They spent the rest of the day in bed except for dinner and washing up for bed. Daphne fell asleep beside him, exhausted and satisfied, but Arthur lay awake turning over the issue in his mind.
Did Nicole want war? Why was she so adamant about bringing Daphne back to the queen’s castle? Would she be forced to take on the same problems that he had taken on upon taking the throne? He shook his head. Nicole didn’t seem at all like Tom or any of the other alphas. There didn’t seem to be anything weak about her, and she’d been serious about waging war on the werewolf kingdom.
It had been a few days since they’d met. He was running out of time. He huffed and got out of bed at first light, tucking the blankets around Daphne. He dressed quickly and quietly before escaping the room.
“Your Majesty,” Blade called from down the hallway. He looked at Blade. “Good Morning.”
“Blade…” He said, slowly
Arthur growled, turning and nearly lunging at Tom. The man stumbled back and fell from his seat with a cry of terror."Arthur, no!" Daphne cried out. He halted, glaring at Tom’s cowering figure. "Just calm down--"Arthur glared at the man as he stared up at him in fear. He should just tear the man’s throat out, but he didn’t want to expose Daphne to any more blood and gore than he had already. He was lucky, yet again Daphne had spared his life.It made him even angrier to know that Tom wouldn’t appreciate it and didn’t deserve her leniency after having her followed around and inciting the people of Sharp Armor to attack her.Traitor."Eavesdropping!" Someone yelled, pointing at her. "On royal business!"Daphne ignored him and went to Arthur, taking his hand carefully. She tugged him until he turned to look at her. His eyes were still hard with anger, but he was calming down as their gazes met.Sh
Arthur turned to the rest of the room, “I’ll be sending a group with her to escort her back.”"I'll go!" Mamie volunteered.Blade stood, "But Mamie--""She needs someone she can trust to go with her." Mamie beamed at Daphne, "And it's doubtful many others will agree to go."Daphne frowned, "I don't think it's a good idea…"Mamie smiled at her, "I'm a lot tougher than I look. I promise."Mamie looked at Blade who clenched his jaw, wanting to disagree, but he huffed, unable to formulate an argument. Mamie was the best choice as whoever else would be sent wouldn't be as close to Daphne."Are you sure about this?" Blade asked, looking at Mamie."Positive."Arthur nodded, "Fine. We'll send three others."He looked at them, “We’ll send whoever can be trusted to obey orders.”Blade nodded and looked at Mamie who gave him a comforting smile.It’ll be fine,
Daphne remained silent as they rode through the canyon into the vampire's territory. Her stomach churned more and more as the distance between them increased. The bond felt like it was vibrating at the back of her mind with Arthur's worry, but she had to be strong.If she panicked, the plan would be for nothing."What's that sound?"Daphne turned to where Mamie was looking out the window and leaned to see. They were still within the canyon, but Daphne had no idea what she was hearing."Cheering," one of the women said with a little sneer. "The vampire queen comes."Daphne pursed her lips, "I don't appreciate your tone.""And I don't appreciate your existence. We all have problems."Mamie growled, "Knock it off. You will speak to her with respect."She glowered at her and rolled her eyes, "We're only here because we were ordered to come. "Daphne swallowed and looked at them, irritated about their flippant disrespect.
