Blood Thorn: Dark Vampire Romance: Shadows & Roses, #2

By Rose Knight

Destined to be enemies, fated to be soulmates.

 

Scarlett discovered her new vampire life as the wife of the Governor of the vampires, but harsh realities unfolded before her eyes.

 

Just as Scarlett begins to see the man behind the monster, her werewolf soulmate returns from the dead, determined to claim her as his own. Caught between two powerful supernatural forces, Scarlett must navigate the lines between hatred and love, vengeance and forgiveness.

 

As Brent and Tristan wage war for her heart, Scarlett discovers a dangerous secret about her past that could destroy everything. When both worlds she's torn between start unraveling, Scarlett realizes the only way to protect the ones she loves is to fully embrace the frightening power that sleeps inside her.

 

"Can a pure heart be corrupted? As she looked at him, she realized that love doesn't always save you; sometimes it destroys you, and the only option left is to end what you love."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rose Knight
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224771325

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

What's wrong with you? Tristan asked beside me. I shook my head and made a face.

I didn't want to leave the cottage, I confessed with melancholy. I hated going back to the routine.

Scarlett, we have all eternity to be together. When things calm down a bit, I promise I'll take you back, indefinitely, he assured me.

I smiled at my vampire and nodded in agreement. We were almost at the castle, and as we approached, the melancholy grew stronger. I had spent the best three days of my life at the cottage, running through the forest, swimming in the lake, and doing other things in it that just thinking about made me feel embarrassed. But what I liked the most was spending the nights on the couch, him by my side, holding me while we watched the evening pass, admiring the sunset, feeling more in love than ever.

Tristan behaved in the best way, although every night I woke up in the early hours, and he wasn't by my side, I searched for him and found him standing on the house, looking into nothingness; I sensed his concern, something was happening, and he didn't want to tell me because when I asked, he simply changed the subject and made me his, leaving me entranced with no chance to make him talk.

Now Evander had picked us up from the airport, accompanied by more vampire guards, all around us, making me nervous. Tristan increased security, and that meant things were more serious than I imagined and more than he wanted me to believe.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Evander stopped the car in front of the castle; he opened my door, and I got out immediately, looking around at all those guards dressed in black. It seemed like they didn't know any other color.

Why do we have so much security? I questioned as I took his hand.

Don't ask, Scarlett, he replied disdainfully.

How can you ask me that? Stop acting like an idiot; I have the right to know what is happening around me, I demanded, annoyed. He looked at me in the same way, giving my hand a squeeze that started to hurt.

Tristan, you're hurting me, I let him know the obvious.

I've told you to watch how you talk to me, especially when we're in front of my men, he scolded me as if I were a little girl or his stupid servant.

I'm your wife, I reminded him. He let out an exasperated sigh.

And a very stubborn and exasperating one, he complained, pulling my hand and forcing me into the castle, putting an end to the good vampire he had been at the cabin.

And then, as if things couldn't get any worse, when we reached the living room, I found Alice, who so damn sensually stood by the fireplace, also dressed in black, but unlike the guards, she wore a dress that clung to her slender body.

Go upstairs, I'll be right there, she ordered, letting go of my hand. I didn't move; he was crazy if he thought I would leave as if nothing had happened and let him be in the clutches of that woman who only looked at him with desire. Scarlett, she warned. I ignored her and crossed my arms.

I don't want to, I replied like a little girl. Yes, I was being childish, but I couldn't control my jealousy; it was included in my vampire nature.

I'll be right back, Alice. She smiled and walked towards Tristan's office, swaying her hips in an exaggerated way. Stupid sexy vampire.

I paid attention to Tristan when he grabbed my arm forcefully and dragged me to our room at his speed; apparently, he was very interested in going and meeting with Alice.

Let go of me, I exclaimed, moving away from him.

What the hell is wrong with you, Scarlett? You better not disobey me; you know my patience is very limited, he warned me. But I didn't intimidate myself; I couldn't anymore.

Then stop behaving this way. What the hell is wrong with you? What has you in such a bad mood? I exclaimed in desperation. He pursed his lips and looked away at some point behind me.

It's nothing you need to know, let alone care about.

It matters because you're acting like a jerk with me, I replied, exasperated. Fighting with him mentally drained me.

Control your way of talking to me, he warned me for the second time while pushing the distance between us. Just limit yourself to following my orders.

