The Sun God Diaries

“You’re coming up well with our lessons in studying the werewolf kingdom history, Malachi,” Iain said as he put away the last of the files and I gathered up my notebooks and computer. “I think you’ll be ready for your next lesson in learning more about the supernatural kingdoms beginning Wednesday.”

“Thanks,” I replied, pausing to rub my temples. Today’s classes have been intensifying with more coursework and I needed to make sure that I stayed on top of my game. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“A brief review of the werewolf family trees, including ours. Plus, a pop quiz followed by a trip to a neighboring pack in Pueblo,” Archer commented, summoning for the nearby maid to hand me a cup of soothing jasmine tea. “And there’s also your combat training sessions with Clay and Colin.”

I stifled a groan, knowing that yesterday’s first combat session involved lots of calisthenics and my hunter-godfathers made me run the length of the entire palace grounds as both Horus and Marais- in human and animal forms. “Don’t remind me,” I muttered.

“Hey, you need to be in tip-top shape since you’re destined for higher royal duties,” Iain admonished me. “We and your dad had to make sure that we needed to protect ourselves when there aren’t any guards or security nearby. And with you destined to be the Sun God Wolf King, you’ll need to keep your guard up and not be distracted.”

“True,” Archer nodded. “And your fathers and brothers won’t be around to always protect you.”

Well, when they put it that way...

There was a knock on the door that interrupted our thoughts. “Come in,” I said.

The door swung open to reveal Addison and Alyssa, the former carrying lunch from Panera, and her sister holding a bouquet of roses. “Courtesy of the Magnificent Eight,” Addison proclaimed, placing my lunch on the desk as Alyssa handed me the elegant bouquet of roses. “Damien and Isaiah sent the roses for you.”

“Ooh, thanks,” I crooned, noticing that there was an envelope in the small sea of red flowers. “What’s this?” Taking the envelope, I ripped it open to see a small note.

Malachi.

Last night was the start of something special between us.

Tonight, you’re with Ian and Vincent as they want you to arrive as Dominique.

Wear something in shades of the seaside. Eight p.m. Location: the outdoor pool.

We can’t wait for the day we make you ours.

-Damien St. Matthews.

“Wow,” I said, placing the small card on my desk before making a beeline for my lunch of a club sandwich and a small container of soup. “Looks like it’ll be time for a swim tonight.”

“The boys never go about planning dates halfway, don’t they?” Alyssa teased. “Oh, how I want Azrael and Abaddon to pull off something as romantic as their friends are for you.”

I gave her a pointed look. “Do what my dad does when he thinks my fathers aren’t being romantic enough: threaten them with no sex,” I commented. “Trust me, my fathers make sure that they spoil dad rotten with many jewelry collections and spontaneous dates. And believe me, my demonic prank-pulling brothers will have them eating out o your hands with a cold shoulder every week or two.”

“Sounds like a honey of a plan,” Addison commented. “I did want Abaddon to take me to the upcoming fair, but he’s always wanting to watch ESPN. Maybe your advice can make him see how valuable of a mate I am to him.”

“Ditto for me and Az,” Alyssa drawled. “Thanks for the tip. Now, eat your lunch before Mr. Draper and Mr. Walker arrive. They said something about practicing your shifting speeds and it’s bound to be painful.”

I sighed, already knowing that the two hunters were planning to leave me ragged. Let’s just hope that they won’t leave me too tired for my date tonight.

***********

Later that evening (after a painful training session to shift into my wolf, mountain lion- and other felines that Marais told me about, and dragon), I was tastefully dressed in a casual Perry Ellis beachwear outfit as I was escorted by both Phillippe and Claude with Tomeka joining them. “Man,” Phillippe commented, giving me the once-over. “Dad and your friends made sure that you look like you’re groomed to seduce.”

“I’ll bet,” Claude commented, feeling the comfort of the dark-skinned fairy’s aura to calm him down. “Ian and Vincent are sure to be impressed tonight.”

I smiled thinly. “Well, they wanted me to feel like I’m their treasure,” was all I could say before we reached the backyard and continued to make our way to the Olympic-sized swimming pool where the sounds of Skip Marley filled the evening air. I let myself turn into Dominique before I saw the teenage Alpha vampire (wearing a similar outfit in pastels) come from the patio and approach me. “Hello, hello,” he said.

“Hello yourself,” I commented, my French accent (thanks, Dominique) apparent as he kissed my cheek. “Where’s Ian?”

“He’s finishing up the dinner plates for us with the caterers,” Vincent commented. To my brothers and Tomeka. “You’re welcome to join us for dinner.”

“We’ll pass,” Phillippe replied, looking at his twin brother and their shared mate. “We’re going to catch a movie and then enjoy a carriage ride. But you kids have fun and keep my brother safe.”

“Curfew’s at eleven,” Claude added. To me, “You still have classes, bro.”

“Yes, sir,” I mock-saluted as I saw the trio leave before Vincent led me to the outdoor pool and nearby outdoor dining area where the smell of seafood lingered in the air. “Smells good. What are we having?”

Ian, now shirtless and wearing a lime-green swim brief that hugged his muscular buttocks and endowed package like a glove, came out from the kitchens and donned a robe while the caterers brought in the food. “Shrimp scampi with lemon chicken and penne, lobster salad, and a heavenly mixed berry cobbler for dessert,” he replied. “You look elegant, my love.”

“You’re not too bad yourself,” I teased, subtly sneaking a peek at the Alpha merman’s masculine form. “And I think that it’s time for us to eat, yes?”

“Yes,” Vincent agreed as the date began and we all enjoyed the fare while the sounds of reggae from the stereo inside the kitchen filled the air. I was surprised that Vincent was from a royal family of vampires that was as old as the start of the Renaissance itself. He was born during the time of the Spanish influenza and he and his family moved around for generations and formed various covens in Eastern Europe (as far as Romania and Kazakstan), northern Africa (mainly Morocco), and even in Denmark.

Ian, on the other hand, was from a long line of merfolk and selkie royalty that had its roots settled near the Chesapeake Bay and had many settlements near the I-95 corridor (from the Golden Isles of Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina to the northernmost part of Maine near the USA/Canada border). And between him and Vincent, they were centuries older than me yet still had the youthful appearance and stamina of a typical human teenager.

Clearly, they were immortal as I was set to be once I took my place with the supernatural gods and goddesses.

“Having a good time?” I heard Vincent ask me as we finished dancing to “Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill.

I nodded. “Better than what I could’ve imagined today,” I replied, giving the Alpha vampire a winsome smile.

“Well, why don’t we cap the night with an evening swim?” Ian suggested, shrugging out of his robe and swimsuit and allowing me to view his sinfully sexy and naked athletic frame before he led me to the side of the pool. “My merman Andros would love to swim with Dominique.”

He dove into the water as I watched his legs merge into a merman’s tail that was in gold. I carefully took off my clothes and jumped into the water, ignoring the severe chill and letting Dominique take over. I saw Ian smile brightly and approach me, a now-naked Vincent diving in the pool to join us. “I love you both,” I said through mind-link. “I honestly love you both for who you are and for making me your mate.”

“We love you too,” Ian replied in the mind-link.

“We will never let you go, my love,” Vincent added. “Now, let’s swim.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice. And until it was almost ten-thirty at night, we enjoyed a night full of mini-races and the Alphas teaching me some swimming tricks. Tonight was truly unforgettable and as I felt the bonds between me and my mates growing stronger, I felt like I was on top of the world.