Relief flushed through her the moment Esmeray reached her room. The first thing she did was close the doors before sitting on her bed and going through the Royal Decree that had created such a fuss. The sender's name didn't go unnoticed by her. The summon was issued by her parent's Queendom. Esmeray had a feeling that the reasons for the summon were purposely kept unknown. Seven freaking Monarchs were going to assemble with their armies and successors to a place marked as Neutral Grounds. But Why? Gatherings like these were usually held under a war-like situation. But if there was an upcoming war in the supernatural world then it won't have gone unnoticed by Raziel and Amell. Instinctively the first name in the Decree that caught her attention was the Demon King. Demon King the twisted fucker who was better left in the dark. Even the mention of his name was creepy enough to make Esmeray shudder. But she will deal with him later first she had to find out why the King of Dragons A
"You did this to him?" Amell frowned as he poked his finger into the side of Vladimir's face as if the Vampire was a weird specimen. "Is he dead?" "Can't you say something nice!" Esmeray grumbled swatting his hand away from her poor future husband's face. "I am already freaking out. He proposed to me last night. He can't just randomly decide to die after announcing that we are getting married in two days." "You messed him up pretty bad. Look at all the dried blood around his ears, not to mention his blue lips and the ugly dark circles under his eyes. I won't blame him if he threw your jinx arse out of his castle after waking up." "Amell!" Esmeray growled at the brat determine to drive her crazy. She was positive if Amell did not stop testing her patience she will be so close to committing some kind of bodily violence. "It's alright I know you are stressed." Amell sighed sadly before giving her shoulder a gentle sympathetic squeeze. "But for what it is worth remember if the King di
"Living in a castle has its perks." Amell whistled low before going through the variety of delicacies and tea placed on the table between them. The three of them were sitting in the chamber used by the Vampire King for holding meetings or receiving visitors. It seemed like the servants were instructed to provide a standard service whenever there was a gathering in the room. Esmeray did not know about other castles but living in the Vampire castle certainly has its perks. "Did you come all the way here to check the Vampire Castle's hospitality?" Esmeray arched a questioning brow before taking the offered teacup from Amell's hand. "We came to take you with us. There is a royal gathering on the Oak King's territory that's going to take place in less than four hours which we need to be present at." Amell disclosed before placing a cold water bottle against his abused nipples with a pained grimace. "Oak King? Isn't he one of the Elders of the Sacred Land? I thought the Elders were kee
The Neutral Grounds. A place no one thought they will have to gather until everyone receive the infamous White Scrolls they dread. The only scroll that had the power to summon a King or Queen to the Neutral Grounds. White Scroll also referred to as a Royal Decree was laid on for instant actions. This decree was used in case of an apocalypse, a calamity that risked the existence of the supernatural world or when the beings from myths threatened to resurface. Covered in fur from head to toe the Oak King sat on the head of the black round wooden table set in the middle of the snow-covered clearing vast enough to hold several nations. The clearing was surrounded by mountains covered by the exceptionally expanded treeline. The temperature of the Neutral Grounds was below freezing point, a mortal would hardly survive an hour in the climate. "The Rightful King of Beasts, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Lycans Aric King has arrived on Neutral Grounds the territory of Ackley the Oak King." One
"Do we have a daughter we did not know about?" Darach King muttered in astonishment. His orbs turned a mesmerizing molten gold in curiosity as the Beast residing in his soul peeked at Esmeray, His Daughter~ Fallen under a trance when Darach tried to rise from his seat Amber held his hand holding him back. 'She is the same witch Isak foolishly claimed to be his friend. The one who broke the protective barriers around our Queendom.' She informed him along with her father Aric King through their mind-link. 'My beast feels a pull towards the girl. It recognizes her as his own.' Even through the mind-link Darach's voice sounded vulnerable. 'My Beast can feel the pull too.' Aric King chimed in. 'She must be using compulsion on both of you. My father is a prime example of how good witches are at tricking the inner Beasts of Lycans.' Amber reasoned still not letting go of Darach’s hand. Aric King cringed at Amber's statement. The mere mention of the past he wasn't very proud of was enoug
Standing there Esmeray stared at the King of Dragons. His long hair was tied at the base of his neck in a messy bun, a telltale that he had tied them in a hurry. His eyes were flickering between their orange shade and pitch-black shade. Esmeray knew the Dragon residing in his soul had sensed a potential threat in her. And he was fighting to come out and meet her. Yet Aidan Draco was holding his Dragon back. Her gaze momentarily lingered on the swollen purplish veins that spread from the base of his neck to his left cheek. His body appeared to be recovering from a lethal poison that might have slowed his healing ability which explained why he was holding a hiking stick in his hand right hand. But even in his beaten-up form, the Dragon King looked majestic. Like a barbaric warrior who had just stepped out of a bloodied battlefield. Everything about Aidan Dragon screamed war and violence. A destructive creature. Taking her eyes off the Dragon King Esmeray looked into her invisible po
