LycanKing (4 page)

She felt something. A tiny hand! Grabbing the little girl, she rose to the surface of the water and touched the little girl's chest. She wasn't breathing! The child was still and Eve couldn't see a flicker or movement anywhere on her sweet face.

A violent rush of maternal love splintered her soul. She hadn't been able to save Katya from the two years of torture she'd endured, but she sure as hell was going to save this child.

How could she make the child breathe? Thinking fast, she opened the little girl's mouth and breathed air into her little lungs. Nothing! She tried again. "Breathe, little one. Breathe!" she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Again the little girl didn't stir. Eve choked back on a rising sob and tried again, this time drawing a longer breath into the little girl's lungs. The girl choked and coughed, water sputtering from her lips.

Eve wanted to sob with relief. She held the child close to her breast. "It's okay, honey. You're going to be okay," she said, her voice breaking.

The little girl stared at Eve and her face puckered into a frightened scowl. "Your eyes! They're glowing. Scary red eyes!"

Quickly, Eve pushed her vampire down and she felt her fangs retreat, her eyes revert to their human blue. "Is that better?"

"Yes." Her little face crumbled.

She could tell the little girl was frightened and any second she was going to start crying. "What's your name, honey?"

"Becca. What are you? You're not like papa. He's a Lycan."

"I'm a vampire, honey. Are…are you a Lycan, too?"

"No. Papa said we choose if we want to turn when we get older."

"I see," Eve said slowly. So Drago's Kingdom was both Lycan and human and everyone born human was given the choice to choose their fate. Admiration and respect rose in her breast for the king. His rule was honourable.

"Papa said Vampires are bad."

"There's good and bad in all people, honey. Not all Vampires are bad."

"You saved me."

"That's right. So now you know I'm not bad." She felt something floating next to her and smiled. She grabbed the doll and gave it to her. "Here. I think this is yours."

"I want my mommy. It's cold here."

"I know, honey. I know." She knew she could hold the girl and fly straight to the top of the well, but without her cloak, she would burn the moment they hit the surface. Becca's teeth began to chatter and Eve held her closer. If no one tried to save them soon, she would have to use her flight to save Becca. The cold was too much for a six year old.

Her heart thudded, knowing Katya would be alone if something should happen to Eve. She pushed her morbid thoughts away and looked up. She couldn't think about that now.

"Hello? Hellooooo! Can anyone hear me! The child is safe!" she called loudly.

* * * *

"Your Highness! There is a big commotion outside. The blacksmith's daughter, Becca, has fallen into the well and some villagers say they saw your guest run like the wind and dove in the well after her. We don't know if either of them is alive."

"What?" he roared.

He rose and vaulted out of the Great Hall before Nolan finished speaking. Becca was the sweet child who kept asking him if she could sit on his throne. His heart thudded with dread. As soon as he stepped outside, another fear rose in his chest. The sun was at full peak and Eve had told him she'd burn to a crisp if she were exposed to it. Hysteria and panic was all around the courtyard as he ran towards the crowd near the well.

"She sprinted like the devil, I tell you! Covered in a dark cape," someone said. "She dove in the well like a demon possessed."

"
I
saw her leap from the window up there and land on the ground like it was nothing," someone else shouted. "Even our best Lycan can't leap that high."

"She's staying at the castle. She's a vampire."

"Katya's mother."

"Dear God, I hoped she saved our little Becca."

The comments were running rampant around him as he reached the well and glanced at her cloak snagged on the edge.

"Hello? Hellooooo. Can anyone hear me! The child is safe!"

"Quiet everyone!" he bellowed.

All hushed except for a spatter of quiet, intermittent sobbing.

"Eve, can you hear me?" he roared into the dark depths of the well.

Her cry was faint, "Yes. Becca is fine!"

Thank God, he thought. "Stay against the wall," he roared. Ignoring Nolan who was about to toss a rope into the well, he tore his metal armour from his shoulders and dove inside. He heard screams behind him and Nolan yelling, "Your Highness!"

