My skinny legs shake as I sneak out into the trees. If my parents discover I’ve snuck out, I’ll be banished from going to Nadine’s nineteenth birthday party tomorrow. While I’m not a huge fan of Nadine, and rarely get to go to parties, this one I’ve been re-dying to attend. Not because I’ve suddenly developed a desire to hang out with my older sister and her stuck-up vampire friends. No, I want to go because he’ll be there. Just like he’s out here in the forest, waiting for me. I want to latch on to any excuse to see him before we say our goodbyes.

Pulling the hood of my ankle-length velvet cloak over my head, I creep farther into the trees as the sunlight glistens from the sky, announcing daybreak.

Most vampires are heading to bed by now, or are already fast asleep. Still, I worry someone will spot me and inform my parents. While I’m almost eighteen and old enough to wander off on my own, I’ll be in a lot of trouble if I’m seen having a secret rendezvous with him, my sister’s betrothed and the future king of the vampire species.

While I’m not technically doing anything wrong—just sneaking out to see a vampire who’s been my friend for ages—my sister won’t see it like that. Normally, Nadine’s opinion isn’t even a blip on my concern radar, but now that she’s in line to be the future queen of the vampire world, she’ll soon be able to punish me whenever she wants and however she sees fit. Since Nadine has never liked me, I can imagine how awful of a punishment she’d give me if she caught me spending time in secret with her betrothed. I’m taking a huge risk being out here, but spending time with the soon-to-be king before he becomes forever tied to a vampire who despises me is important.

Sucking in a breath, I quicken my pace, my thick, buckled boots crunching against the dry leaves and twigs covering the enchanted forest that surrounds Mystic Willow Bay.

My family’s cottage is a few miles from the border of the enchanted woods, which required me to take a path through several quaint neighborhoods. If the wrong vampire is up this late, my mom will for sure hear about my journey away from my family’s cottage at such a late hour. But my cloak and hood should be enough to hopefully conceal my identity from any neighbors that are up late, along with the pixies who sometimes roam the woods.

The farther I hike into the trees, the more relaxed I become. For various reasons, ranging from the risk of getting lost to running into a forest demon, hardly anyone comes this far into the forest. I’ve spent plenty of time here, though, and I know my way around. As for the forest demons, my hiding skills are above average. Sure, I may suck at most vampire abilities, like super speed and strength, but I’ve always possessed the ability to hide well when needs be. And I’ve had my fair share of times when I’ve needed to hide.

“Where are you?” I mutter as I arrive at the towering rock where we normally meet.

Usually, he beats me here, since he’s one of the fastest vampires in town. Perhaps he’s hiding? He’s done that a couple of times so he can sneak up and scare the shit out of me.

After scanning the area and not seeing any sign of him, I decide I must’ve made it here first. That revelation makes me smile.

Ha! I’m so going to tease him for being slower than one of the slowest vampires in town.

Grinning, I clumsily climb up onto the rock and plop down on the flat top, stretching my legs and resting back on my hands. The rock is almost as tall as the trees, so I have a good view of the forest, but the trees are too thick to see much of anything besides leaves and branches.

“Dang it, I was hoping I’d be able to see when he showed up so I can pay him back for all those times he snuck up on me,” I mutter with a sigh.

“That sounds like a lot of fun to me.” The voice comes from right behind me, so close their breath tickles the back of my neck.

Startled, I let out a high-pitched squeal that would put even the cry of a Banshee to shame and whirl around, nearly smacking my head against his. Luckily, his super speed and coordination registers quicker than my clumsiness and he slants back before we end up clanking skulls.

“Holy evil demons, you scared me.” I press my hand to my chest as I narrow my eyes at the vampire in front of me. Dark hair, playful eyes, and dressed in black slacks, a matching loose shirt, and thick silver-strapped boots. Not the vampire I was supposed to be meeting, but I’m not surprised he’s here. “That wasn’t very nice.”

His eyes glint wickedly. “Since when have I ever claimed to be nice?”

“Never. And if you did, you’d be a liar.” I flash him a sassy smirk.

He mirrors my smirk. “I am that, too.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, Kingsley, what it must be to live not caring about anything.”

