The Finale Read online

  VAMPIRE ROYALS 3: THE FINALE

  LEIGH WALKER

  CMG PUBLISHING

  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.amz.9.24.2018.

  To be notified of new releases, sign up for Leigh’s mailing list at www.leighwalkerbooks.com.

  Contents

  1. All The King’s Men

  2. An Uphill Battle

  3. Never Break The Chain

  4. The Royal Stallion

  5. Cold As Ice

  6. Dark Shadows

  7. Realizations

  8. A Brave Face

  9. Warm Welcomes

  10. Former Glory

  11. The Only One I Feel

  12. It Could All Be So Simple

  13. Under A Falling Sky

  14. Death Of A Thousand Cuts

  15. The Prince From The North

  16. The Great Divide

  17. For Dear Life

  18. Nothing Lasts Forever

  19. I’m Still Waiting

  20. Injured in Doubt

  21. I Was Lost…

  22. …I Am Found

  23. You Keep Me Holding On

  24. You I Can’t Live Without

  25. The Finale

  Vampire Royals 4: The North

  CHAPTER ONE: PREPARATIONS

  Afterword

  Also by Leigh Walker

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  All The King’s Men

  I stared out the window at the grounds below. The king—tall, muscular, and imposing in his battle uniform—gave a speech in front of his royal army. The Black Guard listened intently. Although I couldn’t make out the king’s words, I could guess what he was saying.

  The rebel army is out there.

  We must find them. And kill them.

  Take prisoners only if you believe they’ll be of use.

  He finished his monologue and stood before them, his white beard gleaming in the early morning light. From here, he didn’t look like a vampire. But I knew better.

  The Black Guard—comprised of all vampire soldiers—rallied around their king. They shouted, waving the royal banners. The king bowed, then climbed up on his horse. He started in the direction of the forest. The Guard followed, a hundred soldiers ready to crush the human rebels in the name of the royal family.

  I knew I should be relieved. Neither the prince nor my brother was out there. One a vampire, one a rebel, both were safe for the moment. The prince was likely meeting with his advisors, and my brother was down in the dungeons—a prisoner, but at least he was alive. Still, my heart twisted as the sentinels wielded their banners, the royal colors of purple, red, and the deepest blue streaking across the grounds.

  My father was still out there somewhere. I prayed that he was safe.

  I heard a knock at the door, and my head maid, Evangeline, stuck her pretty face into the room. “Ah, you’re awake. I’ll bring your tea shortly. The film crew is going to want to get in here first thing, so you should go and wash up.”

  “Right.” I nodded. “Thank you, Evangeline.”

  I sighed as she curtsied and left. Oh, the bloody film crew. Of course they were coming. I was a finalist in the Pageant, the nationally televised competition that chronicled the prince, His Royal Highness Dallas Black, as he searched for a bride from the settlements. This was our last week at the palace before the competition wrapped up and the winner was announced. Only four girls were left: Shaye Iman, Tamara Layne, Blake Kensington, and me.

  As a finalist, I knew I should get to washing up so I looked semi-decent for the film crew. But I didn’t leave the window. I leaned my forehead against the glass, hoping its coolness would quiet the rioting in my brain.

  The cameras.

  The royals.

  The rebels.

  The Pageant.

  The prince.

  My brother, down in the dungeons…

  A few minutes passed until I heard another knock on the door. Evangeline bustled in with a tea tray, followed closely by my other maids, Bria and Bettina. Evangeline was tall and fair, while Bria and Bettina were both smaller, petite with dark skin. Identical twins, each had almond-shaped eyes and long ebony hair. To help us tell them apart, Bettina always wore a pink ribbon in her ponytail, and Bria always wore a blue one.

  “Miss,” Evangeline scolded, “the cameras are right behind us.”

  I ran for the bathroom before they could come in and film me in my nightgown and my braids.

  “Hurry!” Bria made a scooting motion as another knock landed on my door. “Just a minute!” she called to them sweetly while glaring at me.

  I hustled inside and closed the door. Game face, Gwyneth, game face. I looked at myself in the mirror, disappointed to see that no such thing was in sight. Mussed from sleep, my braids had flyaways sticking up all over my head. My eyes were too bright, wild with adrenaline. A V formed in between my eyebrows, a crease from worrying about the king and his army, my brother in the dungeons, my father—out there somewhere and ill—and the fact that I had one week left to win the prince’s favor.

  I tried to rub the crease from my face, to no avail.

  Bria opened the door a crack and scowled at me. “What on earth are you doing? They’re waiting!”

  “I’m coming. I just… It’s just…”

  She nodded encouragingly, feigning patience. “Yes, miss?”

  “The king and the Black Guard left a few minutes ago. I’m worried.” I didn’t bother to get into specifics. Concerned about both my father and Dallas’s father, I found the whole thing too convoluted to wade into when the cameras were breathing down my neck.

  “You need tea.” Bria nodded, sure of herself.

  “Tea sounds good.”

