Ana couldn’t believe it was happening already. This meant no one bothered to inform her of an attack on her family. She didn’t want to go back, because it meant the worst for her. If anything went wrong, she could end up dead for something she didn’t do.'Tell Mr Atwood, I need to see him immediately. Now, it’s an emergency.” Ana pushed the guard that delivered the letter out the door with these instructions. Her mind raced trying to remember exactly what the timeline was for her. She’d been warned that she needed to go home, or something important wouldn’t happen. “Ugh! Why are these visions and fortunes so vague?! I need details. Details would make a world of difference in my decision making.” Ana spoke to no one in particular. She didn’t know what she could do or not do. How could her hands feel so tied while there’s no rope or chains in sight? It took several minutes for George to appear, and when he did Ana was at a loss for words. He’d clearly been training his men and had
George left Ana after he had her calmed down and reminded her of the instructions she needed to remember. There was so much, and she was still trying to find her identity. Right now, George saw her at his weakest and strongest. He knew he was falling in love with both sides of her personality. But this would be the make-or-break test. Could she live without contact with her family or be at the wrong end of their society? Would she survive being on the run? Sure he knew she could defend herself, and stand up against those who opposed her interests. But he worried she’d cannot survive in the most basic manner. Eating, working, and even hunting. He wasn’t sure she knew how to hunt to survive. That’s where his fears for her lay at this moment. Once the important things were packed, he personally took it to the warehouse where it would wait for the dragons to pick up, or for him to pick up. Either way, only a handful of people knew where it was. An hour before they wo
Ana and Dionysius didn’t have a throne. Only Tatiana, as the heir apparently did. But she couldn’t hold court without the emperor and the empress in attendance. She was there to learn how to do her job in the future. But Tatiana loved to lord her seat literal over both of her sisters, and she hated it did nothing to illicit jealousy in Ana. “Sister, can you tell me why I’ve been summoned back early, or will we be playing guessing games? Where is everyone?” “As if you don’t know already.” “Actually, I wouldn’t waste my breath if I knew. I’ll ask again Tatiana, what is going on?” Ana tried not to wince, she shouldn’t be showing this part of her personality. Tatiana would take it as a direct threat. Ana needed to be careful. “I am the heir apparent and as father is recovering from your attack. I am the one here to greet the offender.” “Tatiana, what attack? When did this happen? What happened? I don’t know what
“Adriana, hold up a moment. I thought you were going to not call attention to any false connections between you and whatever happened around here?” George chased after her with several guards hot on his heels, but when he spoke with her, they kept a respectful distance from the couple and observed them closely. “George, stop right there. Have you forgotten it’s Princess Adriana here?” Ana needed to remind them of where they were and how to address her. If he messed up too much, it could harm them on so many levels. She prayed it wasn’t too late now. “I’m sorry.” George acted properly chastised for the guards, because truly Ana didn’t care about that. “As for that outburst there. I’ve pointed everyone’s eyes in several directions, not just Tatiana. Well, maybe most of the arrows are pointed in her direction, but any of those who have any brain in their heads can see I’ve pointed them to look for someone who’s trying to not only kill us but dr
Franco let Tatiana sit in the throne room and receive people. She wasn’t allowed to preside over any official business, and he wasn’t pleased with her recalling Adriana as she had. He would have to deal with Adriana and her safety in his own time. Though it pleased him greatly to have Edger inform him of how she’s thrown Tatiana’s accusations back into her face and stood her own. Adriana definitely had his temper, and it was now clear to everyone in court who was clearly his daughter and a chip off the old block. Tatiana had something to fear of Adriana. That was the backbone of steel Adriana had that went along with a mind that saw ten steps ahead of Tatiana’s. The encounter all but confirmed to Franco that Tatiana may sit in his left hand, but she didn’t belong on the throne. Now he only needed to find evidence she played a part in her mother and sister’s death. He didn’t need it to worry about the attack on himself. He was almo
Franco watched the young soldier leave after having a private audience with him. The poor man didn’t understand half of what Franco asked of him. But at least he was loyal enough to do what needed to be done. He worried he was letting his guilt and his face lull him into trusting him with his daughter too quickly. Maximus Lioness’ concerning reports were pause enough, but Franco knew how Maximus exaggerated most things and filled in the blanks with juicy speculation and touted it as fact. His methods may fool Tatiana, but Franco was too old to be blinded by that. “Emperor, are you truly sending the princess into danger like that? What if he can’t find safety for her?”Eva asked of him. He smiled indulgently into her face and realized this woman may not be Adriana’s mother, but she cared about her more than her mother ever had. Half of the reason Franco hid in his suites right now was to hide the fact he wasn’t as
