Of Fangs And Fury

Chapter One

Caderyn

Steam rolling out of the bathroom around her, Lara comes into the bedroom with damp hair and the little silky dress clinging to her skin. As my gaze follows the curve of her body, I can see the little bumps of her stimulated n*****s and the point of her hip as she leans on one foot. Her cheeks still flush from the heat, I have to say as beautiful as she was today, I much prefer her clean and natural and so uniquely her.

In the same sleep pants, I get up from the bed and walk directly to her. Sliding my palms against the dip of her waist, I pull her to me. Her smile is instant, and she giggles, “Hi.”

Kissing her takes some time, then I brush the tip of my nose across hers. “Hi.”

I know she can feel me, and I can smell her. When I pick her up, she quickly wraps her legs around my waist, and her arms around my neck. There’s a nervous but excited energy between us as I take her to the bed.

Heart pounding, hands trembling, I carefully set her down on the edge. Locked in a kiss, she pulls me down as she falls against the fur blanket. One of my hands flat, the other moves up her bare thigh, pushing up silk as I palm her hip.

When her little fingers wrap around my wrist suddenly, I immediately stop. I search her face, “What’s wrong?”

Her expression is clear, it’s not that she wants to stop, she just feels hesitant. A type of self-conscious hesitance I recognize. “I’m not….”

I lift my hand off her hip and bring it to her face. Brushing my thumb across her cheek, I stare into her eyes. “You are magnificent, my amore.”

When she’s comfortably against the pillows, I carefully slide my hand up her thigh, kissing the inside slowly. This time she lets me lifts the silk and I see what provoked her: scars - two, long scars across her right abdomen. When my fingers trace them, she inhales and grows tense. But after I kiss them, her whole body relaxes.

It is my privilege to protect her. It is my privilege to make her feel loved. It is my privilege to make her feel like the most exquisite female alive. And I will do everything I possibly can to make sure she knows it all to be true. Tonight, tomorrow, forever.

Delara

Gods above, it’s never been like that. Strawberry lemonade still on my tongue, hot breath on our skin. Fingers holding, fingers clutching…. The scent of rain lingers in the chilled air and his skin smells of dried burning oak.

He holds me when I need it, caressing my body just so. We just fit. Mind, spirit, body… we fit as two parts of a whole. And the way his surprised moan of an exhale catches after I kiss him again, I know he’s mine.

Resting my cheek against his shoulder, the world seems so far away. As my fingers brush against his scales, tomorrow seems impossible. How do I have all these plans for my life when I can’t even imagine leaving tonight? I have become his. And that’s not going to change. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.

Caderyn

Midmorning sunlight finally reaches us, and I wake to Lara’s groan. She curls into me, hiding her face against my chest. A thin sheet covers the lower half of her body, her right arm falling perfectly over her breasts, her massive mess of hair fans out behind her across the bed.

My fingertips drift down from her temple to her chin as I unabashedly admire her beauty. There’s a pulsing fire in my chest when I think about our night together. When she had looked at me with an undeniable hunger, I’d never been so aroused, seizing with triumph. Then when she looked at me with an overwhelming expression of gratitude, my heart exploded with pride. If I hadn’t been in love before, I sure as s**t am now.

At different points, I was so overwhelmed, so thankful, that I would have done anything she asked of me. A primal instinct kicked in and I wanted nothing more than to make sure she was completely fulfilled. Worshipping her not just as my Queen, but mia dea, her pleasure and happiness became my priority.

Before opening her eyes, her hand reaches up to mine. She hums “mmm,” then, “Good morning.”

Gods that voice. The blissful sleepiness doing something to me all over again. “Good morning, bellissima.”

As she turns flat, her lower back arches in a stretch, her perfect breasts pushing up into the air. “I don’t know that I’ve ever slept that well.”

I slide my palm across her stomach, “Me neither.”

After a deep, moan-like breath, she looks over at me. Her plump lips smile softly, “My amore….”

“How about some breakfast?” Let me feed you, let me take care of you.

She nods, “Okay.”

I give her a peck, “Okay.” I get out of bed quickly and locate my linen pants. “I’ll be right back.

She’s reached one hand under her head, the other lays across her stomach. Her giggle is quiet, carefree. “I’ll be here.”

Going down the back stairwell, I’m dropped right into the servitore’s pantry. Curving around the doorway, I see Calhoun in front of a teapot on the stove. “Hey, fratello!”

He turns around, “Cade! Good morning.”

I notice no gloves, “Careful, I’m shirtless.”

He nods, “Not like a need that image, either.”

I chuckle as I start picking through the food left on the counters. “You might want to be careful around Lara, as well.”

