Chapter 154- Elnora POV
We land in the Viking Kingdom, and Lawler wraps his arms around me. “Stay with me, ok?” He requests. “Of course. We are going to do this as a team.” I kiss him quickly and begin walking to their pier.
This time when we walk up, we are walking with purpose. Men are struggling to get where they are going in the shadows. A few women lay on the pier, still unconscious from what had happened here. “Are they ok?” I ask as I kneel down next to the first body. “They should be when they wake up.” “How long will that take?” I ask Layla, who is rubbing the woman’s hand opposite of me. “They are still down, and I have been gone as long as I have; it should be very soon.” As she finishes speaking, the woman begins to flutter her eyes awake. “No!” She backs up aw
Chapter 155- Elnora POV Everyone has fallen to one knee surrounding us, including the creatures and Leon. “It is true. I checked with the higher selves of everyone here. Who she was when I died is not who she is now. After I died, she became a better person because of my death. She does care for these people as you care for yours.” “Thank you, Tiffany.” “You need to speak,” Lawler whispers in my ear. “Are you with me no matter what I choose?” I ask him. “No matter what.” He smiles at me. I take a deep breath as I stand next to Layla’s kneeling frame. “Layla?” I call to her softly. “Yes, my Queen?” She responds, looking at the ground. “Please stand with me.” I request. She slowly stands and looks at me with confusion. “I would like to please
Chapter 156- Elnora POV Standing back on our soil makes me happier than I had ever expected. Knowing that I am home and I can genuinely make a difference in the lives of those who need it strengthens me. “My Queen, we will be at your side tonight.” Three female creatures state as I step to the side. “Thank you.I look forward to spending time with you.” I wait until everyone has filed through before pulling Lawler to the side. “Who goes where?” “Ask them. Wherever they feel more comfortable is where they should be.” “OK. Be safe, and I will see you soon.” I kiss him quickly. “I love you.” He calls to me. “I love you too!” I call back over the group of people, and then he is gone. “OK, everyo
Chapter 157 – Elnora POV5 Years Later The sound of the waves crashing on the beach as the sun kisses my sun engulfs me in memories. It has been five years this week since we have come to the Northern Vampire Kingdom, and so much has been accomplished. The Viking Kingdom had their brief six-month stay with us while we cleaned up their Kingdom and prepared Layla for her rule. I smile at the thought of Layla on the day we return them all home. “I at this moment hand over my Queen of the Viking Kingdom title to Layla. Layla from this day forward holds the title of Queen.” I sobbed the entire time. She had made me and everyone she had been in contact proud. Giving her this new title brought me such joy; leaving her behind was another story. She had become my best friend in those few months. Between Layla and Harmony, I learned
Chapter 158- Elnora POV Leon’s face falls, and I can see his tears falling on the floor. “What did he do to her?” I can feel my anger growing within me, Tiffany is beginning to take over, and it takes everything I have to keep her at bay. “Mom?” Talvin calls softly to me as he cries, and I move to him once again. “We didn’t know what was happening. We didn’t get there in time.” “Who is we and get where?” I ask, looking around to all of them and back to Talvin. “Mom, when Leon felt that Brogan had gone against his deal, we left right away. It took us longer than normal to find him because he was hiding. When we go there.” He stops to control his emotions before continuing. “We had to call the cops. It was beyond what we could do. He ran, the kids gave a statement, and I told the cops we would be back for the children this afte
Chapter 159- Elnora POV I have looked up some ways to introduce children who are scared to a new home and have instructed Lawler to remain as calm as he can. He is hardly holding onto his joy that he will get to watch children grow up. “Hello, I am Elnora,” I state as I take a knee on their level. “Would you like to play outside for a little while before we go inside? Or we can go in and have a snack before we show you to your rooms, or we could always go straight to your rooms, so you know where they are.” I overdo it. I know I do, and I regret it almost instantly. “We can play outside?” The oldest little boy asks. “Of course, you can,” Talvin answers him and offers to take their bags so they can play in the sand. We watch them for a few moments before Lawler takes off into the house. He is back quick with bucket
