Chapter 1
Jax
“Would you chill out dude your going to get stress wrinkles.” I said to my panicked brother.
He was furiously picking off every piece of dust off his suit jacket. The Siren King and Queen announced that one of the royal vampire family Viscardi was there daughters mate. Never before had a Siren mated with another species everyone was dripping with gossip and my brother was a mess hoping it was him. Norrix was the youngest of my brother and me and the only one still looking for a bride.
“You should be getting ready to Jaxal it could be you.” He said to me
“Okay sure I’ll purchase half of Africa’s diamond mines to impress her oh wait you already did that.” I said while kicking my feet playfully from the top of his dresser.
“Is it too much?” He said with a smirk
“Well she is a princess.” I said looking and the side of his room full of crates stuffed with beautiful gems.
“But she might feel like you’re trying to buy her.” I said. My teasing it worked and my brother looked up at me worried.
“Your right fuck!” He sighed
“Mmhm and then you’ll start the relationship off bad and we all know how important first impressions are.” I continued with my sarcastic joke.
“You’re right I need to- Wait you bastard.” Norrix caught onto my joke and pulled me off the dresser we started wrestling on the floor. He pinned my arms behind me pushing me into the carpet.
“There here.” Our eldest brothers emotionless voice filled the room.
Norrix released me and I fell face first into the floor. I sat up quickly so I didn’t miss this perfect opportunity. Sitting on the floor I shot my hands out in front of me mimicking a zombie, “They’re heree.” I moaned.
A small smile pulled at his lips then he leapt on top of us and we all started to wrestle again. Aki grabbed my ankle and pulled me away from jumping on top of Norrix.
“Not fair!” I laughed.
“What’s not fair is how much you guys don’t stand a chance to claim the Princess as your bride against me.” Aki said
Then I got an idea. I stood swiftly easily dislodging myself from my brothers, “Not if your late to meet her.”
I took off down the hall towards the throne room. Aki and Norrix’s footsteps soon followed me.
The hallway opened into the large throne room. Three identical chairs collected dust on a platform and the grey stone floors were in desperate need of a cleaning. Norrix had sent for some cleaning servants but they wouldn’t arrive till tonight. And we kept a limited staff count to keep the hollow castle more personal. An older servant opened the doors at the front of the room once he saw me and my brothers. At Least twenty siren warriors walked in with a beautiful girl in the middle of their protective circle. It was hard to get a good look at her but she smelled different not unpleasant almost cold.
“Do you guys feel anything?” Norrix asked
Me and Aki shook our heads. A skinny man with orange hair and blue freckles dotting his skin stepped forward and bowed ridiculously low.
“Your highness' I give you Oona only daughter to the high king and queen next in line for the throne. We leave her in your capable hands King Jax her father and mother have made their successor Prince Daniel the Kings sisters son, there will be no need for her to return home. The King however extends his hand in alliance with you and asks you keep his daughter warm.” The man bowed again and turned to leave. My mouth hung open in shock.
“Wait a damn second!” Aki called after the man. He quickly turned on his heel and faced Aki.
“Your saying Jax is her mate, and we’re to take your word for it. Do her parents not want reassurance we aren’t cruel.”
The man smirked slightly, “ Oona has and affliction I'm sure you will soon discover will surely guarantee cruelty to an extent they have accepted this. And as for King Jax well you’ve heard the rumors of our people allow your mind to explore them. Being the first has aroused anger among our kind she is no longer safe in her home. Her belongs will arrive in two days enjoy.”
“What’s wrong with her.” I blurted out finally breaking my frozen shock. Before I got an answer all 20 sirens turned to water then vanished. A small girl was left standing alone. Her arms were behind her back and her light brown hair fell down to her lower back. Her eyes stayed down looking at the ground, but the tops of her cheeks were rosy and her hair was un-brushed and wild.
She wore a short loose black gown with long loose sleeves her feet were bare. She looked like she was pulled straight from bed or had recently been with a lover.
Norrix was suddenly in front of her he went to reach for her chin but she back away and looked up at him. I could see the hope dying in Norrix he wanted this so badly he was man in love with the idea of love. Her turned away from her and walked out.
“I’ll go calm him down. You should probably show her to her room.” Aki said. I looked at me with pity.
What the hell does that mean. Im expected to sleep with her already.
I thought frantically I was not a nurturing type of male. I had the occasional long seasonal fling but they had all revolved around selfish needs.
Aren’t I supposed to cherish her and love her.
