Mikhail placed a hand on my chest as he leaned forward to take Esme's mouth in a searing kiss; no doubt offering the blood still weeping from his lips to the girl too.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
With a furious grunt, my fangs distended to their full length, and I sank them into Esme's soft flesh. I heard her scream of ecstasy, but to my ears it sounded as if she was some distance away.
Even as her blood flowed into my body, I could feel that rhythmic vibration beating in sync over and over again. My fingers tightened on Esme's thigh, digging into her flesh while my head and body were pounding.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
It was beating in quick pulses now, becoming difficult to ignore. I could feel it in my throat; with each swallow, the tempo became faster and faster…louder.
I tore my mouth away and roared. "What thefuckis that?!"
Esme jerked on my lap, stilling for a brief moment, before hesitantly continuing her movements. Tatiana had sunk her fangs into Esme's thigh and was oblivious to what was happening, her focus remaining on the sweet nectar she was feeding on.
"My-my King…" Mikhail's shaky voice penetrated, and I glared at him, my normally ice-blue eyes glowing a deep black.
His face was pale, but his eyes were not on me. I grasped Esme's moving hips, forcing her to stop. Mikhail's hand was still on my chest as he stared down at it with a look of confusion and fear.
"What is it?" I demanded as I looked down at the spot his hand was covering.
Slowly, he removed his palm, his fingers trembling.
My brow furrowed, and my fangs retracted. I yanked Esme off my lap and cast her aside, uncaring that I'd interrupted Tatiana's feeding. They scrambled to their feet, disoriented, as I slowly stood from my chair; my eyes remained focused on my chest. Mikhail's hand was against his mouth in shock as he slowly retreated.
I placed my hand against my chest, in the same spot that Mikhail's hand previously covered.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My skin palpitated against my palm. The beat was steady. Strong. Foreign. Strange.
Exhilarating.
I raised my head and met the eyes of my bond-servant. Von cautiously moved toward me, his arm outstretched in wonder.
"I-is that…?" His voice faded, as if he didn't want to hex the moment by voicing his greatest wish.
Instead of answering, I grabbed his hand and forced it against my chest. For the first time in my life, I was frightened that the one thing I'd wished for since my conception was all in my head.
I didn't need to hear his response to know his answer. The elation on his face said it all.
For the first time in over three hundred years, my heart was beating. That could only mean one thing.
My mate was born.
Chapter 1
Alice
The shrill sound of my alarm jerked me from my slumber. I slowly blinked awake as my mind and body fought to sync. I was burrowed into my blankets, boneless and exhausted. Odd, considering I went to bed an hour earlier than usual last night.
I also had the annoying habit of waking up at least fifteen minutes before my alarm, so the rude awakening had me delirious for a few minutes as my tired eyes stared blankly at the wall.
I had a fitful sleep. Something kept jolting me awake, my heart beating violently as I tried to adjust to the change in atmosphere. Just as quickly, the alertness melted away, and I was pulled back into a deep slumber—my eyes unable to stay open as the blackness behind my closed lids swirled.
And then the maddening process repeated throughout the night. Sleep. Wake. Sleep. Wake.
My alarm blared again, jerking my limbs in fright. Knowing I had to get a move on, I slowly sat up, still feeling off-kilter. Mylegs shook like jelly as I stood, and it took a moment to settle my equilibrium. A small ache clung to my chest, and I absently rubbed the phantom spot, frowning in worry that I might be coming down with something.
