by T. S. Ryder
They were going down, she could feel as they descended a steep set of stairs. The dungeon, that was where they were taking her. Down and down they went as the air around her grew cold and damp. She could hear someone far off moaning in pain.
Finally, they reached level ground. The vampire took a few steps and then threw Avery roughly onto the cold, wet floor where she was unraveled from the fabric until finally she was free.
Gasping for breath she looked around the dark cell. It smelled terrible, like stagnant water and human waste. The three stone walls were wet and cold, the fourth wall was iron bars. The vampire that had grabbed her, slammed the door and laughed at her from the other side.
“Why are you doing this?” Avery screamed. She jumped up and raced toward the bars, but there was nothing she could do but weakly pull at them.
“Human whore,” the woman said her face in a nasty sneer. “You’re getting exactly what you deserve.”
“I demand you release me. I am the Flower of the Court to the Crown Prince Alastair Thorne. I share his bed and I am protected by him.”
The woman scoffed and said. “Look how far his protection has got you.”
“He’ll know I’m missing. He’ll come looking for me.”
“It will be far too late when he does,” the vampire said as she nodded behind Avery. That sick, twisted smile appeared again.
There was something behind her. Taking a deep breath, Avery turned around slowly. In the far back corner of her cell was a body, next to it a large sack overflowing with gold coins. The body was slumped over and clearly dead. She moved slowly towards it.
She toed the corpse and it fell over.
She couldn’t scream. It got trapped in her throat, her mouth was open, her eyes wide. She was screaming and screaming, but no sound came out. It was her brother. It was Tristan. It looked like something had ripped his throat open. His body was pale save for the huge red gash across his throat.
“I was almost impressed with his arrogance,” Avery recognized the cold voice of Myrcel instantly. “He tried to blackmail me. Can you believe it? This peasant dressed as a guard. I laughed right in his face. He didn’t like that, fortunately, he didn’t live long in his anger.”
Avery turned and looked at the tall beautiful Vampire Princess. Even here, in this dungeon, she was stunning. Her long blond hair was perfectly arranged and her clothes were the finest Avery had seen. But always there was that snide expression on her face.
“I want you to know something,” Myrcel said slowly. Her eyes never leaving Avery’s. “You are nothing. You are not special. You are not going to bear a great hybrid King. You are a whore and a plaything. Alastair can put all the fancy jewelry he wants on you. It changes nothing. I am his wife. I will bear his heir, not some human slut.”
“You think he would return to you after hearing about this?” Avery demanded. “He loves me. He hates you. If he finds out you’ve touched me his vengeance will be swift and fierce.”
“Yes, if that were the case. But Alastair will hear of none of this. What he will hear is that you attempted to escape with your brother, a bag full of his treasures in your hands. You were found by the guards and you tried to run, but took a terrible fall. The palace is filled with my allies. I will have witnesses to confirm it.”
“He won’t believe you,” Avery said.
“He will have no choice but to believe me. I will have all the proof and you will be nothing more than a messy smear on the ground. Don’t worry little human, he will not mourn long. He has had many playthings before you and he will have many after you are gone. In a few years, you will be nothing more than a hazy, distant memory and my son will take the throne. Everything is falling into place now. Enjoy these last few moments, human. Death is coming for you.”
She turned and walked away. Panic flooded Avery’s veins. She needed to do something. She struggled at the bars, but they were built into the walls. She searched the bag, hoping for something to use as leverage, but there was only the soft and malleable gold.
She took a deep breath and turned over her brother’s body hoping he had some tool on him. His skin was cold and she tried her best to avoid looking at the huge gash on his neck. But his pockets were empty. She was trapped.
Forlornly she touched her belly. A smear on the pavement. That was her destiny. She would never give birth to the human vampire hybrid that would reunite the Kingdoms.
Chapter Eleven
He opened his doors and was surprised that Avery wasn’t waiting for him. He had got used to her always being there. But now that she wore the Flower she could come and go as she pleased. He took off his jacket and his boots and moved over to his table, looking for a correspondence. There on the table was the carved box the flower came in.
He smiled when he looked at it, it would bring Avery safety. But as he looked at the box, something shone from the corner, so he reached over and flipped the top up. The necklace was inside, one of the strands hanging out a little bit.
Why wasn’t she wearing it? If she left his chambers without it, there was no protection for her. Something twinged in the back of his head. His instincts were that of a warrior and he knew to trust them.
“Avery!” he shouted. He raced around his rooms, checking everywhere, but there was no sign of her. She wasn't here. Where was she? What had happened? There was no sign of struggle, nothing overturned, no clue of what might have happened to her.
Myrcel, it had to be. There was no one else who hated Avery. Even his father approved of the human.
Storming down the hallway he raced to Myrcel’s rooms, throwing open the door. A maid went scurrying away. But he was too fast for her. He grabbed the girl and held her fast.
“Where is your mistress?” Alastair demanded. She cried out and shook her head back and forth. “Do not make me ask you again.”
