by C. A. Worley
“Bianca, come, port me away from here.”
She leered at his hand, at the cicatrice that matched her mother’s. Her grip on the sword against her thigh tightened. Her father hadn’t even noticed she’d taken it from Luka’s scabbard.
Luka groaned incoherently from behind her. She would not let her father near him again.
“Did my mother know?”
Dmitri dropped his hand. He hadn’t much time, but his only child appeared reluctant to reach for him. Bianca was determined to have answers and he couldn’t blame her.
“Did she know what?”
“That you were going to betray Viktor.”
He exhaled heavily. “She knew Viktor’s mate was not vampire. She’d dreamt it.”
“Answer my question.”
“She found out, yes. It is difficult to keep the mark hidden when it is so boldly scripted across one’s chest.”
Her eyes flicked to the area over his heart.
“How did you get the mark?”
“That is not for anyone to know, Bianca.”
“Not even me?”
“Not even you.”
Her indignation intensified. The more she studied him, the more she realized she didn’t know him at all.
“If that is all, Bianca, let us leave. Someone will be coming.”
“One more question and then you can depart. Why did Nikolai kill my mother? You never gave me a reason and I was too young to know to ask.”
It wasn’t lost on him that she’d said you and not we could depart. She wasn’t going to come with him. He should have known he’d have no sway over her, not when her sieva was lying on his back with a knife stuck between his ribs.
“I don’t know.”
“Lie.”
Dmitri’s head jerked to the right. Standing beside a very alive Viktor was the young wolf from the dungeon. The damned animal could smell a lie.
“You don’t look surprised to see me,” Viktor’s smooth voice purred. It was the voice he used when dealing with deplorables at court.
“That’s because I’m not.”
“Answer her, Dmitri,” Luka grated through gritted teeth. “Give her some truth after your litany of lies. You owe her that much.”
Viktor surveyed his brother a moment. Luka was very still, but he was breathing and he was capable of speech. These were positive signs.
“Well?” Bianca prompted, moving a step closer.
Viktor and Bran inched towards Dmitri, as well. They had him pinned, his back to the edge of the cliff. There was nowhere to go but down.
“Eliza went to Nikolai and told him what she’d seen in her dreams. I told her to keep quiet, but she didn’t listen. Nikolai didn’t want Viktor to ever know his sieva was not Prajna. He killed her for it. When he confronted me, I already had this,” he pulled his shirt aside to reveal the swirling black ink upon his skin.
“He knew we were of the same mind, despite what he’d done to Eliza. Nikolai was almost joyous over it. He extracted an oath from me never to act against him and allowed me to escape.”
Viktor’s nostrils flared. His father had known his true mate was not of their faction? The tyrant had meant to withhold the truth from his own son—had meant for Viktor to never find Eden.
Bianca glanced at Bran.
“Truth,” the wolf pronounced with a low growl in his chest. He was disgusted on Viktor’s behalf. It was not right what his father did. Matehood was what made life worth living.
Bianca’s perfect eyebrows slanted. Dmitri swore he could feel his daughter’s suspicion. “What? You thought I had something to do with your mother’s death?”
“Apparently, I know nothing of what you did or did not do. Everything I thought I knew of your existence was a lie.”
“Bianca—"
“I wish you had actually been killed as I believed.”
Dmitri flinched. Her declaration had been devoid of feeling. She’d stated it matter of fact, masking her emotions as he’d taught her to do when she was very young.
He’d never intended for her to suffer. He thought he’d left her in the best position possible. She was cool and calculating, unencumbered by the emotions plaguing others. She would be a great queen.
Viktor and Bran drifted nearer. Dmitri needed to escape. He was no match for Viktor or the wolf, especially now he was unarmed.
He stepped towards Bianca. Moonlight caught on the steel of the blade she lifted between them. She gripped it expertly, as though she’d done it a thousand times.
Bianca’s posture was relaxed, her hold on Luka’s weapon steady. Years of living in a perpetual state of numbness saved her from any show of wavering.
“Bianca, move away from him,” Luka begged, holding one hand over his wound and the other out to his mate.
“Listen to your sieva,” Dmitri ordered, braving another step towards her and away from the men closing in.
Viktor considered porting Dmitri straight to the dungeons. Their original plan had been to capture and question him.
Having seen his mate get thrown from the top of Diavol Crest, the only thing that would satisfy his thirst for revenge would be watching Dmitri’s head fall away from his body.
“Bianca,” Viktor soothed, trying to make sure she did nothing to endanger herself. It would crush Luka if she was harmed. “Give me the sword.”
“No.”
She lunged at her father, swinging the length of steel in a wide arc. She was aiming for his neck.
Dmitri’s eyes widened and he propelled himself backwards, narrowly missing the tip of the sharp blade. Instinctually, he tried to port.
With the iron cuff still attached, it did no good. Too late, he realized his mistake as he tumbled over the rocky cliff.
Viktor, Bran, and Bianca ran to the edge. They watched Dmitri’s descent until he splashed into the black vortex below.
Bianca hissed in frustration. She wound back, about to throw the sword after her father when Luka’s weakened voice stopped her.
