Blood Yellow (Blood Series)

By Ashley Nemer

The lines are drawn, and Zayn and Nikole must face each other in a battle of forgiveness and power; each attempting to right their wrongs, each battling their own inner demons.
Haydar and Leigh prepare for war, rounding their men and setting into motion courses that cannot be undone.

The tales will fall in line as the four of them come face to face with each other, and they will watch loved ones perish.

When the dust settles and dawn breaks, who's going to be left standing and who will be missing? Will Nikole forgive Zayn for his betrayal? Will Leigh and Haydar overcome their differences? Will Adara say yes?

Blood Yellow...Because the stories only just begun....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Art of Safkhet
• Release date: Jun 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301631964

Ashley Nemer

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband and their two children. They have been together for overa decade and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her life long best friend gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger. Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life, they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to four women whom I consider family. One I have known my most of my life. The other three I met through our shared love of books. You four each brings me inspiration, comfort, love, and sisterhood. Thick or thin, in some form or fashion you all have stood by me in my craziness. I love all of you. I am blessed to have each of you in my life.

Laura, Stacy, Sandie, and Jen -My Sisters.

I’d like to thank Gabi Eissa for all of the assistance with the Arabic phrases, and Anne, Tevya, and Teri for all of my pre-editing assistance.

arabic translations

used inside of the text

Abb- The formal use of the word 'father'

Baba - The informal use of the word 'dad'

Omm - The formal use of the word 'mother'

Mama - The informal use of the word 'mom'

Gedi – Grandfather   

Siti – Grandmother

Ebn' – Son  

Bent- Daughter

Hafeeda –Granddaughter

Hafeed -Grandson

Akh – Brother    

Okht – Sister

Amm – Uncle  

Amma - Aunt

Bent Amm – Niece on Father Side

Ebn' Amm - Nephew on Fathers Side

Bent Amma - Niece on Mothers Side

Ebn' Amma - Nephew on Mothers Side

Bent Amty - Female cousin from fathers side

Eben Amty - Male cousin from fathers side

Shebeen – Godfather   

Shebeena-Godmother

Every time you think you have life figured out,

something happens, and your world is changed from that

moment on. My Omm and Baba knew this, and that’s

why they taught us how to fight and lead, together as a unit.

—Nikole

PROLOGUE

Zayn could feel the water pounding on his back as it poured from the walls. He sat in his own living hell. His servants and ghuls ran through the house, trying to turn the pipes off. Plaster and woodwork collapsed all around him. His world no longer mattered. He had just watched anyone he cared about walk out of his life without giving him a second thought. What more could be done to prove to them that he could love them both and protect the species? His pain and anger poured out of his psyche, the mansion slowly flooding itself from the emotional wreck he was in.

King Zayn, help!! Stop this!! he heard someone yell. Who was it? He didn’t care. It was not one of his girls; therefore they did not matter.

Tears ran down his face, landing on his lips so he could taste their salty flavor. They tasted of heartbreak and pain.

Sire! Snap out of it. Come on.

He felt someone touching him. He did not care whom it was, but no one touched him. He stood up on the stairs and slowly turned around, eyes bright yellow. Don’t. Fucking. Touch. Me! Zayn pushed the Algula back away from him, sending him into the water on the floor running down the stairs. He leaned over, grabbing the body by the collar, and threw him to the left. The man crashed into the wall, the sound of pictures and paintings falling to the floor and shattering echoing in Zayn’s mind.

Down in the foyer, Nasir watched as Zayn attacked one of the servants, the man not moving but lying in the water. Shit.

Nasir started heading for his king, taking the steps two by two. Reaching the top, he watched as Zayn aimlessly walked down the hallway. Sire, please, he heard the servant whimper. Kneeling down, Nasir grabbed the man in his arms and lifted him out of the water. One of the ghul’s came up the stairs. Nasir handed the servant off, instructing the guard to get him medical help. Nasir looked back down the hallway and could not see Zayn anymore. Where did he go? Walking down to Nikole’s room, he opened the door and saw his king lying on her bed, holding something in his hands. Nasir couldn’t make out what it was. Stepping into the room and closing the door, he made his way over to the bed and looked down at Zayn, a man whom he considered an ebn’.

Zayn, you have to stop the water. You have to get your emotions under control. Nasir watched him lying still, not responding, giving no indication that he was listening to what was said to him.

