by Sela Croft
There was the issue of the wall, and Logan was worried about his brother Florian. But he was as glad to be with me, as I was with him. That seemed to overshadow any gloom.
I had my own room for privacy, which oddly I didn’t crave. I spent most of my hours with Logan, and since we had no physical need for sleep that meant we had plenty of time together. We became physically intimate which seemed so natural and beautiful. I’d had no idea what I’d been missing.
Logan and I spend endless hours talking. We got to know each other as never before. I mentioned the time that he’d shown me his city. So, we decided to take a ride and see it again.
Kaida swooped onto the terrace and we climbed on her back. “Shall I give you a tour?”
“Yes, please, we want to see everything,” I said and stroked one of her shimmery wings. With my arms around Logan’s waist, we sailed high over his kingdom.
The view was as breathtaking as ever. The sprawling city was gold and blue hues of crystal reaching into the sky. It surrounded a body of water with various boats docked at the marina. In the distance, I spotted Natasha’s residence with the gardens all around.
The sky was dark but lit with gleaming stars. And the air was cool but comfortable. We soared over Logan’s kingdom, admiring the beauty. The forested mountaintops and the tiny villages were like a picture postcard.
I was so in love. Even though I hadn’t fallen in love before and had no earlier experience with it, there was no doubt that I loved Logan with all my heart. I hugged him tightly as we glided over the landscape of Shadowland.
The tour had been memorable. We’d talked on and on about his realm, all the sights to see and all the beauty. It had been special to share it.
I’d told Logan a lot about my life in Oregon, little things that he wouldn’t have known otherwise. I remembered the picture of Rosamon and me dressed up for junior prom. Noah had worn a tux, the only time I’d seen him in one. And he’d escorted us to the dance.
We’d had so much fun. One of my last memories of home was holding the framed picture of us, remembering that night and cherishing it.
Logan decided to recreate that event and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He called in a local seamstress to make the dresses. Mine was a striking mint green and my sister’s dress was a pale pink that set off her blue eyes. A hairstylist managed our hair, so we each had our hair up with a few lose tendrils. It made me feel like a princess.
Logan’s staff set up a ballroom that was much more elegant than our high school gymnasium, even as decked out as it had been for the school dance. We dressed up and went to prom, all over again. Natasha provided lovely corsages to match our dresses.
Tuxedos were tailored for Logan and Noah. With their vampire bodies and gleaming eyes, they were more stunning than Rosamon and I. We danced until we were exhausted. And drank champagne. I was glad to learn that I could still imbibe in such pleasures.
In a private moment, Logan gave me a gift. It was an incredible opal ring. The ring was a delicate design of golden leaves and twigs. The opal shown in a blend of hues of pink, blue, and mint green.
“That was my mother’s,” Logan said. “She left it for me to give to the woman I love.” He put the ring on my ring finger and lifted the stone to his lips. “You have my heart.”
I gazed at the ring in awe.
“I hope you meet my mother Raphina soon. She bestowed the ring before leaving the city. And told me that it would keep me safe. All I had to do in a time of emergency was rub the stone.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
Logan kissed me tenderly. “I haven’t tested it.” He wrapped me in a loving embrace, making me long to be with him always. Being together for eternity was possible, considering my new vampire state.
The prom was special, better than the first one. It was like a fairy tale.
It was an evening I’d remember…forever.
Chapter 46
Logan
Recreating a special evening for Callie had given me immense pleasure. I loved her so much. And knowing she loved me too, meant everything. Giving her the opal ring was significant. It was a symbol of what she meant to me. Seeing it on her finger gave me great joy.
Late that evening, we’d found a dark alcove, so we could be alone. I’d tasted Callie’s sweet lips and nuzzled her neck, then she’d kissed me back with passion suited to a gorgeous vampire. In the heat of passion her fangs extended, and she eyed my neck lustfully.
Remembering the experience of drinking each other’s blood excited me, and I thought of doing so again with anticipation. It felt as though we’d always been bonded in that way. Yet it hadn’t been very long at all. We kissed and touched and loved, blocking out the world. There in the shadows, in a dimension of our own, we were together as one. And anything seemed possible.
I was concerned about Florian but didn’t bring that up to Callie. She felt bad enough about it. Yet I didn’t know if my brother was dead or alive. The wall could not be breached, so it was impossible to find out.
I was appreciative that the Fae had been stopped. My realm was in relative peace and the fighting had ceased. In that way, Bram had really helped us.
For now, there was no need to launch offensives and no way to do it, anyway. There was time to build up our defenses. In my experience, life was composed of change. No matter how solid that wall appeared, it didn’t mean that it wouldn’t come down…someday.
Nor did it mean that the Fae wouldn’t figure out how to get around it. Surely, they were trying just as we were. It was wise to prepare for such eventualities.
In a quieter moment, I reflected on what Natasha had said to me, so long before. She had been unwilling to share the details of her visions. But she’d stressed how much my choices would cost. There was always a price to pay, a fact that she’d been as saddened by as I was.
