Red as Blood

by Anna Santos

  I heard the door close behind us and assumed that Drake had left. He shut the door to give us privacy.

  “Snow.” His hands cupped my face and forced me to look up. “It’s really you. You’re alive.”

  His smile and the love in his eyes was enough to erase the pain I’d felt for being apart. I thought I saw tears in his eyes.

  “You’re alive.” His voice quivered. “I didn’t want to believe you were dead. I came to look for you. You’ve been here all this time?”

  “They saved me. Did you receive my letter?”

  He shook his head. “Alpha Drake told me about it. I left before his messenger found me in my kingdom. I came to look for you and … I found you.”

  My voice cracked with emotion. “She tried to kill me. The guards are on her side. Not all, but they killed the ones who were on our side.”

  “I assumed as much.”

  “Then, you believe me?”

  His thumbs rubbed my cheeks. “Of course.”

  Sucking in a breath to calm myself, I asked, “You’ve been to my kingdom, did you see Father?”

  My prince leaned his face closer to mine. “Your stepmother is keeping your father alive. Don’t worry about that. Don’t worry about her, either. I’m here now. I’ll protect you from her.”

  Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I nodded. “I know I can trust you.”

  “I’m so happy, my heart might burst in my chest,” he said huskily. “Will you disappear if I kiss you?”

  I giggled. “I might stop breathing if you don’t.”

  “Shouldn’t that be the other way around?”

  “Stop breathing with your kiss?”

  He nodded.

  “Not when being apart from you makes me feel as if I can’t breathe.”

  His smile brushed against my lips. “I’ve come to make you my wife and protect you. You can breathe again, my love.”

  I blinked, trying to make sense of his words. “Your wife?”

  “You’re my life, and I want to marry you. These months apart were painful, but believing— No, I didn’t believe that you were dead. I didn’t want to think that destiny would be this cruel. Still, I don’t want us to be apart ever again.”

  Smiling, I tiptoed and reached for his mouth. Kissing him, I silenced all the words that we had to say until the craving was satisfied.

  The next three days passed in a blur between wedding preparations and discussions of strategies with our new friends in the werewolf village. Dorian was too grateful to Belle and Drake for saving my life to complain about the fact that I wanted to spend more time in their village and marry him there. Belle had become a good friend, and they made me feel at home.

  On the day of my marriage, I tried to act calm as I was fitted into a wedding dress. Marrying Dorian was something I looked forward to, but thought would happen differently. Now, the day had arrived. It felt both fantastic and terrifying. We were doing this for the right reasons—love and protection. I worried about the swift movement and need for an alliance. Dorian’s love had been proven once he came to find me and looked so relieved by seeing me. Not that I doubted him. If anything, our love seemed pure.

  “I can feel your butterflies from here,” Belle said, sitting nearby. “It’ll be a lovely ceremony. Don’t worry. Prince Dorian loves you and wants to ensure that no more harm can come to you. Why do you look so conflicted?”

  “I know you’re right. Still, I’m getting married without my father’s knowledge and his presence.”

  “Yes, that’s unfortunate, but your union will protect you from your evil stepmother.”

  “Or anger her even more.”

  “As long as you are alive, she can’t take the throne even if—”

  “She kills my father?”

  Nibbling on her bottom lip, Belle said, “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re right. Dorian and I are in love. This would be a happier occasion if my father wasn’t sick, and my stepmother wasn’t planning on stealing my crown.”

  “You are among friends. I’m glad you know what’s happening in your kingdom, and you’re no longer under the influence of the evil queen.”

  “As powerful as she is, she won’t be able to attack me in Dorian’s kingdom. We’ll find a way to get back and help my father.”

  “She still needs an heir to claim the throne.”

  “Once the people know that I’m alive, her plan will fail. She’ll have to keep my father alive, right?”

  “Yes. You’re not alone anymore. You have me, my husband, Dorian, and, once you’re married, the White Cloud Kingdom’s power and influence.”

