Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CIPRIAN
My female is aroused.
I can smell her. Hear her heart racing. Feel her.
This isn’t a fair chase. Our link allows me to sense her with ease, my nose tracking her delicious scent all the way out the front door and into the nearby woods.
It was a bold choice running out here in the cold. An even bolder choice heading toward a forest renowned for its brown bear population.
Of course, none of those predators lurk near my castle. Their noses warn them from miles away of my presence.
And I’m a much scarier beast than they will ever be.
A beast who is now hunting his desired prey.
Her citrus aroma is tanged with copper, telling me she scraped herself somewhere along the way, drawing blood.
On purpose? I wonder, my chest rumbling in response. Or did she hurt herself while fleeing?
I suppose the why doesn’t matter. I’ll be punishing her for wasting her essence regardless of the reason.
Her blood belongs to me. As does her sweet cunt. Her beautiful mouth. And that body meant for my kind of sin.
Gods, I’m so fucking overstimulated that it’s almost difficult to walk. I really should have removed my suit, but I rather like keeping her naked while hiding my body from her view. Plus, the challenge of being agile while hard is… exciting.
I move across the ground, my dick throbbing with every step.
I don’t run. I walk. Hunt. Trailing after my female’s alluring fragrance.
She’s close.
She’s hiding.
She’s waiting.
A purr ignites in my chest, my beast pleased that I haven’t spotted her yet. It means she’s actually trying to play this game. It’s one she’s destined to lose, but that’s not the point. Strigoi love a good hunt.
And I’ve never had cause to play.
Prowling forward, my wings tuck up against my back, my movements soundless along the earth.
Are you wet for me, pet? I whisper into her mind. Maybe you should start pleasuring yourself, ensure you’re ready to take me. Because I’m not going to be gentle with you.
Good. I don’t want gentle, she replies, her sultry voice warm inside my head.
I adore this link to her. It’s not what I expected, but it’s what I need to become a better mate for her.
I’m learning. She’s learning. And together—
A chill runs down my spine, causing me to freeze mid-stride. “Viviana?” Instinct pulls her name from my mouth, my gaze narrowing through the trees.
Her scent was a beacon mere seconds ago, her heartbeat an enticing rhythm in my ears.
Then both disappeared.
“Viviana?!” I shout, spinning as I search for her existence in the forest.
But I sense nothing. Hear nothing. Feel nothing.
It’s like she’s dead.
Or gone.
A roar rumbles through me, my wings spreading in an ominous wave of energy as my hands curl into fists. “Where is she?” I demand, rotating toward an approaching presence. “You gave us seven days, Marius. Seven. It hasn’t even been one.”
“I told you I would take the request back to the Strigoi. They rejected it.”
“They rejected it?” The echoed words leave me on a growl. “I am their king. They cannot reject my demand.”
“The trials are not yours to dictate,” he replies, his voice calm. “It’s time to come home, Ciprian.”
My jaw cracks from being clenched so hard.
I should have anticipated this. Should have realized that my Strigoi would never give me more time with Viviana.
They want to ensure she’s the right candidate before I take this too far and finalize our connection.
Because a dead mate can incapacitate a king. They witnessed that with my father, his insanity renowned through the Strigoi Kingdom.
He lost the other half of his soul, and he never recovered.
They housed him in an isolated estate where he’ll wallow for eternity, regretting his choices. Regretting his past. Wishing for an alternative. All while living within the cage of his mind.
I was trying to avoid such a future for myself, my desire to pick a worthy human paramount to all else.
But the Strigoi clearly don’t trust my instincts. They have to test the results for themselves.
“She’s my queen,” I snarl at Marius.
“I agree,” he says. “However, the Strigoi need to be sure. Besides, we both know it’s better this way. You’re growing attached, and while your control is better than that of anyone else I know, even you have limits, Cip.”
His use of that damn nickname nearly has my fist meeting his face. “Now isn’t the time, Mars.”
“True. Your mate has entered her second trial.” He cants his head, sending his long hair to the side. “You realize it’s not against the rules to also help… yes?”
I stare at him. Help isn’t something royals typically offer to candidates.
But there isn’t anything typical about this situation.
