“You will know.” The wolf limped into the tree line. “One is your destiny…”
****
One year later
Zander stretched back into the dining room chair as the dishes were cleared and the ladies stood taking leave of the table. Everything he had planned and worked towards was finally coming to light. The Angel they had taken hostage during the battle that ended his father’s long reign of terror a year ago had finally given birth last month. A baby girl with hair the color of spun gold and eyes the color of amber. She was a beautiful baby they claimed. So happy and innocent, she enchanted and melted the cold hearts of every Vampire that looked upon her. Zander would soon see for himself if the rumors were true, but he cared little about her aesthetics. He wanted to see her aura. He needed to see what the mating of two powerful and polar-opposite beings had created. Now that the formality and pretense of this laborious dinner was over, it would not be long.
“I see you are preoccupied in thought.” Zander’s maternal grandfather said from the other end of the long table where he quietly sat.
Zander lifted his eyes to the room’s remaining occupant, Thaddeus, the only one he had ever trusted. His grandfather was banned from royal court the day after Zander’s mother was executed. Dante would have killed him too if it were not for the other male’s engineering marvels. As the lead scientist in Dante’s army, Thaddeus was too much of an asset. Zander’s grandfather was also too clever to act out when delivered the news of his daughter’s death sentence for being a traitor to the crown. Everyone knew it was a lie invented to free Dante of marriage so that he could pursue his next conquest, Ash and Katara’s mother. Nevertheless, Thaddeus had stood amongst the throng as his only child was drawn and quartered, then finally, speared through the heart. The stoic Vampire shielded Zander’s young eyes for the most of it until Dante, in a fit of rage, ordered him to watch the grisly murder. That was the day Zander knew he would one day dance atop his father’s ashes.
“Sorry, I was only thinking about the future.” Zander lifted a glass in toast. “Here’s to the turning tides.”
Thaddeus raised his goblet. “Here is to intelligence and patience.”
“Speaking of patience.” Zander took a swig of wine. “I fear I’m overzealous tonight, grandfather.” He looked back to the doors, assuring they were closed tightly before standing and walking down to where Thaddeus sat. “Do tell me of the last month’s events. Were there any unforeseen issues?”
His grandfather poured another glass. The last year had proven hard to conduct their meetings in secret. Between trying to run his new found kingdom and keeping his notorious sister from ruining every alliance he forged, Zander was short pressed to get away. The last time he met with his grandfather was seven months ago at Thaddeus’s faux wedding. They had very little chance to talk then, due to the little issue with his grandfather needing to get his new and randomly chosen mate with child. All the two had discussed was the success of Thaddeus’s reprogramming experiments. Zander left Northdom Castle that day confident his grandfather would be successful with planting his seed in time to align perfectly with the projected birth of the captive Angel.
And, he had. The two babies were born days apart. Thaddeus killed the only witness, a nursemaid who delivered both babies and proudly announced that he and his mate had twins. He would raise both children as his own. The next day he killed his mate and claimed she was murdered by an uprising rival to the crown. That had served two purposes. One, it was a good excuse as the accused Lord had just opposed a rather important bill Zander was trying to pass, and two, it gave Katara something to gnaw on. With his nosy sister occupied with her favorite subject, revenge, Zander was free to meet alone with his grandfather. Like tonight, void of his inquisitive sister, here in his grandfather’s residence at Northdom castle.
Thaddeus swirled the wine before inhaling its bouquet. “You will be surprised to hear your arch enemy is not the only living Dragon.” He spoke the words as if they carried as little weight as an after dinner comment on the weather.
“What?” Zander nearly spewed his wine as he leapt from his seat.
His grandfather merely arched a perfectly manicured brow. “I see you have still not mastered the perfect poker face.”
“It can’t be! Ash is the only Dragon. There is only one Dragon child per family. The history books…” Zander stared anxiously at his grandfather. “How long have you known of his transformation?”
“The history books were clearly wrong.” Thaddeus splayed his long fingers. “And, I have only known about him being an actual Dragon for one month.”
Zander’s mouth fell open. “Why on earth did you not send word?”
“Sit down!” Thaddeus ordered, annoyed. “You may be King, but you still have some important things to learn, Zander.” He took a sip of wine. “First and foremost is knowing the idiocy of sending a message that the once presumed dead brother of Ashdon LaGoryen is not only alive, but housed in my dungeon. And, has been for the past hundred years. Let us also be sure to add that Teakin LaGoryen is a newly made Dragon no less!” He slammed his fist down firmly on the table like a judge’s gavel adding sarcastically. “And, carrier pigeons are so reliable these days!”
“Of course I did not send the message by means of a fucking bird.” Zander took his seat despite the adrenalin coursing through his veins. Mother of God, Teakin was also a Dragon! "You could have at least sent word for me to come sooner.”
