Turned: Their Vampire Princess (A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance): Book 3

by Harlow Thomas

  She huffs and sighs, but reaches in a pocket on her gown and produces a key. With a click, my ankles are free and I’m that much closer to killing her. I offer a devilish grin and let my gaze linger on her breasts, hoping she’ll think I want her.

  “Let me take you the way you really want. Free my hands,” I growl, putting everything I have into my performance.

  “I can’t do that.” There’s a layer of doubt in her voice. She wants me to ravish her. She’s wanted me since she fed from me on the stairs before Felicity turned me.

  “You can. You’re so much more powerful than me. How can I be your prince if you don’t let me serve you? I see now. She’s never going to come for me. She has her prince. It’s not me.”

  Lust wins out over doubt and she unclasps the silver plated cuff around my left wrist. Wrapping my arm around her, I roll until she’s under me, the remaining silver on my right wrist burning as I move. I’m not free yet, but I will be. Thinking of my Felicity, I conjure visions of us together in bed, her lips, her soft moans, and my cock hardens.

  “Oh, there it is,” Diana sighs as soon as she feels me pressing against her.

  “I told you. Now shut up. I’m in charge here, and I’m going to make you scream.”

  The silver knife she had is on the bed, within arm’s reach. I just need to keep her distracted enough to grab it. Rolling my hips, I make her writhe at the contact and her eyes close.

  “Free me, and be my princess. Let me show you how it can be.”

  She fumbles with the key but unlocks the final cuff. Now it’s time to make her scream as I’d promised. With lighting fast movements, I bind her wrist in the shackle she just freed me from. A surprised cry escapes her and she claws at me with her free hand, but my monster pushes to the surface and I grip her hard enough to feel the bones in her arm creak. I want to feed, but I’m not going to put her blood in my mouth.

  I wrap my hand around the hilt of the knife and get off the bed. I’m not going to waste time on her. She’s bound and I’m going to get away while I can. A growl explodes from her chest as she pulls against the restraints. Her strength is impressive, I’ll give her that. The stone wall gives with every tug and I realize if I don’t do something to stop her, she’ll tear me limb from limb even with the silver biting into her flesh. With the sound of stone crumbling, she breaks free of the wall and flies across the room to me. Grabbing the kettle containing molten silver, I open the top and throw the contents at her.

  She screams. The ribbons of white hot metal decorate her cheek and jaw, sliding down her throat and chest.

  As she writhes in agony, I run, jumping out the large window and falling four stories. The guards will chase me, but I’m not as weak as they thought. I will find my princess.

  Chapter 12

  An unsettling twist in my stomach wakes me from a bed warmed by my lovers. Before I can get a handle on what is happening, my vision clouds and I see Thomas. Free of his bonds, running through the night, running for me. A gasp escapes me as I come back to my true surroundings with a startling revelation. Thomas has escaped Diana.

  My men are sound asleep after they gave their blood and bodies to me. I should be sated, my lust for them dimmed after having them in so many ways. But I’m not. I want more. More blood. More sex. And I don’t understand why. Maybe it’s the pheromones of the men I love clouding the air around me. Regardless, I need to get outside, to breathe the night air, and make a plan that doesn’t involve getting one of them killed. They’ll want to come with me to find Thomas, but I can’t take them, I can’t let them know I’m going. It’s even more obvious after what happened to Garrett.

  Thomas is on his way to me and I need to be prepared. There’s a monster warring for control inside him, just as his goodness battles to take hold. Tucking away the silver necklace I’d decapitated that traitor with earlier, I grab a silver dagger by its leather wrapped hilt and slide the blade into the sheath I strapped to my arm. I need to be able to defend myself at all times. And that means weapons.

  Locking the door behind me, I make my way out of the manor house I’ve spent my whole life in. I can only hope my mother sending the court away means I’ll have privacy as I walk the paths of the immaculate gardens and contemplate my next move.

