Cursed by Destiny (WG 3) (31 page)

I drummed my fingers against my arms, feeling my muscles tighten. “I’m just a little surprised Hank would make an effort to be nice.”

“I—I used to think he was elitist, but he was very kind to me just now.”

Hank, kind? No. Horny, yes. Annoying, ditto. But nice? Something was up. Hank and his buds had never been welcoming of me or my sisters. After saving Misha, I thought I’d finally earned his respect, and probably his trust. Emme’s interaction with him had been limited at best. “Did he try anything with you—make a move, cop a feel, try to bite?”

“No, no, of course not. He was a total gentleman.”

“Hank” and “gentleman” went together about as well as “venomous snake” and “cuddly.” Emme’s demeanor also freaked me out. She was typically timid around others, but not so much around her family. “Emme, why are you blushing?”

She shrugged. And her blush deepened. “It’s just been a while since I’ve had a guy look at me. Liam usually scares anyone senseless who tries.”

“Hank was checking you out?” I shuddered. Help me, Obi-Wan, Lassie’s fallen down a well.

“I don’t know . . . maybe.”

With her soft blond waves and her Natalie Portman face, Emme had the whole pretty-girl-next-door thing going for her. Hank was a vampire, and in this world vampire equaled hotness. I wasn’t blind. I knew Hank was attractive. But Hank was an asshole who frequently engaged in assholeish behavior. And can anyone find someone like that sexy?

My sister was smaller than me by a few inches and several pounds. She wasn’t physically strong—she couldn’t even open a damn jar of spaghetti sauce. And while her gift made her a formidable opponent, her naïveté could get her into trouble with someone like Hank. Part of my protectiveness related to her breakup with Liam. I loved Liam. He would’ve died protecting her. Hank . . . not so much. That moron would use her as a human shield without thinking twice. I groaned and rubbed my eyes. Could she
really
be interested in
Hank
? Like Liam, Hank had that bad boy image going for him. Liam was all image, though. Hank actually
was
a bad boy. I’d seen some of the girls he’d been with. The guy was downright naughty.

“Emme, I know you might be feeling lonely right now . . .”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Celia, don’t—just . . . don’t.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” I hugged her. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

My muscles twitched when I scented a vampire approach. “Maria is coming,” I whispered. Emme probably needed a good cry, but she wouldn’t want to do it in front of the good Catholics. She quickly wiped her face and turned away.

A beautiful champagne gown draped Maria’s statuesque figure, and her hair was piled in an elaborate twist. I wondered where the hell she was going.

She traced her free hand down her body as if admiring herself and swirled the wine she held in her opposite hand. The slit in her dress ran the length of her left thigh; one false move and it would tear past her hip. “Sorry to interrupt girl time and all. But de master would like you to join him for dinner in de solarium as soon as you are ready.”

I thought I misheard. “Why in the solarium? I thought he only used that space for special occasions?”

Maria huffed and pointed into the sky toward the full moon. “It
is
a special occasion. It is your goddamn wedding reception!” She stormed down the slate walkway muttering in Portuguese before I could formulate a response. Emme stumbled back into the stone bench. Her shocked expression no doubt mirrored mine.

“Did she just say my
wedding reception
?”

Emme nodded, unable to speak. I grabbed her hand and led her back to the guesthouse. After I found my suitcase, I filled it like I was helping Mrs. Mancuso pack for a one-way trip to hell.

“Celia, what are you doing?”

“We have to get out of here, Emme. I can’t deal with this.”

“What about the attempts on your life?”

Compared to what possibly awaited me inside the house, death threats and scary monsters didn’t sound so bad. “Emme, I can’t see Misha right now.”

“Why? You need to straighten him out and tell him you’re not married.”

I glimpsed down at my already stiff nipples. “Look, whatever happened when he sucked me dry has affected my body. It’s not being reasonable. What happens if my mind goes next? I don’t want to be shipped off to Transylvania on a honeymoon.”

Emme smiled at me gently. “Celia, you’ll be fine. You’re in love with Aric.”

It must have been a beautiful, magical place inside Emme’s head. I almost told her to give Tinker Bell a shout-out for me. “Emme, vampire magic remains foreign to me. I don’t know what it can do or even if it can compel me to do something against my will. Look at me—my body is already reacting. I don’t want to risk hurting either Aric or Misha.”

