Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  Tears pooled, then flowed down my face. “How am I supposed to live without you?”

  “I have no doubt you’ll be fine,” she answered. “You’ve proven from a young age that you can flourish on your own. I wish I could reverse time. I should have stayed back with you, instead of sailing away on those countless business trips.”

  I shook my head, drying my tear-stained face. “You raised me to be strong and independent. I wouldn’t be here right now if I were any different.”

  Tears trickled down her fair cheeks. “I’m so proud of you, Calla. I have always been.”

  She hugged me again while I sobbed. I missed her terribly.

  When she finally let me go, I had so many questions. “Where are we?”

  “We are in the In-Between. A place that connects life and death.”

  “Am I dead?”

  “No, my darling,” she answered, her fingers feathering across my cheek. “You are alive, and there are so many things I would love to sit and talk to you about. But I can’t stay. I’ve come to say goodbye.”

  “Goodbye?” My chest felt as if it were going to implode. I’d already lost her once. I couldn’t lose her again. “You can’t leave now. You’ve just arrived.”

  “I have to. There are rules here,” she replied wistfully. “The veil between realms was removed last night during the solstice. But it’s closing.” She gently settled her hands on my shoulders. “Calla, there is someone I want to introduce you to. Someone who has been waiting a long time to meet you.”

  Meet me? “Who?”

  She looked to her side and my eyes followed. Standing a few yards away was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. She was tall and slender, wearing a fitted gold gown. A golden filigree crown sat atop her shimmering blonde hair. Royalty. She had to be royalty.

  But there was something about her eyes. She had the most striking golden eyes with flecks of auburn. Just like mine.

  “Calla,” my mother said warmly. “I have to leave now.”

  “No!” I wailed, wrapping my arms around her. “You can’t go. You can’t leave me again.”

  She hugged me for a moment, then drew back, cupping my face in her soft, warm hands. “You stole my heart, Calla, from the moment you were born. From the moment they placed you in my arms you became my world and owned my entire heart. There are choices I wish I made differently—”

  “I never doubted your love,” I wept.

  “Please take care of your father for me,” she said, drawing me back into her embrace. “He’s strong, but he’ll need you.”

  “I will.” I promised.

  My body trembled as she stepped backward and smiled. “Mom, wait!” The only words I could speak were, “I love you.”

  “I know, darling. And I will always love you.” She blew me a kiss, and just like the wind, she vanished.

  Pain slammed through my chest, making it hard to breathe. She was gone. And I would never see her again.

  “She’ll be fine,” the woman spoke. I’d forgotten she was there.

  She folded her delicate hands in front of her and smiled. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to meet you, Calla.”

  I wiped the tears soaking my cheeks. “Who are you?”

  “You do not know me. But I’ve known you your entire life.” Her face was glowing in an ethereal light. “I am Leora, Princess of Incendia.” She took a few steps closer until we were a foot apart.

  A princess? How did she know me, and why would she be waiting to meet me?

  “I know how confusing this must be. But I am not only a princess, Calla,” she spoke, her smile as radiant as the sun. “I am also your great-grandmother.”

  My thoughts became a whirlwind. “Great-grandmother?” I breathed and she nodded. “I’ve heard of Incendia, but it was destroyed centuries ago.”

  Her eyes saddened as if she flashed back to a memory. “Yes. Our entire existence was wiped out by a strong and evil force.” She reached out and took my hand, and a tingling sensation from where her skin touched mine sent goosebumps up my arm. Then she led me down the tunnel. “There were a few who escaped the massacre, and Nicolae, my only child, was one of them.”

  Gods. This was a lot of information to take in. “Nicolae?” I repeated, trying to piece the puzzle together.

  So many emotions swirled within her golden eyes. “Yes.” She paused. “I met Nicolae’s father at a royal ball. He was a handsome young prince, so full of life. As soon as our eyes connected, we both felt an undeniable connection.”