There had been costs. And there would be more. Yet I held out hope that Florian would be returned to us. Not one to give up, I had the wall regularly tested on the chance that some egress could be created. The armies attempted different ways to break through. They even tried to dig underneath it, but that proved as impossible as every other way.
Florian put together sources of magic, doing his best to undo the spell. I even sent a message to Morrigan to make a plea for her help. She was an age-old sorceress, so there was a possibility that she could undo Bram’s handiwork.
Meanwhile, I had a chance to build a life with Callie. I didn’t know how long she’d stay. If she asked me to, I’d return her to the outside world, along with her sister. Yet she hadn’t mentioned it and seemed happy in Shadowland with me.
At times, I sensed that something nagged at Callie. She continued to be uneasy beneath the surface of happiness and joy. I didn’t press her to tell me about it, as I knew she would when she was ready.
There was something of my own that I didn’t share, too. My mother Raphina had been in hiding since my father’s death. It had been too dangerous to visit her, or even to communicate. There was always the chance of prying eyes or listening ears.
With the wall up, it felt safer. I chanced sending a message to her. I did so discreetly, sure that no one could intercept. I shared that the war had abated. That it might be temporary, but it was the first time. I assured her that I would let her know if the realm’s peace was stable and would tell her when it was safe to come home.
I adored my mother, although I didn’t indulge in the luxury of thinking of her too often. I missed her. We all did. Her last words to me had been meant as encouragement. She was a seer like my sister. I valued her insight and now it seemed even more astute.
There is hope, but it will come in an unexpected form. You must stay alert my beloved son, and grasp onto opportunity when it is presented. Your father cast you into the role of prince for a reason. Your wisdom and leadership ability will guide you well, if you gain favor with powerful allies.
Those had been her words, her way to tell me that I had a role to play.
And that I could do it well. The prediction had come to pass. To me, Callie was the unexpected form. Her appearance in the realm had changed everything and had brought hope.
As far as the opportunity, I wasn’t certain if that was to come or had already happened. I’d been given another chance to rule my kingdom and I’d seized upon it. My position of authority had been restored. I was again the vampire prince, the ruler of Shadowland, destined to be king. My actions must deem me worthy of the role, but I was confident that I would garner support.
In the eyes of the council and my kingdom, I had acted to end the war. The rash move to go away with Callie has proven to be wise. The result had been peace, and for that my people were grateful.
My mother had been confident that I’d been chosen to lead for a reason. And Natasha believed so, too. My sister assured me that it had taken strength and conviction to give up my throne. At the time, I hadn’t known it would be temporary. Another might have chosen power and position over love.
A major change was that Callie was a vampire. Her power was magnified by the sorceress blood in her veins. We’d risked all for a chance to save the kingdom. And so far, it had worked out. The mutual blood drinking had been traumatic.
But Callie had weathered it well. She was a strong person, even stronger now. Yet the experience of that blood sharing had faded from her mind. She didn’t seem to recall all that had transpired; she’d lost many of the memories we’d shared while transforming her into a vampire.
Except that Callie would ask about my past, sometimes. Something about it piqued her interest, some event she was curious about. But otherwise, our life together was about the present and the future we would create.
Chapter 47
Logan
Weeks later, our relative peace and happiness was disrupted. Callie and I received some unexpected visitors. We waited in the sitting room, until my servant ushered the guests in.
We’d been graced by a visit from Natasha, Morrigan, and a mysterious third woman. That woman wore a floor-length cloak with the hood up, so that her face could not be seen. She took a seat in the corner away from us. The woman didn’t say a word.
Natasha was all pale skin and honey blond hair. But her green eyes gave away the worry or distress she held within. We hugged then she backed away.
Morrigan was all in black with ornate rings on every finger. Her blond hair waved all the way down to her waist. With her crimson lips and dark eyes, she was as striking as ever.
My curiosity was overridden by annoyance. “Nice of you to show up,” I said to Morrigan, “after all this time.”
Natasha didn’t intercede, since the irritating sorceress was more than capable of defending herself. I thought that maybe she’d come to collect. I hadn’t forgotten the price she’d named for getting us into the Fae prison. But she seemed intent on another matter.
“Well, Logan, I’m glad to see you too.” Morrigan looked us over. “It seems the vampire life agrees with Callie.”
Callie leaned closer to me. “Hello, Morrigan. It appears that you know much about recent events.”
“I know plenty.”
“Then why didn’t you respond to my plea for help. You might have, at least, made an effort to take down that wall,” I said to Morrigan. “Or did you doubt your ability?”
Morrigan chuckled. “Still the rapier wit, vampire prince. But I must tell you that I had good reason for not responding to your request.”
I glared at her. “Let’s hear it then.” One glance at my sister assured me that she knew what Morrigan was about to say. I sensed her support of the sorceress which further aroused my curiosity.
All eyes were on Morrigan. “Your sister and I have been magically manipulated by a much more powerful sorcerer.”
“Well, that’s a new one.” In all the centuries I’d known Morrigan, that was the first time she’d admitted to being manipulated by another. “Is this true, Natasha?” I said, looking at my sister.
“Yes, it is true,” Natasha said. “I wish it wasn’t so, but I attest to what the sorceress is telling you.”
