Claire POV.
Unedited.

He takes a deep breath. "Well, he confirmed that you're only half-human."

Not human? Half-human? So, what the hell am I then, a half-ghost?

My heart beats like I'm human. I look pretty much like a human. Well, I look better than I've ever looked in my opinion, maybe a little prettier. My body seems too toned, but that's normal for humans. All humans tend to look better after puberty.

My heart did stop, and Nicklaus was pissed because he thought I was dead, so that brings me back to point A.

Am I a ghost?

"So what am I then, a ghost? In the half," I add.

Nicklaus's glowing neon-blue eyes flicker back to their regular shade of cerulean. The serious vibe he has just given quickly shifts back to his legendary humor.

"A ghost," he jokes, holding back his laughter. "In a half? I tell you that you're half-human, and the first thing that comes to your head is that you are a half ghost? I don't even think half-ghost exist, baby."

Oh yeah, they do. What else do you call a person who comes back from the dead and can still be seen and touched?

Instead of further elaborating, he bursts out laughing. Can you believe that? He is laughing at me. The king of all vampire kings has checked out, and here comes the human boyish behavior. He is laughing so hard that he loses his breath. Meanwhile, I'm looking at him with my face balled up, trying my best not to karate-kick him. This is not a laughing matter.

"I don't think this is funny," I say to him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Yes, it is," Nicklaus disagrees, still laughing like a maniac.

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is," he says, with his hand over his stomach.

I'm surprised he hasn't fallen off the sofa at this point. Immature dick. Aaahhh . . .

"If I'm not a half-ghost, what the hell am I then?" I ask, jumping up off the sofa. "Where the hell is that doctor? I'll ask him myself."

I may sound a little crazy. Okay, maybe I sound insane, but who can blame me? First, Nicklaus gets all serious and says that I'm not human. Then, he adds that I am human in the half whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. Next, he starts laughing his ass off while looking at me like I am crazy. I'm not the crazy one; he is!

"You're crazy!" I yell at him, walking away.

"Only for you, baby," he teases, following behind me.

As expected, Nicklaus is in front of the bedroom door before I reach it. "The doctor is pretty much useless at this point, firecracker," he tells me.

"How so? You know what? That doesn't even matter because apparently, you are useless too!" I snap, sending an evil glare his way. I try to make it around his well-toned and muscular frame, which might be deemed mission impossible.

I move to the left side, and he takes a step left. I move to the right side, and he takes a step right.

"Arghhh! You're ridiculous," I tell him, finally giving up.

He doesn't respond. He just stands there with this smug look on his face, annoying me to no end.

"What am I, Nicklaus?" I ask, lowering my head with a shaky voice. Suddenly, I feel like crying. I don't know why? I just do. Gosh, I never cry. What the hell is going on with me? "What's wrong with me?" I mutter.

Nicklaus places his finger underneath my chin and lifts it up. "Nothing is wrong with you, firecracker," he assures me. "You are going through what we vampires call a transition. At times, you will act a little overdramatic, like now, and bipolar."

Dramatic? Bipolar? He has a f*cking nerve.

"Why would I be going through some freaky leech transition?" I yell, throwing my hands up in the air. I make my way back to the sofa and take a seat.

Urgh! He is ridiculous. I hate when he talks in circles.

Nicklaus takes a seat beside me. Unexpectedly, he pulls me closer to him and then places me down onto his lap. But I'm the bipolar one? He just insulted me, and now he wants to cuddle within three seconds?

"Your inner monster is attempting to find its way," he finally explains.

Huh?

Before I can say anything, he continues, "There is a darker part that is growing inside you. It started when we first bonded, sort of like how an embryo is implanted in your uterus."

"What? In my uterus? I'm not carrying your baby! I mean, is that even possible to carry a vampire baby?"

Nicklaus bites down on his lips. I can tell he is trying his hardest not to laugh. There is some amusement and mischief hidden in the depth of his eyes.

"It is highly possible for you to produce me an heir," he whispers dangerously close to my ear. "And one day you shall."

My heart stops beating altogether at his words.

"When we do have our child and trust me we will, our child will be the spitting image of its mother. He or she will be half-human and half‑vampire just like its mother," he tells me.

