Rose Bound: The Rose and King series Book 1

by J. J. Marshall

  Plan be damned.

  She couldn’t wait for Conan and his crew. Not when the binding was nearly complete.

  She would handle this.

  At last, the Alchemist said, “Kiss her. For the kingdom has its new king and queen.”

  The man had aged significantly and Dahlia knew no more magic would leave the mage tonight. A cool dread laced itself into a tight knot within her belly as Dahlia swallowed. She could do this. She had to do this—for herself… for Limos. Plastering a grin on her face, she swept forward, issuing for the shadows around her to do their assigned jobs. Without a moment of hesitation, they dispersed, fanning out to cover the grounds. Dahlia moved toward the first guard, slipping her blade into his neck. The unknowing guard slipped from her grasp, crumpling to the ground in a bleeding heap. Dahlia nodded to her crew and quietly, they disarmed the guards, moving closer to the ceremony.

  Next, was the princess, Dahlia knew this. And when she screamed, Dahlia watched the trance on Gavin break as she moved in behind him and shoved her knife between his shoulder blades, right into the sweet spot of his spine.

  “Not so fast, princeling,” she snarled into his ear, leaning forward, sucking a tender lobe into her mouth. Her tongue flicked against the soft bit of cartilage and Gavin’s body went rigid beneath her blade. “We don’t want the little princess to stop breathing now, do we?”

  Her form flickered again. She could see the dagger in her hands. Dahlia’s gaze flitted to her sister as Rose’s stunned eyes found her own, and in that moment, Dahlia knew chaos was coming. Screams enveloped them all as the shadows all began forming around the courtyard. Ghouls surrounded the covens and human onlookers, brandishing knives, and then, they began taking lives.

  Blood pooled around them, running through stony grooves, soaking the plaza. Rose stared, frozen to the spot. Bodies fell one by one. And still, she simply stared into Dahlia’s cooling expression.

  “Rose,” Gavin ground out, his voice rough and sexy to Dahlia’s ears, igniting things that only Conan could make her feel. Maybe it was the heady mix of fear in the air, maybe it was the stench of blood, invigorating her primal needs, but in that moment, Dahlia was taken with the prince.

  “No wonder you like this one, sister,” Dahlia crooned. “Sexy little thing, isn’t he?” Rage flashed across the new queen’s face, yet, she remained rooted to the spot. A fierce growl penetrated the air around them.

  “What’s this dark magic you’ve used on the queen?” Oliver Dawson snapped, fighting his way through the chaos to Rose’s side.

  “And the mongrel appears, ladies and gentlemen! Oh, I have a surprise for you, dog boy.” Dahlia smirked, her red lips solidifying as the potion wore off.

  “D-Dahlia,” Rose stammered. Dahlia sucked in a deep breath and let out a heady laugh.

  “Oh, she does speak!”

  “What?” Rose shook her head. “What are you doing here? What are you doing to him? Let Gavin go!”

  “What does it look like?” Dahlia snarled, motioning with her gaze to the fights around them. Each council member lunged into action, fighting their way to the shadow ghoul holding Aurora, the last Sinclair princess. But as one member closed in, the ghouls played a game of cat and mouse with the girl, shuffling her around. Each ghoul that held her, wielded a silver dagger to her neck, just as Dahlia had instructed, and the little girl whimpered beneath their hold. If she squirmed any harder, the ghoul would cut her throat. The girl cried out again.

  “Leave my sister out of this,” Gavin hissed, but Dahlia answered by pushing the dagger harder against Gavin’s spine. She leaned in, grazing her lips against his neck, placing small kisses right near his ear and jawline. “You’re mine, Sinclair,” she purred. “Besides, it seems as though your pet has fucked your wife.” This time it was Rose that let out a cry. Gavin tensed before the heiress, snapping his attention from his new bride to his best friend.

  “I can smell wolf on you too, Dahlia,” he sneered.

  “Such a pity,” Dahlia whispered. “You would have been a great king, with the proper queen at your side.” She pulled away and straightened, as she called out to her sister, “You could have been such a great sorceress, Rose, if only you didn’t take that which is mine.”

  “Fight me, you bitch,” Rose snarled. Dahlia’s lips curled.

