Chapter 5

Kian

The elevator hurries up the tower towards my floor. 

Nikki stands in the corner, white knuckling the railing on the wall of the elevator with big frightful eyes. It’s adorable how she has this irrational fear of the elevator and somehow has already relaxed around me. 

I know I should probably feel guilty about the way I snatched her away from her home, threatened her father and threatened her. I should feel guilty how I pulled her into a trance, because I wanted to know if she tastes as good as she looks and left her brain a mess afterwards. I could see all the contradicting feelings and thoughts swirling in her eyes. 

But I don't feel guilty, I will never feel guilty to claim something that is mine. 

The elevator makes a pingy sound and we come to a stop. Nikki glances at me, wariness in her eyes. 

Exactly girl, you should be wary considering you are about to enter the space you'll be sharing with the ultimate predator. You should be scared as fuck, trembling and shaking beneath my feet and begging for mercy. 

The thought of her just like that- shaking and covered in bite marks, blood and cum as she begs for my mercy- sends a sharp pang of carnal desire through me. My cock twitches at the image and I shake my head. 

Get your head out of the fucking gutter Kian!

She surprises me though and takes my hand, swirling her fingers into mine with a careful smile on her face.

"What are you waiting for or you suddenly got stage fright?" She chuckles and her eyes widen, like she is surprised herself with how bold she is. 

"Of course not, I was just contemplating whether or not you should sleep on the couch or the carpet." I say casually and pull her into my apartment. 

"You wouldn't." She says, the sudden boldness dying a fast death. She takes in my form with big eyes and I smile wickedly at her. 

"This is my house Nikki. I can do whatever the fuck I want with you and to you. No one will care." I say in a dark low voice, inching closer to her and squeezing her fingers in mine. 

Her breath quickens and fear starts building again. She backs up until the back of her knees hit the large soft grey corner sofa in the middle of the room. 

I ease into her space, chest against chest, breathing in her amazing scent of flowers and femininity. I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, fingers pressing in her skin and I drag my nose through her neck. 

“Don't ever forget that." I whisper into her ear and release her.

She falls back on the sofa with her heart hammering inside her chest. She takes shallow breaths, and stares at me with fearful eyes, her mouth slightly parted. I take her in while she grabs two black, fluffy pillows, hiding herself behind them. Tears swell in her eyes and I can't help the small smirk that pulls on my lips. 

I turn on my heels nonchalantly and wave her off. "You can sleep there for a few hours. Don't touch anything." 

She nods silently and I walk out of the apartment. 

~~

"Darling! How wickedly delightful of you, and you say the girl is in your room now?" My mom asks with glee and mischief written all over her face. I drag my hand through my hair. 

"Yeah mom, she is up in my apartment. Told her to sleep for a few hours. She's had a rough evening." I hang back in my chair, glancing around the room. 

We are all sitting in the boardroom, my parents, Eamon, Cloé, Luuk and Fayyim. I want them all here, close to me, as we discuss what needs to be done before the morning comes. 

I need to marry her; it's the law. For a human to remain living after they learn of our existence, they either have to undergo the change or they have to marry one of us. There is no way around it, especially since our family made that law.

A forced marriage is my only option because I know for a fact, she that will never forgive me and bolt if I change her into a vampire without her knowledge and consent. I can't stand the thought of her not being right by my side, where she belongs. 

Eamon leans on the table with his elbows, hands folded in front of him. "That is probably better. Cloé has three different dresses ready for her and Armando is on his way here. What else do you need of me?" His sharp eyes look at me inquisitively and I nod at him. 

"That's perfect. You and dad can get the ceremonial room ready when Armando arrives. Cloé, can you and mom make sure Nikki is dressed and ready half an hour before the ceremony starts?" 

I glance at my family. Pride swells in my father and mother's eyes because they know they did a good job preparing me for whatever there is to come when I rise to the throne. 

"I don't know if Nikki and I are a good combination, Kian. She has a better connection with Eamon, maybe he should accompany your mother and I'll help your father." Cloé says, a contemplative expression on her face. 

I nurse the whiskey in my hand, thinking about the matter. She's probably right, though. Cloé can be reserved when she doesn't really know you. 

"Eamon, you're good with switching?" 

"Sure, I like her and don't worry, I'll behave." My brother chuckles and wraps his arm around Cloé, pulling her in for a kiss. She melts into him, both of them lost to the world for a moment. 

I focus back on the present people around the table and a soft knock sounds on the door. "Your Majesties, permission to enter?" A nasal male voice asks from the other side of the door. 

"Of course, come in Armando." I call out and the door swings open. 

An old, greying man walks in. His grey eyes were assessing, and a snarl danced on his lips. His stature is, as always, straight and stiff. The mahogany and crimson robe he is dressed in flows with every step he takes. He bows deep, showing his respect to everyone at this table. 

"How can I be of assistance?" He asks expectantly, gazing at my father. 

I clear my throat, demanding his attention. "I need your assistance, Priest." My voice is bitter cold, and I spit out the last part.

Armando pales a bit and bows for me. "My apologies, my Prince, how can I be of service?" 

“I have found my bride Armando, she is here and I want to marry her before the night is over. You are leading the ceremony." My voice leaves no room for argument, but it somehow flies over the old man his head. 

"My prince, it's an absolute joy and welcome surprise you have found her. But why would you want to marry her right now? Why not wait until you can invite the other royal families and your business associates?" He asks clearly and if things were different that is exactly how I would do things. 

I would plan a massive wedding., I would invite everyone who means something and I would make sure she has the best night of her life. But things aren't different. She is human and the law is the law. 

"Because she is human and I am not taking the chance of turning her first and hoping she will remain by my side. You are marrying us tonight. I expect the ceremony to begin at five and not a minute later." I say through gritted teeth, my patience with the muculent man already running out. How my father is able to work together with him is beyond me.

Armando bows again. "Of course, I will start preparing the ceremonial herbs and relics immediately. Is there anything else I can do for you?" 

"No, you are dismissed." I answer and he darts out of the room as fast as his old legs can carry him.

"I really don't understand how you can put up with that weasel." I mutter under my breath, taking a big sip from my whiskey. 

My father laughs loudly, his bombastic laugh rumbling through the room. "I don't either son, but he is the High Priest and we have to deal with him." 

“Sometimes I wish we could appoint the priests from the Church of Darkness ourselves." I groan and turn to Fayyim. 

"Can you get all the papers in order? You have everything from her right?" I glance over at my right-hand woman. She cocks an eyebrow at me. 

"Alright, alright, I know I don't have to ask." I say with a small grin on my face and raise my hands up in surrender. 

"Exactly. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." She says curtly and stands up from the table. 

I focus on Luuk while Fayyim disappears through the door, my father gazes after her with an amused look on his face. He always finds it highly entertaining how she can put me in my place with a single glance. 

"Luuk, you're with me tonight. Let's meet here again in three hours everyone, we got ourselves a wedding to execute!" I clasp in my hands and stand up from the table.