Embrace the Power: A Paranormal Romance (The Blood Rose Series Book 9) (43 page)

She had to think for a moment to understand what he meant. Then she remembered her mother behind the teal veil. “Mama was there.”

“Then it was no wonder you wanted to stay.”

“It wasn’t that. Yes, it was amazing to see her and I longed to be with her. But, the pull of death is a profound force. Stone, I was so close to leaving the Nine Realms forever.”

“I know.”

“But now I feel bad, because of why I returned. It should have been for my love for you. Instead, the moment you spoke of more innocent people dying, that’s when I made the decision. How will you ever forgive me for not loving you enough?”

He squeezed her hand. “Rosamunde, I love you even more for returning because other innocents will die without your help.” He leaned close and kissed her on the lips. Nothing could have felt more perfect.

When he drew back, he wore a soft, affectionate smile. “Will you marry me, Rosamunde?”

She loved that he wanted it all, the blood rose bond and a marriage that would involve a riotous ceremony. With any luck, she would be pregnant on the day of her wedding, a sign of good fortune and blessings among the fae.

She was overcome as tears spilled from her eyes.

He picked up the ring and slid it on her left ring finger. “Marry me, my love. And let the wearing of this ring be a token of our pledge to each other. So what do you say?”

The ring fit as though made for her, but she suspected Joseph had something to do with it, the finagler that he was. “I will marry you, Stone, with all my heart.”

~ ~ ~

The wedding a month later, which Delia organized to perfection, turned out to be one of the largest events in Nine Realms’ history and lasted three days. Stone took his bride from realm-to-realm and danced with her at immense balls that celebrated the end of Margetta’s terror-filled assault on their world and the beginning of what Rosamunde had said more than once would be a thousand years of peace.

Now that he was married, he wanted a family, something he’d never allowed himself to desire before. With the Vampire Guards in each realm hunting down the last of the wraith-pairs and much of Margetta’s army in a state of rehabilitation through the efforts of Samantha and Ethan, he could finally start to think like an ordinary man.

When he’d drunk the last of the champagne at the final Tannisford welcoming-home ball, he took Rosamunde to the lake house, now made private and secure once more.

She shed her full-skirted green satin gown, green diamonds in an elegant piece around her neck, and kicked off her high heels.

Since she now stood in only a thong, he stripped down as fast as he could as well, caught her around the waist in a slick levitating move then carried her to bed.

He made love to her for hours and more than once played with her short red hair. He told her at least a hundred times how much he loved her.

When she lay in his arms exhausted, she twirled a finger through his long hair. “How many children do you want?” Her voice sounded lazy, a very satisfied woman.

“Davido once told me he has eighty-eight children and more progeny than he can number. I’d like to best his goal.”

At that, she rose up from his arms and stared down at him. “I beg to remind you that the man had more than one wife, and that over a period of millennia.”

Because she was naked, her posture put her breasts very close to his mouth. He did what any normal male would do, and suckled his way to pushing her back into the pillows.

She laughed, but was soon cooing her need for him and he obliged her.

~ ~ ~

Rosamunde awoke that evening to the smell of coffee with cardamom. How long ago it all seemed that she was alone in her castle, removed from a normal life, stuck supporting the veil of mist by herself.

Now she lay in bed aware that this was one of her most favorite times of the night: The beginning. Stone always rose before her and made the coffee. And once the sun set fully, he would have a swim in the lake.

She wasn’t sure if he checked on her to see if she was finally opening her eyes or if the blood rose bond told him the state she was in. She suspected the latter, though he often told her he liked to watch her when she slept.

He was the most surprising man, so tender and loving with her, yet a commander in the field.

Her heart was full for two reasons. She’d built an extra supply for him and she was so in love with the vampire.

She sighed contentedly and a moment later he appeared in the doorway with two mugs in hand. He wore only jeans, a great look for him, which meant that his gorgeous, tattoo-laden chest was on display.

