Blood Crown

Somehow, without my knowledge or consent, I had managed to find my place with this ragtag group of supposed royals. They weren’t exactly royals to my standards. Jacobi was the worst example of a chaste king I had ever seen, Mal and Ashera had no royal blood to speak of, and Ambrose…well, he was Ambrose. Enough said. Despite the hazing they had put me through when I first arrived in Shaytan, they cared about me. When that asshole witch had taken me captive, it wasn’t just Ashera that stormed to my rescue. It was the whole godsdamn crew. Is this what a family felt like? I wouldn’t know. Juniya wasn’t exactly known for being the warmest of kingdoms. But we got shit done.

Ashera and the men were annoying as hell, but they were growing on me. Which was why I needed to do everything in my power to end this rebellion against the dick slayer’s reign, even if it meant tagging along to Masas to confront Ambrose’s father. This was one family reunion I did not need to see. But here I was, once again clasped in the angel king’s arms as we made our way to the Kingdom of Vampires. Fuck. The things I would do for this woman. But after we sorted out all this rebellion shit, we were going to have a serious conversation about our mode of transportation. This whole being cradled in the arms of a king was damaging to my carefully cultivated reputation.

I glanced over at Ashera, flying gracefully, glittering against the bright blue sky. She was worth it. Worth it all. I still wanted to understand more about how she was able to control the elements the way she had in Cresta, but there hadn’t been a moment to breathe since we had returned home. But I was desperate to know how the succubus queen was able to use the magic of the fae. What was I missing? With that thought, Jacobi dropped lower in the sky, the large castle of Masas coming into view. Shaytan’s castle was dramatic and stunning, but the castle Ambrose had grown up in was something else. Black stone stacked on top of black stone, creating a building that was imposing and eerily beautiful. Honestly, it was no wonder Ambrose was the way he was, being raised in a place like this. I’d never fucking tell him that, though.

Jacobi landed smoothly, and I brushed off my clothes from the flight. It wouldn’t do to appear rumpled in front of my closest allies. Ex-closest allies. I couldn’t exactly be seen being friendly with the kingdom in charge of attempting to kill my mate and end her rule. And until Ambrose could do whatever he had planned for his father, and hopefully take control of Masas, they were our enemies. We would need to tread carefully while here.

Ashera landed last, straightening out her dress. The lace was the darkest navy today, just shy of black. But the slight tone of color sent a message to the royals of Masas, for whom black was the daily uniform. She wasn’t one of them, and she wasn’t about to conform. Ashera caught me staring and gave me a smile and wink. I hid my smile, nodding back. We could handle whatever the vampire pricks had to throw at us. Together.

Ashera walked over to Mal and Ambrose, staring seriously at her vampire mate. “You need to keep a level head while we’re here, Ambrose. Especially around your father. We need to be able to keep the element of surprise, which means you can’t fly off the handle at him.”

Ambrose glared at our queen. From what I had seen, their relationship was definitely a test of wills, but he was borderline obsessed with Ashera, and she, him. “I’m not that stupid.”

“I never said you were stupid.” She turned her back, beginning to walk into the courtyard, surrounded by a thick, ornate fence. “I just know you have a tendency to get… carried away.”

A growl escaped me as Ambrose snaked out his hand, forcing the little queen to face him chest to chest. “Listen here, little queen. You’re in Masas now, which means you answer to me. Keep that in mind before I have to discipline you in front of the entire court.”

My dick hardened as I imagined Ambrose bringing Ashera to heel as the cold vampires of Masas looked on. Maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. But of course, Ashera merely rolled her eyes, pulling away from Ambrose’s grip. “I answer to no one. Keep that in mind before you try and control me.” With that, she turned and made her way inside the courtyard before Ambrose could snatch her back again.

Ambrose lingered before falling in line with me as we walked behind our queen. He was muttering something about turning Ashera’s ass red. I stopped mid-step, grabbing Ambrose by the arm and yanking him back to me as the others continued through the winding courtyard. “What the fuck is your problem?” I snarled.

He looked offended, curling his upper lip in a sneer. “I don’t have a problem, Fae Fuck.”

