She hugged her knees harder, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her emotions got the best of her as her body shook with the sobs she could no longer keep away.
It wasn’t fair!
She started ripping the grass around her, pulling it from its roots and throwing it into the water in anger. She tore at it faster and faster, her fingers digging into the dirt.
Her mother had always controlled her life, had always made it a living hell.
With her eyes burning from her tears, she stared at the waterfall. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to just stay out here in the woods. There were quite a few vampires that left the city to live in the wilderness. What was stopping her from doing the same?
But, Azurdee was a pampered vampire. She had never spent a night out in the wilderness by herself. She didn’t know the first thing about survival in the woods. She’d probably die before anyone even noticed she was missing.
Azurdee was just about to get up when she heard a loud noise, like a thick branch cracking in half. She whipped her head toward the source, watching as a large tree limb crashed toward the ground. It took some time to settle, wobbling against the forest floor before it finally halted.
Seconds later, there was another deafening crack. This time, it sounded like a whole tree was falling over. Azurdee got up quickly, edging toward the water, her eyes widening, her breathing ragged.
She had heard of wild animals in the woods, but she had never encountered them. She gulped down her fear, clenching her fists together, her palms impossibly sweaty.
“W-Who’s there?” She called out, trying to sound confident, but her voice cracked, giving away her fear.
Then, there was the sound of running.
Feet thundered, breaking twigs underfoot.
Azurdee took a step back, the soft ground by the water’s edge nearly giving way under her weight.
She bit her lip to keep from screaming, her body tense with nervous energy.
Silence.
The seconds ticked by slowly, each one longer than the last. Azurdee barely breathed, waiting for something to happen.
To her surprise, however, nothing did. It was like whatever was just in the forest had vanished into thin air.
Her shoulders sagged from their tense position and she breathed a sigh of relief. She rubbed her arms that were now covered in goosebumps.
Thinking the danger was gone, she sat back down.
“You know, pretty girls like you shouldn’t be out in the woods all by themselves.”
Azurdee nearly jumped out of her skin, her heart rocketing into her mouth as she heard a deep, husky voice behind her. In her fright, she scrambled to get up, only to trip and tumble into the water with a loud splash.
It took her a moment to realize what was happening and, by then, she was already sinking toward the bottom of the lake, her body like a rock. She opened her eyes, desperately looking up at the surface that now seemed so far away. Her arms and legs flailed about but did nothing to propel her upwards.
She didn’t know how to swim.
“I got her.” A black t-shirt went flying into the nearby grass before a muscular, young man dove into the water.
Effortlessly, he swam toward the bottom, scooping her up in his arms and dragging her back toward the top.
Azurdee gasped for air once she broke through the surface, her hair and makeup now ruined.
Before she could figure out what was going on, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her onto dry land. He had a strong, firm hold on her like he would never let go. As she struggled to regain her composure, she felt a heavy leather jacket being placed on her shoulders. Grateful, she pulled it around herself, shivering slightly.
“A vampire who’s cold? You must be one of the nobles.” The man that saved her hoisted himself out of the water, shaking his luscious black locks, getting droplets of water everywhere.
“Must you do that?” The other man chided. “You’re getting her all wet.”
“She’s already wet.”
Azurdee finally looked up, her eyes falling on the half-naked man that sat in front of her, wringing out the water from his jeans. Her breath instantly caught in her throat.
His body was like nothing she had ever seen before. Broad shoulders, thick arms packed with muscle. A hard set of abs. A deep V-like groove that disappeared into his pants. Long, lean legs. A handsome face, complete with a hint of stubble that softened his otherwise sharp jawline. Deep, black eyes.
He had just fed.
She could even smell the blood lingering on his breath.
He turned toward her, flashing an impossibly attractive smile. “Like what you see, princess?” He asked, his tone mocking.
“Don’t listen to my brother. He’s rather ill-mannered.”
“Oh, lay off, will you? We all know that your nice guy act is nothing more than a sham.” The black-haired man scoffed.
The man shot his brother an icy look, his eyes narrowing into small slits, his lips pressed together into a hard line before he turned back to the girl. “Are you alright?” He asked, his voice kind and compassionate.
Azurdee just nodded, struggling to find the words to speak now that she was surrounded with not one, but two attractive men.
The one that kept his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it soothingly, had light blonde hair, pale skin, but the same, bottomless black eyes as his brother.
Azurdee ventured to glance at the rest of his body, only to discover that he was also very muscular, although not quite as ripped as his companion. His body was lean like an artist had sculpted him out of marble. Azurdee bit the inside of her lip, a sudden desire to pull off his shirt overwhelming her.
“Well, in any case, my name is Kai and this here is my brother, Noah.” When she offered him no response, he sat down beside her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it gently. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Again, she just nodded.
“Well, why don’t you tell us your name and why you’re out here all by yourself?”
Azurdee was distracted when Noah got up, stretching his limbs, his muscles tensing, nearly bulging out of his skin. She felt a profound lust spark up inside of her that she only felt whenever she was reading the dirty literature she wasn’t supposed to have. These men were just like the protagonists she had pictured in her stories.
