The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 2

Eastland, Kingdom of Prajna

Westland, Kingdom of Gwydion

Five nights later, Eden awoke in a panic. She’d had another nightmare. She couldn’t remember anything, but she felt nauseous. She’d been doing this every night since Nora left with her new husband.

Evelyn had joked Eden was having an allergic reaction to Nora’s absence. Eden felt she may be right.

She knew there was no use trying to sleep, so she put on her robe and went down the stairs to see if her father was still awake. Judging from the light coming from his study, he was up working.

He had been acting differently since Nora left, especially the past two days. He was distracted.

When Eden approached him about it, he waived off her concern. But Eden knew something was weighing on him. His refusal to share his burden hurt her, but she forced herself to be patient.

Once she was close enough, she could see the door was cracked. She heard voices coming from inside. It was the middle of the night and a visitor in his study could only spell trouble.

Before she could knock, she heard a male say, Sir, we are no longer alone.

What? her father responded.

There is someone in the hall, my lord.

Eden wondered how the man could possibly know she was there. She hadn’t made a sound.

The door opened, and she was surprised to see one of the Burghards standing there. They were always easy to spot with their beautiful blue eyes.

My lady, he greeted and stepped aside.

Eden entered and walked to her father’s desk. He sat on the other side, rubbing his temples as though they pained him. There were several parchments on his desk. The wolf must be a courier.

What is the matter? she asked her father.

Sit, Edward pointed to the chair beside his desk. He would have to share the news with her sooner or later. He may as well do it now.

This arrived yesterday, he said, sliding one sheet in her direction. Eden picked it up and read.

The letter had come from King Kellan himself. During a banquet meant to welcome Nora to the kingdom, someone had tried to kill her by putting hellebore in her drink. Hellebore was a plant poison fatal to elementals. Somehow, Nora had survived it.

It was Edward’s worse fear come to life. He’d been on edge since Nora’s departure, but he’d chalked it up to a father’s angst over having a child move so far away.

He’d always known Burghards were keen on contesting weak leaders, but he’d never anticipated such underhandedness. The whole thing reeked of a hauntingly familiar travesty he’d experienced twenty years ago.

Edward watched as Eden processed the news of Nora’s having been poisoned. As usual, she did not react as he anticipated. The only show of emotional strain was her left hand rubbing the skin along her collarbone.

When she finished, she put the paper back on the desk.

Now this one, he said, handing her another letter, which arrived an hour ago.

Eden read the second letter. This one was from Nora. Her sister tried to be assuring, but Eden knew she must be terrified. The letter was succinct, almost matter-of-fact about the involvement of not only a wolf, but also a demon and a vampire.

Three factions had banded together to end Nora’s life. Eden’s pupils changed size.

Edward knew the moment the implication registered with Eden. He had never kept anything surrounding her mother’s death a secret from her.

She and Evelyn both knew of the dangerous group known as Sephtis Kenelm and their misguided attempt to balance power in Imperium. The brotherhood had been active for over a thousand years.

It was always a group of four working together: one elemental, one wolf, one vampire, and one demon. It had started with good intentions, to topple the corrupt and put the power in reliable hands. Somewhere along the way, the brotherhood’s purpose became twisted.

Years ago, Edward found proof the group of assassins had poisoned his wife, Elora, when she was pregnant, almost killing baby Nora in the process. The group had also killed Kellan’s father, which was why the Wolf King helped Edward hunt them down and kill them.

Sadly, though Elora had prophesied her own death, her puzzled words gave no indication of when or how. Edward took it especially hard, believing he’d failed to protect his wife.

He openly shared what happened with two of his children. Only Eden had ever questioned his decision to keep it from Nora. Though she had concerns, Eden did not defy him by revealing the truth to her youngest sister.

Edward’s only excuse was, deep down, he wanted to keep the ugliness of the world away from Nora.

Sephtis Kenelm was responsible for the hole torn in her soul. He did not want to give them imaginary power over Nora by making her fear those who had wanted to harm her mother and injured Nora in the process.

Now, members of three of the four factions of Imperium had attempted to murder the elemental sitting on the throne of Burghard. He didn’t have proof, but the information in Nora’s letter was too coincidental. He hoped he was wrong, but his gut was telling him the group was still active—and very much a threat to his children.

Eden slowly lowered the letter back to the desk.

What do we do? she asked.

That is the question, isn’t it? he sighed, leaning back in his chair. As first in line, Eden, what would you suggest?

Eden’s palm prickled as Nora’s words from last week came back to her. She kept her fisted hand in her lap, instinct telling her to keep it hidden.

I think we need to go East, she answered.

To the Temple of Sanctus Femina?

Eden nodded. The temple was close, due East from their main residence. It was the best place to ask for help or insight.

Beyond the sacred ground was the Kingdom of Prajna. It could be that the vampire member of the brotherhood was hiding in the Eastland and Nora was hinting at it.

Eden doubted Nora’s words would lead her to track down any of the Sephtis Kenelm on her own. Though, it was suspect the portent mentioned three of the four factions, the one left out being the one to the East.

The temple was also the safest place for them to go. Her birthmark lessened its irritation. Yes, that was where they should start.

I agree, Eden. Theron will need to be informed and I’d prefer to do that in person.

Theron had been the temple priest for ages. He had his finger on the pulse of every kingdom, and the ear of every king.

He was also keeper of the scrolls, most of which contained prophecies Elora had given throughout her life. Since she had predicted her own death, she may have made other predictions that would be imperative to know, especially now.

Also, Edward continued, you and Evelyn will be safer there. Every being in Imperium knows better than to court the wrath of the Goddess.

He was right. It was rumored to spill b***d on the sacred ground of Sanctus Femina was akin to starting the end of the world. No one had ever dared.

Eden stood. I’ll leave you to reply to Kellan and Nora. I’ll inform Evelyn in the morning and we’ll pack at first light.

She turned on her heel and exited the study.

Edward stared at Eden’s retreating back. No quiver had beset her voice, no wrinkles marred her brow. Not one tear was shed over her sister’s attempted murder.

Eden remained, as always, composed, while Edward couldn’t help but mourn the loss of the carefree child she’d once been.

Eastland, Kingdom of Prajna

Viktor awoke hours before dawn, looking to the empty space beside him, half-expecting to replace someone there. He’d been dreaming. He rubbed his face, trying to recall the details.

Green eyes. One, a dark green iris, like the tall grass in the dunes down by the beach. The other was a bright emerald. It reminded him of the lagoons near the southern coast. It was how his mother described his eyes when he was a young.

A sudden, sharp stinging in his palm had him turning his hand up. The cicatrice was giving off a soft silver light. Viktor closed his eyes and returned his head to his pillow.

He was cursed, indeed.