The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 5

Viktor’s jaw ticked, but he held himself in check. Theron knew. He had to know. It was the only plausible explanation for why he seemed pleased to see Viktor with the female.

Yes, so it would it seem, Viktor responded.

Edward cleared his throat and drew Viktor’s attention.

Viktor. It is good to see you again.

Viktor inclined his head towards the gentleman. Likewise, Edward.

Edward gestured towards the third man. You remember Foley.

Of course.

Edward stepped forward and put his hand on the delicate shoulder of the female. Viktor caught the growl in his chest before it was able to escape.

He’d never been possessive of anyone, but he found he did not like the Witch King touching what belonged to Viktor. If she was Edward’s second wife, he would be forced to kill the man.

Edward’s power over air sent warning signals across the space. He eyed the vampire, sensing an undercurrent of hostility from the male. Viktor was never jovial, but he never gave off such antagonistic vibes.

Aren’t you going to introduce us? Viktor inquired, attempting a tone of politeness. It came out ominous instead.

Edward cleared his throat. Viktor, this is my oldest daughter, Eden. Eden, meet the King of Prajna.

Daughter. Not wife. How very interesting—and lucky for Edward, he thought.

Viktor loved her name. He looked forward to whispering it in her ear.

Eden curtsied and put her right hand out for him, as was customary in her kingdom. Viktor ignored it and bowed low.

He was sure she thought him rude, but touching the skin on that hand was not an option at the moment. He could explain it later.

As Viktor raised from his bow, he found striking green eyes narrowed on him. He cocked his head, challenging her to say something of his behavior.

Eden’s face reddened at Viktor’s rebuff. The King of Prajna had silently refused her offered hand. It was an insult to do such a thing to a lady, especially one born into a royal family.

Her birthmark pulsed and soothed like a steady heartbeat. Soon she was able to reassess and shift her frame of mind.

Maybe vampires did not touch strangers. She would need to ask her father before she rushed to judgement again. She stole a glance at her palm, thankful for whatever it was doing to her.

Eden looked back up at the huge male and saw him staring intently at her hand. She clenched her fist and turned to her father. She didn’t know why, but catching Viktor regarding her hand so keenly affected her deeply.

Yes, well, are you ready? Theron asked.

Viktor eyed the old man. Ready for what?

To discuss whatever you came to discuss, of course.

I am. Though, I am more than happy to wait here until you’ve finished with your other guests, if you prefer, he offered, wanting to stay close to Eden.

Nonsense. Come in, everyone, Theron motioned for them to follow him back into the study.

Edward and Foley returned to the room and Viktor was left standing alone with Eden. He didn’t want to leave her, but it was unlikely she had plans to go anywhere without her father.

He would deal with matters of state first. It would give him time to come up with a plan where Edward’s daughter was concerned. A smooth departure was his preference. Though, if Edward put up a fight, Viktor would take her anyway.

If you’ll excuse me, Eden, he dipped his head and strode into the room after the others.

Eden bit her l*p as a pang struck her chest at the sound of her name upon his lips. She almost trailed after him through the doorway.

Her arm started to reach towards the male. She put her left hand over her right, holding it down. Eden’s palm was acting like a magnet, attracted to whichever direction he went.

She was going to have to ask Theron about the birthmark. She’d never heard of a body part behaving as if it was its own entity.

Her offending skin prickled and the same soothing sensation crept through her body. She wanted to go to him, to be near him. Eden thought it might be quite nice to feel his fingers clasp her own.

Staring longingly after him, she sighed, and her logic took over. What was wrong with her? He was a vampire—the Vampire King of Prajna. They called him the Heartless King for a reason.

Eden had no business panting over someone like Viktor. She should put him out of her mind and go find Evelyn to continue their search.

Eden took a step towards the library when she heard Theron call her name.

Well, child? Are you coming in or not?

Without a hint of protest from her reasonable mind, she entered the study.

I think the time for secrets has passed, don’t you? Theron pressed.

A vein throbbed near Viktor’s forehead. He did not appreciate being cornered.

Since Theron had closed the door, the priest had disclosed the current conditions in the West and the North, including the resurrection of the Sephtis Kenelm and an assassination attempt on Edward’s youngest daughter.

Viktor tensed, but not because he was upset over Eden’s sister. He cared little for strangers, especially those who were not vampire.

His only concern was for Eden and what the group’s resurrection meant for her. She was the sieva to the King of Prajna, just as Nora was the mate to the King of Burghard.

An upset of the balance, indeed.

The group, as far as he knew, had never operated in the Eastland. It was true there had been Prajna involved historically, but never had they brought their cause as far East as his castle. Considering he had no intention of putting Eden on the throne, it might not matter.

He could tell Edward was hesitant to openly discuss it, but Theron had argued if their assumptions were correct, and something was amiss across Imperium, the entire continent could be in peril. Each kingdom was facing its own plight.