Emme clasped my hands. “Celia, you have to face him. He needs to know that no amount of blood draining or vampire magic will allow you to betray Aric.” She squeezed my hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you.”

Emme was right. I needed to kick this marriage thing in the virtual ass. “Okay, but whatever you do, don’t leave us alone.” I stalked toward the main house with Emme at my heels. I couldn’t run from Misha. I always faced my fears. Why should this be any different? I tried to picture Misha in my head just to mentally prepare myself. All it did was tighten my twins further. I worried they’d snap off from the stress by the time I saw him.

Aric’s aroma remained embedded on my clothing. I took a strong whiff from my sleeve before entering the brightly lit kitchen. His scent helped me relax. We walked through the house and into the solarium. I stopped beneath the grand archway and swore under my breath. An orchestra, complete with a maestro, performed classical music for the elegantly dressed mob of vampires. I recognized some of the out-of-towners from the gala.

I couldn’t believe how quickly the entire shindig had been thrown together. White roses and garlands hung from the ceiling. Long-stem candles in crystal candelabras illuminated the gold table linens and place settings with a subtle glow. Dazed and overly smiley waiters snaked their way between the guests carrying champagne flutes filled to the brim.

Edith Anne, Agnes Concepción, and Liz dressed in a similar gown as Maria and expensive tiaras topped off their glamorous French twists. They were red carpet ready, aside from the scowls on their faces. They pounded toward us, ready to kick some nuts.

“Celia, for the love of all that is sacred, what the hell are you wearing?” Liz demanded.

My nerves were already on edge. I was in no mood for her rants. “Jeans, a sweater, and UGGs,” I answered stiffly.

Edith stomped her feet like they were on fire. “It’s your damn wedding celebration! Why didn’t you put on one of the dresses we left you?”

My fangs protruded without my consent. “It’s
not
my reception because I’m
not
married!”

“Yes. You. Are!” Liz hissed. “I told you back at the guesthouse that you’d be married by the next full moon.” Like Maria, she pointed to the moon. It gleamed back at me through the glass ceiling as if mocking me.

Liz whirled and turned her anger on Maria. “Didn’t you tell her we were celebrating her marriage to the master?”

“Of course I did.” Maria swept her hand dismissively in the air. “But you know how she is.”

Agnes scowled at me and adjusted her librarian glasses. “It appears we should have sent in reinforcements.”

I clenched and unclenched my fists. The time had come. I was going to kill them. “You know, I’m really sick of your bitchy attitudes. I helped save Misha and
this
is how you repay me?”

Liz waved her arms dramatically around the room. “No—
this
is how we repay you.”

I glanced at the ceiling.
Dear God in heaven, please stop me from staking the schoolgirls.

Emme’s eyes danced to each one of them. “Why are you all dressed the same?”

Agnes bent forward to get in her face. “Why wouldn’t we be? We’re her best friends.”

Edith hissed. “Who the hell else would be her bridesmaids?”

Emme’s lip pouted down to her toes.

I slapped my hands over my head. “Emme,
don’t
look at me that way! None of this is real. If it was, you, Taran, and Shayna would be my bridesmaids.”

Maria gave me a hard stare. “Are you saying we’re not good enough for you?”

I locked gazes with her. “Yes,
and
that you’re a bunch of delusional freaks.”

The orchestra played a beautiful new melody and an excited murmur spread through the crowd. I thought they’d dropped off a busload of virgins by the way everyone responded, but I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong.

Misha entered in a black tuxedo with tails and a white silk shirt and bow tie. His long blond hair cascaded around his broad shoulders like a waterfall flowing with sin. He strode across the solarium, commanding those before him to take in his beauty. Not only did all admire, they bowed regally from the might of his sexual hot stuff–ness. My heart initially stopped at the sight of him. Now it raced full speed ahead, pounding in time with my happy place to the beat of the music. He took in my appearance and flashed me a wicked smile. A smile that clearly said,
It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing; you’ll soon be naked anyway.

