by Franca Storm
“I--” Luca protested.
“What?” Ryan pressed. “What’s wrong?”
Kristoff rolled his eyes. “He has a thing with childbirth. It makes him uncomfortable. Luca, you’re not going to be anywhere near the birth canal. You will stand with Ryan. After what’s happened between the three of you, I’m sure Ryan wouldn’t allow it any other way.”
“Damn straight,” Ryan responded.
“Let’s get her inside to a bed or at least a couch,” Kristoff said, striding towards the house.
***
“Luca, just a little more power. This baby is stubborn,” Kristoff instructed as he held Cora’s legs apart.
Luca nodded and the red glow from his palm over Cora’s belly grew brighter, more vibrant.
Ryan sat beside Cora on the bed, stroking her hair. “Okay, my love?”
Her glazed eyes looked up at him and she smiled widely. “Great.”
The black magick that Kristoff had used on her to stop her pain had worked like a charm. She wasn’t feeling anything at all. A side effect of such potent magick was that she was incredibly high right now.
“Get ready to push, okay?” Ryan said. “Our daughter needs you.” Ryan had been talking to her constantly to ensure that she stayed awake. That was how high she was.
“Yes,” she said. “I will.”
Luca eyed Ryan with amusement.
“I take it it wasn’t like this last time?” Luca asked.
“Fuck, no. She was in so much damned pain.”
“Well I’m very glad that isn’t the case now.”
“Cora. Push!” Kristoff yelled, cutting through their conversation.
Cora did push, but it was too weak.
“Harder, Cora! Much harder!”
“You’re the strongest sorceress in all the realms. You can do this,” Ryan told her. “You want to see our daughter, don’t you?”
“Yes, yes I do,” Cora replied, mustering her strength and pushing hard.
“Good! Good!” Kristoff praised her.
Ryan watched Cora’s eyes grow heavy. “Anything you guys can do to speed it up would be great. She’s not gonna be able to stay awake much longer.”
Kristoff nodded to Luca, signaling him to use more power. And then he told Cora, “Push, Cora! Three more and you’re done.”
She did as he asked and then a little cry cut through the room.
Ryan watched in wonder as Kristoff lifted a tiny baby girl into his line of sight. “Oh my God, he breathed.
Kristoff waved his hand over her and a blanket came into being, wrapping around her. He smiled and handed her to Ryan. “Your daughter, Wolf King.”
Ryan took her in his arms. The first things he noticed were her deep blue eyes. Just like Cora’s. He drew her to him, pulling her close and choked out, “My daughter.” He eased himself back onto the bed and held her before Cora. “Here she is, my love.”
Cora smiled happily. “She’s so small. Smaller than Orion was,” she said, caressing the tiny blonde hairs on her little head.
“I know,” Ryan said.
Kristoff watched the expressions passing across Luca’s face as he looked on at the three of them. He sensed his gaze and turned to him.
“Forget what I said,” Kristoff told him.
“Really?” Luca asked; surprised that he was changing his mind on an issue that he’d been so adamant about—him and Aerona bearing a child.
“Yes.”
Luca smiled and nodded his appreciation. He gestured to Ryan and Cora who were occupied with their daughter. “We should give them some privacy.”
Kristoff laughed. “I’m not sure they even realize we’re still here.”
“Hey! We’re well aware,” Ryan said, eyeing the two of them. “And…thank you…both of you.”
“No problem,” Kristoff said.
“Just a little bit of magick,” Luca added.
“No,” Ryan said, seriously. “You saved her life. She can’t give birth to a wolf without help. If you hadn’t been here…”
“Ryan,” Luca said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “We’re no longer enemies. We’re all in this together. We help each other these days. Besides, you saved my life outside.”
“Well, I couldn’t stand by and let her fry you. Nathanial would have been pissed,” he jested.
Kristoff laughed. “Yeah and he’s one guy you never want to piss off. Trust me.”
“He’s a good guy,” Ryan said.
“He’s the best,” Cora added in what sounded like a drunken slur.
Ryan chuckled. “I think you need to sleep for a bit. Not here though. This place is run down.”
“Kristoff and I will teleport you guys back to your place,” Luca said.
“Then I can sleep?” Cora asked Ryan.
“Yes, my love. Then you can sleep for as long as you like.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Cora opened her eyes to find Ryan staring at her from the other side of the bed. He had Orion on his lap in wolf form and their new baby daughter in his arms, still in human form. Both were sound asleep.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“Welcome back,” Ryan whispered back.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Ten hours,” he informed her.
