Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  My grandparents.

  “Your father was blessed by the gods to have been raised by such a loving couple.”

  Leora knew everything about my family’s life. All this time, even after death, she’d been watching over us.

  “So, the answer to your question is no,” she continued. “Nicolae left before he knew the girl was pregnant. He does not know he bore a son, or that he has a granddaughter. If he did, I have no doubt he would be fighting to protect you both.”

  My chest ached for blaming Nicolae before I knew anything about him. I’d despised him because of what he’d done, and wrongfully judged him before I knew the truth.

  “I need to find Nicolae.” There was an urgency now. Especially after learning the truth. “A friend said Roehl located him in Northfall and is leaving tomorrow to capture him.”

  “He is in Northfall, but Nicolae is much wiser than they realize. He can only be found if he wants to be.”

  “How is he able to use his power with your repression spell?”

  “When he came of age, I released the spell on his power alone. My chambermaid raised Nicolae well, and he’d mastered the art of becoming invisible. I also knew it would be a matter of time when Romulus’s wife—the Queen of Morbeth—would find out he was alive and come after him.”

  It was impossible not to become emotional after hearing the truth about who I was and where I came from. I still couldn’t believe I was here, standing in front of my deceased great-grandmother, an Incendian Royal, who was slain by my great-great-grandfather, the former King of Morbeth.

  Leora’s fingers grazed my cheek.

  “Calla, always know that your mother and I love you, as we have, from the moment you were born. I’ve been watching over you and will continue to do so until we are reunited once more, on that day you cross through the In-Between. But our time here has come to an end, sweet child.”

  “Wait! There is a lot more I need to know.”

  “The rest, you will need to learn for yourself. If you seek the answers, you will find them. And you will find that most of what you seek can be found in Incendia—the home of your ancestors. And yours, Calla. And once you arrive, you will find that the heart of Incendia is not dead.” She pressed a kiss to my forehead. “May the power of Incendia protect and guide you.” She took two steps backward and extended her arms. “Give me your hands, Calla.”

  My insides twisted, realizing she was about to impart her power to me.

  “Will it hurt?” I asked.

  “It is nothing you won’t be able to handle.” A sincere smile shone on her face. “This gift is extremely powerful. Be careful to whom you present it, and even more careful to whom you wield it.”

  “Will my father also gain power once the spell is released?”

  “He will, but it won’t be as strong as Nicolae’s, or yours. He probably won’t know he possesses it. But rest assured. Your father is safe for now. He’s managed to dodge Roehl’s men and it appears as if he’s heading to Aquaris.”

  Good. Aquaris was where my mother’s parents had lived. He had friends and places he could hide.

  “I’m scared,” I declared, mostly to myself.

  Leora took a few loose strands of my hair and tucked it behind my ear. Her warm hands settled on my shoulders. “I know you’re frightened, but don’t be. Power flows through the very fibers of your being. As you learn your abilities and exercise them, they will grow stronger and become easier to call. I have no doubt that you will be the greatest Incendian Royal that has ever lived. You are my heir, after all. Embrace the power and it will protect you.”

  Although her words were meant to reassure and encourage me, I was still doubtful.

  What power would I truly possess that could make me that powerful? Was I ready for that kind of power? Would I be able to conceal it from Roehl?

  It seemed like a great responsibility. But I was ready. I had to be. I had no other option, especially if I was going to escape Morbeth and Roehl.

  I straightened my back and stretched out my arms, offering my hands to Leora.

  Before her hands touched mine, she steadied her gaze on me and said, “I love you, Calla. Please tell your father and grandfather I will be watching over them.”

  “I will.”

  Leora leaned forward and placed her hand in the middle of my chest, her eyes meeting mine. A tender smile rose on her lips. “Above all else, guard your heart.” A warmth radiated from her palms, heating my chest.

  Then she lay her palms over mine.

  A surge of tremendous power slammed into me, thrusting me backward, causing everything around me to shatter.

