The End of Hatred

by Rebecca Hefner

  “Okay,” she said, perplexed.

  “Over these past weeks I have come to see you as the true leader you are. It is magnificent to see you finally leading our people. I have always been a Valktor loyalist and his blood runs so strongly through you.”

  “Thank you. I truly appreciate your support. I couldn’t do this without you.”

  “We make a great team, don’t we?” He grabbed her hand, clutching it in his.

  “Absolutely. I value your council and am lucky to have it.”

  She noticed his free hand was shaking slightly as he reached into his pocket. Slowly pulling out a felt-covered box, he let go of her hand to palm it. She knew what was coming. Shit.

  “Miranda,” he said, lowering to one knee. “I know that I am not worthy of you, nor could I ever be. But I have found myself falling more deeply in love with you, day by day. You’re the most amazing woman I have ever met. It would be an honor to help you run the kingdom as your husband and father of your children. I don’t expect you to feel the same for me but hope that one day you will come to love me. I promise I will do everything in my power to make that happen. Miranda, will you give me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

  Her heart pounded as she looked at the handsome man kneeling before her. In another lifetime, he would be a perfect husband. Smart, strong and loyal, she could see them raising a family together and ruling while her people lived in peace.

  Unfortunately, there was one hiccup. She happened to be in love with another man. A Vampyre at that. Someone she had no future with. Fuck.

  “Aron," she said softly.

  He smiled up at her, the ring box open in his hand. Waiting. Expectant.

  “Well, don’t let me interrupt,” said a baritone voice from the doorway.

  Miranda gasped as the subject of her thoughts appeared. His hulking body obstructed the door, his face impassive.

  “Sathan,” she whispered.

  Aron cleared his throat and stood, stuffing the ring box back in his pocket. “Well, they say there’s nothing like bad timing.” He gave her a tiny grin, but his discomfort was clear.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, clutching his hand and giving it a squeeze. “Unfortunately, this isn’t a good time. Can we talk about this later? I am honored at your proposal.”

  “Of course,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She saw Sathan stiffen in the doorway, his teeth clenching as a massive muscle corded in his neck.

  Aron left the room, acknowledging the Vampyre with a nod as he exited.

  Slowly, Sathan closed the door. He stared at her, his black eyes filled with murder.

  As he sauntered toward her, he asked, “Why are you being proposed to by another man? And why in the hell does he think he has the right to put his lips anywhere on your face?”

  The possessiveness of his words sent a shiver down her back. “He’s one of my most trusted advisors.”

  Her neck craned back as he came to stand fully in front of her. The air between them vibrated with his anger. “I’m trying to tell myself there’s a good explanation why my woman is getting a proposal from someone else.”

  Her brows drew together. “Your woman? Get over yourself.”

  His massive hands slid through her hair, fisting it gently as he tilted her head back, jumpstarting her body’s desire. She had ached to see him for so long and any touch was bittersweet. But his jealousy was also pissing her off.

  “I didn’t say you could touch me.” Her nostrils flared as she looked into his dark eyes.

  “Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re mine, Miranda. Mine. I can’t live in a world where another man touches you.”

  Exasperated, she laughed bitterly. “I’m not yours or anyone’s, you fucking Neanderthal. I’m my own woman and I’ll choose who I’m with and who I let touch me.”

  He panted as he held her, his breath warming her face. She longed to beg him to take her, to love her, but her indignation held her in check.

  As his eyes searched hers, he inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She felt him relax, if only a little.

  “I don’t care for him that way,” she said, holding his gaze so he could see her truth. “But regardless of my feelings, I will have to marry him or some other Slayer someday to ensure an heir. We can’t change that.”

  With a sigh, he lowered his forehead to hers, massaging her scalp as he held her hair. “I know,” he said. Her body shuddered at his rich voice, his proximity. “But I find that I want you all to myself. How do I live with that?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, encircling his thick neck with her arms. “It fucking sucks.”

  Lowering his mouth to hers, he gave her a blazing kiss. A flush heated her body as she mated her tongue with his, sliding, stroking, showing him how much she’d missed him.

