Queen of Swords (The Vampire Swords Book 3)

by Arabella Kingsley

  ‘Now, Juliet, are you ready to be obedient or do you wish to feel the sting of the whip again?’

  ‘No, no please,’ she told me in a gentle bruised voice. ‘I will do as I am told. You are right I am more than careless with my safety.’ I removed my arm and pulled up her undergarments and helped her rise. ‘I have said it before and let you down. I know you are frustrated with me. I just feel so suffocated here’

  I gazed down at her an amused arrogant smile playing on my lips as she rubbed her sore bottom. There was a healthy flush to her tear stained cheeks and with my mind I could feel her arousal reaching boiling point inside her. She was ashamed that her whipping had excited her. She was desperate for me to brand her blood and claim her. I reminded myself that the Elders were due to walk in for more talks any moment but even then I considered throwing caution to the wind to be inside her.

  ‘You are mocking me again, Nathan.’

  She clearly did not approve of my amusement. In a quick reflexive movement she raised her hand to slap me, more I believe for arousing her in such a fashion than anything else. I caught her arm easily and pulled her closer in a rough manner. It was the way she apparently wanted to be handled with her disobedience. My lips lowered and captured her mouth. She gasped against me and then gave in, allowing me to probe deeply into her mouth. She was as hungry as I was, allowing me to taste and devour her. I held her tightly, crushing her against me. My incisors felt sharper than ever. They tingled and throbbed urging her branding. I moved my mouth to kiss her soft vulnerable neck rubbing my incisors against her skin. Juliet shivered with pleasure in my arms. I cupped her breast and gently squeezed the tender swell in my palm.

  ‘Nathan, please, I can’t wait much longer to.’

  ‘Hush, I know. Maybe I should take you now, publicly if needs be. Then they will know you really belong to me,’ I teased.

  ‘Perhaps you should,’ she breathed against me. She smiled, ‘Then all will know of your mastery of me.’

  I grinned and open my mouth to speak but the sound of voices outside the door were to take my attention. Juliet jumped in my arms and attempted to move away. I stole one last kiss before I would let her go and tapped her bottom with my hand as someone tried the door handle.

  ‘Mind what I told you,’ I instructed sternly. ‘Or you are going to have a very sore bottom sitting on your throne in the coronation tomorrow after I have whipped your bottom again. I will not be disobeyed. Heed my warning, Queen of Talus.’

  She blushed scarlet causing her some considerable embarrassment when her advisors and the elders came into the room. I gave her a dark look as I leant against my desk with folded arms, giving her no doubt I would indeed carry out my threat just as I had done not but a moment ago. I would master her will, whether she cared for it or not. Her life as depended on it. I would not lose her.

  Chapter Nine

  After yet more talks we dressed for dinner, taking our nightly blood feed and sipped fine claret from my cellar. I noticed that Juliet was suddenly overcome with tiredness. As human/vampire hybrids we did not need to sleep but we could become exhausted. The human in us suggested sleep as a remedy and habit made us retreat to bed. I formally informed the elders Juliet needed to rest that evening before her coronation and escorted her to her room.

  There was also another motivation for taking Juliet to her room. I sensed that tonight one of the challengers from the boat would make their move. He would not be alone for the other two knights whose disturbing thoughts regarding Juliet had caused me great discomfort would also try to claim Juliet in the event of the coronation. When Juliet collapsed against me, unconscious in the hallway, I knew she had been drugged and my suspicions were confirmed. Juliet would be easy to bite and rape in her drugged state once I had been defeated. Rage filled my body as I swung Juliet into my arms and carried her to the bedroom at lightning speed.

  I lay Juliet on top of the four poster bed in her beautiful white and blue dinner dress that complimented her small curved figure so well. It had drawn my avid lustful attention for the majority of the evening. I pulled on the bell rope for my Butler to bring my sword from my own room. Thompson turned down the light in the gas lamp at my request and left me sitting in a chair guarding my Queen. I did not have to wait long for the first of my challengers to arrive.

