The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 30

Eden’s weightless body plummeted towards the swirling dark water below. Her stomach rose to her throat and she struggled to remain calm.

The full moon was bright enough to hint at how far she’d fallen. She could hear the roiling eddy’s powerful clashes against the rocks.

Facing the sky, she used her magic to call to the air and wind, desperate to slow her fall. Earlier, she’d been able to part the sea and walk through it. Now, she feared she didn’t have enough energy left to both break her fall and fight the whirlpool.

Drops of ocean spray landed on her exposed neck and hands. She yelped, knowing she was dangerously close to her death.

Her momentum had decelerated. She hoped it was enough. Eden closed her eyes, preparing for the worst. Suddenly, her body jolted and compressed.

She waited for the painful fingers of frigid water, for the burn from the lack of oxygen. Instead she felt … warmth and two giant arms crushing her tight.

Open your eyes, love.

Eden’s lungs expelled all the air she’d been holding in. Her body racked with soundless sobs at the realization she was safe in Viktor’s unrelenting embrace. She could have been killed, both she and their child.

She clung to Viktor, shaken. They were safe, all three of them. Safe in their chambers, away from Dmitri. The impression of his name in her consciousness terminated her temporary respite.

Viktor’s lips landed on Eden’s forehead, then her temple, then her mouth. Abrupt and unyielding. His heart had stopped when he’d watched her go over the cliff.

He wanted to taste her tongue, to strip her bare and devote hours to loving her in their bed. He wanted to hold her, to convey what she meant to him. Viktor needed to atone for what he’d done to his mate.

It would have to wait. He had to eradicate the menace who had dared to put his hands on Eden. He lowered her until her feet landed on the floor.

I have to go back, he told her.

I know. Don’t go alone. Take Bran or Yuri, and a dozen guards—or more.

“I’ll be okay, moj vestica.”

Eden caressed his jaw. I need you to come back to us, safe and preferably in one piece. Please don’t go alone.

If it will make you feel better, I’ll grab the wolf on my way. I’ll send Yuri up here to stay with you until I return. Do not leave these quarters, Eden.

I won’t.

Viktor planted one last searing k**s upon his mate’s lips and then ported away.

Ignoring his daughter’s shout as she ran to her mate, Dmitri moved to the edge of the cliff. There was no sign of either Viktor or Eden. With any luck, her body had hit the water and Viktor went in after her.

Though, he doubted the King had perished. Viktor could have gotten her in time by porting to her in the air.

Dmitri held up his arm. He needed to get the shackle off so he could get himself to safety and come up with a new plan.

He turned back towards Luka, thinking he would search him for the key. Bianca stood in his way.

She took in the sight of her beloved father. She’d always been so proud of his sacrifice, so confident in his love for her. He’d gone to great lengths to ensure she was well off after he’d disappeared.

Bianca bit back the devastating disappointment of discovering not only was he a traitor to the crown, he’d used her as a pawn to suit his own purpose. She was done being used.

Bianca, come, port me away from here.

She leered at his hand, at the cicatrice that matched her mother’s. Her grip on the sword against her thigh tightened. Her father hadn’t even noticed she’d taken it from Luka’s scabbard.

Luka g*****d incoherently from behind her. She would not let her father near him again.

Did my mother know?

Dmitri dropped his hand. He hadn’t much time, but his only child appeared reluctant to reach for him. Bianca was determined to have answers and he couldn’t blame her.

Did she know what?

That you were going to betray Viktor.

He exhaled heavily. She knew Viktor’s mate was not vampire. She’d dreamt it.

Answer my question.

She found out, yes. It is difficult to keep the mark hidden when it is so boldly scripted across one’s chest.

Her eyes flicked to the area over his heart.

How did you get the mark?

That is not for anyone to know, Bianca.

Not even me?

Not even you.

Her indignation intensified. The more she studied him, the more she realized she didn’t know him at all.

If that is all, Bianca, let us leave. Someone will be coming.

One more question and then you can depart. Why did Nikolai kill my mother? You never gave me a reason and I was too young to know to ask.

It wasn’t lost on him that she’d said you and not we could depart. She wasn’t going to come with him. He should have known he’d have no sway over her, not when her sieva was lying on his back with a knife stuck between his ribs.

I don’t know.

Lie.

Dmitri’s head jerked to the right. Standing beside a very alive Viktor was the young wolf from the dungeon. The damned animal could smell a lie.

You don’t look surprised to see me, Viktor’s smooth voice purred. It was the voice he used when dealing with deplorables at court.

That’s because I’m not.

Answer her, Dmitri, Luka grated through gritted teeth. Give her some truth after your litany of lies. You owe her that much.

Viktor surveyed his brother a moment. Luka was very still, but he was breathing and he was capable of speech. These were positive signs.

Well? Bianca prompted, moving a step closer.

Viktor and Bran inched towards Dmitri, as well. They had him pinned, his back to the edge of the cliff. There was nowhere to go but down.

