Prophecy: Caelestis and Aurorea [A Vampires Realm Novel]

by F. E. Heaton

  Her eyes lit up. From the look in them, he got the feeling that a lot had happened in his absence.

  "I went to see Elena but she denied knowing where you were. She said that Arkalus and Kalinor made her take you. She said she sent you to St. Mark's.” She frowned and searched his eyes. He nodded. “Well, she wasn't lying about that then. With nowhere else to turn, I went to see Mathias because he was the only one who might help me."

  "What do you mean, the only one?” He almost laughed when he said the words but the smile that had teased his lips faded once he saw the sadness in her eyes. “What of Mia and Dmitri?"

  She dropped her gaze to her hands where they were resting in her lap. Had they been killed? If they hadn't helped her, something terrible must have happened to them.

  She sighed.

  "Prophecy?” He caught her under the chin and raised her head. There were tears in her eyes. “What happened? Are they dead?"

  "No,” she said.

  "Then I don't understand,” he said and a frown creased his brows.

  "Dmitri ... you ... he refused to come with me."

  His jaw tensed and anger coiled in his stomach. “And Mia?"

  She shook her head in the negative. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He'd been sure when he was taken that Mia and Dmitri would help her find him or at least continue without him. How must Prophecy have felt to not only lose him, but to have the only two people with her at the time turn their backs on her? He took hold of her hands, brushing his thumbs over them while he struggled for control over his anger.

  "It was wrong of them to leave you like that.” His voice carried bitterness.

  "Dmitri said he wouldn't lend me his men or his services. He was angry about the fact that I had led his men into an unnecessary battle.” Her voice was quiet and heavy with emotion. He could see the tears shimmering in her eyes.

  He hated how obviously hurt she was by Dmitri and Mia's actions.

  "The lord of Tenebrae wasn't against us,” he said. He remembered calling out to her before he was sucked through the portal, trying to warn her that she was about to make a terrible mistake. “Did you...?"

  She nodded. “I did. I couldn't stop the magic, Valentine. It ignored me. I was so upset about what happened to you and I couldn't stop myself. When Mia and Dmitri learnt of what had happened, Dmitri refused to help me. Mia promised to keep her ears and eyes open for me, and it was her that reported to me that you were being held in St. Petersburg."

  Letting go of her hands, he grazed the backs of his fingers against her cheek. “Yet you came alone?"

  "She reported it, but Dmitri would not allow her to assist me, and he wouldn't help me himself. I had to come alone. It wasn't for lack of trying though. I went to see Hyperion—"

  "You did what?” he cut her off, his brows rising into an incredulous look.

  She smiled. “He saw me, but wouldn't openly align himself with me. I think he might in time. He helped in his own way. He invited Arkalus and Kalinor to his palace. Ineru must have left by then."

  "Ineru was there?"

  She nodded again. “It's hard to remember that he's so old when he looks so young."

  He frowned and she grinned. Her amusement showed in her eyes and it relieved him to see the pain gone.

  "Don't be jealous,” she said and lightly touched his hand.

  He arched a brow at her words. “I am not jealous. Get back to the story."

  She almost giggled. “I rescued you and here we are. Oh! And I have a book now, my mother's book. I found it in Budapest. I can't open it though."

  "Budapest?"

  "I had to do something while I couldn't find you. Come on, I'll tell you all about it and my new magic skills on the way."

  She stood up and extended her hand to him. He stared at it and then up at her.

  "Where are we going?” he said and got to his feet.

  The light in her eyes disappeared and was replaced with hardness. “To Dmitri's bastion. I said I would return once I had rescued you."

  "Why?” He could see there was a reason behind it, and inside he knew what it was, but he wanted her to confirm it for him.

  "I want them to see you and explain why they wouldn't raise a finger to rescue you."