  The moon bathes everything in a bright blue glow. Night blooming jasmine lines the exterior of the house, filling the air with its sweet scent. I wanted to be out here with my chosen, showing them my home, my life. Instead, I’m hiding them and desperate to bring one back from hell. My heart splinters at the thought of Thomas.

  Wandering through the maze of beautifully manicured rose bushes, I fight the sob swelling in my chest. I need to see where he is so I can go to him. Hands shaking from the effort of keeping my tears at bay, I sit on the marble bench in the center of the maze. I close my eyes and think of him, murmuring his name softly as though that will help me.

  “Felicity,” Thomas’ voice is clear in my mind. He sounds tired, but he’s whole. I can’t picture him, though.

  I want to see him, to know what his eyes look like, whether they are manic and colored by bloodlust, or the beautiful emerald I love. I say his name aloud again, but I still can’t see him, until I feel fingers slide along my arm and his scent hits me, only slightly different from when he was human. My eyes snap open and he’s there, in front of me.

  “Thomas!” I cry, backing away on instinct.

  He falls to his knees, his palms resting on his thighs. “Please,” he says, gaze trained on the gravel path. “Please don’t leave me again.”

  “How are you here? I saw you with…Diana. You were in chains.”

  “I escaped her. All I knew was my desire to find you. I followed my heart’s pull to yours and hoped it would bring us back together.”

  Reaching out, I thread my fingers through his thick hair, the feel of the strands almost surreal. “They said you were lost to me. That I’d turned you into a monster.” The emotion in my voice is impossible to hide.

  Thomas turns his face up to me and the heartbreaking truth behind his stare tells me he’s waging a war with his human and vampire natures. “I fight it all the time. For you.”

  “You killed those women?” I don’t want to know the truth, but I have to ask.

  “I couldn’t stop. I don't…I don’t know how you do it. How can you stop when the demon inside wants to kill them?”

  My heart hammers as I push away the hunger already knocking on the door. The truth is, I could feed until I drain my consorts dry and still want more. “I love them. I can’t kill them.”

  His eyes flash with anger and the monster makes an appearance. “You love me.”

  “I love you all. I chose you all.”

  “You left me in a cell. Alone. Starving. Dying.”

  I shake my head, gripping his big shoulders and tugging until he obliges and stands. The man towers over me, and now that he’s my equal in strength, it’s daunting. “I let them take you to keep you safe while you turned. I didn’t let them kill you as they do all turned humans. When I came for you, you’d already left…with her.”

  He flinches. “I thought you’d thrown me away. Even through the pain of the change, I heard what your mother said. You can’t keep me now. You chose to give me up by turning me.”

  Cupping his jaw, I focus on his deep green irises and use them as my anchor. So much of who he was is still there. “I never gave you up. I never will. Thomas, I need to give you something. Come back to the consort’s wing with me. Let me show you how much you mean to me.”

  His nostrils flare and the black of his pupils expands until only a sliver of green is left. He’s hungry. “I can’t. I’ll hurt them.” Fear ripples through me at the truth in his words. He doesn’t have control of his hunger and that means he can’t be around humans.

  I know what he needs. Something only his mate can give. Pulling aside the neck of my pale blue sweater, I tilt my head. “Slake your thirst with me. You need something that will satisfy, not only f
eed. Only the blood of your mate can do that.”

  His focus lands on the tops of my breasts, visible from the deep V of my top. The man licks his lips and I have to fight a shiver of longing. “Is that why Diana tasted off?”

  Rage rolls through me. “She fed you?”

  He doesn’t answer, instead taking a step closer and wrapping one arm around my waist. “I’ve missed you, princess.”

  One long finger glides over my exposed throat and across my collarbone before trailing down between the valley of my breasts. His low growl makes my nipples tighten to painful points. And then, he leans down to take what I’ve offered. Not from my neck, but from the tender swell of my breast.

  “Fuck,” I moan, all but swooning in his arms. This feels so much better than when he savaged my throat the first time. “God, Thomas.”