  He kissed a tiny trail with his lips along her cheek, stopping at her ear. “I’m sorry,” he whispered into the tiny crevasse, making her shiver. “I wanted to badly to see you and came here to find you being proposed to by another man. I wanted to kill him.”

  She hugged him tight, squeezing hard. “I’m sorry too. I had no idea he was going to propose. He’s a good man, Sathan. He would make a good husband. We have to be realistic about our situation.”

  Pulling back, he looked down at her as he held her face in his hands. “Damnit,” he said, rubbing his thumbs over her cheeks. “I convinced myself I wasn’t capable of feeling jealousy.”

  Smiling, she rubbed her hand on his chest. “I think you’d better reassess.”

  Breathing out a laugh, he grinned down at her.

  “Why are you here?” she asked.

  “I saw the goddess last night. I wanted to discuss our conversation with you. Can we go somewhere more private?”

  “Like my bedchamber?”

  His fangs seemed to glow as he beamed. “Definitely.”

  Taking his hand, she led him out of the room.

  * * * *

  Sathan entered the bedchamber behind her, closing the door with a soft click. Their affair was secret, his jealousy dangerous. He needed to remember that as he continued to forge peace. Although he desired her more than he had any other woman, their trysts would end when one of them bonded and she would no longer be his. They both had a duty to fulfill and he couldn’t jeopardize that.

  They walked onto the balcony. Under the stars, he told her of his conversation with Etherya, warning her of the obstacles she spoke of.

  “I’m not afraid of dying,” she said, the green of her eyes seeming to melt in the dimness. “If I do, then it will be for a great cause. Hopefully you will still ensure the unification of our people in peace.”

  “I will, but it will be with you by my side, alive. I won’t lose you in the caves. You’re too important to our people.” To me, a voice in his head said softly.

  Her tiny hand snaked up his arm, bare under the sleeve of his t-shirt. “I plan to attack at the next full moon.” Green eyes searched his, filled with fear and resolve.

  Sathan looked to the sky, noting the waning quarter phase of the moon. She would attack in three weeks. A sliver of terror shot through him. He didn’t want her exposed to danger but knew it was the only course forward. And yet, he had tremendous faith in her. She was the strongest of them all. In heart, determination and will. If anyone could kill the Dark Lord it was his Slayer.

  “I can’t wait to see you march through the streets with that bastard’s head in your fist. The image will be burned in our history books. I have no doubt you will triumph.”

  Her pink lips curved into a sad smile. “And then you’ll marry Lila and I’ll take a husband. Our people will be at peace while we live separate lives.”

  “I will always care about you, Miranda. If you trust nothing else, trust that.” He rubbed his finger over her silken cheek, dazed by her beauty. Wanting to pull her inside him somehow and never let go.

  Clutching his hand, she pulled him into the bedchamber, leading him to the large fireplace that c
omprised the far wall. Grabbing the hem of his shirt, she pulled it off and tossed it to the ground. One by one, she lifted his arms, placing them outstretched on the mantle that sat above the hearth.

  “Stay,” she commanded softly.

  The ripe flesh of her lips brushed the skin of his chest and she began kissing little trails along his pecs. Heat consumed his body and he moved his hands to clutch her head. Grabbing his wrists, she placed his arms back on the mantle. “Stay.”

  By the goddess, she was magnificent. The rim of her mouth slid along his skin, coming to stop at the tiny copper disk of his nipple. Extending her wet tongue, she licked him. He growled in approval. Closing her lips over the hardened nub, she sucked. Clinching the wood of the mantle, he struggled to let her be in control.

  She moved to his other nipple, mewling as she sucked it. Slim fingers grasped his shoulders as she plunged her nails into the skin there. Exhaling deeply, he closed his eyes, the tiny pinpricks of pain making his body pulse. Moisture formed at the tip of his cock as he imagined her sucking him.