I'm not one of your employees, I retorted. His attitude hurt me. It was so different that it seemed like another vampire had shared those three days with me.

He closed his eyes for a moment; beneath them, pronounced dark circles were appearing. Now that I observed him perfectly, he looked tired.

I'm just... doing this to protect you, Scarlett. There are many problems; I don't want anything to touch you. You're my wife, you know what that means, he tried to explain somewhat overwhelmed, turning the words over and over when he could summarize them in a couple.

You're afraid, I affirmed what he couldn't pronounce. However, he hinted that it was indeed the case.

The hunters want to end our kind; they'll start by killing me to destabilize the vampires. There won't be a governor to tell them what to do; it will take time to put everything in order, making them easy prey...

So they plan to go against me to get to you, I whispered the obvious. He ran his fingers through his hair in a gesture he made when he was stressed or annoyed.

I need you to understand, Scarlett, please, for once in your life, do as I command. I do everything to protect you, he whispered. Without thinking, I closed the distance and hugged him.

I was a fool, a complete fool. Tristan had too many things to think about, a vampire world to manage, in addition to my safety and his own; now I understood his concern.

I'm sorry, I apologized. If only you'd speak to me with the truth, I would understand and stop giving you headaches, I added jokingly, pulling away from him to look into his eyes.

What I least want is to worry you. I want you to be calm and feel safe, not worried all the time.

I do it because of your attitude, Tristan. Don't hide things from me; we are one, and I'm here to support you. What affects you, therefore, affects me too.

I know, he admitted. Now please stay here; later I'll take you to our new room, okay?

Okay, I whispered without asking anything. He smiled and kissed me before leaving and whispering a thank you.

When I was alone, I sank onto the edge of the bed, looking towards the door through which Tristan had left.

And I could stop pretending a tranquility that I really wasn't close to feeling, not when Tristan was in danger; I was afraid, afraid for him, there were so many enemies after him, I didn't want anyone to harm him.

It never crossed my mind that he was in so much danger, that he was being attacked and sought after every moment; it was horrible, and I wished he would leave that position, that we would leave here and be just us as we were that night in England. Everything was perfect without guards, without vampires nearby, without rules, without anything, just the two of us, two vampires in love traveling the world without having a place to call home.

That's what I wanted with him, not this.

No, he will never accept leaving his position, especially when he does it so well.

I lay on the bed in a fetal position, trying to calm down; he had many years on earth and even more as Governor, and nothing had ever happened to him; there was no reason for it to happen now. My vampire was strong, and I would be there to support him as much as my willpower allowed me to keep him safe.

I touched with my fingers the necklace Brent had given me, feeling its texture, sliding my fingertip over it without it hurting me, which was strange because when Tristan tried to touch it, it hurt him.

In the cabin, I decided to take it off at least for those days; however, when I tried, the necklace didn't give in, it didn't do it just like now when I pulled it again, and it didn't move a centimeter as if it were attached to my neck.

I hid it from Tristan because I didn't want to give him more problems for now, not to mention that I felt a little fearful about this, and I couldn't even talk to Andrew and ask him why he was dead.

After the fight, he didn't survive; a much stronger werewolf killed him and took over his position. Tristan didn't know who the new alpha was, nor did he touch the subject with me; I imagined it was because of Brent; the last thing he wanted was to maintain any connection with my deceased soulmate.

However, I didn't like the silence of the werewolves at all; something didn't sit right with me.

And so, thinking about wolves, I fell asleep.

[***]

I opened my eyes and found myself with Tristan; I was in his arms as he walked down a hallway I hadn't traversed, and it was dark, with only a dim light faintly illuminating the tall and dark walls adorned with large, somewhat gothic paintings.

I pressed against his chest with the texture of his shirt caressing my skin, and with his perfume being denser in that part, and I wasn't talking about his scent, but the lotion he used; it was very fresh, and I loved breathing it in underneath the sweet aroma he emitted for me.

I loved that part of his body, sleeping on it while he stroked my back. It made me feel protected and very loved.

Where are you taking me? I asked in a low voice, still rubbing my cheek against his chest as if I were a cat with its owner.

I told you we'll sleep in another room; it can't protect us from a werewolf attack, but it can from stupid hunters. It's just a precaution; I doubt they'll get this far before losing their heads.