Just as the pot starts whistling, he looks my direct with the c****d brow. “Oh yeah? Last night… you two…?”

I leave one full bowl of fruits on a tray and start building another with toast and sausage. “We may have….”

He smiles wide, “Finally! And now you’re bringing her breakfast in bed? What a gentleman.”

I watch him make his drink, “You know how it is. When you are together for the first time… it’s like this animal instinct takes over.”

He nods in rhythm with dipping the teabag. “Keep her safe, keep her happy… you feel like you want to kill an animal and bring her the meat.”

“Right?” I balance the large plate, the full bowl, and a tall glass of apple cider across the tray. “I just can’t help myself.”

He smiles. “I’m really happy for you, fratello, truly.”

After all these years of crippling loneliness? “Me too.”

Delara

Knowing not if it is because he’s a royal or because he’s a Pure-blood, I’m a little taken aback with certain habits Cade is now showing. I’d read about mated males a long time ago, but it’s way more intense being on the receiving end. Intense but extremely endearing.

I now understand what Alli had meant, and I now understand why divorce is practically unheard of. After bringing more food than I could possibly eat, he waited until I was full before picking something for himself. I lifted a strawberry to feed him, and I thought he was going to cry. Then, I asked him what our plans for the day were and he listed all these wonderful suggestions just for my enjoyment. When we came back home to dress for our cena at the Palace Of Emerald, he wears his royal rapier for the first time and keeps his hand on it as we walk together.

His waist-length doublet is a beautiful black and silver damask fabric; his slate cotton shirt underneath with long sleeves; and his black suede pants tucked into his leather boots. My maiden’s bodice is made of the same design; the skirt having an uncanny resemblance to the Midsommar one yesterday, and Alli helped me braid half my hair from my temples to the nape of my neck.

When we come to the Palace Of Emerald’s courtyard, I’m glad to see that Calhoun and Alli are in very similar ensembles but in shades of purple, (though hers is an empire waist to accommodate).

Just as Cade had said The Villas are the same across The Seven Kingdoms, I notice a significant similarity in the Palace Of Emerald to the Palace Of Onyx. Though, when we’re lead inside their monochromatic scheme is of green, gold metal, with creams, and warm woods. Their tapestries depicting forests and the Midsommar Festival, the tables are covered in ivies and Summer roses.

With my arm wrapped around his, I lean into him, “This place is beautiful.”

He nods, “It’s one of my favorites. I think you’d really enjoy Palace Of Garnet, as well. When I have to Viaggio as Minister not only will I be touring our territories, but also meeting with each of The Seven Families…. If you can take the time away from work, I highly suggest you join me.”

Thankful of his respect, and selfishly not wanting to miss such an adventurous opportunity, I squeeze his arm. “I’d love to.”

Finally, back at The Villa, as Cade takes his bath, I wander around the garden in the peaceful night. Coming across a bench under lamplight, I sit and just try to decompress from the royal cena. So proper, so official, so many interesting persons asking me an endless number of questions. It was so much to deal with. I hadn’t been prepared.

After a long while alone, I hear someone coming my way. Thinking it must be Cade, I’m surprised to see Calhoun. Even though his other senses are incredible, I still take the polite route and announce my presence. “Good night, Calhoun, how are you doing?”

His cane slides over the large pathway stones then hits the corner of the bench. “Alli said she saw you out here. I’m wonderful, thank you, and yourself?”

“I’m very well.”

He sits, but quickly turns to me. “It’s a shame we didn’t get to chat much before you two leave tomorrow.”

I nod, then catch myself, “I agree.”

“Cade really is my dearest friend, a true fratello to me.”

“Being around you in the most animated I’ve ever seen him,” I comment happily.

He nods, “He’s a rather… stoic male, is he not? I’m afraid things over the years have made him hard, cold.”

Thinking about our first few interactions, I must agree. “I hope I’m helping with that.”

He faces me, beaming, “Oh my sweet lady, you are. It’s almost like he’s a youngling again.”

“Aside from times with you, he doesn’t talk about his pre-Mature years much.”

Calhoun’s pleased expression slowly fades, “Well, as the Scholarra who is trying to cure his mutation, it’s safe to assume you’ve reviewed his records?”

All the horrendous magikal experiments where they basically tortured him? “Yes….”

Calhoun faces out to the garden he cannot see. His left hand on the bench arm taps as he inhales deeply and exhales slowly. “Does Caderyn ever talk about his father?”

“No, actually, he never has. When given the basic information before arriving, I read that he died some forty… forty-five years ago?”

“Forty-eight, in fact.”

