The Umbra King (Vincula Realm, #1)

by Jamie Applegate Hunter

“It was inevitable. Your soul calls to mine and mine to yours. We couldn’t fight this if we tried.”

“I need more.” “You need to rest,” he replied in a dark voice. “But you said your pussy ached, and I can’t have that.”

“I can’t wait for all of Erdikoa to know The Butcher is the new Prison Queen. Fitting.”

Guiding Rory through the palace, he looked at her as they walked. “How easily you believed the worst of me.” Rory stared straight ahead, her face never betraying her emotions. “I don’t know you, Caius.” He gave her hand a light squeeze. “You will.”

“I need you to do something for me,” she said with a voice of iron. Everything about her transformed into the woman who appeared on his throne room floor months ago. “Anything,” he replied, wondering if he would regret it. “When your contract is up, find my sister’s soul, and kill him.” The fire in her eyes burned brightly. “And before he takes his last breath, let him know I will dance on his grave.”

“Two were one, and one is yours. Do not let him fool you. His darkness is poison. Only the golden child can save you,”

Ohhhhh

Caius’ arm banded around Rory’s waist. “I owe you my life,” he said, dipping his head respectfully. “You didn’t almost die,” Rory protested. “I did.” Being able to joke after almost dying had to be a good sign. They say trauma makes people funnier.

Her breath stalled. Her grey-scale sight. She shot up and twisted to look at Caius. “Cora had grey-scale sight.” His head moved slightly before he sat up, too, coming to the same conclusion she had. “She was Gedeon’s Aeternum.”

“That is not a reason to get married,” she said, shaking her head. “If you want to marry me, earn it, but more importantly, mean it.” She never wanted to get married in the first place, but even she couldn’t deny her growing feelings toward the king. It was scary and new. Going from hating someone and wanting to murder them to whatever they were now was surreal. “When you realize you love me, I will drop to one knee wherever we are,” he murmured for only her to hear.

“It won’t matter if I love you or not. I refuse to marry someone who doesn’t love me back.” His lip tugged to the side. “I will fall first, Miss Raven, and we both know it.”

“Most men want to control women.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “If you want to walk through the realm naked, you will do so, and I will admire you the entire way.”

“Then how do you know you’ll love me?” Her eyes conveyed her uncertainty, and hope took seed within him. Was she falling for him the way he was falling for her? He pushed his plate aside and rested his elbows on the table. “How could I not?” She tucked a loose hair behind her ear and stared at her food. “I’ve never loved anyone either.” She looked up. “But if I were going to love anyone, it would be you.” “Oh, you will love me, Aurora, because how could you not?”

“When Bellina feels up to it, we should get dinner and drinks.” Tallent sighed again. “That would be nice, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to make it.”

Huh

“Find Nina. She will pay for what she has done.” Examining the knuckles on her right hand, she sighed. Potions would be needed to heal her broken bones. Caius didn’t question her. “We’ll find her together once we clean up this mess. You have my word.” She gave a single nod and left to shower. “Remove the barricade on our main door, or I will do it myself.” Caius’ lips twitched. “Yes, Your Grace.”

As she stood facing the king with the sound of Nina’s lifeless body being dragged across the marble floor, she knew she loved him. He had been wrong. She was the first to fall.

“Where is she?” She was yelling, and Caius walked faster. “Where is she?” the woman demanded again, speaking to no one and everyone at once.

His eyes scanned the document, and his knees nearly buckled. Lenora Raven. Sibyl. Sentenced to one year for attempted armed robbery of a bank.

He tried to save Rory, and instead, he sent his mate into Gedeon’s waiting arms.

A woman with white streaked hair stepped inside and looked at Rory with a tinge of sadness. “Hello, Aurora Raven. Welcome back to Erdikoa.” “Welcome back?” Rory squeaked. “It’s been five-hundred years?” The woman shook her head. “Somehow, your sentence ended early. It’s been three months.” Rory’s jaw dropped to the ground, elated to be home but terrified to see her friends and family again. Would they hate her? Either way, it was a miracle.