A Shade of Vampire 40: A Throne of Fire(36)

Tejus





The shadows’ approach seemed to recede as we neared the barrier to the castle. I watched as the ministers tore an entrance in the enclosure to let us pass. Their eyes widened with shock as they saw the group of vampires, dragons and other strange creatures that made up Hazel’s family and friends.

“Let them pass!” I yelled, crossing into the castle grounds.

The ministers nodded, the guards eyeing them suspiciously, hands ready on the pommels of their blades. Ash was right behind me, traveling with Ruby, whom he must have picked up on the way, and the rest of the army—one of the guards had been traveling with Julian.

I swiftly dismounted, turning to help Hazel off the bull-horse. My hands closed around her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her shirt. She placed her hands on my shoulders for a brief moment as I carried her off, her eyes meeting mine.

“Hungry?” I growled.

I had been worried that she was going to feel the urge to syphon off her parents, and the uncomfortable nod she gave me confirmed it.

“Syphon off me,” I murmured, “quickly.”

She glanced behind her, watching her parents and the rest of GASP enter the barrier. They were still a little way off, they had overtaken us initially but stopped as they entered the enclosure of the barriers, whereas I’d ridden on to the stables. With the disorder and confusion our new guests were creating with their arrival, she had time.

Her arms moved from my shoulders to wrap around my neck. I pulled her too close, but I couldn’t help myself. I heard Benedict and Yelena scrambling off the bull-horse, Benedict making retching noises. Hazel smiled at me, rolling her eyes.

“Ready?” she whispered.

I nodded.

Her lips met mine, her legs wrapping around my waist. I gasped as my energy entwined with hers. The rush was powerful, her syphoning strong and instant. One of her hands moved to the base of my throat, traveling up to my jaw. She tilted my head up higher, taking the breath out of my body. I felt my heart racing, gold threads appearing in my mind—wrapping Hazel closer as my energy fed the void inside of her, filling her till her skin seemed to glow with vibrant, humming power.

Ash cleared his throat.

“Tejus, we need to introduce GASP to Queen Memenion.”

Reluctantly, I released Hazel.

“Thank you,” she murmured, sliding down the length of my body till her feet touched the floor. The interruption came just in time. Her family was approaching. I focused on Ash, trying to collect myself. My body felt like it was on fire.

I need a cold shower.

“Hazel?” her mother called, beckoning her away. I smirked, turning back to the bull-horse and handing it over to a waiting guard. I had never been in this kind of situation before. As a prince, even one from the most disliked family name in Hellswan, royals and ministers had been desperate for their daughters to marry me—only too happy for me to court them, pushing them my way like they were prized swine. It was a stark contrast to this family, who looked like they happily wished me dead. It didn’t help matters that my own conscience in regards to my relationship with Hazel was constantly conflicted. No matter how accepting she was of her situation, and how deeply I knew I loved her, there was always the nagging sense that I had corrupted her—transformed her into something as dark as I was. Watching her syphon off Jenus and feeling her energy become almost polluted afterward had torn at my heart. What a fate and a future I had given their daughter. They were right to hate me.

“Are her parents as big fans of you as Ruby’s are of me?” Ash groaned.

“I’m the ‘kidnapper’—you’ll get off lightly.”

“I don’t know about that,” he muttered, glancing back at the couple I assumed were Ruby’s parents. They were openly frowning at the both of us.

“I’m going to get Queen Memenion and Jenney. They might be able to defuse this…and then we need to talk about what the hell we witnessed in that forest.” Ash shook his head, as baffled as I was.

“We need to talk to the Impartial Ministers,” I added. “I want them at the meeting. There’s a minute chance that they’ll be able to shed some light on what that thing was—or things.” I still wasn’t sure whether the shadow had been one large malevolent force, or some strange multitude of creatures.

“Agreed. They’ve been avoiding us ever since we arrived. It’s time they were of actual use.”

With a heavy sigh, Ash began escorting the members of GASP to the castle. He avoided making eye-contact with Ruby’s parents. I laughed to myself. He wouldn’t get away with it that easily.