She looked at his grinning face and nearly tripped over her feet.
“Do I need to carry you?”
She straightened and stuck out her chin. “I don’t know, do princesses normally get carried around by princes?”
He let out a laugh. “Probably. Let’s do it and see if anyone says anything.”
Next minute, she was scooped up in his arms and squealing. By the look of the mile-wide smile plastered on his face, he was having far too much fun to let her down, so she didn’t bother asking. She knew he was too stubborn anyway. Fortunately, there was no one in sight, so she just laughed at him.
They pushed through a pair of double doors which led into an open courtyard with a glass dome overhead. Stars sprinkled across the sky beside a stunning full moon. Around them were dozens of trees and stretches of bright green grass. Bench seats were placed at random spots along a cobbled path.
The inside park was filled with dozens of vampires. It looked like an everyday scene, except for one thing: they were all exceedingly beautiful and healthy looking.
In hindsight, she hadn’t yet met an average-looking vampire.
“Put me down, silly.”
He did. “We can use this area day and night. Like all the glass in the castle, the dome is coated in our protective treatment.”
So she could live here as a human and just change her body clock. As usual, he read her mind.
“No, Willow. To protect the existence of our race, and for your safety, you need to turn.”
She pouted. “You’ll protect me.”
He shook his head, dragging her along the path. “I can’t be with you always. You’ll be a member of the royal family, exposed to dangerous vampires.”
“A real princess?”
He smiled. “Yes. My princess.”
Shit. So. It was really a thing. No wonder people were curtsying.
“Vincent was telling the truth when he said the longer we wait, the more dangerous it is. But I’m not leaving your side for now, so don’t worry. No one will harm you.”
She stepped a little closer to him, and he squeezed her hand. How many people would want to harm her? Exactly how serious was this threat? As a vampire, how would she be expected to protect herself? She had so many questions.
“What if someone tries and you can’t protect me?” A reasonable question.
Apparently not. Brayden nearly broke her hand with his squeeze. “Let’s talk in here.”
Through two huge floor-to-ceiling length doors they went, and into what was very obviously the throne room. It was empty of people but not of decor. Two beautiful thrones made of wood and covered in black, white, and red material sat at the end of the room on a raised dais, with the Moretti crest on top of each and in multiple spots around the room.
Rows of chairs lined the side of the room on top of dark red carpet. In the middle was a large table which appeared to break down into smaller sections.
Brayden closed the doors and turned. He looked around the room and stood listening.
“This room is soundproofed. We can speak in private.” He led her over to a big window where they looked out toward the water in the far distance.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” she offered.
Turning, he took her face in his hand. “I meant it when I said no one could hurt you. One day I will explain in detail if you choose to become a vampire, but I need you to feel safe.”
“I do. I just need to understand the dangers. I know you want to protect me, but if someone—”
“Willow, please. Listen,” he said, gripping her chin a little tighter. “Vincent and I are two of the strongest vampires in existence.”
Oh.
“Craig is a close third.”
She believed him. Nodding, she said, “Okay.”
“There is much for you to learn. The dangers, the relationship between the king and I, our history.” He looked over to the thrones.
Oh. Did he want to be king?
“We were in LA because the king was being poisoned.”
What?
“Oh my God—wait, I thought you couldn’t die like a mortal?”
“We can’t. His illness was extremely confusing for the small group who knew. A few days ago, we found the traitor; however, it’s part of a larger coup.”
Great, so she was in a castle full of vampires who were at risk of a coup taking place. One with other dangerous vampires.
Things were just getting better.
“This is why you must decide soon, and if the answer is no, I will take you to the new house in Hawaii. With your memories wiped.”
Willow imagined her life in Hawaii. Sun, sand, and aloha vibes. The tropical lifestyle was one she had dreamed of. Yet, she wouldn’t have Brayden.
“I think it’s dangerous being here.”
He nodded. “It is.”
“I know you think you’re powerful, Bray.”
He smiled. A dark, dangerous smile. “I don’t think anything, sweetheart. I am THE most powerful vampire.”
She sucked in a small gasp. Brayden wasn’t a show-off. For him to say something like that, she knew it had to be fact. Or at least, for him to strongly believe it.
“Willow. Never repeat those words, do you understand? Especially not to or in front of the king. He must appear as the most dominant alpha of our race,” he warned.
She nodded.
“Your safety and protection are, and will forever be, my priority.” He turned to look out the window. “So you needed to know.”
Willow leaned her head on his arm. “Thank you for trusting me with the knowledge.”
Brayden would still wipe her memory if she left, but she liked that he had shared such an important piece of information with her.
His arm went around her.
“I will do anything for you, Willow. Anything. Which makes me vulnerable, especially while you’re human. I know you need this time, but please know that every day you wait increases the risk.”
During this dangerous time, Brayden was putting the royal family in a tenuous position by being so vulnerable and distracted.
“I’m surprised Vincent is okay with this.”
