*Rafe*“Since Bertha and Brenda have been dealt with, everything has gone smoothly,” Jerim beams. He pats George on the shoulder, who is in on the donating rotation once more and currently giving blood, healthy as a horse.“I’m glad to hear it,” I say. “And I’m glad we caught them before George here got any sicker. I am sorry, George, that you suffered so. That should never have happened.”George’s eyes nearly bug out of his head. Apparently, a prince apologizing to him is not anything he ever expected to happen in his lifetime. “Your Majesty, I am just glad I was the last. That none of my other friends had to go through that… wolfsbane poisoning.” He shuddered.I also pat George on the shoulder. “That’s very noble, George. And like we said, you didn’t have to go back to donating blood if you didn’t want to…”George straightens. “Your Majesty, I consider it a duty and a privilege to make sure you are all well-fed. You give us a lot, and I want to give back. I am still young enough to
*Ainslee*Rafe stares at me all through dinner. Not his usual coy glances. No, he has decided to openly moon over me.Maybe I just should have let him have his taste back in the hall near the feeders’ quarters. Maybe that would have stopped him from being an idiot. But then, I think, trying not to watch him watch me, maybe not.“Your Majesty,” I say, leaning over to whisper in King Axel’s ear just as dinner is ending. “Would you mind if I took a turn around the gardens? I could use some fresh air.”King Axel who, blessedly, hasn’t noticed Rafe’s staring, smiles at me and gives me an indulgent nod. “Of course, my dear. Do whatever makes you happy.”I smile back with little feeling. King Axel has become more and more doting. He won’t be a bad husband. He just won’t be Rafe.Gathering my skirts, I stand and head for the palace gardens. These are, obviously, more opulent and brimming with plantlife than the feeders’ garden, but personally, I prefer the feeders’ gardens. There’s more… happ
*Rafe*Ainslee did not come out of the gardens through the front entrance that night. Or any of the three nights after.I slam my seal onto the papers in front of me with enough force to crack the handle. And the blotter. And the desktop, for that matter. I don’t care. Ainslee has avoided me most of the week. Her wedding is two days from now. We have things we should talk about.Things that won’t make a damn bit of difference, but hell, I want to talk about them anyway!To add to my foul mood, Kris saunters into my office without knocking. He came back a few days ago. So far, I’ve avoided him, but here he is, invading my personal space. “Kris,” I say in a clipped tone.“Prince Rafe,” Kris grins. It can never be good news when Kris is grinning.“How are things in the hinterlands?” I ask nastily.Kris’s grin widens. “I’ve appointed Nelson as the mayor of Beoutown. I thought you’d appreciate that. The townsfolk fell in line quite quickly. I actually let them think they were voting on the
*Ainslee*The dress is alabaster white. I know this because both Mrs. Dotty and Princess Sophia told me. I would be wearing alabaster white. Now, I am wearing alabaster white.My mother hovers over me, tears streaking down her cheeks, resplendent in a gown of her own, tailor-made for her. She isn’t ill anymore, now that Nelson is mayor and people in Beoutown are eating. Still, the way she was staring at the huge steak the servants put in front of her last night told me I am still living a much higher life than she is.“You’re just so beautiful, my darling girl,” my mother whispers, gently brushing the smallest stray lock of hair back into its carefully-pinned curl.Zoey frowns at my mother briefly, but only for a moment. They’ve actually become fast friends. The only thing I’ve seen them get into a snit over is dressing and primping me up today. Both want me to look perfect, but they have differing ideas of what ‘perfect’ is.I look back in the mirror and see a person I don’t recogni
*Rafe*She’s beautiful.If my heart still beat, it would be pounding at the sight of her. If I needed to breathe, she would have taken my breath away.Ainslee hadn’t seen me looking, at least I don’t think she had, but I did. I couldn’t help but stare at her as she walked down the aisle. Now that she’s in front of me at the altar, I can’t take my eyes off her. Every damn time she smiles at King Axel, my chest aches a little more.The blood in my veins boils hot. Ainslee is mine. I should be the one up there on the dais, grinning like an idiot because I get to marry the most stunning creature to ever walk the earth. I’d wed her and steal her away to my bedroom and make love to her over and over, guests be damned. I’d be undoing that bodice and releasing those gorgeous breasts before the priest finished pronouncing us man and wife.Or perhaps not. I glance at the tent she’d come out of. Yes, that was close enough. I don’t think I’d have made it to the bedroom. But that tent would be pe
*Ainslee*Sticky red blood drips down my face, covering my alabaster white gown, dripping down in rivulets. I gasp in shock, wondering how King Axel managed to spill the chalice all over me. But there’s more blood than what was just in the cup. It’s everywhere. I wipe my hand over my cheek and pull away bits of bone and brains. “O-Oh Goddess…” I cry out, wiping more, trying to get it off me.Rafe is at my side in seconds, taking my hands, saying something. Something I can’t hear or understand.There are brains on my face. How the fuck are their brains on my face? I raise a hand to my head. Nothing hurts–are these my brains?“Ainslee… Ainslee…” Rafe’s voice begins to crack through my stupor. “Ainslee, you’re all right. You’re all right. It wasn’t you. It was the king.” He tucks me behind the archway, shielding me with his body.I look down to see King Axel’s crumpled body at my feet, an arrow lodged through his temple. There must have been some small explosive on the arrow because th
*Rafe*By the time I reach the tower stairs, the interloper has disappeared. However, I see a flash down the hall and realize I haven’t missed him by much. I kick off a wall more than turn and begin running after the asshole.The figure stays ahead of me, but I’m faster. I’m close enough to make out the broad shoulders of a male vampire. He’s frantic, his fear spurring him to increase his speed, but I’m gaining on him. I’ve always been faster than most. I’m making this one fight hard for his lead, and he won’t keep it for long. I don’t know if this is the assassin for sure, but for someone who’s innocent, he sure is intent on getting away.The stranger makes the treeline and dives into the woods.I’m sure he think he’s safer there. A feral smile touches my lips. I practically grew up in these woods. He might as well have stopped dead in the middle of a plowed field and held up a sign saying, ‘Catch Me.’I run after him, sniffing the air. Though our sense of smell is not as astute as
*Ainslee*My mother carefully picks a skull fragment out of my hair, her jaw set but her lower lip still quivering a bit. Zoey and she had carefully unraveled the careful coif my maid had made earlier that morning to get all the blood and bits out of it. Then they scrubbed it, and me, thoroughly. While my mother helps me dress, Zoey disappears and so does the ruined wedding dress.Zoey returns, and my mother and she repeat the same process on Princess Sophia while I sit, stunned, on the edge of my bed. The black and blood red gown I wear is accompanied by a different, black veil. It’s a sort of macabre wedding gown parody, meant for a funeral. I had no idea I even had one in my closet.I guess they really did have me prepared for all occasions.Princess Sophia emerges and gets plugged into a similar dress from her own collection, complete with veil. She looks a long time at her sleeves, then hiccups a sob.I rise from the bed and quickly take her in my arms. “Sophia. I'm so sorry.”Pr
*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
*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. “
*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
*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
*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 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
*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’
*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
*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