He landed in the water and rose quickly to the surface. It was pitch black.

"We're over here," she said quietly.

He waded towards the sound of her voice and felt around with his hand. He touched her cheek and growled softly in the darkness. "Do not be alarmed, Eve. I am going to shift in my Lycan form."

"I…I am not afraid," she whispered.

Of course she wasn't, he thought. She was the bravest, most courageous woman he'd ever met. Clenching his jaw, he released his Lycan. He wondered if she could see him in the dark.

"Give me the child," he said, his eerie Lycan voice echoing in the dark.

He felt Becca's little body up against his chest and gathered her gently in his arms. "Put your arms around my neck, child. If you hold on tight and do not fall, I will let you sit on my throne."

Becca screeched. "Oh, yes. Yes!"

Drago heard Eve chuckle in the darkness and his entire, nine foot frame went completely still. Her laugh was soft and pleasant and made a warmth rise from his gut to his chest. "I'll be back for you," he told Eve.

"I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere, not at least until the sun sets," she said.

He heard the smile in her voice and again his blood stirred. Without another word, he climbed the walls of the well, vaulting from side to side, until he reached the top. His villagers and guards cheered while he handed Becca to her father.

"Bring Becca to the Great Hall before dinner time," he told her father.

"To sit on your throne?" squealed the little girl.

"Yes."

Drago reached for Eve's cloak and pulled it from its confines. Without saying another word, he let himself drop back down into the well. He surfaced from the water and reached out with his taloned hands. He heard her inhale sharply. He growled softly, realising he was touching her breast. Withdrawing his hand, he pushed the cloak towards her.

"Here is your covering. Conceal yourself as best you can and I will carry you up."

He heard her movements in the water as she put on her cloak. "Okay. I'm covered."

"Wrap your arms tightly around my neck. Do not be alarmed. I am not in my human form."

He felt her arms go around his neck as she pressed herself close to him, her body stiffening for a split second. "Dear God, how big are you?" she whispered with wonder.

"Nearly the length of two men." He paused. "You cannot see me?"

She didn't say a word as he peered where her face was. Slowly, he saw two red, glowing orbs appear in the darkness. "I can see you now," she whispered.

"Hold on tight."

"And you'll let me sit on your throne?" she asked lightly.

"This isn't the time to be funny."

"It's nerves. I may burn to a crisp in a few moments," she replied, her tone wry.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he said and began his ascent.

Just before he reached the top, he paused and stared down at her.

"What are you waiting for? Just do it," she mumbled against his chest, but he detected a thread of fear in her voice.

"I'm making sure you are properly concealed."

"Oh."

Speed was of the essence. He had to get her out of here and back in the castle as fast as he could. "Hold on," he growled and vaulted in the air.

There was no time to acknowledge the wild cheers and applause the crowd made as he sprinted through the courtyard. His guards held the castle doors open and he sprinted inside, heading towards the grand staircase. He ran up the huge winding flights and sped down a corridor. He gently set her down before her bed chamber door.

He reverted back to his human form and opened her door. He heard her weary, relieved sigh through her hood as she entered the room.

* * * *

If Eve had a choice, she would have definitely preferred being drenched as she was now, than being burned to a crisp. Shaking the wet cloak off her body, she looked up and saw Drago dressed in his black loin cloth. He regarded her silently. Her stomach jolted at the magnificent sight of his muscular, towering strength.

"Thank you," she said.

"It is I who should be thanking you. That was a very brave thing you did. You risked your life to save a child."

She threw her wet cloak on a chair nearby. "No one knew she fell in." She puckered her lips. "There really should be some kind of gate by the well. You have too many children running about and all it takes is one second for an accident." The moment she spoke, she regretted her words. She sounded like she was reproaching the king for his lack of security on his grounds.

"You are right," he said quietly. "I do, however, have other security measures in place to protect my people from attacks from Balkathan."

Without saying another word, he walked to a paneled wall next to the armoire and pulled a lever. Eve gasped as the wall separated, revealing a dark tunnel.

