Tempting Raven (Curse of the Vampire Queen #1)(51)

Before I can answer, my mom rounds the side of the bookshelf. "Raven, honey, what're you doing?"

"Looking for you," I lie. "You ran off and it took me forever to find you."

Kingsley gives me a look, and I wonder if he knows I've been eavesdropping. Probably. But he won't tell them. I'll make him my puppet if he does.

"Why did you run off?" I ask. "What's going on?"

Just then, Rhyland rounds the corner of the bookshelf. His hands are stuffed in his pockets, his sleeves rolled up, everything about him screaming I-don't-give-a-shit-about-anything.

And there's the old, emotionless Rhyland I've grown up with.

"I misdiagnosed your injury." Rhyland stares at my neck.

I lightly pick at the shedding flesh. "So, it's not a dragon fire burn?"

"No, it is." He takes off his crown, sets it down on a table, and rakes his fingers through his hair. "It's just a specific kind of dragon's fire burn. And by specific, I mean, really rare. As in, one of a kind." He shakes his head. "Gabe must be learning new tricks."

"New tricks meant to lure the queen out of the castle," my mom agrees with a nod. "Which more than likely means he suspects she's the queen."

Undiluted fear pummels through me. "He does?"

Rhyland nods, gripping the bookshelf and breathing in and out. "Which means the rest of the rebellion probably does too. Which is going to make it even more dangerous when she has to leave the castle."

I rock Aeribella as she begins to whine. "Why do I need to leave the castle?"

He takes a few deep breaths before looking at me. "Because the only way to get the cure for your burn is to track down a dragon living in the Land of Moonlight. And the only way for us to go there is for you to come with us."

"Why?" I whisper.

Strangely, I swear I know the answer before he utters it.

"Because you have Moonlight blood inside you."





16





"Since when?" I feel as though I should feel more shocked.

Why does it feel like I know this already?



       
         
       
        

"Since the day you were born." My mom acts like I might shatter. "It comes from your dad's side."

"Maybe he should go there with you," I suggest, though I want to go.

My mom smiles sadly. "I wish that were a possibility, but your father was banished a long time ago."

"For what?" I wonder.

She hesitates. "It's probably better if he tells you."

I have moonlight blood in me. The most powerful magic runs through my veins. The most powerful magic that can drive a vampire insane.

I shudder at the thought. I've heard rumors of the moonlight descendant losing their minds against the forceful magic flowing in their bodies. I'd be more nervous, except  …

"How is this possible?" I ask. "First, I'm supposed to be the queen, who's the most powerful vampire there is. And now I'm supposed to have moonlight blood in me."

"I don't know why you're confused," Rhyland says. "The two go together well."

"Yeah, but I'm not powerful," I remind him. "Not even a little bit."

He brushes his knuckles across my cheek. "You'll get there. You're better than you think." His eyes stray to my mouth, as if remembering the kiss.

His gaze is so intense I have to look away.

I focus on my mom. "Why have you never told me this?"

My mom hugs her arms around herself. "I was waiting for the right time to tell you."

"And now seemed like the best time?" I ask, and she shrugs. "What else have you not told me?"

"Probably a lot of things, but most mothers can say that." She presses her fingertips to her temple. "I'm getting a blood headache. I need a drink."

"I think we all need a drink," Rhyland says, looking at me. Or, my neck, anyway. "You definitely need one."

"Yeah, probably." My lack of enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed.

Kingsley chuckles while my mom sighs exhaustedly.

"Such a handful," Kingsley remarks, resting his elbow against the shelf.

I toss a scowl in his direction before looking at Rhyland. "So, I have to go to the Land of Moonlight to fix this?" I gesture at my neck.

Rhyland nods. "And we should leave as soon as possible."

"We probably can't go for a few days or so." My mom fishes her phone out of her pocket. "I need to call in a few favors to some witches first and then we'll go from there."

I smooth my hand along Aeribella's head as she begins to stir. "Since when do we associate with witches?"