Taming an Immortal update and teaser

This final chapter is taking me longer than expected and it's not because I've been lazy but because of how difficult the scenes were to write. Birth, death, heartache - yeah all that messiness.

I'm already at 27 Microsoft Word pages which is really long BUT it's still not finished! So this might not be up by this weekend as I thought it would be. So, let's see for another week and then phew! Done with the story.

Anyway, in this final installment, I've decided to write a short peek into what could possibly be written in the sequel. It's one of my favourite scenes from this chapter only because it's a sharp contrast to the depressing nature of the other scenes. This is still the raw form as I haven't edited nor embellished it but while we wait until TAM Ch 14 is posted, enjoy!

***

Eulalie glanced sideways at the female still wrapped in the pelt of the Western Lord. She wouldn’t lie to herself but Eulalie was surprised and damn right pissed to find out the identity of the Lady of the West. Etienne had abandoned his pregnant mate for this?

All Vampire women were bastards. Her father had taught her that right from the start which was why he never married any of them. And like all the Pureblood women he had lain with, this one was no different.

For all the calm and gentle exterior the female Pureblood tried to portray, only Eulalie knew the wickedness that lay claim in that woman’s heart. Eirikr was now a shadow of his former self; simply existing but not living because she had trapped him, used him and discarded him like the unworthy trash he wasn’t.

Eulalie could kill her for that alone.

And then she would kill her for putting the sadness in Rose’s eyes. God, Eulalie liked that human! She had given Merkel and his men a home and asked for nothing in return – not even when her father had offered to take her as his wife! What an honour that should have been. But Rose needed no more of that.

To Eulalie, a woman raising a child without a man deserved a class of honours of her own. Especially when it was obvious that carrying a half Vampire child was robbing the human of her strength and life.

“These mountains have become more dangerous recently. We’ve been having unexpected guests…” Eulalie didn’t know why she offered that information but it got Etienne’s immediate attention.

“That’s why the wolves were edgy.” Etienne nodded at her silence. “What sort of guests?”

“Dead bodies – floating down the river, flung on trees…” Eulalie closed her eyes to will the images away. “Children… all of them.”

Etienne had a hard set frown on his face, the silver in his eyes going slightly gold as he processed her words.

“Scent and tracks?” Too many.

Eulalie raised her eyes to meet his. “You know whose.

And I can assure you that Father is looking into it. That’s why I’m here.” Indeed, the hyenas had never been a problem before, always adhering to the strict segregation rules enforced by their Changeling Lord of the East. But all that had changed the moment the hyenas sought refuge underground.

Eulalie herself didn’t know that beneath them lay a labyrinth of caves and channels that were massive enough to house an entire army of hyena Changelings. From the vast number of soldiers who attacked Seurri, their underground base was the only logical place to accommodate all those thousands.

Right under their noses.

If she didn’t know better, Eulalie had the feeling that her father had offered his hand to Rose as punishment for allowing the hyenas to proliferate and attack the South. Her father was never one to chain himself so willingly to a woman.

“We will visit your brother once this storm passes. And I will help you track the hyenas.” His decision sounded absolute, much to the dismay of the female Pureblood beside him. It went without saying that he had every intention of leaving her behind while he scouted. Even through the soft glow of the campfire, Eulalie had caught her face paling.

“And what of your relation up the peaks?” she asked softly, watching as the female turned away from them.

“He has lived for thousands of years. A few more days wouldn’t matter.”

***

The storm stopped too soon in Zahara’s opinion – almost as though it was dying to put Etienne’s decision into action. Why of all the wolves, they had to meet her?

And if Etienne hadn’t known earlier about her past, he surely would now. The shameless wolf wore her mark like it was a medallion across his skin –literally. Skin deep, the ink spelled out her name in the Changeling tongue and displayed for all to see on the side of his neck like a choker.

Though he couldn’t read Changeling script, Etienne knew the basic alphabets and though he didn’t voice it, she knew that he was roaring with laughter on the inside. Idiot!

