Oh, ha-ha. The vampire made a funny.
He sat before the table, across from her, and smoothed the paper neatly before him. You eat a lot.
Worried Im going to get fat on you?
I suspect you run it off. How far do you run every day?
Im guessing Im getting about ten miles doing your estate five times in a circle.
I could get you a treadmill.
Oh, right. Why dont you get me a leash, too? She chomped a huge bite, milk trailing down her chin again. And while youre at it, a special room with all my chew toys and a doggie bed.
I didnt mean to offend, Blu. Though you seem to take offense at the drop of a hat, he muttered.
Blu sneered mockingly.
He looked up from the paper and zoomed in on her chin. He made a brushing gesture over his own chin.
Blu tried to lick away the dribble of milk but in the process sprayed out a pink kernel of cereal. It rolled across the paper and landed near Creeds finger.
The vampire stared at the cereal and the wet trail drawn across his immaculate paper. Blu could sense his anger; it smelled acrid. Bet the man had never had his life upset. Bet he called all the shots. Tribe leaders were like that, all in control and in charge. Or so she imagined.
On the other hand, the leaders she was accustomed to liked upset, chaos and mayhem. Hmmwell, if he was of that nature, the guy hid it well.
He flicked the cereal piece and it pinged the bowl and soared onto the floor.
No points for you, Blu said. Want to go for a goal? She displayed a pink puff between her fingers.
That got a smile from him. Pleased with her attempt to crack his hard armor, Blu popped the cereal into her mouth.
So what do you do for fun, Creed? If were going to do this marriage thing right we have to do things. Like go out dancing or clubbing.
I abhor the raucous scene and find the stuff that qualifies for music nowadays considerably lacking.
Figured as much. I suppose a game of chess at the local fencing club is more your speed?
How about sailing?
Seriously?
No. Im not keen on open water.
Nor am I. But you had me for a second there. One point for the vampire. So what have you done, in all your centuries, to have fun?
He folded the paper and set it aside. The white shirt enhanced his European bone structure. He was not overtly handsome, but every time Blu looked at him she saw something new to wonder over.
Today it was his chin, darkened with fine stubble. The slightest cleft drew her eye. The indentation was as wide as her smallest finger, a place a girl could dip her tongue for a taste.
If the girl wanted a taste. Which she didnt. Not at all.
Fun? He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. Then, he leaned forward, moving himself into her space. Was that enthusiasm in his expression? In the fourteenth century I used to steal armor from the opposing troops then set their barracks on fire.
And that was fun?
It was. At the end of the sixteenth century was the St. Bartholomews Day massacre. Killed a good number of Huguenots in that. He settled back and eyed her narrowly. You feel a bit like a Huguenot after that charade of a wedding ceremony?
Im not following.
The Catholics and the Huguenotsor Protestants, if you prefercame together for the marriage of Henri of Navarre to Marie de Médicis. Two opposing forces wed in hopes of uniting the religions. Much like we were wed.
Right. But you said it resulted in massacre?
Yes. Creed tapped the paper absently. Catherine de Médicis, along with her son King Charles IX, ordered the Huguenots slaughtered.
You think thats what will come of our marriage? A slaughter between the nations?
I hope not, Blu. He looked aside, then dismissing the dread topic, offered gaily, Ive had plenty of fun. In the eighteenth century there were the opera and salons. Salacious gossip was bantered about. Lives and destinies were created, changed and destroyed with a mere word or an exquisitely biting twist of phrase.
Ive always had a passion for the eighteenth century. Paris. I like the big poufy dresses and the sexy frock coats the men used to wear. Man, do I love a fop!
Really? His eyes softened and he spread his fingers on the table, not far from the milk trail. That was a comfort time for me. I used to wear damask and velvet frock coats. Alençon lace and diamonds at my wrists and jabot. Nothing but the finest to attract the ladies.
I bet you attracted them far and wide.
I shouldnt say so, butwell, yes. This fop had his choice of women.
Youre not so foppish now.
Ive worn many costumes over the centuries. I find my current situation the most comfortable, though I often long for the medieval times when battles were fierce and bloody and wenches were, wellsubmissive.