I nodded, and he kept walking; this place seemed endless to me, I preferred to live in the small cabin, so we could be closer and less separated by hundreds of concrete walls.

Finally, his steps gave way to a door; he opened it even with me in his arms and let me see a normal room, somewhat austere, but still beautiful like all the ones in the castle; I didn't understand the change for a moment until he continued past towards the wall, to which I stared at him intently.

Did he pretend to go through it?

I was going to ask, but before doing so, he typed what seemed to be a password on a small and hidden panel that I hadn't even paid attention to. Although, well, it's not like I was expecting something like that, let alone imagining that the castle also had a panic room.

Inside, I lowered myself from his arms and looked around the room, which lacked windows, just like Tristan's old room. However, this one was brighter, decorated with light colors, giving it a bit more light. Tristan stood, waiting for my approval of the new place where we would sleep.

I tilted my head as I scrutinized him with my eyes; I couldn't help but notice the pronounced dark circles under his eyes, shifting from a dark to a reddish color. His eyes lacked any sparkle, appearing like a lifeless, vacant abyss. Additionally, I didn't know if vampires became paler as they grew tired, but Tristan seemed paler than usual.

You look really bad, I said, approaching him. Rest a bit, Tristan; everything that's happening is exhausting for any vampire, even for you.

I'm fine, he downplayed, cradling my cheek with his hand, giving me a sweet look. You shouldn't worry so much.

I could say the same to you, I retorted.

It's different, he replied sharply.

It's not, you are my life. You know that your safety is a priority for me to stay alive. I don't want to feel the pain of losing you again, Tristan. I would die without you. I love you, vampire. Is it so hard to understand?

He drew me into his body without responding, squeezing me with his arms, and, unable to do anything about it, tears overwhelmed me; the tears began to bitterly roll down my cheeks, staining them red.

I forced myself not to think about what my life would be without him, but it was impossible. It was astonishing how we were bound, how we were two bodies with a single soul.

We had been created to stay together for life, now I understood it better than before, and imagining a path where I had to continue alone, without him holding my hand, being my anchor and support, was painful. It was a desolate and lifeless image, gray and dark like the paintings hanging on those walls.

I was his light, but he was my darkness; we needed each other to complement, because even light needed its darkness to prevail.

Scarlett, no, don't cry, he asked, taking my face in his hands. I hate it as much as it hurts me. Everything will be fine; it's not the first time these kinds of problems have happened.

I understand, Tristan, but it's so new to me, completely. I fear they'll hurt you, that they can achieve their goal.

Do you think it's my plan to leave you alone? he whispered. After so many centuries in complete darkness, I won't allow anyone to snatch away my light. Trust me.

I do, I affirmed.

Now, come, let's take a bath; I need to lose myself in you.

I didn't respond and let him take the lead; on the way to the bathroom, which was equally large, comfortable, and beautiful. The floor was brown marble, with a jacuzzi in the middle large enough for both of us, equipped with everything we could need, even a toilet, although it was no longer part of our daily use. Those human needs disappeared when becoming a vampire.

Why does it have such a large mirror? I asked curiously, running my fingers over it without touching it. It practically occupied an entire wall.

Because I like to see your expressions while you...

Shut up! I shouted before he finished the sentence. You have no tact in saying things, Van der Vart, I scolded, looking at him disapprovingly.

It's not like anyone can hear me, he said as if it were nothing. It's just sex, Scarlett, I don't know why you're embarrassed if you usually enjoy it too much.

Just close your mouth, I asked, rolling my eyes. He was impossible.

He smiled maliciously, and I knew what he would do; every time he smiled in that devilishly sexy way, it meant he was planning something that I would undoubtedly enjoy.

He moved eagerly, taking control of my body; he turned me around forcefully, and I found myself leaning my cheek against the sink; I gasped in surprise and then looked at him angrily through the mirror when, without consideration, he tore my clothes... again.

You can't keep doing this! I exclaimed. Can't you just undress me like a normal person?

I'm not normal, he said in my ear as I heard him lower his pants, and I'm not a patient man either.

With his knee, he forcefully opened my legs, put his hand between my thighs, and pushed my panties aside, surprisingly, without tearing them.

