Forever Touched (Touch of Vampire #5)

CHAPTER 37

37

ADALYN

Never in my life had I felt this used, this duped .

Even when rich, privileged males had used my body for their pleasure night after night, I’d never felt this taken advantage of.

She’d lied to me. She’d poisoned my mind against the Venturi in order to control me. To gain my empathy. To mold me into her weapon .

As we entered the castle, I spotted three males: King Ambrose, the older warlock who I now knew was Isla’s father, and Rocky. They’d been talking but had paused to face us as we entered the massive foyer. The fallen guards from last night had been removed, and I waited for guilt to surface again. It didn’t. I was too busy feeling betrayed .

My first instinct was to march up to Rocky and start grilling him. Out of everyone here, he knew the most about Madame Faircroft’s secret dealings. He must know of a few places where she could be hiding.

I managed to curb the instinct, though, knowing that I wasn’t completely in the clear. Everett tensed beside me, and I knew he was thinking the same thing.

“Father . . .” he began, nudging me a little behind him as he approached the king. Shielding me. “She didn’t—”

“No,” I interrupted and grabbed his arm to stop him. When he turned slightly to look at me, I whispered, “I need to take responsibility for what happened. I’m not afraid.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue, but when my gaze held steady, he replied through our bond, I know you’re not. You’re strong, capable, and fearless, all traits that will make you a great queen .

I couldn’t help but smile at him. As I stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, he turned his head at the last second and kissed me full on the mouth. The move was definitely intentional, an unspoken albeit loud message directed at his father.

The king cleared his throat, and I broke the kiss. Squeezing Everett’s arm reassuringly, I plucked Pepper off my shoulder and placed her in his hand.

She started to protest, and I quickly said, Please, Pep. I got us into this mess, and it’s my job to make it right .

She twitched her whiskers in agitation before replying, Fine. But be careful .

I gave her a small smile. Always am .

As I turned to approach the king alone, Everett didn’t stop me. I could feel his unease, though. I might not be a fragile little mortal anymore, but I’d still brought a war to the king’s doorstep. I’d infiltrated his home like a slithering snake and poisoned the minds of some of his most loyal subjects. I’d almost murdered the heir to his throne and started a revolution.

I’d been dangerous even as a mortal witch. As an immortal hybrid, I was doubly so, and the king knew it.

His attention was solely on me now, on the female who’d almost destroyed his family. A few yards away, I stopped and deeply curtsied before him, murmuring, “My king.”

And he was. I was half vampire now, which meant that I belonged to his kingdom. This dangerous world was mine now, and I wouldn’t run away from whatever punishment their ruler thought I deserved.

As I straightened, he moved toward me on silent feet. Everett stayed where he was, but I could feel his tension like a tight ball in my chest. It made it hard to focus. To remain calm. Still, I stood tall before the king. When he reached up to grasp my chin, I didn’t so much as flinch.

His deep red irises bored into mine, studying me for several long moments before he smoothly remarked, “You’ve been turned into a hybrid, I see. I smell the magic on you. And my son. You fed on him.”

“Yes, my king,” I replied.

He tilted his head to the side. “You’ve also claimed him. I can scent your mark on him even from here.”

My eyes widened. “Oh. I didn’t realize I had. But, yes, I thoroughly bit him.”

“Among other things,” I heard Kade snicker. Great. Everyone was watching to see what King Ambrose would do to me. Which didn’t exactly help me focus.

The king finally dropped my chin, only to pick up my hand next. I stopped breathing when I saw what had caught his attention. Sweeping his thumb over the gold and ruby ring on my ring finger, he murmured, “So, you’ve accepted my son’s proposal of marriage.”

“I have,” I replied, then threw caution to the wind and blurted, “I love him. I love him very much.”

He slowly raised his eyes to mine, eyes that were now glittering with unshed tears. “Good,” he whispered, his voice slightly trembling. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

Just like that, he let go of my hand and stepped back.

I gaped at him in shock. “But . . . but what about last night? What about all the damage I caused? My betrayal? I deserve to be punished for what I did. You’re my king now, and I committed treason against you.”

He shrugged. “If my son has forgiven you, then so have I. We’ve all made our fair share of mistakes and put this kingdom in danger. At the end of the day, there are only two things I truly care about: my family’s safety and their happiness. You kept them safe when it mattered most, and I can see that you make Everett happy, something I haven’t seen in a very long time.

“I’m sorry for the horrors you’ve endured at the hands of vampires,” he went on, “but I’m not sorry that fate brought you into our world. I’ve delayed passing the reins of this kingdom over to my son, sensing that something vital was missing from his life. And that something was you. He needed a strong female worthy of ruling by his side, and I’m thrilled to say, that’s exactly what you are.”

