Impaling my Heart: Vlads story (Annalese and the Immortals Book 2) (16 page)

Mak picked up the certificate of naming and read the words: Makhi Michael Dracul Tepes. He had a name, a strong name, a respectable name and a family. Most of all he now had a home; a real home and a place to really belong.

He hugged Annalese fiercely, not quite knowing what to say, but knowing he had to say something. “Thank you, I have no words, not proper ones to describe how I am feeling, and Sir, I cannot tell you…” Vlad took him in a gentle embrace, catching him quite off guard. It was something Mak was not used to, but everything about this family was.

“Now Makhi, you are family. An heir, a son, so if you call me Sir one more time I will chain you in the dungeon for a week.”

Annalese gave a short laugh remembering what she called him in the very beginning. “Just call him pops, he loves that,” she said with a giggle knowing how much Vlad disliked that name. He told her once he was going be the King of all the vampires and not a Walton’s character. Once Vlad and Annalese took their vows he would become the King. She didn’t understand all the legality but it had been written that once he sired a child with his mate he would be King. “No really Mak, just call him Vlad. You belong here. You know that right? Wolf or not, you belong here with us. It’s our differences that make this family special. Just be happy.” He was happy, so much so he was near speechless. Vlad got his attention once more.

“I realize you are feeling less than stellar at the moment so we will put off most of what I had planned for the evening but there is one bit of business we must attend to.”

Mak waited in silence for Vlad to present his business, not having any clue what to expect.

“I offered you the apartment in the west wing,” Vlad continued, “I feel that is now inadequate for my son, let us go pick a suite for you. Oh and this is for you.” It was a black American Express card. Mak hadn’t any idea why the Prince was giving it to him. The look of confusion must have been blatantly obvious.

“Mak, you are now by all legalities my son, and can now get anything you need, or want for that matter. I realize you are not used to doing that, but you will adjust. You will need to pick a vehicle. Lachlan can take you to the garage later, pick what you like. The only things off limits are my Jag and Annalese’s red Rover.”

There was no one word to explain what Mak was feeling; utter shock and surprise would be the best way to put it. No one had ever given him anything, but here was Vlad, the Prince of the vampires just basically handing him the keys to the Kingdom so to speak. “Are you alright Makhi?” the Prince asked, seeing the utter chaos apparent.

“Yes, no, this is just overwhelming. I only expected a job. This is… I am not sure I can find words to do justice to how I am feeling.” Annalese took Mak in her arms once more.

“It’s ok Mak, we know. Let’s go look at my old suite, aside from changing the bedding and drapes, I bet you’ll love it.” She led him by the hand up the grand staircase to what was her room when she first arrived in Romania. He stood; drinking it all in, touching everything just to be sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Holy shit! This room is bigger than my old house.” Mak was absolutely in awe of his surroundings.

“We can remodel if you wish Makhi, and of course get you things a bit more masculine unless you prefer the pastel bedding.” Vlad had surprised him at every turn and it just kept coming.

“Sir I,” Vlad did the brow raise and Mak knew he was busted. “Shit! I am sorry, which way to the dungeon?” Both Vlad and Annalese lost it, laughing hysterically. Mak knew he wouldn’t be spending the week chained up. “I actually kind of like the bedding, it’s so soft and I’ve never slept on anything like this. And that tub!” he pointed to the bathroom, “That is unreal, this is really for me?” 

Vlad gave I’m the single nod; Annalese pecked his cheek, excusing herself. She had used the bond to let Vlad know she needed to lie down.

What she hadn’t told him was that her water broke a few hours prior. She figured she would change into her nightgown foregoing panties and situate herself before letting Vlad know it was time. Her contractions were fairly close so once she was ready and all considerations were met, she figured it was time to tell her Prince his daughter was on her way.

“Hey big guy.”
Annalese used their bond.

“
Yes my dear, did you need something?”

“Well only if you want to help your daughter into the world, other than that… nope not a thing.”

