Page 11 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

The Rhunhraefn is my damnation and Rhianelle is the curse bearer, Lilith’s new heir.

Despite knowing she is my downfall, I can’t fight against this strange pull.

I rearrange the pillows around her body to keep her comfortable. Her sleep is riddled with endless nightmares. I don’t want her to be corrupted by the Rhunhraefn, but it seems inevitable.

Curses prey on the vulnerable emotions of one’s soul. Hatred, vengeance, envy, and greed.

I’ve seen the elves’ desire for bloodshed. War is waiting just beyond the horizon for this sweet queen. I know she will force me to fight her battle.

The command will come.

Chapter 1 Rhianelle

“Breathe, Rhianelle.”

A voice calls for me.

It’s dark and heady, just like the pair of eyes that are staring straight at me. I bury my face in my hands momentarily, trying to collect myself.

I had a nightmare about Blaire.

That’s right… it’s just a dream. My pounding heart almost settles down until I see the man standing across the room from me.

The vampire I married.

Clad in only his leather breeches, every inch of him is built like a warrior. His coal black hair sheared short at the sides paired with his carved jawline make him look downright godly.

He is tall, even among elves.

His handsome eyebrows furrow together, as if he’s displeased with me already.

It’s only morning…

Svenn stands against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “You were screaming in your sleep.”

His controlled voice sends chills down my spine and other places.

“I was?”

He moves across the room with a smooth stride, the kind that only an immortal could achieve.

In an instant, he is right beside me, perched on the edge of the bed. He brushes a wayward strand and tucks it behind my ear. His fingers dance across my skin with a gentleness that leaves me breathless. Part of my heart melts at the gesture—the idiot part.

I haven’t been this close to him in days. The last time was back when he was grinding on me on our first night here because of our stupid bond.

I take the opportunity to study his peculiar eyes. They’re ancient and unyielding. In the sunlight, his irises glow into a strange ochre color. Sometimes I catch some flecks of gold in the sea of red. I quickly look away before I am caught staring.

Svenn is dangerous. And like all lethal beings, he’s beautiful. The wise thing to do is to stay away. He’s a savage and merciless monster.

It’s fine.

I have lived with monsters before. Survived them back in Astefar. I may not have claws and talons for attacking like other beasts in the forest, but I’m good at defending myself. I’ll protect my heart and he won’t be able to break me ever again.

Rainer once told me the story of three little pigs who built their houses to protect themselves from the wolf. Before, I was the first pig in the story, the foolish one who built my walls out of straw and hay.

I’m smarter now.

The walls around my heart are built with hardened bricks, enforced with solid dwarven steel now. I douse any embers of attraction between us before they can spread into flame.