Everyone was staring at Esmeray and Amell munching on snacks and sipping on tea served by the Lost Souls while they read some human magazines. On the other hand, Raziel was knitting tiny clothes that could only possibly fit a voodoo doll. The three of them appeared so calm for someone who had just bullied their way into an alliance with the Dragon Realm. "How are your wounds?" The Demon King inquired breaking the silence the moment Aidan Draco left the Neutral Grounds. And here Esmeray was thinking that by some miracle the creep had not recognized her. Looking at the Demon King over the top of her magazine Esmeray asked with a sweet smile. "How's your son's hand?" The Demon King's eyes flickered to hers, first with surprise then they darkened to a shade more sinister. "You are the one who cut his fingers?" His question was more like a statement. "He only told you about the fingers?" Plastering the magazine to her chest Esmeray gasped in mock surprise. "How do you know my bride an
"If anyone has a problem with my appearance then they are welcome not to look my way. We are not here to fit in or seek any validation from anyone. So kindly refrain from telling me where I belong or not. The three of us are here just to keep an eye on my groom for protection purposes." Esmeray spoke unfazed by her mother's taunt. "Why do you think the Vampire King needs your protection?" Aric King asked with genuine confusion. It was hardly believable that a man of Vladimir's reputation would need someone's protection. The Vampire was a walking unhinged hazard. "What can I say? It's heartbreaking to admit it out loud that the Vampire won't sleep with me before our marriage so I am forced to protect his dee dee till our wedding night." Esmeray let out with a rueful shake of her head making Aric bit back a smile. "You are making it sound like you are marrying me for my body." Even though his tone was bored Vladimir's cheeks turned flaming red at his little brat's words who was dete
~Nothing Is Harder On A Soul Than The Smell Of Dreams While They Are Evaporating.~In her desperation, Esmeray looked at Amber. "Save me." Swallowing her pride the broken plea tumbled out of her lips.Amber gave Esmeray an uncertain look as if she wasn't sure how to react. The girl had a bruise forming on her cheek, there was a deep cut on her lower lip that was still bleeding, it was hard not to notice the streaks of drying blood that started from her upper lips and extended to her left cheek, a telltale of a nasty nosebleed. Even with a crown made of the finest gold on her head, the powerless trembling girl looked a world apart from the fierce woman the Vampire King had claimed as his bride and Queen on the altar. "What are you up to Almira?" Amber's voice was visibly startled when her flame-like gaze collided with the Vampire King who was on his knees. The side of his neck was bleeding while he held a sword at his own throat. 'Was the Vampire under an enchantment?' Ignoring the
'When Dreams Turn Into Nightmares.'An icy chill runs down Esmeray's spine. As she took a startled step back but before she could go any further she felt Lord Igor's harsh grip on her arm as he pushed her forward making her stumble into the room. "I kept my word. Here's the witch. Now it's time for you to keep your word and let my cousin go." Igor's words made Almira scoff. "You think I can't see the burning contempt in your soul for this abomination? You would have bought her to me even if I didn't hold the Vampire King hostage." "What do you want?" Esmeray sneered, hating the tremble in her voice. Even if Almira was talking to Igor her eyes were watching Esmeray with such intense curiosity that Esmeray felt like the old witch could see right inside her, see the chaos, the panicked beating of her heart. The fear~ All the sorcerers of the Sacred Land had one thing in common. The sorcerers had seen all the Elders except two. Vincent the Conqueror and Lady Almira. Lady Almira was re
Under the starry sky on the stage set in the middle of the Royal garden Raziel and Amell stared at Esmeray as she had her first dance with the King of Vampires who was now officially her husband. "Do you think we did the right thing?" Raziel asked his brother who was giving him company in the shadows, away from the preying ears and eyes. Raziel swallowed another sip of champagne from the crystal flute that threatened to break in his unforgiving grip, he had too much already but it still was not enough to endure the remaining hours of this ruse. "She is happy." Amell's statement was not enough to push the lingering doubts out of Raziel's mind. "The Vampire is going to admit his trade with Ascian. How do you think it will end up for everyone?" To calm his jittery intuition Raziel disclosed. "He is?" Amell smattered in shock. His eyes bounced between the newlywed couple and his brother. Clasping Raziel's arm in a warning grip Amell hissed under his breath. "Did you force the Vampire
