The First Mate

Chapter Twenty One

The Vampire smirked as if hearing my thoughts.

He took another step towards me.

I stepped back; Theo moved in front of me, his fists at his side, and shadows circled across his back.

His next words shook me. "You're late."

The Vampire's silver brow twitched in amusement, his eyes never leaving mine.

As if he felt the same pull to memorise every breathtaking feature. "Didn't like the dream, darling?" He chuckled darkly.

The noise.

The name.

My stomach tightened and my knees locked as his eyes lazily looked over my body.

I growled. "Don't call me that!"

He smirked again, a stupidly beautiful sight that made me want to kiss it right off his stupidly pretty face.

I snarled internally at Annie, telling her to block out the thoughts.

He looked at Theo then, I almost fell from the weight of his gaze leaving me.

"I see you didn't prepare her." He said flatly.

Theo's growl was low and warning. "We thought you were dead."

He gave a hard laugh, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight, and I swallowed the lump in my throat at the thought of them against my neck.

"Can't kill the undead, moron." He said to Theo.

I snarled, drawing his attention.

He gave me a lustful smirk, seeming to enjoy my aggression. "Oh, do try it, darling." He cooed at me, leaning forward slightly, his smirk set in a lazy half-smile. "I'd love to get my hands on you."

I paled, the silence from Theo setting my mind into a race.

He knew. They all knew.

Annie! I screamed at her, turning to Shift and making her take control while I shattered.

She took hold, like a tight hug of complete understanding and comfort.

I didn't know. I'm sorry. She whispered, her voice shaking.

A rage flared.

That meant Cordelia and Rosette did.

The only part of Silvera's original knowledge still concealed from me, designed for me to unravel in my own time until she was able to reform with Annie.

They were no more than remnants of their former selves.

Puppets to the Goddess's whim and stupid tests and secrets!

Annie slowed, pulling me out of the void enough to notice the darkness that pressed around us.

I stopped, turning and partly Shifted. "Show yourself!"

I felt the moment of hesitation, the shadows almost flinching at the sight of me.

The Vampire stepped out, his eyes trailing over my body.

They widened as my tail flicked in annoyance. "f**k," he hissed, a low, guttural noise.

My knees shook and I tried to take a step back.

His eyes flashed with worry and his hand rose, urging me to stop. "Please." His voice came out a low whisper.

I stopped my heart-wrenching at the sound. My breathing was ragged, my chest heaving and his eyes lifted to see my ears press down, unsure.

His eyes tightened at the action, hurt twisting his brows together.

"Who are you?" I breathed out, needing to know, even if it was to tell him to f**k off properly.

His demeanour altered.

He straightened, his hands slipping into his pockets as his face turned emotionless. "Is it so you can tell me to f**k off?" His brow twitched with annoyance.

I swallowed the burst of desire that bloomed from his dominating nature.

"Consider me polite." I bit back, unable to stop my breathlessness.

A smirk twitched his mouth. "Gabriel."

The name rolled around my mind, moving to my tongue to repeat it.

"Gabriel."

He gave a low guttural noise, watching my lips form his name. "Darling." The noise was a beg.

I shivered. "It's Rose."

His eyes suddenly pinned me.

He took a step forward, smoke covering him for a moment before he was suddenly in front of me.

His hand cupped the back of my neck, his hand curled around my hip to pull me closer.

He smelled....like old books.

"Rose." He repeated, I was focused on his lips. The way they curled to pronounce my name, the tips of his fangs showing before his full lips covered them, pouting slightly.

Lust tightened my stomach and thighs, hitting his leg wedged between them to half-seat me on him.

"I-I have mates already," I spoke through the clouds that fogged my mind in his arms.

It was different, but it felt as good as when Dane, Theo or Xavier held me.

The sparks of his touch ignited my skin as he tightened his hold on my neck slightly, my lips parting in a silent moan of enjoyment.

He smirked, his eyes glancing over my nose and lips. "Now you have all of us." He purred, his mouth hovering above mine and his hot mint-hinted breath on my face.

Ugh. He smelt so good. Felt good.

My hips moved against the leg he had wedged between mine, a moment of lust grinding my heated, aching core against his thick leg.

He gave a dark chuckle from his throat, smirking at me. "You feel it, don't you darling?" His hand on my hip slipped to a part of my skin untouched by my fur, his cold hand set me ablaze with desire and need. "You've always felt it for us, Rose." He pressed his lips to my forehead, inhaling my scent as I sighed from the feeling. "We were together once, just as you were the others."

Something locked into place within me.

Like a missing puzzle piece being found.

Flashes of memories filled my head.

He pulled back and watched my gasping form, holding me securely as I was thrown into a memory of a past life.

One shortly after, Rosette, the Goddess, is trying something else. An alliance of her children.

The castle smelt musty and damp, but the smell of the library made me smile as I found Gabriel at his desk.

The high-back ornate chair hugged around his hunched-over frame, scrawling something furiously on a piece of parchment.

My giggle rose his head, eyes of red meeting my green.

