Page 1 of Princess of Thorns and Ruin

Chapter 1

A Dark Rose

ARIELLE

Blue-crested waves crash against the deadly cliffs below, and birds yap overhead. The sun shines a little harder the day before you die.

Lucas plucks the digital thermometer from my mouth, his red eyes sparkling. “35.4 degrees Celsius. Right on schedule.”

Frosty patches bloom across my chest, and I rub my arms, hoping for even a touch of warmth from the friction. “I wish I didn’t feel so cold.”

The young vampire leans on the midnight-blue cushion at his back. An elusive smile plays with his lips like he’s privy to an age-old secret he can’t quite share with me, yet. “Don’t worry, Ari. It won’t be long now. A couple of days at most.”

The vibrant Aegean Sea twinkles behind him, its swift, ever-changing currents mirroring my excitement.

“In a few days, we’ll trade the olive trees and lazy mornings by the sea for the whirlwind of court.” A pang of nostalgia tightens my chest, but it’s quickly chased away by the thrill of impending change. It’s been years since I’ve been home, since I’ve seen my brother, my cousins—my people.

Nothing happens here on the beautiful island of Hadria. The sun shines, the flowers offer bloom after bloom, and I’m bored. For three years, I studied, refined my skills, and not-so-patiently awaited my Nightfall ceremony—as it is customary for a woman of my rank.

I lay back on the chaise lounge and adjust the straps of my black swimsuit.

Lucas glances in my direction. “Careful. Your skin is changing, too. You don’t want to catch a bad sunburn.”

The way his gaze drags across my belly sends a shiver up my spine.

“But it melts the cold.”

Lucas grins from the shade. “Enjoy it while you still can.”

Nightfall comes between our sixteenth and twentieth birthday. I’m a late bloomer, but the cold death has finally arrived.

First, the drop in temperature.

Second, the aversion to sunlight.

Third, the thirst.

They say it burns as bright as lava and stings like a scorpion. They say the luscious taste of blood will threaten my sanity. But I’m ready to conquer it. If I don’t, I’ll be killed. Blood-crazed beasts, especially royals, are too dangerous to be left alive. I don’t worry about it too much, though. I’m a Delacroix, a dark rose, a princess of night. The women in my family all survive their Nightfall.

Lucas stayed after his transition and waited for me, even though the sun now makes him squirm. He probably wasn’t too keen to travel north during the winter anyway. He scratches a few notes on his acoustic guitar, and I close my eyes. His breath hitches when I start to sing. We’ve been friends for ten years, but lately, I’ve noticed a change.

He can’t tear his gaze away, especially when I’m laughing or singing.

I crack one eye open discreetly. As I predicted, his clear red eyes are fixed on me. Long fingers fly across the strings, and I wonder what it would feel like if he touched me. Not brushed my shoulder or offered me his arm—I mean really touched me. If he knotted those fingers in my hair and crushed his mouth to mine, would it feel as good as I’ve imagined?

A fierce blush creeps up my chest. For a moment, I no longer feel cold. Between his dark brown curls, defined cheekbones, and the new, mesmerizing ridges of his stomach, my best friend has grown handsome. But none of it matters because he’s not for me.

“Princess, the royal envoy is here,” my handmaiden says with a quick curtsy.

“Thank you, Selene. Show her into my rooms. I’ll be right there.”

She turns to Lucas. “Do you need anything, my lord?”

He sets down his guitar with such care that I shiver, about ready to take its place across his lap.

“Please tell Quentin that I’ll lunch in my room.”

Selene nods and hurries back up the steps, her leather sandals brushing on the paved stones.

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