The door opened to reveal a staircase lit with only a single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling. At the bottom, two steel doors were guarded by Mills SWAT-clad security witches. The witch on the right stepped aside, waved her hand, and watched as the door swung open.
The simple room was lit with soft lighting from alabaster-shaded wall sconces. Fabric draped over most of the block-and-brick walls. Three mahogany biers stood in the center of the room. Instead of coffins, the biers held the bodies of Martina, Alena, and David.
“David!” Cassy cried and ran to his side. She stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. Tears of joy streamed down her face.
At last, they were together. The magic of Avalon held everything in check, but now she felt everything she had missed. It seemed like ages ago since he held her as they slept. The warm hum vibrated with pleasure and pure joy.
“Vhy don’t you try that on his lips?”
Chapter 18
The familiar voice of her father started a fresh wave of tears. She looked up at him to find him in the doorway, blocking the stairs. He was not alone.
Ladies Helena and Ursula stood a few stairs up, talking animatedly with one another. They were excited about something, but Cassy paid their conversation no attention.
A long purple skirt and a pair of legs in linen pants stood above the witches. It was clearly Ronan and Mab. If they were conversing, Cassy did not hear.
Mills motioned everyone into the room. He took his place by the door and gave the witch outside a hand signal. Closing the door behind everyone, he leaned against the wall and remained silent.
Cassy looked back down at David’s sleeping face. He seemed as peaceful as he had been in her dream. She stroked his cheek and cried. Tears of mixed emotions trickled down her face.
Her beloved lay here unable to hear her voice, see her face, or touch her in return. She did not know how to wake him or if he could be woken. How would he ever know about the magic inside her Ronan said was for them both of them. Sadness crashed around her.
“My poor David. I’m so sorry. Please, if you can hear me, come back to me. Please,” she whispered as she kissed his lips. She poured every ounce of love she had into the kiss, thinking of all the happy times and the bliss of his skin against hers. She thought of how incomplete her life seemed before he entered it and how fulfilled she became once he did.
Warmth spread throughout her body. The humming in her core vibrated to a near fever pitch, as if it attempted to make an escape. The warmth became a raging heat, but Cassy did not break the kiss. Quickly, the heat began spreading to David everywhere she touched him. Gold tendrils of energy coiled around the two of them until they were cloaked in the resonating light.
His breathing became deeper and faster. His eyelids fluttered as he tried to open his eyes. Small movements became more pronounced the longer she kissed him. He kissed her back with as much passion as she felt for him. Finally, he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her in for a hug.
Her tears of sadness turned to joy. The vibration settled back down to a warm hum. She broke the kiss with a giddy giggle. She pulled them up into a sitting position and buried her face in his neck as she hugged him.
“Thank the night above! I thought I lost you!” Cassy exclaimed.
“I thought I lost you, too, and couldn’t bear the thought of an eternity without you. Just the thought of not being with you every night nearly choked me with misery,” David whispered into her hair.
“It was just two days,” she said, sniffing from all the crying. “I came back as soon as I could.”
“Two days? You were gone a week! I just knew when the portal closed your door home slammed shut. When the others arrived and you didn’t, I thought you were lost,” David confessed.
Lady Helena cleared her throat. “Actually, this is the month of the Blood Moon. You both lost time.”
“Blood Moon?” David and Cassy said together, both sounding confused.
“Night above! You mean it’s October?” Cassy felt shocked.
Ronan answered her question with another. “Remember what I said about time in Avalon being different than time in the living world?”
Cassy nodded. The reality of the situation was she only missed two days at most. Those two days in Avalon translated to months back home. She had missed nine months.
David looked around, disoriented. “Where are we and why are we down here?”
“With Josephine and her band of made vampire rebels on the loose, we didn’t want to run the risk of someone offing you in your beds. So we moved you three to the safest location in the main house,” Mills explained. “Our missing Mother still hasn’t been found. Although, we have tracked her and her husband’s last known location to Hilton Head Island.”
