Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 65167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Alara sits me down and wraps a warm blanket around my shoulders.
“I will stay with you tonight,” she says.
“That’s not necessary.”
“It’s what your father would want. Your feelings about him notwithstanding, he is still my king.”
I glance at Alara. Her loyalty toward my father is something I respect, even if I can’t fully understand it. Though I’d prefer to be alone, what I want more than anything is to protect my child. Having Alara here can’t hurt.
“Yes,” I say after a moment. “Please stay.”
Alara nods and ventures into my tiny kitchen. “I’ll make you some herbal tea.”
I hate herbal tea, but the soft clink of the teacups is comforting in its familiarity. My mother introduced me to tea—real tea—when I was just a child.
My mother…
Which makes me think of my father.
And his treachery—his manipulation to convince Rogan and me that we were mates.
I can still feel the pull, the attraction, the force that tethered us together. But it was all crafted, expertly weaved into our destinies by my father to serve his own ends. The idea sickens me.
Yet, despite the machinations, Rogan and I found love in each other. A love that was real, unlike the artificial bond my father created. It’s this love that gives me courage now—the strength to face Eris, to protect our child.
My thoughts drift toward Eris, toward the unknown threat she poses to my unborn baby. I can’t deny the fear that surges within me at the thought of her. Yet, fear won’t help me defeat her.
I turn to Alara. “Can I defeat Eris?” I ask.
“Whether you can or can’t is irrelevant,” she says. “The truth is that you must.”
46
Fear.
It’s a strange feeling. In the last several weeks, I’ve been forced to suppress it, to bury it deep within me.
But now it’s different.
I’m different.
This is my child. The stakes have never been higher.
“You’re right, Alara,” I swallow down the knot in my throat, my gaze hardening. “I must.”
Alara gives me a small smile as she descends back into silence until the only sounds reverberating through the apartment are the muted clinks from her tea prep and the dull hum of traffic from outside.
The world keeps moving no matter what plight I’m dealing with.
“I do not want to bring a child into such a dangerous world,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.
Alara turns around. “Hannah,” she murmurs softly, her violet eyes full of sympathy. “The world has always been dangerous. But it has also always been beautiful and full of love and life. Your child will bring more of that into it.”
“But Eris…”
“Eris is a considerable threat,” Alara admits, “but she is not invincible. You have power, Hannah. And not just because of your vampire lineage. You have the power of love, of a mother’s fierce protectiveness.”
“But is that enough?” I caress my stomach. “I mean, this is a woman who cuts out hearts.”
“It must be enough,” Alara replies firmly. “And besides, you are not alone in this fight.”
The tea is ready now, the steam rising from the cups as Alara brings them over.
“You’ve got Rogan,” she continues, handing me a cup. “He may not know it yet, but you are still a big part of him, and I’m not just talking about the child you share. You’ve got me. You’ve got your father’s resources, however reluctantly he offers them. And most importantly, you’ve got your child.”
“My child? My child isn’t due to be born for months.”
“No, but the child within you carries great power. The power of his mother and his father combined. He is meant for a great destiny. But it’s up to you to make sure he’s allowed to manifest that destiny.”
Alara’s words hang in the air between us as I sip the tea.
She’s right. This isn’t about me being a vampire princess, or a woman outmatched by a she-wolf. It’s about me being a mother fighting for her child against whatever threats come our way, no matter how formidable they may seem.
I set my cup down and look Alara squarely in the eye. “You’re right,” I say, my voice steady and resolved. “For my child, I can face anything. And for Rogan. I will defeat Eris.”
Alara smiles and places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Your strength and character will be great allies, but your greatest defense will be your love.”
The tension in the room slowly loosens as we sit in silence and drink our tea. Outside the city buzzes, but it feels distant, in a different world entirely.
After a while, Alara stands. “You should get some rest now. I’ll stay here tonight in case you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine, Alara,” I say out of reflex more than anything else.
“We’ve been through this, Hannah. It’s what your father would want. Besides, you don’t have to do everything alone. Let me help you.”