  The door handle moved. I watched the door patiently. A dark male figure walked inside and crossed the room towards the bed. A flickering shadow betraying the presence of a sword in his hand. Jason’s face emerged in the dim yellow light. He looked down at Juliet with a loving glow on his face.

  ‘I didn’t want to poison her,’ he told me turning to look at me briefly. He had offered no doubt of knowing my presence in the room. ‘But it was the only way. Did you know there is an arsenal of herbs, potions and other devices us Knights can use to overpower a Taleian Queen and keep her under control. A simple potion of fennel and aniseed can render her as helpless as a child. It may be hidden without odour after a simple spell, say in a glass of claret. It is a fearful life Juliet must lead.’ Jason paused.

  ‘ I know she loves you but I must have her, you see. Even if I have to do it like this. I can’t help myself. Our truce is over, Nathan.’

  Slowly, I stood, nodding my head. I straightened the front lapels of my tailed dinner coat before bending to pick up my sword at the side of my chair.

  ‘Yes and this is where you lose your life,’ I informed him courteously.

  ‘Perhaps. Or you may lose your own.’

  Jason raised the sword he held at his side but I struck the blade before he could commence the fight. He reeled backwards hissing and baring his incisors and our duel began. Our fight was long but private until I removed Jason’s head with the swift clean stroke of my sword across his throat. I had sensed another challenger waiting patiently in the darkness of the large room and the moment Jason’s head hit the floor I was duelling once more.

  Our swords clashed loudly. Juliet began to move restless, fighting to wake herself from the poison. I preferred it if she stayed sedated. She would try to help even though Taleian women and Hybrids were forbidden to interfere in the challenges. I feared she would be hurt or my opponent would find an opportune moment to take her from me. At least this way I could keep all of my eyes on my challenger and not worry about Juliet. But I was to receive an unpleasant surprise.

  When I pinned my challenger against the wall, my sword neatly at his throat, the third challenger emerged from the shadows to pull Juliet up over his shoulder. My opponent took advantage of my moment of distraction and the weakening of my hold. I flew backwards destroying a table. He was quickly upon me.

  The third challenger was at the long window. I called out to Juliet in desperation. My opponent growled out in anger at the third night and pulled me up by the lapels of my evening jacket. We could do nothing to stop the third challenger jumping through the window down three floors to the ground newly covered with fresh fallen snow. Our fight must end before we were able to pursue him.

  Both of us became furious and eager to end the duel so we could pursue the thief. Finally, I was able to stab my sword through his heart. The knight fell to his knees dropping his sword and I quickly removed his head. With haste I jumped from the jagged broken window, praying that Juliet had not be harmed.

  I pursued the third knight carrying Juliet through the woods in a blur of speed. The challenger was travelling at the same speed but my prowess as Knight of Swords allowed me to increase it further. I caught up with him in the middle of the wood. He swung round carry Juliet who was more awake and fighting him. I sensed that her mind was still too drowsy to use her mental power but her human strength was doing its best to free her from her captor.

  ‘Put her down and fight the challenge,’ I ordered, raising my sword to fight.

  ‘No, I have waited too long to possess a Queen or any other Taleian woman. Centuries I have waited. I will wait no more.’ he hissed.

  He turned to Juliet’s bare arm and
sank his teeth in to her soft pale vulnerable flesh. Juliet let out a shrill scream. I could not afford for him to draw blood inside him or she would be branded. I raised my sword and at considerable risk to Juliet being caught in the way, I sliced my sword through the challenger’s head, cutting it in two. He fell to the ground on his knees dropping Juliet. She rolled unharmed from him in the snow, blood oozing from her arm but thankfully none of it tainted by the challenger. Not that it mattered now he was dead. I cut the monster’s head away in unbridled fury.

