3#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Thorn) by Charlene Hartnady Read Free Book Online Page A

you are willing to sacrifice Esral so
easily.”
    “She
made her fucking bed and she can lay down in it.” His jaw was clenched
tight and tension radiated off the male in menacing waves. “She did this to
herself.”
    “What
the fuck does that mean?” Every muscle inside his body was pulled tight. Ready.
“I have told you that the rumors are untrue yet you continue to believe the
worst of your sister. It’s fucking unacceptable.”
    “Her
fucking around with every vampire male is what I would deem unex—” Keto didn’t
get to finish the sentence because Xavier punched him so hard that his head
snapped back and his jaw cracked. Keto hit the wall behind him with a loud,
reverberating crash and crumpled onto the ground.
    Pussy
fucking elf.
    Xavier
moved around the desk and went on his haunches next to a half unconscious Keto.
“I never want to hear you say another bad word about your sister. Not ever
again.” He grabbed a handful of blond hair, pulling back so that he could look
into the male’s half focused eyes. “Are we fucking clear?”
    Keto
mumbled something that sounded like an acknowledgement.
    “Good,”
Xavier growled. “I can see we are not going to see eye to fucking eye on this
so I’m leaving. If you decide to stop being such a dickhead, then you know
where to find me.” He started to rise but moved back in beside Keto. “Esral is
the sweetest, kindest, most honest female I know. She is the fucking best. You
would be better off if you looked for similar qualities in a mate of your own.”
    Without
waiting for a response, Xavier rose to his full height and left the room. He
was beginning to think that the male was a lost cause.
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Esral
tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. She’d been making polite
small talk for the last half hour and was beginning to tire from the whole
charade.
    His
familiar scent enveloped her just as York clutched her elbow. Esral still had
to suppress a gasp.
    He
glanced down at her. “Sorry I’m late, I only just got word about this dinner.”
    She
smiled. “No problem. The guests are still arriving as you can see.” Esral
looked about the quaint dining hall. The chamber was beautifully decorated with
large bouquets of flowers and little, twinkling fairy lights. Her brother, with
Cheri on his arm, was making his way around the room greeting all the various
guests. It seemed as if all the most important highborn elves were in
attendance wearing expensive, colorful robes.
    Esral
had chosen a plain white robe with gold trimming. The garment hung to the tops
of her feet.
    “You
look beautiful.” York’s eyes dipped briefly to the hint of cleavage at the vee
of her robe.
    Esral
couldn’t help but to blush. She thought that Xavier was going to have a word
with him. Maybe they were disturbed earlier.
    “You’re
looking a little flushed, princess.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “Maybe we
should get some fresh air.”
    She
nodded, allowing herself to be led from the room. Thankfully no one tried to
stop them with small talk. The air was cool but not unpleasant. The giant
vampire, Lazarus, stood just outside the front entrance. He inclined his head as
they made eye contact, he moved a little further away to allow them some
privacy.
    “I
must say.” York put both hands on the railing in front of him, looking out
through the trees. It was dark and quiet, except for the laughter and noises
coming from inside. “I was looking forward to us mating. In hindsight, it was a
bad idea though. I knew all along that you had feelings for Xavier and he for
you. I just didn’t realize how deeply the two of you felt for one another. I
had hoped”—he shook his head—“never mind. It doesn’t matter. I want you to know
that I understand and am here to help the two of you. Lazarus feels the same.”
    A
grunt of agreement could be heard from deep in the shadows. Esral could just
make out his hulking form.
    “When
Gideon finally stops