Asshole. “Yes, you do. You’ve been in a fucking mood since we left this morning, and I’m not about to see you screw up the entire plan because you’re pissed off.”

He scoffed, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Fuck you. I have not been in a fucking mood, you prick.” I reminded myself that breaking his nose would probably upset Ashera. I raised a brow in question as I stared at him. For once, I chose not to respond to his baiting, choosing instead to wait him out. I wasn’t about to let him go after our mate until he stopped being a complete asshole.

A slight twitch of his left eye and a muttered curse were signs that I’d succeeded. “I’ve basically been ruling Masas for years, you know that.” I nodded. I was well aware of the fact that Ambrose’s father had taken a back seat in recent years, leaving his only son to take care of the kingdom. “I just… I can’t believe that he would plan all of this behind my back. We had heard rumors since the beginning about Ashera taking over Shaytan, so why wouldn’t he tell me about his plan to throw her off the throne? Am I such a worthless son that he’ll let me pretend to run the kingdom, while he plays puppet master behind my back?” Ambrose paused, taking in a deep breath, as if he realized he had said too much. But for the first time, I didn’t mind his rambling. If I had to guess, it probably had to do with the fact that I was in turn helping Ashera by not letting Ambrose go and take his irritation out on her.

I canted my head. “So show your father who the real puppet master is then.”

Ambrose folded his arms across his bare chest, frowning. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, take this opportunity and control your father. Show him who’s actually in charge. Pretend like nothing has changed and played him like a game of chess.”

I watched Ambrose tip his head side to side, rolling his lip between his teeth. This side of the vampire prince — the doubtful, unsure side — was one I was certain few people got to see. “That could work.”

“Obviously. I wouldn’t give you a poor piece of advice.”

“Yeah.” Ambrose narrowed his eyes at me. “We never had this conversation.” He turned and started towards where Ashera and the other two were waiting for us.

“You got it,” I muttered. But even though I didn’t want to acknowledge it, something had shifted between myself and Ambrose. Seeing him vulnerable, I realized there was possibly more to him than just being the cold-hearted vampire prince.

But then again, maybe not.

* * *

Ambrose

I couldn’t believe I had just spilled my fucking guts to the fae prick. What the hell was wrong with me? But I had to admit, I felt better as I walked up to Ashera, who was waiting with Jacobi and Mal. Ashera looked fucking regal, draped in a dark blue dress. She was going to stir shit up at court today, and I was fully on board with that. Fuck all these assholes who had sat by and watched as my father plotted behind my back.

No. I wasn’t going to think like that. I was going to walk in there and act like everything was completely normal, feeding my father everything he wanted to hear. Little would he know that I was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Serves him right.

Ashera reached out for my hand. “You good?”

I squeezed it tightly. “Yeah. Let’s just get this over with so I can spill some blood.”

“You’re an animal,” Jacobi muttered, falling into step behind us.

“You should watch who you’re calling an animal,” I threw back. “You forget I see you when you’re fucking Ashera’s ass. Fucking brute.”

Ashera laughed, but I could feel her sexual energy flooding her aura. She liked knowing we watched each other fuck. Dirty girl. “I feel like the time you spend watching Jacobi could be better spent elsewhere.”

I leaned over, licking Ashera’s neck up to her ear, relishing the moan she gave me in return. “And I feel you should be spending this time better preparing yourself to meet my father.”

Ashera leaned into my shoulder, pouting. “You’re a killjoy.”

How anyone found the strength to deny a succubus what they wanted; I’d never know. It physically pained me whenever I had to say no, which was why it never happened. But on my way to meet my father, who happened to want said succubus dead? Probably not the best idea.

“I’ll make it up to you later,” I whispered, enjoying the way her body arched against me with my words.

“Save some for the rest of us, princess,” Mal grumbled behind me. I had completely forgotten he was there, but he was definitely feeling the effects of Ashera’s desire. We would all have to be dead to not be impacted by our succubus.

