Blood Destiny (44 page)

The male's voice was like the night sky, sultry and dark, endless in its depth and power. "You shall relinquish this child at once."

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Blood Destiny

by Tessa Dawn

The words were an irrefutable command as he released her from Nathaniel's hold.

Jocelyn felt her body relax. And then she watched herself, as if from a distance, casually handing the baby over into the mighty one's arms. She knew without being told that she was standing before the Sovereign Lord of Nathaniel's people: Napolean Mondragon.

Napolean turned to face Nathaniel. "This night, I will make the blood sacrifice on your behalf. Go to your destiny and see to her comfort. I will return later to initiate this daughter of Cassiopeia into the house of Jadon, and to seal the covenant of your child's birth...so that his name and constellation will be known for all time by the Ancients who have come before him...and by all who will come after him."

Jocelyn felt the tears streaming down her face, burning her skin as they fell. Her confusion and helplessness were overwhelming.

Nathaniel nodded in agreement and bowed his head before the towering Ancient whose presence filled the room like a beacon of light and power.

"As you wish, milord."

Colette stood deathly quiet; her head was bowed, her eyes averted to the ground...as if it were some sort of taboo to look upon the Sovereign One's face.

Jocelyn blinked as if she had been in a trance. And then she glared at Nathaniel as Napolean shimmered out of view, taking her beautiful baby boy with him. She covered her face in her hands and cried out, an ear-piercing sob of anguish, too ashamed to look Nathaniel in the eyes.

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Blood Destiny

by Tessa Dawn

Nathaniel turned to Colette. "Colette, take Storm out of here...now. I will call you in a moment to bring him back."

Colette shimmered out of view with the beautiful first-born infant, the son of Jadon, cradled closely to her heart, and Nathaniel immediately went to Jocelyn's side.

Jocelyn stepped back, afraid of his anger, dreading the harsh reprimand she knew was coming, but to her utter shock and dismay, Nathaniel bent his head, his glorious dark hair falling forward to cover his face...

And he wept.

Jocelyn stood frozen for a retracted moment, watching the powerful being before her reduced to tears. "Nathaniel," she finally whispered, "I'm sorry."

He gathered her in his arms and held her so tight she thought she might break. "Jocelyn, I would never take your child from you. I know he appeared...perfect...but do you not remember seeing Valentine? Was he not handsome?

Powerful? Physically perfect? Do you not remember how evil he was? How totally depraved and without conscience he was? Don't you know by now that I would die for you, my love? That I would die for our child? That I would trade my life if I could spare you such sorrow?"

His powerful chest was heaving with the weight of his sobs, and she felt...disgraceful.

Seeing Nathaniel's pain was worse than any reprimand could have ever been.

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Blood Destiny

by Tessa Dawn

Jocelyn's mind began to clear now that the child was no longer in the room. "I think...maybe...the baby did something to me...to my mind." She wrapped her arms around Nathaniel's neck and held him close. "I love you, Nathaniel.

Do you hear me? I love you. And I am so, so sorry."

Nathaniel crushed her to him then, kissing her temples, her cheeks, her jaw, her lips. He took her mouth with such absolute abandon it was frightening. The male was hungry...starving...for something much, much deeper than sexual gratification.

The moment seemed to last forever: the two of them locked in each other's arms, enveloped in each other's love, offering mutual understanding and comfort.

When he finally released her, Nathaniel stepped back and gripped her by her delicate shoulders. "Your true son awaits you, my love. He needs you as much as I do."

Jocelyn brushed a lock of thick black hair away from Nathaniel's face. "As much as I need both of you."

Her eyes met his and she stared at him, just taking him in: loving him more in that moment than she had ever loved anyone...or anything...in all of her life. Nathaniel Silivasi. Her husband. Her vampire.

She smiled up at him, praying he could feel how deeply sorry she was. She didn't understand what had come over her, but she had never meant to strike out at him like that.

She would never wish to hurt him.

They held onto each other again...for what seemed an eternity...and then Nathaniel called Colette back in.

