Reforming Her Vampire

By Marie Medina

Sean arrived at a wedding thinking he might find someone to warm his bed, if he was lucky. He didn’t expect to find his fated mate, and he certainly didn’t expect her to be his friend Erik’s eighteen-year-old ward. He’s never worried about attracting a lover before, but a mate is very different, especially one as lovely and seemingly innocent as Iris.

Iris can’t help feeling stunned when Sean—the vampire who wears too much cologne and flirts with everyone—tells her she’s his fated mate. Even though he’s handsome, she’s never been able to take him seriously. But as he takes her hand and pleads with her to give him a chance, she starts to see a completely different man behind the façade he always wears. Though she’s not sure it can work, the look in his eyes compels her to explore what might be between them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781773397979

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2018 Marie Medina

ISBN: 978-1-77339-797-9

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

REFORMING HER VAMPIRE

Valladora Tales, 4

Marie Medina

Copyright © 2018

Chapter One

Valladora

3158, The Year of Stars

Bells chimed in the distance, and the chatter of the gathered guests drifted up and through the open balcony doors. Iris watched her sister Heather in the mirror as she moved to the left of the stool Heather sat on and put the last few flowers in Heather’s hair. Brides were supposed to be glowing and excited, but Heather sat there with her hands folded in her lap, calm and collected. Iris couldn’t help smiling as she imagined Adam, the groom, pacing around while his attendants tried to make him finish getting dressed. Heather and Adam couldn’t be less alike, but they seemed to be perfect together. Adam filled the silences when Heather didn’t feel like talking, and Heather calmed him when he got a bit too excited. He was Lord Regan’s new steward, and more than one person over the years had said Heather would make a perfect steward’s wife.

Iris put one last flower into place and then rearranged a few of her sister’s golden curls. Was it the work of the gods, or just a coincidence? Heather had been courted by two other men, Aldon and James, but both had lost their ardor and ended up marrying other people. Iris had actually hoped Heather might be fated to a vampire to give her life a bit more passion and excitement, but that hadn’t happened either. They’d all been taken in by Erik, the vampire lord of the dominion they lived in, when it had come to light that their older brother Lucas was Erik’s fated mate. Iris had only been nine at the time, but she’d been unable to stop herself from imagining the possibilities that would come with her new life as a vampire’s ward. They’d been poor before coming to live with Erik, and their father had been abusive, their mother and stepmother each in turn doing little to protect them. Erik had changed everything, and he and Lucas seemed very happy. The kind vampire gave each of them his unconditional love, and Iris and her six sisters all adored him.

Are you sad about leaving? Iris asked. As anxious as she was to find love herself, she hated the idea of leaving Erik and her siblings.

A little, but I won’t be that far away. You can all come visit. Lord Regan’s reserved but seems very nice. He was pleased to meet me and more than accommodating about Adam taking time off from his duties. Heather leaned forward to brush an eyelash off her cheek and paused as she studied her reflection. I think I’m more worried about tripping down the aisle or something. Everyone’s going to be looking at me.

Iris laughed. Lucas won’t let that happen. Everything will be fine. The courtyard looks so beautiful, and we’ve thought of everything, I promise.

I know Lucas will be at my side. And how hard everyone has worked. But I’m not used to being the focus of attention.

This is the one day you’re going to have to make an exception.

Heather smoothed her dress. I honestly thought you’d be getting married first. She finally gave Iris a little smile. Like practice, you know? I could follow your example.

Me getting married first? I thought so, too. After Heather had backed out of an arranged marriage when she was sixteen, she’d been reticent about men. The man she’d briefly been engaged to had been a cruel asshole, though Iris had never dared say that in front of Erik or Lucas, despite the choice words she’d heard them use about the man in private. Iris, on the other hand, had been more than ready for love to find her. But it still hadn’t.

You’ll be fine no matter what. And I think I still have plenty of time, Iris said, laughing as she moved away to check her own makeup in the mirror on the wall.

