The Vampire Prince

Lucien didn’t move.

For six hundred years, he had believed his brother was dead.

He had watched Adrian’s coffin burn beneath the ancient vampire rites. He had mourned him. He had carried the guilt of his brother’s death for centuries.

And now…

Adrian stood before him.

Alive.

“Adrian,” Lucien whispered.

His brother smiled.

“I wondered if you would remember me.”

Kael stepped in front of Aurora.

“Stay behind us.”

Adrian laughed softly.

“The great Alpha King.”

His eyes moved over Kael.

“Still protecting what doesn’t belong to you.”

Kael’s golden eyes flashed.

“Careful.”

Adrian’s smile disappeared.

“You have no idea what you’ve stepped into.”

Aurora stepped forward.

“Why did you attack the council?”

Adrian looked at her.

For the first time, his expression changed.

Curiosity.

“So you’re Aurora.”

She tightened her grip on the Blade of Selene.

“You know my name.”

“I know much more than your name.”

Adrian descended the stairs slowly.

“You are the reason I’ve returned.”

Aurora frowned.

“Why?”

“Because your blood can break the curse.”

Lucien’s eyes narrowed.

“What curse?”

Adrian looked at his brother.

“The curse you placed on me.”

Lucien stiffened.

“I never cursed you.”

“You don’t remember?”

Adrian laughed bitterly.

“Of course you don’t.”

He lifted his hand.

The vampire army behind him stepped forward.

Six hundred years ago, Lucien and Adrian had been inseparable.

Brothers.

Princes.

Future rulers of the vampire kingdom.

Until the night of the Blood Moon.

A night Lucien had spent centuries trying to forget.

Adrian looked at Aurora.

“Your mother knew the truth.”

Aurora’s heart skipped.

“My mother?”

“She knew what happened to me.”

Lucien stepped forward.

“Enough.”

Adrian’s eyes flashed.

“You want the truth, brother?”

He pointed toward Lucien.

“Ask him why the Moon Goddess erased my memories.”

Aurora looked at Lucien.

“Is that true?”

Lucien’s face remained unreadable.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Adrian smiled.

“Of course.”

He looked at Aurora again.

“But you will remember.”

The Moonstone beneath Aurora’s clothes suddenly burned.

She gasped.

A vision exploded inside her mind.

She saw a young Lucien and Adrian standing beneath a blood-red moon.

They were arguing.

Then came a flash of silver light.

A woman appeared.

The Moon Goddess.

And beside her…

Aurora’s mother.

Aurora stumbled backward.

Kael caught her.

“What did you see?”

She stared at Lucien.

“You knew my mother.”

Lucien went completely still.

Adrian smiled.

“Now you’re beginning to understand.”

Aurora’s voice trembled.

“How did you know my mother?”

Lucien looked away.

Aurora’s heart sank.

“You lied to me.”

“I was protecting you.”

“From what?”

Lucien’s silence was answer enough.

Aurora stepped away from him.

“You knew her.”

Lucien finally spoke.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Before you were born.”

Aurora’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because if you knew the truth, Morgana would have found you much sooner.”

Adrian laughed.

“Still lying.”

Kael stepped between the brothers.

“Enough.”

His voice shook the hall.

“Whatever happened between you two, Aurora isn’t responsible.”

Adrian looked at him.

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

He pointed at Aurora.

“She is the final piece.”

A strange mark appeared on Adrian’s palm.

A black crescent.

Aurora’s silver mark responded instantly.

Pain shot through her chest.

She cried out.

Kael caught her.

Lucien moved toward her.

But Adrian spoke one final sentence.

“Your two mates aren’t the only ones bound to you.”

Aurora looked up in horror.

“What?”

Adrian smiled.

“Your mother’s bloodline created three bonds.”

He looked directly at Lucien.

“One to the vampire.”

Then Kael.

“One to the wolf.”

Finally, he touched the black crescent on his palm.

“And one to me.”

The sanctuary’s prophecy suddenly made sense.

Three souls.

One bond.

One destiny.

Aurora’s blood ran cold.