Her Royal Blood

by Felicity Jordan

  HER ROYAL BLOOD

  (A Reverse Harem Vampire Romance)

  Felicity Jordan

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  HER ROYAL BLOOD

  Copyright ©2019 by Felicity Jordan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Cover design copyright ©2019 by Felicity Jordan

  Synopsis

  Twenty years ago, the Cherki vampire royal family was attacked by a rival clan. The only surviving members, three baby girls, were sent into hiding to live among the humans.

  And they were lost.

  The sisters know nothing of their vampire royal heritage. They live as humans, their vampire blood dormant. Until one day, through a tragic accident, one sister is revealed.

  #

  Rachel hates vampires. They killed her family and left her an orphan. She knows very little of their culture, just rumors of rich decadence and hedonistic power. A place where females rule, and males do their bidding.

  It's a world she wants no part of.

  But one she'll be forced to join.

  Chapter One

  Rachel

  Rachel quickly reviewed her notes as she waited. Tim was cutting it close to get to the test, but she knew how tired he had been last night and hadn’t had the heart to wake him before she needed to.

  When he finally stumbled down to the kitchen, he looked terrible. “You ok?” Rachel got up and felt his forehead, which was warm and sweaty.

  “I think I’m sick,” he groaned.

  “You look sick. I can tell Professor Habar that you’ll have to take the test another day, if you want?”

  He nodded, slumping into a chair. “Perhaps that would be best. I don’t want to get everyone else sick.”

  Rachel squeezed his hand sympathetically. “Do you want me to stay home with you?”

  “No, that’s alright, you studied hard for this test. Just get someone to walk you home, ok?” There had been a vampire attack in their area just a few weeks before, and it had everyone worried. Usually, the royal houses controlled the vampire population really well, but this time, a human had died, and the police were getting involved.

  “I will.” She kissed his forehead before heading out. “Love you!”

  “Love you. Good luck for the test. Maybe I’ll spend the day doing some more research.”

  “You don’t need to do that. Just rest and get better.”

  Tim grinned at her. “You know I’ll go mad if I just stay in bed all day.”

  Her quest to find her sisters had been a solo mission until she’d met Tim, but he’d joined the search wholeheartedly. Rachel had two twin sisters, but they had been separated when they were only three. She couldn’t remember why, and there seemed to be no record of them at any of the foster care agencies.

  She worried about them. Just because she’d been adopted into a wonderful family didn’t mean Melanie and Elise had been so lucky. She had only vague memories of them, but she remembered laughing and playing together.

  There were only a few snatches of memory from the night they were separated, but she remembered the eyes, the bright red glowing eyes of a vampire. She hated them. The uneasy co-existence the two races had did nothing to erase the knowledge that if it weren’t for a vampire, she’d still be with her family.

  She’d been searching for her sisters for years with no leads.

  Rachel kissed Tim once more and left the house smiling. In truth, she didn’t think she’d stopped smiling since she and Tim had started dating two years ago. He’d moved in at the beginning of the semester, and already, home didn’t feel like home without him.

  The day went slowly, but at least the test went well. Afterward, Rachel got caught up in a discussion with her friend Megan about their answers to one of the trickier questions.

  “Oh, did you hear? About Jason?” Megan interrupted her own musings about question five B.

  “Hear what? Is he ok?”

  “I guess you could say that. He’s decided to be a donor.”

  Rachel felt her lip curling in disgust, an expression mirrored on Megan’s face. No one knew much about the process for creating donors, other than that it didn’t work unless the human was willing. The royal families kept it as a closely guarded secret. What she did know was that donors were immortal like vampires, and they could be fed on without turning into one.

  “I can’t believe how many people think it’s worth the cost,” she murmured. “To live forever, but be bound in service to those monsters.”

  “I don’t think they’re bound in service.” Megan put her books down and leaned forward. “I’m sure those are rumors. You still retain your free will, from what I hear.”

  “Yes, but for donors to survive, they have to be fed on regularly, for their entire existence. I think I’d rather die than let those foul creatures touch me.”

  Megan nodded in fervent agreement before opening her notebook again. “About question seven…”

  They discussed the test until they were both happy that they knew where they’d gone wrong. Before Rachel knew it, the sun had set, and she had to hurry to get to the pharmacy before it closed.

  Megan went straight home to work on an assignment, and Rachel realized too late that there was no one left to walk her home. She considered calling Tim or Megan, but a quick look told her that her phone battery had died. She supposed it wasn’t necessary. She and Tim only lived a few blocks away from college, and it was still quite early, only just after sunset.

  As she walked, she started seeing posters of a vampire. He looked gaunt and vicious. Pausing to read one, she saw that he was a rogue who had taken to attacking people in the area. She hadn’t realized it had gotten bad enough that they’d started putting up posters. The seal of the royal vampire family in the area, the Cherki family, was on the poster. She didn’t know what they’d do once they caught the rogue, but he wouldn’t be a problem for humans any longer once they did.

