Page 36 of Fire & Ice

I scoffed at him, though he was hitting the dragon right in the heart. "That's preposterous. We have the council investigating the matter thoroughly. I have no reason to suspect any of our own kind."

The prince's expression darkened. "Perhaps you should start. After all, it wouldn't be the first time a vampire or halfling has betrayed their own kind for power and influence. We have two kingdoms for a reason."

Chapter 37

Sara

My plan had come together flawlessly. I was going to have Beau, no matter the cost. As Deakon and Beau spoke, I could barely contain my excitement. The thrill of the chase made me feel alive, knowing that soon I would claim what was rightfully mine.

The moonlight cast a silver gleam on Beau’s handsome face as it shone through the window. I stepped out from the shadows like a phantom, interrupting their tête-à-tête.

With a flick of my wrists, I pulled from my gift, summoning the plants so graciously placed in the corner and calling on them to lengthen, wrapping around Deakon’s eyes and wrists. Just in case our plan went sour, Deakon would be counted as innocent.

“Beau.” His name felt like honey on my tongue as I breathed it softly into the room. His eyes clouded with confusion until realization dawned upon him, and he glared accusingly at Deakon who tangled within my vines.

"I was right about you! What do you think you're going to accomplish here?" he growled. A smile curved onto my lips as I took a step closer to him and felt the ring on my finger pulsing beneath my skin, its seductive, controlling power begging to be unleashed.

"Taking what's mine, darling," I purred, knowing full well it was already too late for him. Ice started to manifest itself around Beau, and I stepped around Deakon’s arrested form before it could fully crystallize. My fingers brushed against Beau’s hand, our flesh meeting sending a ripple of longing down my spine. He gasped, body tensing beneath the ring's influence.

"What did you do?" he choked out. I could see the telltale signs of panic clawing at his mind until it was smothered by the ring's control.

"Shh, my love," I cooed, tracing the curve of his cheek with my fingertips. "I'm only helping you."

I opened the ancient vampire grimoire, its pages whispering secrets that had long been forgotten. Charlie's words echoed in my mind, his teachings a twisted dance between darkness and temptation.

I intoned the incantation, knowing full well the power it would unleash.

"Obliviscatur tui memorias," I purred, watching as Beau succumbed to the calling of the rite. His eyes took on a glassy glaze, and his body swayed with mine like a marionette on strings.

"Sara," he whispered weakly, his voice laced with confusion and desire. I reveled in my newfound control over him, a wicked grin spreading across my lips.

"Tempest remota est ab animo," I uttered next, staring intently into Beau's eyes. His body trembled beneath my gaze, and my essence seemed to take root within his very being. He tried to object, but no words came out. His mind had been taken over.

"Who...what is Tempest?" he finally asked, desperation seeping into his voice. I smiled in satisfaction, feeling so powerful in that moment.

"That's right," I cooed softly. "You don't remember anymore, do you? Tempest has nothing to do with you now." With a gentle caress of his cheek, I added, "Focus on me. I'm all that matters to you now."

Beau

Sara's entrancing gaze held me captive, a blurry sensation of fear and desire reverberating through my veins. She spoke softly, her words giving me a sense of security amidst the chaotic mess that clouded my thoughts. My need to trust her was greater than my urge to resist and as I gave in to her charm, I couldn't help but feel something was terribly wrong.

Her lips brushed against my ear, and I shivered from the pleasurable sensation it created. "Let's see what you can do for me," she purred, her voice like liquid nectar.

"Anything," I breathed, my will crumbling beneath the power of her spell. In that moment, everything seemed clear; all that mattered was pleasing Sara. As if reading my mind, a dark flame gleamed in her eyes and without warning, she placed a ring on my finger.

She pinched my chin gently between her fingers and tilted my head back so that she could look into my eyes. A haze filled my mind, making it difficult to focus on anything else but Sara. Her dark red hair cascaded over her face as she spoke, every word tasting like honey and drawing me further under her control.

"Beau," she whispered seductively, her fingers tracing circles on my chest. "You're mine now."

"Yours," I repeated, feeling the confusion slip away as the ring circled around my finger. The only thing that mattered now was fulfilling her desires and calming the fire that burned within us both.

"Kiss me," she commanded tenderly, her gaze locking onto mine with such intensity it made me weak in the knees.

I didn't hesitate, my lips meeting hers with a hunger I couldn't explain. Instantly, a strong stab pierced my heart, almost dropping me to my knees. I gasped in surprise at the unexpected pain and started to pull away. However, before I could move further a stronger power seemed to burrow its way down deep inside me, wrapping around that pain and dulling the ache.

Sara's taste flooded my senses, intoxicating me further. She pulled away, leaving me breathless and wanting more, but in my heart something just didn't feel right.

"What was that?" I asked, cautiously meeting her gaze. Her eyes were filled with an emotion so powerful that it overwhelmed me on sight—an emotion that made me uneasy.

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