“Hey.” He presses his hand to his chest. “I take that as an insult.” His eyes sparkle mischievously. “I care about a lot of things.”

I crook a brow. “Like what?”

His grin broadens. “Women, sex, a good blood boost … Did I say women and sex?”

I roll my eyes, trying not to smile, which would encourage him more.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t find me amusing,” he teases, tugging on a strand of my long, raven black hair.

“I don’t,” I tease. “In fact, I think you’re the most boring vampire I’ve ever met.”

He juts out his bottom lip. “How you wound me so. Seriously, I came here to declare my undying love for you and this is how you treat me?”

I snort a laugh. “You’re such a liar.”

A grin lights up his pretty face. “I think we already established that, didn’t we?”

I can’t stop the smile from rising. Kingsley’s own smile magnifies.

We’ve done this so many times—bantered back and forth—that I can predict what’s coming next.

“I win the game,” he beams, sitting down on the rock beside me.

I twist around and stare out at the forest, the sunlight stinging my eye. “Just because I smiled doesn’t mean you won that argument. And we weren’t playing a game.”

“Yes, we were. We always are.” He nudges his shoulder against mine. “Don’t worry, though; I’ll let you win the next round.”

“Gee, thanks,” I reply dryly, to which he laughs.

I pretend to be annoyed when I’m not. This is how Kingsley and I are toward each other. Have been ever since the day we became friends. He pushes my buttons, and I push his, but in a playful way. And while I’ll never admit it aloud, he’s right. It is sort of a game. I also secretly enjoy our time together, another thing I’ll keep to myself forever.

Part of me worries, though, that everything will change when the crowning ceremony takes place. That my friendship with Kingsley and Rhyland will never be the same. That our time hanging out in the forest, joking and playing and causing all sorts of trouble will be no more.

“Why are you here, anyway?” I shoot Kingsley a grin, pretending I’m more okay than I am. “I’m supposed to be meeting Rhyland.”

He shrugs, amusement dancing at his lips. “Rhyland invited me. Thought it’d be good for the three of us to spend some time together before … Well, you know.”

I get what he’s saying, and I usually don’t mind the three of us spending time together, but the strangest drop of sadness rises inside me. I wish I could’ve spent a little time with Rhyland alone.

“No offense, Kings, but I sort of thought the whole point of Rhyland and I meeting here today was so that him and I could have some alone time before he gets hitched to the bitch.”

He chuckles, but the humor doesn’t reach his eyes. “That was the plan, but …” He presses his lips together. “He thought it might be better if I tagged along to keep an eye on things.”

“What sort of things? Wait. Was he worried someone would find out we were sneaking out here?” I guess it sort of makes sense. If someone did find out Rhyland was meeting me in the forest, it wouldn’t seem as bad with Kingsley here. Not that Rhyland and I would do anything bad if Kingsley wasn’t here. We’re just friends. Close friends. Have been since we were little. But Nadine wouldn’t see it like that. She’d think I came out here to have sex with Rhyland and feast on his blood. Wouldn’t be the first time she’s accused me of such a thing. She once thought I was secretly hooking up with her boyfriend just because I laugh at his joke. That night, she’d tiptoed into my room while was asleep and cut off my hair.

Now that she is going to be queen, she’ll more than likely cut off my head.

I frown at the memory, wishing Nadine had never been chosen as queen. A lot of vampires shared my feeling the day Fate chose her. Nadine was known around town as selfish, mean, stuck up, and completely vain—none of the makings of a good ruler.

“Rhyland’s worried about a lot of things,” Kingsley mutters, tearing me out of my troubled thoughts.

“That’s understandable. He has a lot of responsibility heading his way. But I’m sure he can handle it.” Sometimes, I wish he didn’t have to. Sometimes I wish he’d never gotten chosen, so I wouldn’t have to lose my friend. Selfish, I know. But I can’t help how I feel.

“Having to and wanting to are two different things,” Kingsley mutters, staring out at the trees.

“Rhyland wants to be king. He’s dreamt about wearing the crown for as long as I can remember.”

He sighs tiredly. “That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“What are you talking about, then? You’re being very confusing, even for you.”