  The sound of fabric tearing fills the air and bare flesh meets his palms. He’s torn my sweater completely from my body. Desperate need consumes me as he feeds and his hands cup me. My pants are next, ripped from my hips and left to float to the ground in tatters. If I’m going to be naked in the moonlight, so is he. Using my own strength, I do the same to him, destroying his clothing until we’re both wild, feral things taking only what our instinct tells us is right.

  His lips blaze a path over my skin. Blood flows freely from the unhealed wound on my breast. I can feel his steel hard length pressing against my belly. He wants more than my blood. And I can’t deny him. I’ll feed the monster, but love the man.

  My fangs elongate and I nick his throat, making him shudder and groan.

  “Yes, princess. God, take from me.”

  I sink my teeth into his vein and taste everything that makes him what he is. There’s magic behind his change, it’s rare and electric running through his blood. His large palms press against my back, holding me close as he lowers us to the ground. All I want is to be owned by him right now. Spreading my legs, I welcome his rigid cock into my body at the same time as his fangs sink into my shoulder.

  I swear I can hear him in my head, random thoughts of yes, mine, forever. An orgasm hits me from out of nowhere and the near swoon I was at earlier returns as a full on faint. My world dims and I’m lost to Thomas.

  Chapter 13

  Sebastian

  Felicity is gone when I wake. Her scent still clings to the sheets and I can’t stand the fact that she’s not in this big bed with us. Garrett and Miller are sound asleep, sprawled on the mattress both reaching for where Felicity should be. I sit up and get out of bed, needing to find her. She can’t have left us, but then again—she fed. A cold sense of dread coats me as I dress and make my way out of the bedroom.

  She has to be somewhere. The library, or maybe the kitchen. I call her name, going from room to room. Damn it. The entire quarters is empty. Moonlight filters in through the tall French doors that lead to the balcony we aren’t allowed to use. But maybe I can see her if I step outside. Maybe she’s gone for a walk, needing some space.

  Opening the doors, I step into the cool evening and my heart stutters at the feral growls I hear coming from below. The consort’s wing overlooks the East end of the grounds where a maze of roses and night-blooming flowers sprawls. A woman’s distinct cry fills the air, sending a chill over me. Glancing down my unease turns to undiluted fear. Thomas has Felicity pinned to the ground, blood coats their bodies, and they’re naked. She’s barely moving as he fucks her ruthlessly and takes her blood.

  “No!” I scream, heedless of who might hear me. I run back into the chambers and rouse the other two. “Get up! Thomas is here. He’s killing her. Get up!”

  Garrett and Miller both jolt awake and stare at me in confusion. “What the fuck?” Miller asks.

  “Felicity needs us, right the fuck now.”

  I rush into the dining room and grab a chair, breaking the wood into sharp splinters. It might not be the most sophisticated stake, but it’ll get the job done. Thomas has to die for hurting her.

  Garrett and Miller join me, both armed with blades I didn't know they had.

  “Where did those come from?”

  Garrett glances at his gleaming silver knife. “It’s a carving set from the kitchen. I think the former prince wanted some protection as well.”

  Another growl and a pained cry filter through the opened doors. All of us snap our attention to our woman.

  “Let’s go.” I say, reaching for the door that will take us to our princess.

  Chapter 14

  I come to only seconds after Thomas’ bite and his thrusts caused me to swoon. Pure pleasure radiates from my center as he continues to fill me. I’m playing with fire here, out in the open, but this is nothing short of a prince claiming his mate. His hips move at an erratic pace as he approaches his own climax. The harsh shuddering breaths tickling my skin where he’s still feeding make that all too clear.

  “Come inside me, my prince. Give me everything you have.” I moan the words and he pulls his teeth from my flesh as he comes with an animalistic roar.

  I can feel the pulses of his seed flooding my body and it sends me into another orgasm of my own. But then my eyes go wide when I see my three consorts behind him, all bearing weapons meant to kill. Garrett grips him by the shoulder and pulls him off me. Something he’d never be able to do if Thomas hadn’t been on the edge of his fading pleasure.

