Page 111 of Wedlock (Vampire Bachelor Games #3)

I clap as Suzume flies around her new bedroom, and reach up to catch her mid-flight for a cuddle.

She giggles as I squeeze her tight.

“You’re fast, little one. But remember, only when you’re in here. Only you and your brothers can know what you can do.”

“Only Talon,” She says quietly, her eyes round with earnest agreement.

“And Tiger,” I add, tweaking her nose. “He’s your brother, too. You just have to get to know him.”

“He bit me,” She scowls, showing me her arm evidencing no visible mark.

“Well,” I sigh heavily, “he has to get used to sharing his daddy with a new brother and sister. It’s going to take some adjustment. And I hope you bit him back.”

“I did,” she giggles, “and Talon did too. But Aunty Yin said that was bad.”

Yin snorts as she walks into the room, depositing the last of the boxes of toys.

“Biting is the least of our worries. Your psycho husband just threatened to throw both boys in the fire.”

“It’s going to take some adjustment for all of us,” I smirk.

“Yes,” she turns aside and kicks one of the boxes, effectively changing the subject. “Who knew we’d collected so much plastic crap in four years?”

“I know,” I shrug. “But you can leave hauling that up to the staff. Have you had time to investigate your wing?”

She shakes her head.

She’s been given the entire North Wing, Falcon’s fuck and suck zone, once reserved for his mistresses.

He offered her the wing to use as her own fortress, her home.

The idea suits me, knowing my husband definitely had no plans to reinstall a harem.

And it suits Yin because she can retire to her private suites whenever she feels too sickened by my relationship with Falcon.

This seems like it’ll be fairly often. She’s accepted we’re together again, reluctantly, and that it’s for the best for the children, but that doesn’t mean she likes him.

And it doesn’t mean he’s happy about the arrangement.

For my part, having her here with me feels selfish, but deep down I know it’s best for her too.

It keeps her in our children’s lives, but it also keeps her safe from the constant vampire search parties still seeking her since The Games.

And from her father. Although I have a feeling he’ll be the one needing to stay safe from her now that she can refocus on taking her revenge, rather than protecting me and the children.

“Have you checked out your suites?” She asks, holding out her arms for Suzume.

“Not yet,” I blush. “I’m getting there. Falcon’s supposed to be prepping the boys for Court. I just wanted to spend some time with Suzume before, you know…”

Yin catches Suzume and gives me a serious look.

“Is Falcon sure this visit to the Court can’t be avoided?”

“Yeah. It’s been months, Yin. We’ve put in place as much groundwork for my return to royalty as we can. It’s kind of our last hurdle.”

She nods, but I see the concern in her eyes, and although I’m trying to act brave she knows I’m scared shitless about seeing the Queen again.

“Besides,” I murmur, “we don’t really have any choice.”

Yin sighs heavily and turns her attention to Suzume. We’ve already discussed what she should do with my daughter if things go badly tonight.

The boys and I, along with Falcon, will attend Court, but Suzume will stay here.

A bastard isn’t permitted an audience with the Queen.

Part of me is appalled that my little girl will never take her proper place in vampire society, but the other part is hugely relieved.

And I know there’s nowhere safer for her than with my friend.

“Come, little sparrow,” Yin whispers to her now. “I could use some help unpacking, and I think we'd better go find those boys and have a little talk about biting before they leave, don’t you?”

“I am hungry,” Suzume nods.

Yin looks at me quickly, and I close my eyes for a second before nodding. Of course any talk of biting would equate to food with them now.

“To the kitchens then,” Yin says gently, “to meet a special man who’s going to teach you all about how to eat with manners.”

“Vampire manners?”

“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.”