Purple Blood

Chapter 79

Colton was standing in the corner nursing a glass of champagne; his siblings were amusing. Chance was trying her hardest not to act like she wasn't freaking out about getting married. Dayton was having an internal crisis about the girl that he really likes and Braxton, if Day is freaking out about wanting to settle, then Brax is having a full-on meltdown with the fact that he likes a guy.

"Why are you grinning?"

Colton looked at Stella, his womb mate, for a bit. "Our siblings, they are cracking me up hardcore." His eyebrow raised, "Why are you here? I didn't think anything could get you out of your studio unless they set the place on fire." She frowned and huffed a bit, grabbing his drink and downing it. "That was mine," he replied with mock annoyance.

"Get over it. My father, the wonderful man he is, locked the door to my studio and told me I could have the key back once this is over. I mean, I get it—it's Chance's engagement party—but it's not like she's missing out if I'm not here."

"You are her sister and while everyone knows that Hannie is her favorite, we should still support her."

"By hiding in the corner sulking? Sure, got it." She snarked as she snatched two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. Then she proceeded to down both of them.

"Are you planning on letting me drink, or are you going to drink my alcohol continuously?" All Colton got out of his little sister was a shrug. "What do you think about the long-haired guy Brax is freakout about?"

She followed his gaze to where their older brother had heart eyes for said man. "He seems really nice. I knew Day didn't care about gender, but I was surprised that Brax was the same."

"I am, too, but good for him for breaking the norm." He looked at Stella, "Kind of like you. Miss, I don't want the crown."

"Just because my bio dad was the King doesn't mean that I wanted anything to do with it."

He put his hands up. She may be normally calm, but get her riled up, and she's scary. "Chill, I get it, too. I had no desire to rule anything either. I just want to visit every major library in the world and consume as much knowledge as possible."

"We know, nerd," she scoffed. "Oh shit, Mom spotted us. Scatter." She whispered as they went in opposite directions. They love their Mom, but she's almost insufferable during such events. She doesn't take too kindly to her children hiding in the wings during public events when they are supposed to mingle with the people in whichever country they are in. As he was escaping, he felt a hand grab the back of his collar, "Mom," he whined. "I'm a grown-ass man, could you not treat me like a child?"

"Not happening," she mumbled, dragging him towards his Dad. She tossed Colton toward him, and he caught him with a giggle.

"What did you do to make your Mother mad?"

"Nothing," Colton whined; when his father raised his eyebrow, he whined more. "I swear, I was just over there talking to Stella, minding my business. That's all."

"Okay, I believe you, but now it's time to find a partner and dance." Hobi turned around to find Stella. At least if he danced with her, he wouldn't be forced to dance with some rando, and she wouldn't either. His father grabbed his collar. " Oh no, you have to find someone else than your siblings. Branch out, Colton, find a cute girl or boy."

"Why does everyone keep grabbing my collar?"

Hobi smiled at his incredibly shy son. He loved him so much, and it always cracked him up that he had zero of his or Vi's personality. "Sorry, son. Go find someone, and your Mom will leave you alone for the rest of the night."

"Promise?" Colton asked as he stood utraight; he was too excited at the prospect. If his mom left him alone, he could easily hide away for a bit, leave early, and finish the book he had just started. Once his Dad nodded his head Colton was off, he saw a shy girl hiding in one of the alcoves. Here goes nothing, he mumbled to himself. "Hi, I'm Colton, and I need your help desperately."

Her eyebrow quirked. "Please tell me this isn't some lame pickup line?"

"I assure you it's not. My parents told me that if I dance with someone in front of everyone, they'll leave me alone for the rest of the night. And I know you don't know me, but the prospect of being able to sneak out of here early and head back to my safe spot sounds great enough that I can be brave and do as they asked."

"Where's your safe spot?" She asked curiosity all over her face.

He groaned, this girl was gorgeous and he assumed she was shy since she was hiding but here she is teasing him. "The library okay? I'm a huge dork who prefers to spend time with books than people."

She nodded her hand, reaching out to shake his, "I'm Aurora; it's nice to meet you. Let's dance so my father can get off my back about finding a spouse. I'm sorry about using you as a scapegoat. Then we can both go hide in your library. Deal?"

That was better than he could have ever asked for, "deal."

After the third dance, she hi,ssed out a curse word, "shit my Dad is watching, spin me around and make this look real. We met and it was love at first sight, got it?"

"Uh sure, but why and what about later?"

She bit her lip. "My dad is the King of Liberia and wants me to marry so I can take over."

Colton tripped, "Uhh, Aurora, I have no intentions of being King."

She snorted, "we aren't getting married bruh, we'll break up amicably in a few months. We honestly don't even have to speak after this."

Colton rolled his eyes, "See that woman talking to your dad?" She nodded, "That's my mother, so if you think we are getting out of this without having to see each other, then you are insane?"

"Your mother is the former Queen? You are a vampire?"

"Thought you knew, sorry."

She grinned, "This is even better. Kiss me, and then, we'll leave here." Colton had no time to argue. She pulled him down and kissed him, then grabbed his hand, and they ran out of the room. "Did you see their faces?"

"I did," he scoffed, "they are surely planning our wedding now."

"Don't fret, I'll cancel it before it comes to that. I need some time to breathe."

Colton nodded his head and took the lead, dragging her to the library. "Come on, let's make the most of this night." And that's how their parents found them hours later: Aurora asleep on his shoulder and Colton fast asleep with his head resting on hers.