The Prince's Gift

Chapter 94.

Braelyn's POV

I sat in my room as I waited to hear from Ana, bouncing anxiously from one seat to another. I'd been waiting for this change for so long now that it seemed like it would never truly happen. A knock sounded on my door and I jumped to my feet, moving quickly to answer it. When I opened it, I smiled in surprise.

"Elias, what are you doing here?" I asked as he stepped closer inside and closed the door.

He gave me a questioning look and replied, "I'm not sure. The Queen summoned me to your quarters. She didn't tell you?"

I shook my head. "No. She only said to wait for her here."

Elias took my hand in his and I felt my cheeks flush instantly. "Brae, are you sure this is what you want?"

His face was pulled down into a frown as he carefully watched my reaction. His eyes held visible concern as he held his breath for my response.

"I am." I answered with a reassuring smile. "I am tired of being weak Elias. I'm tired of being vulnerable to anyone who would use me to harm my life now or hurt those I love. I want to be able to stand for myself, or even for anyone else who may need it; just like Ana did for me."

He brushed his fingers across my cheek softly and leaned forward, placing a feather light kiss on my lips. My heart raced at the contact and I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face.

"Then...I'm going to be turned as well." His words sounded final, as if in that moment, he'd already made up his mind.

"Eli...Is this really something you'd want? It's a big decision. You've never mentioned this." I said on a breath as my eyes widened.

He turned to face me fully and his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather make this change for." I felt my pulse increase and I looked into his deep chocolate gaze. "I want to spend my life with you Braelyn. And if that means an eternity then so be it."

"Braelyn, we are on our way." Ana's voice entered my mind and I tensed.

"What is it?" Elias asked as he looked down at me with concern.

"It's time." I answered quietly.

Elias let out a slow breath and held me tighter in his arms. "I won't leave you. You can do this. Ana will help you get through it." He whispered.

I nodded and after several moments, I heard Ana at my door. I stepped out of Elias's arms to let her in as Zane followed behind her and I shut the door.

"Braelyn, is this still what you want?" She asked softly as she walked up to me.

"It is." I said with one self assured nod.

Ana let out a calming breath and looked at me with a soft smile. "Braelyn, once you have transitioned, you will become part of my bloodline as I am of Zane's. You will become interwoven with me, and feel my strength running through you from my blood. You will be my family." She smiled wistfully and I couldn't help but let the tears fall from my eyes.

Ana pulled me in for a tight hug and whispered, "You have always been so."

I laughed and hugged her back before releasing her. "I'm ready." I said with a firm nod.

Ana stepped back and motioned for me to come over to the couch. I followed her and sat down as she turned to face me. "Elias, I'll need you to come and sit beside Braelyn for when she's ready." She said softly.

I felt my throat tighten as I realized what she meant. "Elias, I couldn't do..." I started but he waved his hand in the air.

"I will do this for you Braelyn. Please let me." He said gently, reaching his hand for mine and giving it a short squeeze.

I sighed in surrender and faced Ana once more. I pulled my hair back from my neck and gave her a look that I was ready. There was no turning back now.

Zane sat on the arm of the couch behind Ana as she moved closer to me, wrapping her arm around my body as her hand cupped the back of my head to move it as she needed. She took a breath and I could feel her body tensing, preparing to give in the craving she was now feeling so close to my vein. "I'll do my best to go quickly, and you'll feel light at the end. Focus on keeping yourself conscious, and listen to my voice." She said softly.

I nodded and took a calming breath as I tried to relax into Ana's hold. I felt Elias sit close behind me to be able to support me when the process began. Ana's fangs scraped against my skin as she prepared to begin and I reached for Elias's hand, releasing another slow breath to steady myself.

"Ok." I whispered quietly.

Ana's fangs pierced my skin and I let out the same involuntary gasp that passed my lips every time. She did it gently, but the pierce was always a surprising sting. I felt her pull from my vein, taking long steady gulps. I could sense her focus as Zane stared down at her in concentration. I knew he was guiding her, settling her down as she worked as quickly and smoothly as possible. The stinging feeling had subsided and was replaced only with emptiness. There was no pain. No panic. I was just existing, living in that moment only to fill her.

My body started to feel light, like if Ana hadn't been holding me down that I'd float away. A strange euphoria began to blur my vision and I let out another slow breath from my mouth as I slumped back against Elias. I could feel my body slowing down, as if everything around me was fading away bit by bit. It was only Ana and me and even she was beginning to blur. Darkness started to close in and I began to feel a peace settling over me.

I was dying.

I heard a muffled sound but I couldn't quite make it out. It felt like tiny tendrils we're trying to force their way through the darkness, but couldn't make their way into my consciousness. Finally, something broke through my clouded mind, as if speaking from inside of me.

"Braelyn I need you to swallow my blood. I need you to focus." Ana's voice echoed loudly in my mind, begging me to focus on what she was asking of me.

My body absently snapped into action as my tongue was hit instantly with the metallic iron rich taste of her blood slowly pooling into the back of my mouth. I fought the urge to gag as I forced myself to allow the warm thick liquid to slide down the back of my throat as I felt the last drop of my own blood leave my vein. A hazy darkness surrounded me, completely shrouding new in emptiness and my body went cold, feeling my heart beat one last slow drum in my chest as Ana's blood continued to run down my throat.

And then there was simply...nothing.