She didn’t stay in bed, though, because she knew what he wanted and she wanted it, too.

She dragged the gray afghan from the foot of the bed and pulled it around her. He set both mugs on the small table next to the large chair, then sat down and held his arms out to her.

She climbed into his lap and he adjusted her until she was nestled against his chest and feeling as though life could never be sweeter. He then handed her cup to her and afterward picked up his own.

As she sipped her coffee, she watched the sky grow darker and the stars twinkle. With her realm-vision, she could adjust from night to a warm afternoon glow.

She loved her world and her husband.

Suddenly, she felt a quickening deep in her body. She gasped softly and tears sprouted to her eyes as awareness dawned.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. It’s wonderful.”

“The view?”

“The view inside.” She leaned toward the table and put her mug next to his then took his hand and settled it low on her abdomen.

He frowned as he glanced at her stomach, then met her gaze. “Why are you—” His eyes widened suddenly. “Sweet Goddess, we’ve created life.”

“We have. Can you feel her as well?”

“I can. And she’s a girl. I know that as well. She’ll have violet eyes but my black hair. What a miracle this has become.” He kissed her after that, then took her to bed once more.

Rosamunde got lost in the beauty of her relationship with Stone. He took her to the heights, he fed from her, he communed with her as together they channeled the elf-lord power.

He told her he loved her. Again and again.

She hugged him hard and thanked him for their daughter.

He said he wanted to name her Evelyn Inez.

She wept again, and embraced him harder still.

Love had come to her and the sweet joy of giving her love so fully to Stone.

Together, they would build a life in Tannisford Realm, serving the people they both loved, no longer fearing what was beyond the veil, in this life, or the next.

The End

A Note From Caris

I hope you enjoyed reading EMBRACE THE POWER!
And remember, you can claim an ebook right now by signing up for my mailing list on my home page:
http://www.carisroane.com/

If you enjoyed EMBRACE THE POWER,
I’d love it if you took a minute to leave a short review – two or three sentences only -- at your favorite online retailer.
And you don’t have to be a blogger to do this, just a reader who loves books!

Do you like reading excerpts?
Keep scrolling to read the first three chapters of BLOOD FLAME, Book #1 of the Flame Series!

Coming Up Next

REVEALED, Book #3 of the Rapture’s Edge Saga:
As the third story of the Rapture’s Edge Saga and set in the world of the Guardians of Ascension, REVEALED is the culmination story for Rachel and Duncan. Revealed also prepares the stage for more to come with the Warriors of the Blood. Both Luken and Endelle are featured in REVEALED.
Read more about the Rapture’s Edge Saga:
http://www.carisroane.com/raptures-edge/

EMERALD FLAME:
The next story set in the world of Five Bridges will be the fifth book of the Flame Series and features Alpha Wolf Warren.
Read more about the Flame Series:
http://www.carisroane.com/flame-series/

About the Author

Caris Roane is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-five paranormal romance books. Writing as Valerie King, she has published fifty novels and novellas in Regency Romance. Caris lives in Phoenix, Arizona, loves gardening, enjoys the birds and lizards in her yard, but really doesn’t like scorpions!

Find out more about Caris on her website!

http://www.carisroane.com/

Have You Read…

The Flame Series…

BLOOD FLAME #1:
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Flame-Book-ebook/dp/B0147RGTJW/

AMETHYST FLAME #2:
http://www.amazon.com/Amethyst-Flame-Book-2-ebook/dp/B014X7RNBY/

DARK FLAME #3:
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Flame-The-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B0173P31Z0/

AMBER FLAME #4:
http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Flame-Book-4-ebook/dp/B01B6XM7IM/

CHRISTMAS FLAME NOVELLA, A Holiday Novella for any time of the year:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019LPE8HK/