We had finally reached the oversized black doors, heavy and ornate. Gods, I hated this place. I hated what it stood for, and I hated how it made me feel. I despised the black granite floors. I loathed the heavy wrought iron doors. I hated all of the silver decor, proudly displayed as if we had nothing to fear. If I had my way, I’d burn it all to the fucking ground. Maybe I would after we killed my father. I would bet all this black stone would look much better as ashes around my feet. Maybe I would even fuck my pretty little queen on top of the burned ruins of my past. That would definitely make me feel better. Out with the old, in with the new. With a smile on my face, I turned to the others.

The four of them stood in a semi-circle, waiting for me to speak. Caspian grimaced at me. “Hate to break it to you, princess, but your smile is creepy as fuck.”

My grin dropped. “Don’t call me princess, prick.” Any residual warmth I was feeling for the fae fuck was gone in a moment.

Mal rolled his eyes. “Can we get this over with, please? We can have a dick measuring contest later. Besides, your smile did look pretty terrifying.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I was ready to fight someone, irritation bubbling in my blood. But I glanced at Ashera, a warning scrawled across the little queen’s delicate face, and I shoved my annoyance deep. I am the fucking puppet master. “Okay, look. My father is a paranoid man. He’s got his personal collection of guards, as well as this giant jackass who follows him around at all times, Silas. The guards will be no match for the four of us, but Silas… he’s a different story. I don’t know what freakshow my father picked him up at, but he’s a tough bastard. If you want to take down my father, then you’ll have to get to Silas first. That’s why the element of surprise will be our friend when we confront the court.”

They all nodded. Ashera raised an eyebrow, looking every inch the menacing warrior I knew her to be. “Leave Silas to me.”

I knew there would be no arguing with her, so I just shrugged my shoulders. “Fine. His left side is his weak side. Keep that in mind.” I ran my tongue over my elongated fangs, thirsty for blood. “My father is mine.”

With that I turned and opened the doors, walking into the castle like I owned the place. Which I would, soon enough. And then I’d fucking burn it to the ground.

I led us down the hall, toward my father’s study where he was sure to be at this hour. The corridors were lined with copper lanterns, casting an eerie green glow as we walked. As we passed by, one of his many butlers froze. I wasn’t sure if he was surprised, I was home, or by my choice in companions.

“Um… sir! Hello! We didn’t expect you home for another week,” he stammered. I didn’t know this one’s name, but he was young. Perfect. His loyalty to my father would be less firm.

I glared at him, perfecting the imposing mask I wore at home. “Yes, well plans change. I’m sure you aren’t kept up to date on every matter in my life. Where is my father?”

The young butler looked terrified, and I felt bad for a moment. But then I remembered who was relying on me. Ashera. Mal. Jacobi. The slaves. Fuck, even Caspian. So I glared harder, baring my fangs. The butler struggled to speak. “Well, sir, he’s not home at the moment.”

I closed my eyes, rubbing my hand against my forehead. “And where the fuck is he?”

“He’s… he’s away sir. He’s away. He should be home tomorrow.” The butler looked ready to piss himself.

My eyes sprang open, laser-focused on the young vampire. “You are utterly useless. How did you even manage to get a job in the palace?” I sighed heavily. “Well, my companions will need rooms to spend the night until my father arrives home. Take them to our finest guest chambers. I assume my bedroom is ready for me?”

“Yes. Yes, sir.” The pathetic creature was practically shaking where he stood.

“Good.” I turned to Ashera. “I have some business to deal with. Follow this worthless maggot to your rooms, and I’ll come find you later.”

I could see confusion in Ashera’s emerald gaze, and I knew I’d have some explaining to do once we were alone later. But I needed to play this part, tipping off anyone here could get back to my father before we could get to him. No one here would know what Ashera looked like, which worked in my favor. As far as the young butler was aware, these were merely my traveling companions. Odd ones, sure. But no one would dare comment on that fact, except for my father.

Eventually, Ashera nodded. “Very well.”

Mal gave me a brief nod, and they followed the butler down the hall. I turned the other way. I didn’t actually have anything I needed to deal with. I just needed to be alone for a minute and think about what Caspian and I had spoken about. I just felt like such a fucking fraud. For years I thought I had been in charge of everything having to do with Masas and its people, and instead my supposedly sick and disabled father was laughing about me behind my back.

