Page 113 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

“I’m sorry, Ksatka. For everything.” It’s the only thing I can offer before she goes.

The seadragon gives me a meaningful look, the kind that is spoken straight to the soul.

“You have my gratitude for helping me and my daughter, but I remain loyal to my King. I am Eirik Bloodhound’s retainer, General Ksatka of Durakain. When the call to the Wild Hunt rises, I will answer his summon,” she says, her high pitch voice devoid of emotion and warmth.“The next time you see me, I might be the one who will shatter the proud Watergate in Völundr.”

My heart clenches at the promise. “I understand.”

The pair of seadragons cruise towards the open sea in a beautiful dance. My eyes stay with them until they dip beneath the wave, disappearing from sight. But my heart lingers long after.

I pray a silent prayer to the stars.

May I never have to raise my sword against my new friends.

Chapter 16 Rhianelle

Night falls swiftly with the hint of an incoming storm. I stand at the edge of the cliff barefooted. The violent wind whips through my hair, making it dance a dozen different directions. I ignore the heavy droplets of rain pelting on my skin. My nightgown is already wet from the dive.

Lightning rips through the sky, heating the air for a brief moment. The following roar of thunder rattles my teeth.

“Rhianelle.”

A dark voice calls from behind me.

My husband, the vampire, offers me his hand. “Come to me.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’ll chain me.”

“I won’t. I swear it.”

Lies.

Svenn takes a step forward, I take one back. He begins to look increasingly alarmed as I get closer to the edge.

“There’s going to be a storm.” His voice is rising against the cold wind.

I retreat from him and take a quick glance at the sea. I swallow the fear lodged in my throat. If the crashing waves don’t kill me first, I might die from the cold later.

“Rhianelle, don’t do it,” he says, his eyes flashing with something that almost looks like fear. It’s the first time I’ve seen it in him. I quickly decide I hate that look on his beautiful features. I launch myself towards him and slam against his body.

He holds me tight in his arms, stroking my back, kissing my head. “Thank fuck. That’s my good girl.”

No, not his girl anymore.

I will escape the vampire and this horrid place, but I’m not suicidal.

Leathery black wings reappear behind his back, spreading wide and as glorious as night. He snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. Heat dances beneath my skin at the touch.

“Hold on tight,” he whispers in a calm, low command.

At least he warns me this time. I clutch my hands around his neck, my movement easy and familiar, as if I have done this with him through decades of practice instead of the second time today.

My pulse races when he sweeps me into his arms. A heartbeat later, we’re gliding through the raining sky. He adjusts the movement of his wings to the wind current and bile rises to my throat. I’m not quite ready to open my eyes yet like he told me earlier, so I keep them sewn shut. They remain shuttered long after we land too.

He gently settles me on my feet. I peel my eyes open to a dark room instead of the pale-gray upper courtyard of the old castle.Is this the dungeon where he plans to make me his? I’m too cold to even be afraid.

My teeth chatter so violently that my jaw is beginning to ache. I allow my captor to wind his arms around me to steal his warmth. He pulls me close against him, burying his face in my neck. His body heat feels so good.

“Wait for me,” he says. It’s too dark to read whatever is in his gaze. His lips meet my forehead before he releases me. A strange feeling jostles in my heart at the gesture. I listen to his footfalls growing fainter and fainter as he walks away. The air immediately feels colder in his absence.

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