Throne of Smoke And Ash

Chapter 1

My foot catches on a log causing my body to fly through the air. A soft gasp escapes my lips as the earth rushes to meet me.

"Get up." I growl as I kick up dirt and take off running ignoring the pain in my ankle. The trees rush past me in a blur as thorns and twigs break my skin.

Why am I here?

This forest again.

I stumble once more flailing like a deaf fish. "Shit." I curse softly as a rock cuts into my cheek.

A steel like a hand wraps around my ankle and rips me backwards roughly. A scream escapes my throat.

I'm flipped over roughly, cold blood red eyes peirce my own. His features are stone like, chiseled to perfection. A vampire. "It's been a while your majesty. I caught you now." He seethes. His hand digs into my chest as his mouth latches onto my throat.

I gasp awake as Sebastian grabs my arm gently. I look at him with wide eyes as my hand flies to my neck and chest.

"What happened?" He asks with sleep laced in his voice. "I'm sorry. It was just a nightmare." I whisper as I place my hand on his cheek gently.

He gives me a small smile as he holds my hand to his cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asks. "It's nothing." I smile softly as his lips find mine.

He lays down pulling me to his chest. I don't find sleep again. My eyes are wide open until sun streams in. It felt so real.

The curtains blow open slight with the morning breeze allowing small flickers of sunlight to dance on the bed.

I look at Sebastian and smile. No frown lines, no angry frowns. Just peaceful and relaxed.

"You're staring again." He whispers. "I am not." I smirk. "You are." A small smile plays on his lips as he takes me in his arms. "How do you know! Your eyes are closed." He peeks an eye open at me and grins. "I can feel you." He whispers.

"Whatever." I mutter with a smirk as I go to climb out of bed. "No, no, no. It's not that simple. His arms snake around my waist pulling me to his chest. "We have a busy day your majesty." I playfully slap his arm.

"It's still morning." He kisses my neck softly sending shockwaves through my body. "You can find any flaw in any contract." I whisper as my will dissolves. "I'm a king, it's my job" he nips at my neck and smirks.

"Fine." I give in and push him towards the shower.

After a longer than needed shower for two we make our way out with smiles on our faces.

"Good morning your majesty." I smile and nod my head. "Hello Willa." Her red curls bounce playfully as she grabs the ball at my feet before running off. "I'm sorry your highness." Florence looks flushed and overwhelmed as she scolds the child.

"No harm done Florence." I smile as Sebastian takes my hand and we make our way down the stairs. "You have guests." William says with a slight bow. "So early?" I ask. He nods as he opens the meeting room doors.

A stench of unwashed dog fills my nostrils causing my stoic expression to become harder to keep.

"Hello gentlemen." I smile at the pack of werewolves eating viciously at the table. They stand immediately and bow awkwardly.

"I am Alpha Michael." A burly man with a stubly beard and coil tight muscles bows slightly. I show my respect and bow back.

"What can I do for you boys?" I ask as Sebastian watches them carefully. I can tell the guards are on edge as well.

I have read and studied werewolves and lycans to the fullest extent. I am aware of their tempers and what they are capable of. I am capable of more.

"Beta! Stop stuffing your face and show some respect!" Alpha Michael growls. A red haired boy with half the muscle mass of the Alpha and freckles littering his cheeks stand abruptly and wipes his face. "Beta Yura" He bows. "Nice to meet you all."

"They don't normally act like dogs." He says disapprovingly as he watches them. "Boys will be boys. What did you need Alpha?" I ask as our eyes meet.

He holds my gaze for a moment, I'm not sure in a challenging way or if in asking if he can trust me. "There was something that happened the other day." He whispers softly. "Something or someone got out of the forest."

I feel my face go pale. "How do you know this?" I ask. "We are the pack assigned to the forest. The magic barrier around the forest has a life spane. It lives as long as the witch who put it there lives. She must have died sometime last week because that's when it happened. It was only for a second. The new witch. A young immortal half breed was put in charge of it. That second was enough. We lost four of our pack mates. Their hearts were ripped out." His tone is dark and his words are full of hate.

"We need to find it." I whisper. Sebastian watches me with hard eyes as soaks in every word of our conversation. "As of this moment, we are your allies. We are not strong enough to do this by ourselves." His words are strangled.

"I know it took alot for you to come and ask for our help. You have it. We will have the terms drawn up as well as any other paperwork needed." We shake each others hand before he joins his pack once more.

I feel Sebastian grab my waist gently as he leads me out of the room. "An alliance with the dogs? Are you crazy?" He growls out. "I know who...what got out." I whisper.

His eyes widen. "Right before I was about to cross the line I was being chased by it. It had red eyes. The aura and energy radiating off this thing was nothing but pure evil." He grabs my shaking hands as he moves my eyes to his.

"Is that the nightmares you have?" He asks softly. I nod my head.

He pulls me to his chest and sighs softly. "Maybe this alliance won't be so bad." He whispers against my head.

If it keeps me alive, then no, it won't be bad.

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~scarletbride30