I roamed the dark halls, the servants staying out of my way. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my trousers. I wasn’t sure what this feeling was. Shame? Embarrassment? Ridiculous. I was Ambrose, fucking prince of Masas. I didn’t waste time on those lesser feelings. I should be focused on the problems that lay ahead.

My wandering had brought me to the throne room, the heavy black throne central in the large room. The copper lanterns hung in here as well, the green glow causing the walls and throne to glitter. Dark tapestries detailing my family’s rise to power hung behind it. I hated this room, so ostentatious and over the top, filled with the spoils of war. The ceremonial sword sat next to the throne, and I pulled it out, feeling its weight in my hands. Its size made it worthless for fighting but made an excellent addition to the whole vibe for the King of Masas.

How many times had I sat on that throne, doing my father’s bidding, all the while thinking it was my own decision? That would be the first thing I would burn. I ran the sword over the smooth iron, enjoying the scraping sound it made. I could imagine it melting, dripping onto the cold marble floors, nothing remaining of my father’s rule except for a puddle where his throne used to sit. I tossed the sword across the room, where it hit an ornate vase, shattering it to pieces. Well, that looked a little better.

Amid my destruction, a hand grasped my shoulder, and I bared my teeth, growling. Who dared to touch me?

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Ashera’s voice found its way to my ear, low and melodic. She was so soothing to my soul, and every muscle in my body instantly relaxed.

I touched her hand lightly but didn’t turn around. “I’m fine. I thought you were supposed to be in your chambers.”

Ashera snaked her arms around my waist, resting her head against my back. “I thought you realized by now that I don’t like being told what to do.”

I sighed heavily. “All I wanted growing up was to rule Masas. I dreamed about sitting on this throne and watching people cower in front of me.” I looked up to the tapestries, stories I was once so proud of.

“And now?” Ashera’s voice was a low whisper, but I had no trouble hearing her.

“Now I imagine that everything in this castle would look better as a pile of ash. I used to think it stood for power. Control. Respect. But this?” I pushed away from my little queen’s touch, tugging at the tapestry with the family coat of arms. “This is nothing but the symbol of corruption.” I ripped down one of the large tapestries with a swift tug.

“Ambrose,” Ashera warned.

“No, little queen. You need to hear me out.” I faced a tapestry depicting a fierce vampire with a small human cowering at their feet. “This isn’t respect. This is greed.” Another sharp pull and the fabric lay in a pile at my feet.

I moved over to the next tapestry, but Ashera wrapped her small arms around me. “Ambrose. Stop. This won’t help anything.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “No. But it feels damn good.”

She pressed her soft mouth against my ear. “I know something else that feels damn good, with a little less collateral damage.” Ashera slid her hand down my stomach, and I was instantly hard.

“What the fuck is going on? What happened to keep a low profile?”

I groaned at the interruption, turning around to see Mal standing in the doorway. Of course it had to be him. I watched him take in the destruction around the room — the shattered vase, the tapestries lying in puddles at our feet. “Did no one fucking listen to me when I told them to go to their rooms?”

Mal strode closer. “I did. But your guest rooms are comparable to Shaytan’s prison cells, so I thought I’d come look for some better entertainment.”

I scoffed. “That guest room is probably the nicest thing you’ve ever been inside.”

Malachi tipped his head — his eyes devouring every inch of our mate, joining us behind the throne. “I can think of nicer.”

The room was heavy with the pheromones the two of them were releasing, and it was a welcome distraction to the swirling emotions inside of me. I turned, pressing my hand against the back of Ashera’s neck, forcing her closer. “I think you were going to show me something else that feels good, little queen.”

“Mmm…” Ashera tipped her head back, her green eyes filled with lust and mischief. “What did you have in mind?”

“I can help with that,” Mal rumbled, stroking the soft skin underneath the thin strap of Ashera’s dress. She leaned back, allowing Mal to slip the straps down her shoulders, exposing her perfect breasts before catching at her hips. I couldn’t help myself and bent my head forward to gently bite one of her perfect nipples. Ashera groaned, the unmistakable scent of her desire filling my senses. Gods, she was so easy to please. To want.