I take a moment to process his sweet words. Then, out of nowhere, they hit me hard.

Half-human and half-vampire just like . . . OMG!

I give him a wide-eyed look and gasp. "Wait! Is that what the doctor thinks I am? Half-vampire, half-human that's not possible."

"That is also very much possible, firecracker," he casually states, not once breaking eye contact. "A child created from a human and a vampire is called a dhampir."

"Dhampir," I repeat.

"Yes, a dhampir," he confirms, as he takes my hand in his.

"How can I be that? My parents were breeders . . . I think," I say to him. I lower my head, becoming lost in my own thought. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know who my parents are.

"Claire . . ."

No human born after the Awakening does, with the exception of Jadis. Her story is different. She is special.

"Claire . . ."

F*ck, the vampires really screwed us up. I'm screwed up. I don't even know my own species. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Firecracker, talk to me?" says Nicklaus, placing his finger underneath my chin. "Let me know what you're thinking. I know it's a lot to take in," he admits.

I sigh deeply. "You think."

Nicklaus releases a frustrated sigh of his own as he removes his finger. I know I'm being difficult, but who can blame me?

"I'm confused," I admit. "I just don't understand which of my parents is supposed to be a vampire? I just don't understand what this means. But I guess it is expected, considering the fact that I don't even know who my parents are."

"No, firecracker, you weren't born a half-vampire. You were created. The doctor found growing vampirism specks in your blood samples," Nicklaus says, a look of understanding on his face.

"I still don't get it," I tell him.

He knows darn well I didn't do that good in school.

"It's complicated," he quickly explains.

Ugh, that's not really reassuring.

"Xander and I are still trying to figure everything out." He sighs. He squeezes my hand lightly, then turns to face me.

I take a moment to evaluate him. For the first time, since we started this conversation, I can see that Nicklaus seems to be just as lost as me.

"Don't waste time worrying about things that you can't understand," he tells me.

Who is he fooling? He does not seem to understand it—his goddamn self.

"So, what you're saying is I miraculously became a blood‑sucking leech," I groan. I sit up and place my head in my hands. "And you don't really know how."

"A half blood-sucking leech," Nicklaus corrects.

Right, like that's any better.

"And now we are bonded for the rest of eternity. I'll live forever like you?" I ask him. "With you forever, right?"

I feel his body stiffen underneath me.

"Does that bother you, firecracker? Don't you want to be with me forever?"

I pull my head up to stare into his eyes. They are so beautiful and full of unspoken emotion. His face is balled up into a boyish frown. He looks so adorable, so perfect.

"Of course, I want to be with you," I answer, cupping his perfectly beautiful face with my hands. "For the rest of eternity," I confess. "Who wouldn't really, Nicklaus?"

His frown turns into an award-winning, cocky smirk—that beautiful, sadistic smirk.

"Good," he says. He leans in closer, extremely close that our faces now only inches apart. "Because I will never let you go, Claire. Never." He brushes his warm lips onto my own. "You are mine," Nicklaus claims, as he softly bites down onto my lips with his fangs.

I immediately release a soft moan, and the hot flame that always comes along with his touch burns brightly.

"You will spend the rest of your existence having the time of your life with me," he continues, biting down onto my lips harder.

My mind abruptly fills with images of how wonderful my life will be—the passion, the heat, the chills, the thrill. Every day will most certainly be the best day of my life, as long as it's spent with him. Our connection is like an addiction, and I'm certainly hooked on it.

Nicklaus stops the lip biting, and I almost cry. Gosh, why am I so damn clingy? Maybe it's some weird side effect of the changes my body is experiencing.

"Let's go, my love," he speaks, bringing me back to reality. "We have a big day ahead of us."

We do? Oh yes! I almost forgot Mecca.

"Yes, we do," I squeal excitedly, hopping up from his lap. "You promised to take me to see Mecca!"

Nicklaus's entire frame tenses. "Your pet dog decided to return home."

Huh?

"What? When did this happen?" I ask him skeptically.

Mecca wouldn't leave without saying goodbye.

Nicklaus stands up. His body is now relaxed, but his face screams worry.