  Her fingertips slid to his slacks, the muscles of his hardened eight-pack quivering under her touch. She popped the button free and slid the zipper down. Inserting her hands at his sides, she slid his pants and underwear to the floor. Lowering his gaze, he took her in. Those gorgeous eyes were shuttered as she fisted his swollen shaft, running her thumb across the wetness, spreading it over the sensitive head.

  A breath hissed out of him, his body a tense mass of nerves. “Fuck, Miranda.”

  “Shhhhhhh…” she said, using both hands to cradle his engorged cock. “Let me love you.”

  Lowering to her knees, she lined her mouth up to the tip, her pink tongue bathing those plushy lips with saliva. He almost came right there.

  Holding the base in one hand, she opened her mouth wide and took him in.

  His head fell back as he groaned in pleasure, determined to let her control the situation. Gazing back down, his heart pounded. Never had he seen anything as sexy as his Slayer sliding her soft lips over his cock. She moaned as she picked up the pace, her hand moving in tandem with her mouth.

  Unable to stop himself, he fisted his hands in her hair. She purred as he pulled slightly. She seemed to like it when he pulled her hair, and he loved the dominance he felt when he did.

  His hips began to move as she bathed him. Needing more, he took command. “Move your hand. Let me fuck your mouth.”

  She complied, bringing her hand to rest on the back of his thigh. Grasping her hair, he jutted his hips back and forth, gazing into her eyes as she gave him all control. Those green orbs, filled with desire as he pistoned back and forth in her sultry mouth, were mesmerizing. Tilting her head back, she took him further down her throat. He lost all semblance of control.

  Increasing the pace of his thrusts, he cursed through clenched teeth. Miranda took him deeper, allowing him to plunder her as if she were made to suck him dry. He felt his balls tense, knowing he was about to come.

  “I need to pull out,” he said.

  She grasped onto the back of his thighs, holding on for dear life, clutching him to her. Her eyes told him to finish inside her.

  “Miranda…” he said, pumping into her.

  Tilting his head back, he screamed, overcome with the force of his orgasm. He spasmed into her mouth, his body jerking uncontrollably. Holding him inside, she lapped up all that he gave her.

  It was the most erotic moment of his life.

  Trembling, he lowered his head to look at her, blurry through his hazed vision. Stroking her hair, he popped himself from her mouth, her lips swollen from his thrusts. With her tongue, she lathered her bottom lip, seizing droplets of his release that sat there. Moving his thumb to her lip, he captured one of the drops and placed it in her mouth. Closing her lips around his thumb, she sucked.

  By the goddess, she was glorious. Everything he had ever wanted in a lover.

  Lifting her up under her arms, he brought her lips to his mouth, reveling in his taste inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he devoured her, showing her with his tongue how grateful he was for her recent loving.

  “You’re wearing too many clothes,” he growled, pushing his hand under her shirt to feel the soft skin of her back.

  She smiled against his mouth. “It was time I gave you some pleasure. You’re so good at giving it to me.”

  “You’re an animal,” he said, nipping her lips. “That was amazing. Thank you.”

  Her cheeks turned red as she clutched her arms behind his neck.

  “You’re embarrassed,” he said, rubbing his nose against hers.

  “A little. I’ve never really enjoyed that before. With you, everything is different. I’ve never felt this way…you know, sexually, with anyone. It’s overwhelming.”

  “For me too.” He gave her a soft kiss.

  Then he lowered her and playfully slapped her behind. “Now get out of those clothes. I need to return the favor.” Biting her lip, she complied.

  After pulling off the rest of his clothes, he threw her over his shoulder and carried his naked Slayer to the bed. She giggled and pounded her tiny fists on his back, muttering something about how he was a caveman. Laughing with her, he climbed under the covers. With finessed skill, he made sure he returned the favor.

  Much later, as she was quivering beneath him, he loomed over her, ready to fill her. “Look at me, Miranda,” he said softly.

  Those green eyes opened, filled with emotions that he didn’t dare analyze. Lacing his fingers through hers on either side of her head on the pillow, he entered her. Nudging softly, he whispered words of passion, showing her with his body how special she was to him. Her eyes glazed over as she reached her peak.

