Page 43 of Royal Bite
“We’d like that.” Brandi gathered the kids and fussed at them to put on their coats.
Stormey backed off with a smile and waved. She spun away, happy that she had come to the marketplace. She was determined to go visit the orphanage and see what she could help with.
As Corbin had said, she had money now. She could do what she wanted with it.
“Has there been any word yet?” Hegna asked.
She and Bijou strolled through the training facility. During the middle of the winter, their workouts were held inside a special building that had been constructed for them. It housed multiple weight rooms, sparring rooms, Olympic-sized pools, areas for them to do agility training, and more. It had been worth every penny. When it was built, she had taken an idea from her sister and had underground tunnels built that connected it to the castle.
Their warriors trained hard faithfully and were some of the most lethal men and women on the planet. Hegna was proud of the members of her army. Her men and women were spread out throughout her territory.
Currently, Nezera and a team were off scouting an area that had documented lycan activity just over the border into Canada. Another team would soon be dispatched. Hegna had been working nonstop since that day. She tried to not think of the night she had sent Stormey away.
She inhaled and tried to harden her heart even more. She didn’t know what she had thought was going to happen after she’d sent her away. She had thought Stormey would be screaming and throwing a temper tantrum, but she’d done none of that and just left. Even when she was ordered to move to the other wing, she had not complained.
Hegna received daily reports on her human. She was kept up to date on her education sessions, her self-defense, and even her activities in the kitchen. Hegna did not know how she felt about Stormey working in the kitchen. She would soon be a princess and did not have to work.
“Nezera reported in, and so far, a few random lycans were spotted. She promised to reach out again when she has more information. They are tracking them now,” Bijou said.
Hegna’s gaze swept the room, and there was no sign of Stormey. She was to be at her self-defense class with the warrior Nezera had chosen. Hegna wanted to ensure Stormey would be able to protect herself should she find herself in a position that would call for it. With the announcement of their matching, it had put a target on her back.
She and her sisters had been hunting down Azura hard. Velika’s tech team was having a difficult time tracing that incoming call. It bounced around on several satellites before the trail went cold. Sightings of the alpha around the continent had led to dead ends. It was like she had disappeared into the wind.
Even the bounty hunters were coming up empty-handed. The queen was not pleased and had upped the amount on the lycan’s head.
Hegna was growing frustrated. The lycan had the nerve to come forward and threatened her father then disappear. She was a coward, no true alpha.
“It has been a long time since we’ve spilled blood on the battlefield,” Hegna began. The promise of battling the lycans had lit a fire under her warriors. They hungered to take down the mangy beasts in the name of their king.
“Yes, it has. Peace is only the result of war,” Bijou said.
“But have we truly known peace since the last war?” Hegna questioned.
For over thirty years since the ending of the war between humans and vampires, she hadn’t felt completely at peace. They’d had to deal with insurrections from humans, rogue vampires causing an uproar in their communities, and now the lycans. Would they ever get to a peaceful time where they could live without the threat of enemies?
They walked down the hall to the next rooms. It was good to show her face while her warriors trained. There were many days where she joined them. Correcting maneuvers, working with the young warriors who were new recruits, and even training with the most experienced of her men and women. Hegna believed in creating an air of camaraderie amongst her army. She had an upcoming trip scheduled to travel to other cities and towns where groups were posted, providing protection for her territory.
Hegna inhaled, sensing the ache in her head was reappearing. It had been coming and going for the last couple of weeks. She gritted her teeth and tolerated the pain. She didn’t know what was plaguing her and causing this pain. She tried to increase her blood consumption, and when she did, then her stomach ached.
“Is today her self-defense lesson?” Hegna asked casually.
They arrived at the next area of the building. This room was filled with sparring mats. Weapons adorned the walls where one could train and practice with them. There were several of her more experienced warriors wrestling on the floor. She and Bijou circulated the room.
“Yes, it is,” Bijou answered stiffly.
Hegna didn’t look over at her. She didn’t want to see the disappointment in her general’s eyes. It would appear that Stormey was slowing winning everyone over to her. Everyone gushed about her and liked her. Even the butler, Edward, had good things to say about her.
Apparently, Stormey was falling into the role of mistress of the castle. Deep inside, Hegna was impressed. Stormey could have stayed to herself, but she was proving to be a person with a big heart.
“There she is with Zeke.” Bijou pointed to the corner where the last mat in the rows were situated.
Hegna’s heart all but leaped into her throat as she watched her human. Stormey was dressed in black leggings, a matching sports bra, and was barefoot. She had a long staff in her hands, and the way she held it had Hegna wondering if she’d ever used the weapon before.
Stormey was graceful as she swung the stick at Zeke who expertly dodged it. He swept his own staff, connecting with Stormey’s. Hegna’s hands balled into fists, and she pushed down the urge to race over there and protect her.
Stormey grunted, her brows narrowed in concentration, and she advanced on Zeke, swinging the stick. She spun around, giving herself more momentum, landing a blow to Zeke’s stomach. He fell back a few paces, tripping over the mat and hitting the floor.
“Oh, my goodness. Are you okay?” Stormey cried out. She threw down her stick and rushed to Zeke.