  “Then we’ll do your hair and fix you up. But you need to put this on and come out straightaway.” She handed me a bright-blue dress. “The royal emissary’s waiting, too, along with the camera crew.”

  “Oh dear.” Tariq, the royal emissary, was not my favorite person at the palace. He typically asked me to do things I didn’t enjoy, like parade around in high heels and curtsy countless times. And worse.

  “Hurry.” Bria closed the door, and I hastily pulled on the dress. I smoothed the flyaways and splashed cold water on my face. Straightening, I took a deep breath.

  I emerged from the bathroom with a smile. Three cameramen were crammed into my chambers, along with all their equipment and, of course, Tariq. This morning, he wore a dark-silver tunic with slim black pants, his hair shellacked back from his handsome, shrewd face.

  “Good morning.” I greeted the crew. “Tariq.” I curtsied.

  He smiled at me, his long eyelashes fluttering. “You’re getting much better at that, my lady.”

  “Thank you. You’ve certainly had me practicing enough.”

  “Yes, about that. A word, Miss West.” Tariq’s smile didn’t falter as he got to the point. “We’ll be filming you this morning taking a walk around the grounds with His Highness, as well as his mother. The queen has declared herself ready, willing, and able to spend time with each of the remaining contestants. She wants to get to know you better.”

  Oh bloody hell. “Fantastic.” I plastered another smile across my face.

  Tariq bowed. “I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your morning.” Did I imagine it, or did he smirk as he hustled out?

  Bria took me firmly by the shoulders and guided m
e into a seat. Bettina hauled out the makeup crate, while Evangeline dusted the already-immaculate room and hummed to herself. The cameras filmed us as Bria loosened my braids and Bettina took out a tub of sparkly powder.

  I kept the smile on my face, even as my heart thudded in my chest. The queen. Oh dear Lord, help me. If there was one person who petrified me, it was my potential future mother-in-law.

  “Are you ready for me, miss?” Bettina asked.

  I nodded.

  “Good.” She started applying the powder to my face with her favorite poufy brush. “As you’re meeting with the queen and His Highness, I’ll be sure to make you sparkle.”

  “Thank you, Bettina.”

  She smiled kindly. “It’s my pleasure.”

  I felt soothed as they worked, relaxing underneath their capable hands. But then I heard another knock at the door.

  “Yes?” Evangeline asked.

  A sentinel opened the door. “His Royal Highness, Prince Dallas Black, Crown Prince of the United Royal Settlements, has sent word that he will be waiting for Miss West in the grand foyer in ten minutes.”

  Evangeline nodded. “Miss West will be right down.”

  The sentinel bowed, then retreated—and any thoughts I’d had of being soothed or relaxed vanished. I forced myself to forget about the queen. I’d quiver about her later. My heart thudded, but this time in excitement, not dread. The prince. Only ten more minutes until I got to see the prince.

  I counted down the minutes, barely able to contain myself as the twins fixed my flyaways and made me sparkle. I wished I could speak freely, but the bloody cameras recorded our every move. Finally, the twins finished. They nodded and clucked their approval.

  “There you are.” Bria smoothed my hair one final time.

  “Looking lovely as ever.” Bettina dabbed one last touch of gloss to my lips.

  I rose, and Evangeline clapped. “You’re a vision, miss. Have a wonderful time with His Highness and the queen.”

  I grinned at her. “Thank you.”

  I couldn’t wait any longer. With a curtsy to the camera crew, I practically ran from the room, high heels be damned.

  Chapter 2

  An Uphill Battle

  Fully aware of the limits of my gracefulness, I stopped running when I reached the stairs. Dallas waited for me below, in the lobby of the grand foyer. I couldn’t help staring at his tall and handsome form. I did, however, try to keep my mouth closed, lest I drool all over my dress.

  The prince was dashing in his ceremonial uniform. His face—which over the past few weeks had grown familiar, and dear—almost undid me. He had a square jaw, patrician nose, and broad cheekbones. His thick, dark-brown hair was tousled, and his deep-brown eyes radiated intelligence and kindness. The white patina of his skin made him look unearthly, an angel sent to live among mere mortals.

  A small, playful smile graced his sensuous lips as he watched me carefully navigate the stairs and breathe a sigh of relief as I reached the bottom. “Miss West.” He bowed.

  I longed to reach out for him, to bury my face against his powerful chest. But another danged film crew surrounded us.

  “Your Highness.” I curtsied. He wanted me to call him by his first name, but when the cameras were rolling, we both thought it best to stick to a more formal address.

  He held out his arm, and my pulse quickened. He drew me against him, and his scent wafted over me, making my mouth water, a Pavlovian response over which I had zero control.

  Dallas looked down at me and smiled. He missed nothing, and I could tell he thoroughly enjoyed the effect he had on me. “Good morning.”

  I grinned back. “Good morning.”

  “Did you have your breakfast?”

  “I had some tea, Your Highness. I expect I’ll have a full breakfast in the common room after our walk.”

