by Leigh Walker
VAMPIRE ROYALS 5: THE SIEGE
Leigh Walker
CMG PUBLISHING
Copyright © 2018 by Leigh Walker.
Published by CMG Publishing.
Cover by Melody Simmons.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions. v.11.14.2018.
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Contents
1. Facts…
2. …And Figures
3. Stranger In The Woods
4. Ex Marks The Spot
5. Reunited
6. All Together Now
7. Dances With Wolves
8. Traitors
9. Promises, Promises
10. Give A Little Bit
11. A Soft Launch
12. Bounce Back
13. Oasis
14. Waiting
15. All Hail
16. Hand Of The Devil
17. Slowly Stripped Away
18. Guilty As Charged
19. Entourage
20. No Tears Left To Cry
21. Mercy
22. The Siege
23. All’s Fair
24. Reckonings
25. The Vow
Afterword
Also by Leigh Walker
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Facts…
I stood at my window, watching the night sky. I held myself still so I could listen. But if the werewolves were out there, I couldn’t hear them.
One week had passed since Rhys had taken his pack and fled the North.
One week since Balkyn West, Gwyneth’s older brother, had come to the castle and told us of the rebels’ plans to crush the royals.
One week since Abigor’s heart had exploded.
One week since I’d learned that werewolf blood made vampires vomit.
One week since Rose’s human life had ended and she’d become a vampire.
Oh, and one week since Austin, the vampire prince of the North, had declared himself to me…and I’d declared myself to him. There’d been quite a lot going on!
Something on the grounds caught my eye. A flash of pale ringlets streaked across the lawn. Eve. She was with another young woman. When her companion turned, I caught a glimpse of her profile. Rose. They were finally taking Rose out on the grounds! She had to be feeling better. Perhaps she was able to test her new powers.
“There, there, Beast. I’ll be right back.” I knelt down and peered at the furry brown gnome who was happily nestled on his bed beneath the table. I scratched his head. “I’m just going to check on Rose.”
Beast panted, his tongue lolling. I took this to mean he understood and approved. With his blessing, I hustled from my room and down the stairs. I’d almost made it to the doors when a familiar voice stopped me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Austin came forward from the shadows. He crossed his arms against his powerful chest and lounged against the wall. His stance was casual. I knew he was anything but.
“I saw Eve and Rose out on the grounds. I wanted to check on them.”
Austin blinked at me. “D’you think that’s wise—going to see a freshly minted vampire who’s craving human blood?”
I shrugged, feigning casualness. “It’s not like she’s forgotten who I am. I doubt she’ll try to make me her first meal.”
The prince arched his eyebrows. “Blake, we’ve all warned you. I have, Eve has, and Robert has. It’s not safe for you to be around her yet.”
“I just want to see my friend!” I put my hands on my hips. “Everyone else has checked on her. I’m the only one who hasn’t been able to welcome her to her new life. And I owe her an apology, I might remind you.”
The vampire Abigor had mortally wounded Rose. He’d lured her into the dungeon and drained her after tricking me into going down there. I hadn’t set him free, and Rose had paid the price for that.
“You were set up and kidnapped by the werewolves,” Austin reminded me. “You did nothing to hurt Rose, and you never would. She knows that. And I assure you, she also knows that you’re anxious to see her.”
“Then let me see her!”
“It’s not a good idea.” The prince came closer, his large muscled form looking splendid encased in black-leather body armor.
But I would not be comforted. “I’m tired of all these rules,” I said, ignoring his muscles.
Austin laughed and shook his head. “Of course you are. I’d expect nothing less from you. But you being around Rose would put her in a bad position. I know you don’t want that for your friend.”
I frowned. “If I were a vampire, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
“We’ve talked about this.” He moved next to me.
Although I still wasn’t comforted, my heart rate did kick up a bit. I sighed. “Yes, yes, I know. You wouldn’t change a hair on my perfect human head.”
Austin laughed again. “I meant it as a compliment, my lady. The greatest I could give. I can see I have some work to do.”
“It’s not funny. I just want to be with everyone else and not treated like breakable china.”
Austin held his arm out for me. Knowing I would lose the fight to go out to the grounds, I accepted it.
“I promise you,” he said, “as soon as Rose is strong enough, you will be able to see her. I will take you to her myself.”
“You mean you’ll guard me from her yourself.”
Austin grinned. “Only a week since we’ve been official, yet, my dear, you know me so well already.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“Now, how about I get my favorite human a snack Then I will escort you to your room, my lady, and tuck you in.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You mean lock me in.”
Austin’s unusual amber-and-hazel eyes sparkled. “That too.”
We headed to the kitchen, and I muttered a string of complaints while he pretended not to hear. Still, I was slightly appeased when I spied the counter. The staff had prepared a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.
