Page 46 of Fated to the Vampire Prince
She was the song inside my heart. The beat that brought me back to life and made me feel almost human again. But I wasn’t human, and I never would be.I was a vampire.And I had a job to do.
“Your Grace, where are you going?” she demanded. Then, more quietly, “And what in Diana’s name is aconsort?”
Gods, I couldn’t do this. “Lady Natalia!” I called over my shoulder.
A few moments later, my niece was at my side, looking rather annoyed at being summoned. “Yes, Your Grace?”
I cut a glance between Claire and Natalia, then began untying my horse. My decision made. “Pack up the camp. We leave for Roselyn immediately.”
I mounted Lucien and fitted my feet firmly in the stirrups, avoiding Claire’s gaze. If I looked down at her beautiful face,illuminated by the moon, I might not have the strength to do what needed to be done.
“But Uncle,” Natalia argued, “everyone just got settled.”
“Then get them unsettled!” I snarled back, baring my teeth. “We travel faster at night anyway.”
I didn’t wait for her to reply, knowing she’d follow my orders, and whirled my horse in a tight circle, intent on putting more distance between my mate and I, but paused, needing to say one last thing.
“Natalia!”
“Yes?” she said with irritation. One hand landing on her slim hip.
I kept my gaze trained on her, not wavering to Claire. “Don’t let Miss Donadieu out of your sight until she’s safe inside her room at Château Rose. And make sure she eats before you leave.”
“Why can’tyoubabysit her?” Natalia asked. Then she realized what I had planned. “Are you leaving now? Alone?”
“You have your orders.” Without another look, I tore off, encouraging Lucien to race into the night. If I didn’t get away as fast as I could, I was worried I’d lose my nerve and return for my mate.
I assumed distance would help dull my need for her, but I discovered it didn’t. In fact, the opposite happened. Thoughts of Claire consumed me, plaguing each inch between us. The hours it took me to make the trek up to Château Rose were painful. It would be another half day before I saw her again. The coach and the other riders would move slower over the rocky terrain.
When I reached the familiar outline of my home at last, I dismounted and held Lucien’s muzzle between my hands. “Good boy. Now, go to your stall.” He pinned his ears back, snorted at me, then trotted off. Clearly unimpressed withbeing ridden so hard and for such little thanks. I’d let him rest for a while before bringing him a bushel of apples from the garden.
I didn’t enter through the front gates, choosing instead to use the secret entrance on the south side of the castle that was designed to allow none but the Duke of Roselyn passage. When I reached the entry point, I freed the gold chain hiding inside my shirt and regarded the bloodstone dangling from the end.
All vampires were gifted a bloodstone at birth. Their magick fueled by the Blood Treaty—the accord made when Light and Dark Witches traded war for peace. With this accord, they used their magick to create creatures who were strong enough to keep the peace between them.
Twelve of us were made that night. Six from families of dark magick, and six from light. Some of us were warriors, gifted in our craft. Others renowned for nurturing peace when the world was breaking. Brothers not in blood but bound together, destined to protect the balance of magick on earth. To keep the peace when others would end it.
I pressed my bloodstone against the outer wall, then stood back as stone morphed into an archway, welcoming me home. Once I crossed under the arch, the wall reformed behind me.
Now, all that was left was to seek out Imogen and ask for guidance on how I could break this mate bond before it ruined everything I held dear.
Chapter 22
Chercher
BASTIEN
Imogen’s chambers were in the darkest recesses of the castle, far below ground. She never emerged from the caverns, preferring to soak her ancient body in the salt pools. When I came to call, I found her amongst the steam. Her jade-green eyes piercing through the dark.
“I’ve seen your journey in the waters,” she said in her paper-thin voice, barely audible over the echo of my boots on the stone floor. “It seems you found more than your sanguine partner in the capital, didn’t you, boy?”
She laughed, and the sound was like the croaking of a toad. I crouched beside the pool, as I often did when seeking her counsel, and tossed a handful of shells into the murky depths. An offering to the only known Water Witch still living. She snatched them up in her bony hand, inspecting them carefully before setting them on the ledge behind her. “What can I help you with, young master?”
I hesitated, dropping my chin to my chest as thoughts of Claire filled my mind. From the first moment I saw her across the ballroom to the moment I left her at camp and everymoment in between. She was never far from my thoughts, and that was the problem. I needed my life to return to how it was before.
Imogen waited with her hands steepled under her chin. Her thin lips pulled into the suggestion of a smile. I had the sneaking suspicion the old witch already knew what I’d come to ask.
“Is there a way to break a mate bond?”
