Page 2 of Forsaking All Others

“They’re no longer children, Angie,” I snort as I sit next to her and take her hand in mine, “they’re past thirty.”

“But they’re vampires. Their thirties mean nothing. They’re completely irresponsible, and they need a mother’s guidance and love just as much as when they were three,” she groans. “The boys fight like cats and dogs and take no responsibility for anything at all. Suzume is rarely home, and I have no idea where she goes or what she does…

“Angie, surely you can’t expect me to believe…”

She closes her eyes for a long, long minute before opening them and turning to look at me.

“It was Mom,” she says quietly. “She had a heart attack last year. She lived. But almost losing her made me realise that no one is ever old enough to lose their Mom, Jag. Not ever.”

“Your mother is in her eighties, Angie. Death is inevitable to all, sooner or later.”

“But in this world, your world, it can be delayed for a long, long time. And now that this world is also mine, I don’t want to die of old age. I want to spare my children that pain. I don’t want them to lose me, and I don’t want to leave them.”

“And so you’ve made up your mind. You’ll submit. You’ll submit yourself to Falcon’s bite.”

It’s a statement, not a question.

“Yes.”

“Then I know what I need to do.”

Jumping from the table, I head for the door.

“Jag wait,” she follows, gripping my arm to stall me, “wait, please. What do you mean? Please stay. I’ve only just found you again, please don’t go.”

“You know I must.”

I don’t turn back to meet her eyes, I can’t.

“Jag,” there’s anguish in her voice, and I know the tears are flowing, “please, I can’t lose your friendship again.”

Pulling from her grasp, ignoring her quiet sobs, I step out into the chill night air, my decision made. There’s only one thing I can do now to ensure I’m granted access back into Falcon’s inner circle.

Only one thing that will ensure Angelina, the woman I loved, still love, is safe.

I need to marry.

1

I lean back in the uncomfortably shallow leather seat of the limousine and study my competitors, just as they study me.

The mix of women is different to most of the previous seasons. I’m the only European in this car; the other five are from Ethiopia, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Kenya, and India. More exotic is probably the politically correct way of considering the assortment of women, not that I care two figs for what people think about how I speak.

I wonder, briefly, if the vampire had requested darker-skinned women. My Italian complexion, caramel-toned, would fit with such a request. It crosses my mind that it could just be that the selection panel had chosen women more for personality and skills than nationality. Although this can’t have been the only criterion, every one of the contestants before me is drop-dead gorgeous. Still, I’m keen to see what other countries are represented when we get to the bachelor mansion. None of us were permitted to meet any of the other contestants before The Games.

‘This many disparate nationalities is certainly a surprise. God, I hate surprises!’

Turning, I stare out the window and watch the landscape flash by. We’re high in the mountains now, the limo hugging the tight corners. The show’s being filmed for the first week in the country of last season’s winner.

Immediately below us is a steep ravine, and beyond, stretching as far as the eye can see, is the nearby city of Denver, its lights twinkling like stars. At any other time I’d be admiring the view and craning my neck to see more, but tonight I’m looking inward as I consider my strategy going into the mansion, and my imminent introduction to the bachelor.

Unlike some of the pretty belles who’ve competed in the past, I’m not going to be blinded by affection or unrealistic expectations. I’m not here specifically for Viscount Jaguar Speardon of Versailles Provence. I’m here for a royal vampire husband who will protect me from those who mean me harm.

This one will do.

That said, I certainly won’t be settling for second best. According to the promotion for this series, this particular vampire is considered one of the ‘most eligible bachelors in centuries,’ and his season is anticipated to be one of the most watched since his best friend Lord Falcon Dragonspur’s infamous two seasons more than thirty years ago.

Now that’s a season I’m glad I wasn’t alive to be selected in.