“The things I want to do to you, my little queen.” I traced my fangs, then my tongue around her breast, Mal still running his hands down her body. “You’d let me, wouldn’t you? You’d let me fuck you in ways I’ve only dreamed about in my darkest moments.”

Her bright green gaze met my own. “I don’t care what you do to me, as long as you’re touching me.”

I smirked at Ashera, pressing my fangs harder into her soft flesh, just enough to watch a pearl of blood bloom from the bite. She moaned, and I watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. “You’re such a good little queen,” I purred, dragging the tip of my finger down her chest. Goosebumps trailed behind my touch. “I love watching you take both of us. Do you like that? When we fill you completely?”

Ashera’s eyes fluttered closed. I couldn’t see what Mal was doing to her underneath her pretty dress, but I could imagine. Mal met my gaze over Ashera’s shoulder — his eyes dark with desire. The stupid bat fuck had probably scented Ashera halfway across the castle and tracked us down. Whatever. I’d share. But only because my little queen enjoyed as many hands on her as possible.

I dropped to my knees in front of my mate, pulling the light lace of her dress down the rest of the way over her hips, watching it pool to the floor at her feet. Exposed and bare, I could see Mal teasing Ashera’s clit with his finger. I pushed the incubus’s hand away, replacing his touch with my tongue before Ashera could complain.

Gods, she was like the sweetest wine, and the most addictive drug wrapped into one perfect package. I lapped at her delicious core, looking up to watch her arch her back into Mal’s embrace. Ashera reached her hand around to stroke Malachi’s hard cock, and my own twitched painfully as I imagined her soft touch on me. Later. First, I needed Ashera to come on my tongue — to taste her as she gave me everything.

She was absolutely drenched — close to orgasm as I licked and sucked, and her legs trembled beneath her. I pulled away, lightly touching the corner of my fangs against her clit. “Come for me, little queen.” I pressed my lips against her, sucking hard, and Ashera cried out, caving to her release.

I met Mal’s gaze again, as he rocked his erection against her touch. An unspoken question rose between us, and I nodded. I took the blissed-out Ashera and led her to the throne — the very symbol of my family’s corrupt legacy that I was about to taint even further. I peeled my trousers off and sat down with my little queen standing in front of me. I grabbed her by her slim hips, pulling her to me and sinking her down onto my waiting cock. I moaned, feeling at home and in control once more. Finding a peace wrapped in her tight, hot pussy I never knew was possible, I thrust inside of her slowly. “Gods, little queen. Your pussy doesn’t want to let me go.” I groaned, running my hand over her ass and sliding the wetness everywhere to make sure she was ready for Mal. “Now you’re going to be a good little queen, and let the incubus fuck your ass.” Mal stepped up behind Ashera, already moaning and crying out my name as she rode my cock.

Another rush of their combined pheromones flooded the air as I held Ashera still, and Mal ran his cock through her wetness. Ashera pressed her face against my neck, moaning in pleasure as Mal worked his way inside her tight ass. Fuck, she felt so damn full and ready to explode. I loved fucking my little queen, my mate, and I was beginning to realize I didn’t mind sharing these moments with her at all. If anything, it heightened my senses, making the experiences even more enjoyable, if that was at all possible.

“Fuck,” Mal groaned, thrusting in time with my own urgent movements. “Make her come, princess. Do it now.”

I was edging closer and closer myself and ran my fangs down Ashera’s neck as we continued to fuck her together. “You heard him, little queen. Now, come.” I bit into her soft skin, relishing in the delicious taste of her blood flooding my senses as she screamed out her release around both of our cocks. As she shattered, Mal roared out his release behind her, and I wasn’t far behind as I fed and fucked. I could already feel Ashera feeding off the sexual energy in the room as we all came down from our high, collapsing onto one another.

Eventually, I would need to get these two back to my room, but I was so comfortable as I lounged with Ashera and Mal on the artificial pile of my family’s legacy. Fuck it all anyway. It meant nothing anymore. The only thing that mattered was the future we would all build together.

Preferably as my father watched on from a puddle of his own blood.