The North Read online

  VAMPIRE ROYALS 4: THE NORTH

  Leigh WALKER

  Copyright © 2018 by Leigh Walker.

  Published by CMG Publishing.

  Cover by Melody Simmons.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions. v.11.1.2018.

  Sign up for Leigh’s mailing list at www.leighwalkerbooks.com.

  Contents

  1. Preparations

  2. An Affair To Remember

  3. Flip Or Flop

  4. True Colors

  5. Fight Or Flight

  6. Rear Window

  7. The Howling

  8. An Example

  9. Fit For A King

  10. An Unexpected Landscape

  11. The Gnome

  12. Northern Style

  13. Night Swimming

  14. Cold Comfort

  15. A Simple Prop

  16. Fur And Fangs

  17. Beneath My Skin

  18. Glimpses

  19. The Whisper

  20. Testing A Theory

  21. Into The Woods

  22. Shattered Hearts

  23. Constant Craving

  24. State Of Mind

  25. Full-Court Press

  SNEAK PEEK OF BOOK 5!

  Afterword

  Also by Leigh Walker

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Preparations

  The chants fired up again. “Long live the Prince! Long live the Princess!” The crowds who’d gathered outside of the palace roared, then broke into another round of applause.

  “They’re making quite a fuss, aren’t they?” I made sure Gwyneth’s long veil was arranged neatly behind her as we listened to the settlers outside.

  Tamara tossed her bouncy raven-colored waves in my direction. “Now Blake—what’s your problem? Are you jealous?”

  “Of course not! I just want Gwyneth’s day to be perfect.” I clenched my fists so I didn’t yank that glossy hair of hers. “I can’t believe you’re a bloody bridesmaid.”

  “Well, I am.” Tamara didn’t so much smile as gloat. “By order of the king.”

  “Fine. But for the record? I’m not jealous, but you are a cow.”

  “Takes one to know one. Just saying.” Tamara then smoothed her slate-colored bridesmaid’s gown. Even with its modest collar, she somehow managed to make the dress look sultry, her enviable assets straining against the silk bodice.

  Shaye finished reapplying her lip gloss and giggled. “Oh, you two. Don’t be silly, and for the love of all things holy, don’t fight. This is Gwyneth’s day!”

  “I’m not trying to ruin her day.” Tamara arched a manicured eyebrow in my direction, and I made a note to whack her later.

  “I’m not, either. It’s not every afternoon that your best friend marries a prince, after all.” I finished with Gwyneth’s veil and sat back, admiring its intricate lacework.

  “Today is already perfect.” The bride turned from the mirror and grinned, her happiness infectious. “And I, for one, think it’s lovely we have so many people here.” She motioned toward the windows, which she’d been expressly instructed to stay away from, lest the settlers see her gown before it was time. “I’m thrilled that the king and queen allowed civilians to be here. I’ve heard hundreds of people came down from Four. It means so much to me.”

  The ceremony was being held in the palace chapel. The royals had arranged it so that the guests, royal family, groom, and bridal parties would walk in a procession from the palace to the small church. The settlers would be able to see everyone up close and dressed in their finery. In addition, the ceremony would be broadcast live on large outdoor screens, and simultaneously shown on the national network.

  It was all anyone had been talking about.

  The wedding was the triumphant conclusion to The Pageant, the nationally-televised dating competition in which Shaye, Tamara, Gwyneth and I had been contestants. The royals had selected two young women from each settlement to come and stay at the palace. Each contestant was introduced to the prince, His Royal Highness Dallas Black, in his quest to find a wife.

  The entire process had been filmed for the wildly popular show. But it had never really been a contest. I’d known from the beginning that the prince would propose to Gwyneth. From day one, it had been obvious on his handsome, besotted face that he only had eyes for her.

  The royals had sponsored the competition with the hope of bringing peace and unity to the nation. After winning the war against the rebels and taking control of the settlements, the royals’ relationship with the settlers had been rocky. Rumors about the king and queen abounded—whispers that they only came out at night, that they didn’t eat regular food, that they were somehow…different. Then the government rations had run low and morale had run even lower. The Pageant was an attempt to bridge the gap between the crown and the commoners, showing the nation a glimpse inside the palace and the lives of the royals. The show was a success—the prince and Gwyneth’s star-crossed love story had captured the citizens’ hearts. That’s why there were hundreds of them camped outside, chanting, hoping for a glimpse of the happy couple.

  Now that the prince was marrying a girl from Settlement 4, the settlers had begun to embrace the new government. Prince Black had vowed to make positive changes, a promise he’d already begun delivering on. Things were finally beginning to look up around here. Too bad I was leaving so soon…

  Shaye, Tamara and I had been asked to stay on as Goodwill Ambassadors, members of the royal court and representatives of the palace. First thing the next morning, I would be embarking on my assignment: Goodwill Ambassador to the North. I’d be traveling to the foreign country with Prince Austin Black, Dallas’s younger brother. Austin had specifically requested me to go with him. He’d said that he couldn’t wait to head back to the North, the royal family’s original home, even though it was apparently infested with gnomes and werewolves.