  * * * *

  Valentine strode towards the castle, ignoring the growls of the werewolves around him. He smoothed his jacket down, preening his appearance while he straightened up. He glanced at Prophecy out of the corner of his eye, watching her walk confidently beside him, her eyes kept forwards at all times. She was so different to how she'd been the last time he'd walked with her into Dmitri's bastion. The scared little girl had been replaced by a woman who no werewolf in their right mind would dare attack.

  His eyes dropped to her hands and he saw the magic idly circling her fingers. It was the only outside sign of her nerves, but it was one only he would recognise.

  He didn't wait for the door to open. He growled and pushed both sides of the heavy door hard enough to make them slam into the wall. Walking down the long corridor to the room where he knew Dmitri would be waiting, he snarled at the werewolves that had the audacity to come near them and found Prophecy doing the same. She had slipped into her vampire guise, her emerald eyes shining mother of pearl as they passed each light.

  He led the way into the chamber at the end of the hallway and growled at Dmitri and Mia where they stood beside the throne.

  Mia shrank back but Dmitri roared at him.

  In a split second, Prophecy had raised her hand and was defending him against any possible attack. Valentine placed a hand on her shoulder, letting her know that he was all right. He would handle this.

  "Valentine,” Mia said in a small voice and came forwards. “I know how this must look to you."

  "I believed in both of you.” He stepped past Prophecy. “My one comforting thought throughout my ordeal was that you would help her. How is it supposed to look, Mia?"

  "She sent us on a fools errand. I lost many men. Good men. I would not risk them—” Dmitri started.

  "I didn't ask you to risk them!” Prophecy cut him off. Valentine held his hand out, silently showing her that attacking Dmitri wouldn't solve anything. She clenched her fists. “All I asked was that you help me. You and Mia, not your damn army!"

  He was surprised when Dmitri flinched and guilt flickered in his eyes.

  "You told me that Hyperion would not help me, but he did. If he hadn't lured Arkalus and Kalinor away from the house by inviting them to his palace, I would have found it almost impossible to save Valentine alone. All I asked you for was help. I admit I was wrong last time and I know you lost many men, but you turned your back on your friend when he needed you!” she said and he could see that her words were having her desired effect.

  Mia dropped her gaze to the floor and Dmitri sighed.

  Valentine looked across at Prophecy. “You have said your piece.” He moved his gaze to Dmitri and Mia. They looked a little relieved for a moment before he spoke. “It is my turn now."

  He took a few deep breaths and walked towards them. The werewolves that lined the room, in human and wolf form, all growled when he stepped right up to Dmitri. He snarled at them all, showing them that he was ready to fight them if they dared to move, and then looked deep into Dmitri's dark eyes and frowned.

  "I have no ill feelings towards Mia. She has helped Prophecy even when she was being held back and told not to. But you, old friend, you have greatly disappointed me. I would move heaven and earth to help you. I have done so in the past,” he raised his hand and ran a finger down the scar on his neck, “regardless of the things we have done to each other. She asked you for help when she needed it. I trusted that you would take care of her for me, as a brother would, but you turned your back, and forced Mia to do the same."

  Dmitri went to look away but Valentine grabbed hold of his jaw. He forced Dmitri to face him again, holding him tight while he struggled against him.

  "What do you have to say to me?
What words could possibly heal this breach between us?” he ground out, barely in control of his anger.

  Dmitri swallowed and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Valentine could see the shame in them.

  "I was angry for my loss. You have helped me many times and I should have remembered this. I offered my army as a friend, but acted an enemy when you needed me most. I have no excuse.” Dmitri held his gaze.

  Valentine let go of Dmitri's jaw and stepped backwards, placing a little distance between them.

  "If I was in less of a good mood, I would demand that you fight me.” He stared at him and then shook his head as disappointment engulfed him again. “I have no more to say to you."

  He turned to leave but stopped when Mia spoke.