“What?” she asked, as she sat up. “That long?”
“You were really high,” he reminded her.
Cora gazed at her two children and asked Ryan, “How was Orion with her? Was he okay?”
“He loves her. He’s wolf and she’s his little sister. He will take care of her.”
She smiled. “I want to wake them both up and cuddle them, but I know that’s not a good idea.”
“Fuck, you’d better not. It took me ages to get them to both fall asleep. Orion was so excited when he saw her. He stayed up way past his bedtime.”
“I won’t,” she said, leaning back against the headboard. “So, what do you want to call her?”
“Me?”
“Of course. I named Orion. It’s your turn.”
“Ariel,” Ryan said.
Cora’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow.”
“What?”
“I just didn’t expect you to come up with something so soon. I figured you’d think it over.”
Ryan chuckled. “Since we found out you were pregnant, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”
“You’re so sweet,” she said.
He scoffed. “Sweet? Please, no.”
“Right, I forgot how much you hate hearing that. Even though it’s true.” She gazed at their daughter for a long while and then said, “I like it. Ariel it is.”
“A beautiful name,” Nathanial’s voice came from the bedroom door suddenly.
They both turned to see him striding in with a baby in his arms. “This is Isabella,” he said.
“A lovely name also,” Cora said, as her and Ryan looked at the tiny baby in his arms. “I can’t believe Marella and I gave birth on the same day. Sorry for stealing her thunder.”
Nathanial laughed. “She was happy about it. I think she’s already planning a slew of joint birthday parties in the near future.”
“God help us,” Ryan jested.
“Indeed,” Nathanial agreed.
“How is she?” Cora asked.
“She’s doing well. Resting.”
Cora winced as she adjusted her weight in the bed.
“Are you okay, my love?” Ryan asked, concerned. The last time Cora had given birth—to Orion—she had been up and about within hours. But this time it was taking a lot longer. It was concerning.
“Yeah. A little sore. I didn’t want to tell you at the time, because I knew how you’d react, but I had to pull on my essence to take down Oriana with the white fire. I didn’t have enough power left because I was expending a lot to sustain Ariel.”
“It just means it will take her a little longer to recover, Ryan. A couple of days and she will be back to herself,” Nathanial added.
&n
bsp; “Cora,” Ryan chastised her.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I had no choice.”
“I heard from Luca that you slit her throat with your claws?” Nathanial asked Ryan in an attempt to dissolve their argument.
“Yep. Then Luca snapped her neck just to be sure.”
“I would have liked to have witnessed that—the two of you working alongside one another,” Nathanial said.
“It was a one-off,” Ryan jested.
“I doubt that. You two are back on solid ground now,” Nathanial countered.
Ryan winked at him. “Perhaps.”
“She’s gone, Nathanial,” Cora said. “It almost killed all of us, but we succeeded. None of us have anything to worry about. We can finally relax again.”
Nathanial smiled. “Yes, you are right. The realms are safe once again.”
Epilogue
Cora walked out to the top of the courtyard steps carefully. She wasn’t used to walking in heels like those of the silver sandals that were currently on her feet. She was wearing a gorgeous silver floor-length gown. The bodice was embroidered with colorful gems and diamonds. Her long black hair fell in curls about her face.
As she raised her hand in a friendly wave and looked out over the huge crowd gathered in the courtyard of the White Realm Palace a thunderous applause shook the ground beneath her feet. Her people cheered her elatedly for several minutes before it finally died down.
She glanced at Shaye who stood beside her with Ariel in her arms. She smiled reassuringly at her. Cora turned her attention back to the steps and watched as Marella climbed them gracefully. She carried a white-gold crown in her hands that shone with white fire—the lifeblood of the White Realm.
When Marella reached her, Cora bent down. Marella called out to the crowd, “I pronounce thee, Queen of the White Realm, Protector and Guide of our people.” She placed the crown on her head and then stepped aside.
Cora winked at her and then rose to her full height.
The moment she did the crowd went wild, clapping, whistling and chanting her name.
She descended the steps slowly and by the time she reached the bottom the crowd had quieted.
“I am honored to be your Queen. I vow to always have your best interests at heart, to cherish and protect the realm with all that I am. I will reign without prejudice.” She paused briefly before continuing, “Today I prove that to you with the unification of the Dark and the White. The peoples of the Dark Realm are not our enemies. They are our brothers and sisters. And they will join with us today. My children, Orion and Ariel are symbols of the coming together of the dark and the white. They are the bridges of peace between us all. Today will be the first day of an eternity of coexistence without discrimination or fear. Today we become stronger!”