My own eyes welled with tears, and he smiled at me softly. For the first time, I didn’t see him as a powerful vampire king but as a caring father. Not wanting to hide how that made me feel, I let a tear slip free.

“Besides,” he added, his tone lightening, “I’m no longer your king. I’ve officially retired, and the first thing I’m going to do once you and my son have publicly been sworn in is take a long overdue vacation with all fourteen of my wives.”

A surprised laugh burst from me, and he joined in, his face alight with amusement. Soon, we were all laughing, even quiet Rocky. Arms came around me again, and I gratefully leaned against Everett, his relief mingling with mine.

For the next several hours, we worked as a unit to finish cleaning up the mess the rogues had made. Most of the bodies had already been carried outside to be burned, but there was still lots of carnage left over from the battle. Instead of making the traumatized maids take care of it, we gave them the day off and did it ourselves. Which was a good thing for me, since my new instincts were urging me to take a bite out of them .

King Ambrose had already interrogated the Venturi and had allowed most of them to leave. Only a few were still struggling with the false thoughts I’d planted inside their minds and had been locked in the castle dungeons until their minds were their own once more.

As evening fast approached, Everett and I retreated to his bedroom for a much-needed shower and clothing change. We’d just stepped into the shower together when Loch burst into the bathroom without knocking.

Everett swiftly covered my naked body with his and barked, “Get out, Lochlan.”

Loch ignored the command to urgently say, “Rocky got a call. We found her. We know where Deloris Faircroft is.”

At the news, Everett’s annoyance switched to anticipation, an anticipation that I equally shared.

It was almost over. The dark nightmare that had been my life for the past six years was coming to an end.

All I needed to do was face this last piece. This last terrible piece that I was still holding on to. That kept me from fully moving on.

I’m coming , I whispered, the words eagerly dancing through my mind. I’m coming for you, my mistress .

* * *

The air was deathly still.

I’d never seen Dreamscape Lounge so lifeless. So devoid of the energy that had sapped so much from me over the years.

There was no music pulsing through my veins. No blinding lights demanding I perform. No bodies writhing on the dance floor and behind the curtained alcoves.

All was silent, holding its breath in anticipation. But, for once, the anticipation wasn’t for me.

I was no longer the fragile prey. I was the powerful huntress silently stalking the halls in search of my prey.

She was here. With my newly heightened senses, I could hear her thundering heartbeats. A thrill shivered through me, the reaction wholly predator.

My companions were equally as silent, allowing me to take the lead. We’d already planned in advance how this would play out. Noah, his dad, and a few SCA operatives they’d called in had secured the front and back exits, while the rest of us were to confront the Faircrofts head on. If they scattered, we outnumbered them by far.

The numbers were overkill, but it felt good. It felt good to be the one in control for once. To be surrounded by allies instead of utterly alone.

At first, I’d been tempted to face the Faircrofts by myself. When they’d foolishly contacted Rocky to see how their coup had panned out, I’d wanted nothing more than to rush in and seek my revenge.

The club. They’d hidden out in the club .

It was too perfect. Too ironically twisted. They were trapped just like I had been trapped. Stuck in a dangerous world and unable to leave. The sun wouldn’t set for another half hour, which meant that they were going nowhere. Not unless they wanted to burn to ash.

Knowing that they were helpless to flee, my new instincts were practically singing . But it was Everett who brought me back to myself, who reminded me that seeking revenge had consequences. Whatever happened next, I would have to live with the outcome. We’d both seen how devastating the aftermath of revenge could be. This was our chance to start fresh, to become the kind of leaders we hoped our kingdom would follow.

As much as I wanted to hunt down and destroy the cruel family that had made my life hell all these years, I let the need for vengeance go. This was about justice. About making things right. Treating the Faircrofts in the same manner they had treated me wouldn’t give me closure.

It would only make me a monster.

They already knew we were coming, and that was reward enough. In their arrogance, they hadn’t bothered to plan for this outcome. An outcome where they landed on the bottom. Their coup had failed, and it was time for them to face the consequences of their actions.

Although Isla was also a Feltore, she’d insisted we let her tag along. Every inch of her skin was carefully covered up, even her face. She’d worn dark sunglasses and had carried an umbrella, but had removed them when we’d entered the club. Kade, Loch, and Kenna were also with us, along with Silver and Pepper. I’d wanted Pepper to remain in Everett’s room back at the castle, but she’d insisted that she needed closure too.

I was pretty sure she just wanted to see the Faircroft’s faces when they realized what had happened to me. I couldn’t blame her, though. I was looking forward to that myself.