His scowling expression softened, seeing me standing before him, still in the white sleeping gown he had dressed me in the night before.

"Darling," he went to stand.

I held a hand up, coming to stand beside him. "Continue, my love. It seems important." I said absently, looking over to see a few discarded pieces of parchment he'd torn up, seeming unsatisfied with their wording.

I gave an internal giggle for a man who spoke so little; he enjoyed writing at length.

He gave a heavy sigh, an arm wrapping my waist to pull me into his lap, his nose burying into the crook of my neck and smiling against my skin.

"You are more important." He said softly, kissing my bare shoulder.

I hummed at his touch, the spark and fire it ignited had always intrigued me.

I had met him as a child; the small village I lived in was a common pass-through for the Goddess's creations.

I'd fallen in the street running from a bully. He'd gently pulled me into his lap while I cried, holding me and soothing me with simple words of comfort and tended to my scrapped knee and palms.

He kissed them gently.

It was the first time he called me his darling, the first time I'd felt the sparks.

He returned me home to my family, giving them a bag of gold for no reason, other than he noted my clothes were a little tattered.

That money ensured my family and I never went without again. I'd always been grateful to him, but as I grew, the thought of his touch ignited something in me.

They'd lured me to the Master of the North, the Vampire Lord Gabriel, in hopes of a job as a simple maid, just so I could be close to him.

I had never expected him to name me his bride on the day I was reintroduced to him as his new chambermaid.

He cherished me as I did him.

My eyes caught some of the words he had written, finding it to be an odd language.

My finger flattened the rolled piece of parchment, leaning forward to read.

"What does it say?" I asked curiously, feeling Gabriel tense behind me.

His thumbs rubbed absently on my waist.

"It is a call to war."

I paled, leaning back to stare at him.

His face was set in emotionless stone, concealing any of his thoughts behind the matter. "Who's war?" My voice came out quietly.

My Lord didn't dwell on the matters and wars of humans.

He was only truly concerned about the Others who roamed.

I had not known much about them, other than the few who had passed through town; none of them took interest in humans, so it was rare they spoke outside of simple requests and answers.

"Ours." He said, his tone cold and factual.

I turned back to the pages, seeing the seal of the Tombs.

An ancient library designed for knowledge and items for future generations.

I looked at Gabriel, seeing the glaze of sadness echo.

Vampires were immortal, Warriors of the Goddess, a gift that could not be shared.

Whatever war was to come, though he said it was ours, it was not within my lifetime.

I would die well before the horns of battle were sounded for this, replaced by another version of me.

Hopefully, someone strong enough to aid my husband in battle.

My head rose as the door opened and the Generals of Gabriel's army stepped in.

Rugged men of great height and power, skilled fighters and strategists on the battlefield and true friends to our house.

I smiled at them, my heart singing as their stern faces melted, smiling back at me.

"Theon, Daine, Xander." I stepped to them eagerly, wishing to embrace them all, but I knew it wasn't correct to do. A Lady shouldn't touch the commanders of the armies, it was impolite and could be seen as disrespectful.

But my goodness, I wanted to wrap them each in an embrace the gods would shy away from.

I bit the inside of my lip, giving them a small curtsey, pushing down my sinful lust to have their hands and mouths on me.

They bowed at me, their jaws set and a look of restraint in their eyes, as it always appeared when I did such things.

As if they desired the same.

I flushed, feeling my face heat as they shared a smirk. "Lady Roxenna." They said as one and my heart pounded, my stomach tightening.

Gabriel touched my shoulder, making me jolt slightly.

He gave a deep chuckle in my ear, fully aware of my adventurous thoughts of his men.

He often tried to encourage me to break decorum, enjoying watching me blush and fluster at such suggestions.

"Do you wish to kiss one of them, Roxie?" He purred in my ear.

My eyes raised, seeing all of them stare down at me, waiting.

I shook my head, closing my eyes from the embarrassment Gabriel was producing.

He subtly squeezed my rear through the thin fabric of my gown, my n*****s hardened as his hand slid dangerously between my thighs.

I wanted to open my eyes.

"Keep them closed," Gabriel instructed his voice deep and warning.

I gave a small moan as a hand cupped my neck, and someone's lips fell on mine, covering my mouth.

They were firm and commanding, but soft as they guided my lips to open, their tongue sweeping in to caress mine into a desirable dance I never wanted to end.

He pulled back, and I felt a smirk on his lips as he did, his hand moving only to be replaced by another.

This one pulled me forward, demanding as lips pressed against mine and a large hand gripped my hip, bringing me to be flush against their body.

Hard lines, the feeling of armour and a sword glanced at my fingers as I raised them to cup the person's face, bringing their kiss deeper as their tongue swept.

I heard Gabriel chuckle as I gave a small moan, my eyes squeezing tighter to stay closed as I blushed and tried to pull away.

A small growl stopped me, a squeak leaving my lips.

An echo of deep, lustful chuckling surrounded me.

I was pulled to another, much taller than the rest. My body bent back as their mouth collided with mine, arms banding around me to pull me against the enormous armour-clad frame.

