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

rutting long enough to show his face, I’ll have a word
with him but I know that he will be on board as well. Together we’ll find a
solution.”
    Esral
let out a pent up breath. “Thank you for understanding.” She put a hand on his
arm for a beat or two. “There is a female out there for you, York, of that I am
certain.”
    His
eyes lit up like he had already found the one for him. He nodded. “I’m sure you
are right, princess. I can only hope that she looks at me in the same way as
you look at Xavier. When that day comes, I will grab ahold with both hands and
I won’t ever let go. That much I am certain.”
    She
smiled at him. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you understand. The
guilt was eating away at me.”
    “You
need to follow your heart. Don’t ever apologize for that.” York’s eyes softened
as he spoke.
    Sound
grew louder as the door opened and Keto moved towards them, a smile on his
face. “The happy couple. I hope I’m not interrupting. I’m sure the two of you
are discussing the future. Have you decided how many babies you plan on
having?”
    “One
step at a time.” York said, turning to face her brother.
    “Nonsense.
I can’t wait to become an uncle and look forward to many nieces and nephews to
dote on.” He smiled broadly before clapping York on the back.
    Was
he trying to get them to admit that she was pregnant already? Was this his way of
condoning her phantom pregnancy? She wasn’t sure which it was, she only knew that
she had just about enough of all of them and their false claims.
    “I’m
still young. There won’t be any babies for at least a couple of years. If it’s babies
you want, you should hurry up and have some of your own.”
    Something
flashed across his face. It was hard to read. Could it be? It seemed that maybe
Keto wasn’t as set on mating Cheri as they had both let on.
    He
smiled warmly, his face an unreadable mask once again. “Let’s first get through
your blossoming ceremony shall we?” Her brother touched her arm lightly. “Xavier
came to see me today.” He looked at each of them pointedly.
    Esral
had to work to keep from reacting.
    “He
had a couple of interesting things to tell me. I want you to know”—he turned
all of his attention on Esral—“although I sympathize with your predicament…” He
briefly glanced at York before his cold eyes settled back on hers. “This
doesn’t change anything. Not a damn thing.” His voice dropped low. “Father could
not take an upset like this. Do not be selfish, Esral.”
    “The
princess may be a lot of things but selfish is not one of them and as her
brother you should know this.” York sounded like he was ready to beat Keto.
With his eyes hardened and narrowed, he looked every bit the warrior he was as
he continued. “What happened to your jaw?” It was only then that she noticed
that one side of his jawbone was blue tinged and ever so slightly swollen.
    “I
had a little bit of an accident. A fall.” His face was an unreadable mask.
    “That’s
terrible. We wouldn’t want it to happen again would we?” York sounded like he
knew what had happened to Keto and it wasn’t just a simple fall that had caused
the mark.
    “It
doesn’t change a damn thing.” Her brother’s eyes flashed red for a split second
just before he glanced at York. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s settled. I don’t
want to hear another word about it. Let’s go back inside.” He smiled at York.
“My guests are dying to meet with the vampire that stole my sister’s heart.”
    York
muttered something about not being that vampire but he filed in behind Keto
taking ahold of her elbow as he did. Esral had to work hard not to roll her
eyes. It was a terrible habit that she learned from her friend Tanya. She
missed the vampire castle and her friends greatly. Life had been so simple and
carefree there. Right now she felt like she was trapped in a nightmare with no
hope of escape.
    “There
you are.” Cheri gushed,