“Sister mine, how fare thee?” Zahara watched Eirikr kiss Eulalie’s cheeks twice even though his eyes were fixed only on her. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”

He all but purred.

“Brother, this is Lord Etienne of the West and –”

“This is Zahara Arceneaux, cousin of mine,” supplied Etienne saving both women from unwanted embarrassment. “I thank you for your kind welcome Prince Eirikr. But this is not a social call.”

Zahara watched as Etienne hustled the siblings into an adjoining chamber, leaving her and Keiko alone. But the reprieve was not for long.

When they reappeared, Eulalie had a nasty scowl on her face while her brother was positively brimming with delight – his face almost an exact copy of his father’s when he grinned. That said a lot, considering that the Eastern Lord was a classic cassanova. 

However, that was nothing compared to the look on Etienne’s face. Despite the stoic front he was clearly putting up, Zahara caught the amusement in his eyes and worst – the laughter in his head!

“Come Princess, we must make haste,” he announced, nodding at Keiko to follow. “Zahara, I will return for you. Be well cousin.”

He didn’t even give her a chance to say goodbye, simply disappearing before she could protest.

“You do not look pleased to be in my company.” Soft hands played with a stray strand of her hair.

“Perhaps you should show me to my room,” she replied sharply without turning towards him. “I do not wish to burden you any longer with my presence.”

“Oh, but of course,” he replied, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “You know the way to my chambers.”

***

Taming an Immortal Ch 13 teaser

So the penultimate chapter to the story. For those of you wondering, yes there is a sequel planned in my head because the ending that I have written for TAM is not completely wholesome in the typical Happily Ever After. I think it is satisfactory though not satisfying.

Hah, or maybe I just want you guys hooked onto my writings!

Anyway, enough rambling. I've just submitted TAM ch 13 on Lit and so it will be up in 72 hours. And so, here is a short peek at my favourite scene in the chapter:

Wind Eternal was already out of its sheath even before he landed beside her; the blade pressed precisely against the beating artery at his neck. She had moved so fast, it totally caught him off guard.

“You dare approach me in my private chambers?” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper meant for his ears only.

“You wouldn’t speak to me otherwise Rose.”

Etienne wanted to touch her but stayed rooted in place – only his eyes daring to look at her.

Since when did her eyes start to have that ring of gold around the iris? It had to be a trick of the light but Rose, despite her pregnancy, looked nothing like a sick matronly woman. Her lithe body betrayed nothing of the growing child inside her and by her heightened speed and senses, Etienne had a feeling that his Rose was no longer fully human.

It was as if she and the baby had a symbiotic relationship; the Halfling feeding his mother with his strength, almost in a fight to survive. He didn’t know if it was temporary for the duration of the pregnancy or a permanent feature but Etienne knew this Rose was no longer one who would play by his rules.

“There is nothing to talk about.” However, she lowered her sword but kept him at arm’s length.

“You should know never to raise my own fang against me,” he laughed.  Fast as she may be, he was still faster, disarming her in a heartbeat; her body twisted such that her back was pressed against his front.

“Why do you fight me Rose?” he whispered against her ear.

Her struggling stopped and she stilled completely. “What do you want, Lord Etienne of the West?”

“You.”

God, she smelled heavenly even under the layers of all the men who had dared to paw her. Wasn’t his mark and the scent of his child so clear on her to hint to them to back off? Call it selfish, but this woman was his and he’d be damned if he allowed anyone else to claim otherwise.

“You don’t have those rights anymore my Lord. Perhaps you should unhand me.”

“No.”

The corners of her lips twisted into a smirk. “Every male in this castle will be here in a matter of seconds – all I need to do is scream help.”

“Then I will put them down.”

“No! You will not touch them. Not on my lands Lord Arceneaux.”

Ramming her elbow backwards into his ribs, Etienne let out a sharp exhale before loosening his grip. He wanted so badly to pull her backwards but chose instead to let her go. Eyes downcast, Etienne found himself staring at the silver band around his wrists.

“You should have had a matching one,” he whispered regretfully, raising his eyes to capture her gaze.