You men and your attraction to a submissive woman. Ugh. So much testosterone. She stabbed her spoon into the cereal. Were you ever in love, Creed?
Never.
Come on. Not even a little bit? Youve had, what, nine centuries to fall in love?
As you have said, love isnt real. Its only for losers of the game. I prefer lust and instant gratification.
She could so get behind the instantand selfgratification.
Sex, too? she prompted.
Lots of it. With the most beautiful women.
Did you bite them all?
Not always.
Huh. So vampires can have sex without biting?
We can control those urges, yes. Did you expect we were nothing but lust-crazed blood-hungry creatures?
No. She sat back, her appetite fulfilled after half a box of cereal. Yes. Maybe. Ive not spent time with vampires. I can only go by what Ive been taught. Living with the pack, you can imagine the talk I overhear about longtooths.
I hope to change your mind. And to remove that horrible slang term from your vocabulary.
Longtooth? Yeah, it was horrible. But so was a vampire calling her breed dogs.
Fair enough. And maybe I can change your mind about werewolves.
You already have, Blu.
One point for the werewolf! She lifted the bowl and tilted it back, swallowing the pink milk. I love cereal.
I noticed.
I think Ill go for some Count Chocula next time, what do you think? She waggled her brows at him.
If it gives you a twisted thrill, do as you must. Youve He brushed his chin again.
Blu slurped her tongue out to lick the sweetness. Love me or leave me, Creed, this is how I am. Messy and colorful.
And turned up to eleven.
You know it.
When he nodded, as if to grudgingly accept her, she decided that was better than shed expected of him. At least he wasnt telling her what to do. And that gave him more points than the scoreboard could handle.
So about those diamonds you used to flash for the ladies, she said. Betcha they cost you a pretty penny. You think you could front your wife some cash to go shopping? Whats yours is mine, yeah?
I dont see a problem with that. Ill call my accountant and arrange for a credit card in your name.
Pleased with the snag, Blu wiggled appreciatively on the chair. That was easy. I promise I wont go overboard. I mean, Im not into diamonds. The choker I wore at the wedding was rhinestone. Good enough for me. But I do like shoes.
Do as you wish with it. Buy an entire rainbow of wigs, if you must.
She pumped her fist triumphantly. Score.
Back to your idea for us to do something together. What do you say to a night on the town? he proposed. A fine restaurant and then a walk in the park?
Sounds far too romantic for this old married couple.
Sounds like the perfect means to get to know one another better. We should learn our lines for those who wish to observe our progress. Shall we say seven?
I suppose its the closest Ill get you to letting your hair down and living it up. Should I dress up?
I did say a fine restaurant. Which may mean not quite so colorful.
You dont like orange? she said of her latest wig selection.
Its not one of your better colors.
She pouted.
I prefer the violet. His smile was so charming that Blu was inclined to believe him.
Chapter Five
HALFWAY THROUGH HER JOG around the estate, Blu paused at the fence and shoved aside the overgrown hornbeam vines. Shed not shifted to wolf form this afternoonher usual running shapebecause she needed to do something.
Her wolf could only stay cooped up for so long. She needed the wide-open fields beyond Creeds estate. As well, the wolf was drooling for a lope through the nearby forest. And something might come up that would require she leave the estate on more than two feet.
By observing the crews of wolves and vamps camped out front, shed learned they took breaks on alternate shifts. Around four in the afternoon, both factions were trading shifts, which left the estate unwatched for about twenty minutes.
Shed always wondered what it would be like to be a celebrity for twenty-four hours, having the press drooling over every tidbit of her life. Now shed changed her mind. This was plain ridiculous. Who cared what she was doing? And could they actually get shots of her with those cameras?
She didnt need to avoid the snoops; she just preferred doing this out of their interest. They couldnt sight her at the back of the property. She hoped.
Pushing aside the wide glossy leaves, she grabbed the cool iron fencing. A weird vibration hummed through her fingers and at her wrist. Not like electricity, but almost like the vibrations Blu felt when Bree used sidhe magic.
Something mechanical clicked.