Noah stepped away from the water’s edge and started to gather pieces of dry timber in his strong arms.
“He’s just going to make a fire, so you can dry off,” Kai explained with a soft smile.
Azurdee turned in his direction, blushing slightly when she realized just how close their faces really were.
“So, can you tell me your name?”
“A-Azurdee.”
“That’s a very beautiful name.” His thumb caressed the back of her hand, being very gentle with her. “And can you tell me why you’re out here all by yourself? You must know that the woods can be very dangerous.”
“Oh, very dangerous indeed.” Noah leaned in over her shoulder, flashing a bright smile, his long fangs flashing in the moonlight. “You never know who might be lurking in the shadows.” His voice lowered, a small growl emerging from his throat. “A pretty girl like you? She might find herself in trouble.”
Azurdee shivered, wrapping the jacket around her tight as if it would keep her safe from harm.
“Noah.” Kai’s voice was hostile, serving as a warning toward his brother.
Noah shrugged. “All I’m saying is she’s lucky we’re the ones that found her and not some of the others. There’s no telling what they might have done.” He finished piling the wood together. “Got a light?”
Kai fished in his pocket, tossing a lighter at his brother.
With barely any lighter fluid left, it struggled to spark. The tsk, tsk, tsk seemed louder than it really was in the stillness of the forest.
Finally, he managed to light the pyre, a small, warm flame dancing amongst the logs.
Azurdee held out her hands
, warming up her cold, stiff fingers. “Thank you.” She whispered. Her mind had yet to fully comprehend what had happened to her, but she was grateful that she could warm herself by the fire.
Noah plopped down beside her, running his fingers through his still damp hair. “So, you going to tell us why you’re out here all by yourself or what?”
Azurdee looked at each man in turn. They were complete strangers, but they had helped her. Seeing no reason not to, she decided to confide in them. After all, she needed to get it off her chest.
“I ran away.” She wanted to say more, but her lips locked shut after those three words, tears once again forming in the corner of her eyes. She didn’t want to cry in front of these men, but she just couldn’t help it. Her chest felt so tight like someone was squeezing it to the point of breaking.
“What did you run away from?”
“Everything.”
Chapter Four
The men waited for her to elaborate.
Frustrated with herself, she wiped her tears with the back of her arm. “I… I’m supposed to be married soon.”
“Don’t most women live for that?” Noah asked.
Azurdee shook her head. “Not when your mother arranges everything and expects you to marry a man you don’t even know.”
“Ah, so you truly are one of the nobles, then,” Kai said with a slight nod of his head.
“It’s not fair. Why shouldn’t I be able to decide who I get to marry? I don’t even know who this Fredrick person is. I met him today and now, I’m supposed to want to marry him? How does that make any sense? Sure, he seems like an okay guy, but I don’t know him, I haven’t fallen in love with him, how can they expect me to live out my life with him?” She asked, looking at the two men.
She started to rip up the grass beside her once again before Noah grabbed her hand and stopped her. He didn’t say a word, only held her hand for a moment before letting go, his dark eyes sending a shiver through her spine. If these men had just fed, that meant they were hunters, some of the most powerful vampires on the island. They could crush a stag’s neck with a single bite.
“And…” Azurdee paused, wondering how much she should tell these strangers, but the more she spoke, the better she felt. “… it’s not like I can do anything about it. My mother is the matriarch of the Hallowed– “
“Hallowed?” The two men repeated, cutting her off.
“We really do have a little princess on our hands.” Noah mused, his fangs once again flashing into view.
“I’m not a princess.”
“Sure.” Noah chuckled. “Not a princess. Then why are you wearing that fancy dress and being assigned to marry some high-brow aristocrat? There aren’t many Fredricks, you know. If I had to guess, he’s that politician in the capital, the one that’s trying to completely destroy any rights the lower-class still have. Red, curly hair, large, sharp nose, eyes like that of a rodent.”
“Y-Yeah… that’s him. How did you know?”
“Noah and I are part of the Sanctioned Clan.”
“That’s one of the lower-class clans…” She whispered, her initial attraction to these men fading slightly now that she knew they were both lesser vampires. But… Noah’s fangs were so big.
“Don’t look at us like that.” Noah spat, noting her derision almost immediately. “Just because we aren’t purebloods like you, doesn’t mean we’re any less vampires.” His tone took a lethal edge as he got closer to Azurdee, his eyes burning with something of a hatred.
“Noah.” Kai grabbed his shoulder, squeezing it slightly, forcing him to calm down.
Noah mumbled something under his breath that Azurdee couldn’t quite understand.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just… upset.”
“Don’t worry, my brother has a habit of losing his temper.” Kai offered her a kind smile. His fangs were significantly smaller than his brother’s, but still quite large for a lesser vampire.
“You know, I should probably go… they’ll start looking for me soon and I don’t want to get you two in trouble for being seen with me.” She got up quickly, shrugging off the leather jacket. She held it in her hand for a moment, feeling the soft leather between her fingers. It was warm and she could smell the men’s strong, musky scent rolling off it. In a way, she didn’t want to part with it.