  "Please, Valentine. If we are to move past this, you must not leave. Stay the night. Drink with us. Speak with us,” Mia said in a pleading voice and moved around so she was standing in front of him. He could see the hope in her eyes, and the regret. “It will be good for all of us."

  He looked away from her. Prophecy smiled when his eyes came to rest on her. She stepped towards him, her eyes not leaving his, and slipped her hand into his.

  He waited for her to speak, knowing that she had already decided what they would do. It was up to her whether they stayed or not. Mia was right. It would help heal the fissure between them if they stayed the night and drank with them, and it would give him time to spend alone with Prophecy in a safe place.

  She gave a minute nod. He looked at Mia.

  "Fine,” he said, his tone flat and emotionless.

  Mia nodded in thanks and went back to Dmitri.

  He glanced at his friend and then led Prophecy down the corridor to the balcony.

  Prophecy looked across at Valentine. He was still frowning. She could see the anger in his eyes and was surprised that he hadn't reacted more violently towards Dmitri. She followed him out onto the balcony and took a deep breath. Inside the bastion, it felt oppressive and miserable. Out here, she could forget about everything and focus on what was important.

  Valentine.

  She leaned against the wall that ran around the balcony and stared at the forest.

  "You went easy on him,” she said when he turned around and rested against the wall with his back to the woods, his elbows propping him up.

  He tilted his head back and stared up at the blanket of clouds above them. “I know."

  She sighed. “Have you already forgiven him?"

  "No,” he said and looked down at her. “Never. What he did was wrong. I trusted him to look after you, and instead he turned you away. I will never forget that. But in time, I will find a way to see past it."

  She took hold of his hand and toyed with his fingers. It was strange to think that the last time they had both been here they were still fighting their feelings. There had been so much friction between them that the easiness they had now seemed even more special. She pressed a kiss to each of his fingers and smiled.

  "What is it?” he said while she continued to smile at his hand.

  "Just thinking about how things used to be."

  She caught the confusion that flitted across his face when she looked at it.

  "It seems like years ago since we were here, since we were like that. Since you were like that,” she said and the frown stayed this time. She swung his hand a little. He arched a brow at her action and she gave him an awkward look and stopped. “Maybe I shouldn't do that. I just meant that this is nice. I feel so much more relaxed around you now."

  His brow rose again and she pulled an unimpressed face.

  "You know what I mean."

  He smiled at last. “Yes, I understand what you mean. Mia was right when she said that I had to learn the right reactions to my feelings. In my defence, you do act like a child sometimes."

  It was her turn to raise a brow. “That better have been a poor attempt at a joke. I think you should stick to being serious. I like you serious."

  His brows knit.

  "Not that serious,” she said and raised her hands. She smoothed his eyebrows, lifted his chin a little, tousled his hair and then stepped back to admire her work. It was strange to be able to do this with him. She was surprised he was letting her. She smiled at the black look in his eyes. “There. Now you look like the man I met that night. Handsome and devilish."

  "Are you quite done?"

  "You're starting to sound like him again too.” She teased and ignored the sigh he gave. She was pushing her luck now. As affectionate as he could be, he was still the man she'd met that night. He was still proud, intelligent and a hunter at heart. His love for her wouldn't make him act the way she did because of her love for him. She supposed he'd been in love before. To her, this feeling was new and exciting. Either that, or she'd really missed him and it was purely the thrill of seeing him again, safe and sound, that was making her like this.

  She moved closer to him and he turned around so he was facing the same way as her. When he looked into her eyes, she couldn't miss the passion in them. They were narrowed and dark, full of fire. She lowered her head a little and then found the courage to look up at him through her lashes. Her eyes dropped to his mouth and she remembered how tempting it had looked last night after they had killed the man. She'd felt so much desire for him that she'd barely been able to control herself. She'd wanted to bite him as he'd bitten her, but she'd had more important things to do, things like healing him.

