All for a Rose (38 page)

“I will take you to Mother Hazel. But I will tell you now, Corrine. The life you’re choosing for yourself will not be an easy one. Magic is a fierce beast that can hurt you or help you, depending on how you try to use it and how seriously you take your studies. To learn that life surrounded by loved ones and comforts is one thing. To study alone…”

“Perhaps it’s time I was alone.” Corrine stood straighter, squared her shoulders. “But mark my words, pixie. Someday I will repay my sister for her kindness. I will make up for all I have done.” She stared out the window at the land. “I swear it.”

Epilogue

Kirill, vampire prince of Dacia and member of the ruling council for the New Kingdom, led Daman into the study. The castle had only recently been completed and everything was shiny and new, every golden wall sconce gleaming with perfection, every inch of the marble floor polished to a glossy shine. The art hanging on the walls had come from his own personal stock, and the vibrant colors made the images come alive. The entire castle screamed of money and power—exactly as Kirill intended. It was precisely the scene he wanted as he invited his first prospect to meet with the rest of the council.

“I’m still not sure I understand why I’m here?”

Kirill smiled at Daman, not bothering to hide his fangs. Daman was a
naga
, with a half dragon and full dragon form—a set of fangs was not going to startle him. “All will be explained very soon.” He tilted his head. “I trust your honeymoon was pleasant?”

The corner of Daman’s mouth quirked up in an expression that said more than words how much he’d enjoyed his vacation with his new wife, Maribel. “Indeed. Your suggestion was most welcome.”

“Glad to hear it. So few people are aware of that island. It makes it the perfect spot for a private getaway.”

“Did you honeymoon there as well?”

Kirill paused, keeping his face neutral as he studied Daman. From the way the
naga
had behaved when Kirill had first appeared at his home, he’d assumed the
naga
was unfamiliar with the royal family of Dacia. How had he known Kirill was married?

Then it dawned on Kirill and he glanced down at his left hand and the ring that matched the silver band he’d given his wife Irina. “No,” he answered finally. “My wife and I didn’t travel for our honeymoon, though I did suggest it.”

“Your wife does not like to travel?”

Kirill fought not to roll his eyes. “No. She doesn’t like to leave the kingdom. My wife is very interested in”—
social reform, interfering in my political machinations
—“charity work. She is quite dedicated.”

“She sounds like a lovely woman,” Daman said politely.

This time Kirill’s smile was a full flashing of fangs as he thought of his beautiful bride. Heat stirred in his body and he composed himself before his mind could travel too far ahead in the evening to the time he would once again have his wife in his arms. “She is that.”

Finally they arrived at the study. Kirill opened the door and gestured for Daman to precede him. Daman warily glanced into the room, body held loose, prepared to leap at any sign of danger. After a moment, he stepped over the threshold. Kirill followed him.

There were four men in the room, the rest of the ruling council of the New Kingdom. Kirill stepped slightly ahead of Daman to begin introductions.

“Daman, may I introduce you to my compatriots.” He gestured toward the window. “Prince Etienne of Sanguenay.”

The moonlight spilling through the window illuminated Etienne, casting his shaggy brown hair in shadow and making his dark blue waistcoat appear
black. His brown eyes glinted with a momentary flash of gold, a hint of the wolf within him peeking out at the visitor. He bowed slightly. “Pleased to meet you.”

“And this is Adonis, Prince of Nysa.” Kirill paused and put a hand to his head and rubbed his temple. “Adonis, didn’t we discuss this?”

The demon standing at the fireplace crossed his arms, the smoldering cigarette tucked between two fingers filling the room with the smoky scent of cloves. “You said he was a
naga
. Don’t tell me horns and wings are going to frighten him?”

“That’s not the point,” Kirill argued tiredly. “Is Etienne in wolfman form? Is Saamal appearing as a jaguar or a gust of wind?”

“Patricio’s wings are out,” Adonis objected.

“Patricio is an angel, he has no choice.”

“Well, I’m an incubus. This is what I look like, to look otherwise would be deceptive. Hardly the sort of first impression you want to make when you’re inviting someone to move into your kingdom and take up a position of power in the court.”

“Move? Position of power in the court?” Daman leaned back from the other occupants of the room. “What court? What kingdom?”

Kirill clenched his teeth, struggling not to bare his fangs. “Thank you for that subtle revelation, Adonis. And here I was worried about how best to broach the subject.” He straightened his clothes, counting his weapons as he kept a careful eye on Daman out of his peripheral vision.

“If I may continue with the introductions, all else will soon be revealed.”

Daman studied Kirill for a moment. Finally he inclined his head once. “Very well.”

Kirill noticed that he remained with his back to a corner, keeping all five members of the council in view while remaining close to the door. Silently, Kirill congratulated him on his choice.

“Now where was I? Ah, yes. The gentleman standing next to the table is Prince Patricio of Meropis and the gentleman seated in front of the fireplace is Prince Saamal of Mu.”

Daman nodded to the towering angel, surprisingly unintimidated. Not many men could look at the over seven foot angel with his massive wingspan without taking a step back out of sheer instinct. The massive sword hanging at his side didn’t help him appear any more approachable. Saamal, despite being the most powerful being in the room, was also the least intimidating physically. It wasn’t until the god chose to use his powers that he could be seen for the terrifying being he was.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Saamal’s voice was gentle and calm as always, and not for the first time, Kirill found himself wondering how much of the god’s placid exterior was genuine and how much was an attempt to put others at ease.

“The pleasure is mine,” Daman answered amicably. He glanced back to Kirill with an expectant expression on his face.