“You can keep it if you’d like.” Kai offered, noticing how she clung to his jacket.
“No. No.” She handed it back to him. “I really should be going and if my soon-to-be husband is who you say he is, I think it’s best if we weren’t seen together.”
Noah huffed under his breath but didn’t say anything.
“Do you need help getting out of the woods?”
“I should be okay,” Azurdee said. She actually wasn’t very sure how to navigate her way back, but she had a stubborn streak in her. She rarely asked for help, and even then, she didn’t like it very much.
“Are you sure?” Kai reached out, touching her arm ever so gently.
Azurdee nearly moaned as sparks of pure energy ran through her skin, shooting straight for her heart. It almost felt like it would start beating. Her skin felt hot and her cheeks turned crimson.
Before she could leave, Noah got up, straightening to his full 6’5 stature. Azurdee had to crane her neck to look at his face. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. It was almost like she could feel the unadulterated sex appeal rolling off his chiseled body.
Droplets of water still lingered on his chest, racing down his skin. Azurdee watched their descent as they traveled over his pecs, his abs, and finally disappeared against the fabric of his pants. For a split second, Azurdee wondered what he looked like down there. Her mind carefully undressed him, picturing him naked as she did so many times with the protagonists in her books.
She bit the inside of her lip to keep herself from going overboard. When she looked at Noah once more, there was a sly grin on his lips. He had obviously caught her staring.
Azurdee glanced at the two men one more time, feeling like she never wanted to leave their side. There was just something about them that made her so hot. She couldn’t explain it.
Finally, she mustered the willpower to pull away. She disappeared into the tree line, fighting the urge to look back at them, but she knew that if she did, she might never leave.
Chapter Five
Azurdee managed to slip back into the estate without anyone noticing her. Her dress was mostly dry, thanks to the fire Noah had built, making it a little easier for her to pick it up and walk up the stairs.
She chose her steps very carefully, avoiding the stairs that tended to creak. Azurdee knew her mother had hawk-like hearing and she really did not want to face her wrath this late into the night.
On the second floor, she tiptoed past the parlor where she had first met her fiancé. She could hear voices inside.
“Have you not found her yet?” Fredrick faked concern.
Azurdee peeked inside through the crack in the doorway.
He had his legs crossed, sipping on a cup of blood. Azurdee’s mother stood at the window, looking out. The first signs of daybreak could be seen in the changing colors of the sky, from black to gray and finally, to a light yellow.
“Oh, she has returned.” She said, almost as if she knew her daughter was listening in at the door. “And she will be properly punished for running out on you in such a disgraceful manner.”
“As I have told you, there’s no need for a punishment. Once we’re married, I will make sure she’s exactly how I like her.” He reclined back, a devious grin on his face.
Azurdee’s stomach churned. She couldn’t believe that they were talking about her as if she was nothing more than a lifeless object. She ground her teeth, her fingers tightening around the doorframe. Maybe she should have stayed in the woods with Kai and Noah. At least they spoke to her like she was worth something.
“Is that so?” Azaria turned, facing her guest.
“Oh yes. Yo
u should know. Isn’t that one of the reasons why you’re having this marriage arranged? You know I’m the best suitor for your daughter because I’m exactly the right person to whip her into shape. It is no secret that your daughter has been the black sheep in the Hallowed Clan, nothing like you, Azaria.”
“She takes after her father.”
“And yet, she’s a woman of noble blood. She must behave like one.” He said, getting up. “And, if you ask me, her unruly behavior is simply a reflection of your weakening power. If you truly were the matriarch you claim to be, you would know how to control your offspring.”
“Hold your tongue.” Azaria threatened, her gaze intense even as the politician squared off to her, a good head taller than she was. “I will not be disrespected in this manner inside my own home.”
Fredrick grinned. “My apologies, ma’am.” He said with an air of mock respect. “But the sun rises, I must return home.” With this, he turned on his heels, heading for the door.
Azurdee’s eyes widened. She couldn’t let herself be caught. Quickly, she rushed down the hall, trying to keep her footsteps as quiet as possible.
To her relief, she rounded the corner just as the parlor door opened. She pressed herself against the wall, praying her mother didn’t head in her direction.
Listening intently, she heard her footsteps fade away and she breathed in relief.
She was about to head for her room when the matriarch appeared, looking livid. Her cheeks were blotchy, her fingers shook with rage and her eyes were the color of crimson, indicating that she was hungry. And a hungry vampire was an uncontrollable one.
“How dare you disobey me like that?” She hissed, her words eerily calm. “I managed to arrange your marriage to one of the most well-respected and powerful men in the capital. A noble from the Vigils. Do you know what such a marriage could mean for our clan…?” She grabbed her daughter by the collar, nearly lifting her off the ground. “Or are you such a brat that you can think of no one other than yourself.”
Azurdee struggled, clawing at her mother’s hands, trying to free herself. “Let me go!”
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