Chapter 25- Lawler POV
We watch as Brogan gets in his car and heads into town for his day of work or to meet his mistress. A while later, we watch the kids fly off the porch into the street. Elnora sits on the porch, slightly off-color, with an ill appearance that has taken over her. “Theo,” I call in my mind link across the property, “Yes, sir” “Can you get a good look at Elnora’s mark?” “From my position, it looks red and inflamed, almost like it is infected. Can that happen?” He questions with worry. “No, it can’t. Stay hidden,” I remark as torrential rain comes.
Stepping on the walkway just inside her gate, I look at the boys. Two of them know who I am instantly, and the third has a mixture of confusion and interest written on his face. I can hear them call for their mom. When she appears at the door, my eyes immediately go to her neck. Sure enough, it is swollen and infected.
Chapter 26- King Lawler POVThe strength and determination in Fulton’s words when he spoke, “You can come in,” were like lightning bolts. Entering the house, I moved to Elnora’s side. “Merrick, call the ambulance,” Theo barked orders from the porch. Without hesitation, Merrick did as he was told and made the call. Pulling Elnora’s hair back on her neck, I had a visual of the infection at hand. Leaning forward over the mark, I inhaled deeply to determine the extent of the illness and what the culprit was. “Do you have fresh garlic here?” My attention is turning to Fulton. “Yes, on the counter.” “Review last night, please, and see who used garlic last night.” At my words, Fulton hurried down the hall to retrieve his computer. We could all hear the distinct siren of
Chapter 27- King Lawler POV Nearly an hour has passed when I see Theo along the horizon with a door on his back. “You could have called me!” I growl as I take the door from his grasp. “I am competent. It isn’t like it is heavy.” “This door is around a hundred pounds.” “I am a vampire. A car is not heavy” He laughs as he walks onto the porch. “I can hold it on this side if you want to get the tools needed to repair it?” His voice cautioned, “Ask what it is you want to ask.” I encourage him as I lean the door against the house. “How is our Queen? She didn’t look well.” “She is okay. It looks like they may be coming home tonight. So, you will be able to meet her soon officially.” “Can I ask you something else?” “You may.” “Could I interview for a position on her guard? I know that only the
Chapter 28- King Lawler POVTaking careful steps towards the petrified Mistress, I circle behind her. “It would seem that you have just witnessed what Brogan’s son’s think of the situation.” The woman has nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of my voice behind her. “Who are you? What do you want?” “I think you may know who I am.” I insist while looking in on the child, she has just birthed. “I don’t know who you are. You need to leave.” “I am the one who your husband bargained with. You know all that money that had been added to your account. It didn’t come from him.” “I don’t understand.” The goosebumps all over her arms tell me she had an idea of what it could have been but was never told the truth of what lengths he went through to get the money. “Who do you think I am?” I ask, walking closer to her. “A vampire,” her whispe
Chapter 29- King LawlerAs we are rounding the final bend, Fulton’s voice bellows into my mind. “Our father is coming to kill us. We need a distraction. He is on the way now.” My eyes widen in fear for their safety. “We will try and give you a 10-minute window. I can’t make any promises, but I can do my best. Talvin can lead the way. I will meet all of you in my living room. Be safe.” As the final words transfer to his mind, I turn on the others. “Brogan is on the way. He threatened their lives. We need to give them as long as possible to get out of that house. I said 10-minutes, but I don’t know if we can manage even that.” “We will make sure nothing happens to them.” Theo is springing into action. “Everyone split up. Theo, you come with me to protect the Queen and the Prince’s, Leon and Keith, do what you can to slow him down.”The sounds of tires screeching and lights flooding the dr
Chapter 30- King Lawler POVArriving home, I have found that they have just been shown to their rooms. “Welcome home,” Sabastian hugs me. “What is with the hug?” I ask in confusion. Sabastian is not one for physical affection. “You brought us such a wonderful gift. Our Queen is so kind. The boys are full of youth and have such high spirits for the situation at hand. I can not thank you enough for picking such a wonderful Queen.” Bringing tears to my eyes, I pull him in for another hug. My best friend and confidant has agreed with my choice of Queen, and it warms my heart. “Thank you for the kind words.” My heart is overflowing with emotions. Thinking about what my mother and father would have said about me marking a human and the woman that Elnora truly is. “They would have loved the four of them” As if on cue, Sabastian surprised me with words that I needed to hear the most. “Thank you.&rdq
Chapter 31- Elnora POVWaiting for the feeling of nervous butterflies of being alone to make their presence when my boys left the room didn’t come. Instead, pure relaxation and contentment surrounded me. “I was told not to touch earlier when we passed through here. Could you tell me about this statue?” I ask, turning our conversation to something other than us. “Did Sabastian tell you not to touch?” He asks, lifting his eyebrow. “he said it was a personal item of yours. I apologize if I overstepped.” “You may touch anything within this household.” He announces, moving beside me. “You see, Sabastian is very overprotective of this piece.” “Why is that?” I find myself blurting out as I look over the King's face for the answer. “The easiest way to explain is by telling you the story of this carving. That is if you would like to hear it?” “I would love to hear it.”
Chapter 32- Elnora POV“Please lead the way,” I encourage the King. Without hesitation, he loosens the grip on my side only enough for me to be comfortable walking. I am thankful he has not let me go just quite yet. Something about his hands on my body brings a sense of familiarity and home to my aching soul. The night air is cool enough that no mosquitos or gnats are flying about, and this brings a smile to my face. “What is making you smile so happily?” His voice caresses my ears. “I was noticing the lack of obnoxious bugs out tonight.” My answer is taking him by surprise. “It doesn’t take much to please you, does it? No bugs, cheesecake, what else am I missing?” He asks with humor. “When you don’t have much in life that is truly your own, you learn to be pleased with small things. Such as lack of bugs.” I shrug my shoulders in
Chapter 33- Elnora POV “I have much to tell you. Let me start by stating that, yes, some of our vampires can read minds. It is an added ability they have.” “Can you read minds?” “It is difficult, but I can do it. It does not come naturally to me as it does to others. I mainly speak to those through a mind link to the people of our Kingdom. You see, one can not lie over a mind link. It is physically impossible to do when speaking to the King or Queen, that is. I guess one could learn to lie to other members of the Kingdom.” Nodding my head in understanding of his words, we walk hand in hand down the beach. He is swinging my shoes in one hand while holding my hand securely in the other.“You will have your own personal guard, as will each of the boys. I have already appointed someone to your guard. He asked me if he could have an interview to be on your guard. It didn’t
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