The Caraval Series Novels & Stories

Rumpled- Book 1 of The Steamy Fairytale Collection Eighteen years ago, when Rian, the greatest elf lender, was banished for asking for his payment—the young princess promised to him, he sought shelter in an old, dank castle. Filled with hate and resentment, his heart darkened with malice. But when a simple maiden, Ciara, asks for a warm bed and a hot meal, his once dark heart and other unmentionables twitch in desire once he realizes that she is his promised princess. As punishment for the kingdom’s ostracizing, Rian imprisons her, his only drive, to satisfy Ciara beyond her imaginations till she desires him… in return.

CHAPTER 11 — Cold & Warm A younger woman appeared at the top of the grand staircase. Her hair was loose, and she wore a casual yet expensive matching blouse and skirt that made her look effortlessly beautiful. With familiar brown eyes and facial structure, Kallista thought she must be a Hawthorne. “You must be the new bride,” the woman said, descending the stairs with an intimidating grace. “Lila,” Evelyn said sharply. “What?” Lila shrugged, her sharp blue eyes raking over Kallista. “I’m just introducing myself. Lila Hawthorne, Jaxon’s cousin.”

And find out if there was any way to fix it. As she drove, Caitlin thought again of the rare books she had found in her library. Most of all, she that of that one rare volume, and its torn page. She thought of its ancient ceremony, the one in Latin, with its cure for vampirism. She wondered again if it was real. Was that just passed down from folklore? An old wives’ tale?

Tomorrow already has enough problems waiting for me. By the time the movie ends, the house is quiet again. I shut off the television, gather what is left of the food, and head upstairs. I keep replaying Victor’s comment about my eyes, the hour on the couch, and his casual we should do this more often. None of it gives me an answer about the curse. A sound stops me halfway down the hall. It comes from Victor’s room, and I wait, listening. For a second I think he might be talking to someone. Then it comes again, lower this time, and I recognize the sound as a moan. His bedroom door is partly open.

"EVERY VAMPIRE IN MY KINGDOM IS TO BE IN THE ROYAL TOWN CENTER AT DUSK NO EXCEPTIONS!!" He sends his command out to every vampire in the castle and nearby clans; I hear his voice in front of me but also in my head, which gives me a bad headache and makes my nose bleed. I can't stop my reply even if I wanted to as his Royal power demands it. "Yes, Sir!" ******************* CARA POV

“Your majesty… that decree Levi read isn’t a normal edict. It’s a blood pact. A royal one. If you break it, the Goddess triggers a chain reaction…riots in the North, rebellion in the East, total collapse in the South. And the princess…” His voice dropped. “She dies. The decree demands the first mother be honored. You defying it is the same as signing her death.” I paced across the chamber, fingers digging into my hair. “I know what a blood decree is!” I snapped. “But Levi is suddenly desperate for me to marry Caroline, and out of nowhere they want to align with the vampire heiress? Something is not adding up. Why did Caroline show up now? Why not when she was pregnant if the child is really

Thinking of his gaze on me made my skin crawl, and fear seep in. The mood in the car was still and gloomy. I could perceive the tension from Valiente. His jaw was locked painfully, brows in a deep frown, and his right hand wrapped in a tight fist. In his left hand were a box of cigarettes and a black lighter. He'd been holding them since this trip started, hesitant to light a cigar. I pulled my gaze away from him and stared outside the window. Different vehicles filled the highway, with many drivers honking impassively, yelling at each other angrily.

She slowly lifted her head from my chest and looked behind me and then turned to look behind her. “No, he’s gone.” She says calmly. “What about Trey and Deccan?” I ask. “They did it too but Trey's dad is into all that voodoo hypnotist stuff.” She explains. “Any curse or bad spirits his dad can fix it, but they left me.” She sighed. “Seriously? You need better friends.” I says. “Like you?” She smiles. “If you consider me as a friend yeah.” I laughs. “Come on let’s get you home.” I insists. Callie smiles and lead the way.

There were many things about King Akyran and Queen Ecaeris Monster Hunting academy that I hated – the food, the draughty rooms, the haughty dark elves, the mockery of the knights being amongst them – but the gauntlet easily topped that list. “You can do it, Daethie,” Valerian called out whilst exchanging a coin purse with Caraway. “She’s not going to do it,” he added to his twin. “Not even halfway.” “It’s beginning to rain,” Caraway tipped his golden head back and caught a raindrop on his tongue. His violet eyes had concave pupils like our father, something which Tarragon, Rue and Valerian hadn’t inherited in their human forms. “Makes things slippery. Two obstacles.”

Something needs to be done. "Someone should go get Aurelia. We need to know what the problem is all about. Selene, go and fetch her." I said. "No need for that, Vaelora. I am here now," Aurelia said as she stepped into the hall. She wore a flowing ivory robe embroidered with ancient silver runes that shimmered faintly with every step, its long sleeves trailing gracefully across the stone floor. A silver circlet woven with delicate branches and moonstones rested upon her head, while a deep emerald cloak draped over her shoulders, marking her as the High Priestess of Elaris. In one hand, she carried a whitewood staff crowned with a glowing crystal, radiating the sacred power of the ancient wit