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The Longclaw Position
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Good and Bad News
*Rafe*A messenger runs into our tent, breathing hard. “Your Majesty,” he gulps. “An urgent letter from Alpha King Karl Striker.” He looks around. “Where is Her Majesty Luna Queen Ainslee?”“She is out on the hunt. She won’t be back for hours. I will open the letter myself. Thank you.” I take the letter.“But it’s addressed to Her Majesty,” the messenger says uncertainly.“Indeed it is. You may go.” I slice a finger under Alpha King Striker’s seal.The messenger still looks worried but leaves our tent. I sit down on our cot and begin to read.Ainslee arrives not ten minutes later, excited. “We bribed a border soldier from Rallegrad. He says Riley crossed two weeks ago, probably right when we lost her trail. Drake is in Rallegrad. We’ll have to come up with a disguise or something to look for him there…. Darling, are you all right?”I look up at her.She cocks her head so she can read the back of the letter. “You know that was addressed to me, right?” She sounds a little annoyed.“I kn
The Luna's Vampire Prince The What Else That Could Go Wrong
*Ainslee*It is a tense two days, but finally the jewels come from the castle along with a messenger and two messages, one for Annamarie and one for Rafe.Annamarie clutches hers and runs off to read it.Rafe takes his as though wondering if it might explode and goes back to our tent.Since the women are busy packing up the jewels, I decide to find out what the letters are about. I go to Annamarie first because, like Rafe, I am concerned about what might be in the letter he received and want some good news first.But when I find Annamarie, she has her letter bunched up in her hand and is sobbing.“What’s wrong?” I ask, quickly sitting down beside her in the grass.“Zeke misses me,” she says.“Annamarie, that’s a good thing.” I smile.“He’s begging me not to go with you.” She sniffles, coughs, then hands me the letter. “Read it.”Bewildered, I take the letter and begin to read.My beloved Annamarie,I’m sorry we fought. I’m just so worried about you. I don’t want anything to happen to
The Luna's Vampire Prince Laying the Trap
*Rafe*Ainslee and I arrive at the main tent to see a lycan grinning at us and holding a letter. When we approach him, his jaw works, and I hear a cracking sound.“What the—?” I mutter.But it’s too late. Whatever the lycan has done, it causes him to foam at the mouth and convulse. He drops the letter and seizes on the ground until his eyes look up at us, empty and lifeless.“What the hell?!” I finish my earlier exclamation.The scout runs to the lycan’s side. He presses his fingers to the his throat. “He’s dead,” he informs us unnecessarily.“I suppose to keep us from torturing Riley’s location out of him,” Ainslee says softly.I hiss and smack my fist down on the table. “Damn it!”She bends and picks up the letter. With a shaking hand, she gives it to me. “I don’t think I’ll have the strength to read it on my own,” she whispers.I’m reaching out with my mind to Jerim to tell him to make his way to the camp to see what killed the lycan, though I’m guessing it was a poison capsule. I
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Doctor Is In
*Rafe*When Jerim arrives driving a horse and carriage filled with gold, I take him immediately to the medical tent to see the stinking carcass of the lycan messenger.“Poison?” I ask.Jerim puts on gloves and starts examining the body. “So it would seem. You said you heard a cracking sound before he began convulsing?”“I think from his mouth,” I say.With a nod, he pries open the lycan’s jaw. “Hmm. Cracked false tooth. Definitely poison.”“Do we know what kind? Is there an antidote?” I ask.“A poison as fast-acting as you described? An antidote wouldn’t matter,” he replies grimly. “But no, I’m not personally familiar with this one. I will have to consult my books. I brought every book I have on poison with me.”“Good thinking.” I gesture for us to leave the tent.Both of us take a deep breath of fresh air away from the smell once we’re outside. “I wonder what would make a man so gleeful about poisoning himself to death?” I muse aloud.“Gleeful?” he asks.“He had the widest smile on h
The Luna's Vampire Prince Into Rallegrad
