by Abella Ward
Jonas smiled, back in control. "Well, what I've wanted from the start… I thought that I could provoke you to anger, to do something that would be unforgivable to turn the public against you, but apparently your temper has been overstated. What I want is for you to step down from being the king. I want you to give me the crown."
Adam laughed, too surprised by this to take it seriously. "Why would I do that?"
"Publically, because I am a savvy businessman and I can pull our struggling economy back from the brink. Unofficially… because I will kill Wanda and all the other humans in my employ if you don't."
At that moment, Adam wanted nothing more than to rip off Jonas's head. He started forward with a snarl on his lips but just managed to stop himself. Jonas probably had given orders to kill the girls if anything happened to him. As much as he wanted to kill him, Adam couldn't risk it.
"Nobody will accept that. If you try, you'll have a civil war on your hands in no time."
Jonas shrugged. "If you don't do as I say, then you'll have a dead Wanda on your hands. Which one are you more willing to risk?"
Adam growled again. He sucked in a deep breath and nodded reluctantly. For the first time in what felt like forever, he had someone who didn't fear him, who looked at him and saw who he was, not the demon-king he was reported to be. He couldn't let anything happen to her.
"And my brother?" he pressed. "You'll release him from—"
"Release him?" Jonas barked out a laugh. "You think he's my prisoner? No. He's the one who handed the girl over to me in the first place."
Ice flooded Adam's veins. Christopher had betrayed him? No! It couldn’t be! Christopher would never have done that. He opened his mouth to tell Jonas that he knew he was lying, but before he could, the doors leading into the room burst open. Wanda, followed by a half-dozen girls carrying weapons that ranged from kitchen knives to knitting needles, streamed in.
"We don't belong to you," she shouted. She caught sight of Adam and her eyes widened. "Adam, kill him! Kill him now!"
All the girls let out wild screeches and attacked the vampires with their pitiful weapons. Jonas let out a strangled yelp, shock flashing over his face. A vampire grabbed one of the girls with a knitting needle and Wanda sunk her steak knife into his arm. As he howled, the needle girl stabbed her weapon through his eye. The vampire stumbled back as blood spurted into the air.
Adam leaped into the fray. The girls cut and stabbed with all their strength but the vampires were far stronger. Their initial attack may have drawn blood, but the tide turned quickly.
Jonas growled and lunged for Wanda. Red washed over Adam's vision. With a roar, he tore his suit jacket apart, freeing his range of motion. He was on Jonas before the other vampire knew what hit him. Knee to stomach, elbow to the back of the neck. Jonas fell. Adam turned to the next vampire.
All the noise seemed to fade into the background. Adam's heartbeat remained steady and even, the rage and fury washing away as he methodically grabbed first one vampire, then the next. Fist to kidneys. Take a knife from one of the girls. Slid it through a vampire's ribs. Next attacker. Grab the head, slam it against the wall. Twist sharply as the vampire dropped. Next one, knitting needle up under the ribs. The vampire grabbed a girl as a shield. Break both arms, wait for the girl to slip away, tear open vampire's throat.
When the last vampire dropped, Adam came back to himself. He stared around at the carnage as if waking from a dream. Bile rose in his throat, and his hands began shaking.
"No," he whispered. The taste of blood was strong in his mouth.
The berserk blood rage hadn't taken over him since the last battle he had been in. He didn't want to be this… this mindless killing machine: the beast that used his anger and temper to defeat his enemies when it might have been able to be resolved peacefully…
A hand laid on his arm. Adam jumped, then glanced down to see Wanda. Her eyes were wide like saucers, but she still wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. He embraced her back, shoulders shaking. The other girls stared at him in shock and fear, but they weren't cowering from him.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" one of them said, her voice hushed. "You saved us."
Adam blinked. He looked around again. Some of the vampires groaned, in pain and maimed, but not dead. He hadn't killed them all? His arms tightened around Wanda. She was here. There wasn't a scratch on her. The other girls looked worse for wear, but he hadn't hurt any of them. The other vampires had attacked, but he had protected them.