His lips pull into a grin, but then his smile fades quickly as he sniffs the air. “What the …?” He tenses, rising to his feet, his eyes fixed on the trees before us. “Something’s wrong.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I stumble to my feet and try to track his gaze, but all I see are trees. That doesn’t mean that nothing is out there. Kingsley is an emperor, one of the best, and has already been chosen to guard the king and queen, another reason I worry everything is about to change. If he senses something is wrong, then something is.

“What is it?” I ask, squinting against the sunlight.

He holds up a finger then inches toward the ledge of the rock and peers down. “Well, this isn’t good.”

Panic flares through me as I rush to his side to see what sort of trouble we’re about to get into. When I peer over the edge, however, all I see are trees, dirt, and more trees.

“I don’t see anything,” I whisper, glancing up at Kingsley.

Only, he’s no longer at my side.

I whirl around, my gaze tracking the top of the rock. He either took off somewhere or vanished into thin air. Since vampires aren’t known for their stellar teleportation skills, my bet is the first.

“Kingsley.” I inch toward the opposite side of the rock. “Quit messing around.”

The whisper of the breeze is my only answer.

I shudder. This is so bad.

“This isn’t funny—”

As the tips of my boots reach the edge of the rock again, a swish of air rushes across my skin as a figure breezes past me.

“Kings?” A nervous edge creeps into my tone. “Please stop. This isn’t funny anymore.”

A soft giggle travels up from below. A giggle way too feminine and faerie-like to belong to Kingsley.

Sucking in a breath, I lean forward and peer over the—

Lips touch my earlobe as fingers splay around my waist. “Be careful. If you fell, my heart would be crushed forever.”

I let out a Banshee of a squeal for the second time today, fear pulsating through my veins and sending me tripping over my feet. My stomach twists into knots as I start to tip off the ledge. Sure, the fall wouldn’t kill me, but knowing me, I’d land awkwardly and probably break a bone. Luckily, the fingers on my waist tighten, holding me in place. Then a very familiar chuckle touches my ear.

“Relax, Rave, I’d never let you fall.”

Shaking my head, I wiggle around until I’m facing a very smug-looking Rhyland. “You know, when I became friends with both the Midnitegale brothers, everyone said I was crazy, that you guys were trouble and would get me into trouble. I’m really starting to believe they were right.”

His pierced lips curve into a smile, strands of his blond hair sweeping across his forehead as the wind picks up. “Right or wrong is beside the point. Trouble or not, you still love us. Or well, me. I’d hate to think your heart belongs to Kingsley, too.”

I dramatically roll my eyes, ignoring my stupid, fluttering heart. It’s been doing that for the past several months, every time he smiles or teases me, or tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, as if it’s somehow forgotten that Rhyland and I are just friends. Or that I made a vow to myself a long time ago that I’d never fall for either of the Midnitegale brothers. And I refuse to go back on that vow.

Besides, not only does Rhyland see me as just a friend, he’ll soon be the king and my sister’s husband. And while he may not be a fan of Nadine, he’ll eventually fall in love with her. That’s how the rules work. Although, I’ve often wondered how love can come with rules, but what do I know? I’ve never been in love before.

My heart dances in my chest, as if laughing at my denial.

“Aw, you’re so cute when you pretend you don’t love me.” Rhyland lightly kisses my nose, eliciting another stupid flutter from my heart.

Damn heart really needs to shut up before it gets me into trouble. The little kiss on the nose doesn’t mean anything. Rhyland’s been doing that sort of stuff to me for a few years now.

I roll my eyes at him to play off my nerves, and he laughs at me.

I sigh in defeat. “Fine, I might like you guys just a little bit.” I hold up my finger and thumb a sliver of an inch apart. “Maybe about this much.”

Removing one hand from my waist, he adjusts my thumb and finger farther apart. “No way. Your love for me is at least this big.”

I snort a laugh. “You’re such a vampire nerd.”

“If I am, then what does that make you?” he questions with a smirk.

“The poor vampire who felt sorry enough for you that she sacrificed her entire life just to be your friend.”

“Wow, she sounds pretty amazing.”

“She completely is.”