She raised her fist into the air and the crowd cheered. She looked to Marella and she nodded at her. It was time.
***
The Great Hall was packed and buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
Nathanial and Ryan sat in their thrones. Haraz stood beside Nathanial, as his second in command. And Josh and Damon stood beside Ryan as his two second in command.
Ryan’s pack took up the front row of the crowd and they were taking care of Orion and Isabella while Nathanial and Ryan did their kingly duty.
“Now,” Nathanial said, taking Ryan’s hand. “Brace yourself,” he warned.
Ryan nodded.
A moment later, Nathanial thrust his free hand up to the ceiling. A steady stream of dark energy thrust towards the ceiling. Within a second it was joined by a bright white light pouring in through one of the windows. Cora’s magick coming from the White Realm. It melded with it.
Ryan gritted his teeth. Nathanial hadn’t been kidding when he’d warned him to brace himself. This was a power rush unlike any he’d ever felt. Between Nathanial’s dark magick and Cora’s white that had just joined with his, it was almost unbearable. He could feel Nathanial drawing on his strength in order to maintain his ability to expend so much power in one shot.
“How long?” Ryan choked out.
“A few more minutes.” He eyed Luca who stood by the window with Aerona, Michael and Kristoff. “The forest?” he asked.
“Getting greener,” Luca responded.
For Nathanial, the forest of the Dark Realm was the best gauge for determining when the unification was complete and he could draw back his power. As soon as it grew and the trees, bushes and flowers lived again that would mean that the Dark had successfully united with the White.
The crowd gasped as Nathanial’s dark magick and Cora’s white fused together suddenly.
“Father, it is done,” Luca confirmed.
Nathanial slowly withdrew his power. The crowd roared it’s applause—clapping, growling and howling it’s support.
As Nathanial and Ryan rose to their feet to address their subjects, they smiled at one another. After centuries of unrest, discrimination and hatred they were finally at peace. Wolves, vampires, dark witches and warlocks were in the same room with one another without so much as a heated look passing between them. They had achieved real peace. And not just in the Dark Realm—with the White Realm as well.
Despite all the obstacles that had stood in their path, all the heartbreak and losses they had suffered along the way, they had succeeded.
***
Cora released a heavy sigh of relief as she sank back against the throne.
“It is done,” she informed Marella, Shaye and Asha who were seated around the throne watching her intently. “The realms are united.”
Marella and Asha smiled excitedly.
“Are you drained?” Shaye asked worriedly.
Cora shook her head. “No, just a little high. I’ve never had such powerful dark magick coursing through me before. What a rush.”
Shaye, Marella and Asha burst out laughing.
“What?” Cora asked, perplexed.
“It’s just a relief to finally have a ruler with an incredible sense of humor,” Marella explained.
“And one who actually listens to us,” Asha added.
“Well, thank you, ladies,” Cora responded with amusement as she rose from the throne and walked down the steps.
She hadn’t got very far when Ryan suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Ladies,” he greeted them all smoothly.
“What? Did you—did you just teleport?” she asked, stepping back in shock.
He grinned from ear to ear. “Yep. Nathanial and Luca taught me.”
“When?”
“A few days ago. I didn’t tell you, because I wanted to surprise you.”
She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He gripped her hips and lifted her up, holding her tightly against him. After everything they’d been through, they’d learned to appreciate moments like this in each other’s arms. They’d come to realize the strength of the love between them—a fated love that could never be broken no matter what was thrown their way. They truly were destined. And no one had the power to change destiny. Always and forever.
“I love you, Ryan Winters!” she cried.
“I love you, Cora Black.”
~The End~
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for tuning into the fifth and final part of the Twisted Destiny saga!
Did you enjoy Fated Blood?
If you have a few moments to spare, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a brief review on the page where you bought the book. Thanks again and see you soon!
Contact Franca Storm at:
francastorm.com
https://twitter.com/FrancaStorm
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8087476.Franca_Storm
Other Books in the Series
THE TWISTED DESTINY SAGA
Paranormal Romance
Fated Desire (The Twisted Destiny Saga, #1)
Fated Betrayal (The Twisted Destiny Saga, #2)
Fated Ties (The Twisted Destiny Saga, #3)
> Fated Love (The Twisted Destiny Saga, #4)