  Her eyes went distant, glancing elsewhere, down that bright corridor with no end. “We fell hard and fast in love, and had a bond so powerful, it went beyond the stars. But fate had another agenda. As a prince, he had been betrothed to another—an arranged marriage from birth. Because we realized we could never be together, we loved without inhibition or abandon. When we finally separated—days before his marriage to the princess—I learned I was pregnant with his child.

  “My prince attempted to contravene his father’s order and break the engagement, but the king became furious. He sent his son to the flogging post, then secretly had spies trail him. Those spies found us and reported back to the king of our affair and the child growing in my belly.

  “The king blamed me for his son’s betrayal and insubordination, but he also knew of the great power I possessed as an Incendian Royal. He knew that I alone could ruin him and his entire kingdom. So, he remained silent.

  “Instead, the king devised a terrible and wicked plan. First, he sent me a demand. In exchange for my safety, he wanted the child growing inside me.” A lone tear trailed down her cheek. “There was no way I could let that cruel, vicious man near my child.

  “Month’s later, Nicolae was born, and I knew his life would be in constant danger. So, I made the most painful decision any mother could make. I gave my only son to my chambermaid and ordered her to leave Incendia and never return. She was to take him far, far away—to a place even I was unaware of. She vowed to instruct him in our ways and remind him of where he came from.” Her eyes went distant again, a great sorrow filled them. “When they left, I fell into misery. A sadness greater and deeper than I’d ever known.”

  I swallowed, demanding to know the answer. “Who was Nicolae’s father?”

  She peered deeply into my eyes. “His name is Romulus Tynan.”

  “No,” I exhaled, my entire body trembling. “The King of Morbeth is my great–grandfather?”

  She nodded.

  Good gods. “Wait, wait, wait.” I was on the verge of hyperventilating. “So, Roehl is Nicolae’s brother?”

  “Half-brother,” she corrected. “Roehl was born from the king’s wife.” She gave a mournful smile. But I wanted to vomit after hearing this news. “Because Nicolae is a son of Morbeth and Incendian Royalty, he is rightful heir to the throne.” There was a glimmer in her eyes. She inclined her head to the side. “Why do you think Roehl was so eager to give an order to dispose of his entire bloodline?”

  This knowledge was like a blast to the gut. No wonder he wanted us dead. We were a threat. And that voice I’d heard in the Whisper Woods, through Nyx’s eyes, was clearly his.

  I had so many questions, and maybe . . . maybe she had the answers.

  “Does King Romulus know Nicolae is alive?”

  Her eyes went cold. “Everyone thought the child had died with me, even Romulus. But when Roehl found out about Nicolae, and came back and told the king his story, giving him the name Nicolae Corvus, he knew then that he was alive. He knew, because I’d told Romulus, while I was carrying his child inside me, that if I ever bore a son, I would name him Nicolae. I had also teased that I’d give him the second name Corvus, after Romulus’s favorite bird—a raven he’d had since it first hatched.”

  Heaven’s above. My mind was a whirlwind that kept growing stronger. But I needed more answers.

  “Did Nicolae kill Roehl’s brother?”

  She nodded. “Yes, he did. Defending himself.”
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  I knew something wasn’t right. “Do you know what happened?”

  Leora let out a heavy and painful sigh. “Before the Queen of Morbeth passed, she told her sons about their father’s affair and the illegitimate son born from it. She didn’t trust the king and sought out mages in the enveloping forest who practiced black magic. They told her Romulus had a child, a firstborn son who was still alive and incredibly powerful. She shared the news and made them vow to never tell the king.

  “The Queen had a mental illness. And for years, she grew more and more paranoid. Then one day, she took her own life, not being able to live with the fact that her husband’s heart was never hers.

  “After her death, Roehl became obsessed with finding Nicolae. His mother’s fears had fed his own, and he wanted nothing more than to capture him and dispose of any threat to his legacy—his throne.

  “Using the dark and powerful mages who resided in the Forest of Murk to locate him, Roehl and his brother Rurik set out one day, telling the king they were leaving on a hunting trip. They traveled for days on horseback to the place where the witches had located Nicolae—in a cabin near Blue Lake in northern Belfast.

