Page 131 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

“You’re fucking this up.” The bond interrupts my moment with my darker halves. “What do you think will happen when she sees the real you?”

A foreign, mortal emotion creeps over me at the question.

My Svenn.

Rhianelle’s sweet voice plays in my head. The words suddenly carry a heavy weight. The girl seems to have a version of me that she has constructed in her head. What will she do when she finds out I’m not the man she thought I was?

“That’s right. You’ll lose her.” His eyes go cold as he speaks.

“She is mine.” The thought is fierce and clear in my head. But the terror he’s embedded in my mind festers. It was always there from the start, this bone deep fear that Rhianelle has not seen me for what I truly am. The bond knows it well because he is me.

“Even if you can make her fall for you. No one sure as fuck can love them.” He jerks his chin to the horrifying creatures that make up my existence.

The direwolf steps forward in front of the cage, letting out a high pitch snarl and baring his jagged canines to the bond.

Nel made a drawing of us,the beast barks at him.

I smile at that, something in my chest easing. “Yes, she did.”

Shadows slither into the room as Coinneach takes a humanoid form.The painting is too unique and simply marvelous. Our Nel has a natural talent,he cheers.

She is stunning and she likes us.The direwolf wags his tail and begins his haunting howl. I can feel the rest of my beasts and demons stirring in the dark. They’re celebrating.

That’s right. Nel wants us.

The bond stares at us all like we’re idiots. He is giving me the sort of look I reserve for the likes of annoying bastards like Red. It feels odd having my own face looking back at me in frustration.

“Listen to me. This is the only opportunity you have to make her yours,” he says with an exasperated sigh. “I’m the only chance you got.”

The only thing he ever did was sabotage my relationship with Nel. I shake my head in disgust. “I don’t need you.”

I spin around and head straight for the stairs.

“Where are you going?” the bond asks desperately. “Don’t you dare walk away from me!”

I ignore every profanity and insults he hurls towards me. The bond is clawing and using his strength to break free from the cage.

It’s no use.

After Rhianelle did her little stunt of jumping from a cliff and disappearing into the ocean, something in me snapped. Any lingering control this fucker has over me obliterates.

“Your arrogance will be your downfall!” The bond curses and I can practically feel the wrath vibrating off his body. I take one last look at this strange part of my soul as he crumbles to his knees in a fit of despair. It’s unsightly and pathetic. “You don’t understand. The longer you put this off—”

I don’t listen to the bastard as I slam the door and lock him in the crypt.

The dim lighting of the abandoned lighthouse welcomes me to the world. Rhianelle is still sleeping in my lap, her body soft and warm against mine. I love the way she fits perfectly in my arms, like she always belonged there, and she always will.

I brush my lips against her temple. She stirs a little and buries her head to my chest.

“Take me back,” she mutters with her eyes closed. A smile twitches my lips at that.

Defiant, even in her sleep. That’s my Nel.

I carry her down the long hallway towards the large metallic double-door leading to the upper castle yard. I gaze at her sleeping face momentarily.

“Nel,” I whisper to rouse her.

“Hmmm?” she mutters dreamily.