  “You’re right.”

  I nibbled on my lip. I was getting married without my family or anyone else from my kingdom present. Belle made a life with her husband. She had been where I was. She was once a human who was turned into a werewolf and accepted a life with a supernatural mate.

  Sighing, I shared, “I can’t help but wonder if you weren’t hesitant to leave the life you knew? Hiding from your husband’s enemies and leaving your old life behind couldn’t have been easy. I just want to understand that what I’m feeling isn’t unnatural.”

  “I was turned into a werewolf against my will, but I would become one if Drake asked me once we were together,” Belle stated. “Today, you aren’t marrying to establish a political alliance. You love Dorian, and he loves you. That’s precious and unusual in this world, especially when you’re a noble.”

  “I know, I’m blessed. Not only have I found the love of my life, but I also found you and your kingdom. You saved me and treated me like family. I’ll never forget that, Belle. You’re the older sister I’ve always wanted.”

  Belle rubbed her belly. “I have to say that since my dear friend Cindy left, I’ve been feeling rather lonely. Your presence here has brightened my days while Drake is away taking care of the village.”

  “People keep talking about Cindy, but I’m not sure what happened to her. Is she well?”

  Belle nodded. “She’s away to take care of her family issues. You’d like her. I’m just glad that Lana and Celia helped with your wedding dress since Cindy isn’t here. She’s our best seamstress.”

  “This is perfect. I can’t even believe you had elven silk to make me such a beautiful dress. Once the queen is unmasked and removed from the throne, your people need to come out of hiding. We can be allies.”

  “The queen isn’t the only reason why our village is concealed.” Belle got up from the chair. “What do you think of the dress, do you need me to call Lana to adjust it anywhere?”

  “It’s perfect as it is,” I assured her, looking at myself in the mirror. “I’ve never liked big parties and court events where everybody was competing to see who was better dressed or wore the most expensive jewels. This is exquisite but modest. You’ve put love into making it, and I can feel it. I’ll treasure this day for as long as I live.” I turned around and held Belle’s hands. “Promise me you’ll visit us in the White Cloud Kingdom if that’s where I’ll live from now on.”

  “You’re not leaving my kingdom right now. Nevertheless, I promise to do whatever I can for us to stay friends.”

  I gave Belle a quick hug. “Let’s go, I don’t want Dorian to think that I’m getting cold feet.”

  Chapter TWENTY

  Snow’s POV

  Dressed in the softest white silky dress, I smiled at Dorian as Drake walked me down the aisle. My prince wore his royal attire with golden embroidered details and a long black cloak. We were dressed in the best clothes provided by our hosts, and our guests were a combination of humans and shifters wearing their finest clothes.

  Belle was the one holding the wedding bands, and she stood beside her husband on our left side as the holy man conducted the ceremony. I had time to look around and feel the happiness and love that surrounded Dorian and me. Those weren’t even my subjects, and they were happy for my marriage. They were celebrating love. It didn’t matter if Dorian and I were royalty, human, or vampir
es. They accepted us in their village as if we were part of their family.

  “Princess Snow, on this day, under the sun and in the presence of your friends, will you take Prince Dorian as your husband to love, honor, and respect for as long as you both shall live?” the holy man asked, staring at us with wise, aged eyes.

  “I will,” I said. “Dorian, you’re everything to me, and you’ve proven that I can trust you. I never believed I could love someone like I love you. I didn’t know that I could be loved like you love me. Existing seems like perfection since we’ve met. It doesn’t matter if we had to endure so many hardships to get to this moment. I was almost killed. You believed I was dead.”

  Dorian shook his head. “I never lost faith.”

  I smiled and raised my hand to cup his cheek. “I made you suffer with my disappearance.”

  “It was all worth it to see you alive.”

  “I swear to love, honor, and respect you for as long as our bodies exist in this realm. Even after death, I’ll be looking for you among the stars, so we can meet again.” I swallowed hard, trying not to shed the tears that burned my eyes.

