by K. L. Bone
Table of Contents
Immortal Skye:
The Midnight Coven Presents…
Works by K.L. Bone
Dedication:
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Look for the next series of Midnight Coven stories...
About the Author
Thanks & Acknowledgements
Immortal Skye:
Vampire Mates
K.L. Bone
A Midnight Coven Novella
Immortal Skye: Vampire Mates Copyright © 2019 by Kristin L. Bone
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Cover Art © 2019 by Jay Aheer Simply Defined Art
First Edition: August 2019
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The Midnight Coven Presents…
Vampire Mates
Thirteen stories set in a shared world where vampires are real, and love is forever.
The Vampire Mates novellas can be enjoyed in any order. There are no cliffhangers, and each ends with a happily ever after. Our stories range from sweet to steamy, so there’s something for everyone.
We hope you enjoy escaping into the world of Vampire Mates.
-The Midnight Coven Authors
*
Although this Immortal Skye is a romance with a HEA, it contains some violence and scenes of a sexual nature involving questionable consent.
Reader discretion is advised.
Works by K.L. Bone
Rise of the Temple Gods Series
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to Kale
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to Koloso
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to the Defendants
Rise of the Temple Gods: Heir to the Prophecy (coming soon)
The Black Rose Series
Black Rose
Heart of the Rose
Blood Rose
Shadow of the Rose
Silver Rose
Princess of the Rose
Daughters of the Rose (coming soon)
The Flames of Kalleen
Embracing the Dragon
Releasing the Dragon
Forsaking the Dragon (coming soon)
Other Works
The Indoctrination
Undying Embrace: A Dracula Novella (coming soon)
Midnight Coven Novellas
Forever Chosen: Vampire Brides
Immortal Skye: Vampire Mates
Wicked Desires: Cursed Coven (coming soon)
See www.klbone.com for more.
Dedication:
This novel is dedicated
to my East Coast brother, Greg.
Thank you for your
never-ending friendship.
Chapter I
AD 20
Isle of Skye, Scotland
She cavorted over the rocky shore with the abandon only a child possesses. The wind lashed her maroon skirt to and fro in its frigid breath. Delicate fingers twisted into her gown as she nimbly ran along the surf’s leading edge, white foam gently lapping her bare feet as she stepped in and out of the frothy tide. Pungent salt saturated the air, along with the faint hint of spring grass from a nearby field. The child’s golden tresses bounced as she chased the receding waves.
Merrily, she continued her dance, pausing only to splat shallow puddles with both feet.
“Julia!” a voice called.
Turning, she flashed a wide grin and waved both hands at the woman charged with her supervision.
“Get back here!” the nanny commanded, gesturing.
Julia shook her head, unwilling to break away from her game of ocean tag so soon.
“Julia, I mean it!”
Shifting her weight back and forth, Julia’s toes squished the wet sand between them.
“Julia!” This time the call came sharp, the nanny waving her arms feverishly. At the unusual gesture, Julia turned to look back at the water just as a blue wall crashed over her.
The rogue wave slammed into her young body, and though she was taller than most six-year-olds, forced her feet from beneath her. She fell to the ground, her knee slamming into a barnacle-covered rock with a stunning pain. Julia cried out. A second wave followed the first, towering even higher due to the child’s kneeling position.
The wave covered her completely, water filling her mouth and lungs on an ill-timed breath, cutting off a second scream. Her face emerged as the water receded, and she coughed, but the tide’s force yanked her farther out as though dragged by a rough hand.
Frantic, the nanny called her name again.
Another wave rolled over Julia, the ocean’s brine burning her throat as the tide pulled her tiny body further into its cerulean depths. Eventually her feet no longer touched sand.
Terrified, Julia struggled to swim against the waves, but her stubby arms were not long nor strong enough to defeat the current’s pull. Her attempts at screams for help emerged as sputtered gasps. As the child tired, the water went over her head, pulling her fully under, tossing her in circles until she lost all sense of direction.
A reflexive action, Julia’s body convulsed in a vain attempt to expel the salty liquid, but because she remained in the riptide, her next breath only drew more in. Starved for air, Julia’s struggles lessened, fear fading along with her vision as the waves held her beneath their sway, pressure pushing against her flesh, like pulsing fingers prodding and rippling across her delicate skin.
Relaxed and losing consciousness, she sank deeper into the water, eyes closing against the sting of the salt-laced ocean as darkness enfolded her.
Her resistance ceased as water completely filled her lungs, arms going limp as she succumbed to the cold embrace.
Then a firm, warm hand grasped her arm.
