Page 62 of Eternally Yours

He approached, his commanding strides a reminder of his power. Knowing I’d lost the privilege of meeting his gaze, I kept my eyes fixed on his black shoes instead.

“Is it true?” he asked. “You sired a hybrid monster?”

If his barb was meant to slice me, he’d cut me down to the bone. “She’s not a monster,” I gritted.

Without warning, he turned and slammed a fist through the two-way mirror. Glass exploded, blasting shards throughout the room. “She’s an abomination!”

I sat, unflinching. Defying my father came too easy. Unfortunately, it never ended well.

“You’ve not only disgraced your family, but you’ve now placed this coven in danger.”

Despite my rebellious streak, I knew I deserved every ounce of his wrath for being so reckless. Choosing to live amongst the humans and thinking my world wouldn’t eventually collide with theirs had been my biggest mistake. I’d taken that wolf straight to Loren’s doorstep. I put her in mortal danger. And as much as I loved her, as much as it scorched my flesh to say it, I should have never sired her. I took her life. Her choice. And gave her eternal damnation in return.

Putting aside my pride and snuffing out my own rage, I stood from my chair and bent the knee. “You have my sword, Father. I vow to defend—”

“Your sword has no value here,” he cut me off, his voice a seething growl. “The only reason I’ve not ripped out your throat, you spineless sack of vomit, is because my bloodbond to your mother compels me to keep you alive.”

My teeth threatened to crack under the pressure of my jaw, but I’d take his lashings without retort. My life wasn’t the only one hanging in the balance. “Be that as it may, I will fight to defend this coven.”

He huffed. “Isn’t it a little too late to recognize the debt you owe this family?”

Risking the searing heat of his ire, I lifted my gaze. “What would you have me do, Father?” My eyes pleaded with him. I no longer had the desire or the strength to fight him. I needed to do what was right for my family. For my species. And for Loren.

“Why did you come back home, Nicholas?” he asked. “You knew the punishment for your betrayal.”

Pushing to my feet, I straightened my back as I sucked in a trembling breath. “I’m ready to fulfill my duty and unite the bloodlines. I will mate Mariellena.”

My father’s eyes narrowed as he waited for me to answer his silent question.

“The Order cannot be allowed to harvest Loren’s power and use it against us,” I added. “In exchange for my oath to bring our ruling families together, I request the command of the Iron Guard to lay siege to the Order’s headquarters and rescue Loren.”

“The Iron Guard has not been summoned in centuries. I’d need a convening of all the houses.”

“They’re the only warriors capable of this mission, Father.”

He paused, his eyes searching mine for any doubt of my claim. He would find none. The Iron Guard was composed of our most elite warriors. Men and women who I’d trained and fought side by side with during the Cleansing Wars. I trusted none more. Each of the ruling houses had an Iron member ready for dispatch in times of unprecedented need. This was such a time.

“If I do this,” my father started, “there is no going back on your word, Nicholas. The DeLorenzo coven won’t allow their daughter to be dishonored again.”

Stepping closer to my father, I said, “I pledge to you my unyielding fealty, Father. Summon the Iron Guard and I will lay at your feet the combined power of the two mightiest vampire houses in the world.”

Turning to the now open gap where the mirror had once been, he gestured to Andres to come inside. The guard scowled, clearly aware of what my father wanted and silently voicing his displeasure. I stared him down, a warning to dial back his disdain for me.

He entered the room holding The Oath Taker in his hand, a circular, mechanical device designed to forge agreements signed in blood. He handed it to my father and stepped back, waiting for further instruction.

I didn’t question my father’s decision to use the device. I inserted my thumb inside one compartment and my father inserted his in the other. Our flesh was pierced and our blood combined and stored inside, sealing our agreement in a sacred covenant.

“You will procure this creature from the Order and bring it to me, Nicholas. Alive.”

There it was again, my Father’s insults. He couldn’t bring himself to calling my mate by her name. “Loren is not a lab rat, Father. I won’t rescue her from the Order to imprison her here.”

He stepped closer, his breath inches from my face. “You will do your service to this coven and do as I ask, or our agreement is null. If what you say is true, about her immunity to sunlight, we must understand the gifts she possesses.”

I had to swallow my pride or risk the only chance I had of getting her back. “Promise me you will offer Loren protection.”

Gaze hard as granite, he said, “I promise you I intend her no harm.”

Chapter Twenty

---