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When the pleasant woman shimmered into view with the baby still cradled lovingly in her arms, Jocelyn immediately went to the two of them. "I am sorry, Colette," she whispered, reaching out to take her son into her arms for the first time.

The child looked up at her, and her heart melted with the love and peace that was her destiny.

This was her amazing fortune.

Her future.

Jocelyn kissed the baby's forehead and smiled. His impossibly small fingers curled around hers and she laughed with joy.

"Hello, my little angel," she whispered.

Nathaniel gathered them both into his arms, leaned in to kiss his son, and frowned. "I think you mean hello, my strong warrior," he corrected.

Jocelyn laughed. "Hello, my little warrior."

It was a good compromise.

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Blood Destiny

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Marquis, Nachari, Kagen, and even young Braden gathered around the informal living room on the second floor of Nathaniel and Jocelyn's home waiting to get their first look at Storm.

Napolean Mondragon stood unobtrusively on the far side of the room, next to the large stone fireplace, his silver-black eyes glowing with warmth and pride.

When Nathaniel and Jocelyn entered the room, the brothers all stood to attention, anxiously straining their necks to get a peek at the bundled infant held protectively in his father's arms.

"It's about time," Marquis grumbled, making his way to Nathaniel's side.

Jocelyn intercepted the powerful warrior, placing her body between his and the baby's. "Be gentle, Marquis."

Marquis hissed, rolled his eyes, and pushed her away using a somewhat restrained elbow. "Get out of the way," he grumbled. "Can't you see that this boy has been waiting to meet a real warrior?"

Nathaniel growled a deep, instinctual warning—the territorial instinct of a male animal protecting his young.

Marquis's answering snarl left no room for argument as to who the Alpha male of the family really was...father or no.

"Good Lord," Jocelyn sighed, "there is way too much testosterone in this room."

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"Oh, just hand me my nephew," Marquis demanded, scooping the child gently into his arms.

Despite his gravelly voice, his face relaxed the moment he held Storm, and a peaceful, loving smile lined the hard edges of his mouth. "He's so small."

The powerful Ancient Master Warrior sounded amazed. He studied the baby like a scientist with a specimen—as if he were looking for imperfections—committing every line, marking, and characteristic to memory. "Not bad," he snorted, his eyes beaming with pride.

Nachari and Kagen glided over noiselessly, each one taking a position at one of Marquis's sides, inadvertently crowding both Nathaniel and Jocelyn out.

"He has hazel eyes," Nachari remarked in astonishment.

He looked over at Jocelyn with approval.

"Yeah, well," Marquis grumbled, "we can toughen him up, make up for that one little...feminine mishap."

Nachari feigned insult. "My eyes are green as well, Marquis."

Marquis shrugged. "Yeah...and you became a wizard."

Kagen chuckled. "He has his father's mouth." He lightly stroked the baby's cheek. When the infant startled in Marquis's arms, Kagen jumped back. "Did I hurt him?"

Jocelyn laughed. "No, Kagen, not at all."

The three large vampires huddled over the baby like a small clan of cavemen warming themselves at a fire, gently touching, prodding, and talking to the child in the old language.

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Jocelyn wished she could understand their words, but what was unmistakable, what she could not miss, was the love and warmth in their eyes, the sing-song cadence in their voices, and the powerful protectiveness in their postures.

And then Napolean Mondragon stirred.

It was as if all the air in the room shifted into a sudden vacuum, parting like the red sea, making a path for the ancient Lord to approach the child.

Jocelyn shuddered and Nathaniel placed a reassuring hand at the small of her waist.

What is he going to do? she asked, enjoying their newfound telepathic communication.

He is going to accept his name, so it can be recorded in the tome of our people, and then he is going to formally...receive...Storm's blood, as well as your own, into the house of Jadon.

Our blood? Jocelyn began to feel a little woozy. She tried to hide the fear in her psychic voice but knew that she failed.

Just a little, Nathaniel reassured. It will only hurt a little.

Napolean carries the blood of every member of the house of Jadon in his veins, all those who have come before, and all those who are yet to come. As our Sovereign, he has access to all of the memories, knowledge, and history of each and every soul. He can find anyone living at will, and it is said that if it becomes necessary to protect the people, he can even reach out to those who have moved on to the Valley of Spirit and Light. Once Napolean has your blood, you will always be a member of the house of Jadon.