“Where’s the portal?” I demand, aware that there must be one nearby that ensnared my intended mate. “Take me to her. Now.”
“Make sure you save some of that sunny disposition for your people,” he murmurs, pulling out a device from his pocket.
A device I now realize is a portable portal.
One he must have used to take my mate.
Which means he is responsible for her disappearance.
I lunge for him, furious. But he anticipates the move, his hand clasping around my arm with an electric zing. I growl at him. “What—”
“Welcome home.” He shoves me forward, causing me to stumble into open air.
My wings stretch on instinct, forcing me to fly before I can truly tumble, and a world of blues, silvers, blacks, and grays reveals itself before me.
The bastard portaled me.
Which was precisely what I needed to do, but the shove was unnecessary.
“Asshole,” I mutter, hoping he’s behind me.
He doesn’t respond. And I don’t look at him. I’m too busy searching the palace grounds below.
I haven’t visited this place in several years, not since discovering Viviana’s existence. She consumed my focus. Became my obsession.
And now she’s my addiction.
I can feel her again, her mind open to mine as she wanders through a dark forest. She knows she’s left the human world, her instincts flaring as she runs for real now.
Before, she was playing.
Now, she’s terrified.
I’m here, I whisper to her.
Ciprian, she breathes, her footsteps faltering. I can’t hear her movements. However, I can sense them.
Don’t stop, I warn her. I don’t know what trial you’ve entered, but if you’re being truly hunted, then you can’t stop running.
This is likely a test of her strength and stamina, just like the one Shyla once failed.
Or perhaps it’s about cleverness.
I… I don’t know. I have no control. No answers. But I’m here. I can figure out what’s happening and try to help her, just like Marius suggested.
I soar through the air, the blood moons above illuminating the ground below. It’s always night here, the forestry made of unique fir-like trees that thrive in this realm.
Viviana noticed the difference in horticulture. That’s how she realized she’d entered a different world. I can hear the knowledge in her mind, the panic that melted into resolve as she pushed forward.
She didn’t freeze out of fear.
She kept going.
Until she heard me.
But now she’s sprinting again, convinced someone is chasing her.
My wings beat as I try to find her, to see who and what might be pursuing her.
But the trees surrounding my palace are too dense. I’m not even sure she’s in this part of the kingdom.
Fuck.
I fly down to the courtyard out front, where several Strigoi have gathered.
“My king,” they greet in unison, bowing.
“Where’s my intended?” I demand, not in the mood for formalities or salutations. They took Viviana, and I want her located.
Fjord, the general in charge of my palace security, creates a holographic screen in the air with a wave of one large hand. It pulls up footage of my female—my very naked female—running through the woods.
I suppress a snarl, furious that these three men are seeing my woman in this vulnerable state. The anger is made worse by the knowledge that this feed is likely being televised throughout the kingdom.
Which means everyone is currently watching Viviana sprint in the nude.
It’s not uncommon for the trials. I know this. But that doesn’t mean I like it.
“Where…?” I trail off, my brow furrowing as I study the background behind my intended. There are fir trees, just like I expected, but the shadowing is all wrong.
I glance up at the moons, note their high positions in the sky, and then look at the screen again.
“That’s nowhere near here,” I say, confused by the glow coming in at a low angle. It suggests the moons are either just rising or setting.
The endless midnight cycle in this world is unique. But no amount of time away from it would keep me from recognizing the patterns.
“Marius?” I don’t yell my friend’s name, just utter it loud enough for him to hear, as I assume he’s nearby. He’s the one who portaled me here using that handheld device. He must be close. And I suspect I’m going to need that little prized token of his.
“He’s still in the other world,” Fjord tells me, his silver hair glinting from the moonstream overhead. “He mentioned needing to tie up loose ends.”
“Yes, your candidate’s home realm doesn’t know about supernaturals. Thus, all ties to her existence must be erased. Marius offered to handle the issue.” Barnes, a well-respected advisor among the Strigoi, arches an auburn brow at me, daring me to question his wisdom.
He’s ancient.
Over five thousand years old.
And he’s best friends with my grandfather. Who flanks him on the left, his dark eyes—the same shade as my own—issuing a similar challenge.