  Juliet stood, shaking and clutching her bare arm. My fury was not abated. I had defeated three challengers and both my eyes and soul were still black with the killing. I considered what I just nearly lost. My blood boiled with fear and lust. I felt the demon rise inside me demanding Juliet’s firm taking and this time I would not disappoint him.

  I dropped my sword into the snow and caught Juliet’s hand swinging her round against the sturdy body and bark of a beech tree. I pinned her there. She complained, demanding to know what I was doing but a part of her understood and craved it. I could feel it strong in my mind. Her complaints were silenced when I took hold of the bodice of her dress with one hand and ripped the garment from her body. I did not rest until she was completely naked. Her pale peachy breasts and the neat nest of dark curls between her thighs were bared to the freezing elements and whoever chose to view them with interest.

  Snow began to fall setting on her skin as I loosened the buttons on my trousers. I had no time to undress. My patience was wearing thin and it was difficult to keep control. I freed my cock. When I probed my fingers inside Juliet’s pussy I already found her wet and pliant. She was protesting no more. Her eyes were black, her body submissive and arching towards me. I lifted her body up around my waist. I pushed her sore spanked bottom against the bark of the tree to tilt her towards me and pressed my cock against her. With one deep thrust I claimed her body.

  She gave a loud gasp and moistened fervently around me. I continued my conquest and with each deep deliberate thrust she bucked her hips to meet me. The bark scraped at her buttocks enticing both pain and pleasure on her soreness. I dug my fingers firmly into her buttocks and pushed her them hard against the bark with a little measure of cruelty, wanting her to feel my dominance and the rule I commanded over her body as mate. I could not have planned it better.

  Her hair had fallen from its pinned prison with my rough treatment, her red gold curls now tumbled down between us around her breasts. I swept it back from her neck and ran the tip of my incisors over her throat finding the pulse of blood beating to my command. I heard footsteps in the snow behind me as I stepped up the rhythm of my thrusts. My knights who had come to rescue their Queen. I wanted them to witness Juliet’s primal taking. I wanted them to know she was mine alone.

  Smiling with satisfaction against Juliet, I concentrated on establishing the physical connection of our bond. Juliet gave a whimper clearly seeing them over my shoulder. I caught her hair in a firm hold and pulled her neck to one side.

  ‘It is fitting that they see your taking , Juliet,’ I instructed. ‘Do not be upset. They must know you are mine.’

  She was ripe for coming and the bite had to take place at consummation. I plunged my incisors into her throat and found that I came instantly, spilling my seed inside her as I drew the very blood from her body. Juliet’s scream of ecstasy came simultaneously. It was laced with pain in pleasurable contradiction. Her coming was strong and I felt satisfied she had found such pleasure in our joining. I was triumphant it would have registered well on her beautiful sex satiated face to the Knights. No more would they challenge my authority as rightful mate. Or would they? No matter, I would be ready for them. For now I wanted to take pleasure in my Queen’s voluptuous body.

  I straightened my attire and carried my naked queen home in my arms, passing by my Knights and the approving nods from Byron and Dylan. Not one of the twelve knights could remove their eyes from her satiated flushed naked body. I felt strong arousal in every one of them.

  Safe in my room, I stripped and took Juliet with power again and again taking further blood from the bite. After our fourth feverish coupling when I had taken her from behind, I felt confident I had bent Juliet to mastery and her blood was rightly branded. I finally allowed Juliet to feed a little from my breast and explore my own body. Every muscle I possessed tightened with pleasure as she ran her fingers over my chest and held my cock, gently kissing and coaxing me to a climax in her mouth. I did not want the night to end.

  The next day, in a small secret ceremony at my home, Juliet was crowned Queen of Talus and Empress of The Faery Realms. I stood by her side at the ancient throne the elders had transported to my home. I was ready to meet any new challenge we would need to face. I knew Sebastian would return and no doubt The Magician would find a way to recover from his horrific burns and free himself from the castle in Scotland in which we kept him prisoner. I would be waiting. Juliet was mine alone and nothing would make me give her up. I was and remain her Knight of Swords to this very day.

