Chapter 11

**VLADIMIR**

---------------

"Essie, it's me."

"Vladimir?" My childhood friend questions; I'm sure she's pulled the phone from her ear, tried to clean the nonexistent wax, and put it back to her ear again.

"The one and only." I chuckle, feeling the awkwardness between us.

The last time we'd spoken had been close to at least three decades ago. Esmerelda had stopped by to visit after one of her rendezvous around the world, and we agreed to catch up over dinner and a few drinks. Of course, drinks between old friends led from a few drinks to at least a dozen, if not more. Between the liquor flowing through our blood that night and a type of chemistry that only comes from knowing someone for a long time, one small touch led to another, and by the end of the night, we were naked and in each other's arms. The next morning when we awoke, I thought it had been causal sex amongst friends, but for Esmerelda, it had been more. Esmerelda left that same morning, just a few hours later, stating she needed to catch a flight to Prague. She never called again, and I never reached out.

"What's going on? Is someone hurt?" She asks once she finally finds her voice.

"Oh no. Everything's fine; everyone's alright. I...er..." I start to rub the back of my neck, only now realizing how awkward this is, "You know what. Never mind." I state, deciding not to ask Essie for advice.

"Wait, hold on." She calls through the phone before trying to muffle it, the sounds of her hand brushing against the receiver giving her away. "Cedrick darling, why don't you wait for me here? I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting, mistress. When you return, I'll show you exactly how a Queen should be devoured."

As I reach my hotel room, I hear the sound of fabric rustling and a door through the phone. I quickly tap my card through the reader and let myself into my room, wanting to get settled before Essie comes back to the line. I latch the deadbolt while sleeping off my shoes and then check the windows to ensure they're locked, and the curtains are drawn before settling on the bed.

"Sorry." Essie huffs as if she's out of breath. "I wanted to get somewhere quieter with a small semblance of privacy."

"Okay," I reply, holding my breath, unsure how to proceed.

Listen, Vladdie,” Essie sighs loudly, “I…I’ve been meaning to call you. I shouldn’t have taken your rejection that hard. I know that once upon a time, basically so long ago, it was a different world,” she lets out a chuckle without any humor, “you had feelings for me. It was before… before I changed. And I knew when I got back that those feelings had changed. But I let the fact that you were the only one who truly knew me and still cared for me fester until it turned into a belief that you still were in love with me. Looking back at it now, all these years later. I realize that I never truly was in love with you, nor were you in love with me ever. We were both in love with commitment. We were the only constant in each other’s lives. We were the only people we could truly count on besides ourselves.”

“Essie, I…” I begin to apologize, but she cuts me off.

“No, no apologizing, Vladdie. Let me get this out before you start to grovel.” This time she and I both chuckle and know things will be okay between us.

“I’m sorry I never called. I’m sorry I just took off and disappeared again on you. I let my anger at your rejection take control over me, and it got in the way of our friendship.”

“I never should have let us get that far. We shouldn’t have complicated things.” I state.

“Us having sex was bound to happen, Vladdie. You’re still the sexiest vampire out there, and I’m the only one who could put you in your place. Friends have sex all the time. The first time together should have been when we were sober, though. Maybe then we wouldn’t have lost so much time.”

“Nonetheless, I’m not only a male but also a King. I should’ve had better control over….”

“Now, Vladdie,” Essie interrupts, her voice laced with irritation, “Don’t start that bullshit with me. Yes, you’re a King and a male, but you were just as intoxicated as I was. It’s not solely your responsibility to ensure I’m taken care of. We were both consenting adults… well as consenting as the situation allowed us to be. Even drunk, if I’d said no, you would’ve stopped. And from what I remember, I was the one who made the first move.” She laughs before continuing. “So if nothing is wrong and no one is hurt, why did you call Vladdie?”

“It’s… I’ve found my mate.” I state truthfully.

“Your mate? You have a mate!” She exclaims, “Wait… the curse… does this mean it can finally be broken?”

“I wish it was that simple. My mate… well, let’s just say she’s a stronger grudge holder than you.” I reply, rolling my eyes and letting out a loud sigh.

“Uh-oh. Girl problems. That’s definitely something a stud muffin like you hasn’t dealt with. So what did you do?”

“It’s not something I did.” I groan l dragging my hand down in frustration.

“Well, if you don’t admit to your wrongdoing, how do you expect me to help you?” She inquires.

Knowing Essie as well as I do, I can picture her leaning against something and inspecting her nails, waiting for me to divulge more information.

“It isn’t my wrongdoing,” I growl out in frustration.

“Testie, testie.” Essie tsks teasingly.

“My mate. She’s part faerie.” I can hear the sudden intake of Essie’s breath, so I pause before continuing, “not only is she part faerie, but she’s also a Faerie.” I state, emphasizing Myra’s last name.

“Wait, as in a descendent of the family who placed this curse on our kind in the first place?” She asks incredulously.

“The one and the same,” I reply dryly

“Well, isn’t that rich.” She states snorting. “Sorry, you’re doomed, and our curse will never be lifted.”

“She’s given me a chance. An opportunity to take her out on a date and prove that I’m not the vile creature she believes me to be.”

“Well, I guess it’s better than nothing,” Essies replies.

“And that’s where you come in. I need help planning a date that Myra will never forget. Something that’ll enchant her. I need to woo my mate.”

“Alright.” Essie replies.

I can hear a door opening in the background and heels clacking on the floor before another door opens. “Out.” Essie hollers to whoever is inside.

“But, my Queen?” The male stammers.

“Sorry, cowboy, but this rodeo has come to an end. Maybe I’ll call you back later when I need someone to take a ride.”

I can hear a disgruntled male muttering something in the background before I hear the stomping of boots echoing on wood and a door slamming shut.

“Alright, Vladdie, tell me about your girl.”

“Okay, but after I’m done, we need to talk about this Queen business,” I state.

Essie cackles over the phone, and it brings a smile to my face place. For the first time since coming to this godawful city, I feel like everything might just turn out, and so I begin to describe my mate to my childhood best friend in the hopes we can plan for a date that’ll change our futures.