The Sacrifice and the Spare: A Spicy Arranged Marriage Vampire Romance Novella by Elle Backenstoe

Author:Elle Backenstoe [Backenstoe, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

Kallan’s stomach knotted as he walked away from Bria, but he held his chin high under the constant scrutiny of his father’s guards. He knew there was nothing more he could do for her without proof of her innocence, but it didn’t stop regret from sinking its claws into him as he remembered her cry of pain. He would have to trust that his threats were enough to keep her safe for now.

Though his mind desired to uncover the truth, his heart took control of his feet. He moved through the castle like a ghost, unfocused and unthinking. His eyes only regained focus when he stopped before the entrance to the queen’s chambers. Though Toren was not her son, Kallan’s mother had raised him from infancy, his father quick to marry after the tragic death of his first wife. He didn’t know if he came to comfort or be comforted, but he suspected he’d find only the former awaiting him inside. He hesitated before raising a fist to knock on the carved wooden door, unsure if he was ready to face the depth of despair he was sure to find on the other side.

Kallan steeled his spine and knocked. It echoed back at him and he was shocked to look around and find the hall completely empty—devoid of any servants or guards. He assumed most of the guards on duty had been there to apprehend Bria. The rest were surely on patrol to protect from any potential threats seeking to strike in their hour of weakness.

But where were the servants?

He had little time to ponder the quandary before the door swung inward. Tear-streaked cheeks and a trembling lip were all he managed to see before his mother engulfed him in a tight embrace. She sobbed against his shoulder, wavering between hiccupping pants and ear-splitting wails of anguish. Through it all, he held her. How could he not? She was his mother. He wouldn’t falter when she needed him most.

Hot tears lined his lashes and he turned his face to the arched ceiling. anything to keep the rotting dams from breaking. For though he longed to do exactly that—to break down in tears and wallow in the grief that threatened to drown him—Bria couldn’t afford for him to lose sight of his mission.

Gently, he pried himself free of his weeping mother, holding her at arm’s length while she dabbed at her eyes with an embroidered kerchief. She composed herself quickly, drawing on whatever royal magic they all possessed that kept them from appearing too human in the face of overwhelming emotions.

“We’ll get through this.” She sniffed. “Somehow, it will be alright.”

Kallan shook his head. It would never be alright. His brother was gone—torn from this world before he could even think to make his mark on history—and he was the sorry fool that had to replace him.

Before he got the chance to respond to her misplaced optimism, she was straightening her skirts and looking entirely too nonplussed in the current circumstances.

“At least that foul creature has been dealt with,” she said, dusting off her sleeve.

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