Queens and Monsters: A Vampire Shifter Romance (The Blood Falls Book 1)
Queens and Monsters: Chapter 16

Dray held my hand as we stood outside the gates of the House of Axl, dressed in the traditional dark armor from the basement. “I can’t seem to let go of your hand.”

Last night was amazing. So much more than either of us imagined it might be. And now he was more possessive of me and I of him. We seemed to be bonded as one. “You don’t have to just yet.”

The House of Axl was located in wine country. They had their own vineyard. And the enormous house was a thing of beauty.

I still didn’t want to go in.

Hecta and Andromeda were not pleased with our hands-holding, but they signaled our arrival nonetheless. A moment later the gates opened allowing us to walk up the road to the house that sat on a hill. When we arrived more guards stood outside, with Antyne front and center.

He sneered at Dray. “Lord Wren, you’re either stupider than I thought you were…or braver.”

“I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, should I?”

Antyne flipped his hands out in question, looking around. “Pure blood samhain will follow the customs and codes…but I can’t guarantee the Dregs will.”

This time it was Dray who sneered. “If you can’t control your Dregs maybe you shouldn’t create them.”

Antyne laughed at Dray. “We don’t turn the unwilling.”

Anymore, Dray thought. “I’ll take my chances.”

My grandfather turned to me. “I trust you got excellent grades on your final exams?”

All but one had been posted, all much better than I expected with so little effort applied at the end. “I did, thank you for asking.”

“Well come inside. We have dinner all prepared with the family.” He waved me up the steps.

Dray came with me.

That’s when the guards pulled their swords, pointing them all at Dray.

Antyne turned back. “Lord Wren, I may tolerate you standing outside my home, but you are absolutely not coming through this door alive.”

Dray glared at each guard in turn, daring them to strike. None of them did, thankfully. I had a feeling Dray would have annihilated them with the mood he was in. “When can I pick her up?”

“To do what?”

Dray locked eyes with Antyne. “Hang out.”

The men stood in a glaring contest. Dray’s main goal seemed to be to make it clear that I was to have my freedom and if I didn’t there would be hell to pay. Antyne finally glanced to me. “I hope she’ll stay and get to know all of us for a good long while, but if she wishes to see you, she is free to go.”

I gave Dray’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll be fine.”

He kept staring Antyne down. “Rhysa is a friend of the House of Wren. She better be happy here.”

“The happiest. Come now, Rhysa.”

I turned to Dray when I realized he really, truly couldn’t let me go. “It’s okay. This is where I’m supposed to be. You can go now.” My voice grew quieter until it dropped into a whisper.

The muscles of his neck flexed and his shoulders rolled, but he still didn’t release me.

“Look at me, Dray.”

His eyes finally slid to meet mine. So blue and possessive. Worried. In love.

“Let go.”

His muscles flexed again and his face rippled with frustration. Then one finger at a time he released my hand. “Be safe.”

“I will be.”

He nodded then put his hands up, backing away from the guards.

“Come, Rhysa,” Antyne commanded.

I watched Dray turn and seemingly disappear. I’m safe. You’re not alone.

I smiled knowing we were still connected, then turned and followed my grandfather into the dark entryway of the House of Axl, completely unprepared for what was to come.