I addressed my questions to Morrigan. “Who is this powerful sorcerer? And what magic did he work?
My sister’s concern was evident, but she allowed Morrigan to deliver the news.
“What I must explain is that everyone has been used by Bramwell Mayfair,” the sorceress said. “We’ve all been his puppets.”
Callie leaped to her feet. “I’ll have you know that my father instructed me on how to get Rosamon out of prison. And it was his magic that formed the wall that saved us all. In case you haven’t noticed, the battles have stopped, and the killing has ceased.” She took a breath. “Yet you dare to say such things about him.”
“That was only part of his plan,” Morrigan said without missing a beat. “And, if you recall, when you came to my castle I had been unable to identify a presence in the prison. On that trip I made with you, I sensed it…and it scared me. I cautioned against pursuing the rescue of your sister.”
Callie threw up her arm. “You can’t mean my father.”
“That is exactly the man I’m referring to.” Morrigan’s voice rose in her agitation. “And his name is not Bramwell Mayfair. I have positively identified him as Seth.”
“Seth?” I said. The name didn’t sound familiar.
“Seth…the most powerful sorcerer, ever to have lived.” Morrigan let that sink in. “Seth was placed in that prison thousands of years ago. He was put there for a good reason. The man is evil.” She took a deep breath. “And he has manipulated all of us to escape his cage.”
“This is unbelievable,” I said.
Callie sank onto the sofa cushion, her eyes glassy. “Oh my god.”
Natasha spoke up. “I had visions while you were away, Logan. I told Florian where and when the Fae would attack.”
“I thought that your visions had become hard to decipher. And those that you saw, you seemed unwilling to share,” I said.
“That is true,” my sister said. “Then I got visions as I described and was compelled to share them with Florian. I saw a way for the vampires to win.”
“But then Valter achieved victory after victory,” I said, “until Florian became suspicious of such unbridled success.”
“You see, what I say is true,” Morrigan said.
I was astounded. “Bram…I mean Seth…wanted the Fae driven back into their realm, all along. He wanted control of them, unencumbered by the vampire armies.”
“He’s bitter; don’t think he’s not,” Morrigan said. “He once maintained control of the Fae realm and enslaved the inhabitants. And he was responsible for many other horrendous deeds. By some miracle, the true rulers of that realm were able to cage him, before he destroyed all.”
“How did they do it?” Callie said.
“That prison, and his cell, were created by several sorcerers working together. Only their combined magic was powerful enough to overcome Seth’s.” Morrigan shook her head. “But now…”
“Seth was best left in his cage,” Natasha said. “He’s vindictive and there’s not a chance that he will forgive what’s been done to him.”
“I’m trying to make sense of all of this,” Callie said. “How does this fit with my sister and me being drawn into this land? Did Seth know about that?”
“From what I can tell,” Morrigan said, “the Fae king Jabari knew about Seth’s offspring. It was his aim to use the combined power of you and your sister to cast a spell that would wipe out the vampires for good.”
Callie looked devastated. “But we would never do that.”
Natasha looked up with an expression of sadness. “You say that but look at all you have done…at all that has happened.”
“Once you and Rosamon were in Shadowland, Seth knew of it, and saw his way out,” Morrigan said. “If only he could win your trust, he could coerce you into freeing him and restoring him to his dictatorship over the Fae.”
Callie’s voice was barely a whisper
. “And it worked.”
“Even I was a pawn in his game,” I said. “He convinced me that the war would rage unabated, unless we all got out of the prison, including him. Only then could we take action to stop the tragedy.” I paused. “He knew that if he played into my loyalty to my kingdom, to all that I loved, that I would go along with his plan.”
“Then Rosamon and I let him manipulate us into creating a wall to separate the realms, which was what he wanted in the first place. And that succeeded in trapping innocent people on the wrong side.”
“Not that he cared about that,” Morrigan said. “Seth has what he wants. He’s back in power, freed of any encumbrance and able to wield his evil.”
Morrigan and Natasha stared at us. Callie buried her face against my shoulder and wrapped her arms around me. I was stunned. “This is a disaster.”
Chapter 48
Logan
It appeared that Morrigan wasn’t done with her revelations. “Seth’s manipulation is far more insidious than you can easily conceive of. He used his magic to impregnate Sadie, your mother.” She glanced at Callie, then hesitated. “And he took control of Bramwell Mayfair’s body to make it all appear realistic—but that’s a story for some other time.”
Callie had received one alarming piece of news after the other. But she didn’t look like she’d faint. I reminded myself that she was now a vampire, and much stronger than I gave her credit for.
“How do you know all of this?” I said.
Morrigan nodded to the cloaked figure in the corner, the woman I’d forgotten about. “The thing is that Seth no longer requires our compliance. He has what he wants. He’s using his power in the Fae realm for evil purposes that we wouldn’t have known about—unless we’d been able to get this woman out.”
Natasha nodded to Morrigan, then she motioned for the cloaked woman to show herself.
“Who is this woman?” Callie said.
The mysterious woman stood before us, then pulled the cowl back from her face to reveal her identity.
