisle and saw Max, tall and handsome in his tuxedo. He gazed directly at her to give her a lifeline to him, a golden rope of light that extended between them. The sea of smiling faces all around paled in this light.

Evelyn, I love you.
His smile warmed her down to her toes. He was the reason for her heart jumping like a kangaroo dancing for sheer fun.

The processional music began and they proceeded slowly down the aisle. Evelyn kept her eyes on Max. She hadn’t noticed how long it took to get to the front of the room where the officiator stood. Where Max stood.

Donovan took her hand and placed it in Max’s. Her father stood by his seat in the front row. Max lifted the shimmering veil off her face.

The officiator was a vampire named Orlof, whom Evelyn had met only days before. With the raising of his hands, the room grew quiet as the guests took their seats.