  “Fine,” she said before clenching her free hand. She felt the darkness around her whirl, tendrils of it pouring into Rose, dropping her to one knee as her fingers closed into a fist.

  “Rose,” Gavin’s low voice said, giving a warning Dahlia knew was much needed. She could see her sister fighting against the black magic and Dahlia knew that it would kill her and end Gavin as well, which was her plan, after all. She wanted the throne with or without Gavin Sinclair. And she would have it. The Prince of Blood’s voice was dangerous and gravelly and Dahlia knew if she punished him any more, the Ripper would emerge.

  “Let him go and fight me, you coward!” her sister yelled. “You want to fight? Fight magic with magic! Only the true queen will win!” Dahlia’s head cocked to the side, taking her sister’s words into consideration. She liked those odds. She was, after all, the stronger of the two.

  “Game on,” she replied, pushing the Prince of Blood away. Her dagger was gone with the flick of her wrist and in its place was darkness.

  Complete and utter destruction.

  Darkness

  Limos could taste the tang of magic on his tongue. Could smell the ginger of desperation and bloodshed in the air. There was a darkness that sang to him. Electricity pulsed through his veins, filling him with a feeling he hadn’t felt since that ill-fated night five hundred years ago.

  He should have known falling in love with a human would bring his demise, but, there was a darkness about Celeste that had called to his soul.

  The same darkness that called to him now.

  Twigs snapped beneath his black shoes as whispers filled the air. So many secrets the trees were filling him in on. Limos stopped and outstretched an arm, rooting Dia in place.

  “Wha-” she began, only to silence her tongue with a mere look from him.

  “Do you hear that?” he asked, the sing of metal against metal ringing in his ears.

  “Hear what?” Dia asked.

  “Chaos.”

  25

  Gavin

  Gavin stumbled forward, his Ripper tearing to the surface. Red glinted in his vision as the overwhelming need for blood pulled on him. His eyes narrowed on the shadows that swirled around Dahlia’s hands, calling to the darkness within him. The demon surged as Gavin bit into his lip and fought. He couldn’t let him out. Not yet.

  Not.

  Yet.

  Gavin bit down harder on his lip, splitting the skin, willing the Ripper to the darkest parts of him, but it was no use. The need to kill was too strong. The taste of blood saturated his tongue, clouding any hope he had left of being decent. So many would die tonight. So many innocents. Gavin sucked in a breath, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

  There was no more fighting the Ripper… and just when his mind was about to give up, something happened that renewed the spark within him. The spark to hold on. To fight. Golden light burst forth from Rose. And in that instant, he could feel her anger and excitement course through his veins. It was a balance of good and bad all muddled into one being. Rose was amazing. Gavin’s heart hammered in his chest as he watched her wield something outlawed in the Tatum, and use it as a weapon.

  Move.

  He wanted to stand and watch the sisters. Wanted to watch a battle of enchantments as they raced toward one another throwing spelled fists, but he knew the Ripper was right. He needed to move and save his sister. Light burst from Rose’s hands forming fireballs which she hurdled toward the eldest Coston daughter. But Dahlia deflected and shot streams of shadows at her sister.

  “Gavin, go!” Rose shouted over the ring of death, pushing more light from her hands. Screams echoed through the air as death took from all around him. Ther
e was no time to waste. Yes, he was shocked, so incredibly stunned by his newfound bride, but she was right. This was no time to freeze. As the new king, he needed to protect his kingdom. He needed to get Aurora as far away from here as possible.

  Gavin glanced around for a brief moment, searching for Declan, finding him fighting off ghouls of his own. Blood coated his brother from head to toe, his sword slick with black blood. His gaze caught Gavin’s in a worried panic that was quickly replaced with determination.

  Gavin moved toward his brother when six ghouls moved into his path, each one bigger and nastier than the one before. Black, rotten skin hung from their bones, their clothing in tatters, each carrying an array of weaponry meant for his assassination. He took a deep breath and gave in to the Ripper.

