Chapter 6 - The Castle

(Paradise POV)

"Mother! , Father! , Emerald! , Leviticus! "

I watched carefully as Emrick took off his jacket and called the names of his family urgently. Carefully placing is garments on the ground while sitting his perfectly tailored jacket on the edge of a golden laced chair in the dining room area.

"My..my..my.. you are very beautiful."

The voice could have compelled me if Emrick didn't get to me first. There was a hint of Emrick in the tone of the voice with a slight hint of a very well-groomed young man. His voice announced his attractiveness before my eyes could make the shape of who he could be. I blushed and turned around to face the man who whispered in my ear.

He was gorgeous and an exact replica of Emrick or was Emrick an exact replica of him? His eyes were green with blue tracings and he had brown hair. His teeth were perfectly aligned waiting for someone to pull out a camera, capturing the beauty held within and on the outside of is stature.

They could pass for brothers, yes, but, Emrick would always have him by a long shot. Emrick's hair was pitch black and his eyes were green. It was the kind of green that stared into your soul without permission. The kind of eyes that lurked in inaccessible territories daring one to tell him that he could not enter. Emrick was gorgeous and his brother followed along with him with his bizarre beauty.

"Leviticus, sweetheart."

Caught in the daze, almost missing a decent introduction comparing these creatures that stood before. He looked at me with questioning eyes awaiting my response to his introduction.

"I'm Emrick's brother.... and it's nice to meet you."

He grabbed my hand, kissed it, and stepped back to join the others who were watching us with amusement. One introduction took longer than expected being that I could not stop my thoughts from pulling me in.

The red-headed girl with green eyes and blue tracings stepped forward as if the genes couldn't be pictured in a woman yet here she was standing before me in all her glory. She pulled me into a long tight hug.

"Welcome to the family. It's been so long since I had someone to talk to. Well, I've never had anyone actually."

I smiled and returned the hug. As she awkwardly expressed her excitement for another female around her age being in the house.

I guess the other two standing behind Emerald and Leviticus were their parents but from the looks of things they looked just as young as their children.

How could that be, a mother and father giving birth to exact replicas of them; never growing old just spreading the genetic code. Remarkable if asked directly in my mental space but quite extraordinary in my own posture in an overload of shock.

They were gorgeous and I was just me, plain ol' Paradise. I was sure that if Emrick could hear my thoughts he would be highly upset. However, what human wouldn't succumb to a comparison it was just something that was bound to happen in their presence.

"You're very beautiful dear. You shouldn't say those things about yourself."

I looked up with a puzzled expression. Did my facial expressions of gawking and too much admiration with disapprovals of myself reflect?

"I can read minds."

She sent an apologetic smile my way.

"I usually don't prey on others but your thoughts were very loud."

She held her arms out and embraced me in a very gentle motherly hug. Her voice was different, angelic, motherly, comforting and something oh so familiar in many ways than others.

"Welcome to the family dear, you are the true epitome of an Egyptian Goddess."

I blushed and tried to cover it up. The overflow of compliments have been given at a gracious amount that I believed was underserved by myself, reflecting on how I was mostly taking them and not giving them back. Yet, did I have too? They knew they were perfect in the eyes of any onlooker including me.

"Compliments will be thrown at you from everywhere here," Levi said. Graciously reflecting an apologetic but yet amusing look as a reply to how I was handling this family encounter.

"I am Emricks' dad and you must be his beautiful mate."

He smiled at me and kissed my hand. Making sure to carefully hold it appropriately only to quickly return it back to the spot it was received from. Graciously, I allowed the motion of control to be handed over to him in a matter of common introduction. The mother had an eye for a good looking man, this is where the genes are dominating. He was an alpha in his own natured way.

"I would love to stay and chat but I have King business to attend to, and Esmeralda has Queen duties she must attend to."

He was strong in speech and stance. I could see why she was under him willing to serve as his queen by his side. He kept her on track without allowing her to be less than what she was or what he perceived her to be, his strong-minded devoted queen.

With no questions, they both embraced me in one last hug. A hug of welcome, understanding, and apologies for a cut short introduction. No apologies were truly needed being that this has been the longest introduction in quite some time, the majority of it spent glamorizing the beautifully painted portrait standing before me live.

"We'll see you around."

They said as they walked away gracefully. She held her head high walking next to her king. She knew he loved her tenderly, graciously, and gratefully and she was proud of that. Most of all you could see she was proud of the man he was for himself, noticed when every time he said a word he captured her first.

I was so wrapped up in meeting Emrick's Parents that I didn't realize he didn't speak at all. Why would he not speak to his own family? How could he let me face them alone? Now I was getting heated. Where in the hell was he anyway?

"If you're looking for Emrick, I can take you to him."

Emerald held her arm out waiting for me to take it. The excitement has eased but still linger causing slight anxiety attempting to arise for me.

"Come on let's go, he's upstairs preparing your room. He figured you'd be more comfortable in your own room." I smiled. That man was amazing. Sneaking off to prepare for my comfort.

"Emmy. I have your Paradise..."

Emerald continued her chant monotonously until we reached her brothers' location, my new room.

"There you are Emmy. You left her to face the family all alone while you went upstairs to get her room ready. You know mothers going to have something to say when she finds out why she didn't get you greetings."

Emerald smiled and quickly cleared her voice while slowly walking out of the room waiting for Emrick to crack. I sat back and watched in amusement. It was obvious this girl wanted something from Emrick and she knew what she had to do to get it.