Even in my head the word sounded foreign to me. I knew I loved my brothers but that was instinctual ingrained into my DNA. This was different how does a selfish warrior love a woman who is more than warmth in his bed.
Lost in my thoughts I turned and headed down the hallway towards a suit next to mine. I turned to open the door for her and realized she wasn’t behind me. I sprinted back to the throne room and nearly crashed into the small thing. She had moved from her spot on the floor and was looking at the thrones.
“Sorry I forget people can’t hear my thoughts no matter how loud I think them. Follow me please.” I held out a hand and she hesitantly lifted hers to mine. Her eyes lit up with curiosity her fingers brushed my palm before recoiling back.
“I will follow behind.” Her voice was soft as quiet as sand pouring in an hourglass.
I turned and walked back up to the room. The state our castle had now suddenly became all to aware to me. It was an old castle built by our parents and besides being modernized with the latest technology it resembled a ancient medieval castle the once round individual stone floor and been smoothed out to look more like a dull solid grey marble floor. The walls had also been smoothed and the ceilings were high made out of redwood beams. It smelled terribly shabby and stale in here.
I should get her flowers. I thought putting that on my to do list right next to learn how to not be a jackass.
I opened the door to her room and she looked at me confused. I looked around the room expecting there to be something wrong but it was all in order the large bed faced a window on the far left wall to the right set two chairs facing a large fire place it was small considering she was royal but I figured I should keep her close. The protective rage I expected to feel still hadn’t clicked for me.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked
“No its fine. I just was- is this just mine?” She asked
“Of course I wouldn’t expect your wifely duties to begin so soon.” I joked she however did not seem to catch the joke. She nodded gravely then stepped inside the room.
“Can I sleep?” She asked looking towards the bathroom.
“Yeah of course!- Er I have to ask were you with a lover before you came here?”
“No I was asleep.” She said.
She turned to looked at the fireplace and I saw her hands were bound by a thin chain that burned red as if it were hot. I reached for them and ripped it off her. Her body went rigid and that long lost rage suddenly found its way back to me. I had heard of it before but had laughed at the whipped nature of men who had found their mates. My body shook with rage scenes of her forcefully ripped from bed then bound flooded my mind. I took a deep breath and her fear penetrated my rage. I rushed out before I did more damage and into my room.
“What’s wrong baby?” A sleepy voice said from my bed. Panic slowly took over the anger.
I started frantically picking up my bed mates clothing shoving them on the bed. I dropped to the floor and looked under the bed to make sure I got everything.
“What’s going on?” She asked clutching my sheet to her chest. She was a maid here at the castle and a mistake. I got up off the floor and dug through my cabinets for a candle. My room reeked of sex.
What if she comes in here? She’ll hate me dammit!
“You need to leave now.” I said with my back to the girl.
She didn’t hesitate but got up and dressed. She went to walk out and I grabbed her arm.
“Never speak of this!” I said harshly
She nodded her head then scurried out the door. I tore the sheets of my bed and ran them down to be washed. An older servant took them without question and on my way back to finish cleaning up I heard my bride fiddling with something in the bathroom.
She whispered quietly in her native tongue but was obviously agitated. Before remembering my manners I walked into the room. It was empty but the bathroom door was slightly cracked.
I cleared my throat, “ Is everything okay?”
I heard stumbling then a glass bottle drop to the floor it gave a dangerous thud but didn’t shatter. She stepped out of the room her hair was piled on her head and a grey towel was wrapped around her.
I was practically drooling
“The bath. I don’t know how to work it. At Least I think its a bath” She said scratching her head.
She must be more confident than my original assignment because she gave no indication she was embarrassed to only have the towel on.
“Here let me help. Aki got these new high tech ones. They stay full of water and you can alter the heat setting with this.”
I handed her a small ipod looking device on the screen was an arch from cold to hot. I dragged my finger to a comfortable temperature and the bath started heating up it had a film covering over it which I showed her where the button was to make it retract.
She looked interested and felt the edge of the bath with her fingers she bent down and folded her legs under her then lowered her head to the water. She took a deep breath then look back up at me.
Desire for her would not be a problem. My cock strained against my pants. She was innocent enough to think the position she was in was harmless.
I noticed the slight blue tint her skin had it made her features look even more exotic. I never believed in love at first sight for mates some of my warriors had explained finding their mate and how they explained it felt so different from what I was feeling.
A debilitating sexual need check, crippling love no, some protectiveness check however I would have reacted the same to seeing any girl bound.