  “Yes, sweetheart,” he said, overcome with feeling for her.

  “Sathan,” she whispered, clutching his hands as he loved her.

  “Let it go.”

  Her body shot off the bed and he clenched his teeth as her walls convulsed around him. Throwing back his head, he came, pushing further inside her, wanting to reach her deepest place.

  Afterward, he rotated their bodies so that they lay facing each other, still joined as their breath stabilized. Gazing into each other’s eyes, they communicated emotions that were too raw to verbalize.

  When the first hint of dawn flirted with the night sky, Sathan rose to dress, hating to leave her. Sitting beside her on the bed, he woke her.

  “Sathan?” she asked softly, her hair mussed as she looked up at him from the pillow.

  “We’re really going to have to do something about this temporary amnesia you seem to have when you wake.” Smiling, he leaned down to kiss her. “I have to go.”

  Tiny teeth chewed on her lip, driving him crazy. “When will I see you again?”

  Stroking her hair on the pillow, he sighed. “Probably not until after you attack Crimeous. I need to leave you here to forge your path. I don’t want to do anything that detracts from your purpose.”

  She swallowed, her throat moving up and down. “And then I’ll return home and we’ll unite the compounds.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’ll marry Lila and I’ll marry Aron and we’ll all live happily ever after.”

  He hadn’t told her about ending his betrothal with Lila, not wanting to murk their already emotional waters. “Let’s worry about all of that when the battle is over.”

  Her eyes filled with moisture and he felt his heart shatter into a thousand tiny pieces in his chest. “Please don’t cry, sweetheart.” With his thumb, he caught the single tear that escaped from her gorgeous eyes. “I need you to be strong. You’re so close. No one could have ever accomplished what you have in such a short time. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met, Miranda. It’s time for you to finish what you started.”

  Her smile soothed his shattered heart, if only a bit. “You make me strong. I’ve gained so much from you. I don’t want to defeat Crimeous only to lose you. How is that a victory?”


  His thumb traced over her wet skin. “It will all work out, little Slayer. Trust me.” Lowering down, he gave her one last kiss. “See ya,” he said, his throat closing with emotion.

  “See ya,” she whispered.

  Leaving her was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do in a thousand years. With finality, he closed the door of her bedchamber behind him.

  * * * *

  Miranda cried softly into her pillow, her heart breaking at her lover’s goodbye. Feeling sick, she stumbled to the bathroom and proceeded to retch. With her head resting on her arm, which lay limply on the seat of the toilet, she gave a humorless laugh at the mess she’d made of her life.

  Here she was, about to embark on the greatest mission of her life, in love with the Vampyre king. If someone had prophesized this a year ago, she would’ve thought them mad. Absolutely insane.

  Forcing herself to rise, she completed the menial tasks she needed to in order to start her day. Unfortunately, destiny didn’t wait for heartbroken Slayers.

  Once dressed, she headed out to find Larkin.

  Chapter 31

  Almost two weeks later, Miranda finished a grueling training session and threw her sword to the ground. “I’m done, Larkin. No more tonight. I need a break.”

  “Yes, princess,” he said, his eyes filled with worry.

  “I’m fine,” she said, reassuring him. “I just need some rest. Even I am fallible sometimes.”

  “Of course. I plan to train the troops for another hour. Let me know if you need me.”

  Nodding, she headed back to the barracks and then to the stables. Heaving Majesty’s large saddle on his back, she jumped on top and caressed his silky mane. What she needed was some space. As she rode to the clearing where they had buried her mother, she admitted that she wasn’t in the right frame of mind. Ever since Sathan had left her bedchamber two weeks ago, she hadn’t felt the same. Not only did she miss him terribly, but she had come down with an awful bug and had been puking her guts out on a daily basis.

  Sadie had informed her that a terrible flu was circulating around the compound and had given her some concoction that was supposed to help her nausea. Unfortunately it hadn’t served its purpose. Miranda knew she had to get herself healthy. She would need all of her strength to fight the Dark Lord.