  Chapter Eighteen

  My back slammed into the mattress. My eyes opened and Sabine and Summer were on either side of me, mouths agape, eyes wide with terror and panic.

  “What happened?” I coughed, my entire body throbbing.

  Sabine’s lips moved to speak, but nothing came out. Her finger aimed at me.

  “Y-you were on fire. A-and levitating.” She finally exhaled. “You incinerated your sheets.”

  Rolling my head to the side, I noticed all the bedding was charred and still smoldering.

  Summer pinched her eyes shut. “If Roehl finds out—”

  “He won’t,” Sabine said, already stripping the bedding. “We need to clean this up.”

  “You were unconscious,” Summer added. Her hand hovered above my forehead like she was afraid to touch me. “What happened?”

  “I was in the In-Between. Inside of a bright tunnel that bridges our world and the afterworld.”

  “The veil still must have been open,” Summer said to herself, helping me up while she and Sabine stripped the rest of the charred linen, replacing them with new ones.

  “What was it like?” Sabine asked. “The In-Between?”

  I steadied my trembling limbs. “It was quiet and peaceful there. I was visited by my mother and—” My eyes shifted to Summer, who was wiping ash from the side table. “Have you heard of Incendia?”

  “Yes. The island.” She pulled out a bandage from a small pouch around her waist and stood next to me. Carefully, she moved the steel cuff up as high as she could and wrapped it around my wrist. “They say it’s nothing but ruins now. But I’ve heard many tales of its people. The Incendian royals were some of the most powerful beings in this world, born with the magic of the fire goddess in their blood. They were able to control the elements, but fire was their dominant force.” When Summer was finished wrapping my wrists, she grabbed a broom, quickly sweeping up ash near the bed and disposing of it in a nearby dustbin. “They were slaughtered, though. An entire kingdom wiped out in a single night. If the tales are true, I can’t imagine what it must have been like.”

  “The tales are true,” I said. “I met Incendia’s princess in the In-Between.”

  Summer paused. “The Incendian Princess came to you?”

  “Yes.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why?”

  “Because she’s my great-grandmother.”

  I glanced down and noticed my palms. Each of them bore a tattoo, a twin of the other. They were circles, with triangles inside them. On my right palm, the triangle was facing upward with what looked like an image of fire in it. On my left palm, the triangle was facing downward, with the symbol of water in it. And around the circle were symbols I didn’t recognize.

  “Goddess above,” Summer exhaled. “Calla, do you know what these mean?”

  I shrugged. “That I could get killed if they are discovered?”

  “Yes. That and—” her finger traced the markings on my right palm. “Only those of Incendian Royalty bore these marks. Magic branded on their palms from the fire goddess herself. These markings around the circles are symbols of the zodiac.”

  I grabbed hold of her wrists. “How do you know?”

  “I’ve heard and read stories, but I’ve also seen these exact tattoos before.”

  “Where?” I asked. She hesitated, and I sensed trepidation. “
Summer, where?”

  She looked directly at me. “In the king’s chamber. They were engraved on his side table, and I think he did it himself.”

  My limbs felt weighted, my breath burdensome. It was as if all the air in Summer’s magic bubble was being siphoned out.

  “What is it, Calla?” Summer asked.

  I gazed deep into her bright blue eyes. “Romulus Tynan—the King of Morbeth—is my great-grandfather.”

  Sabine cursed and dropped her broom mid-sweep. Her hands cupped over her mouth. “Gods, no. Tell me you’re mistaken.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. It’s the truth.”

  “Does Roehl know?” Summer asked. Her face was contorted with a mix of shock and maybe dread.

  “He knows. He also knows about his father’s affair with the Incendian Princess, which produced Nicolae. But I don’t think he knows about my powers. Especially since they’ve been repressed . . . until now.”

  “Goddess help us.” Summer exhaled. “That’s why he wants you all dead. You’re a risk to his throne.” Her eyes first narrowed on Sabine, then on mine. “You are an heir of Morbeth’s throne.”