  Rage, so much built-up rage coursed through Gavin, slamming into him all at once. His vision burned red as the lust for death surged through him. He felt his fangs drip with venom, felt his nails become daggers before he surged forward and tore into ghoul after ghoul. Gore, black as his soul, coated Gavin’s hands and painted his already black suit, soaking him to the core. But he wasn’t done with just the six. Oh no, he would tear apart each and every ghoul that invaded the palace, until they were destroyed, and then, he’d go after their kingpin.

  Palmer.

  He’d paid his debt to the ghoul—technically. But Ollie had survived. Was that why the ghouls were after him? And why was Dahlia, heiress to the Underground, teamed up with the ghoul king? If she’d shown up in time, he’d have tethered himself to her. But she’s been gone. Was this all his fault?

  Gavin launched himself further into the chaos as humans began to break through the barriers and set the courtyard ablaze.

  Ollie

  Ollie didn’t need to hear Gavin’s command—a flick of his gaze and a nod was enough to get him moving into action. He rushed into the gore, knowing full well what was rising within the prince. He’d fought for a moment, knowing that the aftermath the Prince of Blood would create would be substantial, but Gavin had given a look to him and that look was all he needed. So, Ollie decided to let the Ripper out to play as he raced toward the ghoul that held Aurora. Her blonde curls were matted in black blood and a silver dagger pressed against her neck. Although the covens had moved into action, fighting against other ghouls, racing to get to the Sinclair princess, Ollie knew he would get there first, until the brigade of humans and wolves burst through the guard barrier into the courtyard. Vampires fought against wolves and humans and ghouls. Blood hurled through the air. The singing of metal against metal rang mixing in time with screams. Ollie knew these wolves, hell, he was supposed to be their alpha, fighting against the people he’d grown to love as a dysfunctional family.

  A bob of ruby ran through the crowd causing Ollie’s stomach to drop.

  No.

  No.

  No!

  Ollie knew that hair, could pick it out from a crowd a thousand times, just as he’d done now. His heart beat fiercely in his chest. Ollie fought against the bubbling emotions rising up within him. His back began to arch and Ollie knew what was coming next. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill. Scarlett, his sister, was among the rebels. Why? How? But before Ollie was able to process, another wolf stepped into his path. Dark hair and olive skin, a wolf he’d grown up with and looked up to for the longest time. A wolf he’d called, brother.

  Conan.

  “Moon juice,” Conan sneered, throwing the insult at Ollie to get a rise out of him, just as he’d done when they were pups. “What a pleasant surprise.”

  “Aye, but is it?” Ollie knew his brother had stepped in as the pack alpha in his absence. He knew the stigma that was placed on him for being a deserter, a lone wolf, the repercussions of his actions unfolding before him.

  “What the fuck do you want, traitor?” Ollie growled.

  “Traitor, aye? I’m not the one who abandoned his pack in their time of need. Seems to me as though you’re the traitor.” Anger rippled through Oliver like a riptide in the sea. Conan was right. But to have it thrown in his face…

  Ollie’s nails pushed into claws as the change began. Bones crunched, forcing him to all fours. He snarled and allowed the transformation to consume him fully until he stood in his true form. His animalistic instincts kicked in and Oliver Dawson, sweet and loveable, became a monster. He lunged for his brother.

  Teeth bared and maw dripping with saliva, the urge to spill Conan’s blood was strong.

  “Fuck you,” Conan hissed, rolling to the left. Ollie was on him again, but Conan was faster and bigger. He pushed to his feet and roared into the air as he transformed. Fur blacker than night and striking eyes met Ollie’s, filled with hate and bloodlust.

  Ollie launched himself again. His teeth sank into fur, drawing blood as Conan let out a yelp. Flesh tore. Blood poured from the wound, soaking Conan’s fur as Ollie shook his massive wolf head. Conan snapped at Ollie’s throat causing Ollie to leap back and release his brother. Mangled black fur hung from Conan’s left flank. There was a reason Oliver was chosen for alpha. Strength was not the only trait deemed worthy of a pack leader. Mercy was as well. Something Conan had never possessed.

  I don’t want this Conan, Ollie sent his brother, before he dodged Conan’s angry snarl. Fangs grazed Ollie’s face, leaving behind a nasty red line in his tawny coat. Ollie’s maw stung as he opened to retaliate.