In his youth, John had learned quickly that the path to power in the vampire kingdom was one that men could not tread easily. Queen Lily came from a long line of powerful women and all the powerful vampire bloodlines were led by women. The Whitcomb line was no exception until his father was born.He had accepted that the only way to gain power was to marry a powerful woman and wait for, or orchestrate, her death to seize power. Of all the powerful noble and royal women who had been contemporary with him in his youth and throughout the war, Princess Rose August of the vampire domains was the only woman he would have happily ruled beside. Her beauty had been beguiling since they were children; her power had been enchanting.Her daughter may not have had her power, being an only half-vampire, but her scent was enthralling and she was just as beautiful as her mother had been. It had been a bit of a shock to see her exiting the carriage.Young with bright golden eyes
Daphne made it back to her chambers and sat on the couch, hoping she wouldn't ever end up alone with John again. She shuddered at the covetous look in his eyes. How could he think that he was charming when telling her she reminded him of her mother?A knock sounded on the door that connected her suite to Mamie's. She leaped from the couch and opened the door. Mamie looked at her and hummed."Pink is a rather nice color on you."Daphne laughed, "Thanks..."Mamie sat with her, "So what happened?""They're not like Tom and the alphas at all," she frowned. "They don't want a queen because they can't agree to get along... They want a queen for some sort of connection to the moon goddess."Mamie frowned, "But... they're vampires. I've always been told that werewolves were the moon goddess' creations."Daphne shook her head thinking about the tapestry in the library."There was a tapestry in the library back at the castle. I'm not sur
"W-Why are they.... What is this?""This is the royal crypt. Every member of the August line that was not killed and burned in battle is here in something like death. We call it Eternal Sleep and it is unique to the August line.""Eternal?""There are no known cases of one waking up after they have entered Eternal Sleep. They typically fall into it when it's nearing the end of a normal vampire's life or when they have taken on too much damage."Daphne's hands trembled, "W-Will I fall into this?""I don't know... You are the only half-human royal vampire we know of." Nicole said, she took a deep breath. "I brought you down here to see them and to tell you the truth. This is the only place in the castle that is beyond vampire or werewolf hearing."Daphne frowned looking at her and feeling a bit nervous about what she had to say."My grandfather was the brother of Queen Lily," Nicole smiled and Daphne took a sharp breath. "Making me your
After lunch was over, John was left alone with nobles and generals who were aligned with his vision. Unifying the vampire and werewolf lands under one throne would expand all of their land stakes and wealth. They could turn every human within their boundaries and mobilize them and the werewolves to take over the continent with enough time. It was not mere greed, but ambition. It was something that Nicole and the other generals would never understand.They were limited to the August family’s vision of the kingdom under the moon goddess’ blessings, but John figured out a long time ago that the moon goddess was more an idea perfect for controlling the simple minded masses.It was how they explained the differences in power and issues they faced they couldn’t explain or overcome easily.Several of the nobles in the room had lost land and status during the war. Some of them lost family to the front line and the burning hatred for werewolves would no
Days passed with them gathering information in secret and plotting a path out of the castle. She couldn't find a map of the continent as a whole in the library. The other two women were growing more and more anxious and Daphne was at a loss. She understood them wanting to escape, but there was no attempt in trying to escape when they had no idea of where they were going.She huffed, sitting on the couch in the queen's library before frowning, noticing a door on the other side of the room. Hadn't Kayley mentioned an office? She jumped to her feet. Why hadn't she thought of it before? If there was anywhere in the castle that might have had some answers, it had to be the queen's office! She approached the door, tentatively and turned the silver handle. The gems around the frame of the office filled with light as she entered.There was a door inside that led into a dark corridor behind a bookcase.She gasped. Was this how Rose escaped? If it was true that no o
Arthur was in a bad mood, but as Daphne held onto him, she couldn’t help but laugh. They’d left the cottage about an hour ago and they hadn’t gone for. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he was walking in circles just to avoid leaving.“Oh, Arthur, it won’t be that bad.”“We deserve at least a month,” Arthur grumbled walking through the forest.She laughed, “Is that why you’re walking so slow?”He didn’t answer and she laughed harder, leaning into the warmth of his glossy, golden fur. He’d been grumbling about heading back to deal with the mess of the werewolves and vampires for the past few days.“We don’t have to go back,” Arthur huffed. “You don’t think Nicole can’t handle those cowards?”Nicole would just as soon kill half of the pack leaders than put up with bullshit from them, but that wouldn’
Morning came slowly, waking Arthur. Daphne’s scent filled his nose and he turned to look at her, grinning at her sleeping face. As if she felt him looking at her, her eyes snapped open and their gazes met. Arthur turned, pressing his lips to hers, unable to resist the need to be closer to her, to be sure she was still his Daphne.Daphne sighed, pressing into the kiss with a little sigh. The sound sent heat through his blood until need and desperation pooled in his hips and he felt his cock swelling.Daphne gasped, as he angled his hips against hers. She looked up. Arthur’s face heated. He was going to apologize, to make some sort of excuse, but he didn’t get a chance.In a flash, he was on his back with Daphne hovering over him. He was a bit shocked at her speed and strength, but his wolf growled in contentment. Did werewolf mates tussle with one another? He’d always imagined it as sweet and gentle, but the urge to flip them over again an