  “I knew it,” Sabine said, throwing a finger at me. “I knew you were the one the Seer spoke of.”

  Maybe she was right. But, “I don’t want anything to do with Morbeth or its throne. Roehl can have this shithole. I just want to get out of here and never return.”

  I didn’t want to be associated with Morbeth—the kingdom known for its devastation and death.

  I shifted my attention to Sabine. “I think Roehl put a spell on the king to make him sick. I must find a way to see him. I need to speak to him.”

  “There is no way,” Sabine breathed. “There are a half dozen guards outside his door, and even more inside. No one can enter or leave the king’s chamber without Roehl’s approval.”

  “There has to be a way.” I exhaled in frustration. “If Roehl finds Nicolae and murders him, he’ll return to Morbeth and kill his father. I have no doubt that’s his plan. Then he’ll assume the throne, become king, and force me to be his mate.”

  Both Sabine and Summer remained silent. I could see the cogs in their minds spinning.

  As soon as Sabine finished sweeping, there were two sharp taps on the door. I quickly plunged back into bed and drew the fresh blankets over me.

  Summer released her magic barrier with a quick swish of her hand, and a gust of wind seemed to carry all odor of smoke away with it.

  “Enter,” Sabine hollered.

  My attendants scurried off to perform other duties as a young guard with short blond hair and sky-blue eyes stepped in. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but it was quiet, and we’ve been ordered to make sure you don’t disappear.”

  Glaring at him, I shook the heavy manacle clamped around my wrist. The weight of the chain clanked loudly against the floor. “I’m shackled to this room with a dark spell. I couldn’t leave if I wanted to.” I dramatically threw my head back onto the pillows and covered my eyes with my free arm.

  It wasn’t the guard’s fault. He was simply carrying out his duty. But being chained and underfed put me in a rotten mood.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “And by the way, Prince Roehl is coming for you.”

  “What?” My head shot back up, and both Sabine and Summer stopped what they were doing. “Why?”

  His shoulders shrugged. “I believe he’s taking you to lunch.” He quickly bowed his head, then reversed out the door and shut it.

  I plopped my head back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling. “Where in this gods-forsaken place would he be taking me to lunch?”

  Because the barrier was down, Summer and Sabine remained quiet but wore troubled expressions on their faces as they quickly finished their chores. Summer carried the vase of flowers to the washroom, and when she returned a few moments later, some of the flora were missing. She then placed the arrangement in the middle of the mantle above the fireplace and did quick work, using her wand to put a barrier back around us so we could talk again.

  “You’ll have to hide those tattoos,” she said, inspecting my palms.

  “I think these tattoos are the least of my worries.” I grabbed hold of her hand. “Do you think Roehl will sense my power now that it’s released?”

  “Let me see what I can do.” Her eyes landed back onto my tattoos. “I can put a glamour over these, but it won’t last long. A day or two at most.”

  “I just need a day. Roehl will be on his way to Northfall this evening.”

  She nodded, then took her wand. With a few swishes and magical words over my tattoos, they faded until there was nothing left but smooth skin. But Summer didn’t stop there. “I’m also going to put a temporary glamour over your magic, to dampen the power. Hopefully, Roehl won’t be able to sense it.” She spoke a few words in another tongue, which made me tingly all over. Then she stepped away.

  “Is that it?” It seemed too simple.

  “Yes,” she replied. “Just be cautious at all times. Now that you have this untapped power, make sure no one sees it. If Roehl finds out about it, there is no telling what he would do.”

  My stomach roiled. “I don’t know if I can be civil around him. I don’t trust myself with whatever is inside me. I already want to kill him.” I had no idea how to call upon the power, or what would happen if I accidentally released it. Roehl brought out emotions in me I couldn’t control and knowing I had magic that was supposedly more powerful than his . . . I couldn’t let my emotions get the best of me. I had to reign them in, keep them in control, even though every cell in my body wanted to see him dead.