*Ainslee*We make love that night. Rafe gives me all the empty promises and reassurances I need to be ready in the morning.As a group, there are eight of us: Rafe, Annamarie, Jerim, four guards, and me. We don’t dare risk bringing any more. We dress in plain peasants’ clothing and even go so far as to rub dirt on our faces to disguise ourselves.The Rallegrad guard is easily bribed and stands aside for us. We step into Rallegrad, all of us holding our breath.Lightning doesn’t strike us down, so that’s a good thing. I let out the breath I’m holding and look at Rafe. “You’re really going to do this?”He shoots me a glare. “We’ve been over this, Ainslee.”“I know. I’m just so scared for you, that’s all,” I say.He shakes his head. “It has to be done.” He looks at the others. “I want you all to be ready to accept Drake if they let him go. If none of us are back within three hours, well, you’ll know what happened. Try to pick up the trail from there.”“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guards all
The Luna's Vampire Prince So Much Pain
*Ainslee*I have to sit down because of the pain in my chest. Annamarie sits next to me while Jerim kneels down, checking my vitals.“She’s not going to let him go,” I say. “She’s not going to let either of them go. She’s going to take the gold and run.”“And we will follow her,” one of the guards grunts determinedly.I wonder if I will ever breathe again.“If something happens to Rafe, you will know,” Jerim tries to reassure me. “You will feel it over the bond.”“Right now, I just feel worried,” I say.“That’s to be expected. Rafe’s probably feeling worried, too,” he says kindly.I lean my head back against a tree trunk and rub my aching chest. “He’s worried this separation is forever, just like I am.”“It won’t be. I promise if it takes the rest of our lives, we will find him,” he vows.I take his hand and squeeze it. “Thank you, Jerim.”Annamarie leans her head on my shoulder as we wait for what seems like forever.Jerim checks his watch occasionally, and the guards shuffle from fo
The Luna's Vampire Prince Ripped Apart
*Ainslee*I can’t sleep. I can’t breathe. I feel like part of me is dying.“Jerim is on his way,” Annamarie reminds me, holding my hand as she sits by my bedside and watches me shake. “I’m sure there’s something he can give you.”“I need this to stop,” I say to her through chattering teeth. “I’m useless if this keeps on. It’s like he’s gone mad. I can feel it. Everything feels torn.”The door opens and Jerim, who ran through the night with the other two guards, is standing there, medical bag in hand.“It’s the mate bond,” she explains to me. “Something has happened. He’s not dead, but something is terribly, terribly wrong.”Jerim comes to my bedside and takes stock of my condition. I’m a sweating, trembling mess. “You won’t be able to go on horseback this way, even if we do get you to Mighty Jaw.”“I realize that,” I say peevishly. “Is there anything you can do to stop it?”“I’ve never seen a wolf shifter form a mate bond with a vampire before. I don’t know if anything I have will tou
The Luna's Vampire Prince First Rumblings of War
*Zeke*“Sir, a letter has come from Alpha King Howard Bleiz addressed to His Majesty. However, given that both Their Majesties are in Rallegrad and unavailable for consultation, I thought you might like to read it yourself,” the messenger says, holding out the letter with the brand new Bleiz seal on it.“Thank you.” I take the letter and use Rafe’s letter opener to break the seal.I skim the contents. I don’t need to read them. Alpha King Bleiz has reiterated his position on Longclaw troops–namely, that we aren’t getting any.“Princess Sophia has also returned from Warfang,” the messenger continues. “She would like a word.”“Did she bring troops with her?” I ask.“Yes, sir, hundreds,” he replies.I relax a bit. Hundreds is a good number. “Please ask Princess Sophia to join me here in the king’s office.”“Yes, sir,” he says while he trots out of Rafe’s office.I pace in front of the fireplace, thinking. Mostly I’m thinking of Annamarie being in Rallegrad without me to protect her. Dam
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The Luna's Vampire Prince A Hopeful Future
