Blood Bred Series Book 1: Gift Of Love

by JennaKay Francis

  Jaeger nodded. “You said that Cardiss took him from you. That your son had loved a human, just as my father did."

  "My son,” Darius said, lifting his gaze to meet Jaeger's, “was your father."

  The words stunned Jaeger, left him speechless.

  Darius gave a sad smile. “Of all the children who are a part of me, he was perhaps more so. I can't explain it, Jaeger, I only accept it."

  "Perhaps,” Rhiannon said quietly, “you loved his mother."

  Darius seemed startled by the idea. He looked at the infant. “Yes,” he admitted after a long moment. “Yes, I did.” He turned his gaze back on Jaeger. “And I love his son."

  "Then that's why you looked after me all of those years?” Jaeger mumbled. “Not as a friend of my father's, but as my grandfather? Why didn't you tell me?"

  "With my rebel tendencies, I didn't want to implicate you in any way. It was better for Riden to believe you were far from my thoughts. Had he known of my love for you, he could have used that to quash any uprising against him. I would never have let him torture you to stop me."

  The mere idea sent chills racing through Jaeger. “I appreciate that,” he murmured. “But, Rhiannon and the baby, you risked your life to help them."

  Darius nodded. “Again, had Riden discovered the baby's true heritage, it could have been used against me. It was in my own best interest to keep Rhiannon well hidden until she gave birth."

  "Best interest?” Jaeger repeated. “Again, practicality over emotion."

  Rhiannon grimaced. “Don't you understand, Jaeger? Practicality may guide us, but it is emotion that sustains us. It was Darius’ love for you, for your father, that set the coup in motion. It was the Vectors’ desire to choose their own mates that gave Darius supporters. It was love for my own people that led me to offer them to the Vectors."

  "Then the arrangement has been accepted?” Jaeger asked.

  "It has,” Darius replied. “But it is an arrangement of choice. Neither the Vectors nor the Bleeders will be forced to take part."

  Jaeger looked at the child in his arms. “And the baby? Is he a Bleeder as well?"

  Rhiannon's smile lit up her small face. “No. He is immune. He is the first child in our clan's history that is so. And he has his father to thank."

  "Me?"

  Darius chuckled. “You. Although it is too early to tell just what made it possible. It could be that whatever is in a Vector's bite that cleanses the iron from a Bleeder, is also present in his seed. Or, it could be a unique result of your halfling state."

  "It doesn't matter,” Rhiannon said. “The important thing is that my people will no longer have to suffer and die. No longer will your people have to prey on the unwilling. It is our gift of blood to you. It is your gift of life to us."

  Jaeger tore his gaze from the baby and met Rhiannon's. For a long moment, he could only stare into the blue depths of her eyes.

  Then, he leaned forward and claimed her lips with his.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JennaKay Francis has been writing since she was 12 years old. She has written in many different genres—science fiction, childrens, mainstream, poetry—but truly found her voice and love in fantasy. She writes fantasy adventure, fantasy romance, dark fantasy and children's picture books.

  Her first official publication was a children's poem that was the Grand Prize winner in a contest sponsored by Half-Price Books. Her prize was a $500.00 gift certificate at Half Price Books: something she took great delight in spending. She has been published in several local newsletters, several print magazines, as well as numerous online magazines in both fiction and non-fiction.

  You can find a listing of her books on her homepage at www.jennakayfrancis.com.

  Jenna lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, their three delightful children, two wild cats, a chihuahua that thinks he's really a dog, one rat, one anole and a several tanks of tropical fish, frogs and newts. Oh, yeah, and a forest full of elves, fairies and magic.

  JennaKay is also Writers Exchange's Senior editor.

  JennaKay writes Young Adult fantasy, fantasy/romance, vampire novels and children's picture books. To keep track of all Jenna's numerous releases, go to her author page Writers Exchange's bookshop “Readers Eden": www.readerseden.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=75

  * * *

  Visit www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing for information on additional titles by this and other authors.