Claimed by the vampire prince

Chapter 468: Chapter 468

Author’s note: Hello guys, I know that I have not been able to finish my daily Chapters on time before posting and I want to offer my sincerest apology for any inconvenience I might have caused. I have been stretched thin lately with school, lab postings and other things in my personal life and sometimes, it’s difficult to find time to write. But I haven’t given up because I want to see this book to the end. Please understand that I am not doing this intentionally. Thank you so much for all your support. I love you guys.

***

"And what do you think I should have done? Show him kindness? Would you have preferred that I granted the requests of everyone who came before me today, regardless of how ridiculous they were? That is the quickest way to be used. These people only respect power and authority. As a ruler, there are many who will view your kindness as gullibility," Nheera said. "When you are queen, you will understand this and be able to spot those with bad intentions toward you."

Feeling thoroughly chastised, Elka lowered her gaze, her fingers curling faintly at her sides. She could only nod in response.

Nheera let out a quiet sigh. "I say this to prepare you. I asked you to be in the throne room today so that you might learn what it takes to rule a kingdom. One cannot be soft while sitting on the throne." She reached out and placed a light touch on Elka’s hand, and Elka slowly lifted her head to meet her gaze.

"It will not be long before Hairan is made king, and you will rule beside him. It is imperative that you carry out your duties. One of them involves giving my son an heir as soon as possible."

The once-light touch grew a bit more forceful, more insistent.

Elka swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she scrambled for the right words to say.

"Of course," she replied, her mind racing even as she forced her voice to remain calm. "It might even happen sooner than you expect." She said, the lie forming with unsettling ease.

Nheera slowly eased her hand away, her eyes narrowing with interest. "What do you mean?"

"I am saying that His Highness and I are now on speaking terms, and I have visited his chambers for several nights now. It will not be long before I become with child."

The lie slipped from her lips as though it had been rehearsed a hundred times.

In truth, apart from that one time she had sneaked into Hairan’s chambers to wait for him, she had not been there again since. And after that night they had spent together, he had gone right back to pretending that she did not exist. But she could not bring herself to say any of that to the queen.

Nheera nodded, clearly pleased by Elka’s response. Without another word, she turned and continued on her way.

Elka remained where she was, her breath shallow. She had been so focused on the queen and on crafting a believable lie, that she had not heard anyone approach. But now that Nheera was gone, she became aware of another presence lingering behind her.

A chill crept up her spine.

Elka glanced over her shoulder and found Azul standing a few paces away.

Her heart leapt into her throat, fear and panic forcing her to take an unconscious step back.

Aside from her father, Azul was the only other person who could evoke such a visceral sense of dread within her.

She had done everything she could to avoid encountering him when she was alone. The palace was so vast that she had naively thought it would make it easy to stay out of his path. It had worked for a few days.

Until now.

And from the frightening look in his eyes, it was clear that he had been aware of her efforts all along.

"You no longer wander the palace at night," he said, drifting closer to her. His long strides closed the distance between them before she could even think to move. "I miss our nightly interactions. Soon, you will leave me with no choice but to force my way into your chambers, if that is the only way I get to spend time alone with you."

Elka pushed herself away from him, her voice trembling despite herself.

"Stay away from me," she warned.

Azul did not so much as flinch.

"You are taking far too long to make up your mind. Time is no longer on your side, and soon I will be under no obligation to protect your little secret." He smiled, and the look was far from comforting.

"The king still lives," she argued, desperation creeping into her voice.

"Not for long." He said, almost casual. "I could walk into his chambers and strangle the life out of him myself, if that would help you reach a decision faster."

He chuckled softly at the mortified look on her face. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Before she could react, his hand shot out and seized her jaw, his grip firm. He forced her to meet his gaze as his voice dropped to a low, dangerous murmur.

"I heard what you told my mother. If I find out that you are carrying Hairan’s child, I will take my knife and cut that baby out of you." His eyes burned into hers. "Do you think I don’t know that you slept in his chambers the night after we last spoke? I know exactly what you are planning and I can assure you, it will not end well for you."

He released her abruptly and stepped back.

"Run back to my mother," he added with a faint, mocking tilt of his head. "You are her shiny new accessory, after all. I would hate for her to be deprived of your fine company."

Elka did not linger there any further. She turned and hurried away, her steps quick and uneven as she put as much distance between them as she could. But no matter how far she went, the palace no longer felt large enough.

Nowhere felt safe.

***

Even through the heavy haze of unconsciousness, all Ragnar felt was pain.

Agony spread through him in relentless waves, making his entire body feel like one massive bruise. Every faint shift of his limbs sent sparks of fire along his nerves, dragging him deeper into the darkness rather than pulling him free of it.

Yet through it all, he heard a voice.

Soft. Feminine.

It drifted toward him like a distant echo, gentle and coaxing, threading its way through the pain. fгeewebnovёl.com

"Drink."

That was the last word he heard before the taste of blood burst across his tongue, thick and rich. It flooded his mouth and slid down his throat like spiced mead. But the taste did not linger. It was swiftly overtaken by a burning sensation that ignited in his throat and spread rapidly through his chest and abdomen like liquid fire coursing through his veins.

The pain was overwhelming, far too intense for his body to bear for long. It consumed him completely, until the world around him seemed to fracture and dim, and he was dragged back down into darkness once more.

He did not know how long he remained unconscious. Time lost all meaning in that void.

But when awareness finally returned, it came slowly. The pain that had once ravaged him had dulled, fading into something distant and manageable, though bone deep fatigue still clung stubbornly to his body.

And then he heard it again, that same feminine voice, soft yet commanding, cutting through the haze.

Ragnar tried to pry his eyes open, but his eyelids felt impossibly heavy, as though weighed down by iron. He forced them apart with effort, managing only the slightest crack. Through his blurred and unfocused vision, he caught a glimpse of green eyes watching him intently.

Eyes he knew would continue to haunt him. Just like the memory of vast, dark wings slicing across the sky.