He looked at me for a few seconds, and then without waiting any longer, he thrust into my body with force, eliciting a moan from me. I complained about his roughness, but gradually, my body got used to his, letting him do as he pleased, because, even though I sometimes took control, I preferred a thousand times for him to do it.

I placed my hands against the mirror and closed my eyes, not wanting to see him anymore; he kept one of his hands on my abdomen and the other on my hip, kissed my neck, wetting it and blowing with his breath, making my skin tingle in the process. I couldn't help but release a sound of satisfaction as he bit my lower lip, totally ecstatic.

This is what I meant, he whispered, lightly biting my neck.

I opened my eyes suddenly and found myself with Tristan's lustful gaze; his eyes had turned red, also looking ominous, but they didn't cause terror in me anymore.

Pervert, I murmured between my teeth, moaning at the same time.

In response, he pulled my hair to the side without measuring his strength completely, forcing me to expose my neck to him.

—And you have no idea how much," he admitted, then bit me with ferocity.

Tristan, I whimpered, in pain and excited like the masochist I was.

My blood escaped from his mouth as he drank, running down my collarbone to finally die in my breasts, which moved in time with his thrusts that gradually brought me to the pinnacle of absolute ecstasy. Stupid sadistic vampire, he deliberately spilled my blood.

I gripped the sink tightly as waves of exquisite sensations coursed through me; the pleasure was too much for my body, and I felt like I was about to explode at any moment. Tristan didn't stop drinking my blood; his thrusts increased in rhythm, and soon I found myself screaming, unable to resist it any longer.

I stayed still, savoring the sensation that the orgasm provoked in my body, the pleasure was overwhelming. Tristan continued to drink my blood, and his thrusts intensified. Soon, I found myself screaming, unable to resist any longer. I stayed still, enjoying the sensation as the orgasm traveled through my body like a tingling that ended in spasms. He took a little longer to reach his climax, squeezing my abdomen tightly before finally stopping drinking my blood.

You're incomparable, Scarlett, he said with his chin and lips covered in blood.

I'm glad to hear that.

CHAPTER 2

Everything was darkness everywhere, and vertigo seized me when I couldn't even feel anything solid beneath my feet.

I extended my arms, searching for something to touch, desperately looking for an exit, experiencing fear—a cold fear that spread like ice through my veins, making me tremble. I didn't understand where I was, much less why my heart kept beating. I was a vampire; my heart had died, yet now I could feel the air entering my lungs as if nothing had happened.

I suddenly had the urge to scream, but I restrained myself; I didn't know if it could alert someone or whatever was here.

Scarlett, his voice whispered behind me. I felt myself pale, and slowly I turned my body as the air was held in my lungs due to surprise..

You're dead, I whispered, moving away from him, retreating without knowing where to escape.

I came back for you, Scarlett... he murmured with that smile I once adored seeing.

No... I don't want to be with you, I replied, filled with fear, hearing my voice and his as a distant echo.

You will be... whether you want to or not, you will love me. You are mine, and your destiny was always by my side, he insisted confidently, maintaining the same position with something strange in his gaze—it was no longer pure or innocent, much less good.

No... I belong to Tristan, I protested. He laughed, but it wasn't a good laugh; rather, it was evil.

I will come back for what is mine... you will come to me alone; you belong to me, he repeated. I shook my head over and over again, bringing my hands to my ears to drown out his voice.

No! I screamed, running away from him through that endless darkness. You can run, Scarlett, but sooner or later, I will have you, he called after me.

I hate you, Brent, I whispered as the dream faded away.

My eyes opened, my body reacted, and in seconds, I sat up on the bed, feeling the lingering fear in my body.

My hands trembled, and the memory of his words repeated in my head in a disturbing and sinister resonance.

Beside me, Tristan slept peacefully, oblivious to what was happening to me. I wanted to wake him up, but I held back. He already had enough problems on his plate to add this to the mix.

I grabbed my phone; it was only 8:00 a.m. I felt like I had slept too much, rested enough, but even so, I lay back down and placed my hand on Tristan's face, gently caressing his cheek to avoid waking him.

I didn't want to think about what I had just dreamed; I was sure it wasn't a dream. We couldn't dream like this; Tristan had told me, and I had verified it. So this was something entirely different. Just as I once saw a memory of Anne, now I was having this kind of vision of Brent. I didn't understand how I could see such a thing. Something was wrong; someone was playing with my mind. Brent was dead; the