Deadly Beasts Book 5: Little Princess

By TM Watkins

When Ella Lancaster was two years old, she gave something to someone that she cared deeply for.

Sixteen years have passed and since that moment, she's barely seen the boy she fell in love with. Living in a different dimension to him, issues with their royal life, Ella and her family haven't had a lot of time to return to Earth. Ella hopes that Castian will remember her but she fears that he has lived his life without a thought of her.

Life in Faelen changes when the king decides to retire and passes the crown to his son, Ella's grandfather. The elders and masters of the vampire race are invited to the crowning ceremony and that includes the one vampire that Ella desperately wants to see again.

Will Castian remember her or will Ella's hopes and dreams be destroyed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: TM Watkins
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463131862

TM Watkins

TM Watkins lives in Brisbane, Australia with her family. When she's not working or running around after her family, she spends her days contemplating the next adventure for her characters and her nights writing about them.

Book preview

The last time I saw him was when I was eight, and he was eighteen. Already then, I knew more than I should have. I knew that he was so much more to me than just a friend. I'd always known, right from the time when I could barely walk, I held more intelligence than a normal child should. But I was not normal. I was something that might have been a rare peculiarity if it weren't for my younger siblings.

I am Ella Lancaster, firstborn daughter of William and Eliria Lancaster and we reside in the dimension known as Faelen. My mother is half-fae, half-elf, and because of her, I am third in line to the throne of the elven kingdom. Of course, neither her nor I want the role; we are happy for things to remain as they are at the moment. My father is a vampire master and elder from the dimension known as Earth. He left his world and his life on Earth so that my mother could be with her people, to become accustomed to the life that she should be leading. When he left his beloved dynasty, he left it in the care of two people that he loved like a brother and sister. Who were oddly enough, actually brother and sister in real life. Nicolas and Martine Delacroix, two of the craziest and most awesome people I have ever had the pleasure to know.

Life altered for Nick and Marty when Nick met a woman called Rowan, she had a son called Castian. Little did Nick know that Castian was actually his son, and his creation had been hidden from him for twelve years. As they became a family trouble brewed in their world and after one awful incident where Castian died, Nick bought his life at the cost of his own. Once he became a demon in servitude to the devil, Nick could no longer rule a vampire family. The rules of succession meant that Castian became the joint ruler with his aunt Marty.

I was only a toddler at the time, yet I can remember those days so clearly. Castian was twelve, and with the rising issues in their world, he was gifted things that were not readily available to the masses. My grandparents were there, offering him the sight of the fae and easy access into our world. Because access wasn't always granted and it wasn't like some of the dimensions where it was like a revolving door.

My mother offered him bravery, something that she believed he would need in his future, and my father offered him guidance. Because at twelve, Castian was considered a master. He was too young to rule, but he was old enough to be included in the meetings with the other elders and learn the ways of a ruling vampire.

I had offered him something as well. Words were not in my capabilities, but the wind spoke for me. I offered my love. All that I had was for him, and since that day, I have wondered if I was wrong to hand it out so freely. Because it had never been reciprocated. Did he not know that he had it? Or was it because we hardly saw each other that he had forgotten me? Maybe it was because the last time he saw me was when I was a kid.

When he turned eighteen, we travelled to Earth for the official ceremony. My father inducted him into the world of masters rather than just the minimal rule that he had in his childhood years. Turning eighteen made him an adult, and my father granted him full right to rule over the Lancaster family dynasty. We didn't travel much; there were a few reasons. Education of the children, actually keeping control of said children, security issues, matters relating to state and kingdom, weather, sickness, pregnancy. There were lots of reasons, but mostly it was because of my siblings. I had six of them, and by the way, my father was always rubbing my mother's stomach, I'd say that number seven was in the oven. It was rather gross when they got all smoochy like that.

Life in Faelen was pretty easy going, though I suppose that's because we're royalty. We lived in a house that was modest in comparison to where my grandparents and great-grandparents lived, but that was intentional. My mother was determined to be the wife and mother first and the royal second. She wanted a house in suburbia but couldn't have that, so this was what she accepted. It was a suburban house in the back section of the castle grounds. It was odd, but my mother loved it. My friends thought it was weird. But in a way, it made my siblings, and I rather grounded. We didn't walk around the place, lording it over other people; we had a more realistic view of the real world. Having said that, we did have the staff to tend to our needs. And of course, going to the most prestigious private school didn't help us to keep in touch with the common man. But my great-grandfather was insistent, stating that because we were all in line for the throne, we had to be properly educated.

