Fated Blood: A paranormal erotic romance series (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 5) (16 page)

“Shit,” Cora exclaimed through gritted teeth as she struggled to call more power forth to finish the job. Because she was using so much to sustain the baby she had to call it from her essence and that hurt like a bitch. It actually burned through her.

She glanced at Ryan, worried he’d try to stop her now it was clear she was in a significant amount of pain. He met her gaze and shook his head at her, letting her know he wouldn’t interfere as promised.

A wolf growl escaped her as she pushed harder with her magic. She saw Ryan’s surprise.
Where the hell had that come from?

Her final push was enough and she watched as the flames fanned out and then disappeared in the next second, leaving nothing but a scorch mark on the ground where Oriana had been.

“She’s dead in the absolute-never-coming-back sense,” Cora announced with a heavy breath. “She’s gone. It’s over.”

A sharp pain ripped through her. She looked at Ryan in shock, “And I’m going into labor.”

“What?” Ryan exclaimed, hurrying to her and pressing his hand to her belly. “Oh shit. That must be what the growl was about.”

Luca joined them. “May I?” he asked Ryan.

Ryan nodded and moved his hand so Luca could touch her. Like Nathanial could, Cora knew Luca would be able to sense how close the birth was.

“Now,” he said, eyeing them worriedly.

“You mean
now
as in tonight, right?” Ryan asked hopefully.

“No, I mean
now
. Right now.”

Cora shook her head. “No, I need help. It’s a wolf. She’ll rip me apart. Ryan!” she cried, afraid. Another searing pain ripped through her and she screamed, “Ryan!”

Ryan swept her up in his arms. “Teleport us, Luca.”

“No,” Kristoff said, joining them. “It’s too dangerous.
I
will assist with the birth.”

“With black magic?” Ryan asked.

“Yes, but it won’t hurt the child
or
Cora in any way. I promise. I will stop the child from shredding her, Ryan. Black magic is the best for that. She won’t feel any pain. Luca, you will use your dark energy to call the baby forth. And, Ryan, you will stop Cora from trying to kill either of us with her magic.”

“I—” Luca protested.

“What?” Ryan pressed. “What’s wrong?”

Kristoff rolled his eyes. “He has a thing with childbirth. It makes him uncomfortable. Luca, you’re not going to be anywhere near the birth canal. You will stand with Ryan. After what’s happened between the three of you, I’m sure Ryan wouldn’t allow it any other way.”

“Damn straight,” Ryan responded.

“Let’s get her inside to a bed or at least a couch,” Kristoff said, striding towards the house.

#

“Luca, just a little more power. This baby is stubborn,” Kristoff instructed as he held Cora’s legs apart.

Luca nodded and the red glow from his palm over Cora’s belly grew brighter, more vibrant.

Ryan sat beside Cora on the bed, stroking her hair. “Okay, my love?”

Her glazed eyes looked up at him and she smiled widely. “Great.”

The black magic that Kristoff had used on her to stop her pain had worked like a charm. She wasn’t feeling anything at all. A side effect of such potent magic was that she was incredibly high right now.

“Get ready to push, okay?” Ryan said. “Our daughter needs you.” Ryan had been talking to her constantly to ensure that she stayed awake. That was how high she was.

“Yes,” she said. “I will.”

Ryan saw amusement dancing in Luca’s eyes.

“What?”

“I take it, it wasn’t like this last time?”

“Fuck, no. She was in so much damn pain.”

“Well I’m very glad that isn’t the case now.”

“Cora. Push!” Kristoff yelled, cutting through their conversation.

Cora did push but it was too weak.

“Harder, Cora! Much harder!”

“You’re the strongest sorceress in all the realms. You can do this,” Ryan told her. “You want to see our daughter, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes I do,” Cora replied, mustering her strength and pushing hard.

“Good! Good!” Kristoff praised her.

Ryan watched Cora’s eyes grow heavy. “Anything you guys can do to speed it up would be great. She’s not gonna be able to stay awake much longer.”

Kristoff nodded to Luca and told him, “Increase the power.” And then he told Cora, “Push, Cora! Just a little bit more and it will be over.”

She did as he asked and then a little cry cut through the room.

Ryan watched in wonder as Kristoff lifted a tiny baby girl into his line of sight. “Oh my God,” he breathed.

Kristoff waved his hand over her and a blanket came into being, wrapping around her. He smiled and handed her to Ryan. “Your daughter, Wolf King.”

Ryan took her in his arms. The first things he noticed were her deep-blue eyes. Just like Cora’s. He drew her to him, pulling her close and choked out, “My daughter.” He eased himself back onto the bed and held her before Cora. “Here she is, my love.”

Cora smiled happily. “She’s so small. Smaller than Orion was,” she said, caressing the tiny blonde hairs on her little head.

“I know.”

