The Priest's Assassin

V.C. Willis

Description

The Prince of Bloodeaters has risen, but at what price will it cost? Will his soul and love be broken before mastering his drive for blood?


In fear of Falco's back up plan, Dante and John will join Princess Sonja and Royal Knight Valiente back to Captiva City. They plan on proposing a peace treaty with King Regius and search for answers about the origin of Soul Weapons.


Escorted by the Master Assassin Red Wine, Dante discovers family secrets he didn't expect to come forth. No longer satisfied as being John's shield, Dante trains with Red Wine to become not only a deadly assassin, but in order to master the art of fighting in the way his brother Ashton had once done. Finding out the missing links to everyone in his life and those who came before, Dante needs to be willing to take up his crown in order to protect John.


John believes those answers might be hidden in the catacomb library under The Church's cathedral. As the journey unfolds, he is guilt stricken with the changes and struggles Dante endures. Hellbent on supporting his love at any costs, he’s willing to put his life on the line to protect Dante. He sees the hunger in his eyes, sees how broken he returns from training, and from a distance watches helpless wondering how far with Dante go without his help.


Travelling proves difficult with hired mercenaries left in Falco’s wake, Fallen Arbor taking up interest in capturing Dante, and the Berserk Brigade looking to cash in on the bounty on their heads. Meanwhile, their relationship grows in unexpected ways and both struggle to keep their intimate desires hidden from the enemies who may take advantage.


This book is a great jump on a refreshing male male romance with fantasy elements. Swords, knights, vampires, plague, moody steeds, and more add to the center romance of two broody men madly in love with one another. Readers who enjoyed the chemistry and romance of The Captive Prince Trilogy by CS Pacat as well as the broody, vampire vibes from JR Ward’s The Black Dagger Brotherhood will enjoy reading this sizzling spin on vampire romances.


We invite you to share your favorite quotes and moments with #TeamJohn or #TeamDante or #TeamJonte!

Sujets

• Fantastique
• Romance fantastique
• Bit-Lit
• Paranormal
• Fiction
• Romance
• Vampires

Informations

• Publié par: 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
• Date de parution: 30 novembre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781644501665
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Table o f Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Traibon F amily Saga
About the Author





The Priest’s Assassin
Traibon Family Sag a Book 2
Copyright © 2021 V.C. WIllis All rights re served.


4 Horsemen Publicatio ns, Inc.
1497 Main St. S uite 169
Dunedin, FL 34698
4horsemenpublicat ions.com
info@4horsemenpublicat ions.com
Cover by Valeri e Willis
Typesetting by Aut umn Skye
Editor Jen Paquette
All rights to the work within are reserved to the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please contact either the Publisher or Author to gain per mission.
This is book is meant as a reference guide. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. All brands, quotes, and cited work respectfully belongs to the original rights holders and bear no affiliation to the authors or pu blisher.
Library of Congress Control Number: 20 21941806
Print ISBN: 978-1-644 50-167-2
Audio ISBN: 978-1-644 50-334-8
E-Book ISBN: 978-1-644 50-166-5


Priest, Pr e st, o r Prestere
Pronunciati on /prēst/
1. An ordained minister of a church having the authority to perform certain rites and administer certain s acraments.
2. a person who performs religious ceremonies a nd duties.
3. Ancient Greek and Latin for “elder (of two)”, “old”, “ venerable”