Being royalty and going to an elitist school wasn't the only thing that made me stand out in the crowd, being half-vampire in a world that doesn't have vampires does. The closest creature Faelen has to a vampire is the liola elf. They were an elf that was primarily dependant on blood but could find sustenance in other things for a short-term solution. My family and I are nornaya elves, a rare elf that is almost like a shapeshifter. We adapt to the beings in our environment and assimilate to their way of life to avoid detection. My grandfather said that the ability to do that had come from a time when the fae openly hunted the elves. The elves evolved into three different types of beings. Liola would hunt the fae and feed upon them, the nornaya would shift to what suited the situation, and the last was the falst elves. They were like witches and used magic to protect and defend.

So, to say that I was a freak in this world was probably accurate. Of course, no one dared to say that, if my father didn't threaten my adversaries with his fangs then my mother would probably have them in pieces on the ground before they could turn to run away. That was the fae in her; they were a ruthless race, warmongering and brilliant with a weapon. And yes, I could swing a sword as well. I had been taught from an early age how to handle all manner of weapons. From my bare fists to a heavy sword, I'd used them all. Playtime, for the most part, was running around in the back yard, but there was always a wooden sword in my hand. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but I knew that it was all about my protection. I was royalty; attempts on my life were to be expected. Thankfully nothing has happened, I think my grandmother put the fear into so many people that looked at me the wrong way. She was an amazing woman, a mighty warrior and hero to her people and of course to her first-born granddaughter. All that she knew, she passed on. She taught, she showed, she helped. I knew that I was being prepared for something that may never eventuate, but she was determined to ensure that I could get myself out of any sticky predicament.

And that is the beginning of my tale. Easy life, a loving family, great home and world. It's all rather sweet and sugary, in my opinion. Where's the drama? I suppose giving my love to Castian and getting nothing in return is pretty up there. How about we throw a little more drama into it by declaring that the vampires are coming? Run to the hills screaming. No? Okay, so they really are coming. My great-grandfather has decided to retire to a less stressful life, and in doing so, he is passing the crown onto my grandfather. So, the elders and masters of the vampire world are coming to the inauguration and crowning ceremony. Vampire masters, there are a few, but there is only one that held my attention, and yes, he is coming to the event.

Now would be the time to run to the hills screaming.

Chapter 2

Boredom. Tear rolling, hair ripping boredom. I was suffering another 'let's taunt Ella with a practice run of the ceremony' afternoon. All I had to do was walk in with my parents and siblings, sit on the chair that had been assigned to me and try not to fall asleep. I'd walked down the incredibly long aisle, almost tripped on the ripple in the carpet and snorted with laughter when Anika pulled a face at me. It did not go over well.

So now I was sitting next to my mother, my father on her other side. It was ordered down the line of birth, which was not a great idea. It meant that my two year old brother Jadira was down the far end of the chairs with only his siblings to keep him in line. Which was his partner in crime, Mariko. They were a pair of troublemakers, and I wondered how long it would take for one of the adults to figure out that they were up to no good.

I suppose that I was lucky that for this practice run, I was allowed to wear whatever I wanted. But maybe I wasn't as lucky as I thought I was. My phone was buzzing in my pocket. Every few seconds it would go off, no doubt one of my friends were messaging me. Maybe they all were doing it to annoy me. Casually I slipped it out while looking at my mother; her attention was at the front of the room. Before I could even read a single message, she had her long fingers wrapped around it and removing it from my grip. With a frown at me, it was switched off and put into her bag.

Damn. It.

So back to boredom I go. Anika was beside me; she was only two years younger than me, and I got on with her better than any of my other siblings. I had four sisters and two brothers. It was like my parents were trying for a son but forgot to stop when Mariko was born. Anika gave me a gentle nudge on the sly, under her folded arms was her phone appearing. The screen was lit up and showed a picture of a gorgeously ripped male body. She was a filthy thing, my sweet little sister. Barely fifteen and she's got boy fever bad. The phone slid away, and she went back to pretending to pay attention to what was going on in front of us.

Another nudge and another sliding out of the phone. This one was worse, the guy had jeans on, but the zip was open. It was a stunning view of the highly defined v over the pelvis. But it was a rather nice view of a sun-bronzed body, glistening with sweat. The phone moved away again, and she grinned.