“Why is it in the floor?” She asked
“Oh Aki likes more natural things so he designed it to resemble a pond.” I explained
She pulled a leg from under her and dipped it in the pool she pulled it out immediately.
“Too cold?” I asked
She nodded. I handed her the remote and she slid her finger all the way to the hottest setting. Steam and bubbles started to rise from the pool.
“That may be too hot.” I warned her
She smiled and pulled the creamy semi transparent curtain close. I heard her towel drop and she got into the water.
“I’m gonna go okay call if you need anything.” I said
“Thank you mate.” She said sounding almost sleepy.
“How do you know I’m the one?” I asked her
“My people dream about our mates and we communicate through mind links in the water. When a boy or girl comes of age their parents watch in on their dreams looking for their mate because we cannot mentally remember dreams individually. When I dreamt of you they kept it secret. It has never happened before dream sharing with another species, but after a year of dreams they told me. Adam of course was furious, but accepting nonetheless. He knew I had no choice in this.”
“Adam is your Siren lover?” I asked clearing my throat. I wasn’t angry just curious, and a little hopeful. If she had a lover then perhaps some of my guilt over my promiscuity would leave.
“Adam was dragon and a complicated friend he was more of a protector my bodyguard.” She answered
It was shocking how open she was to answering me. If what her guard said earlier she couldn’t go home because of me. She had literally made enemies overnight.
“Why did they keep it from you for so long?” I asked
“Well there are many reasons but mostly they doubted we would be able to produce heirs and hoped to convince me to take interest in someone else more sure.” She explained
I nodded understanding the life of royalty was often more of a good genetics punnet square that ruled your life. This Adam however I was interested in hearing more about.
“Sirens live underwater how was your bodyguard able to protect you.” I asked
“My secrets are your secrets yes?” She asked
“Of course.” I said
“Royalty stays on islands to better interact with allies. I stayed on isel youni my parents gifted it to me when I was born after an attack.”
An island. I had a feeling this Adam became more than her friend over the years.
“Why a dragon?” I asked taking a seat on the floor.
“He kept me warm.” She said sounding even more tired
I opened my mouth to ask her to elaborate but Aki knocked on the door.
I stood and walked out opening the door for my brother.
“Norrix has left to spend time in the Americas.” He said with a pained look.
Aki hated when one of us would leave. He got paranoid and his anxiety ampt up. I placed a hand on his shoulder and walked out into the hallway with him.
“Norrix is a broken man all he wants is to fill his emptiness.” Aki said then looked up at the ceiling “Just send him a goddamn wife!”
I chuckled knowing Aki would fight the Gods if it meant mine and Norrix’s happiness. He started walking and I followed at his side. I realized how abruptly I left Oona definitely not building up my character. Our conversation was interesting she seemed open but there was something she was putting off telling me.
“How is your bride?” Aki asked
“Err um okay I guess. I don’t know what to do should I ask her to get coffee or maybe tea how does one date or am I supposed to skip that and call Alexander Wang for wedding fittings.”
Aki laughed, “I love Wang a genius. What is she like?”
“Well I thought shy and conserved like any normal princess but we talked some while she was in the bath and she seemed more confident but also hesitant.” I explained her conflicting personality.
Aki raised an eyebrow “Already bathing together Jesus slow down.”
I laughed but it was strained so much pressure and stress was now on my shoulders. Lets not forget the topic of heirs some species weren’t sexually compatible but couldn’t procreate like demons and vampires it was very possible I couldn’t make Oona with child.
“Hey don’t overthink it just have fun like you always do besides you’re the biggest flirt I’ve ever met you can surely woo this girl.” Aki said stopping to look at me
“It not that. Its well what if I don’t love her. I don’t love her now isn’t that a bad sign. I’ve never loved anyone other than you and Norrix.” I said
“I understand get to know her this isn’t set in stone yet brother you have room to explore each other.”
We finished our walk down to a small private kitchen where Aki made a mouthwatering meal of Parmesan chicken. Aki found the act of cooking therapeutic and was the only one who knew how to do it since none of us consumed that sort if substance. He handed me the plate and followed me back up to Oonas room.
I knocked and she called for us to come in I opened the door expecting to see her exploring the room but she was still in the bathroom and from the sound of sloshing water she was just now getting out of the bath I set the plate on a table and grabbed the wine from Aki. He smiled and turned to leave closing the door behind him. I started a fire entirely to big for the fireplace then returned my focus on the table.