"I sent Xander to pick up your pets, and she demanded she should be released," he states. "So, I told him to let her go. But your other pets are on their way."

My other pets? Nicklaus, the king of all vampires kings, letting a she‑wolf he imprisoned for over a century ago? Nope, that doesn't sound right.

"Nicklaus, that doesn't—"

"Shhhh . . . .my firecracker. We can talk more during our date."

"Our date?"

He places his tall frame in front of me and gently pecks my lips.

"Yes, a date," he says, flashing a charming smile. "Are you ready to have the best time of your life, firecracker?"

I smile and nod in response.

You're damn right; I'm ready!

* * *

Have you ever seen a kid in a candy store? I haven't, but I expect them to be smiling from ear to ear. I expect that the kid's eyes will pop out of their heads and flicker all around, wondering where to start first. I expect that any child will probably jump up and down excitedly the very moment they walk through the door. I expect an epic reaction, similar to the one I'm experiencing right now.

I'm beyond the point of ecstatic. We've been out here for at least four hours. Nicklaus has exceeded my expectations of a dream date, or should I say dates. First, we rode around on a snow machine called a snowmobile. And let me just tell you this: The entire experience was freaking awesome!

We traveled up and down the mountain at full speed, doing a lot of sightseeing. He even did cool tricks. The snow looks different when you are upside down flying in the air. It was epic!

Then, we went ice-skating on the frozen lake. Nicklaus had to stop me from falling on my ass several times. He picked me up in the air and twirled me around, making me feel like a princess—his princess. I loved it. I was so excited as we were gliding on ice, while I was holding his hand. He was extremely careful and patient with me. I didn't think it could get better. That was until now.

"Firecracker, your snowman looks like a devil."

"Oh really?" I say to him, raising my eyebrow. "I named him Nicklaus."

We are having a snowman contest. The winner gets to pick what we're eating for dinner. I want pancakes, but he wants some fancy food of which name I can't even pronounce.

"Then he most certainly is a devil," he jokes, flashing a sexy grin. He then turns to face his snowman.

We continue to build our snowmen in a peaceful quietness. This is the quietest Nicklaus has been all day.

"You know, I always wanted to have a snowball fight," I say.

He doesn't even spare me a single glance. "Don't you even think about it," he warns.

"Aww, come on. It would be fun. I'll be the Ice Queen Warrior and you'll be the Evil King."

"I'm already the Evil King, firecracker," he says, grabbing a branch from the ground. He gives his snowman an arm. "There is no need to pretend."

He is right about that.

I sigh in defeat. The sun is briefly shining through the thick mountain fog, and the cool air rushes around me, blowing my hair all over my face. I'm officially obsessed with winter in the mountains. It's magical. I wish we could stay here forever, which is nearly impossible due to Nicklaus being the ruler of the entire world. He told me that we have to go back to his kingdom sooner than later. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I really like it here.

"Are you sure we can't stay here a little longer?" I ask him, bending over to pick up more snow off the ground.

Nicklaus wraps his strong arms around my waist, his minty breath blowing into my ear. "I'm sure, firecracker. Don't worry, there is a lot of fun we can have in our kingdom," he whispers, sending invisible sparks to shock me alive."

"Like what?" I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck.

It's been like this all day. He touches me, and I melt. He kisses me, and I almost faint. He whispers into my ear, and I lean in. I'm officially in love.

"Let's see," he says with that flirtatious, mischievous glint in his soul‑snatching eyes. "There is the stable filled with beautiful horses. You can pick anyone you like."

"I've never ridden a horse in my life," I admit.

"Don't worry," he mutters, bringing his lips closer to mine.

I squirm when I feel his horse of manhood poking against my belly.

"You will have private lessons tonight," he says.

Oh my!

His lips come crashing down, showing me all the wonders I would feel with his tongue later on tonight, during my private horseback lessons with him. One, this is certain; and two, for sure we are on the same page.

"Get a room," a deep, amused voice with an unfamiliar accent calls out, followed by a snowball slamming directly into Nicklaus's face.

The ice from the snow bounces off his skin and flies into my hair.

Nicklaus's eyes flash bright red. He releases a low growl as we turn around to meet our unexpected attacker.