The vast gardens were illuminated with beautiful, soft candlelight, the round tables were covered in white cloth. Arrangements of roses in the darkest shade of red decorate each one, their scent thick in the humid night. The Vampire Kingdom's most prestigious allys and subjects were seated around the long aisle. Standing at the entrance of the royal garden Esmeray could make out the familiar figures of the Queen and King of Wastelands along with the Fey King seated at the front, closest to the altar. Her grandfather Aric King was missing and given his history with Vladimir Esmeray wasn't surprised at his absence. Esmeray belonged to their bloodline but they were nothing more than numerous strangers surrounding her tonight. "I wish Daddy was here. I miss him." Esmeray's voice was barely above a whisper as she felt a pang of longing in her heart. "Who said he is not here? Maybe he is among the stars staring down at you with a smile. He must be proud to see how far his little food fa
"I can't feel my fingers." Esmeray's whining was accompanied by Amell's pained moan. "My back is killing me." After dealing with their end of the trade with the Dragon King the first thing they did was to transfer all the Dragon Gold from Esmeray’s old mansion to the Vampire Castle's secure Walt because it wasn't safe to leave the Gold out there after the Dragon King discovered that Esmeray had it in her possession. You can never trust a Dragon when it comes to Red Gold, they bloody protect it as their firstborn. Esmeray Raziel and Amell were sure once Aidan Draco was done dealing with his Mad Oracle he was going to come after Esmeray. "Did Aidan Draco find his bride?" Vladimir couldn't hold back his curiosity. "We don't know." Amell gave a careless shrug. "How could you not know? It was your trade to help the Dragon King find his bride." Vladimir asked instead of leaving the topic. And if there was anyone else in his place he would have done the same. Dragons were a specie th
Vladimir stared at the Royal attire he had never worn before with a slight curve of his lips. Two hours ago when Esmeray left with the two wizards it occurred to Vladimir that he couldn't just show up at his wedding in his typical formal black dress. So the first thing he did was to call the royal couturier to alter the royal attire that he had never worn in his life. The news of his marriage was made public just an hour ago. His subjects and Kingdom were in uproar at discovering that their King was finally seizing a Queen. Esmeray will be the first woman who will sit on the Vampire Queen's throne after Vladimir's mother's death. Vladimir had chosen the garden as a venue. The preparations outside the castle were on full swings. Vladimir could feel a mix of excitement and eagerness thrumming through his veins as everything started to fall into place on its own. "You are truly marrying her." The mocking sneer followed by the sound of throaty, gruff laughter filling the air pulled V
Esmeray stirred at the feel of the faint touch of cold fingers against her skin. Despite her mind being covered in the thick fog of sleep she moaned at the sparks going off on her skin at a familiar touch. The pointed tips of her ears twitched at the sound of muffled sobs coming from her left, bringing her out of her sleep-hazed state. Esmeray opened her eyes, blinking them rapidly to adjust to the room's low light. The moment her sight focused her eyes fell on Vladimir's face. She frowned at the tears rolling down his face as he stared at her legs. Despair settled at the pit of her stomach as she realized Vladimir was examining her scars. It almost felt like a dream seeing the Vampire King in a trance as his fingers gently traced over the thick scared tissues hidden beneath the ink on her legs. "Do they still hurt?" Esmeray’s heart twisted in knots at hearing the tremble in his voice. Somehow Esmeray knew he was not talking about physical pain. Her wounds had healed a long time
The Fey King was the only Monarch Esmeray hadn't managed to piss off or taunted probably because he was not hostile towards her. By blood, the Fey King was Amber’s grandfather but the man had long ago banished his daughter who was the Rightful Hier to his throne when she had abandoned the Fey Throne by marrying the King of Beasts. But Esmeray didn't know how much of that information was true. "If you know her origin why don't you share it with all of us?" Aric reasoned. The beast residing in his soul wanted to know if the pull it felt towards Esmeray was by blood or because of compulsion. Esmeray exhaled a tiny breath, her chest twisted as she waited for the Fey King to disclose her secret but his next words surprised her. "Knowledge and secret hold power and a wise King never reveals information of his allies." The Fey King offered Esmeray a mischievous smile. "And you are allied with her, darling grandfather." Amber couldn't help but mock the Fey King. She couldn't believe that
"If anyone has a problem with my appearance then they are welcome not to look my way. We are not here to fit in or seek any validation from anyone. So kindly refrain from telling me where I belong or not. The three of us are here just to keep an eye on my groom for protection purposes." Esmeray spoke unfazed by her mother's taunt. "Why do you think the Vampire King needs your protection?" Aric King asked with genuine confusion. It was hardly believable that a man of Vladimir's reputation would need someone's protection. The Vampire was a walking unhinged hazard. "What can I say? It's heartbreaking to admit it out loud that the Vampire won't sleep with me before our marriage so I am forced to protect his dee dee till our wedding night." Esmeray let out with a rueful shake of her head making Aric bit back a smile. "You are making it sound like you are marrying me for my body." Even though his tone was bored Vladimir's cheeks turned flaming red at his little brat's words who was dete