"Only my people know of these tunnels," he explained. "Our human villagers hide in here in the event of an attack from Balkathan. They travel all the way down to a cavern where there is food and water. We had to use these tunnels on last month's full moon when he attacked."

"He was looking for Katya," she whispered.

"Yes. He sent thirty of his Lycan soldiers, but we were victorious with very few casualties."

"Thank God. I…I didn't realise. Forgive me for telling you your grounds lack security with the well."

He raised a hand. "You were right and I will have a gate erected tomorrow." He pulled the lever again and the wall closed.

She was relieved he didn't take offense. She was also aware he'd taken her in his confidence, showing her the tunnels. He trusted her and the thought warmed her.

"What matters is Becca is safe." She looked down at herself. "I'd…I'd better get myself dried off."

"Of course. Do you want me to send for Lena?"

"No. I'm fine. I'm…I'm going to try and get some sleep."

"As you wish," he said deeply and left her chambers.

Chapter Five

Eve opened her eyes, feeling more refreshed and rested than she had in a long time. She didn't know what time it was, but judging by the dead silence in the courtyard below her room, it must have been well into the night.

She rose naked from the bed and reached for her clothes. Thankfully, everything was dry. After her weapons were secure on her belt and thigh strap, she brushed her hair. When she heard a knock on the door, Eve froze.

"Milady, it's me, Lena," a female voice called. "I've come by order of the king."

Relieved, she went to the door. Had she really thought Drago would come to see her? She opened the entry and stared at a young woman holding a bundle of clothes.

"Milady, the king asked that I bring you these. May I come in?"

She recovered from her surprise and stepped aside. "Please call me Eve. I…I just woke up. Don't tell me the king made you wait outside my door all night."

"Oh no, milady." Lena laughed softly. "His Highness isn't an ogre. My chamber is at the end of the hall and my Lycan ears heard you rise. I trust you slept well?"

"I did. Thank you."

She stared at the dresses Lena carried to the bed and frowned. "What are these?" she asked slowly, walking towards the bed. She picked up a royal blue gown with silver lace trim.

Lena smiled. "The king asked me to bring them to you."

Eve hid her own smile. She hadn't worn a dress in over three hundred years. "Thank the king for his kindness, but I have no use for them."

"Milady?"

"I said please take them back."

"His Royal Highness said your clothes were wet."

She looked down at herself. "As you can see, they're dry now."

"Is there anything I can get you?" Lena asked, looking a bit confused.

A familiar stab speared Eve's gut and she froze. Oh God, not now. She gritted her teeth as her gaze dipped to Lena's neck. Eve could smell the blood pulsing through the young girl's veins. "No. Nothing," she managed to say. Please…please just leave, she thought. It wouldn't look good if she went from saving a life in the afternoon to
taking
a life in the evening. She gritted her teeth, summoning all her strength to ignore the sweet, tantalizing scent of Lena's blood.

"As you wish, milady," the young lady said and left.

As soon as the maid shut the door behind her, Eve gasped for breath and clutched her stomach. She could put off her feeding for an hour.

There was something she had to do first.

Drawing the drapes aside, she pushed the window open and lifted herself over the ledge. She stood on the large windowsill and stared down at the courtyard. Thankfully, she didn't see anyone below and promptly flung herself from the ledge, sailing through the air until she landed on her feet below. Her stomach churned with hunger, but she ignored it. She still had time.

She ran to the well. Quickly, she drew her dagger from her belt and pushed back the hem of her sleeve. With one deft move, she slit her wrist and stretched her hand over the well. She watched her blood spill and when she was satisfied there was enough of it in the water, she drew back her hand and watched her cut heal and disappear.

She heard a growl behind her and spun around. A dark haired woman dressed in a pale green gown stood behind her, her expression unpleasant as she ran a derisive glance over her. The hair at the back of Eve's neck rose.

"You must be the new guest at the castle everyone is talking about. The one who saved Becca," the stranger said coldly, glancing down at Eve's wrist. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing that should concern you." Eve did not like the woman.