Blu startled, releasing the fence. Her T-shirt tugged across her stomach, as if someone pulled it from the side. The hot burn of metal grazed her skin.
Stumbling backward, she landed on her butt, legs sprawled and arms catching her from a complete backward body slam into the grass.
What the hell?
Lifting her shirt, she studied the torn fabric. A red burn mark slashed across her stomach. It hadnt cut skin but the abrasion stung. Something had come close to doing some serious damage.
Damn, that stings. Feels like A substance she didnt want to consider.
Crawling forward, she cautiously searched the grass, being careful not to get too close to the fence again. Touching the fence had activated something. Shed thought it sidhe just moments ago, but that made little sense.
A ward? Possible. The vampire would very likely have his land warded as a means to security.
Would have been nice if hed told his wife about that.
Though they could do physical harm, wards were usually invisible. Yet shed felt something solid touch her. And it had burned her flesh. Inspection of her stomach showed an abrasion, though the skin hadnt been torn.
A glint of silver on the ground attracted her. She reached for it but pulled back before touching it.
A silver dart? Is that some kind of joke?
No wonder, despite it not opening flesh, it burned liked a mother. Shed have to douse the abrasion with alcohol to see that no trace of silver remained on her skin.
She prodded the deadly thing with her running shoe.
Silver. Which means this ward is specific for werewolves. Lovely. Forget Green Acres, Im a prisoner at Stalag Vampire. The hubby is so going to hear about this one.
THE WEREWOLF PRINCESS of the wild hair colors and revealing clothing could do subtle well. Almost too well after shed trained him to look forward to her sexy exposed curves.
The clingy black velvet dress rose to the base of Blus neck and plunged to her knees. Her arms and lower legs were the only part revealed. Even the back was covered. Unfortunate. Creed would enjoy a lingering study over that tattoo.
Tonights wig was snow-white. She preferred the chin-length style that emphasized her fine bone structure and sensual red lips. Was it the thick lashes or the dark eye shadow that kept his attention straying to those gorgeous gray eyes?
All in all, understated glamour, he decided. The only thing she needed was a string of pearls to fit with the silver-screen Hollywood types. But this was Minnesota, and she would stand out, silver screen or not.
The restaurant was so exclusive hed had to offer the maître d a large tip to secure a table on short notice. It was worth it. Creed had not accrued billions to let it spoil in a dusty bank vault.
Blu hadnt surprised him this morning by asking for money. It bothered him little to give her a credit card. Again, why let it rot in a bank? Even if the princess could shop a blue streak, shed never dent his finances. And if she brought home more of those sexy next-to-nothings like hed caught her in the other night, then all the better.
They were served; Blu had actual food, and he a snifter of Armagnac. Blu questioned the waiter about the silverware. No, it was not real silver, he apologized dourly. The answer pleased her. Though Creed noticed she then pressed a palm over her gut and winced. Hmm
The waiter pulled the gauzy white tent closed to conceal their booth from other tented booths in the airy dining room. Kissing booths, they were called. The restaurant was famous for surprise wedding proposals and, as well, notorious for dramatic breakups, all within the not-so-private-as-one-would-wish gauzy tents.
A swallow of brandy warmed Creed from the inside out. In keeping with the theme of the restaurant, he intended to earn a kiss by the end of the meal. This marriage, sham that it was, had best start making progress sooner rather than later. He had no intention of failing the Councils expectationsuntil it was necessary he did so.
Kisses were not required, only a mutual companionshipand a bitebut he felt a kiss now and then certainly couldnt hinder their effort to compromise.
Youre sure you dont mind watching me eat? she said, a forkful of lemon chicken lingering near her bloodred lips.
Not at all. I dont think Ive ever met a woman who so heartily attacks her food. Its exciting.
Dont tell me my gluttony turns you on.
Maybe a little.
Okay, youre just weird, vampire. But I can dig it. Watch this. She forked in a piece of chicken dotted with capers and closed her eyes to savor.
I remember capers, Creed said. A Greek delicacy. Very tart. Do you know they are actually unopened flower buds?
I do. Imagine that. Eating pickled flowers. So decadent.