Maximus couldn’t believe his luck. His reports didn’t cause the princess to be recalled. That’s the issue Maximus had. His contacts hadn’t contacted him in weeks, and his attempts went unanswered. What was happening and what was his next job? He needed to know what his next goals were. The Blood Traitor Network didn’t give out their plans to just anyone. They spoon fed the faithful only what they needed to know when they needed to know it. He knew that he’d have to be patient, but he was becoming antsy again. He needed to cut loose again and get what he was owed. Maximus needed to go out and find another sweet young thing and enjoy himself by availing himself of her virtues and everything that went with it. Adriana was too difficult to manage, and he deserved a reward for putting up with her horrid temper and rude behaviour. Just thinking about how she questioned everything he said and didn’t do what he told her. Her father should discipline her for her wilful n
Ana didn’t have much of anything in her rooms. But little Xavier and his things arrived in one piece. He’d decided her bed was a far better place to sleep than his own. Ana’s thoughts were accented by puppy snores. What would she do with Xavier once they trapped her in the dungeon? She couldn’t send him on to Ragnar or Edith herself. There couldn’t be any connection between them if this was to work. She knew Xavier couldn’t be left behind here. Ana would have to get George to slip Xavier out of here and to Ragnar or his people. She hated to do it. In the past months, she’d grown attached to Xavier and his energetic moods. He was loud and excitable, but he was also sweet and affectionate. Xavier fit Ana perfectly. He was great at hunting, too. Well, hunting squirrels and cats, at least. It appeared if the animal was smaller than him; it was fair game. Though George now claimed Xavier hadn’t killed the cat in her dressing room. So w
Please Note: If you hate the idea of it never happened that way or a cliffhanger ending. Please don’t read past Chapter 153. Ragnar, you can’t do this. I know the timeline is altered and I understand it could have devastating consequences. But we can’t go around using magic to change things back the way they should have been. I’m sure things have changed like this before, and you didn’t do anything then.” “It’s out of my hands. The Dragon Council is sitting right now discussing this issue. I’ve got no say in it beyond my report. If they feel everything that’s happened must be changed, then that’s what will happen. It’s a last resort. But Maximus Lioness isn’t the vampire who should have that name. Something went wrong there, and that’s just one problem with the timeline, as you call it, is wrong. Adriana and George shouldn’t be in the positions they are in. All the things that happened to Adriana weren’t supposed to happen. Her mother shouldn’t be h
North American Ruling Council - Two Weeks Later Ana walked the halls again of the NARC Headquarters, doing her thing. The meetings did not differ from they’d been before. Her plans were falling into place. Her father was pleased and Caun finally could do his original job before easing into his position as a titled royal. The talk around the building didn’t stop with creatures awake at all hours of the day and night. From wild affairs to several battle royale, Ana was busy catching and keeping up with it all. She’d already been requested to assist with preventing a war from breaking out between the Nanaue, a Hawaiian shifter race of sharks, and the Merfolk, mermaids, and mermen. Fun times for all, as there are more than enough sharp teeth and injured pride to go around. This wouldn’t be a simple mediation, and Ana craved the challenge. The Dragon Ambassador did something. Ana suspected magic, because when she retur
Four Days Later - Meeting About the Future Ana woke that evening to find Caun wasn’t beside her, which was odd. When she found him, which took some effort, he was in Tatiana’s night garden exploring it with several of their guards. She had to ask several people to track him down. “Caun, what’s the matter? Why are you here?” “Oh, good evening, love. I was speaking to your father and the attacks on Tatiana came up in our conversation. You were still asleep, and I didn’t want to interrupt you. While we were talking, your father said that no one could tell me how her attackers from the first incident entered here. Since we have several excellent investigators as our guards, I thought we’d take a look around to see if we could find something that could explain how, if not, who did this.”“Oh, good grief I can understand my father not asking me how she pulled this foolishness off, but Caun I’m surprised you didn’t ask me.” That had Caun
