King Richard the Lionheart Was Set Free: Vampire Romance Crusades Quest for the Holy Grail: Love at First Bite, #4

By Christina J. Easley and C. Free man

Many men believe the legend that King Richard the Lionheart was captured in battle during the Crusade for the Holy Land. There was a day that was even more sinister in history.  The Templar Knights were legendary warriors on Friday the 13th.  King Richard the Lionheart was bitten and became an immortal vampire.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Free-lance Es sex
• Release date: Jan 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215561218

Christina J. Easley

Look at the various other vampire romance books this author has written.  The vampire romance books are available in paperback and e-book format.  

Book preview

Templar Knights Begin

The day was Friday the 13th this was the most dreaded day in Templar legend. This was a wretched day, a doomed day of misfortune and traumatic events.  The moon hung heavy in the sky revealing its white face from beneath the veil of secrecy and treachery. The clouds hovered before the face of the full moon as the moon rays led the new knights to the secret place. This is the place where they would be made men, where they would be made knights, where they would be made holy and true, Templars. 

The initiation ceremony would take place under the cover of darkness.  In this pitch black there was light and enlightenment.  In the depths of cold and cowardice there was courage.  Soon there would be humility and honor made from humanity.  

Three men on horseback were led into the recesses of the forest.  The sound of their horses galloping into the woods resonated with the cries of the owl and the howl of the wolf. The storm beckoned and the rumbles of thunder echoed through the trees. 

We are leading you toward the room of the ritual, soon your rites will be performed and you will be joined with wealth through poverty, and honor through humility.

Where are you taking me?

"We are taking you to The Cave of the Undead. There are many such other common caves called caves of the undead in this forest but this is The Cave of the Undead, where all of the holy relics are kept.

This is where all Templar rites are performed in this part of the kingdom. You must not tell a soul where you have been nor whom you have been with all of this night. Swear your honor as a knight."

I swear my honor as a knight!

The sound of the rain came like a slow and gentle pitter-patter.  Then the rain became heavy and gradually louder.  Soon the thunder shook the leaves from the trees and the wind stirred the underbrush in the darkness.  The storm was heralded with lightning and the roar of endless torrents of rain! 

We must dismount and enter the holy cave of the undead now sir Molay.

Please, call me Jacques, Jacques Molay.

I shall, but first we must call you a Templar, you are to be initiated tonight by the waxing of the full moon of Easter.

Are we at the holy cave of the undead?  Just as Christ rose from the dead I will rise from the dead tonight and drink the holy blood from the Holy Grail.  I will touch the holy arc and the shroud that held the remains of Christ.

Those privileges are given to only the highest order of Templar, Grand Masters Jacques.  You are but a new knight that has not yet taken your oath of chastity, poverty, and piety.

Then tonight, I shall take the oath and pledge my life to this Order and the sacred relics that reside within this holy cave of the undead.

They entered the dark holy cave of the undead. A large stone had been placed in front of the cave like an ancient burial crypt.  The sound of the stone being pulled away from the entrance of the cave echoed in their ears. The rain still reigned, as the rumbles of foreboding thunder deafened the senses and defined the type of terror that would soon begin. 

Jacques drew his sword and began to thrust it forward again and again in a methodical stroking motion.  His flesh quivered as the initiation began. The first act to be performed was to swing the sword blindfolded in the darkness, until the target is struck.  Jacques, was skilled with a long sword and the target was struck immediately as if he had an astute ability. 

First you will drink the blood of the Holy Grail.  Then you will touch the shroud. The arc of the covenant awaits.

When I am made into a knight of the mysterious Templar Order then I will be honored by all and allowed to wear the white mantle with the red cross?

Yes, Jacques, as you know there is much more ritual that must take place before we can get to that point.

The taste of blood boiled in his mouth and his body began to ache with an unknown kind of fervor, never felt before. The candlelight flickered in the dark damp cold of the cave.  The torches were lit on every side and the wind howled riddling the air with wonder. 

The blindfold was still placed on Molay’s eyes and he could not see or conceive what seethed all around him.  He was filled with rage and sudden emotion.  The anticipation of touching the cusp of greatness was, thrilling even overwhelming.

I swear that I will never be in the presence of a woman.  I swear that I will never have contact with a woman not even my own mother for all of the days of my life until death!

Now Jacques this is the moment where we promise you a place in the kingdom of heaven.  A male that has not been defiled by a woman will walk in the mist of Christ and his angels singing unto Him and ministering unto Him for all of eternity.

I swear that I will be honest and true.

Yes, Jacques swear, for if you are a liar all is lost!

I swear that I will uphold the cross in battle, in peace, and protect the pilgrims in their journey’s to the Holy Land.

Next you will have to be bitten.

Bitten?

Yes, Jacques, to become an immortal you must be bitten upon the neck. Then you must bite a knight and drink of his blood.

The thunder ushered in a new era of knowledge in this moment when Jacques knelt before the other knights and noblemen and was bitten.  He tilted his head back and opened his mouth.  The knight standing over Jacques exposed his fangs growing long and glistening in the firelight.  A shudder of cold wind crept upon his flesh as Jacques felt their sharp teeth gouge into his flesh.

His veins were opened and his blood flowed forth like a mighty fount of fear and tears.  Soon the other knights had joined in the blood-drinking feast.  They emerged from the thick black shadows of darkness, converging on Jacques like ravenous animals that hungered for food and for flesh in the night.

Now you will be given a book of prayer in Latin.

What must I do with the book of prayer?

You must choose the words in the darkness.

What will word in the darkness ever amount to?

The random word on the page will reveal your true intentions as a knight.

Is that so? Let us begin!

Take hold of the book and let the wind in the cave turn the pages randomly.

Tell me what I must do now!