Chapter 1
Red Wine in th e War Room
T he ring of eyes around the war table all stared silently, waiting for me to say something about what incited them to throw angry words at one another. This isn’t my place to be sitting here, but… Even a matter as trivial as who would be escorting Princess Sonja Regius and Royal Knight Valiente Animamea back to Captiva City seemed to bring the worst out in those who sat across this wooden plane. Winter had started to show signs of fading, the muddy ground peeking through snowy fields and icicles melting away to puddles on the streets. Scanning the room, I refused to give up my stoic silence. My thoughts still circled back to all that had unfolded—starting w ith Falco.
What I wouldn’t give to have my mask on right now to hide my expression. In the end, all I care about is making sure I go where John goes. He seems set on heading back to Captiva City. After our encounter with the Fanged Lady, only the library in the Cathedral’s catacombs might still hold some answers for what vile magic created the wretched thing. To think it was Falco’s mother’s soul inside the blade all this time… But I want to know why. For what purpose did the Vendecci family have with a weapon like that? How did they do it? Does this mean magic really exists in the world? And at what cost?
“Crowned Blood Prince Traibon.” My royal title shook me from my thoughts, bringing me back to the mutterings before me. “We’d appreciate your opinion on this matter.” Royal Guard and King’s Regent Ruth Burns never asked for a thing. This was a demand, her way of calling me to do my royal duty even after abandoning it long ago. “We’re waiting for at least some opinion from Your Majesty, whether it be agreeing or disagreeing. Say something , cousin.”
Leaning back in my chair, I drummed my fingers on the table, taking stock of them all, including the shouted words I had paid no heed to moments before. Like my father had done, I scanned them, bouncing from face to face, earning arched brows in anticipation of my lips parting. Ruth scoffed at my rebellion. She had seen this move and knew all too well I aimed to tak e my time.
What does she expect me to say? I may be the Blood Prince, but is it really so easy for me to claim this chair as if I didn’t renounce my title over a decade ago? And being a bloodeater this late puts me at a dis advantage…
Having a bloodeater’s senses had changed my understanding of how my father was so clever in the past. The way their scents floated in the air, the shifts in their heartbeats and breaths, and even the movements their bodies: it told me volumes of their emotional and physical states. My silence had been more than a refusal to take on my role as the Crown Blood Prince of The House, but a realization I was in over my head as a bloodeater. I can’t tell if I’m nauseated or excited. The added strength had been manageable. I knew my body and how to limit myself or when to push myself physically; the old farmer taught that much to me . As for my senses—no. My cravings had been unnerving me more every day.
I feel thirsty, yet no cup of wine nor water can satisfy me. And when it sets my throat on fire, my only thought is… John locked gazes with me and tilted his head as if sensing the foul thoughts. I shouldn’t think of his smell and flavor every time I think about food. Will there be a day I won’t be able to resist this? I went back to searching the other’s faces for answers to my own internal struggles when at last I met the heated gaze of Royal Knight Valiente.
“Are you just going to ogle us to death?” drawled Valiente, running a hand through his loose locks of dark, wavy hair. “Lives are at stake, and it seems you do n’t care—”
“It seems you have the matter all worked out.” I shrugged in annoyance, snorting John’s scent from my nose. “Let me recap all that I’ve hear d. May I?”
They all glanced to one another, murmuring, and nodded for me to continue as they settled into their seats. Calming heartbeats in my ears signaled they were ready to listen. Leaning forward, I inhaled deeply, taking in everything their bodies betrayed, and did what I had seen my father do a million times at this very table. To think I would finally get to be the one to unravel the war room on my own accord. This is what it meant to be a Blood Prince, and what it meant to challenge a Traibon by coming into our war room and watch as we dominate all who dare to enter.
They began to shuffle, even physically sweat. A smirk crested my face as a memory echoed from a time my father settled an argument between two farmers over a pig. He knew the pig didn’t belong to either of them. And now, I understood how he’d figured it out so precisely.
“Ruth, you intend to be the second knight in Princess Sonja’s sentry.” I gestured to each of them as I named them in my retelling, and recognition lit up their faces as I continued around the room. “And Father John here wants to travel with you as a farmer and not as a priest. Then—” Narrowing my eyes, my smirk dropped, and their hearts fluttered, and breaths stilled. “—I’m expected to ride all the way to Captiva City as the Crown Blood Prince of The Court.” Silence fell over them as they all digested how I consolidated an hour-long squabble in mere seconds. “You sound like a bunch of children playing pretend going on vacation to grandmere’s house across the flower field. Your plan is as disheveled as your attempts to work together.”
They winced, and before anyone could counter, I pushed forward with the details they had missed. They wanted my words, whether agreeing or disagreeing, and they shall have them.
“Ruth can’t go.” Huffing, I cut her words off before she could begin her rebuttal. “My fa—the King has already dubbed you his official voice and escort. You are Regent, not me, and he did not make that choice lightly.”
Ruth blinked. “I suppose you’ re right.”
“You,” I pointed to John, then to Sonja, “and you will leave here in the same manner you arrived: as a priest and the mother superior of The Church . Word has travelled over the cold months; they’ll be looking for a royal regime coming south from Glensdale since they are looking for a prince and princess. Instead, you should be clergymen travelling in warmer weather back to the cathedral for study or to report to the ar chbishop.”
“That’s good.” Valiente nodded. “But that leaves the matte r of you.”
“What of me?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m simply a bodyguard for the Father of G lensdale.”
Ruth asked, exasperated, “You aren’t really going to continue to act like an assassin stil l, Dante?”
“I haven’t stopped being that.” My words slammed into them, bodies tensing al l around.
John folded his brow, and the frown on his lips told me more than enough. He hated the fact I refused to give up on this promise to be his sword and shield until the day he drew his last breath. No matter how much he pressed to change my mind over it, that final moment against Falco had made it clear. Only I would ever be capable of protecting what I cherish most in this world. They were all angry, frustrated because they knew my words had trut h to them.
Be smart when you start travelling with him. Carry on like low-class citizens, and you’ll skirt under the eyes of those who hunt you. Snorting, the old farmer’s words snuck into my mind. Cold winter nights spent discussing tactics and prying how he had survived with Viceroy Falco’s men out hunting him all t