Indulge by Megan Duncan Read Free Book Online Page A

anger, my father held me at arm’s length and knelt before me, looking into my eyes. “There is nothing in this world we have ever wanted more in all our long years than to have you home,” he said. My mother walked to his side and they laced fingers, both of their faces filled with emotion. They were so open in their expressions that I knew they meant every word. “Every day without you, my child, has been a pain that nothing could ease, except this moment. We are and have always been a family. Nothing in the past or future will change that. What matters now is that you are home.”
    I nodded at his words as emotion took over me again and eased the anger away. “I’m glad to be home.” I really was.
    “And, Arrick,” Cathair said, calling to my Blood Mate. “Thank you for keeping our daughter safe.” He offered his hand to Arrick.
    Each grabbing the other’s forearm, they locked together. I could truly sense the magnitude of the duty Arrick had felt. The look of gratitude on my father’s face was clear. Through our connection I could feel how proud Arrick was, and I was proud for him too. He had accomplished his mission. I was safe and home with my parents for the first time in my entire life.
    “Thank you, your highness.” Arrick bowed slightly. He released his grip with the king and looked to my mother, bowing to her as well.
    “Now,” Cathair said, removing his arm from my shoulder, “you must tell me what has happened at Palace Noire.”
    Arrick nodded sternly as he and my father began to walk toward the balcony. I watched as they walked. I had always thought Arrick was so tall and masculine, but seeing them walk alongside each other, I thought otherwise. Even though they were the same height, my father’s wide frame seemed to be two times the width of Arrick, making him look like a small teenage boy beside him. I could feel my lips pull up freely into a smile.
    “What’s going to happen?” I asked my mom without breaking my stare from the two most important men in my life. Arrick was talking animatedly while my father simply nodded, his arms folded across his chest.
    “I don’t know,” she sighed heavily.
    There were many possibilities, but all of them seemed grim and led to one conclusion. My kidnapping, Ana and Luka trying to kill me, and Arrick stealing me away in the night during an attack on Palace Noire, all led to war. My coming home should have been a happy time, but the serious expressions on my father’s and Arrick’s faces revealed a new fear that threatened to tear my world apart. We would be going to war and it was all because of me.

Chapter_5
     
    “She said what?” Shock rattled my voice.
    After Arrick informed my father of the events at Palace Noire, they called a meeting and we all gathered in a large round room. A thick cherry wood table stood prominently in the center, with statues that towered from floor to ceiling circling around us. I didn’t recognize any of their marbled faces, yet their stone eyes made the hair on my neck stand on end. It felt much like a large portrait, whose eyes, seemed to follow you wherever you stood in the room. It was just darn creepy. I’m sure that wasn’t the goal of whoever designed the room, but that was definitely the vibe I was getting. Everything that was said or done in this room was under the watchful ivory eyes of ancient vampires.
    We were joined by six other people, two of which were vampires, who by my surprise were incredibly old - and I don’t mean by vampire standards. They had to have been turned when they were in their late seventies. My jaw fell open when they entered and they returned my shocked expression with kind smiles.
    The other four were members of what Arrick called the ‘Blood Guard’. They were exactly like Blood Mates, except here they weren’t forced to be bonded to a vampire. In this region they chose to join for many reasons, to protect a royal family member, to devote their life to Nyx or to spend