He has Adonis’ patience.
Kirill muffled a sigh. “All right, let us get down to business then. Daman, you will no doubt have noticed that the land you now find yourself in is as yet untouched by civilization, other than the palace around you.”

“I have.”

“Well, due to circumstances that are unimportant at this time, my fellow council members and I find ourselves in the rather unique position of populating this new land by invitation.”

Daman’s eyebrows rose. “You’re looking for settlers?”

“In a manner of speaking. It is important when taking on an endeavor such as this one that—”

“We’re willing to let you relocate abused changelings here in exchange for your willingness to relocate as well and help us govern as part of our new court,” Patricio interrupted.

Kirill pulled one hand inside his cloak, closing long fingers around the hilt of his favorite dagger. The texture of the blade’s grip soothed him, helped him keep hold of his temper in the face of the angel’s blatant disrespect.

Patricio crossed his arms and faced Kirill down without a sliver of apology in his blue gaze. “Some of us would like to get home at a reasonable hour. Not all of us are nocturnal.”

“What do you know about the changelingss?” Daman’s pupils narrowed to draconic slits and his fingers twitched, tips sharpening into claws the color and shape of a crescent moon.

“Thank you for putting our guest at ease, Patricio,” Kirill said tightly. “Done with your usual flair for comfort. Marcella would be so proud.”

“Leave my wife out of this.” Patricio’s wings rose in the wind of his agitation.

“Who wouldn’t want to join this family?” Adonis joked. He blew a smoke ring at the ceiling, blue-white tendrils curling outward as it rose. He winked at Daman. “Our winter solstice parties are unrivaled.”

“Winter solstice…” Daman blinked.

Not for the first time, Kirill was impressed with Adonis’ ability to put others at ease. His political guile was deplorable, but his genuine likeability was lethal.

“Daman,” Kirill said, facing the
naga
. “The angel, in all his ham-fistedness, is correct. We are building a society here from the ground up. I have heard much about you, many stories from grateful changelings who have found happiness with the families you find for them. I have seen for myself how dedicated you are. You are precisely the type of man that could help us build a court to be proud of, respected. In exchange for your guidance, your participation in our endeavors, we would be pleased to let you bring changelings here. Surely there is no place they would be safer than a land accessible only by invitation?”

He didn’t look around the room at the other princes, silently willing them not to contradict him. After all, for the most part, it was true that this new kingdom could be accessed only by invitation. Though it was possible for the unwary to accidentally stumble through the portal if they passed close enough to the world tree.

Daman glanced from one man to the other, but Kirill could see his mind working behind his silver eyes. The
naga
’s first responsibility was to his charges, his changelings. This land was safe for them, open to them.

“What do you want from me?” Daman asked finally.

Kirill smiled. “Etienne? Won’t you escort our guest to the map room so he can pick a location for his new home?”

“I’m not your lapdog,” Etienne snapped.

The handle of his dagger was soothing, as it always was. For what felt like the hundredth time that night alone, Kirill toyed with the idea of burying the blade somewhere in Etienne’s thigh. Not to kill him, or even lame him—lycanthrope physiology would protect him from any lasting damage—but just to let the beast know that his dismal attitude would have consequences. With a sigh, he pulled his hand from the weapon.

“Saamal?”

The god’s lip quirked as he pushed away a smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

Daman, who had watched the exchange between Kirill and Etienne with a sharp silver-eyed stare that was far too discerning for Kirill’s taste, amiably followed Saamal out. Kirill waited until the door closed behind them and their footsteps faded away down the hall.

“Etienne, for the love of all gods and demons everywhere, must you
always
be so disagreeable?”

The lycanthrope folded his arms, muscles bunching with the movement. “Must you always be so manipulative?”

“Manipulative? I thought we’d all agreed to invite Daman into our realm? What, pray tell, have I done to deserve such ire from you on this matter?”

Golden eyes darkened to hard amber. “Do you think I don’t know about the pirate? Tyr, I believe he’s called? Aging pirate with one hand?”

Kirill paused, careful to keep the tension from his face and shoulders. “What about him?”

“Do you intend to tell Daman that it was you who arranged for pirates to steal Maribel’s family fortune? That it was your scheming that sent her family from their home at court to the farm where her poor sister suffered so?”

Damn his eyes.
“You’ve been talking with shady characters, my friend. Who would tell such stories?”

“Wow, that’s a long game even for you,” Adonis piped up.

Clove-scented smoke wafted past Kirill as the demon spoke, and he waved it away with a sharp flick of his hand. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“How many seers do you have working for you?” Patricio demanded, feathers rustling as he straightened to his full height. “Who is giving you such information that you can arrange events so far ahead of time?”

Three.
Kirill gave Patricio a blank stare. “What seers?”

“He won’t tell you,” Adonis informed them. “Kirill plays his cards close to his dagger-laden vest.”

“This is never going to work,” Etienne muttered. “Some high council we are. How could Eurydice ever have thought we could rule a kingdom together?”

“Oh, don’t be so sour, my wolfish friend,” Adonis insisted, sauntering over to clap a clawed hand on Etienne’s back. “We’re all getting along swimmingly. Just a few growing pains, that’s all.” He took another puff from his cigarette and patted Etienne on the back. “You just need to accept our vampire companion for who he is. Fangs, weapons, seers, and all.”

“This kingdom is doomed,” Patricio muttered.

“Oh, take heart, angelic prince,” Kirill soothed. “Wait until you see my next candidate…”

THE END

I hope you enjoyed book one of the spin-off series. If you haven’t yet read the series that spawned this new kingdom, for a very limited time, you can get book one and a bonus adventure by signing up for my mailing list or the giveaway mentioned at the beginning of this ebook.