Austin plated an enormous slice for me and watched me intently while I ate. “Is it quite good?”
I nodded, my foul mood eclipsed by the fantastic dessert. “Can you try some?”
The prince shook his head. “It’d make me sick, I think. It would be like if you decided to eat grass. Just because a cow can do it doesn’t mean you could.”
I put down my fork. “Are you calling me a cow, Your Highness?”
Austin’s big shoulders shook with laughter. “No, my lady. But I expect I’m going to be in trouble just the same.”
“You might want to look for a different metaphor.”
The prince nodded. “Got it.”
I scraped the frosting around on my plate. “Back to Rose and what we were talking about. I don’t want to be limited is all. I want to be able to do everything you can do. With what the rebels are planning, I’m afraid I’m going to be left behind. I don’t want to be a damsel in distress, pacing the castle while you’re all out fighting.”
The prince took my hand. “You will never be a damsel in distress. That’s an outdated notion. Even when you were held captive in the woods, you were strong.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Eve had to rescue me, if you remember.”
“Yes, but you stayed alive long enough for that to happen. Not an easy feat when you’re surrounded by a pack of starving werewolves and a bloodthirsty outlaw vampire.”
“Well…thank you.” I shrugged, though deep down, I was plea
sed by the compliment. “But imagine what I could do if I had immortality on my side.”
Austin squeezed my hand. “I don’t want to imagine it. I want you to be safe, and I want you to be you. On that note, let’s get you to bed. I know a certain someone who gets grumpy without her proper beauty sleep.”
As promised, Austin tucked me in and locked my door. But as soon as he’d gone, I leapt out of bed and went to the window. I didn’t see anything for a long time. When I’d just about given up, I caught another flash of Eve’s pale hair in the moonlight. They were coming back inside the palace. I wanted, more than anything, to fly back down the stairs so that I could see Rose. But Austin was right—she was a new vampire, not yet in control of her power. I didn’t want to make things difficult for her.
I waited until I heard Eve’s light footsteps in the hall, then I cracked my door open. “Psst!”
Eve jumped. “Blake, stop! Who made you hall monitor?”
I grabbed her by the sleeve and pulled her inside.
My friend crossed her arms against her chest and sighed. Her blond curls were swept back from her face, and her bright-aqua eyes, which burned with a supernatural luminescence since she’d been turned, were trained on me. “Well, get on with it, then. Why’re you up in the middle of the night?”
“I saw you outside with Rose. How is she?”
Eve’s face softened. “She’s good. She’s confused as all get out, but she’s good.”
I climbed back on my bed and motioned for Eve to sit with me. “Why is she confused?”
Eve sank down, picking some leaves from her trousers. “She doesn’t remember anything that happened after Abigor attacked her. It’s like she keeps forgetting she’s a vampire now, so her new senses keep startling her.” Eve shrugged. “It’s very common. Same thing happened to me.”
“What does she say it feels like? What sort of new senses?”
Eve blinked at me. “Are you asking because you’re going to start bugging us to change you again? Because His Highness said no, as in absolutely not.”
I shook my head. “I just want to know what she’s going through. I feel terrible that I still can’t speak to her, which is why I accosted you. Tell me everything.”
“I’ll tell you three things, and then you must go to bed,” Eve said. “We’ve a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” She had agreed to teach me some combat moves, and we were meeting with Balkyn, Austin, and his intelligence team to discuss what our next move should be.
“It’s a deal.” I smiled at her.
She arched an eyebrow. “I’m not getting anything out of this, am I?”
“I can have Austin arrange a special sparring match for you.”
Eve nodded. “Done. I’ll tell you the first three things I noticed when I became a vampire. First, I could see everything much more clearly. Even in the dark, I could make out a shadow. Everything looked sharper. Second, my hearing was incredibly improved. It was as though, in my human life, I’d only been making out about fifty percent of the noise around me. Now I hear much more, and if I concentrate, I can isolate specific areas to tune in on. It’s quite amazing, although a bit jarring at first. Rose needs to adjust to both of these new skills.”
“And what’s the third?”
Eve blinked at me. “You can smell human blood. And it’s the best thing you’ve ever smelled, more mouth-watering that any juicy steak or cherry tart that you might crave as a human. The smell of blood is overwhelming, as is your desire for it.”
“Does it…” I cleared my throat. “Does the donated blood smell as good?”
“No. Unfortunately, it does not. The donated blood smells like the cheap plastic bags it’s kept in. You smell like heaven.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my bed. “So how do you keep yourself from…you know?”
Eve shrugged. “I know you can’t resist a rib eye, but I’ve a bit more self-control than that. Really, for me it’s just knowing that I’m doing the right thing by drinking donated blood. It’s a choice.”
“But Rose isn’t capable of making that choice yet.”