Of course. I just meant so many boys were always interested. And still are. But there’s never been anyone special, Heather said.

I talk more. Flirt more. The boys gravitated to me. She turned back to face her sister. That’s not the same as real interest.

"But there was real interest. At least for some of them. I’m talking about you."

Iris shrugged. Erik says we shouldn’t settle, and I don’t intend to.

I’d never encourage that at all. I only meant I’m curious.

Iris smiled, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "Maybe I’ll meet someone amazing today. It’s your day. Let’s stop focusing on me." She walked over to the dresser and pulled out the necklace Erik and Lucas had given Heather as an early wedding present. The simple cluster of diamonds was going to be the perfect finishing touch. Heather’s dress had silver thread subtly sewn into the bodice, and the sparkling jewels would only draw the effect out even more. She came up behind Heather and put it around her neck.

That seemed to snag Heather’s attention well enough. It is pretty, isn’t it? I wanted to cry when they gave it to me last night.

Iris tried to look stern as their gazes met in the mirror. Oh, don’t you dare start! I’ll never be able to control myself if you lose it. We’ll ruin our makeup.

Heather laughed. Oh, who cares? You’re right about me worrying over nothing. Let’s just have fun today. She stood up and hugged her sister and then gazed into her face with a beaming smile in place. What do you say?

Iris smiled. It’s about time you got your attitude right. She glanced to the clock. Lucas will be here soon. I say we have time for a quick drink. She moved to the bottle of chilled champagne Erik had sent up, which they’d almost forgotten about. She poured them each a glass and raised hers in a toast. To happily ever after.

Heather clinked glasses with her. Happily ever after.

As Iris downed her champagne, her mind began to wander. Maybe today she actually would meet someone amazing. It was well past time she met a boy—no, a man—who wasn’t solely interested in what he could gain from marrying a vampire’s ward.

****

Sean eyed the clock. Heather’s wedding would begin in twenty minutes, and he didn’t want to be late. His friend Erik was very particular about everything concerning his mate’s sisters. The vampire had been buzzing around like crazy all day long trying to make sure everything was perfect. Sean began to worry the steward wasn’t coming, and that made him very nervous. He wasn’t sure he could make it through the entire wedding without knowing the answer to his question.

Walking over to the table, Sean lifted the bottle of blood again. Whoever had donated this blood was his fated mate, and Sean couldn’t wait to meet this person. He’d recently celebrated his one hundredth birthday, and since that day he’d been wondering if he would ever find his fated mate. Some overly religious people said that promiscuous vampires didn’t deserve to find their fated mates, and Sean had begun to wonder if the gods did look down on such behavior. But now, he was more worried about what his mate would think. His reputation was no secret, and he had no one to blame but himself for that. Sean certainly wasn’t ashamed, but it still might cause some problems. He didn’t want that. He might have his flaws, but he would do all in his power to make his fated mate happy.

A soft knock came at the door.

Come in, Sean said, stopping in the middle of the room.

Matthew came in carrying a very large book. He shut the door, a grave look on his face. Without saying anything, Matthew went to the table and took up the bottle. He stared at it a moment and then consulted the book.

Sean couldn’t help fidgeting. What if his fated mate was married already? He’d never break up a family, but the idea of simply walking away made his heart constrict.

Matthew looked up and folded his hands behind his back, his expression still serious. Perhaps you should sit.

Sean dropped down into the nearest chair, fear gripping him as he considered how long blood could be stored. Was his mate dead? Married? Was something wrong? What is it? Sean asked, gripping the arm of the chair. What’s wrong?

Oh, nothing is wrong. It’s only that … you might be surprised.

Who is it?

Matthew finally smiled. Iris. Lucas’s sister.

Sean stared a moment, and he didn’t realize he’d been holding his breath until stars danced before his eyes. Iris. You’re sure?

Matthew gestured to the book. See for yourself.

Sean didn’t doubt Matthew, but he couldn’t help being shocked. Iris was beautiful and charming, but she’d also just turned eighteen. And her guardian and