Fated - Book 1 (Completed)

Prologue

Its breathing was slow; its chest rose and just as lazily dropped. The dragon was at peace as it was splayed over the cobbled ground. Its skin felt like velvet under my fingers as I ran my hand over its neck."Milady, your guests have all arrived."The little witch stood there, keeping her distance from the sleeping beast; her eyes never left its head as heavy grumbles left its mouth."Breath, Diana; he will never harm you or our sisters."She forced a weak smile on her lips for my benefit. The poor child was riddled with grief as she stood in the doorway; her little body was locked in place."Persephone, the bringer of destruction, was raised from death."My fingers glided down the beast's greyish shout as it drew in a deep breath. My body was still weak and aching from the magic I used to raise her. Three days and three nights I spent muttering spells, screaming for her to raise, and finally, on the third night, during the final stroke of the clock, she finally rose.My wrists were wrapped and bound tightly to keep the wounds sealed, but even so, as I moved, small trinkets of blood seeped through the white cotton bands."Should I have them wait for you in the grand hall, high priestess?"A sigh rolled off my lips as I trailed pale fingers over grey scales. I turned to face the sweet girl with a big smile as I tried to get my mind into the matter of dealing with my guests."Yes, my dear, and have our sisters bring them some wine and spiced meat to keep them busy while I get dressed."She looked at me with wide eyes. I must have looked ghastly to the sweet child in my current state. With a quick nod, the girl turned and scurried down the hall. The room was filled with a warm silence beyond my new pet's heavy breathing."The Fae, the vampires, and the human kings all gathered here to see me. I should just have you devour them now, my sweet, but alas, I need them to get him, to get that prince."I smiled at the sleeping beast before placing a light kiss on her cold snout. Before turning around on my bare heels, my hands danced up into the air as a heavy breath left my lips. The sound of cracking flames rocked up from under me as the black flames burned my tattered gown.The flames ate the material and turned the black ash into a new gown, a fresher one. The bodice hugged me tight as the skirt flowed around my legs, and the sleeves danced down gracefully as I spun in a circle, ending the spell."Oh my, I need to eat."My skin was ashy in the mirror before me; my once bright amethyst eyes were turning into a dull grey; and my copper hair was twisting and twirling into a horrid grey. I twirled my fingers as I studied how bony they were. The last time I ate was when I had that boy's heart."One more spell ought to do it; it should last me a few months."My fingers snapped, and as I turned to look back into the mirror, there I stood, young and vibrant; my once sunken cheeks were plump and pink with life; and my wire-thin lips were full and bright, just as I was when I was a younger woman.The beast's breathing switched its pace to a low grumble. There, looking at me with bright pink eyes, Persephone was watching me as my magic swirled around and brought my youth back for one last time."Rest, my sweet; I'll be back; I just have some men to toy with."I blew a kiss at the sleeping giant before turning on my heels and skipping my way down the stone hallway and into the brightly lit grand hall, whose walls were golden from the dancing flames.A short stone table grew out of its centre, where my guests were huddled tight and grabbing at their free meal and sweet wine. Several of the young witches stood around them, hurrying to refill their copper gauntlets before the grumbling men shouted.The stone floor under me was cool as I danced towards my throne. It sat at the end of the grand hall; it was carved perfectly out of the Darach, which fed magic to the western lands and to those who used its ancient tongue."Ah, Priestess!"His voice boomed as I stood there, trailing my pink, plumb fingers over the tree's rough surface; it hummed under my touch, and the Darach sang to me as I trailed over it."Lord Leif, I'm glad to see that you are here and healthy."A brute of a man, human no less; he was one of the twelve human kings; he wasn't alone. Down the table sat three other kings, all humans and scoffing meat down their gussets, such brutes thick with muscle, all glaring at the pale vampires across from them."My lords, I'm glad to see that you all have arrived here in one piece."I slunk into my seat as my voice rocked over the hall. In their multitude of mixed eyes, I could see the greed, jealousy, and anger swirling in their minds as I, a woman, and a witch held a title higher above them and took my throne with pride.Heavy wood was scrapped along the stone floor, pulling my eyes to the moving body of Lord Crastil, a vampire. He was a tall man with delicate features; his ashen skin was pulled tight against his bones, his eyes glowed a bright red as he made his way towards me, and his black hair was slunk back, hugging his scalp for dear life.A smirk crossed my lips as he bowed at my feet and placed light kisses on my bare foot. His lips were cold and dead against my warm pink flesh; it made me sick, but damn, he was a good lover. My nipples hardened with pure excitement at the feeling of his touch."Any news, Lord Crastil?"His lips trailed up my thigh; he placed soft kisses on my knee as he stopped; and bright red eyes shot up, causing an unbridled anger to boil in my chest. His eyes were ready to tell me something I knew I didn't need to hear."The prince, milady, has taken on a bride."My anger boiled as the other men let out chuckles; even the prideful Fae King, who sat at the end of the stone table, had a heavy laugh that boomed over the others."And Lord Crastil, who is the unlucky bride?"His shimmering hazel eyes turned to the vampire, who was slowly pulling himself up. A hiss slithered out of the man's thin lips as he stood between me and the Fae."Princess Aurora."The Fae's smiling lips dropped, and his thick brown brows creased into a hard frown as he slammed his hands on the table. Such a virile man, my groyne burnt to have him, but his desire was elsewhere; he always had his eyes on the daughter of the Freyda.The man was furious; the magic swirling behind him was a sure sign as the vampire between us bared his fangs and let out a weak hiss. My toes curled against the hard, cold stone under my bare feet as the men stood there, glaring at one another."King Novus,"My hand snaked over the vampire's tight shoulder as the Fae's name rolled off my tongue. All of their eyes darted to me as I danced around the vampire."My sweet King Novus, if you declare your loyalty to me, I promise you that the princess will be yours."I knew he desired her, the half-breed, and now this was all that I needed to gain his allegiance, and with him, I would have five kings to help me eradicate the Dragon family for their royal throne.Dazzling hazel eyes danced over me as he slowly nodded his head, cementing our bond.