“That’s exactly right.” Eve rose to go. “Rose’s instincts are brand-new, and they are overwhelming. Her urges are dominating her. It’s her survival instinct. It’s not that she means anyone harm—she is just literally not in control of herself yet. So stay away from her, Blake.”
I nodded. If Austin hadn’t convinced me, Eve had. “You have my word.”
“I’d better.” Eve straightened her tunic. “We’ve enough problems to deal with at the moment.”
“Did you hear something?”
“No, but I thought I caught a scent just now in the woods.”
I hopped out of bed. “The werewolves?”
“No, the humans.” Eve grimaced. “At this point, I’m not sure who’s worse.”
Chapter 2
…And Figures
“We need to move on them first.” Gwyneth’s older brother, Balkyn West, scrubbed a hand across his face.
Austin stalk-paced at the front of the conference room where we—Eve, Balkyn, the members of Austin’s advisory council, and I—were assembled for a strategic discussion. “But if they’ve come north already, we may be too late. They may be planning their attack, although I’m not sure why they would come here first. I thought they had their sights set on the settlements.”
Balkyn nodded at Eve. “Could you tell if there was a group of them?”
“I only caught the scent of one. Rose said she smelled something, but it could have been old. Her senses are very sharp, but she’s not yet able to distinguish variables.”
“I’ll send a team out this morning to do a full search,” Austin said. “Lady Eve, will you lead them?”
A smile ghosted Eve’s lips. “Yes, Your Highness.”
I raised my hand, and Austin grimaced. “No, you may not go.”
“Ha ha—I didn’t think you’d let me. I just wanted to ask Balkyn a question, if I may. I know I’m only here as a guest, but there are some things I think need to be resolved.”
Austin leaned forward. “You’re here as a member of the royal court. You have a voice and a vote, Blake.”
Touched, I nodded. “I appreciate the opportunity, Your Highness.”
Balkyn’s broad shoulders were tense underneath his dark tunic. “You may ask me anything you like.”
The more time I spent studying his face, the more he looked like Gwyneth. They shared the same fine cheekbones and square jaw. I took a deep breath. “Can we really trust you?”
He nodded. “I’m here at your mercy, my lady. I came because I felt it was the right thing to do. There’s no advantage for me. I’m lucky that His Highness took me in and offered his protection instead of putting my rebel head on a spike.”
“But still…” I drummed my fingers against the table. “You’re advising us to attack the rebels, the group that you’ve been leading for years. They’re human. They’re our people. If I have reservations about fighting them, I can only imagine that you have the same.”
He nodded, his brown eyes thoughtful. “I’ve no wish to harm anyone. But I know that their plan is to attack and to kill as many vampires as they can. That includes Austin, the king and queen, and Dallas. Perhaps also Gwyneth, my younger siblings, and my parents, who are labeled as known sympathizers now.” He blew out a deep breath. “The rebels wouldn’t listen to reason with me or anyone else. The settlers have changed their minds about the royals, and the tide is turning. I refuse to sit back and watch people I care about, good people, be destroyed.”
“I don’t want that to happen, yet I do not want us”—I motioned around the room at Eve, Austin, and his advisors—“to be responsible for more bloodshed. Enough is enough. When will it end?”
The fact that Austin also had a war percolating with the werewolves was not lost on me. All I wanted was for us to live together in peace and happiness, yet we were a world divided, with enemies at every turn.
Balkyn nodded. “I wi
sh for the same peace, Lady Kensington. But nothing will stop me from protecting my family. I could never sit back and watch them suffer.”
“I’m not suggesting you do that. I would do the same to protect my family and those that I love.” My gaze traveled from Eve to Austin.
“We don’t have to make any decisions this morning.” Austin’s words sounded more like a command than a suggestion. “But I want the surrounding woods checked, and we need to get a warning to the king and to my brother. Lady Eve, ready your search crew, take them out at once, and report back to me. The rest of you, gather the others together to meet in the great hall. I’ll take a small team with me to see my father and another team to find my brother on his travels.” With his nod, the assembly was dismissed.
Only Austin and I remained. A map of the settlements had been spread across the conference table. Austin sank into the chair next to me and stared at it. “Show me where Dallas and Gwyneth are. I’ve not mastered the layouts of the settlements, but that ends today.”
“They’re in Thirteen, close to my settlement.” I pointed to a small section on the map. “It’s a very poor area. Their only business is agriculture, and they haven’t had a decent crop in years. Gwyneth said they were going to set up hydroponic gardens there, or something like that.”
Austin wrinkled his nose. “A hydro-whatsis garden?”
“Hydroponic. Again, Austin, go read a book from that massive library of yours.”
Austin was super intelligent but had a rabid sort of knowledge. He’d probably gained it through years of fighting. He’d never gone to lessons, much to his mother’s chagrin.