When the words came out, they were spoken in his native tongue – soft chants as his eyes gently roamed from her face down her body to rest at her stomach.

Aengus.

Taming an Immortal Chap 11 teasers

Chapter 11 should be out in a day or two! But here's a short peek at my favourite section from this chapter! It's between Drake, Miria and Rose as they took a tour of Seurri.

***

“I know what you’re doing,” said Anzer the moment Rose was out of sight. “It is not your right to imprint the child.”

“As opposed to you?” Drake slammed his palm on the table, glaring at his father. “You know how I feel about her and yet you wish to claim what should be mine?”

“Do not presume what you do not know! Changelings and Vampires live in separate worlds with separate rules. Imprinting on a child not of your blood is certain death!”

The intensity of his father’s slap echoed more than just the physical act itself. How hypocritical of him to say that when he, a Noble laid claim on him and his brothers as though they were his own?

Pressing a hand on his cheek, Drake turned and ran out of the dining hall. He had come here, without hesitation on his father’s request and now there were rules? Drake wasn’t planning on playing by them. He had come for Rose and he would stay for her. Damn whoever who’d dare stop him!

Wiping the scowl off his face, Drake put on the usual cheeriness that Rose was familiar with. He had sensed a deep sadness within the human and his heart had ached for her. There would be no need for his feelings to impose itself on hers.

“I hope Anzer didn’t nag too much,” said Rose when he caught up. “Must be hard for him being so far away from you five.”

Drake simply smiled. He hadn’t thought about it that way to be honest. But today was not about him.

“So, tell me, how’s the rebuilding going? Do you need help?”

Rose smiled, angling her head towards him. “Are you planning to stay for long?”

“As long as you want sweetheart,” he replied, curling an arm around her shoulder possessively; ignoring the curious look Miria was throwing his way.

Rose however didn’t seem to mind the contact for she kept on walking, drawing his attention to the city walls as they approached the perimeter.

“We have a group of red wolf Changelings currently helping us with the reconstruction.” She winked at him. “I’m sorry squab, but they’re much better seamen. Thanks to them, we’ve had some excellent minerals and rocks from the sea.”

“Well, at least I look better – you know, less hairy and all.” He winked back, before making a face at a passing red wolf.

“Drake, you better keep your smart ass mouth to yourself. Or I’ll feed you to those damn wolves,” warned Miria; fingers twisting his ears in warning.

Yelping, Drake dissolved into a shimmer of light before landing on Rose’s shoulder in his Changeling form. When Miria tried to catch him, he merely pecked at her fingers revengefully.

“Now, now children. Behave!” laughed Rose as they continued walking towards a makeshift tent where a group of red wolves and humans had congregated.

“My Lady, what brings you here today?” One of the burly red wolves greeted her; his eye darting at Drake suspiciously.

“Merkel. I’m glad to see you’re well. Have there been enough supplies for the workers?”

“Miria has brought enough… supplies, to build another village.” The wolf coughed slightly before looking away. 

Why that cheeky little…

Hopping off Rose’s shoulder, Drake landed on Miria’s head, tapping her scalp with his beak. Her reaction was a second too slow but Miria eventually managed to grab him by the neck before stuffing him in her bag.

That was a mistake of course for he started squawking at the top of his lungs to be released from his cloth prison.

“Miria… give him to me.” He heard the order from Rose. A second later, her scent was close to the bag as she hissed. “Drake, this is why Anzer keeps needing to have a talk with you. I’m feeding you to Merkel if you don’t behave!”

“I don’t eat seagulls. They taste disgusting,” said the red wolf with a laugh. “But, Titus over there might fancy some meat. He’s been complaining that fish and kelp aren’t his thing.”

“I’m so sorry about him. He’s just a baby,” said Miria apologetically as she handed Drake over to Rose. “Umm… have you had lunch?”

Drake only wished he didn’t have to witness such a revolting scene before him. Miria, warrior princess was currently swooning over the heap of muscles like some love sick puppy. What was it about those damn wolves that Pureblood women always found so alluring? Tsk!