“I would appreciate,” he panted, “if you did not lose my favorite weapon.”
The metal clinked against the rock as she dropped it and ran to him. The bleeding seemed to have slowed, but his skin had become ashen.
She reached for the hand Luka had clutching the knife. Viktor grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t touch his hand, Bianca.”
Her eyes flashed and her palm tingled, protesting. Luka needed her. Their souls were pushing them together.
“Let me get him help first. At the very least, the knife needs to come out before ...”
He let the rest linger, not wanting to think about his brother binding his soul to Bianca. She may have finally shown some of her true colors, but he was still wary.
At least she hadn’t been conspiring with Dmitri. Viktor honestly did not know what he would have done to Luka’s mate if she had been in cahoots with her father.
Viktor knelt beside Luka and lifted him into his arms. Luka ground his teeth with the movement.
“Bianca, port with Bran to the infirmary.”
“If it’s all the same,” Bran interjected, “I’d like to stay here, make sure he doesn’t come out of the water.”
Viktor didn’t think Dmitri would be strong enough to survive the whirlpool, but it would be wise to make sure.
“Thank you. I’ll send others along shortly to help you. We’ll need to check the banks, as well. Bianca, we’ll see you in a moment.”
Viktor ported Luka to the rarely-used infirmary. It was empty, aside from one guard on duty. The startled male jumped when the King appeared carrying the very bloody Prince.
“Go get the healer,” Viktor barked.
“Right away, Sire.”
Bianca landed and strode to the nearest bed, turning down the sheet. She rolled up her sleeves and grabbed a basin and some rags from the shelving beside the bed.
“What are you doing?” Viktor asked.
“Helping.”
Luka coughed out a laug
h in between grunts of agony when Viktor placed him on the bed.
“Viktor, have you met Bianca?”
Viktor stared, dumbfounded, at Luka’s mate. She was determined to assist, something he’d never seen from her. Even her movements were different. Expedient. Not a hint of seduction in her actions.
“I’m starting to believe I haven’t,” Viktor replied.
Bianca ignored her mate’s strained chuckle and continued prepping supplies. She kept her head low to hide her reddened cheeks.
Chapter 31
Viktor ported to his balcony. Afraid of startling Yuri or Eden, he opened the glass doors slowly giving them time to hear and see it was him.
Eden crashed into his body before he crossed the threshold. His arms automatically encircled her. Gently, he walked her backwards so he could shut the doors.
“I’m happy to see you, as well, little mate.”
Eden grinned against his shirt. Her hands flattened against his front. The fabric was damp. She pulled back and saw the crimson stains smeared across his abdomen and arms.
“What happened?”
“It’s not mine.”
“Is it … Dmitri’s?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
Yuri leaned forward in his seat. “He lives?”
“I don’t think so.”
Yuri started to rise and Viktor held up a hand. “No, stay seated.” He guided Eden to the wingback chair, sat, then pulled her onto his lap.
She snuggled under his chin, uncaring she was getting blood on her own clothing. She just needed to be close to him for a minute.
Stroking his sieva’s hair, he told them what had happened when he returned to the cliff. By the time he finished, Yuri’s mouth hung open, speechless. It was almost comical.
“Luka will be alright?” Eden asked.
“He’ll mend. As for being alright? I’m not sure. He’s about to soul-bond with Bianca,” Viktor replied.
“Yes, rather unlucky,” Yuri added.
“I think you’re both wrong. There’s more to her than either of you know,” Eden dissented.
“Such as?” Yuri prompted.
“Such as the fact she came across that she-wolf—what was her name? Isla. Yes, Isla, the one involved with the demon Bogdan. He’d beaten her, was doing terrible things to her and Bianca scared him off. She was so upset she erased Isla’s memory of it.”
Yuri scratched at his beard as he did so often when thinking. “She told you this?”
“She did. In front of Bran, if you’re wondering why I believed her.”
“What was she doing across the border?” Viktor asked.
“She thought she’d picked up her father’s scent, when she was out visiting the villages and towns. She followed it and it took her into Burghard. She didn’t know he was alive, Viktor. You cannot punish her for colluding with him.”
“I know.”
“I know my knowledge of her is limited, but I think you should sit and talk with her. Maybe, now that she’s found her sieva, she’ll feel comfortable dropping the persona she’s been displaying for so long.”
Viktor kissed her nose. “You may be right, my love.”
Eden smiled shyly at his endearment. It was the second him he’d done it. She’d never tell him, but she also liked when he called her little witch.
Yuri stood. “I best get back to my wife. Do you need anything before I go, Viktor?”
“Could you send word to Kellan? Theron will need to be informed, as well.
“I’ll drop in on the Wolf King now so he can get home to his mate. I will visit Theron in the morning, if that is acceptable.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Anything for you, my friend. You, too, Eden. I hope you know that.”
“I do. Thank you.”
Yuri bowed and then exited through the door. As he walked, he wondered how long it would be before Viktor heard the sound that would change his life once more. Yuri hadn’t said anything to Eden about it, unsure if she was aware.
