Taste Me

By Marie Medina

Erik found his mate Lucas when he was only thirteen and in desperate need of help. Erik stepped in right away to save Lucas and his sisters, and his entire life became about caring for them.

But now Lucas is a man and wants Erik to see him as more than just someone who needs protection. As the ups and downs of life teach them all the true meaning of family, Lucas makes plans to show his vampire that he’s more than ready to be claimed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781772335118

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www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2015 Marie Medina

ISBN: 978-1-77233-511-8

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To Howard

TASTE ME

The Year of Gods, 1

Marie Medina

Copyright © 2015

Prologue

Valladora

3149, The Year of Blood

Erik stalked down the hallway, ready to throttle someone. According to his steward, almost everyone in the castle knew who Erik’s mate was, although Erik himself didn’t. All he knew was a name—Lucas. Erik had always preferred to live off the steward’s store of donated blood rather than drinking directly from others. He’d had many lovers, and he had drunk from them, but for the most part, he’d been saving himself for his fated mate. When the blood he’d drunk the night before had proved to be his mate’s, he’d been both excited and nervous, sending for his steward right away.

However, things had gotten out of hand somehow. The boy’s father, it seemed, had told everyone he could find the moment word had been brought to him, and chaos had ensued both within the household and within the village. Erik couldn’t help but be annoyed as it spilled over into his castle. Twice as many servants as usual bustled around, all of them whispering and eyeing Erik. Thrilled as he was to finally meet his mate, Erik worried all this commotion would upset Lucas. He didn’t see any reason for the father’s urgency. Lucas had just turned thirteen, far too young for Erik to bed him or turn him.

Matthew stood at the door of the audience chamber, looking agitated. He bowed as Erik approached. My lord, please let me apologize again. I should have let you go yourself today instead of going to the family last night. I was useless to control the man’s … enthusiasm.

Erik sighed. We’ll talk about it later. Tell me what’s going on. Why has my mate been dragged from his bed before the suns have even risen? He’s still a child. There’s no rush. Erik smoothed his blue robes, not feeling quite at ease in them. He preferred to wear breeches and tunics, but since he was meeting his mate, he knew he had to wear robes and look the part of a vampire lord, though he’d never given a damn about propriety or ruling anyone, unlike his two brothers, who still had not been given their own dominions to oversee. The irony bothered him at times, since he thought both Jensen and Dax would make better rulers. He’d been saddled with his own dominion because his uncle, whom he’d been very close to, had died. King Jareth had insisted Erik honor the man’s wishes by taking over from him. Erik could’ve defied his family, but the king was another matter. He’d tried his best for two years, but some days he worried he simply wasn’t cut out for the responsibility.

The father, Justus, has brought him to you. Matthew paused, looking down at his papers. So he can live with you. He shrugged as he raised his eyes. I couldn’t exactly turn them away. The man’s quite imposing. And insistent.

Erik waited for Matthew to explain the father’s reasoning further. When he didn’t, Erik said, That’s understandable, but why now? He’s too young to turn. We need to wait for the matehood ceremony. There’s no reason to have it now.

Many mates have been bedded as young as twelve. Perhaps not so much in recent years, but he is old enough in the eyes of most. Human girls his age have flowered and become mothers. We humans live much shorter lives. He may seem young to you, but he’ll mature faster than you think the next few years.

Erik held up his hand. He’s too young. My opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to my mate. Is that clear?

Matthew nodded. Yes, my lord.

Erik opened the door and stepped inside, and he held up his hand again to tell Matthew to wait. His steward nodded and moved to sit on a bench on the other side of the hallway. Erik’s gaze went to the father first. The frowning man looked impatient, and Erik disliked him immediately. His large frame and muscles told Erik he did lots of manual labor, and the sooty smears on his clothes indicated a blacksmith. Erik looked to his mate next, and his heart constricted. The slight young man took his breath away. Though he certainly was young, he was stunningly beautiful. He had fair skin and golden hair, the exact opposite of his father’s tanned complexion and dark locks, and his eyes were a clear, brilliant blue. Erik wanted to go right to him and take his hand, but instead he stopped. Lucas looked terrified, and Erik turned his eyes back to the father, disliking him even more for his cold demeanor and lack of attention to his child.

I understand we have important matters to discuss, Erik said, not sure how to begin in this situation.

Your steward brought the news, so here he is. Justus pushed Lucas forward a little, almost making the tense young man stumble. You can have a taste, to be sure.

Erik saw those blue eyes widen in fear, and fury roared through him. I have no children of my own, but you’d have to be an idiot not to see that your son is terrified.

Justus looked to Lucas as if Erik’s statement made no sense. He’s always like that. Sniveling little thing. Useless. The gods were gracious to make him a vampire’s mate. Needs someone to look after him.

Erik’s fangs descended at the insult to his mate, but he pressed his lips together and willed them to recede. Obviously he does need someone, given the piss poor job you’re doing.

Justus stiffened at the criticism, but then he shrugged as if it didn’t matter. I have eight children, this one the only boy. I can’t feed all of them doing all the work myself. I’ve tried to train him up to be a smith, but he’s no good at it. Not strong enough and clumsy to boot.

So you have jumped at this chance to be rid of him? Erik asked, grinding his teeth together.

Yes. No reason to dance around it. He’s a burden. I don’t live in a castle, and since you’ll be coming for him one day anyway, why not take him now?

Step aside, please, Erik said to Justus as he moved toward Lucas.

Lucas lowered his eyes, and Erik stopped a couple of feet from him. He held out his hand. May I, so we can be sure before this goes any further?

Lucas looked up and slid his trembling hand into Erik’s.

Please don’t be frightened of me, Erik said as he tried to keep his