  Rachel felt even more unsure about her decision to walk home alone and quickened her steps. She’d get home, give Tim his medicine, and snuggle in bed with him, after promising never to walk home in the dark again. Vampires could go outside in sunlight, but it weakened them, so sightings were almost always at night.

  A noise from an alley to the left had her jumping and clutching her bag closer. Rachel shivered and wondered if she should go back, but she was more than halfway home now. She sped up, regretting her decision not to find someone to walk her home.

  A tall, pale figure stepped out from the alley. Rachel stiffened and sidestepped, but the man grabbed her by the arm. She looked up into his eyes and saw that they were red; bright red. Vampire. A scream tore from her lips and she tried to run, but his grip was inhumanely strong.

  “No, leave me alone! Go drink from a donor!”

  He snarled at her, and she saw that his bo
nes were sticking out. He must be an outcast. The royal families didn’t often banish vampires in their realms, but when they did, those vampires no longer had access to donors, nor the knowledge to create them. They were left with the option of hunting humans or starving.

  It had been a bone of contention between the vampire and human authorities for some time now, but as of yet there had been no resolution.

  Rachel barely had time to hope that he drained her completely and killed her, rather than leaving her with his venom in her system, turning her into a hated vampire herself. She’d rather die. She screamed as his fangs bit into her throat. It hurt badly only for a few moments, before the pain faded to an almost pleasant tugging sensation.

  Rachel struggled wildly, and to her great surprise, the vampire released her. She stared at him, unable to understand his expression. He suddenly looked afraid. No, more than afraid; he looked terrified.

  “Royal blood…” He looked wildly around as though expecting to be set upon by invisible assailants at any moment. “Forgive me, forgive me!”

  With that, he turned and ran off into the night.

  Rachel’s legs gave way and she sank to the ground. She had no idea what had just happened, but she had more pressing worries. The bite in her neck was burning. She pressed a hand to it to find that it wasn’t even bleeding that much. Crap. If she didn’t bleed to death, she was going to turn.

  This burning wasn’t natural, she was sure of it. It was the venom working its way through her system. Rachel struggled to get up, but her limbs didn’t seem to want to obey her.

  “Help. Help.” Her voice was weak, but it didn’t matter; there was no one around. Unable to walk, she started to crawl, her only thought to get home to Tim. Surely, he’d have some way out of this nightmare.

  She didn’t know how long she crawled for, but each inch she gained felt harder than the last. Rachel kept praying that someone would be looking out of their window and see her, but if they were, they didn’t risk coming outside.

  The ground was rocking wildly underneath her, and she pressed her cheek to the sidewalk, closing her eyes. Just a minute. She’d only rest for a minute.

  The next thing she knew, hands were turning her over and shaking her. “Rachel? Rachel, speak to me!”

  “Tim?” She puzzled up at him. Had she somehow gotten home? No, those were streetlights above her. Tim’s face slowly came into clearer focus. “How did you get here?”

  “When you didn’t come home or answer your phone, I started along the route to college to meet you. What happened?”

  She opened her mouth, unable to think of the words to explain.

  “Never mind,” Tim said quickly. “Just lay back, I’ll call an ambulance.”

  “No. No ambulance.” Rachel knew that sometimes, the transformation from human to vampire went badly, and the person died. That was her only hope, now. The last thing she needed was people trying to save her, only to deliver her into her worst nightmare.

  “Are you sure? You’re bleeding. We should get you checked out.”

  “Please, Tim, no ambulance.”

  He looked doubtfully at her. “Ok, if you’re sure, but I’m going to take a look at you when we get inside, and if I’m not happy with what I see, you’re getting that ambulance whether you like it or not.”

  Rachel smiled faintly, unable to reply.

  Tim put an arm around her. “Let’s get you home. Can you walk?”

  With his help, Rachel managed to get to her feet, leaning heavily on him. The distance between home and college seemed to have grown exponentially. Rachel couldn’t keep back small noises of pain as each stepped jarred her wound and sent jolts through the rest of her body.

  Finally, the door came in sight. Tim leaned her against the wall as he unlocked, then quickly helped her to the couch.

  “Where are you hurt?”

  “Neck.”

  He gasped as he saw the wound. In the light, it was easily recognizable as a vampire bite. “Rachel…”

  “I love you. I’ve always loved you, Tim. Don’t be sad. I’ve found everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “Don’t do that! Don’t talk like you’re going to die.”

  “My heart will stop,” Rachel said sadly. “I don’t want to live as a vampire, Tim. If I survive this, I know there are clinics that help people… who don’t want…”

  “No! You’re not leaving me, do you hear?”