Well, aside from Gwydion. Technically, their power drain ended the day Nora headed to the Northland. Edward’s people may be on the mend, but he now had a vested interest in the kingdom to the North. He’d soon know he also had equitable interest in the East.

Theron ended his speech, allowing the enormity of his words to settle. Then, the wily greybeard asked Viktor to disclose the curse plaguing the vampires. He asked, knowing Viktor had taken care to hide this misfortune.

Says the one who knows them all, Viktor replied tersely.

Theron remained unruffled. Nothing ever rattled the male.

I hold the trust of each ruler, I guard your secrets and advise as best I can. It’s time the four kings start trusting one another so we may work together. I’ll be calling on Marrok by week’s end.

Marrok was the ruler in the Southland, a powerful Sundari—a demon. Viktor knew the demons were having their own troubles, much more serious than his if the rumors were true.

Viktor weighed his options, calculating what was in the best interest of the Prajna. Though he had no proof, all evidence pointed to Theron’s theory of some grave influence sweeping across the continent.

If his people’s sufferings were related to the other factions’ difficulties, he would want to be in on whatever they discovered, be it through tracking down the Sephtis Kenelm or finding clues in the scrolls. He had a duty to help the vampire kingdom.

The King continued to deliberate silently, assessing the costs compared to the benefits of throwing in his support to the other rulers. Having allies might prove useful.

In the end, his decision to cooperate wasn’t altogether magnanimous. Staring hard at Eden, he took a gamble.

Very well. I shall cooperate. I’ll even help you root out the last of the Sephtis Kenelm.

Edward and Foley visibly relaxed.

On one condition, Viktor added, surveying his sieva. She had not relaxed at his promise to assist. Beautiful and intelligent, too, it seemed.

Eden was seated to her father’s left. Viktor’s gaze shifted to Edward. He doubted the female would go against Edward’s wishes, so he would need to first clear his path.

And what condition would that be? Edward queried suspiciously.

Eden returns to Castra Nocte with me. Willingly.

Foley growled at the same time Edward spat, Absolutely not!

Eden sat, stunned at Viktor’s stipulation, as her father hurled a string of insults at the Vampire King. Foley threw in a few choice words, as well. Viktor simply sat there, not so much as blinking. He almost looked as if he was enjoying their denunciations.

She looked at Theron, wanting him to do something to quiet the men. Wasn’t that his job?

Theron’s prismatic eyes were already locked on hers, ignoring the rising tensions surrounding them. He nodded towards her lap, where her hands were tightly clasped together.

Eden, do be a dear and show your father your palm.

Eden inhaled sharply. How could he possibly know?

She sat still, immobilized by his request. Edward started to rise from his chair. Things were about to get out of hand.

I suggest, Theron continued, this time speaking loudly, you do so immediately and put a stop to this nonsense.

The mark pulsed, and silver light emitted from her hand casting a faint glow on her leg. She turned her palm face up.

Father?

The tremor in Eden’s voice caught Edward’s attention. He looked down and she extended her arm in front of him. Her crescent birthmark was producing a soft, silvery light.

What. Is. That? Edward gritted.

I do believe, Viktor interposed, “that is the perfect match to this. Wouldn’t you agree, Eden?”

He raised his hand to show his cicatrice, which was the same size and shape, and releasing the same silver light as Eden’s. If his marking had awoken five years earlier, hers would have, as well. It

seemed his little witch was keeping secrets from her father.

Deviant female, he almost complemented. Eden was a puzzle he was looking forward to solving.

Oh, dear Goddess above, Foley sighed.

What? Eden asked her father, who had sunk back into his chair, both hands in his hair. He looked utterly and completely defeated.

What does this mean? she demanded.

Viktor stood, towering over Eden and her father. His heated stare felt like flames licking at her skin, like when she used her powers to warm herself in winter, only this was more intense.

“It means, mala vestica, you are mine.”

Your what, exactly? she bristled at being called ‘little witch’ again.

My sieva. My mate. That crescent you don is what my people call a cicatrice. Each one has a match, and only one match, to the one person who can bond with his or her soul. You’re mine.

Eden heard the truth in his declaration. Their identical markings could not be mere happenstance. Her body’s reaction to his went beyond ordinary attraction.

Nora’s words came to her mind. When you search your truth, look to the East. This was what she meant. All Eden’s logic and powers of deduction agreed. For once, so did her instincts.

The riddle finally made sense. The East wasn’t a location. It was a person. Viktor was where she would find her truth.

Eden had a choice to make. She could deny her fate, possibly drawing the ire of the Goddess, or, worse, forsaking her own wants and desires. Or she could meet her destiny head-on.

One look at Viktor’s severe countenance and her choice was made. She would go with him. Not solely because of the mark, and certainly not because he dared to mandate she do so in exchange for his assistance.

It was mostly because, underneath his harsh expression, Eden saw Viktor’s vulnerability. Some part of him was afraid she would refuse. The cool pulse of her marking told her she was making the right decision.