  Interview with Lord Nathan Valancourt, Knight of Swords

  It is a cold morning in January when I visit the human hybrid vampire, The Knight Of Swords at his ancestral home, Keeley Park in the Hertfordshire countryside. Snow lies thickly around the large picturesque home built in the sixteenth century and across the vast beautiful Parkland containing a herd of wild deer. Somewhere in the distance, the eerie call of peacocks can be heard coming from the grounds as we sit by a large roaring fire in the drawing room. It crackles and hisses warmth as we talk about light topics. I am quietly pacing myself before I ask the important questions about his past and the sudden increase in the female hybrid slave trade.

  The Knight Of Swords or to refer to his human title, Lord Nathan Valancourt is not a man or more importantly, a vampire to be crossed. He sits before me in a red leather armchair dressed immaculately in a black Armani business suit with a silk silver grey tie. At 6”3 inches he owns a formidable sense of presence. Nathan’s striking dark good looks and sleek black hair worn long at his neck frame his piercing blue eyes to perfection. They easily captivate your attention holding you his willing prisoner. And boy does he know the effect he is having on you. Nathan Valancourt is very aware of his powerful affect on women and how he may exploit it to his advantage. It is the type of arrogance that makes you want to slap him but adore him for it all at the same time. It is no surprise that back in the nineteenth century before he made the change from human to hybrid Taleian vampire he was in his own words, a ‘womaniser’.

  I raise an eyebrow him and ask him to tell me more. He gives me a wide disarming smile that makes my heart beat just that little bit faster. But he won’t talk of it anymore. ‘Those days are gone. I only have eyes for my Queen, Juliet.’ His voice is soft, smooth like velvet and I find myself mesmerised by its seductive quality. I remark on his obvious handsome attributes and his tall athletically lean but muscled stature. It must have been easy for him to easily charm a woman into his bed back then and now. He laughs and informs me that all male and female hybrids possess beauty in their facial and physical appearance. It’s part of their make-up. Lucky them!

  So first things first. What is a Taleian human hybrid vampire? ‘Well, in ancient Briton, around the time of the Druids, the Taleians owned a large section of land called Talus. They possessed great magical gifts.’ I can’t help but gently smile at his quaint nineteenth century language. Maddeningly, it only serves to make all the more attractive.

  ‘The men were valiant warriors with immense strength and psychic ability. The women were blessed with a wealth of psychic ability that far surpassed the male’s. But their physical strength was greatly reduced in comparison. The female Taleian was able to shape shift into an animal or another human, male or female,’ he tells me with animation as I avidly listen, hanging on to his every word with wide eyes. I dread to think what I look like but surely I can be excused. It’s not everyday you get to interview a handsome
vampire.

  ‘The Taleians were always ruled by a Queen whose psychic and mental power outweighed any other female Taleian. She was chosen to rule because of her wisdom.’ So where does the Knight Of Swords come in? He leans forward and rests his hands on his knees looking at me intently. I find myself breathing hard not sure if it’s pleasure or fear causing my reaction. Maybe it’s both?

  ‘He is her loving mate. His power and strength as a warrior is greater than any other hybrid. His duty or should I really say his vocation and purpose in life is to protect the Queen. He provides her with counsel when needed and commands her army of knights. As Knight Of Swords he wields tremendous power in his own right.’ I look at him curiously. All of this talk of knights in 2011 sounds out of place but he assures me the Taleian traditions are maintained even now. I let him continue.

  ‘The Druids were jealous of the Taleians and their powers. They wanted Talus for themselves so they set a powerful curse upon the Taleians. The curse turned them into vampires making them turn on each other in violence. Forced to crave blood and kill others to satiate their ferocious hunger, those who were left were hunted by humans and run out of the land. Many fled abroad and today Taleians and hybrids are scattered across the globe.’