Page 4 of Cruel Vampire King (Honeyblood Vampires #1)

True to Luken’s word, none of my team showed any indication they knew I’d been gone the previous night. If it weren’t for the lingering fullness of my stomach, I would have thought it was just a particularly vivid dream. I’d had plenty of them where Luken was concerned over the past four years. Sometimes, they were even more vivid than reality… those ones tended to be nightmares, though.

Marissa arrived at our camp shortly after dawn.

“You again?” Ysara lifted her lip in a snarl. “For fuck’s sake! How long do these trials take to get started? I thought I’d have killed someone by now.”

Marissa’s expression was utterly blank, unlike that flippant way she’d talked to me the previous night. “Your task is to reach the heart of the forest. There is an artifact there, and the team that brings it out of the forest will be moved to the next step of the Trials.”

“You mean we’ll kill each other at the Colosseum,” Greyson said smoothly. His tone was flirtatious.

At this, Thessa whimpered. I moved slightly closer, though I knew getting attached was a bad idea. But her dark curls and big brown eyes reminded me of another face. One that I sometimes worried I wouldn’t recognize if I saw again. A pang hit me, and a sudden wash of dread moved over me like a wave.

What if I’d wasted a chance last night? If Luken remembered me, still wanted me enough to spirit me away to his palace… could I have traded myself for Darcie’s safety?

Or would that only give him more leverage over me?

I closed my eyes and did a quick breathing exercise to calm myself. Going into the forest with my thoughts all in a snarl would only get me killed.

“Here is a map for you,” Marissa said, handing Kael a flimsy piece of paper. “Remember, you are meant to work as a team. If you turn against each other in the forest, we will see and you will be disqualified.”

Kael grunted. “Are there any other surprise rules? Do we have to carry an egg with us and keep it from breaking, or we’ll be disqualified?”

Marissa cocked her head as she studied him. “That’s a good idea. I will bring it up to the board for the next Trials.”

“That’s not what I—” Kael cut himself off, his massive shoulders rippling.

“Easy,” Ysara said. She moved lithely and planted herself in front of him. He towered over her as she put her hands on his shoulders. “Don’t get the team disqualified before we even have a chance to see what’s in the forest. I always wanted to hunt a dragon. With any luck, we’ll run into one.”

Kael’s gaze cut to her. “They’re really not that hard to kill. It’s the dragon shifters that are the real threat.”

The vampire cleared her throat. “That’s all there is to it. I will see you when you leave the forest.” Her gaze sharpened, and she let out a low, deadly chuckle. “That is, if you leave the forest.”

She was so different from the woman who had casually chatted about hoping to spend the night with her lover. Which was the bigger faked persona? The friendly one from last night or this cold-blooded ice queen? It had to be the one from last night, right? Otherwise, why would she be chosen to facilitate the Blood Trials, knowing that all but one person she interacted with would meet a violent end?

“What happens if another team gets this artifact and returns before the others?” Kael asked in a rumbling voice.

“Oh, it’s quite simple. If one team emerges from the forest before the others have perished, then the winners will be taken to the next stage of the Trials, while the losers will be hunted down for sport,” Marissa replied cheerily. “And recall that you have the magic trackers on you. So you had best try your hardest to be the survivors, shouldn’t you?”

Thessa and Kael looked shocked at this turn of events, but Ysara and Greyson seemed to expect it. Given that they had volunteered for the Trials, no doubt they’d put enough research into them to know what was going to happen. I was surprised that Kael, at least, after being selected to be part of it, wouldn’t have educated himself.

“I believe that’s all.” Marissa tapped her chin, as though she was deep in thought, then shrugged and turned away.

Kael rolled to the balls of his feet, as though he was considering attacking her. Good. His thoughts were easy to read in his face and he was clearly driven by emotions. That meant that, if we faced each other in the Colosseum, he would be easy to defeat despite his physical strength.

“Please,” Thessa started in a thin voice.

I glanced at her. Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes so wide I could see the whites all around them. I winced, wishing that we were allowed to kill off our own team members. It would be kinder to end her fear and suffering now. But some part of me, some part that I didn’t want to acknowledge, I knew that even if we were, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’d prepared myself for killing people in these Trials.

But a young girl who clearly didn’t want to be here? No. I wasn’t prepared for that. For the cold-blooded murder, no matter how much I could justify myself. It unsettled me. Any wavering would end up putting all my work to naught. And wasn’t I counting on people underestimating me? How could I be sure that Thessa wasn’t the same?

We headed into the forest, moving quickly. The air was calm and still, with no sight or sound of any other living thing. As we walked, Kael and Ysara took point, with Greyson and I following up. Thessa had naturally taken the middle, the most protected space. The words of Emilly, my trainer in the Assassin’s Coven I had taken up with after my burns were healed, floated through my mind.

