I wanted to thank everyone for reading. Don't forget to vote.
Enjoy,
Meridian
Powerful but not Invincible
~~~~~~~
Drake sat Trinity in the chair after making her a plate of food. She ignored the fact he was bent down. He slowly pulled a box out from behind his back. Holding her hand he stared up at her. "Trinity, would you give me the honor of becoming my mate and wife?"
Trinity stared down at him completely confused. "I'll cherish you, take care of you and keep you safe."
The nagging voice in Trinity's head was reminding her of how bad a relationship could go. Her sisters sensed it too. She was on the verge of a panic attack. That's when Meridian and Alex stood on opposite ends of her. Meridian spoke first, "Trinity, you have to leave the past where it is. The only thing you should be concerned with is do you love and trust Drake?"
Trinity stared down at Drake with big doe eyes, realizing it was the truth. "Yes."
Everyone around the table congratulated them. She noticed Meridian whisper in Drake's ear. Drake took the chair next to Trinity and pulled her onto his lap. "I would like to have the mating ceremony tonight, we will plan the wedding later. I just want you mated to me when we have the meeting. Meridian, can explain the mating ceremony?" Trinity motioned for them to go in another room.
Only Meridian noticed that Alex looked ill. She wasn't eating much and her face looked sad.
"Speaking of prophecies, I have to go read through some of them." Alex excused herself from the table.
~~~~~~
Drake followed Trinity out. After the door closed Trinity hugged Drake. "Meridian mentioned a bit of the mating ceremony before."
Drake ran his hand over her cheek. "I understand if you need time."
"I'm nervous about having Marcus and Logan feeding from me. I'm nervous about how you will look at me afterwards." Trinity started to tremble and tears started to fall. "Will you still want me afterwards?"
Drake pulled her close kissing her face, "Oh sweetheart, they will just feed from you. I will want you even more after the mating. Meridian can go over the details."
"I feel silly." Trinity laughed. "I thought I had to sleep with each of you."
"No sunshine, we will feed from you twice each and at the end they will be there while I make love to you. The tradition is when we come together and the three of us will feed from you. It makes the bond strong. I will be taking care of you. I will keep you safe. I know it's intimidating but we will take care of you. Now the first feeding will be down here." Drake ran his hand over her clit. "But I will take care of you the entire time. I'll answer any questions you have and your sister can explain it to you. It's a onetime thing."
"You'll take care of me? They'll feed from me but they won't have sex with me?" Trinity was chewing on her lip. She was feeling stupid for asking the same questions.
"Sunshine, I love you. I will take care of you and no, Marcus and Logan won't be having sex with you. We can wait if you are nervous." Drake cradled her face in her hands. "I do not want you to feel pressured. This is done to ensure we are bonded and Marcus and Logan will be your protectors."
"No, I can do it if you take care of me." Trinity buried her face in his chest. "Can we do it tonight? So Marcus and Logan are ok with being my protectors?"
Drake was cussing at himself. He hadn't asked them yet. They had to say yes. "They will be fine. Now why doesn't my fiancé go relax?" Drake kissed her on the cheek.
Drake walked up to the library where everyone was working. "Marcus and Logan can I speak with you alone for a few minutes?" Everyone else got up and left the room. "I would be honored if you would be protectors to Trinity. I have our mating planned for tonight. I would hope you would accept joining us and being her protector."
Marcus was the first to speak, "I'm concerned about…"
Drake immediately got upset. "She's going to be my mate, my wife. I'm not giving her up for anything. I've stood behind you for so many years and for many things. I'm asking for this one thing and you're going to back out?!" Drake let out a frustrated breath as he paced the room.
"Drake, you didn't let me finish. I am not saying no. I'm concerned with her past about how we do this without making her feel restrained or trapped. I don't want her to panic or to feel like she's being used. Hell, I was scared how my mate would take it and your mate…she's been victimized. The last thing I want is to do anything that would make her feel that way. Damn Drake, she's gone through so much. I know my words didn't help her but I want to make sure we do this right. I am honored and accept being her protector."
Logan motioned for them to sit down. "Drake, of course I accept. Let's figure out a way to make this enjoyable for her without scaring her. I recommend absolutely no restraining her. We can help direct her, guide her and help her out. I just think if we force her down it will bring back horrible feelings."
Marcus then chimed in, "I think we need to remember not to grab her ankle or her wrists to restrain her. We may not think anything about it but she's sensitive to that."
"I appreciate each of you accepting and being willing to work with my little one. I appreciate your concern for her. What if I get her to come and feed then I'll have her sit on my lap using my legs to hold hers open while each of you feed? It would keep her close and safe with me." They shook their heads.
"Sounds like a good plan and we deal with any problems that come up from there." Logan then looked at Drake, "Are you going to shave her?"
"No, she has just a little bit of blonde curls and they stay." Drake started looking off into the distance thinking of her spread nude before him.
"Let's let Drake go see to Trinity. He looks a bit flustered." Marcus laughed after he said it.
"Like you get to tease me when you are on Meridian every chance you get." Marcus's eyes glazed over.
"I'm leaving! I'm the only single person here left to see the two of you lusting. Wipe the drool off your faces!" Logan said agitated as he got up to leave the room.
"What about Alex? You had her in bed with you last night."
"I was a gentleman. I refuse to be ruled by my emotions. One of us needs to keep a sane mind."
Marcus looked at Logan. "If you want her don't wait too long. When we have the meeting there will be many available suitors there. Unless you're not interested, then I'm sure there will be some other vampire or even werewolf willing to strip that little body of hers down just to sink into her. That is if she's anything like Meridian."
Logan just growled and slammed the door shut after he left. Marcus just looked at Drake, "He needs to decide before someone else steps up to the plate."
"It took me almost losing Trinity to realize it."
~~~~~~
After a nap they gathered for lunch. Meridian felt tension in the air.
The three sisters spoke together, "Company is coming. We are going into the kitchen to prepare. Lock and load! 15 minutes and counting."
Meridian noticed Alex had dark circles under her eyes highlighting her complexion.
"Nightmares of demons and monsters?" Meridian said looking at her.
"Yes, but I don't want to talk about it." Alex stared at her sister.
Meridian pulled her sister over and hugged her, "I grew up with demons and monsters; I know how they can affect you. Trinity is lucky to have Drake to escape them."
"Meridian, don't be dim you have Marcus." Alex said hugging her back.
"I'm selfish; don't tend to share my demons and monsters. We are not all open enough to share our dirty laundry. If mine doesn't include bullets and a body bag I don't tend to share. Besides what do I say, Marcus this asshole pissed me off, can you be a love and bury him for me?" Meridian laughed. "I feel evil, I want to play. I sound like I'm in AA- My name is Meridian and I haven't killed in 5 days. Leave the guys in the dining room."
Alex started laughing and she pulled a couple drawers out and sat guns with clips on the counter. "Sweets for the sweet!"
"How did you know my favorite candy? Has anyone ever told you that you are an awesome sister?" Meridian said with enthusiasm. She locked and loaded a clip slipping a second clip in her.