Mab laid a hand on Mills shoulder. “If you can be spared, we will take you with us. The horses await.”
Mills looked to Lady Helena, who simply nodded her consent. He turned his attentions back to Mab. “I’d love to.”
Ronan stepped closer to High Prince Vlad and gave a courteous bow. “I believe you once rode in a series of campaigns against the Ottomans. Care to join the Wild Hunt for Josephine and all those who harmed our son?”
A wide, genuine smile spread across Vlad’s face. “I vould be delighted. But ve must hurry. Moonlight is burning, and I vant her ashes by morning.”
“I think we can do something about that,” Mab said with a cruel laugh.
“I want to come, too,” Liz’s voice said, floating down the stairs.
Everyone turn in her direction as she entered the room. She was dressed like a member of the witches’ security force. Her long hair had been shortened to shoulder-length and pulled up into a ponytail.
“Don’t look so shocked. That bitch turned my husband against me and tried to take my baby. She enchanted and kidnapped my cousins and killed Finn. Thanks to her, David spent months asleep. I owe her,” Liz said with a hint of vindictiveness in her voice.
Vlad patted her cheek and sighed. “You vould have made an excellent son,” he complimented.
She smiled back and said, “Thanks, Father.”
“Wait. You said baby. What baby?” Cassy asked, surprised.
“Oh! Of course, you haven’t heard. Three weeks ago I delivered a bouncing baby girl. She has the most adorable fangs! I named her Erica. I didn’t think you would mind,” Liz beamed.
“Oh, Liz! How perfect! I’d give you a hug, but I have my hands full,” Cassy said, giving David an extra squeeze. She wanted to hold him to her forever, even if the idea was impractical. For now, she was not about to let go.
“If Vlad has no objection, the third mount is yours. I assume Cassandra will want to stay behind with her David,” Ronan said. He gave a slight bow in Cassy’s direction.
“It’s yours, Liz. Have your moment and enjoy the ride,” Cassy agreed. The mere thought of not being with David threatened a wave of panic to breach her emotional dam. She used it to prevent him from feeling her roller coaster of emotions.
“Before you leave, I think it is time to wake our other sleeping guests,” Lady Ursula suggested. She waved a hand to Alena and Martina in turn.
The lightweight coverlets drew back. They were dressed as Cassy found them in Avalon. The herbs had been removed from their hands.
“Of course,” Ronan said, stepping forward. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to Alena’s.
Her eyes fluttered to life as David’s had. She smiled sweetly and said, “I dreamt about you.”
Ronan returned the smile and moved on to Martina. He repeated the same soft kiss he gave Alena. He pulled back and waited.
It took longer for Martina to wake. She seemed to struggle back to life. A deep, rasping gasp accompanied her eyes flying open. She made an effort to get away from the elf and nearly fell off the bier.
Ronan caught her in time to prevent her fall. “Shhh, child, you are as safe as a babe.”
She stopped struggling and looked wide-eyed around
the room. “Where the hell am I, and who the hell are you? Where is my husband?”
“You are on the main estate of the Council of Crones in Asheville, North Carolina. I am Ronan, sometimes called Oberon in this world. I have been informed certain members of the noble houses have been incarcerated in connection with the kidnapping of the conduit women of the born lines. All will be explained more fully by the Lady Helena at a later time,” Ronan explained. He helped her sit up.
“The moon is reaching its zenith and the veil’s thin. We must cast the spell now and ride,” Mab said. She held out her hand to Ronan.
He left Martina without looking back. As he approached her, he took her hand and held it up shoulder level to her. He gave her a knowing looking that made her beam.
They turned and walked up the stairs in silence. Her long, purple silk skirt sweeping the steps provided the only sound. A ripple of energy rolled through the air as they climbed back up.