I felt the short mace in his belt and my heart raced, knowing who touched me.

His size should have given him away.

I felt a smirk on his lips as Xander lifted me slightly off the ground, his hand cupping my rear.

I blushed, feeling it heat to my chest as his tongue lashed mine in a passionate fight.

I was released. Panting and shaking as I felt Gabriel press behind me, steadying me with an arm around my waist.

"You can open your eyes now, darling." His voice teased my neck, a soft, cold kiss against my hot skin moaning escaped my lips.

My eyes fluttered open, staring up at the Generals.

They gave soft pants, each with their right hand held out slightly from their bodies.

My eyes narrowed as I saw the blood that trailed from them.

"What is going on?" My voice came out in a whisper, confused and scared.

Gabriel moved his hand from my waist, a wet feeling drawing my attention to see the hand he had on me was also cut, a dark red stain across my dress.

He kissed me, his tongue entering my surprised lips as he stole a chaste passionate kiss.

He smirked at me. "For you, I will do anything, darling. Including this."

He stepped to his Generals, their eyes never leaving mine as the four raised their hands to form a ring.

Blood slid down their palms and wrists, dotting the ground.

My eyes widened as the blood hit the stone floor, disappearing in a ripple of glowing and sparkling blue....something, transforming into a circle that swirled and lashed air through them.

The four spoke, their voices mixing to become one.

"We bind, by blood and life." They turned their palms towards them, staring at their cuts.

Each produced sharp teeth that made me jump as they bit down on the cuts, drinking in the blood before they pulled their hands away.

The floor beneath them glowed a bright, blinding light and they spat the wads of blood, the light rippling like water on the impact.

"For one, we share. For one, we die."

My eyes widened as I felt something shake through my chest.

Darkness swallowed me, four lights beaming above me as I fell into an abyss.

I gasped.

Blinking and my vision coming back to focus.

The cold air hit my skin and I shivered, the hands on me just as cold.

The hands pulled away, an odd rush of warmth replacing them as the night air was warmer. "s**t, sorry."

I looked up.

Gabriel stared down at me, his hands in his pockets and his expression tight.

He gave a small shrug. "I forget how cold I am."

I blinked, a choked giggle coming out at his words.

A smirk twitched his lips as he watched me through his lashes.

His hair was dishevelled like he'd been running his hands through it and messing it.

A part of it hung over his eyes, covering the beautiful red. I reached up, pushing it back with my fingertips, trailing it across his smooth, moonlit skin of almost white.

His eyes closed, a sharp breath as the sparks and fire ignited in him.

"So," my voice made his eyes open, my hand staying to push his hair away, memorising the beautiful timeless face.

Only to realise they were already there, buried deep in a part of me, finally released. Roxanna wasn't a Foxen chosen, but she was a newer form of my actual self.

A human version of me.

One that had been designed to find Gabriel, show him the love of a mate, and bring not only Clan but Kind together. When he saw the mate bond, Roxanna denied it out of fear.

The Goddess showed him how to ensure I was never fearful of them again, only protected and loved by her most powerful creations.

An Immortal and the First.

"So?" He enquired, raising a curious brow and straightening to tilt his chin at me.

I gave him a lazy smile.

"You passed me around like a dinner plate, then left for three hundred years?"

His face fell in annoyance, turning away.

"Glad to see you haven't changed, brat." He growled under his breath as I laughed, following behind him.

I looked around, realising it was past midnight.

It felt like hours had passed, but it was only maybe minutes.

Theo waited against a tree, his arms crossed and his head down, listening.

Gabriel moved with shadows, untouched by Theo's, moving unaware until he was standing in front of him.

"Found her." He smirked, a cocky expression as Theo raised his head.

He straightened, standing at eye level with Gabriel.

In a flash, Theo slammed his fist into Gabriel's stomach, doubling his over arm and tossed him to the ground towards the car.

Theo spun, turning on me as I stepped out.

His hand was cupping my cheek, looking over my naked body. "You're okay." He breathed.

I nodded. "I'm awake."

He gave me a sad smile. "I'm sorry."

I put my finger to his lips, silencing him. "Just....let's blame this on the Goddess and go home, you can fill me in after."

He nodded once, a smirk pulling as he leaned away.

Gabriel rose to his feet, wiping the dirt from his clothes and chuckling. "Am I invited, darling?" His tone was teasing and thick.

I scowled at him. "I'm still not sure how I feel about you."

He chuckled again, that stupid half-smile on his face. "You love me, you're just stubborn." He said factually.

I growled, giving him the finger turning away and stalking to the car.

I slammed the door when I climbed in, Elsa waiting in the back with Jez. Most of her wounds seemed healed, and she was breathing steadily.

I gave a relieved sigh, only to groan when I saw Theo speaking to Gabriel.

Elsa lifted her head, a small sympathetic smile on her lips. "Guess you'll need a bigger bed, huh, chica?"

I slid down in my seat, crossing my arms and wishing for Dane's silent brooding right now as she giggled in a trill.