The king swallowed hard. "I… didn't hurt any of you."
"No." Wanda cupped his face in her hands. "You saved us."
Relief washed over him. With a cry that was half-triumphant, half-sob, he wrapped his arms around her again. He wasn't a mindless killing machine. He didn't always hurt those he loved. Unexpected tears filled his eyes as Wanda clung to him. He wasn't what he had always feared – and it was time to let go of the past and move on… to the future.
Chapter Twelve – Wanda
Several weeks after Jonas was taken down for good, Wanda was outside, eagerly struggling through Harry Potter when a car pulled up to the front of the palace. Christopher and Melissa got out of it. Wanda bolted upright, jaw dropping. There had been no sight of the king's brother since that day. He looked better rested than when she had seen them then, but he was grim-faced. Melissa clung to his hand as they headed in.
Wanda jumped to her feet. Adam had been terribly hurt by Christopher's actions, and now he was back. What did he want? Did he think that he was just going to get off scot-free? Her lips pursed tight and hands clenching, she followed the two in. Christopher walked fast, and Wanda was out of breath by the time she caught up – right outside of Adam's office.
"What do you think you're doing?" Wanda hissed at him at the same time as a joyful cry came from inside the office.
They stepped in and Lena threw herself at Christopher. She hugged him tightly. Wanda skirted them and stood by Adam. The king was utterly frozen, anger and grief mingling on his face. He reached his hand over to Wanda and she took it, squeezing gently.
She scowled at Christopher. Hadn't he done enough? Why come back and put Adam in this position?
"Adam," Christopher said stiffly. He stepped past his mother, releasing Melissa's hand. "I know that what I did was… I'm here to turn myself in. I will accept whatever judgment you pass on me. But I want you to know I would have done it again. I love Melissa, and I had to save her no matter the consequences. I'm sorry that I put Wanda in danger, but—"
Adam held up his hand, silencing his brother. He stood slowly, hand still in Wanda's. She squeezed again but had no idea what he was going to do.
"Adam, he's your brother," Lena said. "Your brother."
Adam didn't reply to that. He rounded the desk, only releasing her hand when their arms were stretched out to the fullest. The air was thick with tension as he stepped up to his brother. Christopher shivered but stood straight and tall. He swallowed and nodded, clearly expecting Adam to do something horrible.
The king put his hands on his brother's shoulders. "Christopher. I've been so worried for you."
He pulled him into an embrace. Christopher's eyes widened, shock flitting over his face. Adam held him tightly like he was never going to let go. Lena smiled. Wanda frowned, but, after a moment, nodded. Maybe Christopher had betrayed him and would be punished for it, but Adam still loved his brother. There had been enough pain. It was time for the healing to begin.
"You could have told me," he said. "I would have given you the money."
Christopher sniffed, eyes shining with tears. "I didn't think you would care."
Adam flinched at that. "And that is my mistake. I should never have been so cold that you would think that. I am going to have to have you prosecuted, you know. But given the circumstances, I think the judge will be understanding." He released his brother and smiled at Melissa. "And how soon will it be before I have a niece or nephew?"<
br />
That was a rather nosy question, Wanda thought, but Melissa answered with a small smile of her own. "Six months."
Lena clapped her hands. "I'm going to be a grandmother! Oh, this is so exciting. We have to celebrate at once. Come on." She linked arms with Melissa. "You'll have to tell me all about yourself. Come along, Christopher. We have a lot to talk about."
Wanda suppressed a snort. She followed them to the door, but Adam had returned to his desk. Warmth spread through her as she looked at him, and she locked the door. Adam noticed and glanced up at her with a half-smile on his face.
"He's lucky to have a brother like you," she said. "Someone warm and sensitive."
Adam snorted. "Me, sensitive?"