“He’s not,” he replied, giving her a small laugh. “You’ve seen his mood.”
Oh.
“Still. Why take the risk?”
“Because you’re my mate. You’re the mate of a prince. Should you choose me, you and I will continue the Moretti line.” He wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on the forehead.
“But the king...”
“So far they haven’t produced an heir; we don’t really speak of it. It’s complicated for vampires, and a lot for you to take in on day one. Let’s get something to eat. A meal has been prepared for us.”
Willow followed her vampire prince, and mentally made a note to continue asking about that important topic.
If she were to become a vampire, she needed to know if she could become a mother. That seemed important.
So many questions remained unanswered. So many questions she had yet to learn that needed answering.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
The next evening, Craig stood in front of his pinboard full of Post-it notes, photos, and string with his arms crossed, one hand tapping his chin. Contemplating.
When would the fuckers strike?
The prince was right. It could happen at any time. He’d kicked himself for assuming it would be at the royal ball.
Or had Regan purposely given them that impression? He still didn’t trust the guy, no matter his story. Sure, yeah, they had his mate and daughter, which sucked, but it didn’t mean the old vampire was telling the entire truth. Craig may not be a mated vamp, but he’d seen enough to know loyalty always sat with the one you loved. Even the royal family, he suspected, would choose their mate if pushed. Though that was not something he would say out loud—he wasn’t fucking stupid.
It was why he’d gone to the king and spoken to him about Brayden. The prince had
looked out of his mind that day. He still looked on edge, leaving him worried that his long-time friend was going to make a particularly bad decision.
He had never questioned Brayden’s loyalty to the race or to his family. But the day the prince had asked him to purchase the house in Hawaii, the powerful vampire’s eyes had been drunk with pain. It still gave him chills. Brayden would be an extremely dangerous vampire if allowed to go rogue. He knew from experience. Craig had once been on the edge—very fucking close—something only the prince knew.
He sat down at his desk and sighed. They were living in dangerous times, more dangerous than they realized. It’s not like anyone could have guessed the king was being poisoned. Goddamn! No one even knew it was possible.
It was clear they were on the brink of a coup by their greatest enemy. An enemy who now likely had a lot more knowledge of the royal family than ever before.
Regan was a piece of shit. He’d never trusted him, something that hadn’t sat well with Vincent and Brayden over the years. He didn’t give a fuck. He was the commander, not the diplomatic relations fucking officer. Regan should have fronted from the beginning. They could have found and evac’d his females; the old vampire knew the superior skills held by Brayden and Craig.
Love. It fucked with males’ brains. He was better off without it in his life.
And now they were in a damn mess. At least the king appeared to be recovering quickly and they were back inside the castle. Yet with Brayden—the most powerful vampire on the goddamn planet—distracted by his mate and standing on the edge of darkness, Craig was more nervous than he’d ever felt. If Brayden lost Willow, they would have a much greater threat to deal with.
He heard footsteps. Psychic motherfucker.
“Craig.”
“What’s up?”
The barely muttered greetings were one of familiarity. Both warriors, they didn’t bother with fake smiles and bullshit. He tapped the marker pen on the pad in front of him as Brayden leaned against the windowsill, crossing his arms. He stared at the floor for a long while.
“I want you to stop.”
Watching me was what he didn’t say. Of course Craig was watching him. His every fucking move. He didn’t want to lose the male, and he’d save him if it started happening, just as the prince had done for him.
“No.”
“I’m not going to snap.”
He dropped the pen on the desk. “Bullshit.”
Brayden looked up and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. There was nothing passive about his movements. They were lethal and threatening.
To anyone other than him.
Probably.
“Brayden, if she chooses Hawaii—”
“She won’t!” His fangs extended, face darkening.
Craig shook his head, stood, and turned to face the board on his left again. “Whatever. I’m preparing for the possibility,” he said. “You have to know if you go over the edge, I’ll have to kill you.”
Brayden smirked, but there was no joy in it. “You could try, my friend.”
“Then don’t fucking make me.” He glared at the male who had saved him from the brink once upon a time.
“It’s not me you have to convince. My fate lies in the hands of one spectacularly gorgeous would-be princess,” Brayden pointed angrily.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. You’re the strongest vampire alive—in mind and body!”
Brayden snarled at him. “So you think she will leave?”
“I don’t know. My job is to protect this kingdom. The king. You.”
“I don’t need saving.” Brayden pointed at the board. “Keep your mind on the job and off me.”
Craig shook his head. “You are the job, my prince. Whether you can see it or not, right now, you’re a very real and potential threat.”
Brayden stared at him with darkness swirling in his eyes. “It won’t come to that.”
He hoped not. If it happened, it would be up to Craig, and Craig alone, to track and destroy the prince. In the process, it might just destroy them both.
Running footsteps. They both turned to the door as it flew open.
“Regan has received a call,” Marcus said, panting. “They want to meet in two hours.”
Brayden planted his hands low on his hips. “Where?”