The Blood Rose Series…

BLOOD ROSE SERIES BOX SET, 1-2-3, featuring Book #1 Embrace The Dark, Book #2 Embrace The Magic, And Book #3 Embrace The Mystery:
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Rose-Box-Set-Books-ebook/dp/B013IHKGAA/

EMBRACE THE DARK #1 (free at most online retailers):
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Dark-Blood-Rose-ebook/dp/B00B84B8XG

EMBRACE THE MAGIC #2:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Magic-Blood-Rose-ebook/dp/B00EX6ULN4

EMBRACE THE MYSTERY #3:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Mystery-Blood-Caris-Roane-ebook/dp/B00GRXTZ1E

EMBRACE THE PASSION #4:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Passion-Blood-Rose-Series-ebook/dp/B00JU7KZRC/

EMBRACE THE NIGHT #5:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Night-Blood-Rose-Book-ebook/dp/B00NSBLNHC/

EMBRACE THE WILD #6:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Wild-Blood-Rose-Book-ebook/dp/B00OY3AU0E/

EMBRACE THE WIND #8:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Wind-Blood-Rose-Book-ebook/dp/B00SAUHE8S/

BLOOD ROSE TALES BOX SET:
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Rose-Tales-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B00NENS73C/

TO PURCHASE THE BLOOD ROSE TALES SEPARATELY:

TRAPPED:
http://www.amazon.com/Trapped-Blood-Tales-Caris-Roane-ebook/dp/B00I3OEDS0

HUNGER:
http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Blood-Tales-Caris-Roane-ebook/dp/B00J08CUO8

SEDUCED:
http://www.amazon.com/Seduced-Blood-Rose-Tales-Book-ebook/dp/B00N6HHU8O/

The Guardians of Ascension Series…

VAMPIRE COLLECTION (Includes BRINK OF ETERNITY):
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Collection-Eternity-Embrace-Ascension-ebook/dp/B00B0NCPXG

THE DARKENING:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Darkening-Dawn-Ascension-ebook/dp/B00BEXZZPW

AWAKENING:
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Raptures-Edge-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00QQR2EZA/

VEILED:
http://www.amazon.com/Veiled-Raptures-Edge-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00VC05T6M/

The Amulet Series…

WICKED NIGHT/DARK NIGHT (Boxed Set):
http://www.amazon.com/Amulet-Wicked-Night-Dark-ebook/dp/B00CL0J8JM

Find Caris At

Website:
http://www.carisroane.com/

Blog:
http://www.carisroane.com/journal/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Caris-Roane-150858114985050/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/carisroane

Newsletter Sign-Up:
http://www.carisroane.com/

Author of

Guardians of Ascension Series
– Warriors of the Blood crave the
breh-hedden

Dawn of Ascension Series
– Militia Warriors battle to save Second Earth

Rapture’s Edge Series
– Militia Warriors, Luken and Endelle battle to save Third Earth

Blood Rose Series
– Only a blood rose can fulfill a mastyr vampire’s deepest needs

Blood Rose Tales
– Short tales of mastyr vampires who hunger to be satisfied

Men in Chains Series
– Vampires struggle to get free of their chains and save the world

The Flame Series
– Hunky ‘Alter’ warriors battle for control of their world

Excerpt from BLOOD FLAME

BLOOD FLAME

The Flame Series: Book 1

Chapters One, Two and Three

By Caris Roane

Chapter One - BLOOD FLAME

Connor held a spotting scope pressed to his eye. His adrenaline flowed as he levitated high in the air. He was forty feet above the witch, his heart pounding in his chest. He’d tried about a dozen times to leave, but couldn’t since his craving for the Tribunal Public Safety officer had finally tipped the needle into the red zone. He wanted her bad.

As a Border Patrol officer for Crescent Territory, he often spent time surveilling suspects. The problem was Iris Meldeere hadn’t broken the law. She wasn’t part of a Five Bridges drug cartel, she didn’t traffic innocent humans into their sick world, and she definitely kept her hands off the lucrative business of running flame drugs.