  “I know you’re always hungry. I brought you this.” He snapped his fingers, and a sentinel appeared with a picnic basket. “Shall we?”

  I nodded happily, basking in his thoughtfulness. The prince and food were my two favorite things.

  “It’s warm enough on the front lawn that we can sit out there and eat before we meet the queen.” He cleared his throat. “Tariq informed you about that, correct?”

  “Yes.” I kept my voice even, refusing to show my nerves. The queen frightened me, but she was Dallas’s mother. I had to make an effort not only to be brave but also to be friendly. I just hoped she didn’t get displeased and drain me dry.

  Sensing my discomfort, Dallas stopped and motioned to the camera crew. “You may film us having breakfast, but keep your distance so that we may have a private conversation.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” The entire crew nodded. The last time the prince had asked for privacy, they’d ignored him. Dallas had made it clear that was never to happen again, otherwise heads would roll. I had a feeling he didn’t usually have to give these sorts of instructions twice.

  Two sentinels opened the front doors for us, and we stepped out into the crisp, sunny morning. More sentinels waited on the massive front lawn, where they’d spread a heavy blanket for us to sit. The sun climbed in the sky and warmed my face. I leaned in closer to Dallas, enjoying the moment.

  “I’ve missed you, Gwyneth.”

  I smiled up at him. It had been only a day since the royal gala, but Dallas had been in meetings, and I hadn’t seen him. Only a day, but it felt like forever. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  We reached the blanket, and the sentinels bowed. One handed Dallas a shawl, which he carefully wrapped around my shoulders. I was touched by his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He nodded to the soldiers, and they retreated, joining the camera crew at the front of the palace, a respectable distance away from us.

  The sun glinted against the facade of the castle, warming its gray stones. Its imposing beauty took my breath away.

  “What are you thinking?” Dallas asked.

  “Just that the castle is lovely. And a bit overwhelming.”

  He watched my face. “I’ve found ways to make it a home. The winter garden, my chambers, the stables—these are the places I return to when it all seems too much. Our northern compound was much smaller than this. It was an adjustment at first, to be sure. It gets…easier.”

  “What’s it like? Up north?”

  A shadow fell across his face. “It used to be beautiful. But outside influences have brought its ruin. It’s hardly habitable anymore.”

  “What sort of outside influences? And what about your brother? Is he safe?” Dallas had told me his younger brother refused to leave their family home.

  “I expect Austin will be here soon enough. Mother and father have ordered him to come down for the final portion of the show.”

  “You mean for the engagement?”

  “Yes.” Dallas coughed, and did I imagine it, or did he blush? “As for the outside influences that infiltrated the North, please believe me when I tell you—you don’t want to know.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I beg your pardon, but I absolutely want to know. Is this about the werewolves?” He’d mentioned werewolves several times and never in a nice way.

  “Gwyneth, enough about that. How about some tea?” He smiled at me in a manner that indicated the subject was closed.

  We both sat down, and I wrapped the shawl around me. Dallas poured tea from a thermos, then brought out a tin of scones—raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry. Now my mouth watered for an entirely different reason. “Ooh, you brought scones. Thank you.”

  He grinned as he spread butter onto the blackberry one and handed it to me. “I know you enjoy them.”

  I took a bite and moaned. “Whatever you’re paying your kitchen staff, it’s not enough.”

  He chuckled, then his expression turned serious. “We have quite a few things to discuss before my mother joins us.”

  “Like the werewolves?”

  He blinked. “No. Not the bloody werewolves.”


  “Oh, fine.” I’d find another way to learn out about the things he’d mentioned, the werewolves and the gnomes and the problems up north. My gaze flicked to the camera crew. “I suspect they’ve been following you nonstop since the gala, same as me and the other girls. So you’re right. We should talk while we have the chance.”

  Dallas nodded, the sun dappling his pale skin. I tried not to notice so I could actually talk, not just ogle. “I saw your father this morning, and the Black Guard. It must be difficult for you to have them gone.”

  The muscle in his jaw tightened. “My father would not listen when I asked him to wait. I don’t believe the rebels are close, not after what just happened.”

  A few weeks ago, a rebel faction had kidnapped me and brought me to their nearby camp. Dallas had tried to free me, but they’d captured him and chained him in silver. The rebels—including my brother—had hoped to kill the prince and attack the palace. But my vampire friend, Eve, had come to our rescue. In the process, she’d slaughtered the rebels at the camp. That was how Balkyn had become a prisoner at the palace—he’d been captured during the battle.

  “How long will the king be gone?” I asked.

  “It’s a day trip, a search mission to make sure the area is clear of any rebel activity.”

  “Speaking of rebels, how is Balkyn? Have you had word?” My brother had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. Per his request, I hadn’t visited him, but I hadn’t stopped thinking about him.

  “He isn’t…he isn’t doing well, Gwyneth.”

  My heart lurched. “What’s happened?”