We soon realized the Faircrofts weren’t on the ground floor, and our group silently split up. Loch, Kenna, and Silver took one stairwell, while Kade and Isla took the other. Everett and I headed straight for the elevators, my little mouse familiar perched on my shoulder. Without even thinking, I punched the button for the third floor, fairly certain I knew exactly where my ex-mistress and her two daughters were hiding.

I think you might be more excited about this than I am , I told Pepper as we ascended.

Pshh, I’m just excited to be out of that dirty basement , she replied.

I smirked. Admit it. You want to see the Faircrofts get squished .

She sniffed as if offended. Why, Adalyn, I would never be that petty. Inside this cute furry body is an angelic being. We don’t condone the act of squishing .

I rolled my eyes.

Everett caught the movement and reached over to lace his fingers through mine. You okay?

I’m great, I easily replied, even as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Even as I stepped onto the third floor and headed for the place that had stolen so much from me. Our companions emerged from their stairwells, and no one spoke a word as we strode toward our destination with purpose. The closer we got, the louder Madame Faircroft’s heartbeats became.

I knew they were hers. Knew she was terrified . As terrified as I had been while under her thumb.

When I stopped outside the room where they were hiding, memories threatened to pull me under, dragging me into darkness once more.

Three years. Three years of abuse lived within those walls.

The air grew thin, suffocating. The need to hide, to shield myself behind a mask trembled through me.

I couldn’t go in there. I couldn’t go back to that world of pretend.

But before the sucking darkness could claim me, Everett’s family crowded in close. My family. They surrounded me with their support, their love , giving me the strength to shove the darkness away. To rise up and face the root of my nightmares.

As the memories faded, I stood tall once more, squeezing Everett’s hand before letting go. I raised my fist to knock on the door, then froze, a wicked grin curling my lips.

Hold on , I said to Pepper, then raised my foot to kick the door in. As the metal gave under the impact, violently flying open to bang against the wall, Everett’s approval pulsed through our bond.

That was hot , he purred, making my grin stretch a mile wide.

Twin screeches of alarm reached my ears, and I wiped the grin from my face. As I entered the room, my expression was calm. Poised. Queenly . But it wasn’t a mask. I’d come to deliver justice as a queen would to her wayward subjects, and that’s exactly what the Faircrofts saw when I stepped into the space that had once been my personal hell.

“I’m surprised you chose this room. Feeling nostalgic?” I said by way of greeting. There was a light on in the kitchen, but the rest of the space was cast in shadow, the curtains carefully drawn over the living room window. Madame Faircroft, Georgina, and Octavia were standing in front of the couch as if they’d jumped up at my theatrical entrance. They were still wearing their ball gowns from last night, but their masks were long gone, revealing their terrified faces.

At the sight of me, Madame Faircroft’s expression soured. “ You ,” she hissed, taking me in from head to toe. “What are you doing here? How are you not dead? ”

I took another step inside, noting the bloodstain embedded in the carpet where Councilman Torres had fallen. The air was still heavy with lavender, incense, and old blood, making my stomach turn. Beyond the doorway of the bedroom, I could make out the remains of my destroyed bed.

Instead of answering her, I said, “I know what you did. I know that you lied to me from the start about my dad. Venturi didn’t kill him. You did.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “An eye for an eye, Adalyn. He took my husband’s life, so I took his. In all the chaos, it wasn’t hard to catch him unaware. You arrived shortly after that, and I took advantage of a perfect opportunity. One could even call what happened fate.”

At how cavalier she sounded, anger heated my blood. Balling my hands into fists, I inhaled a few calming breaths before replying, “When I found out that you killed him, I wanted to kill you with my own two hands. All I could think about was how amazing it would feel to destroy your life as you had destroyed mine. But I don’t want to be like you, Deloris. I don’t want to be consumed by hatred and vengeance.”

Shock contorted her features, and she snapped, “How dare you call me anything but Mistress, you little brat . How dare you betray me like this, after all I’ve done for you.”

“All you’ve done for me?” I roared, so loudly that all three of them flinched. “All you’ve done is use and abuse me. You treated me like trash and threw me away when you no longer needed me. I was a child , and you stole my innocence. You turned me into a weapon . You manipulated me into thinking the Venturi were the enemy, when the only one I should have been focused on was you .”

“Me? I’m the victim here, Adalyn, not you!” she shrieked, taking a step toward me. “I’ve been stuck like this for decades, living in perpetual darkness while the Venturi are allowed to walk in the sunlight without consequence. It’s not fair . This wasn’t the life I was promised. Richard said we would live happily ever after. He said we would thrive , that the world would be ours. But he was wrong. We’ve been miserable as vampires. I shouldn’t have let him turn us, and I hate him for leaving us to face this awful existence alone .”

“Mother,” Georgina gasped, staring at her mother in shock.