Chapter 160- Elnora POV The weather is rolling in, and it was a good thing I decided to come down here when I did, or everything would get wet, including the angry caged cat. I start by bringing everything the children brought into the house, then gather the food. I wouldn’t want the water to wash off the scent of their mother on anything they brought with them. I have just brought in the last plate of brownies when the sky opens up and allows a steady heavy rain to plumate to the earth. “Need help?” Lawler asks as he watches me close the doors. “Na, I got it all in just in time. It is really coming down out there.” I look through the windows to see movement on the beach. “Who is that down there?” I ask, pointing. Lawler joins me, looking out the window. “There shouldn’t be anyone down there; I will go and have a look. I will be right back.” I watch as Lawler rac
Chapter 161- Elnora POV Their mom is there instantly. “Hello, my darlings, how are you holding up?” She asks them. I stay off to the side as much as I can to give them the time they need during this meeting. “We miss you, mom,” Henry calls out to her as he sobs tears of sadness. “I love you, mom,” Emma calls out. I can feel tears flowing down my face as I hear them speak to her. The pain of losing a parent is hardly manageable for them at such a young age is beyond tragic. “I love you both so very much.” She pulls them into a hug and kisses them both. “I want you to hear what I am going to say to you.” She kneels on the ground in front of them to move to their level. “Do you remember when I told you that if something were ever to happen that you can trust Elnora?” “Yes.” They both whisper.“That young man who has stood up and
Chapter 162- Elnora POV I could hear the children crying in the middle of the night. When I went to check on them, Talvin and Sydney were already at their sides. I peeked in the doors just to let them know that I was there if they needed anything, then I went back to bed. The sound of giggling children coming through my window wakes me with a smile. I quickly dress and look over my balcony to see the children down on the beach with Sydney building sandcastles on this warm, beautiful morning. I am enjoying the view when my phone's alarm jingles. “What in the world?” I ask as I pick up my phone and see the reminder. “Final dress fitting at 10 am.” I completely forgot that I had to do that today. Lawler is slaving over the stove in the kitchen, making pancakes and bacon for break
Hello wonderful readers!It has been a privilege to write for you these past months. Your continued support brought me joy and the strength to bring you this book. This book has allowed me to show my children how determination looks. I am going to tell you a secret that I told my children and my family while writing this book- "I am writing for the one person reading right now. If they read for a day or read all of the chapters, I will finish it for them." This gave me the push I needed to continue. When I felt like I was slowing down or getting tired, I thought of you. Thank you for being there on my feed showing me that you were reading. I needed that support, and you gave it to me even if it were only a few moments.As it has ended I have decided to ask you, my reader, if you would be interested in reading a shorter sequel. You can let me know in a short comment, and I will happily begin working on one for you. Stories are a wonderful way to escape the world a
Chapter 171- Elnora POV Everyone has taken their seats and turned their attention to us. “We have learned within our Kingdom that for every problem we have, there is a silver lining. Once again, our King and Queen prevailed, and with their victory, we gained a new King and Queen in training. A gift to our Kingdom that we all thank you for granting to us.” Sabastian bows to all of us before continuing. “When Lawler began seeing you, Elnora, in the human world during the cover of night, he started changing for the better. He started becoming the King he had always wanted to become. Then when you entered our world and completed your mark, you granted him the strength needed to be the best version of King he could be. A gift he has granted your son and our future King. It is my honor to welcome you into our Kingdom not only as our Queen and friend but as the wife of my best friend.” &nbs
Chapter 170- Elnora POV Blow after blow; we watch as the pair of them struggle. "How is he still standing?" I link with Harmony. "Magic, they have witches on his side that are keeping his strength up.” "Can we break it?" I beg. "No, not unless we find the witches and the magic is not coming from here." Harmony sounds defeated. "I cannot live on without him.” "You will have to, for your children." Harmony moves to my side and takes my hand as we watch in horror. Lawler is beginning to lose, and I have had enough. How can I stop this? I ask myself. We watch as his father lifts his hand one last time, and as he does, I know this will be the blow that knocks Lawler unconscious. "STOP!" Tavin demands as he walks forward. My attention doesn't leave Lawler and his position, but the command stops the blow. "You are to remove yourself from his bo