We stare each other down then bust up laughing. All jokes aside, Rhyland is anything but a vampire nerd, and I’m lucky he’s been my friend for so long. Kingsley, too. Speaking of which …

“Where’d your brother run off to?” I question. “I’m guessing someplace far away, so I won’t kick his ass for the little stunt he pulled.”

“Aw, Rave, please don’t tease me like that.” Kingsley zips up onto the rock, grinding to a stop behind Rhyland. “Always joking about kicking my ass.” He steps toward me, his eyes sparkling wickedly. “Yet you never actually do it.”

“Be grateful I don’t. I’d totally win.” I’m so full of shit. I couldn’t even kick a bat’s ass if I tried.

Kingsley chews on his bottom lip. “Maybe I want you to win. The idea does sound pretty appealing now that I think about it.” He gives me a look that makes me blush. “We could get down on the ground and roll around a little bit. Maybe even take our clothes off.”

I keep a neutral expression, despite my flushing cheeks. “How many times have I told you, in your dreams, pretty boy?”

“Aw, did you hear that, Rhy?” Kingsley teases. “Rave thinks I’m pretty.”

“Yep, as pretty as a pixie.” My smile is sugary sweet. Vampires loathe being compared to pixies.

Kingsley wets his lips, his eyes darkening. “Well, you look like something I’d like to take a bite—”

“Kingsley, knock it off,” Rhyland warns, his fingers twitching on my hip.

Huh? Since when does Rhyland get irritated when Kingsley and I joke around with each other?

“I know you’re stressed, but you need to fucking relax.” Kingsley shakes his head at Rhyland. “I’m just teasing her like I always do. It’s kind of our thing. Always has been.”

“Yeah, I know.” Rhyland’s brows furrow as he sinks into silence.

“Is everything okay?” I ask worriedly.

Rhyland may be a bit more serious than Kingsley, but he rarely looks worried. He has a lot lately, but that might have to do with the fact that he’s about to be responsible for an entire kingdom and become my sister’s husband.

Rhyland’s frown vanishes as he plasters on a smile. “Of course everything’s fine. I’m here with you, aren’t I?”

I shake my head, my lips threatening to turn upward. “You two are such flirts. One day, it’s going to get you into trouble.”

Kingsley snorts a laugh. “Going to? Try have … many, many times.” He smiles wistfully. “Just last week, I got chased through town by one of the Mystic Willow Bay vampire mobsters, just because I was caught having sex with a very pretty vampire. Granted, it was his girlfriend, but still, he could’ve at least given me a chance to put on some pants.”

A giggle slips from my lips. “You ran through town in your underwear?”

“Underwear?” Kingsley’s brow arches. “Here’s a tip, beautiful little virgin, if the guy doesn’t take off his underwear the first time you have sex, then he’s probably doing it wrong.” As warmth floods my cheeks, he chuckles. “You know, watching you blush never gets old.”

“I’m not blushing. I’m just …” I become more flustered. “I don’t know why you’re always giving me shit about being a virgin when Rhyland’s one, too.”

“Oh, I give Rhyland shit about it all the time.” Smirking, Kingsley pats Rhyland’s arm. “I keep telling him it’s time to make a move before he gets tied up to the queen of bitches and it’s too late, but apparently, my brother is too much of a coward.”

“I’m not a coward.” Rhyland sighs almost sadly. “I just don’t want anyone getting hurt, which would happen if Nadine ever found out. That vampire is batshit crazy. Which was okay when she was a normal vampire, but now she’s going to be queen.” He grimaces.

“There are ways of keeping it a secret,” Kingsley tells him. “Nadine isn’t the queen yet, and until then, she’s not a threat. Just an average vampire who puts too much bleach in her hair.”

Rhyland stares over my shoulder into empty space. “It’s more complicated than that.”

Kingsley pats Rhyland’s shoulder. “Then uncomplicate it.” When Rhyland just shakes his head, Kingsley sighs and looks at me. “Raven, tell him I’m right.”

Normally, I wouldn’t ever admit Kingsley was right, but Rhyland seems so torn up and sad. I don’t ever want him to feel that way.