Something tickles in my brain. “That would have been right around -”

“Just before Cade Matured, yes.”

My shoulders drop. “That’s terrible.”

Calhoun’s face tightens, “It was extremely difficult for Cade to Mature without his father. A Vampire male’s transition is something tremendously important between a father and son. Not only was he without during, but it also left him with no guide for post-Mature life.

“Have you ever seen a portrait of him at the palace?”

“Of the King? No, I don’t recall.”

He nods. “Give Cade black hair and navy eyes, they’d be twins.”

“Oh? So, his largeness is not from the mutation?”

“Nope.”

Good to know. “Were they close?”

“Oh Gods, yes. Cade’s father argued against it – all of it. Ever since Cade was born and the mutation was obvious, all Cade’s father wanted was for him to have a normal life. To him, that meant being treated as normal. While, to his wife, normal meant trying to find a cure and make him like everyone else.

“It was something they argued about for years. Often in front of Cade. His mother even thought, maybe, the transition might… naturally fix it. When it didn’t,” he sighs, “well, you saw the records.

“Cade’s father was in the military when he met Queen Lilith. I remember him being intimidating and one of those males who didn’t speak often, but when he did it was important. Still… he was a huge softy, especially to Cade. Even outside of the whole mutation stuff. He loved his sons so very much.

“I know Cade may have the same strong, solid, quiet outside, but he’s just as passionate and loving as his father. He’s written to me about being nervous around you, actually –”

“Gods, why?”

Calhoun’s smile is thoughtful, almost a smirk. “Because he wants to be romantic. It doesn’t come naturally to him, though, so he’s always worried he’s not doing it right… all the lovely-dovey stuff he thinks you deserve.”

I think back to the first night in the greenhouse, to the picnic in the woods, to wanting to make a wish on a lantern with me. Tearing up, I tell him quickly, “He does it right. Every single time it’s been perfect.”

He smiles and nods. “Just… be gentle with him. Under all the gruff is someone who just wants to be loved for who he is.”

Blinking through tears, I look up at the sky. That all I’ve ever wanted, too.

Caderyn

Holding her enchanted daisy crown in her hands, Lara looks over to me. “This really was a wonderful trip.”

Folding another shirt, my head bobs, “I agree. I’m glad we could take it.”

She places it next to her half-filled bag, “It’ll be good to go home though. I miss Catarina.”

I wrap one arm around her and kiss her hair. “I know. We both have work to get back to, anyways.”

She leans into my chest. “I have all those notes to sift through, you already have that meeting set up with the Advisor, plus we’ll be moving me into your suite.”

I rub my hand up and down her arm, “Lots to do, lots to do….” But before going back to packing, I can sense there’s something she wants to talk about. I poke her side, “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Her smile is tight, and she wraps her hair in a bun, the way she does when something serious is going on. “I don’t want to upset you.”

I put my clothes down and turn to her, “What is it?”

“Well… after what happened in the alley? At The Festival Delle Luci? And comments from your brother…” she tilts her head back and forth. “Well, I was sort of expecting things to be tense. Either at The Midsommar Festival or at cena last night.” Her brows come together, and she gestures to me, “I mean, your mutation is very noticeable, and I don’t know… I was expecting you to need a hood again, or something. I -”

But I interrupt by gathering her hands in mine and leading her to the edge of the bed. Sitting down, I move to hold her waist. When I look up into her ivy eyes, I try to comfort her. “I’m sorry you were worried about such things. I truly am.

“I know how scary that night was… I don’t ever want you to be worried about me again. You’re right that my mutation is very obvious, but so is the fact I’m a Prince. Outside of my Family’s kingdom, persons are respectful of that. Few, like Calhoun, can look past it, while the rest simply wait to talk behind closed doors.

“It helps that I’m never going to be King, it’s a relief to the other Families. With me only being a Minister, they don’t have to be cautious of persons revolting.”

Face tense, she runs a hand over my shoulder. “Is that something that would really happen? A riot just because of your mutation?”

Gods, her heart is so kind. “It’s possible. When the public found out about it, when I was only a baby, there were some very nasty things said to my parents. It’s… caused a lot of issues over the years.”

“But things are okay now?” She searches my face. “Right? Aside from those drunken idiots in Obsidian.”

More or less. “Right.”

She lowers her hand back to my shoulder, her fingers expanding over my scales. “I just want you to be happy… I just want you to be safe.”

Gods, this precious female… wanting to protect me, to help me. I pull her down on top of me and kiss her. Her whole body eases and she starts giggling. I kiss her again and catch her eye. “I am very, very happy, my amore. I promise.”