"Fine. What is it that you want ?"

Emrick folded his arms and leaned against the wall. Patiently waiting for his sister to quickly turn around, offering her own deal of release when it came to the shooter and finding the weapon.

"I want to take Paradise to the mall. I think she deserves a tour from someone like me."

Emerald put her on best puppy dog eyes, batting them fast in exaggeration to just how adorable she was and how "no" would not be answer of agreement.

Emrick stayed glued to the spot he was currently in as if he was actually considering letting me go.

"Absolutely not."

He grabbed the purple satin covers with a golden outline and laid it neatly on the bed. Continuing his work of preparing the room before me as if his sister was no longer there.

"She's my mate and I have lots of enemies. Do you think I am that stupid to actually let my mate go with my little sister somewhere where she could easily get snatched up ?"

He folded his arms again and waited for her response.

Emerald walked over to Emrick and grabbed his hands and looked him dead in his face. "Yes, Emrick, because I'll be careful. I promise."

She kept eye contact with him until he broke it first. No matter the situation a brother could not resist the promise of his younger sister when promising that she would be safe.

"Fine, but, you need to call me every hour."

He turned his head towards me and pointed. I froze patiently waiting for my instructions to get away from him.

"You will be getting a phone, so I can contact you every hour."

He smiled and turned back to Emerald.

"This is my mate. Don't be stupid, okay. I'll kill you both if you girls get hurt and the ones who caused it."

Emrick sighed and shooked his head.

"I just got this woman in my house and now she's walking right back out." He laughed.

(Emricks POV)

I watched as my sister tried to drag Paradise out of the room. The smile that plastered itself on my face could not be hidden. I was a very happy man, not yet complete but very happy with how things were going with my mate and family.

"If there's a problem tell me now because we are wasting precious time girl,"

Emerald said as she continued to pull. Paradise stayed glued to where she was as if she was fighting an internal battle of thoughts. I waited, she was not leaving without voicing her concerns.

"I already have a phone. Why would I need another one ?"

Paradise looked at me with a puzzled expression. I shrugged my shoulders while relaxing the tense stance I held awaiting for a personally created rejection that never came, simply a question.

"Since you're starting a new life and everything, I figured you'd want a new phone. I mean Angeline has your old number, and I would feel more comfortable if you got rid of it. You could use a new phone anyway."

I smiled at her and gently pulled her towards me. She smiled and graciously accepted the love that was exchanged through this hug.

"You're very beautiful, especially when you smile."

I smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. I could feel the heat on her face rise, so I knew I had made her blush. I loved it when she did that. Silently, she pulled away ready to finish our word exchange with some small anticipation for some actual girl time.

"Ugh, I guess you're right. I have had this thing for a while now anyway."

She sighed and looked up at me.

"We will be right back."

She said as she leaned up to kiss me. I prepared myself for her soft lips on mine but opened my eyes just in time to see her being pulled away by Emerald.

"Bye bro! See you in a few hours !"

Emerald yelled. I pulled my face back while fighting the embarrassment of kissing the air, thanks to my wonderful younger sister.

I listened for the front door to shut and walked over to the window. I watched Emerald and Paradise get into the family car and leave.

"Ahem, she's beautiful bro."

Leviticus stood at the doorway of the room with his hands in his pockets. Smiling and grinning as if he, too just won the lottery of the most beautiful chocolate girl.

"Thanks, man. I just can't believe I got a mate at all."

I said as I started unpacking the clothes I packed for Paradise. She didn't have much so placing and hanging things were much simpler than predicted beforehand.

My brother laughed as he shook his head in the enjoyment of my happiness and our new permeant arrival.

"You are right about that one, especially with all the hearts you've broken and women you've slept with."

My brother laughed again. Of course, he would mention my phase of thinking I needed everything but a mate.

"I had the slightest hope, that I was going to find my mate first. Damn, I guess you beat me to the punch. I wonder if I even have a mate."

Leviticus shook his head as if he was trying to get rid of that idea. While continuously walking around the room until he found a place that was good enough to sit at but out of the way.

I stopped and looked at him.

"Of course you have a mate man, who wouldn't have one ?"

I laughed. My brother has a mate. I know he does. I guess my words did nothing for Leviticus because he just nodded.

"So, the mall? With Emerald? How do you feel about that one ?"

Leviticus said as he sat down on one of the chairs in the room.

"Hesitant. Like I want to go get them both, or show up and go shopping with them."

I folded the last shirt I packed for Paradise and turned towards my brother who had a mischievous grin on his face.

"What is that look of yours all about? I know you're not thinking about what I just sai-"

He nodded his head while preparing himself for a journey of his own.

"Get your keys brother because we're going to the mall."

He used his vampire speed to head to the car. I checked the room and made sure everything was right. After shutting the door I used my vampire speed and headed to the car.

"Took you long enough. Now let us go !"

Leviticus turned my stereo all the way up as I sped off. We were going to regret this, I just knew we were. Emerald was going to bring this up every chance she got! It was too late to back out I mean we were already on the road leading us to them. Guess I would be figuring out ways to shut Emerald up. I would most likely bribe her, yes, bribe her.

I smiled to myself and started nodding my head to the song.

"Yeah," I said, unknowingly. "What did you say ?!"

Leviticus shouted over the music. I just shook my head at him and mouthed nothing. This might actually be fun, I mean Paradise is my mate after all and I just wanted her to be safe.