Arthur chuckled at her thought. Did she think he wanted to talk about it now? He was running on adrenaline and relief. As soon as he got somewhere he knew was safe for them both, he’d probably collapse, curled around Daphne.“I haven’t changed much, Daphne.”“That’s not true,” Daphne said, “You have more scars.”Arthur shrugged, “They’ll be gone in a few days.”“Not on your skin,” Daphne said, sliding a hand over his chest as she looked up at him, “In here.”His heart sped up as their gazes met. He wanted to protest, but he couldn’t find the words. She was right. So much had happened. He’d been so used to not thinking about it before Daphne, then worrying about it with her, that losing her had left him floundering.She stepped back, taking his hands and leading him towards the house.“Come on. Let’s take a bath. I th
Arthur opened his arms trying to sweep her into his arms, but she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him and sobbing into his shoulder. Fear filled him and anxiety. He didn’t know what to make of her sudden apology or what he should say in response.“I’m so sorry, Arthur! I should have never gone! I shouldn’t have left you. I should have made Mamie and the others leave me behind, at least they would have been alive.”Arthur’s eye burned with an unfamiliar sensation. He didn’t remember the last time he’d cried or if he’d cried at all, but the tightness in his chest felt like it was going to burst. It sounded like she was regaining her memories, but had she regained all of them?She hiccupped, “The baby… It wasn’t your fault. I…”Arthur tightened his grip on her with a relieved sigh, burying his nose in her neck.“Daphne,” he whispered. “You r
Daphne didn’t speak as they watched the fire rage, burning through vampire and werewolf corpses and surrounding John as he panicked, limping as if his leg had been injured. Daphne narrowed her eyes as he tripped on nothing.He tumbled, head over heels onto the duchess’ body, and shrieked, drawing back as the fire began to devour him.“No! Your Majesty, please!” John crawled towards them. His face twisted with desperation and terror.Daphne didn’t look away, meeting his gaze as he realized that there was nothing he could say to escape his fate. His expression turned determined as he got to his feet and tried to shake off the fire that had reached his jacket. He tore it off but another burst of fire started on his pant leg and he went down again.“That lesson about tying your boots properly,” Nicole said lightly, “That is why.”Her lips twitched into just a bit of amusement as he began to scream a
Daphne rushed to where his body stopped, pulling him onto his back as tears fell down her cheeks.“Just hold on!”Owen’s hand grabbed hers as she settled her shaking hands over the hole in his chest. Blood was bubbling up and pooling around them. Her magic warmed and stuttered trying to close the hole.“Run…” he gasped before his last breath escaped him and she could no longer feel any spark of life in him.“No…” she sniffled. “No! You can’t–”A snarl drew her attention from above. Osborn had shifted and started to barrel down the side of the hill towards her. She lunged aside, barely dodging his attack, and grabbed her sword, turning into his next attack as he skidded, turned, and lunged at her again.His claws met her blade and shoved her back and off her feet. She tumbled back and landed hard on her arm.He was too strong f
Arthur ran towards Osborn, snarling at him. Osborn didn’t seem worried, watching and waiting for him before moving at the last possible moment. He shifted into his human form so Arthur’s attack, just barely missed him before shifting back into his wolf form to snap his jaws at Arthur’s leg.Arthur shifted mid-air and rolled across the ground. His heart was hammering. If he hadn’t, there was a good chance that Osborn would have taken his leg off or at least wounded him seriously.Osborn was nothing like Owen. He had to be more careful. Osborn chuckled and turned towards him.“Hello, nephew… shame your mother manage to get you out in time… I’m impressed you have a bit of battle awareness.” Osborn laughed, dark and furious. “Next time, I’ll just take your head.”Arthur got to his feet, eyeing Osborn. They watched each other before he heard the duchess’ footsteps.&ld
Tom looked up in horror.He couldn’t believe it, but there was no mistaking Osborn even with his missing eye. He was wearing the same armor he’d gone to battle against the vampires in though it bore the signs of battle. Behind him were other werewolves in the same armor, glaring across the clearing.How could he be alive?His heart lurched as Arthur got to his feet and shifted into his wolf form at Daphne’s side. He’d been overpowered by a half-vampire woman. Arthur didn’t stand a chance against Osborn! What were they going to do?Even with the Royal family’s ability to control wolves, Arthur didn’t have the years of combat experience or the deep-seated rage that Osborn did. His legs felt weak as he turned to look at the others who looked confused and had started to engage the turned werewolves.It was uncanny and deeply disturbing to see Osborn commanding them. What would Dean have thought of his brother now
Her tone was as sharp as a blade. She seemed to glide towards him and swung at him, barely missing his shoulder.She was much faster than he remembered. He felt the force of her swing as it missed him and knew she’d gotten stronger too.“Daphne! Stop. I don’t know what they’ve done to you, but this isn’t like you–”“You don’t know anything, murderer!”His gut clenched and for a moment he heard the furious chants of the Brown Valley pack at the back of his mind.He pushed those thoughts away and dodged another attack.“You killed my son!” Daphne screeched.Her words struck him. His blood ran cold, “What?”Daphne growled at her, “Don’t play dumb, werewolf. You were happy to sleep with me but you couldn’t bear the thought of half-vampire son, could you?”The bubbling joy of hearing that she was pregnant died as the rest o