“Dungeon,” the girl whispered and he dropped her and raced down the hallway. Every step seemed to take an eternity. It felt like he was trying to run through water. This was a nightmare. One where he couldn’t get where he needed to go fast enough. It felt like miles between him and the dungeons.
He raced down the stairs two at a time and found the dungeon master. He grabbed him by the throat and pushed him back against the cold walls.
“Where is she?” he demanded.
“Who, My Lord?” the dungeon master said. His voice choked as Alastair tightened his grip. “Lie to me and there will be no end to the suffering I bring to you.”
“Please, My Lord. The Princess, she threatened my daughters-”
“Where are they!?” Alastair screamed.
“The lowest level, My Lord,” the dungeon master answered. Alastair threw him against the walls and raced down. Guards got out of their way as he passed, their mouths hanging open.
“Come with me,” he ordered and they all fell in line behind him.
The lowest level, they raced down to the deepest dungeon. This was where they put the real criminals. The ones who they made suffer as much as they could. It was no place for his soft human. She would never survive down there. The door was locked, but one of the guards had a key. He quickly opened it and then stepped into his own fetid dungeon.
“Avery!” he screamed.
“Alastair!” the call was far away. It echoed around the dungeons.
“Find her,” Alastair ordered and the men scattered and began racing through the jail. He called her name again, but there was no answer. Someone must have her and they must be covering her mouth with their hand. The thought enraged him. He would kill that person and rip out their throat with his teeth.
He raced towards where he last heard her voice. He came around the corner and there was Myrcel. She looked at him furiously, baring her teeth.
“You go too far, Myrcel!” Alastair screamed, vibrating with rage.
“I go too far? You bring this human peasant into your bed. You give her The Flower of the Court. You would have her sons replace mine and I am expected to do nothing! B
earing an heir is my right.”
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“The prophecy! It decries that the human who will lay with the Vampire King and bear a son that unites the empire.”
He pushed past her. There in the cell was Avery. A strong vampire woman had her hand around her throat.
“I am the Crown Prince, I order you to release her,” the woman’s eyes travelled between him and Myrcel and then fell on the dozens of guards who had gathered around them. They were whispering to each other, the words son and prophecy echoing in the room. Finally, the female vampire released Avery.
Alastair threw the door open and she ran to him. He grabbed her in his arms and glared at his wife.
“We are done, Myrcel. Prophecy or no prophecy, Avery is the only woman who will bare my sons.”
Myrcel gaped at him, her mouth hanging open as Alastair hurried Avery up the stairs.
Epilogue
The Fire Islands were beautiful. The shores were white sandy beaches backed by blue ocean waters. The interior was a thick jungle. Everything burst with life. Fish practically jumped into fisherman’s nets. Fruits dripped with succulent juices, falling from the trees when they were ripe.
To Avery, who had spent her life in dirty back alleys and old caravans, it was a paradise. Alastair put her in a house right on the beach for her confinement. Every morning she woke to a strong ocean breeze blowing the heat away. She strolled the beaches, her feet sinking into the sand. Servants met her every need as the baby grew inside of her.
In a few months’ time, they would return to the palace, but the Vampire Princess would no longer be there. In his infinite kindness, Alistair had given a gift to Myrcel—Castle Deep Stone. It was located seven leagues to the north of the Severed Lands, buried deep in the northern mountains. When he, Avery and their child returned, the Vampire Princess would be long gone.
Alastair had no trouble putting down the small uprising of the Fire Islands. The rebels put up only a paltry fight and the people were happy to see them defeated. By the time the baby was due, he was back from his campaign and sleeping beside her.
It was a moonless night when her contractions started. She gave birth to their son in the bungalow with the roaring sea behind them. A beautiful, perfect boy they named Brandon.
With the birth over and her eyes heavy with sleep, Avery watched as her Vampire Prince held their little baby in his arms. He was so gentle and delicate with Brandon and Avery allowed her eyes to close knowing that he would permit no danger to befall them.
“Our son,” she heard him whisper and her heart swelled.
*****
THE END
The Vampire Prince's Baby
Description
A curvy orphan looking for a man to free her PLUS a sexy Vampire Prince on a quest to gain the throne PLUS two dangerous fights that must be won!
It's a great honor to be chosen to marry a son of the Vampire Empress.
Found Burlap doesn't care about honor. She also doesn't care that mating with a vampire might kill her. All she cares about is getting away from the boring orphanage she grew up in.
When Vampire General Alexandru offers her that chance, she accepts without hesitation.
Alexandru has just one thought on his mind when he chooses Found to be his mate, producing a child so that he can prove himself worthy to be the Empress' heir and take on the title of Emperor someday. The Empress has decreed that only a son with a human mate who bears his child may have the honor and Alexandru is determined that he is the one she will choose.
But there are dangerous obstacles in the way. Bear Shifters are threatening his territories and he must take action. Plus Alexandru's jealous brother Vlad has his eye on his bride.