Both Eden and Viktor watched him go, staring at the door long after it had shut. The fire crackled and a whisper of something whooshed in the background. It was almost like horses galloping in the distance, but was too faint for him to decipher.
“Viktor?” Eden’s voice distracted him from his listening.
“Yes?”
“I—I need to tell you something.”
He looked down at his sieva, noticing the red on her hands and shirt. He grimaced.
“Can you tell me in the bath? I don’t mind the blood on me, but I detest anything foul touching your beautiful skin.”
“Oh,” she lowered her head, peering down at her now dirtied clothing. “Of course.”
Viktor rose, keeping Eden in his arms and carried her into the bathing chamber. Together, they prepared the water.
He removed his clothing, throwing anything tainted into the fire under the heating stones. Eden kept her back to him as she undressed. She wasn’t showing in the slightest so she wasn’t sure what she thought she was hiding.
Once she was nude, she lowered herself to the ledge, dipping her legs into the heated water. Eden crossed her arms across her belly, protectively.
Viktor felt uneasiness rush across their bond. He twisted to check on Eden. She was sitting on the side of the bathing pool, her shoulders slumped and head bowed.
He lowered himself into the pool and walked to the side where she was seated. Slowly, spread her knees apart with his hands and stepped into the space. She didn’t lift her face.
Viktor gently hauled her into his arms and pulled her close. Her legs wrapped around his hips and he backed them away from the edge. Her arms tightened around his neck.
Eden wasn’t the sort to hide from him or shy away from speaking frankly. Something was bothering his mate, something besides his unwise actions.
“Hold your breath, mala vestica.”
Holding her to him, he dropped below the surface and immediately popped back up, as he’d done not that long ago when she’d vexed him for the first time.
“What was that for?” Eden sputtered and wiped the water from her face.
“That was for being afraid to speak to me. I didn’t like it.”
One side of Eden’s mouth quirked. “I’m not afraid to speak to you.”
“Then why did you go from clinging to me one moment, then avoiding me the next?”
“I have to tell you something.”
“You think I won’t like what you have to say. Is that it?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
If he didn’t react well, she didn’t know what she’d do. This day had been the most difficult of her life. This should be a happy moment for them. She couldn’t help but feel the dark clouds still lingering over them.
“I know you have been through much in a short time, Eden. I also know there are things still hanging between us, things up to me to repair, but you need never fear confiding in me. I will be what you need me to be. I swear it.”
He spoke softly, but with confidence. Eden felt his love through the bond.
She hugged him, kissing the sensitive skin under his earlobe. His length hardened fully, pulsating between them.
She pressed her lips against his ear and told him, “I’m so glad you came back in one piece. I needed you to come back to us, Viktor.”
“I—wait, what do you mean, come back to us?”
When she did not respond, he pulled on her hair so he could look upon her face. Eden bit her lip. Her pulse accelerated, causing his incisors to ache.
“Well,” she licked her lips, “it means there is now more than one person who needs you.”
Viktor became still as a statue. He didn’t react at all and Eden worried her lips. Nothing was coming through their bond. In fact, it felt almost numb. With shock?
“I think,” she said as she grabbed his hand and brought it to her lower belly, “if we are very quiet, you can hear him. Though, perhaps, not under the water.”
> Him, she’d said. A son.
Viktor finally took a breath. His heart took off, racing wildly. He clutched Eden’s hips and lifted her out of the pool. The heated water sluiced down her body, the rivulets dripping onto the surface of the water, echoing soft plunks.
Tilting his head, Viktor put his ear against Eden’s abdomen. The muffled whoosh of a tiny heart greeted him. Like tiny horses galloping in the distance.
Heat crawled up his neck. His pressed lips quivered. For a second, he lost control of his emotions. Hope, excitement, and love mixed and tangled with a morbid measure of fear. The snarled ball of emotions worked its way through the bond before he could get a handle on it.
“Viktor,” her hoarse voice croaked under the strain of his varied reactions.
Viktor allowed Eden’s body to slide down his until they were nose to nose. His glassy eyes broke her wide open.
“It will be alright. You’ll see,” she comforted him.
His lips turned down. An errant tear was close to slipping free from the rim of his eye.
“You cannot know that,” his hush voiced disputed.
“You’re right. I cannot see the future. So, let us look at facts. No sievas had been joined in the past century. Then you found me.”
She kissed him sweetly.
“I know it’s been some weeks since we bonded, but Luka has since found his mate, as well.”
Another kiss.
“Now I am with child. Theron said it used to be that the vampires did not produce young until the leader did. This might be the start of things to come.”
Logically, Eden’s words made sense. Viktor wanted to give in to her optimism, to trust her reasoning. He feared he was incapable of it, not with what was at stake.
Outside of his experience with Eden, he’d rarely felt much of anything. He didn’t trust the barrage of contradicting sentiments his overactive mind was producing.
This pregnancy should be something in which they rejoiced. It could signify the end of their curse. His people’s lives might change for the better.
In this moment, however, he cared not what others faced. He only cared what happened to his mate and the babe growing inside her body. For all the responsibility and sense of duty he’d always internalized, none of it mattered when it came to Eden.