Caun stood in line with the last of the guests filing through past him. He’d lost count of the hundreds of hands he shook. There were guards everywhere, and it made him uncomfortable, be he as George, who he still identified as, belonged with them. He kept his eye on his mate and marvelled at how she pretended not to be bored and uncomfortable with the many comments on her unique dress. The side-eye glances and the judgemental glares. It would be a difficult and busy evening. Caun hoped things would get better from here on out. That they’d be busy enough that she wouldn’t be able to brood or her the courtier’s opinion on anything.“So far, so well, this evening. Let’s see how far we can go with no scenes with any of the superficial fools who think they are powerful people.” He whispered this into Ana’s ear. It was a joke, because no matter what he said to Ana, she wouldn’t believe him. She now was a secretly powerful person. “We’ll see the night is sadly still young
Evening of the Celebration of the Life Partner Pairing Adriana thought it was crazy to see the clothing laid out for Caun and her. She’d never seen Caun every in such regalia and her own unique sense of fashion so intricately woven into the more traditional garb of a formal event. Instead of a full-length gown with sashes, ruffles, and silk flowers enveloping it. Ana wore a full dress with a closed slit up the front of the gown. Beneath it, she wore a pair of trousers and boots. Her bodice was a beauty with false draping that allowed her to wear a short, cropped jacket that Matched Caun’s jacket only it was far shorter. It was feminine, but allowed her to show her rank as the Vampiric Ambassador and a soldier within her father’s military. Which pleased her greatly because it meant her skills weren’t a dirty secret or an embarrassment to her father. Ana’s lady’s maid didn’t have a comment or criticism about anything she assisted Ana
Ana could see the sigh of relief at her words in the way her father relaxed and Eva, too. As if even this setting didn’t quite keep her father’s anxiety at bay and Eva somehow shared in it. Could she really be supporting this?Ana couldn’t see how this would be in her best interest to let this happen. If she even pretended to go along with it and encourage it, then Ana could, too. “I am relieved to hear you say this. Eva has been pressuring me to get this done before we celebrate anything because she doesn’t want there to be any miscommunication between us. I admit I agree with her. There’s been too many things keeping me from being fully in your life and now with most of that gone, I hope you will accept my attempts at rectifying that.” Her father stood up at saying this. “Come here. There’s one thing I’ve missed since you could talk.” Ana frowned because she wasn’t sure what he was speaking about and took a step back.
Ana couldn’t help it. When they entered the private well-lit moon garden of the Vampiric Emperor, she had to marvel at the artistry of it’s many curated garden paths. It was like a maze laid out before her and put Tatiana’s garden to shame. Here her father could find a little quiet solitude away from the prying eyes of his courtiers and guards alike and he guarded that privacy as if it were more precious than gold itself. She held onto Caun’s arm as they entered the space and stepped down toward the pathway Edger used to lead them to her father. The gravel that made up the surface of the path crunched softly under their feet as they followed. The sounds of night birds in the trees floated down to them as a few random lightning bugs flitted between the trees, and the space looked like someone had infused it with a sweet healing magic that was full of warmth and gentleness.“I have to say I like your father’s choice of private spaces. Between this and
Edger did return after they’d relaxed a little and changed. Ana still couldn’t help it. When she discovered the clothing, her father had commissioned for her, she’d stopped dead in her tracks in disbelief. Her new lady’s maid gave her a note written in her father’s handwriting which spoke volumes that he’d not dictated it to someone. He’d taken the time to write to her. Ana knew that wasn’t a normal relationship between child and parent, but they weren’t exactly normal people. [Adriana love, this note is to ensure you understand that situations of safety and security forced my hand to do and say things I never wanted to say to my daughter. You aren’t hidden or an embarrassment to me. I am relieved to have proven you are my daughter. Your mother tied my hands when it came to raising you, but I kept eyes on you at all times. Your life partner and you will find I’ve arranged for clothing for you in the tastes you are comfortable in, with a touch of nob
Ana entered the suite first, followed by Caun and finally Edger. A smartly dressed couple stood there waiting for them. They weren’t in the royal livery, though they clearly wore a livery. It wasn’t unusual in the days before Adriana’s birth for other leaders to have their servants in their own livery. There were a few these days, but many were no longer used since the houses no longer existed. “The Emperor took it upon himself to outfit your servants in your personal livery. This is Jacque and Rachel. They will ace as your personal maid and valet.”Ana nodded at them in recognition. These were people her father hired for them, and that was fine. They knew enough not to say anything suspicious in front of them. The pair curtseyed and Ana dismissed them. “We’ll speak later. I’m sure you have plenty to keep you busy. Are my weapons going to be a problem for her Edger?”“No, Princess, she has received training to look after, maintain, and store your weapons appropriately should the need