Page 9 of Cruel Vampire King

The burn of determination swept through me as I sucked in a deep breath. Some part of my mind wanted to ask,What about the king? What power and sway could I have over him if he still wants me?But I shoved it away. I wasn’t going to let myself get distracted. He’d have offered me rewards already if he was that interested.

“It’s quiet,” Ysara muttered from the head of our group. “Too quiet. Don’t let yourselves grow complacent.”

Good advice. I inhaled the earthy scent of the forest around me and let go of my tangled thoughts, instead focusing on sensing danger approach before it could reach me.

***

Four Years Earlier

Mom’s lips pressed tightly together in the way they always did when she was trying not to laugh as she frog marched Darcie over to me. Darcie’s dark hair was white with flour and a thin paste clung to her apron and dress. Though she had a contrite look on her face, there was an impish twinkle in her eyes.

“Take her home and see if you get this out of her hair,” Mom told me, pushing Darcie next to me.

I clutched my broom, frowning. The local lord was meant to be coming to the inn for the festivities and bring King Luken with him. I didn’t want to miss it! “She can clean herself up. She’s fourteen, not four.”

“Yes, and she’ll make some excuse to start reading and we won’t see her the rest of the day.” Mom shot a knowing look at Darcie, who bent her head. “Hurry up and you’ll get back in time to see the king.”

With a groan, I grabbed Darcie’s hand and headed out of the inn. Darcie, apparently realizing that I was serious, didn’t drag her feet as she usually would have. I was tempted to scrub her down at the well, but she really was too old for that.

“You’re too old for this,” I told her crossly. “It’s time you stop acting like a baby.”

Darcie laughed. “Relax, Elara. You’ll still have plenty of time to see the king. The festivities will go on all day and he is presiding over them all.”

“But if I’m not there when he arrives, Mom will have someone else serve him!” I wailed.

As I dragged her across the road, a dozen or so vehicles came down the road. I pulled to a stop, my heart hammering. In the middle of the convoy was a long, black limo with the flags of Taimarah waving in the wind. It was him! I hesitated, torn between sending Darcie on her away alone and obeying Mom. Well, it was too late to be the first one to serve him now but waiting a few minutes to see him wasn’t going to hurt, right?

The convoy pulled into the inn’s parking lot and vampires poured out of the vehicles. I squeezed Darcie’s hand tightly as I bounced on my toes, trying to see over their heads. Finally, he stepped out of the limo. He was wearing dark clothes, the sort of ceremonial garb I often saw him on TV. A blood-red sash crossed his chest. As he stepped toward the Inn, his head suddenly whipped around.

Goosebumps rose over my arms as his glowing amber eyes went straight to me. The air left my lungs and I stood there, numb and thrilled all at once. It was as though all the world disappeared around us. Fairies sang and the ocean roared its approval. My heart hammered wildly as the king turned abruptly and headed straight for me.

“Elara, ouch!” Darcie whined, twisting her hand in mind.

I loosened my grip, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. The King, with his vampires following, walked right up to me. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply.

“What is your name?” he asked me and his voice sent shivers down my spine.

“Elara Tideborne.”

The king nodded once.

Darcie giggled. “You’re very handsome.”

I yanked on her hand.

The king’s severe expression softened as he glanced at her. “Thank you.”

“My sister, Darcie,” I mumbled, my cheeks heating.

His smile widened as his eyes came back to me. “You’re the innkeeper’s daughters, aren’t you?”

“Two of them,” I agreed.

“Come along, then,” he said, gesturing back to the inn. “We will have to speak with your parents.”

I hesitated. “I was supposed to help Darcie clean up.”

“You can after.” His voice was smooth like butter and I nodded, unable to deny him a second time. He walked next to me, his eyes never leaving me, as we headed back to the inn. My heart was going all over the place. The vampire king was looking at me as though I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Was this a dream?

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