But she shook her head, then she smiled. “No. You didn’t. The council asked what you wanted and you said, to be made Mastyr of the City of Cameron. And that’s what they did, and all with Ethan’s blessing.”
He leaned his head back and laughed, then said, “Yes, that’s exactly what I would choose. Ethan has a heart for Bergisson, but mine is here, with you and with your paintings downstairs of the future of our city.”
She nodded and kissed him. “Now go back to sleep and try not to worry anymore. All is well.”
He had Brianna with him and that was all that mattered, all that ever would.
All was well.
The End
***
SEDUCED
***
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the third short tale set in the world of the Blood Rose!
In this story, Charlotte Vail finds herself irresistibly drawn to one of Grochaire Realm’s top agents for the RIU – the Realm Investigative Unit – a man renowned for his ability to run criminals to earth. In turn, Mastyr Willem, while facing the toughest case of his life, has found himself in dogged pursuit of Charlotte, a human student at the local realm university. His mating vibration, dormant for decades, suddenly comes to life when he recognizes that Charlotte is the phenomenon known as a Blood Rose. When he takes her out on a first-date, passions soar. But as his relationship with her evolves, he discovers unsettling truths about the unique power she possesses and the connection they both have to the infamous Infinity killer.
But can Charlotte accept the new role she's meant to play in Willem's realm? And can Willem overcome the shame of his past to feel worthy of her?
The Blood Rose Tales are longer than a short story but shorter than a novella, just right for telling those stories that develop a unique aspect of the world of the Nine Realms.
And now, time to read. Just settle in and enjoy!
Caris Roane
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***
Chapter One
Mastyr Willem slid his forefinger along the line of Charlotte Vail’s throat. Her pulse beat beneath his fingertip, tempting him as he’d never been tempted before. His fangs ached to descend. She smelled incredible, her scent reminding him of wisteria, warm and floral, but with an undercurrent that he knew was all Charlotte.
He stood on his private beach, the waves of Maris Sol lapping gently at the shore so early in the night. It wasn’t even ten yet.
His home was perched on the bluff thirty feet above the surf, but Charlotte had expressed a desire to walk along the beach. Now, barefoot, she wiggled her toes in the sand, cooing her pleasure.
He tilted her head
gently and kissed her neck. She whimpered with each small pressure of his lips and shivered when he licked above her waiting vein.
She wore a low cut navy tank-top and a long gathered skirt, something the fae women of his realm often wore and which Charlotte seemed to prefer, though she was human. His gaze drifted down her creamy neck to a tempting line of cleavage. This was a first date and he desired her more than he should. He wanted to bury his face in her hair, then bite her throat. The thought of striking through her almost translucent skin had him aching deep in his groin.
“This doesn’t feel like a first date,” she murmured. She writhed against him, her hips arching into his. Layered beneath her excitement, he felt how nervous she was and didn’t he feel the same way.
He’d picked her up at eight. Two hours later, he’d brought her to his beach house. Had to be some kind of record.
“I didn’t plan this.” His voice was low and husky, but he needed her to know he hadn’t intended to bring her here. He’d thought maybe five or six dates before he’d make his move. How wrong he’d been, but he didn’t want her to think he was seducing her.
Yet he ached for Charlotte in ways he couldn’t understand, as though he was the one who’d been seduced.
Breathing in her rich scent, suddenly he felt his realm mating frequency charge to life, something no other woman had ever achieved. Why did this human woman arouse him when none of the Realm-women had come close? Another mystery.