Zayn, please focus. Listen to me; this isn’t going to help anyone. You have to stop the flooding. Nasir watched Zayn turn his head to the side, his eyes looking back up at him.

You are like my own ebn’. Please, let me help you. Stop the water, and I’ll help you. Nasir could see now that Zayn was holding a picture of himself with his family close to his chest. He knew the pain Zayn must be feeling right now was crushing.

The water from the pipes started to slow, eventually shutting off.  Nasir saw the pain in his yellow eyes, his heart aching for the ones he loved. He felt the elements one by one start to dissipate out of the house.

Alone, that is what I am. No one to love me or to care. Why should they? Look what I so easily did. Undeserving, that is what I am. Zayn took the picture of his family and laid it against the pillow that Nikole used to lay her head on. I do not deserve them anyway. I was never good enough. Maybe if I had just let the Algula be ruled by Haydar three centuries ago, thousands would still be alive, and I would not have to worry about this pain because I would be dead.

Nasir sat next to him on the bed. Never having been shy in the past with affection, he wrapped his arms around Zayn and pulled him into his embrace. Holding him tight, he watched the heart of a man he loved like his own flesh and blood break and shatter. Ebn’, we will get through this. I’m not letting you go through this alone. We will get them back. You will be complete and whole again.

Zayn allowed his arms to wrap around Nasir. He knew it was a sign of weakness to accept comfort for one’s own mistakes, but what choice did he have? This man had been an abb to him for the last three hundred years, and before that he was his shebeen, family, always had been. Maybe what he said was true, and they could get his life back together.

I do not understand what happened, Nasir; I just don’t. All I wanted was for Nikole to stay here, with me, where she could remain safe. I did not want her to fight; I didn’t... Zayn tried to choke back the tears but couldn’t. He leaned into Nasir’s shoulder and cried. Gods, I am so pathetic, crying like a woman about love and pain. Could my life get any worse? They might as well castrate me right now; put me out of my misery. Zayn knew his abb was looking at him in disgust. He had let his parents down; he’d lost everything. Literally nothing was left in this world to make him worthy of the crown. Nasir, how did I become like this?

Nasir stood and pulled Zayn up with him, shaking him soundly, then pushed him back onto the bed. You have not let anyone down. Your baba and mama would be so proud of the man you have become. This is just a momentary hiccup. Do not lose faith in the man or the king that you are. Nikole wasn’t going to necessarily live with you forever; maybe it was time for her to go out on her own. That does not mean you were a bad akh or an ebn’ who let his parents down. You have ruled the Algula with pride and honor. That is all they ever wanted.

Zayn stood up from the bed and walked to Nikole’s dresser that was now covered in water, the wood absorbing the moisture. Looking around the room, he saw the wall damage with the pipes sticking through them. Ashamed, that was how he felt. He’d really blown it this time. Nasir, I need to go. Take care of things while I am gone. I’ll be back soon. Zayn vanished before Nasir’s eyes with no indication of where he was going or when he would be back.

CHAPTER ONE – THREE MONTHS LATER

"H ave you heard from him yet?" Nikole said into the phone.

No, Nikole, I haven’t. I told you, as soon as I do hear from him, I will call you immediately.

Nasir never gave up information willingly when it came to her akh, but Nikole believed him this time. Something about his tone, or maybe it was simply because she was ruling in his absence, and he had no choice but to obey, led her to believe him without question.

The moment he contacts you, I am to know. I cannot keep avoiding everyone’s inquiries about where he is. We need to find him. I need him back. She felt the anger at the situation grow when she spoke of her akh’s disappearance. This wasn’t like him at all. He had always been the one to be responsible and take charge. She blamed herself really, she’d chased him away. Hanging up the phone, she looked over to Alec. His hard lean body lying out on the couch always made her mouth water. She couldn’t believe it had been three months with him. Moving from her desk and heading to the end of the couch, she sat on the armrest, looking over him as she took in his masculine beauty.

They haven’t found him yet? He moved his body around, giving her room to sit with him.

No, they haven’t. Of course Nasir promised I will know the moment anyone finds or hears from him, but it still worries me that he has been gone for so long. She knew her face always changed when she spoke of Zayn.

