Thorn
Awakened by the Vampire Prince
Part 3
By
Charlene Hartnady
Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright © July 2015, Charlene Hartnady
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
Copy Edited by Kimberly Reichmann
Produced in South Africa
Published by Charlene Hartnady
PO BOX 456, Melrose Arch,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2176
[email protected]
‘Thorn’ is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Author’s Note
Books by this author:
Excerpt
Part 3
Chapter 1
Birds fluttered from branch to branch and crickets chirped. A light breeze played with the shorter hair on her temple causing it to blow lightly about her face. It was cool and pleasant beneath the shade of the trees. Esral loved the outdoors. At least, she normally did.
York threaded his fingers through hers. Esral had to fight the urge to pull her hand away. In two days’ time they would be mated. It was perfectly reasonable to allow him something so small as to hold her hand, yet the need to pull away only increased as they continued to walk through the forest. It irritated her because York was a sweetheart. He could’ve had his pick of females here as well as back at the castle, but here he was with her.
She took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of crushed grass and the rich soil. Esral had needed to get away from the hustle of Pulamor. She needed the type of calmness that only the outdoors could bring. York had insisted on accompanying her even though Gideon was on shift as her guard. The big, brooding male trailed about twenty feet behind them. Right now, she wished she’d just stayed in her room but she couldn’t hide from the world or from her future. It was best that she make peace with it.
As much as she wanted to allow hope into her heart, she knew that finding a way out of this was impossible. She needed to try and close herself off to Xavier and accept her fate. The pain and heartache would be so much worse otherwise. She put a hand to her chest. She couldn’t take much more.
“Why are you so quiet?” York gently squeezed her hand, reminding her of how sweet and kind he was.
Esral shrugged, she glanced up at York noting the concerned expression on his face.
He sighed heavily while halting. His hand was still firmly locked with hers, forcing her to stop as well. He turned; she could feel his eyes on her. “I have seen the way you look at Xavier. I know that you would have preferred him as your mate.” He kept his tone low.
Esral took a deep breath and looked up, she worked hard to keep her expression neutral. York frowned. “I’m sorry that things have not worked out the way you would’ve hoped. You came to me and implored me to agree to become your mate.” He took a deep breath. “After much thought, Esral”—he squeezed her hand and even smiled down at her—“I decided that we would make a good team. You need to know that I waited…” His eyes became serious as they narrowed on her. “I gave Xavier a chance to claim you and he never did.”
Pain squeezed her chest causing her to hold her breath for a second. She nodded urging him on. Not ready to respond yet. Her throat was too constricted with the emotion she felt.
“Although this was not your desired outcome, please know that I will do my best to be a good mate. I am sure that in time we will grow to love each other.”
Esral forced herself to smile. Her eyes burned and although her throat was less constricted, a lump formed. She nodded, squeezing his hand back. “I know you will do your best. You are a good male, York. Know that I am grateful for all you have done and I will do my best to honor you once we are mated.” Guilt churned inside her belly.
York gave her a half smile. He was a very handsome male. She only wished that she felt even a smidgen of attraction for him.
“You speak as if I have made a huge sacrifice to be with you. That is not true, princess. The truth is”—his eyes flared with interest and they dipped to her lips—“I am very attracted to you.”
Oh nuts!
Oh good, sweet petunias!
York looked like he wanted to kiss her. Esral lowered her gaze. “Thank you,” she managed to mutter.
The big vamp took another small step towards her, putting him almost chest to chest with her. He slid a calloused hand under her chin, tilting her head up. “I would like to kiss you now, princess. Are we permitted to kiss?”
By all that was green! No!
Esral had to fight to keep from running away, as fast as her nimble, elf feet would take her. She shook her head. “Yes, but I would rather wait until we are mated. I can’t right now…I just can’t.” Her thoughts were of Xavier. His silvery eyes, his endearing frown, the rare moments he smiled. Especially when he smiled for her. Her heart ached for something that could never be.
Confusion caused the creases on his brow to deepen and his eyes to darken. “I don’t wish to scare you, but you do know that I will rut you in two days right? As soon as we finish with the ceremony, I will take—”
She put a hand to his chest and gave him a small push. The big male took a step back of his own accord. There was no way she could’ve actually pushed a big male like him. “I know how it works. I will be ready but would prefer to wait until then.”
York’s expression softened. “I will not force myself on you, princess. Not now and not then.”
“You won’t have to force yourself. I will willingly give you my thorn. It is customary to rut right after the ceremony. We will go into the forest, both of us will wear white. The dirtier our clothing when we attend the celebration afterwards the better. It is considered good luck.”