  Sabine gathered her supplies and made her way over to me. “You’ll be fine, Calla,” she said in a gentle tone.

  The air in the room became heavy, knowing Roehl was on his way. Summer released the surrounding ward before she hurriedly gathered their things and headed for the door.

  “We’ll return this afternoon,” Sabine said with a wink. I nodded and smiled.

  When they left, I didn’t feel alone like I usually did. Now, I knew my mother and Princess Leora were watching over me. And Leora had given me something to hope for . . . to fight with. A gift I could use to defend myself.

  The thought sent a surge through my veins.

  I felt Roehl before he entered, thanks to the wretched partial bond. I would die before I was fully bound to him.

  There was no knock before the door rudely swung open and Roehl stepped in.

  “What do you want?” I demanded, hoping, and praying he wouldn’t detect any hint of my power.

  As he prowled toward my bed, my body stiffened. He stopped a few feet away. “I’ve come to take you to lunch.”

  “If you’re serving stale bread and water, I’ll pass. I’ve vomited enough of my guts to last a lifetime.”

  His smile, now feline, appeared amused. “Do you think I would offer my future mate prison fare?”

  It didn’t matter how handsome or young Roehl looked on the outside. He was freaking insane. A demon who could snap at the flip of a coin. Not only that, but he was my grandfather’s half-brother.

  “How could I not feel like a prisoner? You’ve chained me to the wall, and I can’t even use the washroom if I need to.”

  Roehl casually folded his hands behind his back and inclined his head toward the washroom door. “You are free to roam anywhere within this room,” he remarked casually.

  “What?” I scowled at him.

  “See for yourself.” He presented me with his hand, but I refused, rising without touching him. I walked toward the fireplace, and just when I expected the chain to go taut, it didn’t. It stretched somehow. Or grew longer.

  What the hell?

  “It would’ve been nice to have known this sooner,” I grumbled.

  He waved it off. “I was preoccupied with more pressing matters.”

  My face remained hard as stone while my insides twisted, knowing those pressing matters were the arrival of Trystan and his cadre,
along with Brynna vanishing.

  As if he could read my thoughts he added, “I’ll deal with the Carpathian prince later. It is no coincidence that his leaving and your friend’s disappearance are related.”

  His smirk stretched. The bond. Could he hear my thoughts? “You saw him leave. How could he have taken her? They didn’t know she was being held captive here.”

  “You’ll soon find out that I always discover the truth. I know they used a witch. And that witch will pay greatly for entering into my kingdom and stealing from me.”

  “You,” I seethed but stopped to quell my emotions. Heat roiled under my skin, so I shut my eyes, calming myself. When I opened them again, I continued, “Remember, you stole her first.”

  Roehl took a few steps forward until he was inches away. “Don’t,” he said with a cold calm that sent a shiver down my spine. He then grabbed hold of my shackled wrist and the manacle instantly fell away. That easy. He didn’t blink or utter a word.

  “I need to change,” I said, tugging my hand from his grasp.

  Still in my bedgown, I walked toward the wardrobe and found more bedgowns and a red dress inside. I removed the dress from the hanger and held it up. It was short and fitted and revealing. How the hell did it get in there? Sabine and Summer didn’t bring it.

  I groaned, considering wearing my bedgown to lunch.

  “You have five minutes to fix yourself,” Roehl ordered as he headed for the door.

  Bastard.

  Inside the washroom, I removed my bedgown before brushing my teeth and hair. Grasping the scanty red fabric in my hand, my contempt for Roehl grew.

  I just had to remind myself I was still playing a game. A careful game where I needed to remain impassive, with a straight face, and portray my part of the powerless, fragile, new vampire. Most importantly, I was to never let him assume I had powers.

  Reluctantly, I dragged the red dress over my head. It was a thin-strapped V-neck, but it was loose on my frail frame. Then, by some magic, the dress started to shrink, hugging my body like a glove, and squishing my breasts together until I had cleavage.