"Yes." Wanda wandered over to the desk and pulled herself up onto it. She pressed her feet to Adam's thighs. "You are. And you know what? Seeing you be so sensitive… it really turns me on."
Adam's eyes darkened as his smile widened. He cupped his hand under her legs. "Oh, really?"
"Mmmm. Really."
He slid a hand up under her skirt, long fingers tracing her thigh gently. He leaned forward, kissing between her breasts, and wrapped his hand around her thigh. Wanda let her eyes drift closed and moaned softly. Adam's mouth lifted to hers, and Wanda wrapped her arms around his neck.
He swept a hand over the desk, knocking everything off. His intent was clear, and Wanda laughed giddily, right there with him. She lifted her hips so he could remove her underwear, all the while grinning wildly. She had never been happier in her life.
They had been sleeping in the same bed, naked, ever since he saved her from Jonas, and things had gotten quite heated. But they had not gone all the way yet. Now, though, Wanda held nothing back. She fumbled with Adam's belt, all but tearing his pants off, while he ripped open her shirt, pushing her bra up and out of his way.
As he took one nipple and then the other into his mouth, Wanda groaned. She hugged his hips with her knees and let out a breathless laugh.
"I love this," she said, finding him with her hand. He moaned as she began moving, using the tricks she had been learning for the past few weeks. "I love your mouth on my skin and I love knowing what you like."
One of his hands tugged at her underwear; she paused her motions to help him remove them, then went back to her work.
"And I love when you shudder and arch your back when I do this."
He traced his thumb in a circle, making her do just as he predicted. Her eyes fluttered as she continued to pleasure him, moaning as his motions narrowed in further. Hot, tight knots filled her, sending shivers all through her body. A low groan vibrated from Adam's throat; they were both so close together.
He flashed her a grin and arched a brow. "Do you want me to—"
"Yes." She laughed giddily. "Yes, I want you."
He pressed a searing kiss to her mouth and pushed in slowly. Bursts of pleasure shot through her, her mouth opening in a silent gasp. There was a slightly uncomfortable feeling of being stretched too wide, but she felt so good that she didn't want it to stop. Adam began moving, oh-so slowly at first, but soon picked up speed.
Wanda's head flung back. She cried out every time they came together, her hands clutching at his, her legs around his hips, pulling him in deeper. Adam chuckled, kissing her lips gently. The knots tightened further, fire spreading through her body. Adam's movements became harder, faster, and she screamed as the knots exploded, sending wave after wave after wave coursing through her. Adam grunted in time with his movements before collapsing over her.
Her fingers trailed through the sweat on his body, a delighted sigh escaping from her throat. "Wow. That was better than I expected."
"Better? Good." Adam pushed himself to his elbows. "But it can be better than that even."
Wanda moaned at the thought, pressing herself against him. "Really? Well, maybe we can stay at this level for a while. Keep giving me something to look forward to."
Adam chuckled. "Oh, really?"
"Really."
His gaze was warm as it traced over her face. He kissed her again. "I love you, you know," he whispered.
"I know." She ran her fingers through his hair. "I love you, too."
*****
THE END
The Vampire King's Captive
Description
A curvy virgin paying off her debts PLUS a jealous vampire king looking for a donor PLUS enemies who will do anything to destroy him!
Aria Taylor wakes to her biggest nightmare when Gavin, the vampire king, drags her out of bed in the middle of the night. Aria’s father owes him money and Gavin has come to take him away.
There’s only one way out: Aria has to become Gavin's blood donor to pay off the debt. Too bad that she hates her bloodsucker. What right does this possessive beast have to be so handsome and yet so cruel?
Gavin is more than happy with his new blood donor. Her full curves drive him crazy and he can’t wait to pierce her skin with his fangs. The thought of teaching this virgin all the pleasures of the body stirs fires inside of him…
But Gavin has enemies and things take a turn for the worst when Aria suddenly disappears. Where is she? Gavin knows one thing for sure. No matter what it takes, he will get her back.
He’s coming for her.
