Page 145 of Wedlock

“Yes,” Yin says as she leaves the room. “Vampire manners. He’s a procurer, that’s a funny word, isn’t it? And his name is Lynx. Did you know, he’s the little brother of a friend of Mommy’s.”

“What friend?”

“Jaguar.”

I take a deep, long breath and let it out slowly. It’s strange having Jag’s brother living with us. I knew I recognised him the day he delivered the letter for Falcon, I just couldn’t put my finger on how. Now, having met him a few times, the resemblance is obvious, and still a painful reminder of the man whose heart I broke and friendship I lost. But right now I have no time to dwell. I have to get changed for Court and ensure the boys are ready. Hopefully Falcon’s managed to impress upon them the importance of this visit. He’d said he thought it best if this instruction came from him, and I have to trust he’s keeping his cool with them and teaching them in a way they’ll both understand. Talon has a completely different disposition to Tiger, and has inherited his father’s temper.

As for Tiger, he’s made it very obvious he hates his siblings, and me. To say he’s unhappy with having us here is putting it mildly.

Sighing heavily, I head down the long corridor to find them.

I wasn’t kidding when I said the move and our new royal vampire family was going to take some adjustments for all of us.

“Fucking understatement.”

112

I admire Angie as she sits in the limousine next to Talon, her eyes fixed on the passing city lights.

She’s wearing a dark purple suit that brings out the colour in her eyes and complements her skin to perfection. She looks for all the world like the royal wife that she is, albeit a little more tanned than the usual ladies who haunt the Court.

Her demeanour is one of quiet confidence to anyone who doesn’t know her.

Only I can see how nervous and worried she is.

It’s understandable, given she’s only been to the palace once before. I’ve attended Court sporadically my whole life, and I’d belying if I said I was serene. I’d anticipated this order to attend, but it’s come sooner than expected. Regardless, Angie and I know we have to impress our story and the children’s paternity upon the monarch to ensure security in our marriage and nullify the threat of future interference.

This is a major step and a long time coming. We’d agreed we wouldn’t live under the same roof as man and wife until all the underpinnings of our ruse had been cemented, and while the visit to the Queen is unwelcome, I’m happy the order sped up Angie’s move back to the castle. My lust for her is becoming something all-consuming. It had been one thing to agree to take things slow, but Christ, all I’ve thought about lately is tearing her clothes off and fucking her senseless.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat and try to think of something else.

Talon stares across at me with frank interest, grinning when I wink at him before switching his attention to Tiger, where he sits by my side, his expression moody.

Both boys are dressed in dark blue suits. Talon intermittently pulls at his tie and frowns. I know Angie and the staff had spent an inordinate amount of time and energy getting him to the point where he’s dressed and sitting still. Having spent so much time on a Thai beach running naked like a little heathen, civilising him enough for this visit had been a big ask. Still, she’d done it on several occasions in the past months for a range of carefully organised events as we’d solidified our plan to come together as a family.

At least he hadn’t bitten anyone he should not have, today.

Tiger, now fully recovered from his poisoning, appears comfortable in his attire, but not at all happy with the new additions to our family. Although he and his ‘twin’ are similarin appearance, it’s not lost on me that they’re black and white in terms of personality. They’ve both received tedious amounts of coaching about what I expect of them tonight. I suspect Tiger resents the instruction, given it isn’t his first time visiting Court, but it had been imperative that they were thoroughly tutored on what they could, and couldn’t say, to the Queen.

“I want Suzy,” Talon blurts now, poking his tongue at Tiger.

Angie stiffens.

“Suzume is helping Yin, Talon. We’ll see her later.”

She meets my gaze as she says this, and I nod.

Talon hasn’t been separated from his sister before, and we both knew this would be a difficult aspect of what we’re doing tonight. This is the first of many times when our daughter will be excluded from royal duties and functions. It’s a painful reminder that the way forward is not going to be easy for any of us. I know the hurt runs deep in Angie’s heart, but I also know she’s happy to keep her daughter away from vampire royalty — especially the Queen.

“You’ll see her soon enough,” I meet Talon’s gaze, recognising his reluctance to accept what he’s been told, and the twinkle of rebellion brewing in his eyes. “This day, above all others, it's important you boys appreciate your positions and understand your responsibilities as the sons of a Lord. I will brook no disrespect or misadventure,” I lower my voice to a deep growl. “Am I making myself clear?”

Talon’s little fangs begin to descend, and Angie gives his hand a squeeze and shakes her head at him.

“I’m hungry,” Tiger sniffs.

As the car pulls up outside the castle gates I catch my wife’s eye.

“Remember, Angie. It’s all a game.”