York looked confused. “Forgive me but you elves have some very weird customs. I still think it would be better if we kissed and maybe touched a little before then.”
Her heart rate picked up but not from excitement.
York used his free hand to lightly touch her arm. “I wouldn’t harm you in any way or push you for more than you were willing to give.” He shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. “I am worried about how you will react on the day though. It might be somewhat overwhelming for someone with such little experience. I don’t think it is wise to go from never even having kissed me to full blown sex.”
“I have attended sex education classes and have seen many pictures. I understand the mechanics. I will not be shocked or afraid.”
York laughed. “Pictures…classes…princess, I am going to enjoy teaching you for real because the reality is very different from what you would find in any book.”
She almost blurted that she agreed with him, feeling her cheeks heat just thinking of how Xavier had made her flower drip with nectar when he had used
his mouth on her.
York’s nostrils flared and he stepped back into her space, his eyes on her breasts and mouth. “I’m going to kiss you now, princess. Do not be afraid.”
She shook her head. “You will have to wait, York. I am not ready. I don’t know you well enough.”
York took a deep breath. “It is going to be difficult to be around you, to scent your need and not be able to ease you but I will do as you request. I only hope you are not afraid when I take your thorn.” He smiled at her. “We will take it slow. I will make sure that it is very enjoyable for you. Do not fear.” He gently caressed her jaw before dropping his hand back to his side.
She had to smile. “Are you not in the least bit afraid?”
York threw his head back and laughed. When he finally regained his composure, he locked eyes with her and shook his head. “I am a vampire elite, I fear nothing. Certainly not rutting you.”
“I am glad to hear that. Please can we walk some more? There is an open meadow to the east of here. I would really like to lie in the sun for a time.”
York groaned. “Sun…that would be wonderful. Lead the way, princess.”
She took the opportunity to slip her hand from his and skipped ahead. Her feet might be light and nimble but her heart weighed heavily in her chest. Her thoughts on one male.
****
“You should quit torturing yourself,” Gideon whispered under his breath.
Xavier clenched his teeth, his eyes firmly on Esral. She lay sprawled out in the open field, surrounded by long grass and wild flowers. The picture she made was of perfection, or it would be if it wasn’t for York lying beside her.
“I will find a way,” Xavier whispered.
“You should’ve taken her last night. You are a better male than I am, because I would’ve done it. Compatible mates do not come by very often.”
Xavier shoved his hands into his pockets. “How do you know that we are compatible? I have never rutted the princess.”
Gideon chuckled softly. “I have ears. You both greatly enjoyed the simple act of touching one another. I am also of the opinion that feelings lead to greater sexual enjoyment.”
Xavier nodded his head. “You are probably right.”
“I know I am right. Two people who love each other will try harder to please one another.”
“You sound like you have known love.” Xavier glanced Gideon’s way, noticing how his face clouded for a second or two in definite pain.
“Yeah. I loved and I lost. What can I say?” The male took a deep breath. “Let’s just say that I understand something of what you are going through.” After a short time of silence he added. “You need to talk with York. Make sure that the male knows you have feelings for the princess. He needs to know that you plan to stop the mating.”
Just then, York pulled himself up onto his elbow, his gaze still on the princess as he hovered over her. He snapped off a long piece of grass and began to tickle her arm with it.
Esral stiffened. If they weren’t so far away, Xavier was sure he would hear her heart rate increase and it damn well wouldn’t be from excitement. Nervous tension radiated off of her instead.
York said something to the princess that Xavier could not make out. The distance was just too great even for his superior hearing. She nodded and relaxed somewhat. York continued to tickle her arm, lightly touching the blade of grass to her skin in long sweeping movements.
Xavier had to work hard to suppress a growl. His jaw was locked, his teeth clamped down hard. Motherfucker!
“You cannot blame him,” Gideon said. “He is merely trying to win his female.”
“Esral is my female. I still have two days.” Xavier knew that he was being irrational and petty but he couldn’t help it. Esral had come to mean so much to him.
Gideon nodded.
“If he tries to touch her, I will remove his arm.” More pettiness, the thing was, he meant every word.
“She won’t allow him to touch her. As much as she doesn’t want to permit herself to hope that you will find a way to fix this, she is holding on none the less.”
Xavier felt his shoulders slump, he scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know how though. I can’t go and see Keto. I can’t find a miracle fucking cure for Katar. I can’t force Esral to turn her back on her culture…her father, and drop this whole fucking charade. I don’t know what to do.”