Chapter II
Present Day
Tower of London, England
Julia jerked awake, reeling from the dream she knew too well. Swinging her legs to the side of her bed, she sat up, seeking to calm herself. Were she mortal, her heart would have raced with the fear. However, her vampiric organ remained still as she moved a hand to her chest, pressing her palm over frigid skin covering a heart born dead.
A knock prompted her to straighten. Tucking back an unruly lock of golden hair, she called, “Come in.”
The door opened and a tall man entered. “Forgive the intrusion,” the leader of the Turrim Londoniarum Vampire Clan spoke apologetically.
“Not at all. Is something amiss, Nicholas?”
“I’m uncertain,” he answered. “A rider came to the tower gates. He said I was to bring you this immediately.”
Extending an arm, Nicholas turned his hand palm-side-up and offered a rolled parchment, tied with a red ribbon. Grasping the offered message, Julia reached for a light switch beside her nightstand, illuminating a yellow bulb hidden in a white-shaded lamp. Raising the parchment, she glanced at
the seal, the letters ES surrounded by ridged waves.
Recognizing her family’s crest, she confirmed Nicholas’ assumption with a nod. “The message is from Eilean Skye.”
“I suspected.”
Using a long nail to peel away the wax circlet, Julia untied the scroll’s ribbon, tossing the red strand aside before unrolling the coiled paper. Eyes scanning the document, she took note of the formal address before her eyes skipped to the bottom of the page, where her father’s elegant signature stood prominently.
“I’ve been summoned,” she spoke aloud for Nicholas’ benefit.
“To Skye?”
Julie nodded, passing him the scroll.
“This doesn’t give a reason.”
“Doesn’t have to,” she answered. “When Skye calls, all must answer.”
The two exchanged a glance.
Nicholas guessed, “Do you think this has to do with Caleb?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Would you like for me to accompany you, Julia? I can give a first-hand account of the evils Caleb committed. Facing him was no doubt difficult for you, and killing him…I can’t begin to imagine. But I can, perhaps, help you with this…” He lifted the scroll, suggesting the investigation she faced.
“Caleb Black was evil,” Julia confirmed. “He committed horrendous tortures upon humans and vampires alike. However, you also realize not all ancient vampires view mortality in the same manner as you and me. Many, if not most, pure-blood families believe once a human is transformed they are the property of their maker. What Caleb did to those he turned, based on ancient laws, was perfectly acceptable, if not expected.
“While I killed Caleb with the council’s blessing, my father’s voice was not among those who granted approval. To have committed the act myself, without his permission, will not be viewed kindly.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t go,” Nicholas said, concern evident his voice. “You are more than welcome to stay here in London. In fact, the Turrim Londoniarum would be grateful for your continued residence, especially after all the help you have provided in protecting one of our own.”
Julia gave the clan leader a soft smile. “Thank you, Nicholas, truly. However, as I said before, no vampire has a choice in answering a summons from Skye. Especially not a member of the bloodline. Father won’t be happy about what has transpired. I dealt with Caleb under council approval, but failed to specifically request his consent. Further, the Black family cannot be pleased about the death of their son and, as you are aware, the Blacks wield as much power in France as my family does in Scotland, our equals in ancestry. It is reasonable that I must make a full report, and learn what damage is a result of my actions.”
Nicholas surprised her by asking, “Was it arranged?”
“Arranged?”
“Your marriage to Black? I had presumed he’d been your destined mate, but…”
“No,” she shook her head, “our union was an alliance between ancient houses.”
Nicholas stepped closer to Julia’s bedside, the movement causing her to catch his intense stare. “I think there was more than a simple arrangement.”
“Once,” she answered softly. “I did love him. But even that love was complex in its nature. Forced.”
“Forced?”
She did not answer the implied question, instead turning her gaze to a far wall.
“What happened that bound you to him?”
“Bound would be an accurate term.”
“He was your mate, was he not?”
Julia’s pained expression delivered the answer.
“He was not…”
“The destined mate every vampire is meant to find? The one who holds the power to make a vampiric heart beat?” She turned back to meet his gaze. “You’ve held me in your arms, Nicholas. Has my heart ever beat against your chest?”
“I…”
“My heart was born dead. It has never known love’s beat…save once.”
Chapter III
AD 40
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Julia stared at her father, dumbfounded by his harsh pronouncement. Lord Stewart Skye, head of the pure-blood lines of Scotland, was a formidable figure with rarely a kind comment toward any, including his soft-hearted child. Yet equally rare was the blatant cruelty he now displayed.
“Father,” she objected, “I’ve never met anyone in the Black family, nor do I wish to leave my homeland.”