“Forget what I said,” Ryan heard Kristoff tell Luca.

“Really?” Luca asked.

“Yes. Should you and my daughter wish to bear a child, you will have my blessing.”

“Thank you,” Luca said. And then he added, “We should give them some privacy.”

Kristoff laughed. “I’m not sure they even realize we’re still here.”

“Hey! We’re well aware,” Ryan said, eyeing the two of them. “And…thank you…both of you.”

“No problem,” Kristoff said.

“Just a little bit of magic,” Luca added.

“No,” Ryan said seriously. “You saved her life. She can’t give birth to a wolf without help. If you hadn’t been here….”

“Ryan,” Luca said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “We’re no longer enemies. We’re all in this together. We help each other these days. Besides, you saved my life outside.”

“Well, I couldn’t stand by and let her fry you. Nathanial would’ve been pissed.”

Kristoff laughed. “Indeed and he is one person you never want to anger. Trust me.”

“He’s a good guy,” Ryan said.

“He’s the best,” Cora added in what sounded like a drunken slur.

Ryan chuckled. “I think you need to sleep for a bit. Not here, though. This place is run-down.”

“Kristoff and I will teleport you back to your place,” Luca said.

“Then I can sleep?” Cora asked Ryan.

“Yes, my love. Then you can sleep for as long as you like.”

CHAPTER 25

Cora opened her eyes to find Ryan staring at her from the other side of the bed. He had Orion on his lap in wolf form and their new baby daughter in his arms still in human form. Both were sound asleep.

“Hey,” she whispered.

“Welcome back,” Ryan whispered back.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Ten hours.”

“What?” she asked, sitting up. “That long?”

“You were really high.”

Cora gazed at her two children and asked him, “How was Orion with her? Was he okay?”

“He loves her. He’s wolf and she’s his little sister. He’ll take care of her.”

She smiled. “I want to wake them both up and cuddle them but I know that’s not a good idea.”

“Fuck, you’d better not. It took me ages to get them to both fall asleep. Orion was so excited when he saw her. He stayed up way past his bedtime.”

“I won’t,” she said, leaning back against the headboard. “So, what do you want to call her?”

“Me?”

“Of course.
I
named Orion. It’s your turn.”

“Ariel.”

Cora’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow.”

“What?”

“I just didn’t expect you to come up with something so soon. I figured you’d think it over.”

Ryan chuckled. “Since we found out you were pregnant, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”

“You’re so sweet.”

He scoffed. “Sweet? Please, no.”

“Right, I forgot how much you hate hearing that. Even though it’s true.” She gazed at their daughter for a long while and then said, “I like it. Ariel it is.”

“A beautiful name,” Nathanial’s voice came from the bedroom door suddenly.

They both turned to see him striding in with a baby in his arms. “This is Isabella.”

“A lovely name too,” Cora said as her and Ryan looked at the tiny baby in his arms. “I can’t believe Marella and I gave birth on the same day. Sorry for stealing her thunder.”

Nathanial laughed. “She was happy about it. I think she’s already planning a slew of joint birthday parties in the near future.”

“God help us,” Ryan jested.

“Indeed.”

“How is she?” Cora asked.

“She’s doing well. Resting.”

Cora winced as she adjusted her weight in the bed.

“Are you okay, my love?” Ryan asked, concerned. The last time Cora had given birth—to Orion—she had been up and about within hours. But this time it was taking a lot longer.

“Yeah. A little sore. I didn’t want to tell you at the time because I knew how you’d react, but I had to pull on my essence to take down Oriana with the white fire. I didn’t have enough power left because I was expending a lot to sustain Ariel.”

“It just means it will take her a little longer to recover, Ryan. A couple of days and she will be back to herself,” Nathanial added.

“Cora,” Ryan chastised her.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I had no choice.”

“I heard from Luca that you slit her throat with your claws?” Nathanial asked Ryan in an attempt to dissolve their argument.

“Yep. Then Luca snapped her neck, just to be sure.”

“I would have liked to have witnessed that, the two of you working alongside one another.”

“It was a one-off,” Ryan joked.

“I doubt that. You two are back on solid ground now,” Nathanial countered.

“Perhaps.”

“She’s gone, Nathanial,” Cora said. “It almost killed all of us, but we succeeded. None of us have anything to worry about. We can finally relax again.”

Nathanial smiled. “Yes, you are right. The realms are safe once again.”

EPILOGUE

Cora walked out to the top of the courtyard steps carefully. She wasn’t used to walking in heels like those of the silver sandals that were currently on her feet. She was wearing a silver, floor-length gown. The bodice was embroidered with colorful gems and diamonds. Her long, black hair fell in curls about her face.

As she raised her hand in a friendly wave and looked out over the huge crowd gathered in the courtyard of the White Realm Palace, a thunderous applause shook the ground beneath her feet. Her people cheered her elatedly for several minutes before it finally died down.