  When she came out of her thoughts, she found she was staring at his neck. Her eyes traced the marks she had placed on him and she ran her tongue over her lips, remembering the sharp, rich taste of his blood. She craved it so badly. From the moment she'd met him, she'd had a hunger for his blood.

  Raising her hand, she traced her fingers over the marks on his throat and closed her eyes briefly when he did the same to hers. His caress was gentle, comforting. She focused on the feeling of his fingers against her skin, memorising his touch and the fire it ignited inside of her. Stepping closer to him, she placed a chaste kiss against his throat and listened to his sharp intake of breath. It made her stomach tighten and desire fluttered there. She ventured another kiss, this time parting her lips enough for her tongue to brush against his skin. He tasted like she remembered.

  He placed his arms about her, sliding them down over her backside and lifting her feet off the floor. She wrapped her arms about his shoulders, holding onto him while he held onto her. She coursed her lips over his neck, exploring every inch of it while he breathed heavily against hers. On some level, it was wrong of her to do this to him. She could feel his desire for her as clearly as she could feel her own. Her body moulded against his and she felt so powerless in his strong arms. She let him do what he wanted with her while she kissed along his collarbone, pushing away from him enough to reach the other side of his neck. She licked the marks there, tasting that they were hers, and smiled to herself.

  "Prophecy,” he whispered in a lust-filled voice.

  A quiet thrill ran through her on hearing the effect she had on him. She bit back a squeal when he turned and pushed her against the balcony wall, sitting her down on it.

  Her teeth teased her lower lip when he drew back and looked at her, his eyes heavy with need. He brushed trembling fingers across her cheek and she held his gaze. She knew what she was making him want to do because it was what she wanted. A vision was meant to be fulfilled and she was running out of patience waiting for it to come to pass.

  Running her hands around his waist, she parted her legs and drew him towards her. He looked down at her hands, frowning while she guided him closer to her until his hips were nestled against hers.

  He growled.

  She smiled.

  In one swift movement, he'd pulled her flush against him and was kissing her. She tried to match the fervour of his kisses but he didn't give her the chance. He kissed down her jaw to her neck and she tilted her head back. Opening her eyes, she stared at the gathering storm clouds and willed them to rai
n. Tingles raced along every nerve. Her fingers threaded into his hair, holding his mouth against her neck. She frowned when he kissed down her chest and barely registered her marks burning against her skin.

  She laughed when lightning split the sky above her, the clouds swirling around faster and faster as though they were being sucked into a vortex. Rain poured down, drenching them both in a matter of seconds and she raised her hand to the sky. She continued to laugh at the sight of the magic spinning and twirling around her hand.

  Her laughter disappeared when Valentine drew back and looked at her and then the sky.

  "Prophecy?"

  "I swear ... I just wanted a little rain to add to the moment.” She couldn't believe what she'd done. The rain didn't look as though it was going to stop anytime soon, but the clouds were drifting along again, no longer swirling like a vortex above them. She blinked when the rain bounced off her face and caught hold of Valentine's jacket, luring him back to her.

  He frowned still.

  She showed him her hand. “I didn't realise I could do such a thing. Like I said, I can't open my mother's book."

  He took hold of her hand, threading his fingers into hers and pressing his palm against the stone in the amulet. The magic immediately turned red and left the stone. It crept around their fingers, snaking through them and intertwining them. The rain seemed to ease while she looked into his eyes.

  A small smile curved his lips and she saw the amusement in his eyes when they moved to rest on their joined hands. She had no explanation for why the magic responded to him in such a way, other than her feelings for him. He was in her heart, and it was that which controlled the magic.

  She looked up and saw the clouds breaking apart. Stars shone through the gaps and she caught a glimpse of the toenail moon.

  "It seems you are not the only one who can control the weather,” he said with a wider smile.

  "You?” She gave him an incredulous look and then glanced up at the sky again. “You did this?"

  "It was your power that did it, but my command. It is strange that it responds to me.” He let go of her hand and swept the hair out of her face.