The Elusive Sun Read online

  The Elusive Sun

  Etherya’s Earth, Book 2

  By

  Rebecca Hefner

  Copyright © 2019

  RebeccaHefner.com

  To those of us who refuse to give up on true love…even if it seems ever-so-elusive…

  Table of Contents

  Title Page and Copywright

  Dedication

  Map of Etherya’s Earth

  Prologue

  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

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Prologue

  High pitched squeals and laughter echoed off the moonlit trees as the children ran to the river. The first child came to a sudden stop on the grassy riverbank, her long blond curls bouncing with the abrupt movement. She looked down at the gurgling water, contemplating.

  “Why did you stop?” the other child asked, coming to stand beside her and pierce her with his ice-blue gaze.

  The girl wrinkled her nose. “I was getting tired.” Tiny pants exited her lips.

  The boy rolled his eyes. “Girls,” he muttered, kicking the ground with his shoe. “So weak. I can’t wait until I’m the leader of the army. I’ll be the strongest Vampyre that ever lived.” He proudly puffed his chest and straightened his shoulders.

  “Except for your brother,” she said softly.

  Anger flashed across his pale face. “That’s not true. Everyone thinks that Sathan is better than me because he’s already king, even though he’s only eleven. But, I’ll show them!” Tiny fists clenched at his sides. “A king is only powerful when he has a magnificent army. My brother will only be strong because of me.”

  The girl studied him in silence with her deep lavender gaze. “I don’t think that Sathan is better than you.”

  “Even though you’re going to bond with him one day?”

  She sighed and looked at the ground. “Yes,” she said, lowering herself to sit on the spongy grass. “I like Sathan well enough but I wish I was betrothed to…someone else,” she finished after a slight pause.

  “Who?” he asked, sitting down beside her.

  Small shoulders shrugged as her hands fidgeted together on her lap. “I don’t know. Someone who I have more in common with I guess.”

  The boy tucked a strand of his shoulder-length straight black hair behind his ear. “We have a lot in common. I think you’re my best friend.” He swallowed and looked away, embarrassed by his admission.

  She reached over and grabbed his hand, her lavender irises filled with excitement. “You’re definitely my best friend. Maybe I can bond with you instead of Sathan!”

  The boy looked at their joined hands and then lifted his gaze to hers. “It won’t ever happen.” He shook his head. “You are to be queen. It was mandated by Etherya herself. We can’t change it.”

  She huffed and pulled her hand back, crossing her arms across her chest. “Then we can just run away. How can they force me to bond with someone?”

  “I’m sorry, Lila,” he said, touching her knee through her dress. “I would bond with you if I could.”

  She lifted her tear-filled gaze to his. “Run away with me, Lattie. Surely we can find a breech in the wall that surrounds the compound.”

  Latimus’ stubby fingers squeezed her knee. “You know that Etherya erected the protective wall herself. I won’t know how to open it until I become commander of the army. It will be several years before I know the secret.”

  “Will you remember? When you become leader of the army and learn how to escape the compound will you remember to run away with me? I need to know that you won’t forget me. I love you.” Her chin quivered.

  The boy nodded. “I’ll remember. I promise. In a few decades if you still don’t want to bond with Sathan, I’ll help you escape.”

  “Oh, thank you!” Lila threw her arms around him and clutched tight, rocking back and forth.

  Pulling back, he smiled at her. Their gazes locked, eyes widening as they held each other. She bit her lip, studying him. Their faces were only inches apart.

  “We should go back inside,” he whispered.

  “Yes.”

  But neither moved; both held immobile by an unseen force. Slowly, she inched toward him, not stopping until she touched her tiny pink lips to his slightly larger red ones.

  Their hearts beat furiously in their eight-chambered chests as they experienced the rush that can only come with a first-ever kiss.

  “Lila!” a voice shrilled behind them. “How dare you!”

  The children pulled away with a gasp, each standing up and brushing off their clothes, their eyes downcast.

  “You are the betrothed of the Vampyre king, not his brother,” the woman spat, looking at Latimus. “He isn’t fit to tie your shoes, much less touch you!” She grabbed the girl’s arm, pulling her away from the riverbank.

  “I’m sorry, Aunt,” Lila said breathlessly, unable to meet Latimus’ gaze. “We were just playing.”

  “I’ve already forbidden you to play with him!” The woman turned to Latimus, shaking her finger at him. “If you ever approach my niece again I will have you banished. You are not good enough to touch her! You will never be your brother! Do you understand me?”

  “I’m sorry, Ananda,” the boy said, lifting his chin and facing her with strength. “I take full responsibility. I won’t seek her out again. I didn’t know you had forbidden her to see me.” His icy gaze flashed with an anger that seemed too intense for a nine-year old.

  The woman shook her head and roughly pulled her niece’s arm. “Come, Lila. You are late for your classes.”

  The girl trailed behind her aunt, her blond curls bouncing furiously. She turned, gazing at the boy with watery eyes, and mouthed, “I’m sorry”.

  He stood firm, his arms crossed, watching her being dragged away. His heart was pounding in his chest, as if the organ knew that it would never be whole again. In that moment, Latimus decided that he would never give himself to another person freely. What was the point, when you were always second-class; second-best?