Every last female part in me tingled, danced, and pointed his way. My only comfort was Emme by my side. Emme wouldn’t let me down. Emme was my sister, my friend, my conscious, my rock. Emme was . . .
drooling
—and—and covering her breasts with her arms.

Damn
.

I sniffed frantically at my skin and hair, hoping Aric’s scent would slap the horniness right out of me.

It didn’t work.

Misha bent gallantly. “Good evening, my darling—”

“I want a divorce!”

I had a major freak-out. I had to admit, it was downright embarrassing. Misha cleared the solarium. Everyone regarded me like the slow village girl Dracula had unwittingly been stuck with. Misha received several sympathetic glances and even a few offers to put me out of my misery. He ignored them and surprised me by continuing to smile. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Emme, however, convinced me to stay and have dinner since food always had a magical way of comforting me. She also didn’t want us to appear rude. Emme was all about manners. It kind of sucked.

We sat down with Misha and were joined by Hank. Yippee. By the second course I’d begun to breathe normally.

Until I caught Hank staring at my sister. “Quit looking at her, Hank.”

“Not until you stop smelling yourself. That’s really annoying, Celia.”

“Your mother is really annoying.”

“Yeah, she was. What’s your point?”

Emme placed her hand on Misha’s arm. “Excuse me, Misha, but I think you need to consider Celia’s feelings on this, er, union.”

“I have, sweet Emme. She doesn’t recognize us as husband and wife—”

“That’s because we’re not,” I snapped.

Misha smirked. “So then none of this matters. The marriage between us can only be complete through mutual consent.” He danced his eyebrows, setting my girl parts off to do the limbo. “And by consummating the union.”

Emme took in the over-the-top decorations and the orchestra that continued to play. “Then why go through all the trouble of having this reception?”

Misha leaned back in his seat, smiling. “My original intention was to celebrate Celia’s awakening and our survival. My family believes the start of our union was triggered the night I fed from Celia and therefore felt the marriage should be commemorated. It seemed important to them, so I allowed it.”

I leaned forward, resting my arm against the table. “I thought you didn’t care what others think?”

“Normally I do not allow the influence of others or my emotions to rule me. If I did so, not only would I be an ineffective leader, but also an irresponsible one. Thus, the happiness of my family can never be at the forefront of my decisions. However, if an opportunity arises where I can grant them a bit of joy, I do.”

“They didn’t look joyful when they left,” I muttered.

“That’s because you’re an ungrateful psycho,” Hank mumbled.

I sighed. On second thought, maybe I hadn’t earned his respect.

Misha and Emme gave Hank just enough of a glance to make him squirm. Oddly enough, he seemed more affected by Emme’s response than Misha’s. Staff members appeared to remove the plates and offered sorbet in preparation for the next course. Misha took a few bites to cleanse his palate before continuing. “My family searches for any opportunity to throw an event. This was yet another reason for them to dress elegantly and socialize. Planning everything in mere hours gave them an unexpected thrill they are unaccustomed to. When we’re done with our dinner, they will continue the festivities. If you wish, you are welcome to partake, but I assure you, my kitten, you’re under no obligation.”

I pushed my hair aside. “I don’t want them to get the impression I am a willing participant in all this, Misha. Staying here would only reinforce their beliefs that I’m your wife. It’s not fair to allow them to think that.”

Misha watched me carefully before rising and motioning me toward the stone terrace. “Kitten, step outside with me a moment. There is something I wish to discuss with you.”

Two servants opened the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. We stepped out to a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe, deep blue beneath the clear starry night. Four outdoor fireplaces warmed the area despite the frigid cold. I followed Misha to the edge and so did my shadow, Emme. He did a double take when he saw her, but her presence somehow managed to delight him.

“No offense, but I don’t trust you.” I crossed my arms and so did Emme. She tried to appear tough, but still wouldn’t have scared off Porky Pig.

The gleam in his eyes made my happy place throb all over again. “It would seem it’s you who does not trust herself around me.” A slow, sultry smile eased across his face. Suddenly, it wasn’t so cold outside. Misha closed the distance between us and reached out to touch my face. I swayed a little, mesmerized by the vampiric magic around him, amplified by the mysticism of the lake. I couldn’t move. My body took over and shoved all conscious thought aside.
Oh, no. No
.