The witches followed them and motioned for the others to do the same. The effect was a procession from the underground levels of the main house. Vampires and witches alike seemed compelled to follow the king and queen to the front door. The entire staff stopped working to trail behind the pair.
Cassy and David joined the solemn parade. She kept a firm grip on his hand. No matter what happened, she did not plan to let him go. The warm hum purred with contentment. As long as she had him, her world was complete.
Everyone filed outside. Some gasped and whispered at the sight of the phantasms waiting for the king and queen. The spectral horses and the phantom soldiers stood in formation, ready for their duties. The hounds whined and yipped at the arrival of the hunting party.
Mab and Ronan did not let go of each other’s hands. Instead, they lifted their free hands up in unison and began chanting. As they did, they spun to face each of the four quarters, repeating the chant as they went. Then they faced each other, joined their free hands, and lifted them skyward.
Cassy could have sworn the moon and the clouds in the sky stopped moving. The wind ceased to blow. The leaves on the trees hung as if the air still lifted them, but the breeze was gone. Time had slowed to a crawl.
The chanting did not stop until a small orb glowing red formed between them. It bobbed briefly and then rose into the air. Swooping down like a falcon after prey, the orb passed by each person present before darting back into the sky. The orb seemed to be waiting for a command.
The horses with empty saddles presented themselves to their riders. Ronan, Mab, Mills, and Liz mounted the strange, glowing, transparent beasts. Vlad’s horse nudged his shoulder.
The prince chuckled and rubbed its neck. He looked over his shoulder at Cassy. “I think I should have your sword and stakes,” he said lightheartedly. A mischievous grin flashed his fangs. The sight of his fanged grin was not one Cassy had often seen but loved.
She gave him the belt Ronan had presented her in Avalon. As she touched his hand, she was reminded of him standing beside her at the portal. Sentiment took over. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. The warm hum seemed to give a nudge of recognition. A little charge of energy pulsed along her skin.
Her father took a step back, looking surprised and rubbing his cheek. His entire demeanor changed in an instant. He clapped his hands together once and laughed out loud. Grabbing Cassy by the shoulders, he pulled her free of David’s grip and gave her the biggest hug she had ever received from him. He kissed both cheeks. He clasped David’s hand and gave two hard pumps. Without an explanation of his odd behavior, he released his hand, clapped him on the shoulder, and took to his horse.
Once the High Prince squared himself in the saddle, the orb zipped off. The Wild Hunt began. Swords were drawn free of their scabbards. Mab readied her bow. The hounds ran ahead, baying. Mab and Ronan kicked their horses into action. The others followed. As they ran into the night, another portal opened and the hunting party disappeared. The portal closed behind them.
Cassy stared at the space the group once occupied. No sign of them remained, not even a shimmer in the air. They vanished without a trace. The only reminder was the lack of night noises and the stationary clouds hung in the inky sky. The moon stood still.
Shuffling sounds from behind them drew Cassy’s attention to the witches returning to their work. A few of the Maidens looked a little confused. Most acted as if this were a normal event to be expected and went about their business.
Lady Helena drifted to Cassy and David’s side. She stopped and looked up at the moon. With a sigh, she took Cassy’s hand. The little pulse ran between their hands.
“Sorry,” Cassy said, pulling her hand away. “That just keeps happening. I’m not doing it on purpose.”
“I know. Did Ronan or Mab tell you anything about what was happening to you?” Lady Helena asked. She kept watching the moon, as if waiting for it to resume its path across the night sky.
“Ronan said the magic would still be there for David and me when I got back and not to worry,” Cassy answered.
“What magic?” David sounded confused.
“It’s what I wanted to talk to you about before we lost nine months to this adventure,” Cassy confessed. “There’s like a small, warm hum deep down. It seems to know how we feel and acknowledges people I know and love. When I kissed you, the magic that broke the spell came from that magic buried deep inside. I don’t know what it is. I can’t explain it. I just know it belongs to us.”