She glanced at Shaye, who stood beside her with Ariel in her arms. She smiled reassuringly at her. Cora turned her attention back to the steps and watched as Marella climbed them gracefully. She carried a white-gold crown in her hands that shone with white fire—the lifeblood of the White Realm.

When Marella reached her, Cora bent down. Marella called out to the crowd, “I pronounce thee Queen of the White Realm, Protector and Guide of our people.” She placed the crown on her head and then stepped aside.

Cora winked at her and then rose to her full height.

The moment she did, the crowd went wild, clapping, whistling, and chanting her name.

She descended the steps slowly and, by the time she reached the bottom, the crowd had quieted.

“I’m honored to be your Queen. I vow to always have your best interests at heart, to cherish and protect the realm with all that I am. I will reign without prejudice.” She paused briefly before continuing, “Today I prove that to you with the unification of the Dark and the White. The peoples of the Dark Realm are not our enemies. They are our brothers and sisters. And they will join with us today. My children, Orion and Ariel, are symbols of the coming together of the dark and the white. They are the bridges of peace between us all. Today will be the first day of an eternity of coexistence without discrimination or fear. Today we become stronger!”

She raised her fist into the air and the crowd cheered.

She looked to Marella and she nodded at her.

It was time.

#

The Great Hall was packed and buzzing with anticipation and excitement.

Nathanial and Ryan sat on their thrones. Haraz stood beside Nathanial as his second-in-command. And Josh and Damon stood beside Ryan as
his
two second-in-commands.

Ryan’s pack took up the front row of the crowd and they were taking care of Orion and Isabella while Nathanial and Ryan did their kingly duties.

“Now,” Nathanial said, taking Ryan’s hand. “Brace yourself,” he warned.

Ryan nodded.

A moment later, Nathanial thrust his free hand up to the ceiling. A steady stream of dark energy projected upwards. Within a second it was joined by a bright white light pouring in through one of the windows: Cora’s magic coming from the White Realm.

Ryan gritted his teeth. Nathanial hadn’t been kidding when he’d warned him to brace himself. It was a power rush unlike any he’d ever felt. Between Nathanial’s dark magic and Cora’s white that had just joined with it, it was almost unbearable. He could feel Nathanial drawing on his strength in order to maintain his ability to expend so much power in one shot.

“How long?” Ryan choked out.

“A few more minutes.” He eyed Luca, who stood by the window with Aerona, Michael, and Kristoff. “The forest?” he asked.

“Getting greener,” Luca responded.

The forest of the Dark Realm was the best gauge for determining when the unification was complete. As soon as it grew and the trees, bushes, and flowers lived again, that would mean that the Dark had successfully united with the White.

The crowd gasped as Nathanial’s dark magic and Cora’s white fused together suddenly.

“Father, it is done,” Luca confirmed.

Ryan felt Nathanial slowly withdraw his power and he released Ryan’s hand.

The crowd roared its applause—clapping, growling, and howling its support.

As Ryan and Nathanial rose to their feet to address their subjects, they smiled at one another. After centuries of unrest, discrimination, and hatred, they were finally at peace. Wolves, vampires, dark witches, and warlocks were in the same room with one another without so much as a heated look passing between them. They’d achieved real peace. And not just in the Dark Realm—with the White Realm as well.

Despite all the obstacles that’d stood in their path, all the heartbreak and losses they’d suffered along the way, they’d succeeded.

#

Cora released a heavy sigh of relief as she sank back against her throne.

“It’s done,” she informed Marella, Shaye, and Asha, who were seated around the throne watching her intently. “The realms are united.”

Marella and Asha smiled excitedly.

“Are you drained?” Shaye asked worriedly.

Cora shook her head. “No, just a little high. I’ve never had such powerful dark magic coursing through me before. What a rush.”

Shaye, Marella, and Asha burst out laughing.

“What?” Cora asked, perplexed.

“It’s just a relief to finally have a ruler with an incredible sense of humor,” Marella explained.

“And one who actually listens to us,” Asha added.

“Well, thank you, ladies,” Cora responded with amusement as she rose from the throne and walked down the steps.

She hadn’t got very far when Ryan suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Ladies,” he greeted them all smoothly.

“What? Did you…did you just teleport?” she asked, stepping back in shock.

He grinned from ear to ear. “Yep. Nathanial and Luca taught me.”

“When?”

“A few days ago. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you.”

She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He gripped her hips and lifted her up, holding her tightly against him.

After everything they’d been through, they’d learned to appreciate moments like this in each other’s arms. They’d come to realize the strength of the love between them—a fated love that could never be broken no matter what was thrown their way.

They truly were destined.

And no one had the power to change destiny.

“I love you, Ryan Winters!” she cried.

“I love
you
, Cora Black.”

~The End~