  “They plotted to arrive at the cabin while Nicolae was sleeping, stick a blade in his chest, and leave. But Nicolae, through magic of his own, discovered they were coming. The night of the attack, he’d planted a decoy in his bed.

  “When Rurik stood above Nicolae’s bed with a dagger aimed at the decoy’s chest, Nicolae snuck up from behind, with a sword, and beheaded him. Roehl bore witness to his brother’s murder, and when he tried to avenge him, Nicolae vanished like the wind.

  “Mad with hatred, Roehl brought Rurik’s body back to Morbeth and spread lies throughout the kingdom. He told his father that while they were hunting, a man named Nicolae Corvus murdered his brother and tried to rob them. The very next day, the king fell gravely ill.”

  My thoughts were spiraling out of control. It wasn’t Nicolae’s fault. This entire mess was because of Roehl. The bastard.

  Knowing Roehl had considerable power, I had to ask. “Do you think Roehl has something to do with his father’s illness?”

  “What do you think?” Her eyes narrowed on me.

  “I think the king saw through Roehl’s lies, and maybe even confronted him. Knowing Roehl and his temper, he probably cast an evil spell on his father out of spite, likely because he tried to defend Nicolae—the rightful heir to the throne of Morbeth.”

  “You are wise beyond your years, Calla.” Leora smiled. “Your great-grandfather would be proud.”

  “I want to see the king, but I’m not sure how. Roehl has me chained in a room, and the chain is enchanted with powerful magic.”

  Her smile brightened as she took a step closer to me. “Roehl’s magic is no match against yours.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t understand how that’s possible. I’ve never felt or displayed any kind of magic growing up.”

  “That’s because there is a very powerful concealment and repression spell upon your magic.”

  “Who would cast such a spell?”

  She grabbed hold of my hands. “I did.”

  “I—” I didn’t know how to respond. “Why?”

  “I placed a spell on Nicolae’s entire bloodline, knowing that if anyone found out you were heir to Incendia’s throne, you would be hunted and killed. They destroyed our kingdom because they were envious and frightened of our power. They attacked us when we least expected it—when we were most vulnerable.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I breathed.

  “You are the sole female heir in my lineage, Calla.” Her fingers brushed gently against my cheek. “And to you, I will bestow the power of Incendia and the Fire Goddess.”

  I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it seemed like a lot more than I could handle. “Why me? Why not give it to Nicolae or my father?”

  “Because the power of Incendia can only be given from a female predecessor to her female heir.”

  “But Nicolae has magic. I’ve watched him use it.”

  “All Incendians of royal blood are born with magic. And as powerful as the males are, their abilities are not as great as those of the females. In Incendia, the women royals were the defenders.”

  “If Incendia was so dominant, then how could it have all been destroyed?”

  She sighed and pulled me along as she began walking again. “It happened the night of the solstice and the great Fire Festival. It was our biggest celebration and most sacred day of the year. A night we welcomed summer and celebrated the fire goddess for blessing and bestowing her power upon us. It was a night filled with festivities, feasts, and peace. The only night we let our guard down.”

  Tears slid from her eyes. “They attacked us in the hours before dawn, while everyone was asleep, worn from the night’s festivities. Morbeth’s mages had cast powerful spells over the entire kingdom, keeping us in a deep slumber while their army moved in and massacred everyone . . . men, women, and children. They destroyed the palace and the surrounding village, setting everything on fire.”

  I didn’t understand. “How could anyone, especially a king, commit such a heinous crime? To eliminate an entire kingdom knowing his grandson was among them.”

  Leora shook her head. “When a wicked heart remains in the darkness too long, it begins to crave that darkness, until there is no light that can drive it out. When Romulus learned of his father’s murderous rampage, he was enraged. The hate for what his father had done grew with each passing day, driving him mad. A few months later, when the king set out on a hunting trip with a half-dozen of his guard, Romulus followed in secret. And while they slept, he crept into their encampment and executed them all, keeping his father for last. The man who killed his one true love and his child, so he thought. He let his father see his face and feel his rage as he slit his throat and let him drown in his own blood.