But I don’t give a fuck about loose ends. I wanted Marius’s portal device.
He was the one who told me I could help my intended, essentially pointing out that there isn’t a rule against it. I’m not sure if he meant the suggestion or if he was trying to distract me into traveling here as soon as possible.
Knowing Marius, his comment was layered with both intentions.
Fuck.
I rub a hand over my face as I listen to Viviana consider the path ahead of her. When she starts thinking about a light she’s running toward, I frown and look at the holographic screen again.
There’s a building in the distance, one that I can barely make out from the camera they have on my mate. A camera she doesn’t appear to be aware of. Our technology is more advanced here. The source of the feed is likely some sort of invisible bug flying alongside her.
Whatever it is doesn’t matter.
The structure, however, is important.
Because I recognize it.
It’s not a building but a cabin. One I haven’t visited in over a thousand years.
My lips part. “No.” I look at my grandfather, ignoring the others. “No.”
He simply stares back at me. “This is her third trial. If she passes, she will have a break afterward. You’re welcome to tend to her then.”
“Third trial?” I ask, confused. “What was her second?”
“Your arrival,” he states calmly. “Now, I suggest we retreat to the sitting room in the palace. This trial won’t be as easy.”
He utters the words without emotion. Without care. Without even an ounce of consideration of the danger they just thrust my intended into.
“Viviana Dalca isn’t just a candidate. She’s my chosen mate,” I say, every word clear and concise. “I respect that the Strigoi need to ensure her worth, but this…” I point at the screen. “This is suicide.”
“Or perhaps it’s exactly what we all need,” my grandfather replies. “Regardless, I suggest you come with us. If she passes, we’ll teleport her here. If she fails, you’ll be welcome to retrieve the remains.”
My beast roars inside, my fingers curling into fists. “You talk as though she’s a pawn in a game.”
“Because she is, Ciprian,” he answers quietly, stepping into my space. “She’s a pawn that may become our queen. But you need to play by the rules and let her lead.”
“You’ve given her no time to prepare. No time to understand. No time—”
“We’ve waited a millennium for her,” he interjects. “And you’ve had over three years to ready her for these trials. If that wasn’t long enough, then neither of you is worthy of your roles in this world.”
“Neither of us?” I repeat.
“Be the king you’re meant to be,” he says, acting as though I didn’t speak. “Join us and observe your chosen queen. Or take the next two days trying to fly to her. Your choice.”
My teeth grind together.
I can only teleport so far. Typically a few miles at a time. Not thousands. It’ll only be slightly faster than flying.
And hand portals are rare. That’s why I called for Marius. There’s only one in the palace, and I assume that’s the one he took.
But I’ll definitely be checking.
Because if I can reach Viviana, I will.
He told me to help her. Fucking liar, I think. He knew I wouldn’t be able to stop this or assist her in any way. Not when she’s in an isolated part of this world.
An island of trees with a single cabin on the opposite side of the realm.
Fuck.
It’s a place of exile.
A home for an insane Strigoi.
My father.
I try to warn her, to tell her who’s waiting in that cabin. But we’re disconnected again.
And I know why.
There’s a force field around that cabin. A force field that keeps my father locked inside.
She’s already stepped over the threshold. Which means she’s just as trapped as he is.
And so am I, I realize, narrowing my gaze at my grandfather. Only, I’m trapped here. At the palace.
“Flying to her isn’t really an option, is it?” I voice it as a question. But I already know the answer.
He gives me a knowing look. “You’re a wise king, Ciprian. Wiser than your predecessors.” He starts toward the palace, not bothering to look back at me.
Because why would he?
He’s ancient. Just like Barnes.
I understand now that there’s a reason Fjord, Barnes, and my grandfather were my welcoming party. One is the general in charge of security, marking him as quite deadly. And the other two are among the strongest of Strigoi kind.
I could fight them, and I might even win.
But I would lose the respect of my kingdom.
And it wouldn’t save my intended from the inevitable. It would just make it all worse. It might even guarantee her failure.
Fuck.
There’s only one option—let this trial play out.
I chose Viviana Dalca for a reason. Now it’s time to see if my instincts about her are right.
But watching her without being able to help her is going to be torture.
Pure. Fucking. Torture.