16- Elnora POV
Fulton’s voice is on repeat in my mind. “You also marked him. So do not think much of it. We are already on board with our new stepdad.” Making my way back into the living room, I look around. “I wonder if I have been here before?” I question myself as I run my hand along the back of the couch.
Deciding to get a drink before checking out my room for the night, I head to the fridge. “Oh my!” I squeak. Before me in the refrigerator sits rows of my favorite ice coffee. On each shelf holds a label with our names on them with our favorite items. “They outdid themselves.” My smile overtakes my eyes and brings a threat of tears to them. Taking a coffee out, I take a long swig and sigh. This is by far the best coffee I have ever tasted. I must get the recipe from Sabastian; I conclude an
17- Elnora POVA gentle knock at the door sounds. “It's open!” We all call in unison. Hands going wild trying to catch the fast little critter. “I am here to announce,” Sabastian trails off as he witnesses the four of us on the ground laughing together, going after something he cannot see. “Could I be an assistance?” His words filled with confusion. Laughing, I pull myself from the ground and make my way to his side. “Good evening Sabastian.” “Good evening Princess. May I ask what kind of game you are all playing?” Intrigue laced upon his face. “It is not a game. The boys caught a lizard and were planning on playing a joke on me. I startled them, and the lizard escaped. We were trying to pick it up.” I laugh, watching the boys dive for it again just before it slipped under the couch. “I see. If you would like, I can catch it for them?” “Got it!” Merrick
King Lawler POV- In flashback memories A week after giving Fulton my word that his family would be safe, Elnora called. She didn’t realize that she was calling for me, so I stayed safely in the cover of the woods listening as she spoke. Her delicate hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea as she called to the sky. The sorrow within her words broke something within me “Please, anyone if you can hear me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel as though my life has been stolen from me. I love my family and my kids more than life itself, but I can’t continue only to be a maid in my home. I need more, and I deserve more. I don’t deserve to feel like I am walking on eggshells as soon as my husband comes home. I need a friend who can give me advice on what to do.” Her words are turning into sobs of incoherent babble. I watched the same scene night after night for weeks until she didn’t cr
“Yes, I will take you as mine,” I agreed as I swooped her up into my arms and ran to the back part of the property, holding her tightly to my body. “Why did you take me away from the house?” Curiosity seeping through her words. Walking slightly away from her, I run my hand through my hair. Never did I think I would feel this strongly about another person in my life. Never did I think I would be willing to mark a woman who is currently married. I can feel the tug of fate pulling against my morals, and it is winning. “How do I know you aren’t going to want to stay with him?” The words leaving my lips faster than I have time to process them. “What can I do to prove to you that I am not going to stay with him, and I am yours?” “Mark me.” “What?” “Mark me,” I repeat, stepping closer to her now. “If you mark me, you will be bound to me and only me. You will not be able to change your mind and go back to him. You
20- Lawler POV The shock on Sabastian’s face was what I had hoped to see. His shocked expression showed me that he didn’t know or even suspect that I had a child. I didn’t coddle him like I thought I had. “Who is your child?” His excitement of an heir to the throne is evident in his tone. “It is one of the boys, isn’t it?” “Indeed, it is.” “They couldn’t rule right way if something were to happen to you, so our Queen would rule until he came of age.” Talking to himself to understand everything, I slow him down. “Yes, that is correct. I am not planning on going dying for a long time. I wouldn’t mind retiring and taking Elnora on a world tour, though.” “You do that as a Mark gift. Take her on a trip of a lifetime.” “Good idea.” My mind immediately begins to organize a trip on its own as I con
21- Lawler’s POVArriving in Scotland, I headed directly to the Scottish Vampire Kingdom to announce my presence and state my business for being in town. The King and Queen were thrilled that I had chosen to purchase gifts from their land for my new Queen.Taking time from their day, they showed me all the beautiful things Scotland had to offer. A gesture that was unexpected and greatly appreciated. Before heading home, the King and Queen extended an invitation for Elnora and me to stay with them in their home when we returned for a visit as long as I sent a brief notice to prepare for us. Extending the same courtesy to them, I insisted that they would be welcome if they ever wanted to visit the Northern Kingdom.Finding a box, some tissue paper, and Sabastian’s stash of stationery, I head up into what will be Elnora’s room for the first few hours of being here. Trying to find the perfect spot to leave my gifts for my Queen was more chall
22- Lawler POV Waiting on the night to fall and everyone to slip into a deep slumber took what felt like centuries. When Elnora stepped out on the porch, she held two glasses of tea like always, slightly confused but eager to get to the porch. Announcing myself as I make my way to the spot next to her earns me a longing kiss filled by a sobbing embrace. “How much longer?” She asks me, “I have them moving on the Divorce. He went down there today and announced that you had vampire bites on your neck. He knows what they are. He just doesn’t know that it is our mark.” “Are they going to do it? Are they going to expedite the paperwork?” The desperate look in her eyes shatters my soul. “The amount of money riding on getting it done tomorrow will have them moving quickly.” I announce, “You are paying them to get it done faster?” Disbelief flooding her words. &ldqu
23- LawlerArriving back in the Kingdom, I head straight into town. I know who I am looking for, and I know they will get this job done for me. Usually, I am a very social King, and I stop and greet all my people as I walk through town. Today is not the case. They don’t take it personally when I have a day of seriousness; instead, they help me more. They urgently find things to do to help rectify the situation at hand, no matter their positions within our Kingdom, they do something to help.All the vampires in town make haste to remove themselves from the street when they see where my determined walk is heading. I can hear the whispers from behind closed doors as I pass by, and I ignore them all. Taking the front steps two at a time, I halt at the front door of the one man I know can help me. Lifting my fist, I pound on his front door. The new silence surrounding the town brings a refreshing feeling to my nerves. “Yeah, I’m
Chapter 24- King Lawler POV Stationing Leon with a case of cash inside detective Miller’s office was easy enough. Today, his job is to ensure that our paperwork gets done and hand over the cash when the papers are handed to him. It was his idea to bring the money with him. He said, “Money talks and will make things disappear and reappear when needed. I can bet that we will have the papers signed by nightfall.” Then he asked me for an additional Million to pay off whoever he needed to, to ensure no rock was left unturned. A request I granted without hesitation. The four of us waited for the detective to arrive at work and enter his office before announcing that we were there. “We had a chat yesterday, and I told you that I would have a vampire sitting in until we had the paperwork. I want to introduce you to Leon. He is our