*Ainslee*Sophia and Karl kiss, and the ceremony is over in a cacophony of cheers.The High Priestess sets the goblet of blood Karl had grudgingly shared with Sophia back on the altar, and the king waves at the crowd to be silent. “I know you are all excited to begin your celebrations. But we would also like to thank the Moon Goddess for the miracle of Paisley Poe’s birth.”Rafe squeezes my hand and waves while I hold Paisley against my chest.“And for the fruitful union of Marcus and Lucia Lightfoot,” the king continues. It’s kind of him to do this during his wedding ceremony.Lucia blushes, and Marcus pats her belly fondly.“And, let us not forget, Zeke and Annamarie Winters, who were unable to join us today, but I hear are expecting a beautiful baby themselves,” Karl concludes.Everyone claps.“Now, you may all adjourn to your celebrations.” The High Priestess waves us all off.Karl kisses Sophia passionately, and they walk hand-in-hand down the aisle.“Were we that cute when we we
The Luna's Vampire Prince A New Life
*Ainslee*Drake blinks down at Paisley, who is nestled in my arms.Rafe holds him just close enough to get a good look at her but not close enough to reach her nose, which he is trying to grab anyway.“This is your sister,” he says to Drake, pointing a finger. “You’re going to torment each other terribly.”I laugh. “Oh, come on. It won’t be that bad.”“It sure will be. Siblings this close in age are notorious for tormenting each other. Didn’t you see it with Brock and Sinead?” he asks, referring to my half-siblings.I think for a moment then grimace. “Yes, they do torment each other quite a lot.”“Exactly. They’ll fight over toys and chase each other around. It’s going to be chaos,” he says.“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now,” I remind him. “They’re both here, and we adore them.”He chuckles and kisses each little head, then kisses me on the mouth. “It will be the best kind of chaos.”Drake gets a hold of Paisley’s nose and our little girl squawks in protest.Rafe grins. “
The Luna's Vampire Prince Back at Shadowmanor
*Rafe*The ride home gives me a mix of elation and sorrow. Being by Ainslee’s side in the carriage with our son on her lap makes me feel complete, and Ainslee’s family was so happy to get to spend a few days with her and the baby before we left for home. We’re met along the way by my people celebrating our victory and sharing our joy, but among those are those who have lost so much.We stop the carriage when we notice a young girl crying as she is comforted by a woman whom I learn is her aunt. She explains that the girl’s home is in the north and was destroyed in the carnage. Her parents were killed, leaving her with nothing.“I think the gods that she was staying with us,” the woman tells me.Ainslee speaks to her while I pull Zeke aside. “Ensure this family is taken care of.”He nods with understanding. Anger churns inside me at this encounter and dozens more like it along the trip. It makes it that much easier to deal with the evil men responsible upon return.The day after our ret
The Luna's Vampire Prince Feels Like Home
*Ainslee*“Why does it still hurt?” I ask after we’ve been holding each other for a while. This is the second thing I ask Rafe after I demand to know where Drake is. While I’m aching to see my baby, Rafe explains to me that he’s the only reason my father is allowing us to be together, so I’ll have to be patient a bit longer. Just knowing that he’s safe and near me is a comfort.“Maybe because we were separated for so long,” Rafe replies. He strokes my cheek. “But I have an idea of how to make it better.”I raise an eyebrow at him. “I’m sure you do.”“Honest. It’s not about sex, it’s about reuniting,” he tells me.“Hmm.” I wonder if either of us have the energy for sex.“It’s worth a try,” he says.“All right,” I agree. I sit up with some effort, and he scoots out of bed to start taking off his clothes.When he looks over at me, he blinks. “I didn’t realize you were in full ballroom attire.”“This was for the mating ceremony that was supposed to happen yesterday,” I explain.His eyes n
The Luna's Vampire Prince A Final Plea
*Rafe*“Are you ready?” Percival asks.The man looks ragged. Whatever he does to make sure I don’t keel over is really taking its toll. For that reason alone, I need to make sure Howard sees the light. I’m afraid Percival is going to die instead of me.“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I admit. I step out of the carriage as it rolls to a stop in front of Howard’s very luxurious looking home.Karl is there to greet me with a wide smile and a warm arm clasp. “Rafe. You look like shit.”“Thanks,” I reply with a laugh. “You look great.”Howard stands off to the side, eyeing me contemptuously.We are already off to a bad start, it would seem. “Alpha King Howard,” I say with a slight nod.“King Rafe.” He responds coolly. “Shall we retire to the conference room? It seems we have a lot to discuss.”“Where is Ainslee?” I ask.“In her bedroom. Lying down. I didn’t think she needed to be here for this,” he replies.My heart thumps in my chest, screaming to tear past the two Alpha Kings and find he