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Kagen and Nachari stepped back to make room for their Sovereign, who stood directly in front of Marquis and Storm, and Nathaniel ushered Jocelyn forward, positioning her at Marquis's left side even as he stood at his right.

Is Marquis going to hold Storm? she asked.

He is, Nathaniel answered.

Why is that?

Nathaniel smiled at his destiny...his mate. Marquis is the oldest living male of our bloodline, which makes him the head of our family.

Jocelyn sighed and had to catch herself before rolling her eyes. Oh great!

Napolean wore a pair of well-fitted black pants and a white silk shirt, the mixture of black and white drawing out the stark presence of silver in his eyes and hair. His face was like something one might find in an ancient temple—a sacred statue, carved and smoothed to perfection. He was the absolute personification of beauty.

The subtle lines around his eyes were harsh with their reflection of history and timelessness, yet they were equally warm and gentle with wisdom. Napolean was power and nobility incarnate, and he wore a badge of dignity with an air of aristocracy. His eyes held the equal promise of justice and retribution for all those who sought his counsel.

Jocelyn shivered and looked away from the powerful leader of her husband's people...her people. She hoped she wouldn't have too many more occasions to stand before him.

Napolean turned to Nathaniel. "It is with great joy that I greet you this day, my brother, a fellow descendant of Jadon, 423

Blood Destiny

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an Ancient Master Warrior, mate to the daughter of Cassiopeia, father to this newborn son of Aquila, the eagle, who makes his home upon the celestial equator. What name have you chosen for this male?"

Nathaniel's eyes beamed with pride. "Should it please you, milord, and find favor with the Celestial Beings, the son of Aquila is to be named Keitaro Storm Silivasi."

Marquis shifted a bit.

His head snapped up and his eyes met Nathaniel's. There was a faint hint of some emotion Jocelyn couldn't quite place before the powerful warrior regained his composure, blinked, and looked away. He bowed his head.

Napolean reached out to take the baby from Marquis's arms. "The name pleases me, warrior, and there is no objection from the Celestial Beings."

Jocelyn's heart began to race as the Sovereign leader bent his head and his fangs began to elongate. Nathaniel sent her a steady stream of warmth wrapped in a subtle warning—

commanding her to stay still.

Napolean pierced the child's wrist, vertically, along the vein, and the baby cried out as the powerful leader drank from his arm. After he sealed the wound with his venom, he held the child out in front of him and looked into his eyes. The baby immediately became quiet.

"Welcome to the house of Jadon, Keitaro Storm Silivasi.

May your life be filled with peace, triumph, and purpose. May your path always be blessed."

He gave the child back to Marquis, who kissed him lightly on the forehead. "Welcome to our family, Keitaro Storm 424

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Silivasi, and to the house of Jadon. May your life be filled with peace, triumph, and purpose. May your path always be blessed."

Kagen took the child then, as the next eldest male relative, and repeated the welcome. Once Nachari had done the same, the child was handed back to Nathaniel, who pulled Jocelyn to his side, sliding her protectively under his arm.

Napolean addressed them both. "By the laws which govern the house of Jadon, I accept your union as the divine will of the gods and hereby sanction your mating. Jocelyn Levi Silivasi, do you come now of your own free will to enter the house of Jadon?"

Jocelyn swallowed hard, a lump in her throat, and looked at Nathaniel.

I do, Nathaniel whispered in her mind.

"I do," she said.

Hold out your wrist, Nathaniel instructed.

Jocelyn cringed, and then tried to smile, as she tentatively turned her arm over and extended it to the intimidating nobleman.

Napolean's answering smile could have rivaled the moon and the stars for its brilliance. He took her arm with exquisite gentleness and bent his head, long locks of shimmering silver and black falling all around them. And then he pierced her vein cleanly, his teeth sinking deep, his lips forming a tight seal over her arm. His mouth pulled at her vein with a steady drag, but he remained gentle...and oddly, the presence of his lips against her skin flooded her with peace.