“I was not sending for you until I had the situation figured out and under control.” Thaddeus said.
Zander felt a shiver race up his spine as memories of a black Dragon ripping off the head of his father rushed to his mind. Another beast was housed just beneath where they sat now. “And how are you controlling this?”
“The same way your father controlled Ash and his mother,” his grandfather said calmly. “With love.” He smirked. “Or rather, the fear of losing it.”
“It can’t be…” The last time Zander had seen Teakin was from an observation window in the dungeons. Ash’s brother had been drugged out of his mind and set loose in a cell with the captive Angel. The female was no challenge against the much stronger and deranged male. He raped her repeatedly for hours before Zander’s grandfather finally had to dart him with Ashwood to knock him out. There was no way Teakin could have fallen in love with her. She had been nothing more than an object to the deprived bender that had spent the last hundred plus years undergoing Thaddeus’s reprogramming experiments. Over a century of them. His grandfather had succeeded in reducing the once powerful Vampire to nothing more than a simpleminded animal, incapable of love. “How?”
“I simply stopped his treatments.”
“Why?” Zander was utterly perplexed.
“Zander, I am a scientist,” Thaddeus said. “I was acting on a hunch. An idea nagging me to see if I could reverse the programming and a curiosity to see if Teakin really was nothing more than a talented bender.” He shrugged. “I was right.”
“So what happened? He just fell in love with the Angel and that triggered the Dragon?” Zander asked.
“No.” His grandfather chuckled. “Teakin LaGoryen has not been around this long just to fall for the first woman placed before him. I had to dig deeper than that.” He poured another glass of wine. “I needed a stronger emotion.” He smiled before growing somber and looking into his cup. “Did I ever tell you how much it killed me to lose your mother? My little girl.”
“I don’t think words were ever needed to understand that.” Zander hesitated. “Wait…Are you telling me it was paternal? The emotion that awoke the Dragon in Teakin?” He sat back, stunned. “My word it was…”
“Strongest emotion in existence. The love between a parent and child,” Thaddeus said. “I needed only to let Teakin hold his newborn.”
“You dared to let that beast touch the child!” Zander pushed back to his feet. “He could have killed her and then what?” He accused.
“He was not go
ing to kill her. He could sense her blood tie to himself the moment I entered the cell,” his grandfather scoffed. “Me, on the other hand…” He shook his head. “It took six Ashwood darts to put the emerging Dragon to sleep, but when he woke up he understood the danger she was in if he did not comply.” He waved his hand. “I even let him name her before I killed her mother.”
“So the Angel is dead.” Zander said more for his own confirmation than as an actual question. “Good, she served her purpose well.” Zander paused from where he had started pacing, a sudden curiosity getting the better of him. “What did he name her?”
His grandfather smiled. “A name as lovely as the baby. He called her Merick.”
Merick…The name seemed to whisper the child’s essence around his nostrils and coat his skin in an energy Zander had never felt before. An instant connection. An image of a beautiful angelic young female scribed itself across the recesses of his mind. Zander turned back quickly to face his grandfather. “This could change everything.” They started out only hoping the combined blood of the Angel and the bender would create a strong new hybrid to cultivate in Zander’s army but now…if her father was a Dragon…the baby might grow into one as well. “Is it possible?”
Thaddeus grinned, clearly reading his thoughts with ease. “Anything is possible with Dragons, Zander.” The older Original took a long swig of red wine and swallowed it slowly before placing his goblet back on the table. “They are after all, forged of fire…”
THE END…
Acknowledgements
I would first and foremost like to acknowledge the readers. Without you, these characters would be just figments of my crazy imagination, forever locked in the journal of my mind. Thank you for giving me the chance to share them and their adventures with you.
Secondly, I would like to thank my amazing family and friends who are my biggest fans. My Husband, who acts as my producer, really encouraged me to expand on this book in certain areas and for that, I thank him immensely.
Cheers to my PA's, Lori Myers, who heads up my street team and tirelessly works to help promote me, and Tiffany Landers, who organizes my events and helped market Forged of Fire. You ladies are rock stars!
Claudia Bost, my cover designer, wow, your artwork for this novel is amazing! Thank you and the handsome cover model, Nicolas Simoes, for making Forged of Fire the best looking book on the shelves!
To my wonderful beta readers, Kerry Limpos and Rachelle Rose. You two ladies really are not only amazing friends, but outstanding proof readers!
And lastly to my publishing house, Entertwine, for believing in me and getting my work into the hands of my fans.
Thank you all!
Stacy Von Haegert.
Other Books By Stacy Von Haegert
White Rose Trilogy
Under His Protection
Under His Guidance
Under His Discretion
Your opinion is valued greatly so before you leave please consider leaving an honest review. Thank you for taking the time to read and this book.
Love this genre? Try Neveah A Broken Forever by Angie Merriam. Read ahead for an exclusive excerpt.