  Dorian grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. “I couldn’t ask for anything else from you, my love.”

  The holy man turned to Dorian, and his voice echoed. “Will you take Princess Snow White as your wife to honor, love, and protect for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I will,” Dorian said without taking his eyes off me. “I don’t know what to say to match your pledge. All I can promise, my love, is to always love and protect you. There’s no me without you, Snow.”

  I wiped at the wetness around my eyes. “I know, Dorian. Spending my life with you is all I could ask for. I thought it wouldn’t happen when I was almost killed. Now, we just need to take our destinies into our hands and be happy together. No matter what destiny throws at us.”

  “No matter what, you’ll have my heart,” he whispered huskily, igniting the crazy butterflies in my stomach.

  I giggled with joy as we exchanged wedding bands.

  “You may now kiss your kindred soul,” the holy man announced.

  My heart raced as I looked at the holy man and felt his words resonate with my life energy. Kindred soul, that was what Dorian and I were. Not just husband and wife but part of each other.

  I lost my breath when Dorian pulled me into his arms, and we kissed passionately. I’d never dreamed of experiencing this level of lust and love. I knew that we had to be apart again—the queen needed to be stopped—but, on this day, Dorian was mine, and there wasn’t anything else that I needed in the world to be happy.

  Once the ceremony was over, there was an intimate and joyful after-party with lots of drinking, eating, and toasting. By the time it was over, the night was well underway, and I showed signs of tiredness. Belle noticed and showed us to a lavish room in her welcoming home. Unknown to me, she had prepared a honeymoon suit.

  “Will you need any help to remove your dress?” she asked.

  I turned around after browsing the bedroom. Dorian had disappeared into the bathroom.

  “I can’t really ask for anything else from you. I’ll manage on my own.”

  “It’s no bother,” Belle assured.

  “Dorian seems to be tired. He’s been eager to leave the party for a while now,” I told her, leaning closer as if sharing a secret.

  Belle giggled and covered her mouth. “I don’t think he’s tired. Just ask him to help you, then. He’s your husband now, and you deserve to spend time alone. I’ll take my leave.” She stopped. “Just call if you need anything. You know where our bedroom is. You also know your way to the kitchen. Celia will be here in the morning, but we won’t disturb you. I left you water and tea on the chest of drawers. There are new clothes inside the wardrobe and nightgowns in the first drawer.”

  Instead of nodding, I rushed to her and hugged her, making sure not to bump into her belly. “Thank you. You’re treating me like a younger sister, and I’m deeply thankful. The days with you and your pack have been enlightening, and now that Dorian is here, I can’t ask for anything else in my life.”

  “Maybe ask for your kingdom back?”

  “Yes, and my dad.” Tears threatened to fall down at the thought of my dad. Dorian said he was alive. I had to trust my husband and believe that we’d find a way to save Father and free my kingdom from that evil witch.

  Belle’s fingertips brushed under my eyes, and she cupped my cheeks. “No crying or thinking about sad things. You’re married, and your prince will protect you and help us save your father. Go enjoy the company of your husband. There’s a time to love and a time to fight.”

  I curved my lips into a smile. Belle kissed my cheek and let go of me before disappearing into the corridor.

  Closing the door, I leaned my back against it and raised my eyes to find Dorian looking at me from the bathroom’s door.

  “Are you tired? Do you want me to help you with your dress, so we can sleep?”

  Sighing deeply, I shook my head. “I’d appreciate your help to remove my dress, but I have no wish to sleep just yet.”

  “We can talk if you’re not sleepy.”

  I shook my head again and took small steps until I was next to him. Raising my head, I looked at his gorgeous face and pale skin. Pale as the moonlight. His eyes were shadowed by a feeling that I didn’t seem to recognize. He had been eager to be alone with me; why did he look sad?

  Twirling around, I moved my hair away from my back. “Help me with the buttons.”