The first one is King Marcellus—I'll recognize that walking piece of art from anywhere. The second one is an unfamiliar vampire with crimson‑red eyes. His skin is as white as snow, and his features are dark and mysterious. They are standing on top of the hill. The vampire that I don't know is staring at King Marcellus in boredom.

Nicklaus is still growling, while King Marcellus is standing in his glory, smiling from ear to ear. He looks very amused, his eyes on me.

"I told you I wanted a proper introduction with my queen," says King Marcellus, making his way down the hill.

His queen? Who? Me? He cannot be serious.

Nicklaus's eyes sparkle with wicked excitement as he casts his gaze onto me. He looks at the snow and then flashes one of his legendary, sadistic smile.

"This is King Marcellus, firecracker," he introduces.

My eyes flicker from King Marcellus to the unfamiliar vampire and then back to Nicklaus.

"He is the king of Europe and a royal pain in my ass," Nicklaus quips.

Oh, that explains his accent. He is British. Duh, Claire, you know that.

"He likes to host a series of cruel games, and his mouth doesn't know what to say," Nicklaus continues.

The two vampires are only inches away from us at this point.

"This is Count Cloven." Nicklaus turns to face the other vampire. "He is a very close friend of mine and my most trusted advisor."

I place my focus on Count Cloven, who is now standing directly in front of me. He watches me with unconcealed interest. Now that's he's closer, I study him closely. I've only seen him once when Nicklaus was going off about Embry going ape-shit. And even then, I really didn't pay him that much attention.

I don't know why, but Count Cloven is surely something good to look at. He looks to be in his early twenties, although I'm almost certain he's way past that. He is handsome, and did I mention that he is dark and mysterious? His bright blood-red eyes do complement his pale skin.

Nicklaus releases a low growl, gaining my attention.

Oh, snap! I've just openly eye-fucked his friend. King Marcellus mostly has realized what just transpired between us as a corner of his lips curls up into a smile.

"He doesn't have the balls to dive in, half-breed queen," he teases, making Nicklaus's growl go from quiet to monstrous that it literally bounces off the trees.

King Marcellus is unaffected by my beloved's behavior. He continues, "But I will. Other men's treasures are the rarest jewels."

Oops, he didn't just say that.

My eyes briefly travel to Nicklaus, and I'm almost certain that he is about to rip King Marcellus's neck off at any moment. To my surprise, he doesn't. He actually looks wickedly delightful, somehow more deadly.

Count Cloven still appears bored. I decide I really like his nonchalant behavior.

"Firecracker, do you still want to be an ice-queen warrior?' Nicklaus suddenly asks, completely catching me off guard.

My lips turn into a smirk. "Why? Yes, I do, evil king." I wink, catching right on.

The other two vampires are staring awkwardly at us, extremely clueless.

Nicklaus takes my hands and steals my soul with his eyes.

"You can be whatever you want to be, my love," he says, making me smile from ear to ear. He gives my hand a gentle kiss. "Have your fun, my ice queen."

Without further warning, we dip down at inhuman speed and grab balls of snow.

"Snowball fight!" I yell at the top of my lungs, as we lunge the snowballs at the other two vampires.

They didn't see it coming at all until two massive snowballs slammed directly into their faces.

My snowball hits King Marcellus in the jaw. But before I could enjoy my victory, he sends one flying back and it smashes straight into my now reddened face.

Unexpected laughter can be heard from the other side of the field. Mr. Meany is standing beside Xander, who is currently bending over and holding his stomach, his piercing gray eyes sparkling with happy tears. Standing beside him is a flawless, doll-faced redhead that looks like she is about to piss on herself.

My eyes zero in on the two familiar faces.

"Victoria!" I call out in surprise. I make my way up the hill at inhuman speed.

She looks like a scared kitten—out of place and out of space. "Claire," she says in disbelief.

Before I could reach her, another snowball is slammed directly into the back of my head. I turn to face my attacker, and surprisingly it's a vampire king, my vampire king. He is holding up his hands innocently with a sheepish smirk.

He didn't just do that! But the sneaky snickers coming from the other vampires tell me that he just did it.

I pick up a handful of snow and throw a wicked curveball in his direction, and the next