  You think I give two fucks about what you want, brother? Conan shot back with an audible roar.

  Ollie jumped out of the way before Conan could smash into him. They were a sight to behold. Two massive alphas paired off, drawing the notice of those around them, and forcing those nearby to scatter. Teeth clacked against one another, claws shredding through flesh and fur. And then, Conan took his massive paw and knocked Ollie to the ground. The air left Ollie’s lungs, leaving him panting. Ollie’s heart thundered in his ears, in his chest, trying to break free from his wolf form.

  Get on your feet, boy, and fight me, Conan shot at him telepathically. Ollie cringed. He was hurt, blood pooling in his fur, and out of breath. He needed to stall. Just for a moment, just enough to regain himself.

  I will fucking end you, he hissed back. And make you wish you never found me. I will show no mercy. Not anymore.

  I’d like to see you try, pup. Ollie slowly pushed himself to his feet, stumbling as pain lanced through his body. His injuries were taking a toll on him and he still needed to get Aurora to safety. A growl tore from his throat as the two brothers circled one another. Ollie’s gaze faltered from his brother. His ears perked with another heartbreaking scream from Aurora, and Ollie knew that he had to end the fight—one way or another. When he turned to look for the princess, he was met with shining hazel eyes and stiffened. She was screaming for him. His eyes darted back, but Conan was gone. Ollie crouched, looking in every direction only to see more gore and blood and ghouls around him.

  “Lollie!” Aurora screamed again. Ollie turned just as Conan plunged down upon him.

  26

  Rose

  Fire rose up on both sides of Rose, licking the skin on the back of her calves, charring them black. She wanted to scream between the burning pain and the magic, but that would exude too much energy, so instead, she bit down on her lip, and kept throwing streams of light at her sister. Sweat slicked her skin and glistened her brow, salty tears streaming down her forehead into the heiress’s eyes.

  She knew the magic was taking a toll on her. How much longer could she keep it up? For every minute she used it, it took twice as much from her in return. Soon, she would become nothing but a heap of bones on the ground, nothing more than a puppet ready for a puppeteer, but who would pull her strings? Magic was never free, and she’d learned that the hard way, more than once.

  Rose summoned more energy, forming white and gold lightning in the center of her palms before hurling them at her sister with all the strength she could muster. “Is-is that all you’ve got, your highness?” Dahlia pante
d, spitting out the last words as though they had been rotting in her mouth. Her shoulders slumped, showing Rose that she too, was exhausted. But Dahlia had syphoned shadows and dark magic and despite Rose’s lightning, the darkness consumed her power, saving Dahlia from utter destruction. Ghouls and wolves and vampires alike all battled around the fiery ring that surrounded the Coston sisters. Gore painted the stones both black and red.

  “Stop this!” Rose thundered. “Just stop, Dee! We can talk this out!”

  “We have nothing to talk about,” Dahlia snarled before unleashing tendrils of darkness at Rose. Rose rolled to the right, narrowly missing the attack aimed at her skull. Stone cracked from where she’d stood moments before, crumbling and sizzling.

  “Then why in the goddess’ name are you trying to end me?” Rose huffed, pushing to a knee as she hurled another lightning ball.

  “Shut up!” Dahlia hissed, flicking her wrist. Rose watched as a shield of darkness enveloped her sister, swallowing the light. How was she supposed to win if Dahlia deflected everything she threw at her? Every attack she issued did nothing but chip away at what remained of her energy before disappearing right before her eyes.

  “Give up, Rosalie,” Dahlia’s singsong voice rang, sailing through the space between them. “Light will never win against the dark, just like you will never win against me.”

  “She might not win against you alone,” a voice chimed from behind Rose as a caramel-skinned bandit clad in tanned leathers stepped to Rose’s side. “But perhaps with an entire tribe, she can!”

  Rose’s eyes widened. “Tora?”

  Tora plastered a grin to her beautiful face that told Rose this was no dream or stress-induced hallucination.

  “Hey there, fangbanger. Let’s kick some ass!” Without any further explanation, Tora pulled the twin daggers from her hips and thrust them in Dahlia’s direction. It allowed Rose a second to recoup, enough time for her to catch a breath before summoning lightning to her.