“Perhaps you could come with us,” suggested Rose. “I was planning to take Drake here to have soft-shelled crabs down by the pier.”

If he could roll his eyes, Drake probably would for the red wolf –if it was even possible –had gone an even brighter shade of red.

“Of course my Lady. It would be my honour. Let me see if the Princess would like to join us.”

When he was gone, Drake jumped off Rose’s shoulder and took back his human form.

“That was painful Miria. Please… I need a stick to poke my eyes out.”

Both women glared at him but only one smacked him on the head –Miria was obviously guilty.

“Now Drake, Eulalie is the Princess of the East. I know you can’t hold your tongue around me and I love you for that… but, please, try not to get yourself eaten around her.”

Drake was about to tell Rose that was highly impossible when he spotted her.

Hair so blonde they appeared almost white, the Princess walked – no, floated as her dress flowed like water behind her.

Drake had found his match and damn she looked much better in feathers than him. 

Taming an Immortal Chapter 9 teasers

I am feeling sad that the story is almost coming to an end. While I am still working on Chapter 10, I think the story itself should end sometime by Chapter 12. In my head at least, there is already a sequel at works and it involves 4 interesting characters - all of whom are very different from each other. In this short teaser, I will be introducing a new character and she will be paired with Drake - a complete clash of personality and status. Now, the other pairing is between Zahara and a new character who will be introduced in mention only in Chapter 10. 

Someone recent wrote to me asking me to pair a nonhuman female character with a human male - and while I'm trying to see how I can slot this in the grand scheme of things, I think my best compromise so far is the Drake-Eulalie coupling. He is almost as layman as it gets so we'll see. :)

Meanwhile, here is a short excerpt from Chapter 9. Don't think I'll post it up too soon as I have yet to proof read it!

***

Alduin had joined him two days after, as they journeyed southwards along the coast from the Western tip. By the end of the week, Etienne had led the Nobles to the mouth of the long mountain pass.

What he thought was initially human blood turned out to be hyenas’. Getting off his dragon, he ordered the squadron to rest, keeping alert and within formation while he scouted.

So much death here…

Contrary to human’s belief that Vampires were soulless beings; his race were in fact the most sensitive to death -being able to sense it even from a distance. That was how he knew his father had died - the sudden great change in balance of the life forces around him.

But beyond that, Purebloods in particular had the uncanny ability to see the scale of one’s mortality; pinpoint the exact moment in a person’s life to determine the years lived and the years left.

It had taken a lot of self-control not to look at Rose with this ability. Her coming into his life had been like a monsoon after a long, harsh drought, making him pay attention to things he used to find useless and boring -flowers, music, laughter… love. How could someone so young and tiny have learnt the compassion and patience that he, after all the time spent in this world, had not?

For that alone, he would rather not know when she would take her last breath…

Pushing thoughts of Rose to the corner of his mind, Etienne continued studying the ground, reaching down to rub his fingers over the crimson-soaked soil. Whatever carnage that had taken place was cleared out quickly and efficiently. Hyenas were not known to clean up after a kill –then who?

Following his sense of smell, Etienne tracked down what appeared to be the site of a struggle between a hyena and a human –or perhaps not. Someone had forgotten to wipe clean the prints here. 

Unable to retract their claws, hyenas often left deep grooved markings but here, claw marks, padded footprints and human prints trampled each other.

Another Changeling then.

Moving back towards his Nobles, Etienne mounted Alduin; his command whispered at a low frequency only meant for their ears.

“Look up as you pass but not a sound.”

The horses moved silently in the darkness, their eyes closed by flaps. It was for the best, seeing that some of the younger Nobles were panicking soundlessly at the sight of hyena Changelings –in their various transformative forms –skewered through the branches of the trees high above.

It continued as such deeper into the mountains as they went until finally the stench of hyenas cleared as they reached a small water hole. This had to be done recently. By the looks of it, a trench had been dug deep enough to drown whoever tried to pass.

Etienne was almost tempted to pin it on pumas but a more familiar –and equally revolting –scent caught his attention.

“Wolves.”