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Marriage Ceremony
The wind swirls the skirt of the emerald dress around my ankles as I walk to the temple with Lucia at my side. She is somber and silent. I think she has finally accepted the inevitable. Rafe isn’t here, and my father will have his way.Marcus stands at the door of the temple, looking just as somber as Lucia. He is wearing Longclaw black and silver and looks quite nice in it. It should be Lucia approaching him now in a dress suited to her. But instead, it’s me, and my father, standing at the other side of the door, is the only one who looks happy about it.“You don’t have to be here, Lucia,” I whisper to her. “This is going to be terribly difficult for you.”She squares her shoulders. “I would walk through fire for you. Do you not remember the temple where you saved me? I know it’s been a long time, but you hid me in a spot just like that one over there.” She points to a little area near the back of the building where there’s a statue of the Moon Goddess that sort of reminds me of the
The Luna's Vampire Prince Broken Hearts
*Ainslee*I sleep more now. Lucia is concerned, as is Marcus, but my father is convinced once I marry Marcus, all of this will change. I know it won’t.The ceremony is tomorrow. I know I have to go through with it. I don’t want more people of Shadowglade or of Longclaw to die. This constant war business has to end.I’m glad that my mother hasn’t seen me since my illness worsened. She’s been so busy helping with the troops. I don’t want her to see me like this. Only now I realized that on the same occasions that she visited since I’ve been here, my father found excuses to be away. He’d insisted that he felt no pain since she’d remarried, and I wonder if his brain injury had some effect on the severed mate bond.I’m staring at my canopy again when Lucia comes in with tea. “This is chamomile,” she says, helping me sit up and then pressing the teacup into my hands. “It should help your stomach and settle your nerves.”I look at her, and my heart sinks. “I’m sorry, Lucia. I promise, I won’
The Luna's Vampire Prince The End of a Claim
*Geoffrey*Boris tells me we are within a day and a half of Shadowmanor Castle when we meet a real force to stop us. Soldiers in three different liveries come up over a hill as we are marching through a valley. They are very angry, and we are in a bad position, not having the high ground.“Why are there Longclaw and Warfang uniforms among them?” I ask Boris who, thus far, has kept me off the battlefield.“I guess because they’re fighting with the Shadowglade forces,” he replies as though I’m stupid.“If we’re liberating Shadowglade, why would the wolf shifters join forces with Shadowglade’s soldiers?” I ask, confused.Boris looks at the armies bearing down on us, looks at me, then laughs. “Oh, boy, King Maximus said you’d be easy to manipulate, but you really are an idiot. We’re not ‘liberating’ anybody. We’re taking Shadowglade by force.”My blood runs cold. “We’re the aggressors?” I gape.He pats me on the shoulder. “Welcome to reality, Your Majesty. Shadowglade is actually well kno
The Luna's Vampire Prince Disturbing News
*Rafe*Zeke, Percival, and I lean over my desk in my office, looking at the new numbers. “I think you should also push into Tormentia,” Percival says.“You just want King Dartmoth Croft to get it right up the ass,” Zeke snorts.“Why not? He deserves it,” Percival replies.“I’ll have the army push forward into Tormentia,” I agree. “King Dartmoth doesn’t deserve to be responsible for a pet rock, much less an entire people. Reports say soldiers’ families are being threatened. I’d like to take that off their chests so they might surrender instead of fighting for a king who abuses his power.” I rub my chest.Percival puts his hand over my heart again, and the warmth spreads, taking away most of the terrible pain. But I can see it costs him as his shoulders droop when he finishes.“Thank you,” I say. “Really. I know whatever you’re doing isn’t easy on you.”“I’d rather have my king fighting fit and take a few more naps than have you curled in agony on the floor while Zeke and I try to strat