  “No one found out who murdered the king. And soon after, Romulus assumed the throne.” Her eyes went distant again. “As king, he banished all those who practiced dark magic and executed those who conspired with his father against Incendia. Romulus became a great ruler. He was fair and noble, but strict.”

  Hearing this story . . . a story of lies, deceit, and murder was one thing. But knowing it was taking place within one kingdom, one family—part of my lineage—was reprehensible and heart shattering. Morbeth had a very dark past, so it was no wonder Roehl was a monster. He was raised by a spiteful mother who wanted to eliminate Romulus’s firstborn son and his offspring, so her son could be king.

  There was a question pressing on my mind. “If King Romulus is my great-grandfather and he is a vampire, wouldn’t the vampire gene be passed down to me?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  “Then why haven’t I shown signs of being a vampire? Why did I go through the transition when Trystan bit me?”

  “The spell I cast was extremely old and immensely powerful. It suppressed all magic inside of you, erasing all traces of immortality and power, making you an ordinary mortal. That’s why, when the handsome Carpathian prince bit you, your body reacted as if you were a newborn.”

  I sucked in a heavy breath and exhaled. “Does Trystan know about Nicolae? That he is Romulus’s heir, and a son of Incendia?”

  Leora shook her head. “He doesn’t. But he is searching for the truth as we speak. A truth Romulus’s father covered up all too well.”

  I let out another long breath. At least I knew Trystan’s motives were pure. That he hadn’t sought me out and claimed me because he knew of my lineage. But . . . “Why would Roehl, after sending out a decree to have Nicolae’s entire bloodline eliminated, claim me instead of killing me?”

  Leora turned to me and took both of my hands in hers. “What Roehl ultimately seeks is power. If he claims you and makes you his mate, the threat to his throne will be eliminated. And whether he realizes it or not, he’ll also possess the most powerful Incendian heir.” Her eyes were gleaming as if she’d just reve
aled a deep mystery. “But don’t think for one moment that he won’t reconsider his decision if he finds out how powerful you truly are. He will kill you in an instant. Or worse . . . make you a servant to his sinister plans.”

  I had no doubt he would either enslave or kill me. I’d tasted his rage and knew he’d have no remorse or regret either. He was a monster. A scary and savage monster with great power.

  I’d just have to play his game better than he did. To remain the ignorant, defenseless victim until he dropped his guard.

  But the truth was . . . Roehl already knew about Nicolae. That he was his half-brother. If he knew that, then his mother must have told him about Leora and Incendia. The thought of him knowing sent a chill through my bones. But what was even more disconcerting was that he’d known we were relatives, yet he chose to claim me and make me his mate. There was no doubt he was using me to get to Nicolae; to draw him out so he could capture and kill him.

  I looked deep into Leora’s familiar golden eyes and asked, “Does Nicolae know I exist?”

  “No,” she breathed. “Nicolae kept to himself for most of his life and had few relationships, aside from my chambermaid. But,” she hesitated and smiled, “there was one young woman, one beautiful, charming girl who happened to steal his heart. She was a farmer’s daughter who lived in Northfall. One summer, Nicolae went to work for her father on their farm.

  “The farmer’s daughter was captivated by Nicolae’s good looks and strong work ethics and fell for him. They were friends at first, but as the days drew on, they became inseparable. It was the first time Nicolae had felt true happiness.

  “Near the end of the season, the young woman discovered she was pregnant with Nicolae’s child. When her father—a devout follower of the church—found out about the pregnancy, he fired Nicolae and banished him.

  “Despite the girl’s pleas, her father refused to let his daughter keep the baby. And during her entire pregnancy, kept her out of the community’s eye. When the child was delivered, the young woman’s father took the baby while she was sleeping and boarded a boat to Sartha. When he arrived, he took the baby to a nearby parish and left him in a basket on the doorstep. The clergy’s wife found him and brought him to her husband. They took him in, raised, and cherished him as if he was their own.”