He didn’t respond and she didn’t expect him to. Annalese knew he would be breaking down the door in a matter of seconds, and she was right. He had the look of sheer terror on his face. Mak and Lachlan followed along with Nico who had come to talk with Vlad.

“Aye Angel, ‘tis time is it?” she sweetly smiled, knowing Lachlan knew what to expect, Vlad had stayed, but he didn’t actually view Michael’s birth.

“Yes Lachlan, it’s time. Take Vlad outside. Give him one of those cigarettes you’re so bad at hiding and let him chill out. When he’s calm, bring him back with a bottle of whatever you boys are drinking this week. Mak will stay with me, Vlad baby, go with Lachlan. It’s ok, we have time.” He didn’t speak aloud, opening his bond with her.

“I am sorry for the panicking, seeing you in pain tears at my soul. Are you sure you will be ok?”

“Yes big guy, we have time, probably at least an hour or so. Go and relax, have a drink. This is going to be fine.”

Mak stayed with her, holding her hand through the contractions as they grew in strength. By the time the men returned she was ready to push. All it took was three good ones and they were welcoming Lyla into the world. Vlad did the honors of cutting her cord and cleaning her up, weighing and measuring. She was six pounds, three ounces, ten fingers and ten toes; a perfect baby girl. He had her swaddled in a blanket, safe in his arms and he was beaming like a god.

“Aye daddy, how ye feeling over there?” Lachlan watched his friend holding his daughter, knowing the pure joy he was feeling.

“Quite good, I’m just not sure what I should be doing with her.” He had no idea what to do with a baby, but all he did know was how much love he already had for her, his daughter.

“How ‘bout letting Mak hold his baby sister.” Lachlan told him.

That floored the wolf; he had never held a baby before and certainly wasn’t expecting to be accepted this deeply. Vlad stepped over and Mak took the precious infant in his arms, cradling her to his chest. The tears were threatening to fall again. “Annalese, she is perfect, and so tiny. Never have I held a babe, she’s amazing Princess! Just like her mother.”

Lyla was passed around until she finally made her way back to her mother to be fed. While Annalese nursed, Vlad watched in awe. The three other men were involved in conversation that Vlad could care less about. He was a father. When she finished nursing, Lachlan took her to see Michael, but before he left he asked about calling Mehmet, Vlad had all but forgotten.

“Yes we do. We will need a few days to organize the gala though.” Vlad spoke as if being brought back from a blissful dream.

“I can do it,” Mak spoke up. “If Lachlan will help me I can handle it. It would be my privilege… Pops.” Everyone in the room lost it, laughing out loud, Vlad was the loudest.

“Fucking Pops again, see what you have started my love!” He just kept grinning, and gave Mak the ok to take care of it. The wolf left the new parents alone. Vlad wanted to take extra care of his love after seeing what her body went through to give him a child.

“Oh my dear Annalese you are the strongest creature I have ever known. Seeing Lyla come into the world was the most incredible thing I have ever been a part of. Thank you my love. Now would you like to sleep or be bathed?” She chose a bath and he obliged her, pampering her even more than his usual.

“Vlad, I want to ask you something about her name, I have a thought.” She told him what she had been thinking and just from the sparkle in his eye she knew he liked the idea. Although they may need to pick him up off the floor, the additional name would be perfect.

WHATS IN A NAME

The evening of the gala had arrived. Mak and Lachlan did an amazing job with decorating and organizing everything. Everywhere you looked there was purple and silver. Stunning was a greatly understated term. Vlad was dressed in his normal black from head to toe. Annalese had a violet gown and Lyla was dressed in lavender. Lachlan being a Scot wore his dress kilt and Vlad had turned Mak into the wolf version of himself; also dressed from head to toe in glistening black leather. Mehmet had come in the day before to help set up. The old Turk could be quite helpful when he wanted to be.

They entered the ball room together, greeting guests. Servers in tuxedos had trays of hors devours, winding through the crowd. Vlad stepped into the middle of the room and everyone fell silent. A pin drop could have been heard in the vast expanse as they all waited to see what the Prince would say.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on such short notice. We have a wonderful list of events for tonight. Makhi, please step up here.”