“The bar at the Dunegrass Golf Club.”
“Get a team. I want every word and visual streamed to me in real time,” Brayden instructed.
Craig nodded. “Roger that. Meeting in five. Go round up the others. Bring two of your best LCs.”
“Yes, sir.” Marcus disappeared.
Brayden began walking toward the door.
“Focus on your mate. I’ll alert you immediately if there is an issue.” He looked his friend dead in the eye. “You saved me once. Let me have your back now.”
Brayden frowned, then nodded and left.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Willow glanced around the enormous, opulent room and took another sip of her iced tea.
Tea with the queen. Not a place she’d ever expected to find herself in. Certainly not in America, and not with a queen this exquisitely beautiful. No offense to the other more widely known human queens, but Kate simply radiated elegance.
Brayden had left her with the three vampire ladies—females?— to take care of something, and she was doing her best to relax. How was a human to do so surrounded by vampires, no matter how friendly and beautiful they were, Willow wasn’t sure. Right now, her relaxed anxiety levels were about a ten.
Ten hundred.
“Before your dashing male returns, do you have any other questions?” Seraphina asked.
She had a lot, none of which she really wanted answers to. Not really. Willow just wanted this to all go away.
While keeping Brayden.
“How strong are you?” she suddenly spat out as Kate choked on her tea and attempted to wipe her mouth with a napkin, covering it up.
“Oh.” Seraphina laughed. “I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s a good question. One that if I’d been given the opportunity may have asked myself.”
She hadn’t been. Like many vampires, her mate had forced the change upon her, and asked for forgiveness later. She was grateful to Brayden for this time to decide for herself. Mostly. In some ways, it would be easier to be angry at him then find forgiveness. She knew why he hadn’t. Watching his mother harbor resentment and regret for so many years, he’d promised he would never do it to his own mate if she was human. Unfortunately for him, it turned out she was.
“Yes, I have so many questions it’s driving me a little bit crazy, I’m afraid.”
“Would...no, never mind,” the queen began.
She knew what her question was. Willow shook her head. “No. He’s done the right thing. It would have damaged our relationship if he’d taken the choice from me.” She glanced at Seraphina, who had been turned a few hundred years ago. “No offense meant. Modern women are far more independent. I would be far less inclined to forgive something like that.”
Seraphina tipped her head. “I do believe you are right.”
The queen added her nod to show agreement.
“Well, the answer is that we’re extraordinarily strong. Let me see. I could lift a vehicle, should I wish to. Not that I can think of any reason to do that, mind you.”
Willow’s eyes widened. “That strong?”
They both nodded.
“And males are by far stronger than females, but even then, it varies from vampire to vampire.”
“Katrina was also human. She helped me through my transition. I’m not sure I could have done it without her.”
The other female smiled. “Not true. After the shock subsided, you adjusted quickly. Half the battle is saying goodbye to your humanity.” She glanced at Willow. “My mate allowed me the choice, so I understand what you are going through.”
Oh. “He did?” She nodded and Willow got excited. “What did...well, obviously you chose him.” Her bra
in scrambled with questions.
“Ask anything you like, Willow. I truly feel for you, and am honored to be able to help our future princess.”
She glanced at Kate, who returned a kind smile. “It’s all so much. Vampires, my God. No offense.” They all shrugged. “A royal family. I could be a princess!”
She put her tea down.
“But first I must let him kill me. I mean, I don’t know where to start!” It all came flooding out of her. “How did you decide to go through with it?”
They all looked at her with such pity she wanted to scream and cry at the same time.
“I didn’t.”
Willow halted. What? “But you just said...?”
Katrina shook her head. “I was terrified, just as you are now,” she started. “It’s hard to remember exactly, it was a long time ago, but I do remember the fear. It’s not natural to choose to end your life, Willow. Please don’t make yourself wrong for feeling the way you do.”
She swallowed deeply, grateful this woman understood. “So, you left him?”
Katrina nodded. “I did. I packed a bag, stole a horse, and rode for days without stopping.” She gazed out the window. “I was both fearing he would find me and hoping he would.”
Willow felt the woman’s words deep inside her. Every moment of every day, she felt this way. She wanted to be safely wrapped in Brayden’s arms while fighting her instincts to run.
“Eventually I had to stop and replenish my food and water, and sleep.” The faraway look in her eyes vanished as she turned to Willow. “There was something else I had been ignoring. A pain inside which grew and grew like someone had reached into my heart and was clawing and squeezing it.”
Willow leaned back, aghast. “From the mating bond?”
When the woman nodded, she turned to Kate. “Would that happen to me? Even with my memories gone?”
The queen put her glass on the table and tucked her legs under her on the sofa. She looked thoughtful before giving an answer. “Yes, except you won’t know why. You’ll feel a loss and emptiness which won’t make sense.”
The queen brushed invisible lint off her dress. “Willow, you need to understand one more thing. Sera, Trina, can you leave us, please.”
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