I filled two glasses and arranged her knife fork and spoon thirty different ways before the door to the bathroom opened.
She was wrapped in a grey robe and her skin steamed from the bath her skin was a bright pink a little to dark in some places. She stared at the fire almost enthralled by it.
“Are you okay did the water get too hot?” I tried asking casually but it came out dripping with concerned.
She nodded and looked at the table.
“Did you make this?” She asked
I barked out a laugh “I watched it be made took lots of mental notes, but no sadly that is one talented I don’t have.”
She smiled and absentmindedly scratched at the robe. I remembered how terribly course and itchy it must feel to her. Sirens wore silk or thin soft cloth out of water never anything heavy. Sweating was like a deadly disease to them they could die of dehydration on a hot summer day.
“I might have some softer clothes if you want.” I offended
“Yes please.”
I turned and left towards my room. Once there I scolded myself for my abrupt exit again and dug through my clothes I pulled out a silk set. It was a pair of shorts and top I had no idea where they came from but they didn’t smell like any female so I took them and returned to her room.
She was sitting on the bed swinging her legs back and forth. Her eyes met mine when I walked in. Her eyes were so clear and wide it made me feel like she could see my every secret.
“Here you go.” I handed her the clothes.
She took them and walked behind a privacy divider in the far corner.
She came back out dressed in the white silk and sat at the table. The dark colors of the room made her look like and elegant piece of art. Aki liked grey and black all the rooms shared the dark color scheme.
My eyes returned to her she was shaking a hand through her hair it fell into waves framing her face perfectly.
“Will you be joining me?” She asked sitting in the chair.
I was sitting in the chair the next second. My speed must have startled her because she stood and stepped back.
“Sorry.” I apologized
“It’s fine I have never met a vampire before tell me what your people are like.” She said taking a seat
“Oh Um okay. Well we don’t burn in the sun but have to sleep at some point or we go crazy. When we sleep nothing can wake us not even if we’re set on fire.
Only decapitation kills us, we are fast as you just saw and strong.”
She giggled and clasped her hands under her chin.
“And do you. You know the blood?” She asked
I smiled “Are you offering?” I teased
“Oh no I just didn’t know if you-”
“Relax it’s okay yes we drink blood, but we can also do this.” I tossed a piece of chicken from her plate in my mouth and chewed. “That how we are able to have children we start eating human food again. After the child is conceived only the woman has to continue to eat food.”
She gave slightly shocked look then turned to her plate. She took a bite and looked at me.
“It’s good right Aki is always good at everything.” I said
She smiled and took another bite.
“Okay your turn tell me are the myths of sirens true.” I asked
She placed her fork down and took a sip of wine. She then smiled with all her teeth closed her mouth and smiled again but this time hundreds of needle like teeth filled her mouth. She quickly closed her mouth and took another sip of wine. She looked mortified she had done that.
“That’s wicked!” I said chuckling she made my fangs look like Halloween props.
“What else?” I asked intrigued
“We transform in water but not be force by will, we have the song and we’re strong. And pretty much anything can kill us except disease. We are much like the fairy and sorcerers here.”
That last bit was a little unsettling. I didn’t care about losing a limb in battle it would simply grow back but she wasn’t the same. If she slipped and fell she could die.
“The song tell me more.” I leaned in “Some say it makes anyone who hears it go mad others say they’ve never felt true pleasure till it filled their ears.”
“Well it’s like hypnotizing someone it can be bad or good. We sing for death and we sing for pleasure.”
“Are you telling me you could have me ready for round three with just a few notes.” I said turned on.
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion then she blushed, and cleared her throat “Yes I suppose.”
I slapped my knee, “The gods have blessed me then.”
She laughed and I joined her.
After a few minutes I realized how late it was. The fire had started to die down. Well it was less likely to burn the house down now.
I should go we both need sleep. I thought
I stood and offered her my hand to help her up. She smiled and stood on her own. That was the second time she rejected my hand.
At Least I still have some manners. I thought to myself
I looked her up and down admiringly and my eyes stuck to her feet. Her toes were a deep blue color.
“What’s that” I pointed to her toes rudely like a child.
She curled her toes under her feet, “Just a siren thing”
“Hm cool.” I said hoping she didn’t take offense. Really Really hoping she didn’t take offense.
A small polite smile tugged at her lips.
“Well then goodnight.” I said. Not sure what to do I turned and walked out.
I stayed outside her door till I heard the blankets shift and her bed creak.