Eliza went to Nikolai and told him what she’d seen in her dreams. I told her to keep quiet, but she didn’t listen. Nikolai didn’t want Viktor to ever know his sieva was not Prajna. He killed her for it. When he confronted me, I already had this, he pulled his shirt aside to reveal the swirling black ink upon his skin.

He knew we were of the same mind, despite what he’d done to Eliza. Nikolai was almost joyous over it. He extracted an oath from me never to act against him and allowed me to escape.

Viktor’s nostrils flared. His father had known his true mate was not of their faction? The tyrant had meant to withhold the truth from his own son—had meant for Viktor to never replace Eden.

Bianca glanced at Bran.

Truth, the wolf pronounced with a low growl in his chest. He was disgusted on Viktor’s behalf. It was not right what his father did. Matehood was what made life worth living.

Bianca’s perfect eyebrows slanted. Dmitri swore he could feel his daughter’s suspicion. “What? You thought I had something to do with your mother’s death?”

Apparently, I know nothing of what you did or did not do. Everything I thought I knew of your existence was a lie.

Bianca—

I wish you had actually been killed as I believed.

Dmitri flinched. Her declaration had been devoid of feeling. She’d stated it matter of fact, masking her emotions as he’d taught her to do when she was very young.

He’d never intended for her to suffer. He thought he’d left her in the best position possible. She was cool and calculating, unencumbered by the emotions plaguing others. She would be a great queen.

Viktor and Bran drifted nearer. Dmitri needed to escape. He was no match for Viktor or the wolf, especially now he was unarmed.

He stepped towards Bianca. Moonlight caught on the steel of the blade she lifted between them. She gripped it expertly, as though she’d done it a thousand times.

Bianca’s posture was relaxed, her hold on Luka’s weapon steady. Years of living in a perpetual state of numbness saved her from any show of wavering.

Bianca, move away from him, Luka begged, holding one hand over his wound and the other out to his mate.

Listen to your sieva, Dmitri ordered, braving another step towards her and away from the men closing in.

Viktor considered porting Dmitri straight to the dungeons. Their original plan had been to capture and question him.

Having seen his mate get thrown from the top of Diavol Crest, the only thing that would satisfy his thirst for revenge would be watching Dmitri’s head fall away from his body.

Bianca, Viktor soothed, trying to make sure she did nothing to endanger herself. It would crush Luka if she was harmed. Give me the sword.

No.

She lunged at her father, swinging the length of steel in a wide arc. She was aiming for his neck.

Dmitri’s eyes widened and he propelled himself backwards, narrowly missing the tip of the sharp blade. Instinctually, he tried to port.

With the iron cuff still attached, it did no good. Too late, he realized his mistake as he tumbled over the rocky cliff.

Viktor, Bran, and Bianca ran to the edge. They watched Dmitri’s descent until he splashed into the black vortex below.

Bianca hissed in frustration. She wound back, about to throw the sword after her father when Luka’s weakened voice stopped her.

I would appreciate, he panted, if you did not lose my favorite weapon.

The metal clinked against the rock as she dropped it and ran to him. The bleeding seemed to have slowed, but his skin had become ashen.

She reached for the hand Luka had clutching the knife. Viktor grabbed her wrist.

Don’t touch his hand, Bianca.

Her eyes flashed and her palm tingled, protesting. Luka needed her. Their souls were pushing them together.

Let me get him help first. At the very least, the knife needs to come out before …

He let the rest linger, not wanting to think about his brother binding his soul to Bianca. She may have finally shown some of her true colors, but he was still wary.

At least she hadn’t been conspiring with Dmitri. Viktor honestly did not know what he would have done to Luka’s mate if she had been in cahoots with her father.

Viktor knelt beside Luka and lifted him into his arms. Luka ground his teeth with the movement.

Bianca, port with Bran to the infirmary.

If it’s all the same, Bran interjected, I’d like to stay here, make sure he doesn’t come out of the water.

Viktor didn’t think Dmitri would be strong enough to survive the whirlpool, but it would be wise to make sure.

Thank you. I’ll send others along shortly to help you. We’ll need to check the banks, as well. Bianca, we’ll see you in a moment.

Viktor ported Luka to the rarely-used infirmary. It was empty, aside from one guard on duty. The startled male jumped when the King appeared carrying the very bloody Prince.

Go get the healer, Viktor barked.

Right away, Sire.

Bianca landed and strode to the nearest bed, turning down the sheet. She rolled up her sleeves and grabbed a basin and some rags from the shelving beside the bed.

What are you doing? Viktor asked.

Helping.

Luka coughed out a laugh in between grunts of agony when Viktor placed him on the bed.

Viktor, have you met Bianca?

Viktor stared, dumbfounded, at Luka’s mate. She was determined to assist, something he’d never seen from her. Even her movements were different. Expedient. Not a hint of seduction in her actions.

I’m starting to believe I haven’t, Viktor replied.

Bianca ignored her mate’s strained chuckle and continued prepping supplies. She kept her head low to hide her reddened cheeks.