  The gnomes and werewolves worried me, but Austin worried me more. The younger prince was tall, strapping, and brutally handsome. He was also a vampire, one that hadn’t spent much time around humans. The fact that I was leaving with the rather uncivilized vampire prince first thing in the morning for a foreign country… I still didn’t know how I felt about it.

  But I’d vowed to be brave. The royals had given me a second chance—they’d sent money to my family, allowing my father and siblings to live comfortably for the first time in years. My sick father was finally getting the medicine he needed, and my younger siblings reported that with the increase in their rations, they could no longer count their ribs. So I didn’t plan on biting the hand that fed me.

  I just hoped that Austin maintained the same decorum.

  Sometimes, the way the younger prince looked at me—as if he were hungry—made me wonder…was I safe with him? But then I remembered that Dallas and Gwyneth both approved of my appointment. They wouldn’t send me off like a lamb for the slaughter.

  The door to our suite burst open, breaking my reverie. Gwyneth’s maids, Bria, Bettina and Evangeline, hustled in. Evangeline was tall and fair; the twins were shorter and petite, with coffee-colored skin and long, ebony ponytails. The three maids practically dragged someone through the door behind them.

  “We’re back! We got what we needed.” Evangeline smiled a bit nervously as the prisoner cursed behind her.

  I jumped up. “What on earth is going on?”

  “We found the maid of honor hiding near the servant’s wing.” Never loosening her grip, Bria quickly closed the door, so her c
harge couldn’t escape.

  “Let go! I told you I was on my way here!” Blonde curls bouncing, Eve broke free and then glared at the maids with her unusual, blazing aqua eyes.

  But Bria didn’t back down one bit. “It’s almost time for the ceremony, miss! You need your hair and makeup done—not to mention your dress. We’ve been over this again and again, and there you were, trying to hide in the back stairwell!”

  “I wasn’t hiding.” Eve narrowed her eyes. “I was just pausing before I had to put that beastly gown on!”

  Gwyneth gingerly approached Eve. “Will you please get dressed now? It is almost time.”

  “Oh, Gwyn. Just look at you.” Eve’s face softened as she took in Gwyneth in her wedding dress. Gwyneth’s hair was half up, auburn waves tumbling over the shoulders of her fitted lace bodice. “You look amazing, truly. Dallas is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

  “I hope he stays quite sane. It is his wedding day, after all.” Gwyneth reached for Eve’s hand. “But I can’t do this without my maid of honor. Will you please let them do your hair? Bria’s very gentle.”

  Bria frowned, as if she didn’t want to be particularly gentle with Eve after finding her hiding in the stairwell.

  “Bettina’s an angel with makeup.”

  Bettina curtsied.

  “And Evangeline will make sure that your dress fits comfortably.”

  Evangeline came forward with Eve’s gown, an encouraging smile on her face.

  Eve eyed the slate-gray satin with distaste. “My kingdom for a pair of trousers.”

  “It’s only for a few hours.” Evangeline smiled, even as Eve frowned. “You’ll look lovely.”

  “I’d rather be useful. Don’t they need more help with security?” Eve looked to Gwyneth hopefully.

  Gwyneth shrugged. “I’m afraid they’ve got it covered—and I need you more than they do.”

  Eve sighed. “Oh, bloody hell. Bring the dress here, then.”

  “Thank you.” Gwyneth beamed as Evangeline bustled into action.

  “Let me see if I can do something with that hair.” Bria frowned.

  Eve frowned back, narrowing her blazing aqua eyes. “That hair—my hair—is just fine, thank you very much.”

  “I think you’re beautiful with a fresh face, but we could use a bit of blush for the cameras.” Bettina smiled gently, trying a softer approach.

  Eve glanced at Gwyneth, who still looked cautiously hopeful. “Fine. But not too much rouge—I don’t want to look a fool.”

  Gwyneth held back her laughter as the twins descended on Eve, fussing and clucking. “Thank you, my friend.”

  “You’re the only one I’d suffer like this for.” Eve frowned, but her eyes sparkled. “You and your royal wedding.”

  Gwyneth winked at her. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you for putting up with all the frilliness.”

  “Oh, like I had a choice!” Eve complained as Bria started working her fingers through her curls and Bettina dabbed her face with a poufy brush. “His Haughtiness threatened me. Said I’d be forced to wear ballgowns and take tea with the dignitaries if I didn’t put the dress on and do it with a smile.”

  While the twins continued on Eve’s hair and makeup in earnest, Tamara took the opportunity to stalk closer to me. “So… Tomorrow’s a big day for you.”

  “It’s my first day in my official capacity as Goodwill Ambassador. So in that respect, I suppose it is.”

  “I wonder what it’s going to be like up there. Especially with such a barbarian.” Her blue eyes sparkled.

  I held my head high. “Prince Austin is hardly a barbarian.”

  She leaned closer, her perfume rolling over me. “I see the way he’s been looking at you. Like a midnight snack.”

  “Shut up, Tamara.” I could feel my cheeks heating.

  “Fine. But you mark my words—the younger prince wants something from you. You best hope it’s not your neck.”