“He’s probably right. If you want to, you know, have … sex with someone before you have to seal the deal with my bitchy sister, I’m sure we can find a way for Nadine to never find out.” For the love of all blushing vampires, my cheeks are as hot as the pits of Hell. Not to mention nausea is painfully twisting my stomach at the idea of him having sex with anyone, let alone Nadine.

Why is this bothering me so much? Because I hate Nadine?

Yeah, quit lying to yourself, Raven. You know why. You just don’t want to admit it.

“We?” Rhyland’s brow teases upward as he meets my gaze. “I didn’t realize you wanted to be part of this disastrous losing-my-virginity plan. But if you want to, then I’d much rather you play a different role.” He winks.

I playfully swat his arm, my blush deepening. “You two are really on a roll today.”

“You’re the one who offered to help me lose my virginity. I was merely putting my two blood drops in over what role you should play.” Rhyland grins impishly at me. When I narrow my eyes at him, he chuckles, places a kiss on my forehead, then drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Okay, no more talking about Nadine or my virginity. All I want to do until the moon rises is spend some quality time with my best friend.”

“Hey, what about me?” Kingsley fakes a pout.

Rhyland rolls his eyes. “You can do whatever you want, just as long as it’s not driving Raven and I crazy.”

Kingsley gives him a pressing look. “You’re the one who invited me here to keep an eye on things and make sure you don’t do anything stupid. Remember?”

“Yeah, I know,” he mutters with a heavy, almost defeated sigh.

“Well, for that and so I could scare the living nightlights out of pretty, little raven eyes over here.” Kingsley throws a smirk in my direction.

I glare at him, but it’s a playful move. “Just so you know, I’m going to pay you back for that.”

Kingsley rubs his hands together in delight. “I can’t wait.”

I sigh exhaustedly. When Rhyland does the same thing, Kingsley chuckles.

Shaking his head, Rhyland steers me toward the edge of the rock to climb down. As we near the ledge, I spot traces of a purplish glitter on some of the flowers on the ground below, reminding me of the giggle I heard right before Rhyland scared the crazy bats out of me.

“How did you do it, anyway?” I ask Kingsley as I crouch, preparing to climb down.

He stares at me in confusion. “Do what?”

“Make a giggling noise that sounded an awful lot like a sprite.” I point over my shoulder at the glittery purplish residue. “I can’t believe you went so far as to put faerie dust on the flowers just to pull off a prank.” I raise my hand. “No, I take that back. I can believe it.”

The crinkle between Kingsley’s brows deepens as his gaze sweeps over the dirt, trees, and flowers below. “I didn’t make that noise or put that faerie dust down there.” He stiffens, his gaze snapping to mine. “You said you heard a giggle?”

I nod. “Right after you disappeared and right before Rhyland scared the bats out of me.”

Kingsley worriedly glances at Rhyland. “Did someone follow you in?”

Rhyland shakes his head, squatting beside me and tracing his fingers up and down my back. “My king’s powers have been accelerating, so I would’ve known if someone did.”

Kingsley’s expression plummets as his fangs snap out from his gums and he draws a dagger from the leather holster strapped around his shoulders. “Wait here.” He steps toward the ledge of the rock, bending his knees in preparation to jump down. But as laughter floats through the air, the three of us freeze.

“Fuck.” Kingsley poises his dagger in front of him. “Someone or something knows we’re here.”

“Maybe we’ll be okay,” I say, though I really don’t believe my own words. “I mean, just because someone or something knows we’re hanging out here, doesn’t mean they’re going to tell Nadine. And we didn’t do anything wrong. We’re just three friends hanging out.”

Kingsley gives me a really look. “Yes, because Nadine always sees things for what they really are.”

I crinkle my nose. “Yeah, I get your point.”

Rhyland hugs me against his side and kisses the top of my head. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Nadine’s powers haven’t kicked in yet, so really, what could she do?”

“Um, lock me up in a dungeon. Sentence me to death. Feed me to forest demons.” I blow out a tense breath. “She may not have her magical powers yet, but she has the power of ruling, which might be the greatest power of all.”

“I’m a ruler, too.” Rhyland fixes his finger under my chin and turns my head toward him. His eyes blaze intensely as he promises, “I won’t let anything happen to you, no matter what I have to do.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “Okay. Just as long as you don’t get hurt.”