You’re too soft for this work. You will never be ready to kill , she’d said, disgust written on her face as she gazed down at me. I’d been flat on my back, her sword at my throat.

I had thought she was going to kill me, but she spat on me instead and left me. Maybe it was true. Maybe I wasn’t ready for this yet.

But I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Darcie was turning eighteen, and she’d be sacrificed to the gods if I didn’t get her back. She was the only thing I had left in this world worth fighting for, so I would fight. I would die, if necessary.

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?

If it was, I never wanted to wake up.

Mom, Dad, and our other siblings waited for us inside. Mom had a strange look on her face, almost afraid. I spared half a glance to her but couldn’t take my eyes from the king that long.

“Your Majesty. Thank you for coming to our humble inn,” my father said, sounding uncertain. He was usually so confident that it pulled me out of my daze. He broke away from the rest of the family to come stand next to Darcie and me. “If there’s anything we can do to make your stay more memorable, please let us know.”

The king’s expression hardened again as he viewed my father. “I thank you for your offer but I will not put you through any trouble. Especially seeing as I’m taking your daughter Elara back with me to the palace, to be my personal blood donor.”

Darcie gasped and squealed. Dad swayed on the spot. Mom covered her mouth with her hands.

My heart hammered as I gazed at the wonderous, intimidating, and achingly handsome man before me. Like most girls, I’d always harbored fantasies of some rich, titled man falling desperately in love with me. I’d imagined what my life would be like, dripping with jewels and with servants at my beck and call all day. Now here I was. The King of Taimarah himself was staring into my eyes, making my heart beat faster, telling me he wanted me to go with him.

Go with him and… what? Be his personal blood donor. I knew what that meant. I was eighteen, I knew all about sex and that stuff, even if I hadn’t experienced it myself. I knew he wanted more than my blood… and I wanted it, too. I wanted it more than I’d wanted anything before.

I’d seen him from afar and it set my heart blazing with want for him. Now, with only a few feet separating us, that want had flared into an almost painful need. All it took was for our eyes to meet once and I knew he was the one for me.

He wanted me to come with him. Which meant he felt the same way. It was like in the fairy tales I read. Love at first sight, the strongest type of love.

But what would my family do without me? The inn couldn’t run itself. We were just getting comfortable. My older sister, Jessica, was about to go to college. If I left now, who would take my place? She’d have to stay home. Part of me thought, but I could just send them money.

My dad put a protective arm around my shoulders. “My daughter is not for sale, my Lord,” he said, his voice thin but determined. “She will not be going with you.”

“She is the one who will make that choice,” the king said flatly.

“She’s only eighteen,” my mom protested. “She’s too young.”

The king didn’t answer, but one of the other vampires did. “Eighteen for a human is old enough to join the army, pay taxes, get married, and enter the blood donor program. There is no reason why she isn’t old enough to be the king’s personal donor.”

“But,” Mom started again.

“Her choice,” the king interrupted, and his voice was like thunder, stopping all arguments.

I wanted to say yes so badly. But I couldn’t. Not when I was still needed here at the inn. I twisted my hands and lifted my chin, trying to force myself to be more certain than I felt. “I thank you, but no. I cannot go with you.”

The king’s amber eyes sharpened. My heart pounded, part of me hoping that he would simply say too bad and take me away regardless. My favorite stories of the gods was how the demon king of the night stole away summer’s daughter and made her his wife. The story always ended with the girl refusing to leave her husband, having fallen in love with him.

It would be easy to fall in love with this dangerous, handsome vampire who looked at me as though I was already his.

Instead, he sketched a bow, turned on his heel, and left.

He left .

The festival didn’t happen that day. Not with the shock of the events that actually transpired and our guest of honor leaving so abruptly.

After he was gone, my family gathered around me and told me it was okay, that he wasn’t going to take me. They mistook my heartache for fear. When they found me with red-rimmed eyes, they were quick to tell me that I didn’t need to cry, because the king wasn’t coming back. He’d forget all about the innkeeper’s daughter from a small town.

Oh, if only they knew! I moved through my chores with a forced smile on my face, not daring to say what was truly in my mind.

A week after the incident, my mother pulled me aside. She took in the pallor of my cheeks and the dullness of my eyes and touched my forehead.

“You’re cold,” she said. “Elara, I’m going to ask you a few things and I need you to be honest with me. Some of these questions may be difficult, but it is very, very important that you tell me the truth, alright?”

My brows pinched together in confusion but I nodded.

“When the vampire king was here, did he…” Mom looked away, her cheeks darkening with a blush. “Did he… touch you?”