“Your wishes are of no consequence. This alliance is required between our two families, and you will do your duty. You have always known, as a pure-blood daughter of the Skye line, you would be required to marry into a family of equal caliber. Among the other clans, none match our power, except the Blacks. I have heard favorable mentions of the eldest son, Caleb. He is rumored to be handsome, so this should please you as well.”
“I’m certain he is, but that does not mean I wish to wed a stranger.”
“Again, your fanciful wishes are not my concern. You will be an obedient daughter and, when the Blacks arrive tomorrow, a dutiful wife. As was your mother before you.”
“But—”
“I shall entertain no further discussion on this matter.”
Teeth digging into her bottom lip, Julia turned from the man whom none dared to disobey, and made a slow retreat toward her room, her footsteps falling heavy on the stone floor. When she reached her suite, she blindly stepped past the interior, toward her balcony.
Reaching the edge, she placed her hands on the gray stone, the coarse surface harsh against her delicate skin. The moon hung low in the sky, a few hours left until dawn’s harmful rays peeked over the horizon.
When the door opened, she did not have to glance behind her to know who had entered. Keeping her gaze upon the horizon, she waited.
“I saw you from the beach,” his deep voice reached her.
“Have you come to scold me as well, Rónán?”
“Scold you?”
“Like a child, one who is unaware of their responsibilities?”
“Of course not,” he answered.
“I’m not a child!”
“I never implied—”
Her voice reached a higher pitch, reflective of her desperation. “I don’t want another person telling me what I can, or cannot, do. Especially not you.”
Bewildered by her uncharacteristic spurning, Rónán pulled back, intending to leave her presence when a muffled sob caused him to pause. As more erratic breaths reached him, he gingerly walked back to the young woman, whose shoulders rose and fell with each whimper.
“My lady?” he asked, his tone softer than in their previous exchange. “Julia?”
She turned and faced him, eyes streaming blood-tinged tears down flushed cheeks.
“Please,” he pleaded, “tell me what troubles you.”
Through her tears, she said, “I have something I wish to ask.”
“And what is that?”
“That day you saved me, when I nearly drowned, how did you get us back to land? My nanny was somewhat useless, ‘tis true, but she is still a vampire, who would have risked much to avoid my father’s wrath. Yet she could not fight the tide’s strength to reach me, even though failure to do so would have resulted in her death. How then did you save me? How did you know I was in danger?”
He met her gaze, shifting his weight several times as he contemplated the answer. Finally, he said, “Julia, surely this question is not what has you in tears.”
Glancing past him to verify they were alone, Julia’s voice trembled as she revealed, “My father believes you are a fated protector for me. That the act of saving my life on the beach, where others failed to do so, means you are tied to me. You faithfully watch over me and have, in the time since that night, proven my father correct on multiple occasions. Rónán, you must tell me…”
“Tell you what, Julia?” He stepped closer to the young woman, aligning himself more directly with her blue eyes.
“Do you protect me only for my father�
�s sake? Or is he right, and you were fated to protect me by a power more divine?”
“Julia, I…” He shook his head. “You are speaking around what you actually want to know.”
Bottom lip trembling, Julia asked, “Are you my father’s creature, Rónán? As are so many of those here. Or are you my protector?”
Searching her torn expression, understanding materialized. “Julia, you must—”
“He is forcing my marriage to the Black family, sending me to France. I do not wish to go.”
His duty crumbling in the face of her pain, Rónán confessed, “If I could whisk you from these island confines, I would do so. I wish, more than anything, I could. But I am bound to the Isle of Skye by powers greater than myself. Forces your father controls.” He extended a hand to brush back a strand of her golden hair, which swayed in the salty breeze. Moving his thumb to wipe away her pink tears, Rónán shook his head. “I’m sorry, Julia.”
Rónán’s heart broke at her crestfallen expression, and he was unable to resist gathering her into his arms, offering what limited comfort he could, enfolding her as she buried her face against his chest.
“I’m not a possession, nor a child, yet he is selling me off like some prize cattle. And even you refuse to help.”
The accusation landed harshly, causing Rónán to draw a sharp breath. “I wish I could, Julia.”
“Why can’t you?” she pleaded with the man who had served as her constant companion, and single source of stability in the ever-shifting court which surrounded her powerful father.
Though the MacCameron Clan ruled throughout the highlands of Scotland, on the Isle of Skye, the family who had long ago adopted the name ruled with an unquestioned authority. Among the most powerful pure-blood vampire families in existence, the lords of Skye governed over the nearby clan princes. Few dared to question the demands of her esteemed father, who had ruled for the past five hundred years.