Mak stepped into the middle of the room next to Vlad, feeling very odd and very much stared at.

“This is my newest family member and will rightfully be named so at midnight. I have handled all the legalities in our world to make Makhi my son, and brother to Lachlan. He may not be a vampire, but make no mistake, he is more than deserving of his name.

“And the next order would be naming the Princess, born three days ago. Her mother and I will speak of it after Mak’s naming.” Vlad heard someone in the crowd ask why Lachlan wasn’t standing up with his mate to name their daughter.

“Ah yes,” The Dark Prince continued, “He is not her father, I am!” That drew more silence from the guests. “It is a long story, but to make it brief, we have all been living together as mates would for close to two years now. There is an old law that permits her to take a second mate so expect an invitation close to Yule. Please enjoy until we start the ceremonies.”

Lachlan and Annalese danced, her gown twirling and making her laugh. “Ye look incredible,” he told her as he kissed behind her ear, knowing it would send shivers down her spine.

“You behave Lachlan McCain Tepes, we are not having any more babies for quite a while.” Annalese told him as he laughed, knowing how well she knew him.

“Look at T, he’s captivated by that child, she has him wrapped already lass, and Michael just loves her, she’s a real beauty, just like her mother” They danced a few more songs before Annalese realized Mak was missing. She found him on the balcony.

“What are you doing hiding out here?” He was sipping of his drink, watching the clouds roll across the moon.

“Exactly that, hiding. I do not do well in crowds, and if someone asked me to dance I’m simply done for. I cannot dance Annalese.”

She couldn’t believe it, Mak couldn’t dance? “Seriously! Mak you’re kidding right?” 

He wasn’t kidding, he explained that he never needed to learn and he didn’t want to embarrass his new family so he decided hiding was the best option.

“Come here Mak, we’re having your first dance lesson.” He stepped up. She showed him hand placement and posture, explaining the steps. 30 minutes later and a couple of sore toes he was waltzing like he’d done it his whole life.

“You’re a natural Mak. Wanna try it to music?”  His eyes were sparkling he was so proud of his accomplishments.

“Oh yes please! It’s close to midnight and I would like at least one dance.” And they did, perfectly.

Mehmet took the floor precisely at midnight to start the ceremonies. He lit the candles and set an antique wooden box on the altar. He motioned for Mak, who then stepped up next to Mehmet.

“Makhi, we welcome you with open arms into this family. You have proven your worth of this name you will now carry for the rest of your days.” Mehmet opened the box, taking out a platinum double dragon necklace. “This belonged to Vlad the third, passed down to Vlad the fourth, and now is being bestowed upon you. It is the Dracul crest, one to be worn with pride as well as the dragons that will be permanently inked on your chest before dawn. Honored guests, may I present to you Makhi Michael Dracul Tepes.”

Nico was the first to offer congratulations. “He really did steal you. It’s great Mak, this is one hell of a family. Take care of my doll, she means a lot to me.” 

Mak took the hand Nico had extended and shook it. He completely understood, she meant a lot to him too. The one person he could tell anything to, and he had. He had told her his biggest secret during his dance lesson. She had promised to keep it to herself and he believed that she would.

Mehmet once again stepped to the altar, this time flanked by Vlad and Annalese. “We are gathered here tonight to welcome this babe into our world as our newest Princess, and will be named accordingly. Vlad, the first name please?”

“We have chosen Lyla after my mother who was Lillian.” Vlad spoke to the gathering from his heart.

Mehmet nodded towards Annalese, giving her the floor. “As her second name we have chosen Allison, the feminine version of Alistair after our dear friend Mehmet.” The ceremony stopped as Mehmet embraced them both, whispering something less than audible for the crowd.

“I understand there is a third name, may I do the honors?” Mehmet asked, and he received the famous Vlad nod he was so very used to.