  “Will you stop?” Shaye hissed, keeping her voice low enough so Gwyneth couldn’t hear. “Please stop bullying Blake and put your game face on. The cameras and the crowds are waiting. Besides—I think your eyeliner smudged a bit.”

  “What?” Tamara hustled off to the nearest mirror to check her flawless makeup.

  Shaye giggled. “Don’t mind her. You just have to keep her busy.”

  “You have to do something with her, all right.”

  “Now now.” Shaye patted my hand as the chanting grew louder outside. “It’s almost time.”

  Chapter 2

  An Affair To Remember

  The camera crew was in the bridal suite, but they’d promised Dallas they wouldn’t interfere. True to their word, they silently filmed as we made the final preparations.

  Evangeline finished arranging Gwyneth’s veil one final time and took a step back, hand over her heart. “Oh miss. You look perfect. You’re an angel.”

  Gwyneth’s eyes shone as she clasped her maid’s hands. “I never would have made it here without you and the twins.”

  Sensing that she was about to start blubbering and ruin her makeup, Bria and Bettina stepped forward. Bria frowned. “I refuse to hug you and rumple you, and I refuse to cry.” But when Gwyneth reached for her, Bria sniffled a bit.

  Gwyneth took a deep, shaky breath. “Well if it’s all the same to you, I might cry. Just a bit.”

  “No miss!” Bria warned. “Your mascara will run.”

  “Forget the mascara for a moment. I owe you all a huge debt—since coming to the palace, you three made me feel as though I had a home, even though mine was far away. I always knew that I had people I could count on, people who cared for me. I’m so honored to know you all.”

  Evangeline dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “It’s an honor to serve you, miss. It was our dream to see you marry His Highness.”

  Bettina clasped Gwyneth’s hands. “Are you ready?”

  “Almost. One more thing.” She turned toward us, a vision in lace. “All of you—Dallas and I have something for you.”

  “The only gift I need is being by your side today.” Shaye beamed at her.

  “But it’s something we want you to have. A token of appreciation for your friendship. Something to remember me by when you’re on your travels.” Gwyneth brought out seven small, carefully wrapped jewelry boxes.

  “What’s this?” Eve asked. She fidgeted in her gown but to her credit, she hadn’t complained once about it since she’d been zipped in.

  Gwyneth handed her the first box. “Open it and see.”

  Eve unwrapped her box as Gwyneth handed the remaining gifts to each of us. I unwrapped the beautiful gold-and-green paper slowly, curious to see what was inside.

  “Bloody hell, Gwyn.” Eve pulled out a sparkling pendant and gaped at it. “This is too nice for the likes of me. I’m from the wrong side of the tracks, remember?”

  Gwyneth stepped forward, and in that moment, she looked every ounce the princess she was moments from becoming. “You are a decorated member of the royal guard. You’ve saved my life several times, and you’ve also saved the prince. Not to mention my brother. So you will accept this gift, and you will also accept that you are absolutely worthy of it. In fact, it might not be good enough for you.”

  Eve chuckled as she stared at the pendant. “Is this a star?”

  “Yes.” Gwyneth motioned to the rest of us. “All of you have the same necklace. It’s the North Star…think of it as a way to guide you home, even when your travels take you far away.”

  “Oh miss—we couldn’t accept such a gift.” Evangeline and the twins tried to hand their boxes back.

  Gwyneth’s eyes blazed. “Are you all trying to make me crazy on my wedding day? I want you to have these necklaces, and it’s important to me!”

  “Yes miss. Of course miss.” The twins and Evangeline got busy unwrapping.

  Gwyneth sighed, seeming to calm down. “Good.”

  “Ooh, that’s lovely.” Tamara gasped when she
opened her box. “So many diamonds!”

  I stared at my own pendant. “It’s beautiful, Gwyneth.” I fingered the delicate pattern of diamonds that formed the star. “I’ll think of you every time I wear it.” Overcome with emotions that threatened my own mascara, I busied myself with putting the necklace on.

  There was a knock on the door. Two sentinels strode through, a hint of a smile on each of their faces. “Announcing Miss Winifred West and Master Remy West, hailing from Settlement Four.”

  Gwyneth’s younger siblings solemnly marched in. Remy wore a mini tuxedo, and Winifred wore a slate-gray ballgown, a crown of flowers in her hair. “Winnie! Remy! You look positively majestic!” Gwyneth made a great show of curtsying and Remy giggled.

  “You look weird,” he told his oldest sister.

  Winnie put her hands on her hips. “Remy! Gwyn’s the bride! She looks beautiful!”

  Remy shrugged, unimpressed. “She looks like a doily.”

  Gwyneth’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “I should hope not. I’m about to marry the prince.”

  Remy grinned. “I can’t wait to see Dallas. He’s the man!”

  Winnie primly frowned at her little brother. “Please try and be more dignified. This is the event of the century.”

  “Oh, it’s an event now.” Eve chuckled. “Are you ready, Winnie?”

  Winnie nodded, completely sure of herself. “There are lots of people out there. Mother said we have to be on our best behavior.” She glared in her brother’s direction. “Although I’m not sure we’re all ready for that.”