“Lilly,” Cypher said as he tilted her chin up so her eyes met his. “You realize I don’t just want little ones, right? I want little ones with you. I want you and I to make children out of the love we have for one another. I want to see pieces of each of us in their faces, their personalities, and one day in our grandchildren. I don’t want children just to have heirs. I want children because I love you and I love the idea of creating something with you that is a combination of both of us.”
Lilly felt her chest clench around her heart as she stared into the eyes of her love. “I want that too, so very much.” She prayed she would be able to give that to him.
“But even if that never happens,” Cypher continued. “I will be forever grateful you are my mate, my bride, and my queen. I am so very honored you’ve chosen to spend your life with me. Please, my love, stop worrying and trust me when I say all will be well.”
Lilly let him wrap his arms tighter around her and laid her head against his chest. The sound of his heartbeat was comforting to her as she tried to push away the sense of loss she was feeling. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust they would all be fine and their future as parents and grandparents were set in stone but something was chipping away at the solid future she was so desperate for. Something deep inside her was telling her their days were numbered.
“I love you, Cypher,” she whispered.
“As I love you, my precious Lilly.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Enjoy the world as you know it. Stop your complaining and whining. Recognize that this is as good as it gets because soon, very soon you shall bow at my feet. You will look up at me and wonder why you didn’t glory in the life you had.” ~ Ludcarab
Ludcarab watched as the bows,arrows, swords, and daggers he’d found in the castle’s weaponry were unloaded from the plane. He’d managed to hire a private pilot who happened to have a large plane that not only carried all the cargo they needed but also all one hundred of his warriors.
“My lord, our spies report there has been no sign of your son,” said Rone, one of Ludcarab’s faithful elfin warriors. “And there’s been no activity from Prince Thalion’s camp. I do not think he knows we’ve left the palace.”
The king of the elves gave a sharp nod and dismissed the warrior as he watched them finish unloading the last of the weapons. He’d tried to ensure that Thalion would not learn of his departure for America, but Ludcarab wasn’t ignorant enough to think his son would never find out. He just hoped he’d be long gone once Thalion did realize it.
“Ah, Ludcarab, I see you’ve arrived safe and sound.” An oily voice entered the elf king’s ears. He turned quickly to face the small pale figure at his back. Ludcarab cursed inwardly. The vampire had gotten extremely close, and Ludcarab hadn’t even realized he was there. He needed to stay focused.
“Cain,” said Ludcarab simply.
“Welcome to my humble realm,” said the vampire spreading his arms wide. “We certainly don’t have all the amenities enjoyed by the elves, but I like to think the humans have their own charms.”
“Forgive me if I don’t make plans to build a summer home here,” the elf replied.
“Ah, you just can’t see the beauty of the humans. You think them weak and worthless. And you might be right up to a point.” The vampire inched closer. The man didn’t look a day over forty, but Ludcarab knew him to be centuries old. In fact, the elf couldn’t remember a time when Cain wasn’t the worldwide coven leader. “But you’ve never felt the exhilaration of having one’s flesh between your fangs. Feeling them wiggle beneath as the life drains from their eyes. You should try it sometime. I bet you’d like it.”
Ludcarab turned up his nose, making no attempt to hide his disgust. Though he and his elves were technically allied with the bloodsuckers, Ludcarab didn’t trust them, especially since he no longer commanded the host of warriors he once did. In one-on-one combat, no vamp would stand a chance against an elf, but Cain, as king of the vampires, had legions at his disposal, and they were clever, always scheming ways to increase their power among the supernaturals.
“Doubtful,” replied the elf king. “When did you arrive from Canada?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.
“A week ago,” Cain answered. “I brought four hundred displaced vampires. Thanks to the recent raids by the wolves, I’ve had nearly a thousand vampires show up at my coven seeking refuge.”
“So why did you only bring four hundred?” Ludcarab asked.
“I’ve had to kill many because they were out of control. And I left behind the rest to help take care of things up there. As soon as the United States is subdued, we will move on Canada’s government as well,” the vampire explained.
What a luxury the man can simply kill off his own kind and manufacture more warriors whenever they’re needed.“Who is left to arrive?” Ludcarab asked.
“Well, we didn’t get the pixie king, but his brother was an easy recruit, though he’s not yet arrived. We have representatives from almost all the other races.”
“Almost?”
“Warlocks, fae, wolves, elves, vamps, obviously, and a few sprites. We are still attempting to locate a djinn. We have a dozen trolls who will be showing up any day now.”
“It’s too bad there aren’t any witches to join,” Ludcarab said.
Cain grunted. “Yes, and it’s a travesty that we lost the healer.”
Ludcarab’s eyes widened. “You had a gypsy healer? She agreed to join?”
“Not exactly,” Cain admitted.
“You captured one?” he corrected.