Alec leaned forward to take Nikole’s hands into his and pulled her down on the couch with him. He brushed her hair out of her eyes, kissing her cheek softly. He’ll come home. He wouldn’t leave you forever. You know that. Taking his finger up to her chin and tilting her head up to his, he looked into the clear violet shade they were giving off.

Nikole blinked for a few moments, taking in the mesmerizing sight of him.

Alec leaned in again, kissing her. He let his tongue push through her lips and scrape across her teeth.

She reached around his back with her hands while he pulled her into his lap. Breaking the kiss, she looked down at him. She still could not believe she was staying with him here in his cabin.

Thank you for how wonderful you have been. I am not sure what I would have done had you not been around to help me. Nikole knew she needed to leave and go home to her house. She had been away far too long. It isn’t right that Nasir had to rebuild our home alone. I think I should return tomorrow.

Alec took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing it. If that’s what you want, Nikole, I won’t stop you from leaving. You’re completely healed, and you don’t need assistance anymore. I will miss your company; I’ve grown accustomed to you being here. 

She let out a soft laugh while he kissed her hand. Would you like to come with me?

Alec nodded a yes to her. Of course I’ll take you. I wouldn’t want you venturing down the mountain alone, my sweet princess.

Nikole knew he was teasing. He knew what she meant. Don’t be coy. You know damn well I meant for you to come stay with me at my home.

Of course I knew you wanted that, but I wanted to hear it. It warms my heart knowing you want me with you.

It was her turn to lift his chin with one finger; she moved to place a kiss on his lips and veered off to his neck. She let her tongue play along his vein, teasing his skin and increasing his need and desire.

Mmhmm, Princess, you know we talked about this. You can’t tease me like you do, and I might have to do something bad if you keep it up.

Nikole purred into his neck, letting the vibrations of her sound send shivers down his spine. She ran her teeth along his skin, the fangs marking him from his jaw line to his shoulder. She felt his hands cupping her bottom as he stood up. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he walked them to his bedroom.

What do you think you are doing? she laughed while wiggling against him.

I told you I was going to do something bad if you didn’t stop. Well three months is enough teasing. It is time for the princess to pay for her room and board. Wandering hands caressed her backside a bit more and trailed up to the small of her back before he sat her on the bed.

You think I am going to let you ravish me all evening on my last night in the cabin? she asked, grinning and biting her lip, hoping that was exactly what he was planning. She had been trying for weeks to get him to take their relationship to the next level, but he never had.

He looked down at her, smiling. Letting his hands drift to her pants, he slowly unbuttoned them, pulling them down her long, muscular legs. If that is an order from my princess, then I have no choice but to obey.

She had no other option but to enjoy the look of pure need and desire in his eyes. Everything she wanted in a man, she had found in him. Nothing he did caused any strife between them. You know what you haven’t done yet, my dear sweet Mr. Palermo?

He ran his hands down the inside of her thighs, watching her face as she resisted the urge to smile. Her teasing always excited him, but he didn’t want to admit that. I thought we were rectifying that right now, Princess. Have you changed your mind?

She blinked a few times, watching his hands on her skin. His fingertips, Gods his fingertips. Looking for the words that had been misplaced by his delicious distractions, all she could manage to mumble was something about his pledging loyalty to her.

Alec’s lips pressed against her neck, his hot, wet tongue teasing her soft skin. As he ran his fangs down her vein, he felt Nikole give herself over to him.  He watched her collapse in his arms, like she was giving up all of her stress and anxiety.

Alec, please say you will not leave; tell me you are mine.

Her hands roaming his body and sent chills down to his knees, he had no desire to deny her, so he gave her what she wanted. Yes, Princess, tonight I’m yours, and I pledge myself to your service.

CHAPTER TWO

Adara seemed to live in the bathroom lately; you’d think they would make things easier for women with her condition. But no, no knee pillows, no nice warm porcelain thrones for her to hug as her stomach tried to decide if it was going to live or die. Just kill me now . Three more months of this nightmare, and she would lose her mind. How did the humans do this year after year? Never again would she make this mistake. This was a once in a lifetime event, and no one was going to change her mind.

Hearing her cell phone go off again, she already knew whom it was. Idiot. Like she wanted to talk to him now. Look what he’d done to her!! Besides, he’d left. Why should she even care about him? He’d chosen to leave and run rather than to come find