Chapter One – Aria
Hands grabbed her and yanked her from her bed. Aria cried out, struggling instinctively. Sleep wrapped her mind in a cloud of fog. Even as her heart spiked and the grips on her arms became painful, she wasn't sure what was happening. Bright lights blinded her. The hands dragged her from her bedroom and into the living room. Her father was already there, sitting on the worn couch.
Aria was thrown down beside him. She toppled over, and her father put a protective arm around her.
"My daughter isn't a part of this," he said. "Please, don't hurt her."
"I'm not going to hurt anyone. But we must discuss this debt of yours."
Aria scrubbed her palms over her eyes, clearing the last of the sleep from them. When she saw the man sitting across from them, feet planted far apart in a power stance while he held a cup of tea, she gasped. Blood drained from her face and she clung to her father, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Gavin, the vampire king of everywhere from the Baltic Sea to Siberia, was in their living room. The men that stood around them –tall, gaunt, with those hungry eye – all vampires.
Her gaze turned back to the king. He ignored her, his amber eyes fixed on her father. He had a fine square jaw with sharp cheekbones and dark hair that fell loosely about his face. Whenever she saw him on the television, Aria thought he was handsome in a terrifying way, and up close she could see she was right in every respect. Handsome and terrifying.
"What are you doing here?" She tried to bolster her voice to sound more outraged than frightened. Gavin sipped his tea. He had her mother's fine china in his hand. Aria's blood boiled. Nobody touched her mother's things! "That does not belong to you. You have no right to come into our house and mess with our things."
"Oh, I have every right." Gavin set the cup and saucer on the coffee table. "Your father has a great deal of debt to the crown, and he hasn't paid any of it back for almost three years now. I am here to find a way for him to pay it off. Until it is, everything you own is mine."
Aria turned to her father. Guilt shone from his face and she clung to his hand. "Papa? Is that how you got the money for me to go to university?"
"We can discuss it later, Aria," her father said. He bowed his head towards the king. "My lord, there has to be something I can do."
Gavin smirked. "There is. Jail. All your property and belongings will be auctioned to pay your debt, and then for every hundred dollars you still owe me after that, you will spend a year in jail."
Aria jumped to her feet before she knew what she was doing. "You will do no such thing! You will not take my father's property and you will not put him in jail."
"Aria, no." Her father tried to tug her back down onto the
couch.
She pulled her hand away from her father, glaring at the king. Who did he think he was, to just come waltzing in here and declare that everything would be taken away from them? She didn't know what sort of debt her father had gotten himself into, but he had been laid off at work for six months, for crying out loud. In this economy, it was next to impossible to get work.
Gavin stood slowly, his handsome face stone-cold. "And why won't I?"
"I've seen on the news that you are looking for a juice box."
"Juice box?"
Aria shrugged. "It's what we call the girls who let you vampires suck out their blood."
Gavin's gaze swept over her body. His eyes brightened. "And?"
"And I'm AB negative. That's your favorite type, isn't it?"
"Are you suggesting that I take you on as my 'juice box' in the forgiveness of your father's debt?"
Aria shook her head. There was no way she was going to be forced to stay with this vampire for the rest of her life. "I'm suggesting that I work for you as your juice box paying off my father's debt, and once it's paid, I'm free to go."
"No." Her father jumped to his feet. "No. I'll go to jail. You can't do this, Aria."
"She can." Gavin smiled. "Your terms are acceptable. Your father may keep his house. We will discuss the finer details of our agreement once we are back at the palace." He glanced at one of the vampires. "Bring her to the limo."
"Wait." Aria drew back. "I need to pack and say goodbye."
"I will provide your necessities and you can say goodbye on your way out the door," Gavin said over his shoulder. He was already heading outside.
A vampire clamped a huge hand over Aria's arm and dragged her towards the door. She glanced back helplessly at her father. He was being held back by another vampire, worry and guilt shining from his face. For his sake, Aria made herself smile. The vampire dragged her through the front door.
