Drop Dead Single (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 1)

He was about to lean in and give into abandon when a thought came to him and he paused. His grandmother was expecting him to make a royal match. To find the vampire to rule by his side. Any woman who stood beside him would have to take the blood oath of a vampire. That was the law now that his mother was gone. A law his own father had put into place to keep his sons from suffering the same tragic loss of their life partners.

But, it wasn’t an oath to take lightly. It meant an eternity of thirsting for blood — of relying on another creature’s body for support. It also meant fear and danger everywhere a vampire went. Deep-seeded suspicion and hatred for his kind had taken the life of far too many of his friends and family. Agreeing to become a vampire would instantly put a price on Cate’s head, and no matter how much he vowed to protect her, he couldn’t promise her safety. It was part of the vampire life. It was what had brought on the murder of his own father. She didn’t need that kind of trouble. Not someone who clearly had a pure and beautiful soul of her own.

He gazed at her face, realizing that he couldn’t take advantage of her. Not even for a single night of passion. One taste, and he’d be finished. He wanted all of her or none of her. Nothing would satisfy him again if he gave into those urges. His hand slowly fell from her chin and he backed away.

“You should head inside.” He cleared his throat and glanced up at the warm lights of the castle. “It’s getting late.”

Most of the staff were gone by now. Monstrana came alive at night, with the werewolf packs running the island, vampires enjoying the city nightlife, and all other assorted creatures of the dark waking up. He preferred the quiet life of the castle, its empty halls soothing to his aching head.

“Yes, I really should.” She stumbled backwards, crushing the blossom in her palm. Her eyes stared at his chest, not really seeing him. “Goodnight, Viktor.”

“Goodnight, Cate,” he whispered as she walked away. This image of her leaving tugged at his heartstrings.

He stared up at the moon for several minutes, willing for things to be different. If only Cate had come here as a vampire, things might have worked out. But with her mortality standing between them, there was no chance for them to be together. And he’d never ask her to give that up for him. It wasn’t right and it wasn’t his to claim.

The rustling of a hedge nearby caught his attention. He lunged behind a thick tree trunk and peered out from behind it, spotting a dark form stalking the garden. The swing of her curvy hips and lithe form clued him in immediately to the midnight stroller — Duchess Jezebel.

She didn’t pause when she passed by his hiding place. Strutting a direct path toward the castle, he sighed with relief when she was finally out of range. He wasn’t in a mood for another midnight stroll, especially not with the lovesick vampiress. Hopefully, her own midnight stroll had cooled off her lust for his position and wealth and she wouldn’t fight him when he sent her packing at the end of the ceremony. No more dating show. No more secrets. Everything would go back to normal for him and his kingdom.

But, was normal what he still wanted?

Chapter Eighteen

FOR THE SECOND TIME that night, Cate found herself wide awake in her lavish suite. A crushed Moonflower blossom lay cradled in her hands as she paced the room. Her midnight walk hadn’t helped at all. In fact, she was more confused than ever.

Prince Viktor had almost kissed her in the garden. Of that, she was sure. They’d been so in sync, the passion in his eyes matching the desire she felt boiling deep within her own stomach. She’d wanted him to take her into his strong arms and kiss away all the worries. Thirty seconds pressed against his hard body and the rest of the world would melt away. But something had stopped him, made him draw back at the last moment. She’d seen the change in his eyes, like a light switch.

She huffed loudly and stomped her bare foot on the carpet. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. She was supposed to keep her head low and sail through to the end of the show. Save Miranda’s job and her own mortality. Then, head home and forget this place ever existed.

Why, then, was she having second thoughts? Why was the notion of becoming Viktor’s eternal mate sounding so right? They hardly knew each other. She couldn’t lose her head over a man she’d just met a few days ago.

“It’s purely an animalistic urge,” she told herself, flinging her hair over her shoulder. “I mean, who can blame you? The man’s an Adonis. A perfect specimen of masculinity. Any hot-blooded woman would want to jump him.”

She caught a glimpse of herself in the gilded mirror hanging on the wall. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, her cheeks flushed pink. A glow had permeated her skin, leaving her skin dewy and clear.

“Stop it right now,” she said, wagging her finger at her reflection. “You swore yourself off men just days ago. Your good guy radar is broken. Don’t let yourself fall for some guy you just met.”

Except, this wasn’t some guy. He was a man who made her quiver with just one glance and touched her with a gentleness she’d never experienced before. His kiss set off fireworks in her stomach and flames across her skin. He had a laugh that made her thrill and a passion for his country that made her respect him. He was honest, kind, and fun. And when they spoke, he treated her as an intellectual equal. He was everything she was looking for in a partner. With two minor additions — immortality and razor sharp fangs.

“Dang it, girl. There’s no point in arguing anymore.” She shrugged at the mirror, her lips pouting. “It’s too late. You’re a goner. Might as well pack it in now.”

She rushed to the bed to slide her feet back into the sandals she’d kicked off. The royal rooms were just down the hall. If she was lucky, she’d find the right one on her first try. But regardless, she was going to knock on every single door until Prince Viktor stood before her and she could jump into his arms. No more holding back. No more worrying about the differences between them. She’d be crazy not to take a chance on such a man.

Even an undead one.

Throwing open her bedroom door, she squealed in fright when a slender figure darted inside and slammed her against the bed. The door swung shut and Cate struggled to catch her breath as she pushed herself up on the mattress. Jezebel stood in front of her, a triumphant ugly smile on her perfect face. She popped a hip and placed a hand on it, her eyes flashing dangerously.

“Well, well, well.” Her brilliant white teeth gnashed like a great white shark getting ready to bite into a seal. “Have we got a situation.”

Great, not what she had in mind for tonight. She didn’t have time to deal with Jezebel’s insecurities.

“I’m not sure what you’re hoping to accomplish here,” Cate said, scowling. She’d dealt with mean girls like Jezebel all throughout her school years. All it took was a little courage to make the cowardly bullies stand down. “But, nothing is resolved with violence. I’ll thank you not to touch me again.”

“Violence.” She snickered. “Darling, you don’t know the meaning of the word.”

“I know the meaning of rude. Now, please leave.”

Jezebel paced in front of her, scowling. Cate stared her down, refusing to be frightened. At the same time, she couldn’t help but notice that the very mirror she’d just been staring into didn’t reflect Jezebel’s achingly beautiful portrait. It figured. At least some of the myths about vampires were true.