“Standing here isn’t going to solve anything,” Gideon whispered. His dark eyes on him. “Esral loves you, she’s not going to allow York anywhere near her. No fucking way.”
“I know she won’t. I just feel a little better when I am near her. God, I sound like such a pussy.”
Gideon chuckled. “That is what love does to you my friend. It can turn the biggest, baddest warrior into a blithering idiot.”
Xavier smiled. “You think she loves me?”
Gideon shook his head, he made a small snorting noise. “You have it really bad, my prince. Yes, she has loved you for some time now just as you have loved her. It’s a pity that the two of you were too pigheaded to admit it. Could’ve saved a ton of heartache.”
Xavier nodded. “I could kick myself. I was so sure of everything. Had my life mapped out in great detail. An elven princess did not feature in my plans and now I feel that my future will never be complete without her in it.”
“It won’t. You will be screwed. Trust me…I know.”
Xavier could see pain swirling deep inside Gideon’s eyes.
“To watch your female take another male, to watch her belly swell with his child. It is almost more than one male can take.” His face took on a pinched look. These were things he never knew about Gideon. He took females to his bed like any other red blooded male. It was always casual. To Xavier’s knowledge, there had never been a special female in his life. “Go now,” Gideon growled. “I will watch the princess.”
Xavier nodded.
“Remember to speak with York.” His dark eyes landed on him.
“He knows where I stand,” Xavier said as he moved away.
“I hope you spelled it out because from where I’m standing, he is making every effort to win the princess.” Gideon gestured to York who was still using the grass stem on Esral’s arm.
Xavier growled. “I will have another little talk with him.”
“He needs to understand his place in this, my lord.” Gideon lowered his eyes.
Xavier smiled. “Cut the ‘my lord’ crap. We are friends, feel free to give me advice. I need all the help I can get.”
Gideon nodded.
Xavier took one last look at Esral. She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her pointed ear and licked her raspberry lips. Her beautiful eyes were closed. She looked stunning with the sun on her face and the wind in her hair.
Then he turned and headed back to Pulamor.
Chapter 2
“Father,” Esral heard the wonder in her own voice.
“Daughter,” his voice sounded strong and true. His cheeks held color for the first time since she had seen him and his eyes twinkled brightly. The smile that graced his lips made her heart fill with joy.
“You look amazing.” She walked over to him and took his hand in hers. She couldn’t believe the change in temperature in his hands, from cold and a little clammy to warm and healthy. Even his gray hair didn’t look as stringy and lackluster as it had the day before. The transformation was astounding.
“It is the good news, my darling Esral.” He smiled warmly at her while squeezing her hand. “I am so happy that you are finally going to have the life I always dreamed of for you. That you will soon be mated and taken care of. You need to know that it does not matter to me that he is not royalty. Only your happiness matters, my dear Esral.” His smile broadened. “Now… tell me about this York.”
She smiled back trying hard not to panic. The problem was she didn’t know very much about him. “He is an elite warrior. One of the very best. He is good and kind. York cares greatly for me.”
“How long have you known him?”
“Not very long, father. Although I’ve seen him around the castle, and he has been my guard on occasion, I only really got to know him recently.”
“Love is a strange thing.” Her father winked at her. “You normally know very quickly. We may try and fool ourselves and deny it. There are those that can be downright stubborn but we normally know deep down inside don’t we?”
She nodded, sinking deeper into her chair. It almost felt like he knew about Xavier but that was impossible.
“I am glad that both of you have acknowledged your feelings for one another and that you have not wasted time. You have many years ahead of you to get to know York and for him to get to know you.” He smiled at her. “It seems as if your tonic is working. I actually feel like I’m on the mend and look forward to attending the ceremony.”
“Oh, father…” She sighed and even though her heart was gladdened, a heavy sorrow settled deep within.
He moved, trying to get comfortable and the covers rustled. “I will give your hand to your chosen even if it kills me, daughter.”
She gasped. “Don’t say such a thing, father.”
He chuckled softly. She had missed his smile, his laugh, his wicked sense of humor.
“There will be no dying.” She tried to sound stern and even wagged her finger at him.
“I think I’m going to be okay.” He opened his arms to her and she hugged him tightly, feeling like a little girl. Esral almost wished she could be a child again, carefree and with her whole future ahead of her. She had such plans, hopes and dreams for herself.
****
Esral walked from her father’s chamber. The shadows grew longer and so much darker as night fell. Gideon trailed behind her. It wouldn’t be long before another guard relieved him from his duty. York, as her future mate, was no longer overseeing her safety. Her brother had said that it wouldn’t be right for her future mate to act in that capacity.
Her heart leapt into her throat.
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