~Jax & Annika~
~The Devil with an Angel Face~
He was born Jax Androni to Aldon and Selene Androni just three days before the birth of Annika Levannah. Selene had been the best friend of Eirene Levannah since they were young girls. The two had been inseparable as children and their friendship flowed into adulthood. They were married within weeks of each other and served as each other’s maids of honor. They had always felt blessed that they were able to marry men who would become as close as the two of them.
When Selene announced her pregnancy, it was to no one’s surprise, that Lady Levannah would soon be announcing hers. It was as if the Gods had been watching the two of them and felt the need to bless them together. Both couples couldn’t have been more thrilled when Jax and Annika were born. Aldon and Adair were quick to arrange the marriage of their children and their wives would giggle about the wedding plans.
Jax and Annika grew up together and were the best of friends. They spent many days exploring the land as children. When they were young, they stayed close to home, but as they grew older, their expeditions took them all over Neveah. They both loved adventure and thrived when they stumbled upon a new discovery.
When Annika’s little brother, Denali, was born she had been blind with jealousy. She was only five years old when Denali was born and she ran away to the tree fort her father had built. Jax had gone with her, staying with his friend until she was ready to go home. However, in no time, her brother grew to be a rambunctious little boy who loved going on adventures with his older sister and her best friend. Annika felt lucky to spend all her time with such wonderful boys.
Jax was born with the ability to skin walk and spent countless hours changing into different animals to either impress or frighten Annika. He loved playing tricks on her. Annika was born with the power to calm. She used her ability frequently on Jax. He was slightly bad tempered and she was always there to calm him before he found trouble. She found his tricks amusing and enjoyed his company.
When Annika was sixteen, she went exploring, and for whatever reason she was without Jax. While exploring, she met James Mender, a healer from a close by village. Soon after their first meeting, they would sneak away to see each other. This went on for two years before she realized she had fallen in love with him. James, well aware of Annika’s stature in Neveah, feared rejection from her family. That fear had them keeping their love a secret. Annika hated hiding her love for James and would dream of the day she could tell her family, and Jax, that she had fallen in love.
She dreamed of her wedding to James. She hoped the day she could bring him home to her parents would come soon. James often felt he was not good enough for her, but he loved her too much to let her go. He had thought long and hard about marrying her. He came to the conclusion he would risk rejection if it meant spending the rest of his life with her. Finally, after years of secret rendezvous’, James proposed to Annika. She didn’t have to think before she said yes. She loved James, and all that was him, and couldn’t wait to marry him.
They promised themselves to each other that afternoon when they lay together as virgins and arose as lovers. She left him that day with a promise to him, she would tell her father of their love then she would send for him. She’d felt his seed burry deep inside of her that first time. Pregnancy was felt the moment of conception and, in Neveah, progressed very quickly. They wouldn’t have much time to be married before she began to show. He was to meet her parents that evening at dinner where they would announce their engagement then she would announce that she was with child. She had never been happier and he had never been more nervous. He kissed her goodbye and watched her run down the path to the road. After the afternoon together, he couldn’t imagine spending even a few moments without her, let alone four hours. He set about cleaning up and decided to sit and read while he waited.
She was on her way to tell her parents about James. She couldn’t wait to tell the world she was in love and was anxious to tell her best friend and planned to visit Jax as soon as she spoke to her parents. She just knew he would be so happy for her.
She found her father in the garden behind their home. She ran to him, excitement running through her veins. Her father had heard her coming and turned to greet his daughter. She was prepared to tell him her news, but he quickly spoke first. “Hello dear, I have the most wonderful news,” he had said and she listened, anxious to tell him news of her own. “You are set to marry Jax, my dear. In four weeks’ time our families will become one!” He was grinning ear to ear, his cheeks the color of roses. Annika felt her heart fall. Married? To Jax? She should have seen this coming. She never thought of Jax as anything more than a friend, a brother. “What do you mean, marry Jax, daddy?” Her words were flowing fast, but she was sure her father would understand, if she could just explain. “Daddy, I can’t marry
Jax. He is like my brother. I don’t love him. I am sorry but I won’t marry him. I was coming to tell you I am in love. His name is James and he is part of the healing family.” She was trying to get in as many words as possible before her father cut her off.
“What are you talking about Annie? It’s always been known you and Jax would be married. It was decided the day you were born. You have spent your entire life with him. It has already been arranged. You must tell this other boy goodbye. You have an obligation to this family!” His voice was rising the more he spoke. The rosy glow was turning to a crimson red.
Annika felt heat rise in her own cheeks as well and her heart was hammering in rage. “Obligation! Who gave you the right to promise me to anyone? I don’t love Jax and I will not marry him!” She turned and quickly walked away. She could hear her father’s voice behind her but didn’t bother to listen to the words. She had to get to Jax.
Forged of Fire Page 30