  Thomas stands in a defensive posture, ready to fight. He looks every inch the demon, naked, covered in my blood, glistening in the moonlight. God, what must I look like to them?

  With a growl, Thomas lunges, the monster taking control. I shoot to my feet, knowing I have to stop this. Knowing Thomas is inside and that he wouldn't want to hurt Garrett.

  “No!” I scream, throwing myself in between them. I grip Thomas by the throat and push until he’s down, pinned on the ground, writhing and trying to get free. His darkness still has him, I can tell by the pitch black of his eyes. “Stop this, Thomas. You are in there. I’ve seen you. I love you.”

  “They won’t take you from me,” he spits. Even the tone of his voice is different when his monster is in control.

  “Thomas, come back to us.” I don’t let up. I’m using every ounce of strength I have to keep him down. Glancing back at my men, I plead with them. “He’s in there. I saw it. I know he’s there. We have to help him.”

  Miller and Garrett are tense and fighting their fear. I can see it in their eyes. They don’t trust him. Sebastian steps forward, distracting me and Thomas takes the opportunity to push me off him. He grabs Sebastian, baring his fangs and growling. Sebastian grips Thomas’ arms and closes his eyes and for a moment, I fear he’s given up. But Thomas stills and his brow furrows. Sebastian clenches his teeth and says, “Felicity, hold him. Let me try something.”

  I stand behind Thomas, holding him tightly while Sebastian removes his hands. Placing his palm over Thomas’ heart, Sebastian closes his eyes and breathes deep. His entire body trembles with effort, sweat breaking out over his brow, and Thomas thrashes and bucks in my hold. Sebastian lets out a pained groan and opens his eyes. “I need more. Garrett, Miller, put your hands over mine. Let me use your energy.”

  They do as he asks, the hum of power between the three radiating through me. I add my palm to the top of theirs and Thomas stills. The hum stops and Sebastian sucks in a harsh breath as he pulls away. Thomas crumples to the gravel path, taking me with him.

  “Did it work?” I ask, stroking my fingers over Thomas’ hair.

  Sebastian sighs and settles onto the ground, drained of energy. Miller and Garrett both look worn and tired as well. But Thomas doesn’t open his eyes. He doesn’t breathe. Oh God, is he gone? Was that how Sebastian planned to save him? He killed the vampire and freed the soul.

  Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to Thomas’ lips. I want to cry for the love I’ve lost…twice. But then his hands slide into my hair, cupping the back of my head as he returns my kiss. Sitting back, I gasp as I look deep into emerald green eyes.

  “Thomas?
”

  He smiles. “It’s gone. The dark is gone.”

  Chapter 15

  I have them all back with me. It’s almost too good to be true. But sitting on the big couch in the living room, surrounded by my four loves, I’m whole. Thomas strokes my shoulders, his fingers sending tingles through me as I remember the previous half hour we’d spent in the shower together. I’d washed him clean of the blood and dirt staining his skin, and he’d done the same for me. It was tender, intimate, a level of closeness I’d never hoped to have. Now I have it with all four of my chosen.

  “I have something for you, Thomas,” I tell him, sliding away from his touch as I rise.

  He arches an eyebrow and smiles. “There’s nothing else I need. I’m here with you, my hunger is controlled. What else could I possibly want?”

  Walking to the box, I open the lid and stare down at the emerald ring. My fingers shake when I grasp the ever-important piece of jewelry. The final part of the puzzle that will begin the process of binding us all together and breaking the curse he and I now share.

  “Hold out your hand,” I say. He does as I ask, his confused expression making me love him more. He thinks I chose Garrett and that I’m keeping the rest as my harem, but I’m about to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt how much I love them all.

  Sliding the cool metal around his finger, I hold his hand tightly and whisper through a throat thick with emotion, “It was my destiny to choose all of you. Every single one, and the crown split as it was meant to do for us. I crown you, Thomas, Prince of the Night Court. My lover, my prince, my eternity.”

  He stands and takes me into his arms, crushing me to his chest as he holds me. “I love you,” he murmurs. “Thank you for helping me find my way back to you.”