“Touch me?” I repeated. Did she mean like a hand brushing mine, or a hand under my skirt?

“See you alone?” she prompted, as though that clarified anything. “Drink from you?”

Heat rushed to my face at her words. “No. No, I only saw him that day. When he asked for me to go with him.”

Mom’s relief at my words quickly fell away. “Asked? More like demanded. I was afraid he was going to slaughter us all where we stood. But no matter. If you are still pure, that’s all that mattered.”

Her words rankled me. And that was the day when the resentment started to grow. What was purity, anyway? And why was it so important? She wouldn’t have said it if my brothers had caught the eye of a female vampire. It was only because I was a woman and somehow the thing between my legs was magic, so long as nobody touched it.

That night, I started to pack. I wasn’t sure if I’d have the bravery to leave but the idea of slipping away, of running to the palace excited me. Daydreams filled my mind of the soft smile that would grace the king’s face when I turned up on his doorstep. I imagined him pulling me close in his arms, his lips against mine…

My door opened and Darcie wandered in, looking annoyed. She flopped onto my bed and groaned. “Can I move in with you? I’m tired of sharing with Jessica.”

A twinge hit my heart. We lived in a large house just next to the inn. All at once, the same doubts that had made me tell Luken—I glowed with joy just thinking about his name—no the first time hit me again. What sort of situation would I be leaving my family in if I was to leave?

Darcie pushed herself up on her elbows and glanced at the bag I’d been packing. A frown crossed her face. “What are you doing?”

My heart started to beat faster. I could lie… but I’d been breaking myself to pieces for these last few days, trying to hide my true feelings. “Darcie… I have a secret. You can’t tell Mom and Dad.”

Darcie held her breath, her large brown eyes growing wide. She nodded seriously, the excitement barely contained in her expression. I had to smile. If anyone could understand this, it was Darcie. She was still very young, but out of all my siblings, she was the only one with a romantic soul.

“I’m running away,” I told her. “I made a mistake by telling the vampire king no. I’m going to him.”

“Oh, Elara!” Darcie clasped her hands together. “Are you in love with him?”

Love. The word sent chills through me. Even though we’d only spoken once, I knew truth when I felt it. I nodded. “I love him, Darcie. And he loves me, I just know it. It’s why he wanted me to go with him. When I’m with him, everything is going to be perfect. And I’ll take care of everyone.” It seemed so simple, so clear, now. Of course Luken would take care of my family. I wasn’t needed here, when I could be with such a powerful, handsome man.

“How will you get there?” Darcie asked, her brow furrowed.

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. How would I get there? I didn’t have much money myself. The trains to the capital were cheap enough, but once I was there…?

“I’ll find a way,” I decided. “Because it’s love. And we will find a way to each other again. I’m certain of it.”

***

“I expected to have been in a fight by now,” Ysara groused when we set camp that night.

Thessa sighed heavily. “I’m glad we didn’t have to fight. Maybe the other teams have been caught by the beasts of the forest. Maybe we’ll get the artifact and get out easily.”

“Maybe,” Greyson said with a laugh. “And once we’re in the colosseum, which one of us would you prefer to kill you, Thessa? I’d make it quick for you.” She stared at him in horror and he shook his head, regret crossing his face. “I’m sorry, young one. It’s just that there is no happy ending in this. There will be bloodshed enough by the time this is over. Nobody refuses King Luken and lives to tell the tale.”

His words made me wince. They reminded me of the general four years ago. A half-dozen elven mercenaries had come to the inn while Darcie and I were talking. My guess was that they demanded me once again and my father refused. I’d never know. They cut him down where he stood.

Darcie heard the screams before I did. I got her out of the house and saw the torches flickering as the mercenaries headed for the house, yelling for me. I’d told Darcie to run, to hide in the forest. I never had the chance to hand myself over to the elves. Mom had stepped out. I remembered her silhouette in the darkness, backlit by the torches. Why were they using torches instead of flashlights? The thought had seemed distant, like I already knew.

“He can’t have her,” Mom said.

There was a sick noise and her silhouette changed. Something thin erupted through her back. She didn’t scream.

“Nobody refuses King Luken,” the mercenary general said. “Consider this as punishment for refusing to have over what is his.”

The rest of the night was a haze of blood and smoke. I didn’t know if the elves realized I was the one they’d come for when they threw me back into the fire, to die with the rest of my family. Darcie had saved me, somehow, but she’d never told me what she’d seen, never told me how she got me out of the flames.

I ground my teeth and I made a space for myself to sleep near the fire. Thessa was doomed. They all were. But as I fell into a fitful sleep, it wasn’t the flames that greeted me—at least, not the ones that I was used to. Instead it was a pair of glowing amber eyes and cool fingertips on my scars.