Chapter 169- Elnora POV My spell is working. Lawler has a bloody nose as he stands, but nothing more. On the other hand, his father is bleeding profusely and has a broken nose. “What did you do?” He calls out. “I did nothing,” Lawler responds to him. His father struggles to his feet, and when he finally makes it, he throws another punch into Lawler’s stomach. I watch in amazement as Lawler hardly flinches and his father withers on the ground in pain. “Just toss him in the dungeon, and we will deal with him another day.” I request. “Stay back.” Sabastian pulls me from my waist backward towards the beach. I can see what he sees from this position, and people surround us we do not know. I lock eyes with Sabastian, and he nods his head. I look to Talvin and link with him first. “I am calling in back up; tu
Chapter 168- Elnora POV “You look beautiful,” Merrick announces as he enters the room and sees me standing on the dressing platform. “Thank you.” He offers his hand for me to step down after the last adjustment to my dress is made, and I take it. “Really, you are glowing. I am so happy for you.” He states as he walks with me to the door. “Are you sure you boys are ok with me getting married?” I ask him. “Mom, he already adopted us, and we took his last name. We signed off on that paper. Of course, we are ok with you getting married. Finally, we will all have the same last name again. You are the only odd man out.” He pokes fun at me. “I don’t want to upset any of you.” “This has been the best five years anyone could have ever asked for. Trust me, and we are all here for you. If you need me to make a distraction today, just say the word bab
Chapter 167- Elnora POV Vampires can drink a lot before feeling even the slightest buzz from consumption. Today, I am saying prayers to the porcelain gods of Harmony’s guest bathroom, or should I say my room at her house. I feel horrible. My bachelorette party was the best party I have ever been to in my life. Even the creatures that were invited had a blast and drank with us. A soft knock sounds on the bathroom door. “No one is home.” I joke. “I have some tea that will help you feel better,” Sydney calls softly. “Come in.” Granting her access, I wipe my mouth and sit on the floor. “Feeling pretty bad, I see.” “Yeah.” “Harmony said this tea will help you feel better.” “Will it, though?” I ask as I take it from her hands. “She made me some, and I feel completely norma
Chapter 166- Elnora POV Relief. That is the feeling that consumes me when Lawler announces that his father is alive. His face looks horrified and like he is waiting for me to bolt at any moment, but instead, I move to him and sit in his lap. “Oh, Lawler.” I hug him tightly. “I know you are angry.” He begins. “No, I am not. I am relieved more than you will ever know. This is honestly not even close to the things that I was thinking. This is the lesser of the evils that had gone through my mind. I wish you would have told me sooner so I could tell you.” “Tell me what?” “We had your fathers’ blood. We have put a barrier up in our Kingdom, and along with the portals for all the Kingdoms, he cannot get in. There is no way he will ever get you here.” “Spells can be broken.”“They can, but they are pretty good spells. We also have backup p
Chapter 165- Elnora POV Lawler has been distant this week. Not in the mental sense; when he is with me, he is with me entirely. Communication is on point, and he makes sure all of my needs are met, but physically, he is distant. Theo insists that he is working on something, and everything is fine. I know better, though; I can feel it deep down in my soul that something is off. Something has presented itself, and he is trying to handle it without me knowing. I have considered that it was information on Brogan, but Leon comes to me every day after he scouts with any information he has or doesn’t have. Looking out over the ocean from our balcony, I drink my tea in peace. I finally switched from coffee a few years ago when Tiffany insisted I learn the difference in taste and smell in herbs so that I would never fall prey to someone trying to drug me. Over the
Chapter 164- Lawler POV For five years, I have searched for proof that my father was alive or dead, never to find a whisper of the truth. Now I find out that he is alive and coming for me just as I have something important happening in my life. “Do you know when?” I ask as I rub the irritation from my face. “By the next full moon.” He replies. The full moon was the night before last; I have about a month. I begin to calculate what needs to be done before anything happens. “What do you know of the puddle?” I ask standing, producing the blade of grass. “Oh, right. About that.” He stutters. “Touch it.” I insist. “You already know your answer.” He counters. “I need to see for myself.” Holding it closer to him, I watch as he picks it up and peals it apart. Nothing happens; he is the