David cocked his head to one side and a funny look spread across his face. “Are you pregnant?”
“I don’t think so. It doesn’t seem to match up to anything I’ve ever heard about the process,” she said.
It was true, as far as she knew. Born vampires gave birth the same way most humans did. The rate of growth from childhood to adulthood was the same. The only real difference was once a born vampire reached maturity, they stopped aging, making them all seem to be in their early twenties.
Lady Ursula chortled and joined them at the foot of the exterior steps. “You should have said something. We suspected you were having an issue, but we didn’t want to pry. Bonded born vampires need both parents’ consent to having a child. You decide when the time is right for a family, not nature. The magic is waiting for your permission, just like the elves,” she said, laughing.
Cassy tried to speak, but no words would come out. Realizing she must look like a fish gasping for air, she closed her mouth and stared straight ahead, not seeing anything in particular. She was not prepared when David picked her up and swung her around in a circle.
He put her back down and kissed the top of her head. “Yes! Yes. Anytime you want my permission, the answer is yes,” he whispered into her hair.
Chapter 19
“Tonight is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lady Helena said abruptly. “The King and Queen of Avalon have slowed time to allow the Wild Hunt to take down all vampires associated with Josephine’s rebellion. Time will resume its natural pace when they have finished. Only magical creatures, such as us, are immune to the slower pace. The waking world will never know the difference. Take advantage of the lengthened night and celebrate your reunion.”
David gave Cassy no warning before sweeping her off her feet, taking the stairs two at a time as he dashed to their room. He barely took the time to close the door behind them.
The fireplace burst into life when they entered the room. All the white sheets had been removed to reveal the furniture. Someone had turned back the bedding. Fresh linens and towels were in the room. Blood in the usual crystal decanter sat on a tray with two goblets.
Without a word, he pulled her to him and crushed his lips against hers. Traveling down with her, he carefully laid her on the bed, still kissing her. His weight felt familiar and comforting.
Too many layers of fabric lay between them. Cassy slid her hands up his back, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and ripped it loose. Ripping and tugging, she removed his clothes, exposing his flesh.
A flurry of hands, both his
and hers, tore away the blood-crusted silks she wore. Tatters of clothing littered the bed. Only when she could feel bare flesh pressing together did her hands stop searching for fabric to remove.
Cassy ran her hands over his shoulders as his tongue explored her mouth. The feel of his hard muscles moving under her fingers made her moan for more. The throaty noise, low and needy, rumbled into his mouth.
He cupped one breast and made a small circle over her nipple with his thumb. The blood from her soaked clothes smeared when he touched her. The coppery scent became more noticeable as air hit the red elixir. He broke the kiss as his fangs extended. His cock stiffened against her body.
Her fangs dropped down to their fullest extension. A burn overtook her, but this time, it was not a burning thirst. Desire spread across her skin like a tangible layer of heat. She wanted him, needed him to take her, to merge into a single being.
There was a desperate edge to her need. When she thought him lost, a hole had ripped its way through her soul. Now David was here. The hole disappeared. The bond held them by magic, but she needed him to make love to her to make the past few days, or months, just a dream.
Cassy shifted her legs, wrapping them around his hips. Spreading her arms open wide on the bed, she gave him free access to her body. Rolling her head to one side, she exposed her elf-blood-covered neck. She trusted him completely.
He made small movements with his hips, pressing his cock against her sensitive pearl. His soft, wet tongue lapping her nipple into a pebbled peak replaced his circling thumb. Licking the blood from her skin, he made his way from one breast to the other. His fangs scraped along her flesh, but he did not break the skin.
Cassy whimpered with pleasure. She felt her juices flow along her slit, lubricating his cock. Her clit plumped under the now-slippery head of his cock and practically trilled with excitement. Her pussy began to ripple with pleasure. If he kept it up, she thought he might get her off with just the foreplay.
Scion's Avalon [House of Dracul 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15