The ice blue of their eyes peered down on him; a cluster of wolves hanging by the branches. Seeing that they made no move to attack, Etienne continued, stopping only when the water lapped at Alduin’s feet.

“It would be a shame to leave the horses my Lord,” said Keiko, coming up from behind. “And… I think these wolves are simply waiting to watch us drown.”

Indeed. Etienne looked up to see one particular wolf strutting on a branch; her sleek body at attention as though anticipating a show. Well, he’ll give her one then.

Drawing his seven-branched sword, Etienne leaped off his dragon, flying straight at the rocky edges of the mountains; sword slashing down against the hard surfaces.

At first nothing happened –but then the mountains started to grumble; the ground shaking as a gigantic portion of the slopes broke off and crashed down, shattering as it hit the middle of the water hole.

Landing amongst the rubble, Etienne brought his gaze up to the trees – golden eyes meeting blue.

He recognised this one in particular.

“Aren’t you so far from home, princess?” It was a strange hierarchy these wolves. All of Ulrich’s concubines were addressed as Lady while his own heirs addressed as prince and princess, though the identities of their mothers were a mystery. There was never a Queen of the East.

The wolf looked at him arrogantly, leaping off the branch as she shifted mid-air, her white pelt melting away to pale blonde hair, long and wavy as they cleverly covered up the bronzed flesh of her breasts.

“Lord Etienne.” She bowed slightly; her actions serving as a stand down for all the other wolves prowling on the trees.

“Eulalie.” He noted how some had leaped off to stand protectively close behind their princess. Again, another Changeling quirk. Purebloods would scoff at the thought of a lesser trying to protect them.

“I must say that was quite… impressive, my Lord,” she tilted her head to the rocky path he had created. “Though now you’ve completely ruined the trap.”

Etienne frowned at her words. “I thought the message you left behind was quite clear.” There was no mistaking the unspoken threat from the hyena massacre on display.

She didn’t take the bait.

“If you’re thinking of heading up to An, forget it. There is nothing left but death and decay.” The anger was ripe in her voice.

“Wolves?” When she nodded, he was genuinely surprised. Wolf Changelings rarely ventured this far south from the comfort of the central mountains. What more, to live so close to a human village. “I am tracking the hyenas. They went this way.”

Eulalie tilted her head back and howled a laugh. “Hyenas aren’t clever enough to dig through the mountains! The only way out of An is through here and I promise you, none managed to come out alive this way.”

No, there was one more way –by sea. It was a longer and more dangerous route, seeing that the rocks, extending from the mountain faults made the seas treacherous. But a very skilled navigator could easily circumvent the obstacle.

“So then where are your kin now if there is nothing at the end of this pass?”

Eyes of blue hardened as Eulalie looked towards the empty darkness. “Gone.”

Changelings! Instead of hunting down the scent, it was so like them to set traps – a waste of time. Fools!

“Do as you please.” Etienne turned to Keiko and motioned for the Nobles to follow suit. The sooner they tracked down the migrating hyenas, the faster he would be able to return to Rose. 

Taming an Immortal Updates Chapter 7-10

I've finally finished Chapter 8 and am fleshing out Chapters 9 and 10. It's a mess because I inserted new scenes in between and rewrote some earlier ideas I had of the ending. Initially, the story was meant to end by chapter 9 but is it just me or do I feel the characters need a bit more time and space to develop?

Thus the rewrite. Chapter 9 is currently so epic, I feel like I'm in some LOTR scene or something.

Battle scenes are not my favourite which is why I don't understand WHY my brain always gravitates towards stories that have such conflict in them. TAM was supposed to be a purely romantic, angsty, I love you but you don't love me kinda story but now it has evolved into an entire universe of its own! Lol.

Anyway, I'm updating because I think Chapters 8-10 are going to need a bit of time to stew as I'm writing it so fast that when I re-read them again, I can see the gaps. And if I can see them, then as readers, you will surely feel a bit lost.