  Kicking the ground with the toe of his shoe, he turned to stare at the river…and said a silent goodbye to his best friend Lila, the girl who was promised to his brother.

  Chapter 1

  The Vampyre compound of Astaria, 1000 years later…

  “Thank you all for coming. We’ve got a bit of an announcement.”

  Lila smiled expectantly at her queen, Miranda, as she addressed them. Standing at the head of the long conference table, she was dwarfed by her bonded husband at her side. Lila sat in the chair to their right and was surrounded by the rest of their family.

  Arderin, sister to King Sathan, sat to her right. Heden, Sathan’s youngest brother and Darkrip, the queen’s half-brother filled out the rest of the seats on her side of the table. Latimus, Sathan’s younger brother by less than two years, and Kenden, Miranda’s beloved cousin, sat across from her.

  “Let’s get on with it,” Latimus muttered, his ever-present scowl marring his handsome face. Lila had always thought him so attractive, with his angular features, ice-blue eyes and straight black, shoulder-length hair. He’d secured it with a leather strap, showcasing his slight widow’s peak. “We were in the middle of training the soldiers on the TEC.”

  “Don’t interrupt my wife,” Sathan said, glaring at Latimus.

  “Your wife can speak for herself,” Miranda said, tilting her head back and giving him an impertinent look.

  Sathan scrunched his face at her, his affection for her obvious in the playful gesture.

  “But seriously, don’t interrupt me,” she said to Latimus.

  He sighed and crossed his arms over his massive chest. Lila noticed the bulging muscles on his biceps and forearms. As the commander of the powerful Vampyre army, he was the largest man she had ever seen. The raw strength he possessed almost made her shiver as she glanced at him.

  “It’s still too early for us to tell the people but since you’re all family we wanted you to know.” Grabbing her husband’s hand, Miranda broke into a huge smile. “We’re pregnant. I’m about twelve weeks along.”

  Arderin shrieked beside her and jumped from her seat. Running to Miranda, she enveloped her in a huge hug, running her hand over Miranda’s raven-colored silky bob. “I knew it,” she said, looking down at the queen. “I saw you puking, like, a hundred times over the past few weeks and I just knew you were preggers!”

  Miranda laughed and nodded. “You’re too smart for your own good. I thought you knew.” They embraced again and Lila’s heart warmed.

  Miranda and Arderin had met under peculiar circumstances, but over the past year they had formed a solid bond. They were also the two women who challen
ged Sathan the most, and their shared playful antagonism of him was a source of common ground. Arderin was her most beloved friend, and she had grown to love Miranda as well. Their connection was wonderful to behold.

  Standing with the others, Lila rushed to give Miranda a hug, smiling into her magnificent olive-green eyes. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “You’re next,” Miranda whispered, surreptitiously glancing behind her toward Latimus.

  Lila breathed a laugh. “My eternal optimist. I love that about you.”

  Turning, she lifted her arms to embrace Sathan, the man she had been betrothed to for a thousand years. The goddess Etherya had decreed her his betrothed when she was a baby. Being that she was descended from aristocracy, her blood almost as pure as his, Etherya had thought her a worthy future queen and mother for Sathan’s heirs. Until Miranda came along and swept Sathan under her spell.

  “You’re finally going to have your heir,” she said, staring into Sathan’s dark irises. “I’m thrilled for you both.”

  Sathan pulled her into his chest, squeezing firmly. “Thank you,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on her blond head. “Not so long ago it would’ve been us making this announcement.” Pulling back, he smiled. “Until you decided you’d rather be a diplomat than bond with me.”

  Lila laughed, shaking her head at his teasing. In truth, they had never loved each other passionately. Although she had always loved and honored him as her king, her heart had secretly longed for another. When he’d fallen for Miranda she had gladly ended their betrothal, wishing him genuine happiness.

  “I didn’t stand a chance against Miranda. She’s amazing.”

  “So are you,” he said, hugging her close once more. Whispering in her ear, he said, “Give my brother time. He’ll come around. It’s obvious he cares for you.”

  Lila detached from his embrace, doubting his words. Latimus’ distaste for her was much more obvious than any feelings of affection. Choosing not to dwell on it, she observed her family.

  That’s what they had become to her, although she shared no blood with anyone in the room. Yet Sathan had incorporated her into their unit as if she was one of them. Arderin and Heden were her most precious confidants and she had grown very fond of Kenden. Darkrip was mysterious and brooding, but he had never bothered her so she let him be.

  Latimus…well, he was an entirely different matter altogether. If she was honest, she had probably loved him since they were children. Memories of them playing together along the riverbank, all those centuries ago, swarmed her as she watched him embrace Miranda. He and the queen were close and his smile for her was genuine. Lila’s heartbeat quickened at his hulking form, his palm cupping the Slayer’s cheek. When he wasn’t scowling he was absolutely gorgeous.

  “Oh my god,” Arderin said, pulling her from her musings. “How exciting is this? We have to throw her a shower!” She clutched her wrists and Lila grinned at the intense squeeze.