  Rachel hated the pain in his voice, but she wouldn’t live as something she hated. Only in recent years had the clinics been made legal – places that peacefully terminated the lives of people who were turned against their will and didn’t want to live as vampires.

  Tim disappeared for a moment and returned with a damp cloth. He gently started cleaning her neck.

  “The wound has already almost closed up. How are you feeling?”

  “Burning,” Rachel gasped.

  He took her hand, squeezing. “It won’t be for long – an hour at most. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

  Rachel rocked her head from side to side. Nothing was going to be fine. Either she was going to die, or she’d become a vampire. What about that was fine? One way or another, her world was ending.

  Chapter Two

  Tim

  This was a nightmare. Tim knew that vampire transformations were painful, but this was more than just pain. Rachel was a deathly pale and covered in cold sweat. She leaned over the side of the couch and vomited up blood.

  Tim hurriedly wiped her mouth and pushed her hair back. “Rachel, something is wrong. You need help.”

  She shook her head, coughing. “No. I’m rejecting the change, Tim. This is easier than going to the clinic. Let it happen.”

  He knew it was her choice. He knew he should respect her wishes, but Tim’s heart clenched with terror. He couldn’t bear the idea of her dying. How could he live without her?

  “You’re in pain, probably half delirious.” He tried to keep his voice calm. “You’re in no shape to be making decisions like that right now. If you still want this after you’ve changed… then I’ll drive you to the clinic myself. I promise.”

  He only hoped he was never called upon to keep that promise. He’d do it, if she really wanted it, but it would tear his heart in two. He was counting on her feeling differently when the shock wore off.

  “No…” Rachel protested weakly, but Tim had made his decision. “There’s nothing we can do, anyway.” She gazed at him with pleading eyes. “We don’t know how to contact the royal family. What are you going to do? Drive up to their palace? They’d kill us before we got close. That place is invitation only.”

  “I’ll call an ambulance.” As he spoke, Tim got out his phone and started dialing.

  Rachel reached for his hand, trying to snatch the phone away, but he easily evaded her. “They won’t know what to do either. What do humans know about vampire medical conditions?”

  “They may not know the solution, but they can at least stabilize you, and I’m sure they’ll have a contact for the royal family. You’re hardly the first one to reject the change and call an ambulance. There must be protocols in place for this.”

  Before Rachel could respond, someone picked up on the other end of the line. “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”

  “Please, it’s my girlfriend. She’s been bitten by a vampire and I think she’s rejecting the change.”

  The voice immediately tensed. “What are her symptoms?”

  “She’s feeling burning all over her body. She’s pale and covered in sweat, and a few minutes ago she vomited blood.”

  “Stay where you are. I’m sending an ambulance to you. Make sure she stays awake; if she falls asleep at this stage, she won’t wake up again.”

  Tim quickly gave their address and turned his attention back to Rachel. He vaguely heard the operator telling him to stay on the line, but the phone slipped from his fingers. Rachel was still. Too still.

  “Rachel! Wake up!” He shook her har
d, and her eyes snapped open. Tim barely had time to get out of the way as she leaned over and vomited more blood. He ran to the kitchen and got a large bowl, holding it under her. Her eyes slipped closed again. “Stay awake,” Tim snapped, more sharply than he meant to.

  Rachel’s eyes flickered faintly but closed again. Tim shook her, but she didn’t stir. He couldn’t let this happen. “Forgive me,” he murmured. Then he slapped her as hard as he could across the face.

  Rachel yelped as her eyes snapped open. “I’m sorry, my love, but you have to stay awake. Just a little bit longer, then the ambulance will be here. Come on, let me help you sit up, it might help you stay awake.”

  Rachel groaned in protest as he pulled her into a seated position. Her eyes were unfocused, and Tim didn’t know how aware she was. He suspected she wouldn’t remember any of this when she woke up. If she woke up. She had to wake up. Vampire or not, he loved her, and he still wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

  He’d never heard a more beautiful sound than the wailing of sirens outside. Tim left Rachel’s side for a moment to throw the door open, and a few moments later, two paramedics ran up the stairs.

  “She’s over here, hurry! I’m not sure how much longer I can keep her awake.”

  They brushed past him, already exchanging medical terms with each other. Tim didn’t understand most of it, and he didn’t care. He just wanted Rachel to be ok. Tim barely breathed as they worked over her. When they injected something into her arm, Rachel gasped and jerked upward, her eyes wide.

  “That should keep her awake,” one of the paramedics murmured. “Come on, dear.”

  They loaded her onto a stretcher and carefully carried her out. Tim stumbled after them, his eyes on Rachel. One of the paramedics kindly closed the door behind him, seeing as Tim had neglected to do so.