  His fingers brushed my neck and removed the rest of my hair before fumbling with the buttons and releasing me from my corset. His palm closed around the back of my neck, and I felt his lips touching my shoulder once the fabric slipped down my arms. Shivers tickled my upper body, and my eyes closed from the dizzying sensation that his touch created.

  “You’re so soft and pretty. I’m afraid I might lose control,” Dorian whispered between kisses. His arm snaked around my waist, and he pulled my back against his chest. “Do you really love me, Snow?”

  “Why would you doubt that now? I’ve married you, didn’t I?” I sighed when his lips feathered the curve of my neck.

  The kissing stopped, and he held me from behind, pinning his face against the back of my head. “I’m happy. So happy, I’m afraid that this happiness might end abruptly, and I’ll lose you again. We didn’t have a lavish wedding, but I don’t mind. Even if our parents didn’t attend, I believe this was the right decision to make. You’ll be safe … no matter what happens to me.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you.” My voice trembled, and I removed his hands, so I could turn around and look at him. “There’s no life without you. Do you understand me?”

  He opened his eyes and nodded.

  My hand caressed his cheek. “From now on, I’m your wife, your beloved, and we’ll make sure that we survive an eternity together and don’t let anyone come between us.”

  Dorian’s reply was his lips meeting mine. Our kiss was ardent and breathtaking. Desire and need took over my body, and my hands moved of their own accord by undressing Dorian and letting him undress me. Between kisses, laughter, and inebriate confessions of love, we were consumed by passion. The space around me blurred, and I barely kept my eyes open. Somehow, we found the bed. His hands roamed my body, his lips kissed my exposed skin and turned every single pore on my skin into lava.

  Moans and soft shrieks left my throat when he nestled himself between my legs, and our bodies rocked together. I opened my eyes to look at his face, contorting with pleasure. Nibbling on my lip, I threw my head back to enjoy his thrusts. I felt as if I would explode, but I didn’t want to just yet. I wanted to prolong the sensation and the happiness. That night, I felt insatiable. I couldn’t get enough of him. Kissing and having him inside me wasn’t enough. I nibbled and scratched his perfect skin until he took me from behind and sunk his fangs into my neck. The pleasure was too much to bear, and I might have lost all reason for a few secon
ds while we came one last time.

  Exhausted, we fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Chapter TWENTY-ONE

  Snow’s POV

  It had only been a day since my marriage to Dorian and, already, we were back on the topic of defeating the queen. I knew it was necessary, but I wanted more leisurely walks and talks about our future together, snuggling close, and all the romance. Instead, we were summoned to a private chamber to discuss the plans to stop Marlena.

  Belle and her husband sat at a table with a few other men I knew were part of their pack. Dorian and I sat close, and the conversation ensued.

  “I say we need to save the king. My sources tell me that she’s likely poisoning him, slowly, to not arise the suspicions of the subjects. Once the king sees through her deception, he’ll arrest her, and Snow can return home to see her father,” Dorian insisted. “The kingdom will listen to their king and turn on the queen if they find out that she tried to kill the princess. No power in Marlena’s arsenal can defeat a united citizenry against her.”

  “That is talk of a young and naive royal,” the White Wolf cut in. “The queen has enough power in her castle and those in leadership to stave off any ill-conceived coup. Marlena’s not some dainty beauty wanting power. She’s a strong witch, ready to rip out what she wants from anything and anyone in her way, Prince.”

  “I have to agree with the alpha,” I said. “My stepmother is cunning and powerful by herself. Those around her are either aware or hoodwinked into trust and dedication. The attack on my entourage was well planned, and she had men who tried to kill me in the confusion of the attack. If it weren’t for a few brave soldiers, the captain would have stabbed me. I had to run. Thunder’s speed and White Wolf’s intervention saved my life.”

  “But we have an advantage,” my husband said.

  “What advantage?” Alpha Drake asked.