Alexandru will not rest until he manages to claim the Empress' favor–and Found–for his own. Will he manage to do so? Only one way to find out.
Chapter One
Alexandru opened the throttle on his refurbished 1969 Harley Davidson, enjoying the feel of the wind on his face. The night was inky about him and it was only by going this fast that he could push past the hunger that burned in his throat. He had a couple of blood bags in his backpack, but he was too impatient to stop and drink.
As a general of the Vampire Empress, he held extensive lands that he protected from both Shifters, animalistic beings that could shift from human to animal forms, and his own brothers. Well, half-brothers. All of them shared a father, but Alexandru's mother had only given birth to him and his sister.
He often traveled across his territory, but rarely had the opportunity to take the time to just enjoy riding. He always had business to attend to.
And that was what he was doing here, riding along the rough roads between large stretches of fields full of crops and animals. Snatches of smells–pig, cow, tree, asphalt–all bombarded his senses as he rode, blowing away as quickly as they came.
The Vampire General passed a broken sign that read Bayside Orphanage and headed for the large house at the end of the gravel driveway. It wasn't in terrible repair, but it could use a fresh coat of paint and a new roof.
He could almost smell her blood already—the girl he had chosen was waiting for him. It had only been a few weeks since he sent out a call for all women of child-bearing age in his land to send a droplet of blood to him so that he could take a human bride. The moment he scented hers, he knew she was his.
The orphanage mistress, a tiny, wrinkled woman, waited for him on the steps. He cut his engine, put the kickstand down and approached her.
"My Lord, please spare the girl," the mistress rasped. "She has done nothing."
"Step aside," Alexandru said impatiently. "My bride awaits me."
Since the death of the Emperor, Alexandru's father, the Empress had refused to drink vampire blood. As a result, her mortality was returning and it was impossible not to see the lines on her face or the gray in her hair. She appeared to age more every day.
Her sons would continue their faithful servitude towards her for as long as she lived, but it would not be yet another seventy years before she was laid to rest beside their father. Once she was gone, the brothers would divide into factions, warring against one another until a new Emperor took his place.
"Master, the girl is an innocent," the mistress tried again, but Alexandru pushed past her.
The Empress hated to think of her sons killing each other, as well as the toll such a war would take on human lives. So she decreed that she would name one of the generals, vampires who had already proven their military aptitude, as her heir.
The catch was that he must have a mortal wife and a child from her in his arms before he was considered possible to be the heir and next Emperor.
Alexandru always knew he was meant to take his father's place and had been building his army and power since he was old enough to shoot a gun. This new declaration meant he had to adjust his plans, but he was certain that he could control the bloodlust that caused his brothers to kill their wives, rather than mate them.
As he stepped into the orphanage, his eyes found his bride instantly. The almost non-existent beat of his heart sped.
She stood near an empty hearth. An alluring, delicious scent wafted off her dark olive skin, and her slanted dark eyes gazed steadily at him. Alexandru drew in a deep breath. There was no fear in her scent. A suitcase sat near her feet and she picked it up.
"Let me look at you first," he instructed.
She set the suitcase down and stepped forward. "Do you wish me to undress?"
The mistress, who had followed him in, whimpered.
Alexandru shook his head. "I can see everything I want with you clothed."
He circled her, feeling uncomfortable like he was inspecting a prize horse rather than the woman who would be his wife. She had good, wide hips that would be perfect for birthing. Her breasts were the size of a grapefruit and would provide his children plenty of milk. She was a good, stout girl—thick and strong, not like the wives his brothers
kept choosing.
"If you come with me, you will never return," he told her, stopping to stare down at her. She had to crane her neck to meet his eyes.
"That's why I sent in my blood. I want nothing more than to get away from this place."
The orphanage mistress gasped. "Do you think so cruelly of me?"
"I think nothing of you at all," the girl replied, not moving her eyes from the Vampire General. "I was born for better things than a lifetime in an orphanage."
"If you go with him, you were born for death!"
"Perhaps I was, then."
Alexandru's brow rose. Odd… she did not scent of depression. He didn't think she was as willing to die as she made herself believe. He put an arm around her, breathing deeply of her scent. O-negative. It was the only blood type that could bear vampire young, although the reasons for this were unknown. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her out to his motorcycle.
"My things," she protested.
"You have no need of them any longer." Alexandru deposited her onto the bike and climbed on himself. "We will be wed before sundown tomorrow and you will have everything you could want at your fingertips."
The girl nodded. "What should I call you?"
"Alexandru. It's my name. And you?"
"Found," she said, her arms tightened around his middle. "Found Burlap."
***
When Found woke the next morning, she had the briefest moment of panic. Her, marrying a vampire general? There was nothing special about her, nothing that warranted Alexandru coming to rescue her from that orphanage where day in and day out she thought she might shrivel up and die from boredom. She should have been released long ago, being a legal adult for almost three years now, but with nowhere else to go, she had stayed.