What I didn't realise was that it was the same guy and they were actually pictures that were in a sequence. The phone appeared again, and I gasped in horror. His pants were down, and I got an eyeful of everything he had to offer.

Ella. My mother hissed as everyone turned to look at me. Behave yourself please.

Yes, mother.

She turned back to the front, and I looked at Anika with a scowl. She grinned with a restrained chuckle, putting her phone away.

Half an hour later, the mock service was over, and I dragged Anika to one side of the room.

Where did you get those pictures from?

Anika giggled. I opened the gate to Earth, jumped in, hooked up to some loser's Wi-Fi and downloaded them. Jumped back in and enjoyed the view.

You just jumped like that? I gasped. Did you take a guard?

She looked at me like I was crazy.

I was there for like five minutes, Ella, why bother? And besides, they ask too many questions. Why are you going for only five minutes? What are you doing with your phone? What's that you're downloading? I have better things to do than answer dumb questions.

Like looking at naked men? I said dryly.

Yep.

You're fifteen Anika.

Anika shrugged and put the offending item into her pocket. Her eyes darted around the room. Our family was talking to the minister; the other children were running around and yelling.

Don't you go telling mum and dad. If you keep the secret, I'll show you more.

You cannot be serious.

I am, and you should take a look. After all, you never know who might want to get frisky at the after-ceremony party.

I narrowed my eyes at her. Stupidly I had told her what I had done when I was a child and now, she took all opportunities to tease me about Castian. I sighed and leaned on the wall; being angry at her wasn't going to help me.

Do you think that he's got a girlfriend?

Probably.

I sighed sadly as I thought about the high probability that someone was hanging around. He's probably in a really solid relationship. Maybe even engaged. There hadn't been any word of a wedding, and I doubt that he would be so rude as not to invite his master and his family.

Bet she's beautiful.

Ella. Anika chided. Why are you doing this? He could be a complete dick for all you know.

With a glum shrug, I looked down at the floor. It was dark wood, highly polished and incredibly glossy. I could see my reflection on it.

Oh, look lively.

I looked up; our mother was walking over. She offered my phone back, and I took it with a whisper of gratitude.

Next time I will break it in half. Understand?

Yeah.

What's with the mood? You're not still moaning about going out for your eighteenth, are you? You know that your friends are still underage.

With a fake smile I shook my head, she smiled at me.

The offer for having friends over to a family function is still available Ella, all you need to do is say yes.

I looked up into those bright eyes; we all inherited our mothers’ blue eyes. As I thought about it, I contemplated the offer itself. She said, family. Family could be extended to those who weren't exactly family by birth or marriage — extended so far as to those who were family by association. Like Castian.

I'll think about it. Can I invite anyone?

Anyone that meets the security requirements.

Oh, I can guarantee that it won't be a problem.

Sure. I offered.

She smiled again and turned away; I could feel Anika staring at me.

Are you planning what I think you're planning?

Yep.

Anika giggled and excitedly clapped her hands.

Chapter 3

Sitting on the window sill, I looked out across the darkened land. It was a cool night; a wind would push through the trees every now and then. They would sway back and forth, the glow of the moon shining over the silvery green leaves. I thought about Anika and how she was opening gates to Earth to download soft porn pictures. How incredibly stupid and utterly brilliant it was. She could be in and out quickly, and no one would suspect a thing. I'll bet she even kept on foot in Faelen just to keep the gate open.

The house was quiet now, but I knew to be careful no matter what. My father was accustomed to being awake at night; it was when he was at his most lethal. There would be no way to escape his vigilant eye. But I wanted to escape; I wanted to go to Earth and see what Castian was doing.

My door slowly opened, the view to the hallway behind it was dark.

Ella! Anika whispered.

Carefully she closed the door and tiptoed across the room.

Oh good, you're still dressed. Come on.

Slowly she lifted the window, watching through the glass. The house turned to an L shape just a few rooms from mine, and that was our parents' bedroom. They could see right down the line of bedroom windows and considering that I am almost eighteen, I'll bet they watch mine the most. Waiting for the day I try to sneak a boy into my room.

Where are we going?

Earth.

Oh. Well then, I guess I will follow without complaint.

How often have you done this?

Enough to know how to get past dad.

Which equated to a whole lot. She would have had to figure out his routine. Notably, our father was a man that kept to a reasonably strict regime. Then she would have to factor in allowances for a change in his routine, like our mother or one of the other children disturbing him. And after those issues, she'd have to be super quiet because our father had really good hearing.

So good that one night I had dropped a