BOOK 2-AN UNEXPECTED DUO-CHAPTER 11-VLADIMIR

“So you’re mated to a wolf?” Esmerelda asked as she took a seat opposite of me, crossing her long legs.

“Not exactly mated yet.” I said clearing my throat, thinking of Myra and how we’d left things.

“Really? I thought wolves mated instantly once they met their mate, how long ago did you find her?”

“Just over two years ago. We met right before a major war broke out.”

“ I figure you would have gone into a mating frenzy after the war ended, thankful the both of you were alive.” Esmerelda curiosity gleaming in her eyes, “What aren’t you telling me Vlad?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Esmerelda would be the only one who understood my situation with Myra, and I hoped beyond hope, that she would be able to help me or at least know where I could find the information. “She isn’t only a wolf,” I watched as Esmerelda’s head shot up in interest, she was never one to be subtle about anything. I hesitated for only a moment, the more people who knew about Myra, the more danger she would be in, but this is Essie, I could trust her. “She’s also part fae, from the Faerie line. As far as I am aware, there is only her and one other in existence that are left from that line.”

Esmerelda was quiet for a moment, going over what I had just told her. “So, she’s the one.” She whispered quietly, trying to hide the hope in her voice. “The one who will break the curse, the one the prophecy foretold of.”

“What prophecy? I have only ever heard of the curse.” I look at Esmerelda wondering what she’s discovered while I’ve been away.

“I found a parchment that last time I entered Elysian, it was like the parchment wanted me to find it. It sat on an empty table in the ancient library that I have scoured many times over. The prophecy was written in the ancient fae language, but I think I’ve managed to translate it correct.” Esmerelda paused for effect, normally I found her dramatic flare for things entertaining, but if this ancient text was written about my mate, I needed to know the contents, and I needed to know them now.

“Esmerelda,” I growled out, “What did the parchment foretell?” I gritted out, trying to keep my rage from showing.


“There will be a woman born, the last of her line, a hybrid, who will be mated to an ancient King. It will be only her that can sate his appetite and quench his thirst. She must make the ultimate sacrifice to break the ancient curse her people bestowed upon the King and his people.” Esmerelda finished.

“How do we know this prophecy is about Myra, it could be about you for all we know, you’re also a hybrid and the last of your kind.” I stated.

“Yes,” Esmerelda agreed, “But I am not mated to an ancient KIng.”

“As far as we know,” I responded, not wanting this prophecy to be about Myra. Fae prophecies never ended well.

“Vlad, really?” Esmerelda asked, giving me a pointed look. “How many ancient kings do you know? As far as I know, you’re the last living King.”

I racked through my brain, trying to think of any other kings that still existed. The Fae King Ambrose, had died a dozen years ago, and he had never taken a bride, leaving the throne empty. The dragons had gone extinct. Fighting each other until they eventually died out, the werewolves no longer had kings, the Lycian King, having given up his title, and sharing his power with all the pack Alphas, before he passed away quietly a year ago. And in my younger years I had gone on a killing spree, slaughtering all that remained of the Vampire royalty, wanting to end any and all unnecessary bloodshed.

“I thought so.” Esmerelda smirked, “You’re the only living King left. This prophecy is about your mate.”

“But what does it mean by ultimate sacrifice?” I asked. “Myra has already lost so much in her life, I don’t want her to have to sacrifice anything for our cause.”

Esmerelda bit her bottom lip not wanting to give the answer that I already knew. Usually with prophecies the ultimate sacrifice meant giving her life.

“I will not let her give her life to end this curse.” I growled.

“Really Vladimir, you would condemn Vampire kind for eternity, for the sake of your mate?”

“It is not Myra’s fault this curse has come to be!” I roared. “My bloodline caused this curse, the unquenchable blood lust of vampires, caused this curse. I am not sacrificing Myra’s life. I would rather reject our bond, and let her live in peace than let her die to end a curse on a species that she hates!”

“Tell me Vladimir, are the faerie hunters still out there, is Myra’s life at risk, even now as we speak?”

I felt my eyes slit and my vampire side push through, I would kill anyone who tried to harm a hair on Myra’s head.

“How are you suppose to protect her if you reject her?” Esmerelda asked.

“I can’t protect her being mated to her. My vampire craves her blood. Any time I am around her, I want to devour her, I am her ultimate predator.” I replied hanging my head in shame.

“But you haven’t killed her yet.” Esmerelda said, walking across the room and lifting my head up. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for Vladimir. In all the years you’ve known me, you have been drawn to the faerie blood inside me, you’ve tasted me, and yet you haven’t drained me.”

“Your blood is like fine wine, her blood is like the greatest delicacy in the world, you’re like the needle that injects the drug, and she is the heroin that keeps me coming back for more. I would do anything commanded of me, to just get one more taste.” My fangs elongated, proving how much. I desired Myra.

“But you’ve had a taste of her, and you haven’t killed her yet.”

“It took every ounce of power in me, to make my vampire retreat. I don’t know if I will be able to stop next time.”

“Next time, you will be able to stop because I will be there to help you.” Esmerelda said firmly. “You might not want to break this curse, which is fine, I understand why. But there are still faerie hunters out there wanting to wipe the existence of faeries from this world. I cannot stand idly by while this girl is in danger. I will go with you and teach her the ways of our people. I will help you eliminate the hunters.”

“You’ll come out of hiding to protect my mate?” I ask Esmerelda, looking into her eyes with fondness. While I felt nothing towards Esmerelda, I knew she still harbored some feelings for me.

“Yes, for your mate and for all of faerie kind. I am tired of hiding. It is time to end this war, even if the curse will never be lifted.” Esmerelda said firmly.

“Thank you.” I whispered to my longtime friend.

“This time, what I am doing isn’t for you Vladimir, I have long ago let go of the dreams I held as a young woman, I understand that you and I, we were never meant to be, we were only meant to learn from each other and be the anchor the other needed while one of us was sinking.”

I stood up and hugged Esmerelda tightly to me, inhaling her familiar scent, and for once, my vampire didn’t crave her intoxicating faerie blood. He only craved one person’s blood now. The blood that he couldn’t have. And I’d be damned if I let him anywhere near Myra to taste her blood again.