  “Of course. We’ll do it together.”

  “I’ll be the DJ,” Heden announced to the room.

  “No!” was the unified response and they all chuckled. Heden, the carefree youngest royal sibling, was known to be the partyer of the group. He always extended their banquets several hours by taking over the DJ duties, which had become a source of amusement for them all.

  “We don’t exactly know when the baby will come,” Miranda said. “Slayer babies have a nine month gestation period but Vampyre babies gestate for fifteen months. Since this is the first Slayer-Vampyre hybrid ever, we’re winging it. We’ll need your help along the way. Sadie and Nolan are aware and will monitor everything,” she said, referencing the physicians for each main compound. “My body isn’t used to having a Vampyre inside it and Sadie has warned me that my morning sickness is going to be severe. If I blow chunks on you don’t blame me. You can blame my blood-sucking husband.”

  “Hey,” Sathan said, pulling her into his side with his beefy arm.

  Miranda bit her lip and winked up at him, love for him swimming in her olive-green eyes. “Unless Latimus is being a dick. Then I’m probably barfing because he’s pissing me off.”

  Latimus rolled his eyes, shaking his head at her joke. “Well, there went the mood. I’m heading back to the troops. You coming?” he said, addressing Kenden.

  “In a minute,” the chestnut-haired Slayer said. “I want to talk to Miranda and then I’ll be down.”

  “Fine.” Nodding to Miranda and Sathan, he stalked out.

  Lila observed everyone embrace once more. Love and happiness filled the room. It was a beautiful moment. As she stood, something flitted in her chest. Perhaps it was longing. Perhaps it was loneliness. Whatever it was, it left her slightly unsettled.

  Bidding good night to them, she quietly left the conference room for the privacy of her chambers.

  * * * *

  Latimus stood on the hill under the light of the slitted moon, watching the troops train. They sparred with each other, Vampyre amongst Slayer, and he was pleased. For a thousand years he had commanded the Vampyre army. Since the night of the Awakening, when the Slayer King Valktor murdered his parents, King Markdor and Queen Calla, his people had been forced to raid the Slayers for their blood.

  Sathan had always struggled with the raids, his need to feed his subjects battling with the knowledge that so many Slayer lives would be lost to his powerful army. Latimus had never shared his brother’s internal conflict. He was born to be the commander, strength and fortitude emanating from his every pore. Although war and death were tragic, he saw them as necessary. A means to the end of keeping his people alive. Granting his people’s safety and security would be his greatest legacy.

  Kenden came to stand beside him, his six-foot-two frame dwarfed by Latimus’ own six-foot-nine build. There was a firm, calm strength that emanated from the Slayer. He had been Latimus’ greatest foe for centuries, the commander of the Slayer army. After the Awakening, no one had expected the Slayers, smaller and weaker, to build a competent army. Kenden had defied them all and assembled a magnificent military, shrewd and adept.

  Kenden’s mind was quick. The Slayer was calm when challenged, agile when threatened, cunning when faced with an underestimated foe. Latimus’ strength and combat skills, combined with Kenden’s calculating mind and cleverness, had now led them here. They possessed the most powerful combined army on Etherya’s Earth.

  “The troops seem to be adept at using the TEC,” Kenden said, observing the men spar.

  Latimus nodded. “They’ve got it. We need to plan the attack to get the Blade back.”

  “Agreed. I’m thinking the next full moon.”

  “Yep,” Latimus said, thoughtfully chewing the gum he’d thrown in his mouth. “Two hundred troops? A hundred Vampyres and a hundred Slayers?”

  “That should do it,” Kenden said.

  Latimus continued to chomp his gum as they silently assessed their men.

  “I can’t believe Miranda is pregnant,” Kenden said finally. “My little cousin is having a baby. It’s amazing.”

  “Sathan’s been consumed with fucking her since they first met. It was only a matter of time.”

  “Um, yeah,” Kenden said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t really want to discuss my cousin’s sex life or frequency thereof.”

  Latimus breathed a laugh. “Sorry.”

  “And what of you? Do you have plans to bond with anyone?”

  Latimus shrugged. “Never really interested me. I was born to be the commander. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.”

  Kenden nodded. “I hear ya. Being an army commander never afforded me the opportunity to settle down. But seeing them so happy is nice. It makes me think there might be other things to consider once we defeat the Deamons.”

  Latimus remained silent, struggling to push the image of Lila’s breathtaking face from his mind. Frustratingly, it remained, haunting him as it always did. She was the most gorgeous creature he’d ever seen. Long, wavy blond hair, austere features, cheekbones that human models would kill for. But it was her eyes that entranced him. They were a vibrant violet color that he had never seen on another. It was if her irises had been formed from the leaves of the wet lavender flowers that grew by the riverbank. They were stunning.

  He had closed his heart to her long ago since she was promised to Sathan. Never begrudging his brother for their betrothal, he accepted that Sathan was the better man who could give her the precious children that she craved. Lila was extremely traditional and he often heard her speak about how she wanted many offspring. As the army commander, he often wondered if he possessed the skills to parent effectively. Intense combat training had taught him that emotion was weak; compassion wasted.