“As beautiful as this little promising moment is, you guys are forgetting one thing,” Kingsley interrupts. “There’s still something down there.” He points at a cluster of trees. “See that shadow?”

Rhyland and I both nod as he moves his arm protectively in front of me.

“What is it?” he hisses, maneuvering me behind him.

“I’m not sure, but we’re about to find out.” Without warning, Kingsley leaps over the side of the rock and lands on the dirt below.

Laughter floods the forest again as he takes off toward the figure.

“Don’t worry,” a female voice echoes across the forest. “I’m not going to hurt the girl or your future king. No, they’re going to hurt each other.”

More laughter, and then purplish smoke starts billowing through the trees and clouding the air.

“Get Raven out of here,” Kingsley shouts as he pulls the collar of his shirt over his nose and jogs into the smoke.

Rhyland snatches ahold of my hand and drags me toward the opposite side of the rock. Then he scoops me up and jumps to the ground, landing softly in the dirt. After he carefully sets me down, we dash into the trees, the smoke nipping at our heels.

“Will Kingsley be okay?” I ask, clutching Rhyland’s hand.

Rhyland tensely nods, quickening his pace. “You know he’s the best emperor there is.”

“Yeah, but …” I throw a glance over my shoulder. The smoke has thickened, nearly taking over the forest. “We shouldn’t leave him.”

Rhyland tugs on my arm as he zips through the trees, leaving me stumbling to keep up with him. “When I get you to safety, I’ll come back for him. I need to get you out of here first … I can’t …” He swallows, his fingers constricting around my hand. “I can’t think straight when I’m worried about you.”

I want to argue—I do—but I understand where he’s coming from. Every time he does something even mildly dangerous, worry consumes my mind. But I still don’t feel right about leaving Kingsley behind. Somehow, I need to convince Rhyland that I’ll be okay and that he should go back to help his twin brother.

My lips part. “I think—”

A blur zooms by us and screeches to a halt, causing Rhyland and I to grind to a stop. Rhyland immediately reaches for the knife in his shoulder holster, but then he drops his hand as the figure comes into focus.

Kingsley.

“What happened?” Rhyland asks, pulling me close to his side.

Kingsley’s jaw sets tight. “I’m not positive, but I think the fey queen is out here. Or was, anyway.” He crosses his arms. “Whoever it was took off right after they set off that smoke.”

“But if it was the fey queen, why would she be hanging out in the enchanted forest?” I ask. “And why was she watching us?”

“I don’t know, but it has me nervous,” Rhyland mutters. “If it’s one thing the fey are known for, it’s stirring up trouble.”

“And the queen has a vendetta against vampires,” Kingsley adds with a frown. “Has for centuries.”

I scratch my forehead with my free hand. “Then why in the crazy bats does she come to Mystic Willow Bay every year to dine with the current king and queen?”

“Ever heard the term: keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” Rhyland says, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I nod, though it was more of a rhetorical question. “That makes sense, I guess. But … still … her being out here seems strange. And then that whole thing about Rhyland and I hurting each other; why would she say that?”

“I have no idea.” Rhyland’s gaze welds with mine. “Don’t worry; that’ll never happen because I’d never, ever hurt you.”

“I’d never hurt you, either,” I promise.

Silence chokes the air as the three of us throw panicked glances around the trees.

Finally, Kingsley breaks the silence. “For now, I think we should keep this to ourselves. But I’m going to ask around; see if maybe a few of my fey friends know something.”

Nodding, we hike out of the trees, separating when we reach the outskirts of my neighborhood. As I sneak back into my home and climb into bed, the fey queen’s words echo through my mind.

“Don’t worry; I’m not going to hurt the girl or your future king. No, they’re going to hurt each other.”

No, I could never hurt Rhyland, and he would never hurt me. I know that truth with my whole heart.

However, as I begin to drift off to dreamland, a strange, aching sensation prods inside my chest. And for the briefest blood drop of a second, I swear I can feel an ominous cloud hovering in my future, filled with chaos, pain, and a hatred for Rhyland.