“Shut up, Georgina!” Deloris barked, her eyes flashing red as she whirled on her eldest daughter. “You and your sister have been useless . You’ve done nothing to improve our status, and I’m sick to death of your whining . ”

Georgina’s chin began to quiver. She stared at her seething mother, then suddenly lunged at her with a feral scream. The two females violently clashed, knocking Octavia down as they slapped and clawed at each other. They tore each other’s dresses to shreds, yanking and ripping out hair until I could see their bloody scalps. As they screamed at each other, Octavia sat on the floor and whimpered like a kicked puppy.

“ Enough! ” a male voice thundered, instantly shutting the Faircrofts up. Still gripping handfuls of each other’s hair, Deloris and Georgina froze as Everett came to stand beside me and commanded, “Cease this madness immediately. This is no way to behave in front of your future king and queen.”

Their faces paled.

“Queen? What queen?” Octavia questioned, looking bewildered. “We’ve never had a queen before.”

“It’s her,” Georgina whispered, staring at me in horror. “It’s always her . Mother, do something. Enforce the pactum. Kill her. You can’t let the troll become our queen. Mother? Mother! ”

Ignoring Georgina’s hysteria, I locked eyes with my ex-mistress and said, “Haven’t you heard? The little witch you trapped has become a vampire.” Lifting my hand, I willed my new black claws to emerge. “Well, not just any vampire. A vampire witch hybrid.” Cerulean blue magic danced on the tips of my claws like candle flames. “Since I’m basically a Venturi now, I doubt there will be many complaints when I’m crowned queen.”

Her expression morphed from shock, to disbelief, to blinding rage .

She didn’t hide it. She openly let me see her hatred, and I didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink.

“Impossible,” she spat, violently trembling from head to toe. “ You’re just an orphan. An indentured servant. A blood whore. You’re nothing. Nothing! ”

“Kade, arrest Madame Faircroft for treason,” I quietly ordered, finally allowing myself a small smile.

“Gladly,” Kade replied and stepped forward.

Madame Faircroft’s eyes practically bugged out of her head.

“Enjoy your last few moments of freedom, Mistress ,” I said. “Treason against the crown is a lifelong sentence in a high-security SCA holding cell.”

As Kade approached her, she froze like a terrified rabbit about to be eaten. In the next second, she bolted. Not toward us but away. So fast that no one reacted in time. Without a moment’s hesitation, she threw herself at the curtained window and crashed through. Georgina and Octavia screamed as their mother disappeared over the edge, as the evening sun sliced through the broken window and hit their exposed skin.

In a flash, I dragged them out of harm’s way, then raced to the window—just in time to see Madame Faircroft hit the ground and burst into flames. A wail rose up from the fiery inferno of flesh, but it didn’t last long. Within seconds, she was nothing but a smoldering pile of ash.

I waited for the guilt to hit, but it never came.

She’d chosen her fate, just like I’d chosen mine. I’d finished what I came to do, and I could move on now. Could finally live .

Pepper was still valiantly clinging to my shoulder as I turned and headed back across the room. Everett opened his arms to me, and I stepped into them with a relieved sigh.

While Loch and Kade secured the Faircroft sisters with cuffs specially designed for vampires, Georgina threw me a scathing glare, her tear-stained face streaked with mascara. “This is all your fault. ”

“Yes, it is,” I replied. “I saved you from sharing the same fate as your selfish mother who didn’t think twice about abandoning you. You’re welcome.”

She scrunched her face up in an ugly grimace before looking away.

Octavia stared at me rather solemnly, then quietly asked, “Will they starve us?”

Shockingly, I felt a pang of sympathy for her then. “No, I’ll make sure the SCA doesn’t starve you,” I told her. “And with a lot of hard work and good behavior, you might even earn yourself a few privileges.”

Georgina let out a loud wail, but Octavia was surprisingly quiet. Maybe there was hope for her yet. It was never too late to turn your life around.

As Loch and Kade led them from the room, exhaustion finally caught up to me. The moment I sagged in Everett’s arms, he bent and scooped me up. I didn’t protest, letting my head fall against his shoulder as he carried me from the room after the others.

“I can’t believe it’s finally over,” I murmured, holding a hand up so Pepper could hop onto my palm.

“Oh, this is just the beginning,” Everett replied, his steps unwavering as he strode down the hall.

I blinked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“Ruling this kingdom won’t be easy. There will be many challenges in our future. Challenges that threaten to tear apart everything we’ve accomplished today.”

Despite his words, I smiled at him.

“Yes,” I agreed, “but we have forever together. What are a few measly challenges compared to that?”

He returned my smile with a brilliant one of his own. “You’re right, baby girl. What are a few challenges when we have forever?”