I'll post Chapter 7 sometime next week and then 8,9 and 10 in June. Chapter 7 is full of the hot stuff by the way, so do look out for that! Meanwhile, here is a short scene from Chapter 7 that made me go 'awwww'.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Rose had rolled down from her bed, curling up into a cocoon as she always did as a child. Nesting her against his chest, he kept still, drawing the blanket over both of them to keep her warm.

It was only when she started to stir awake did he move to look down at her.

“You fell off your bed,” he whispered, nuzzling his face in her hair. “I didn’t want to wake you up.”

“Are you comfortable my Lord?” she mumbled; eyes still closed with a sleepy drawl in her voice. “I have more blankets if you’re cold.”

He felt her body relaxing into sleep again.

“Rose?”

“Hmm?” One sleepy eye opened to look at him.

“When we are alone like this…” A warm hand stroking back her hair. “I want you to call me by my name.”

She nodded against his chest, a soft purr in her throat. “I love you Etienne…”

And then nothing, not even the booming thunder could wake her up.

Taming an Immortal Ch 6 teasers

Chapter 5 is out and I've started editing Chapter 6 -one of my favourite chapters in this entire story - which you will find out when it's out!

And because I am evil, here is just a sneak of our protagonists' development. It's getting very difficult for me to keep Etienne in character but I think these small episodes where he loses control of his emotions are very poignant especially when it is only meant for Rose. :)

Chapter 6 should be up by this weekend!


***

Tonight, he had worn a robe of pure black silk; the contrast bringing out the silvery shine of his hair as they swayed in the soft breeze of the night. Rose reached out to catch a handful of his strands and watched as they slipped past her fingers.

“We will have another visitor in the morning,” he said, stopping to allow Rose better access to his hair. She knew this was the one privilege she had – the right to touch and play with a Pureblood’s status symbol as she wished.

“What is her name?”

“I do not care for that,” he admitted, looking down at her face. “What would you like me to do with her?”

Another concession. What was wrong with him? Didn’t he realise that this was not a choice she had to make?

“As you please my Lord,” she replied, biting back the rising anger in her voice.

Lord Etienne remained silent, continuing to walk in the darkness with her at his side. It was only when they reached his bonsai garden did he stop to look at her again.

“This cherry tree is very special to me.” He pointed to a tall blossoming tree surrounded by various shapes of bonsai. “My father and I planted the seed of this tree when I was four. It bloomed every year until the day he left this castle.”

His hands held her face gently, rubbing at her cheeks with his fingers. “I haven’t seen it bloom since, but yesterday I found this.” He took a small pink flower from his pocket and tucked it behind her ear.

Rose turned her face into his hand, leaning into the warmth of his body. How many more stolen moments like these did she have left?

“Look at me Rose,” he ordered; a finger tilting her chin to face him. “I will ask you one more time. What would you like me to do with her?”

“What I say shouldn’t matter my Lord… after all, I am only human and I have no right to counsel you.”

Bringing his lips to an inch away from hers, his throat growled low, almost into a purr. “What do you think you are to me then? A pet?”

Clenching her fist tight, she thumped them against his chest in anger. “It doesn’t matter! You know this won’t go anywhere. It cannot! You are a Pureblood Lord and I am a peasant girl. Even if you love me, mate me, raise a child with me, we both know that it is temporary. I will age and die and then you will mar–”

Her words died against the brutal onslaught of his kiss. His hands cradled her face tight, angling it to give his tongue more access to her mouth to draw hers out in a furious dance. Rose gave a hard shove, nails scratching him as she fought against his strong hold; but Lord Etienne was too strong.

When her body grew limp against his, he simply grabbed her by her thighs and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his body.

The sudden move caught her by surprise and Rose pulled away from the kiss; instinctively holding on to his neck for dear life, falling perfectly into his trap. Without warning, he pushed off from the ground, leaping up to the nearest branch above them and then higher and higher until they were under the stars.

“Why are we here?” she demanded, looking all the way down.

“I didn’t want to be disturbed.” His silvery eyes twinkled in the dark. “Here under the stars, is more…suitable for you than the mundane sheets.”

