Gypsy man

Meet the family

Lulian strolls up the grand staircase to the big doors.

We follow him. Two mean looking guards open the door and bow to Lulian. Why did they do that? 

Lulian leads us through the castle to another pair of big door with guards awaiting our approach.

"Time to face the heat." Lulian mutters to himself.

Mom and I exchange glances. On the other side of the doors is a mighty throne room.

Some guy in the corner announces our arrival. "Prince Lulian Vladimir Tanner. With his mate, Alexander Hawkins," the man grimace. Prince? Mate? "And his mate's mother, Molly Hawkins."

Lulian leads us to the throne where a mean king sits. Scolding his son.

Lulian looks alot like his father, just younger. The queen at the  king's side is a beautiful, smiling woman. Lulian has her eyes.

The queen steps forward, grabs Lulian and smother him with kisses.

The other young man who looks like Lulian with his mother's dark brown hair rolls his eyes in a dramatic fashion.

"So you are the little boyfriend." The king gets to his feet. "I had low expectations for you." He circles around me. "I thought you'd be wearing makeup and some feminine clothes. Thank you for not being that kind of gay."

I don't know what to say. That was me yesterday.

"Lulian should still leave him." The other young man steps forward, also inspecting me.

"Forgive Marnus, he doesn't really love his big brother." The king smiles at me. "He wishes he was the eldest."

"No I don't. I just think our future king shouldn't be a whoring fool." I don't like the way Marnus talks about his brother.

"Isabella, may I greet my son?" The king asks his wife. She finally stops smothering him, he looks a little dizzy.

"Hello father." He is very nervous. His father gives him a great big bear hug. "Oh how I've missed you, my boy."

After a few seconds he lets go. "Now," the king rubs his hands together, "we must discuss the room arrangements."

"Alex can sleep in my room." Lulian says quickly.

"Over my dead body." Our mothers say in unison. They look at each other and laugh.

"We are going to get along well, Molly."

" I do believe so, Isabella."

"So two options." The king continues. "First option is for the two of you to share a room. Or you can each get your own room and Alexander's room will be as far away from Lulian's as possible." They really don't want us to be alone together. "Which option do you like most, Alex?" Mom asks.  

Everyone looks at me. Lulian holds up two fingers. "Option two. I'd like to have my own room, please." The king nods.

"Then it will be arranged."

The moms walk out of the room. "Your room must be next to mine, Molly."

That's a good start. "I am sorry, Alexander, but I wish to speak to Lulian in private. Marnus don't be mean." He leads Lulian out of the room. Lulian looks over his shoulder at me before he leaves.

Now I'm alone with his brother. We stare at each other.

Both daring the other to speak first. Marnus loses. "My brother is a whore."

" I know."

"Are you a whore?"

"No I am not."

"How many people have you slept with."

"one."

"Are you lying?"

"no."

He frowns. "So Lulian is your first?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"My brother is a horrible person."

"not really."

He laughs at me. "Do you know what we are?" "

Yes."

He blinks a few times. "I didn't expect that." His eyes turn red. "Did you know eye colour means power ranking. I'm red which means third highest. Second is purple, which is extremely rare. First is black, only one demon at a time is black. From birth to death. After death a new black demon is born. I'm sure you've realized that Lulian is the current black demon."

I nod. Not saying anything.

"How old are you?" Suddenly he's standing over me. Correction, he's floating over me.

"17." That shocks him.

"You're a child!? You are aware that my brother is 28, right?"

I look at the ground. "Yes."

"Wanna see the rest of the castle?"

"Sure."

He leads me through the castle. He keeps interviewing me.

It's clear to me that he loves Lulian, he just doesn't approve of him.

Marnus introduces me to Lulian's other siblings. His brothers lorenzo and ricardo. His sisters Daniela, Cassandra and Michaela. Daniela and Michaela throw themselves into my arms. They're 5. Cassandra is 15. She greets me with a kiss on my cheek. She looks like her mother. Ricardo is my age and Lorenzo is 21. Marnus is 25.

Their all kind. They call me Mr.Hawkins. I keep insisting they call me Zander.

"You're Lulian's mate, we must treat you with respect. You are above us, Mr.Hawkins."  Lorenzo bows as he says.

Again with this mate thing, what does it even mean. "Treat me as an equal, and call me Zander, please.  I'm just a 17 year old human."

They all remain silent.  Then they all start talking at the same time. Ugh what do I do?

"Mick! El!" We turn to face Lulian who standing with his arms ready for his little sisters. They run into his arms.

"Luli!" They squeel. Ricardo and Lorenzo hug their brother. Cassandra kisses his cheek before she hugs him.

"Lulian?" "Yes, Cassy?" She glances between me and Lulian. "Could you kiss?"

"Yea kiss!" Ricardo jumps up and down. Lorenzo joins him, saying 'kiss' repeatedly. Marnus rolls his eyes. Lulian looks at me with puppy dog eyes. I just shake my head. 

There's no way I'm kissing him in front of his siblings. He ignores my head shake by grabbing my hips and leaning in to kiss me. His lips press against mine. His eyes are closed.  My lips remain perfectly still. My eyes are wide open. My arms are hanging by my sides.

It doesn't take long for Lulian to realize that I have no intention of kissing him back. He stops and turn to his siblings.

"Happy now." He puts on an arrogant mask. "Yea sure." They don't look very happy at all.