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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Luna's Vampire Prince The False King Falls
*Rafe*I hurry down the halls as fast as I can, still needing to heal, past the bodies of servants and guards. I’m sorry they got caught in the crossfire. Sniffing the air, I try to pick through the different scents of blood and death until I find the smell of the living.Ironically, the last of the battle is taking place in the throne room. Zeke and a group of more than thirty guards have cornered a contingent of twenty on Kris’s side, but they just don’t seem to want to back down, even given the overwhelming odds. I wonder what Kris said, what he promised, to inspire such loyalty.“Peace!” I shout, stepping into the room, holding my hands up. “Peace. All those who stand down now, I will pardon. There is no need to die here today.”“It’s the false king!” one of Kris’s followers yells to the rest.I growl deep in my throat. “I am no false king. I was chosen by King Axel Brodcraz himself. Can Kris claim the same?”Again, a shout goes up, and the group of twenty begin turning my way. My
The Luna's Vampire Prince Death of a Traitor
*Ainslee*The wind blows cold over the wasteland of a courtyard, only half-full when it should have been bursting with men. This is Kris’s fault, I remind myself through the sadness. And he is about to be executed for it.Zeke and a loyal guard named Lawrence, flank Kris on either side as he is brought before the throne, which has been moved outdoors for the occasion. The weather looks as bleak as our situation with Tormentia. I hope the throne doesn’t get ruined by rain.“Kris Moore,” Rafe intones when Kris is forced to kneel before him. “You are accused of high treason against the crown. There is no doubt of your guilt, but if you have any last words in your defense…”Kris, who looks as though he’s had a good going over by the guards we’ve also had to imprison for treason, merely glares at Rafe through one eye. The other one is swollen shut. He spits at him, most of the wad missing. The bloody goo falls on the ground near Rafe’s boot. “False king,” the traitor croaks.I don’t think
The Luna's Vampire Prince Death of a Traitor
*Ainslee*The wind blows cold over the wasteland of a courtyard, only half-full when it should have been bursting with men. This is Kris’s fault, I remind myself through the sadness. And he is about to be executed for it.Zeke and a loyal guard named Lawrence, flank Kris on either side as he is brought before the throne, which has been moved outdoors for the occasion. The weather looks as bleak as our situation with Tormentia. I hope the throne doesn’t get ruined by rain.“Kris Moore,” Rafe intones when Kris is forced to kneel before him. “You are accused of high treason against the crown. There is no doubt of your guilt, but if you have any last words in your defense…”Kris, who looks as though he’s had a good going over by the guards we’ve also had to imprison for treason, merely glares at Rafe through one eye. The other one is swollen shut. He spits at him, most of the wad missing. The bloody goo falls on the ground near Rafe’s boot. “False king,” the traitor croaks.I don’t think
The Luna's Vampire Prince Buried In Her
*Rafe*I look at today’s numbers and sigh into my hand, scrubbing my stubbly face. Ten thousand. Another ten thousand lost in the south. And not quite as far south as I would like. We’re being completely flattened, and there is nothing–NOTHING–I can do about it. The nobles have sent everyone they can from their respective duchies, and we’ve even considered sending in women. Ainslee suggested that one and has been rather upset with me for shooting her idea down.It’s not a bad idea, and it’s not even that I think women can’t fight. I know they can. I just know there are enough people, from nobles on down, who would be up in arms about such a decision, and we can’t afford that right now.Looking at these numbers, though, I’m starting to think we aren’t going to have a choice. Sending women to war is better than seeing them enslaved or who the fuck know what else. Tormentians aren’t exactly known for their civilized ways.There is a soft rap at my door, and I glance up. Ainslee is there
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Situation is Grim
*Rafe*The throne room is stifling. I’m not the only one who thinks so. All of us in all our finery are fanning ourselves, tugging at collars and sleeves, and just generally miserable.It had to be a hot day. The nobles are already agitated from the heat, and I’m going to have explosive news of my own. This is a bad combination.“Maybe we should have met out in the courtyard again?” Ainslee asks me softly.I can see sweat beading between her beautiful breasts as she breathes in and out, and I want to call the whole assembly off and lick her clean. Instead, I sigh. “I don’t think it would help, and it’s too late now. No matter where we hold this debacle, it’s going to be a circus.”Ainslee puts a hand on my arm. “Don’t let them bully you. We both know there’s no other choice.”I pat her hand and give her a slight smile. “Don’t worry, my love. I won’t.”“Can we get this over with, Your Majesty, please?!” the old noblewoman from not a week ago snaps over the muttering throng. “It’s hotte
The Luna's Vampire Prince Even Worse News
*Ainslee*The gardens are lovely, except for the body in the middle of the rose bushes. Rafe stands between me and the dead messenger, who is still clinging to the missive we had tried to send to Alpha King Striker.“We thought we’d introduce ourselves in style,” the half wolf-shifter/half vampire before us grins, finally letting go of the two servants he had by the throat.“Go.” Rafe waves them away, and the servants run. The envoy from King Dartmouth of Tormentiais full of half-breeds. All of them are dangerous.“King Dartmouth always says you should make a splash if you’re going to be introducing yourself in his name,” the half wolf-shifter continues while I watch a vein I didn’t know Rafe had pulse in his forehead.My Rafe is angry. I see his hands forming into stone fists at his sides.“I’d say you’ve done that,” Rafe says evenly, indicating the bloodsoaked body.“Good. We’d hate to disappoint our leader,” the half wolf-shifter replies. “Now, it’s adorable, sweet, really, that y
The Luna's Vampire Prince Escaping The Tormentians
*Ainslee*Gavin is behind us, Lawrence ahead. The other two guards, Killian and Brady, are positioned on either side. All of us are wearing very unassuming clothes. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to wear rags like this.Rafe, of course, would look good in a potato sack. He cuts an impressive, dark, brooding figure in threadbare brown trousers and a faded blue shirt. He’s also holding a rag to the side of his face that is soaked in blood in an effort to hide his identity and pretend he has an injury.For my part, I’m wearing a scarf and coughing softly every time someone turns our way.Lawrence stops us at a shattered, overturned hay cart just shy of the smaller North entrance to the city. We’re not going to the main gate. That would be suicide. But there is a smaller gate that many of the locals use, and the portcullis has not been lowered over it. The Tormentians need a way to come and go, after all.“Here goes nothing,” Lawrence sighs and walks toward the gate with a pronoun
The Luna's Vampire Prince Back In Beoutown
*Ainslee*The next few days are just the same. At night, we run through the darkness on tired limbs. During the day, we find a place to lie together in a cave or other shelter, usually taking solace in one another’s arms. I’m fairly certain we’ve lost, or at least put a good deal of distance between, our pursuers. I’m exhausted by the time we reach Longclaw lands. My feet are raw. I’m covered in cuts and scrapes from thorns and sharp rocks. I’m ready to find someone I know in my home village and collapse for the night.Rafe isn’t nearly as torn up as I am, though he is tired. His marble-like physique protected him from most of the snarls that bit into my skin. “We’re almost there,” Rafe says, patting me on the shoulder encouragingly. I manage a growl of acknowledgement, but that’s all I can do as I continue to trudge forward.When we enter Beoutown, the moon is just starting to set. We’re met on the road into the village by a small pack of wolves.I recognize my friend from the cull
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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