Rose found herself smiling despite being angry at him. That was as romantic as Lord Etienne could get.

“And what does my Lord have in mind?” 

Taming an Immortal Chapter 5

I have been editing and re-editing Chapter 5 for a week now - and it's giving me a headache. To help with the gaps from the previous chapters and to flow the story better, I've had to do a lot of fixing, which meant that later chapters also required some touch ups.

I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but since I'm not publishing it for a book [yet] and this is meant as a trial draft, I'll post it up soon so that you readers can enjoy the story as it is for now.

So while we wait for the usual 72 hours before the chapter goes live on Lit, here is a short peek at one of the most important points of tension that would follow through the next few chapters.

***

The ride home was a blur of movement, scent and heat. All she remembered after leaving Titus and the others was collapsing and feeling soft fur against her face –she barely got any sleep after tending to the children for two days straight. When she woke up, Lord Etienne was holding her in his arms; her head rested against his chest.

“You should wake up now,” he murmured into her hair. “I could hold you like this through the night… but there is a witch waiting outside my door.”

Rubbing her eyes, she tried to make sense of her surroundings - she had barely a minute before his study door flew open.

“My, my… I heard that my son had a human pet but I never thought those rumours were true!”

Rose saw the physical resemblance but apart from that, the two looked like they would rather kill than sit in the same room with each other.

“What are you doing here mother?” There was no joy nor heat in his voice. Lord Etienne simply kept a straight face for her benefit.

“Can’t a mother visit her son?” Lady Elisa purred but her attention was solely focused on Rose. Tracing a long claw over her face, the Pureblood then ran her fingers through Rose’s hair.  “What beautiful hair you have my darling. I can imagine it fanned out behind you when you sleep. Isn’t she a beauty Etienne?”

“Keep your hands to yourself if you treasure them.” It was a gentle reminder.

Elisa clutched her chest, in an exaggerated show of sorrow. “Why do you always hurt your mother so? I have but one son! And my only family has no regard for my well-being.”

“I will not repeat myself mother. If you have no business here, please see that you leave tonight.”

“I don’t know why I put up with this abuse!” she wailed. “After all the trouble I’ve gone to select your future wife, this is the thanks I get?”

Wife? Her eyes immediately snapped wide open. Lord Etienne on the other hand barely turned his head. He was leaning against the window, the wind blowing his silver hair back.

“Etienne? Are you listening to me?” When she received only a blank stare, Lady Elisa continued; her eyes flicking from her son then to Rose. “In sixty days, your father’s current hold on these lands will come to the table for inheritance, as is the mourning customs of our kind. I do not wish to remind you my son that you have a duty to your people and your lands.”

Lord Etienne made no comment, his silence fuel to her temper. “Etienne! I will not stand to tolerate this insolence! I will send a Pureblood woman every two weeks and by the end of the sixty days, you are ordered to choose one to be your wife!” She was almost screaming. “If not… well, you will know the consequences.”

“Thank you mother. I will have you escorted out now.” He grabbed his mother by her arm, ushering her towards the door. “Your speech is starting to bore me.”

Rose only heard unintelligible screams and growls from behind the door; catching a glimpse of the Queen Mother with her hair aflame before Lord Etienne closed the door behind him.

“Please excuse my mother. She has no manners.” He moved closer to touch her; knuckles grazing her cheeks lightly. “Pay no heed to what she says Rose.”

“But it is your duty my Lord. Don’t you love these lands?” Rose looked down on the floor. This had to be said. “Someday, I will die and when I do, you will be alone.”

Another gentle caress on her cheeks. “Don’t say that.”

“I only say what is true.” Rose struggled to pull back her tears but her eyes betrayed her; a drop trickling down her cheek. “I was foolish to dream that something could happen between us. That was the child’s wish - but the woman, this woman, only wishes for you to do what is right.”

“Rose…” He tried to hold her but she had enough. Pushing past him, she let herself out before he had a chance to catch up to her.

Flicking back her tears, Rose ran all the way down to her room, finding the darkest corner to hide and dropping to her knees as she poured her frustrations away.