Ioan Mic, the half-blood grandson of the vampyree king, is eagerly awaiting his eighteenth birthday, when he’ll finally be able to be with Daniel Small, the American vampyree he’s loved for the past four years. Although vampyrees are notoriously promiscuous, Ioan’s refused sex with all who offered -- he’s willing to wait. But when Daniel arrives at the party, he’s accompanied by a wife, leaving Ioan devastated. Shandor, a wolf shifter -- he refuses to call himself a werewolf -- loves the young duke, but years before, he was given the task of keeping Ioan safe, so he tucks his feelings away. Ioan’s twin decides the two need a push and encourages them to enroll in an online dating service. Unbeknownst to either man, he sees to it their responses make them perfect for each other. Because anyone can see they are. The problem is will Ioan and Shandor ever see that?

Wishing and Hoping

Ioan suddenly realized what Shandor had said, and he came to an abrupt stop in the middle of a turn, causing the couple waltzing near them to barrel into them. “I beg your pardon,” he said, distracted. He stared up at Shandor and shivered. He felt like ice had taken up residence in the pit of his stomach and was inching out to engulf all of him. He swallowed and hoped he didn’t throw up. These Romani had wintered on this land for generations. If they left permanently…“What has Valeriu done?”


Shandor looked away, and Ioan pinched his ear.


“I’m not a child, and I’m aware of what my cousin can be like.”


Shandor looked grim. “I caught him…approaching one of our young women.”


“It hadn’t reached that point, but—”


Ioan felt his eyes flash red. Vampyres had a healthy libido, but they tended to play with their own kind, who were less delicate than normals. “Does Grandfather know?”


“I planned to tell him, but then I was diverted by the thought of dancing with you.”


Chapter 4