Mad Hatter Vampire Prince: A Dark Paranormal Vampire Romance Read online

  MAD HATTER VAMPIRE PRINCE

  Copyright © 2020 by Kia Carrington-Russell

  ISBN: 978-0-6484981-6-2 (Kindle)

  ISBN: 978-0-6484981-7-9 (Paperback)

  The right of Kia Carrington-Russell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  The Mad Hatter Vampire Prince

  A wicked Vampire Novella

  A prequel based on the Token Huntress series.

  By Kia Carrington-Russell

  They called him a clown, who had a crown, and who would never look down on his left.

  For the people were less, and humanity was far from blessed, and would only act as his entertainment.

  He would fixate on some, and bathe in the blood of the rest, for he had been known as a vampire.

  Magnificent, treacherous, and flamboyant as could be.

  But one day appeared, a tiny mouse beside his throne that made him look down to his right in curiosity.

  She had a name, that he would soon learn–but perhaps it would already be too late.

  Thank you to those who are always in my corner encouraging me to do what I love and to live my life free as a bird. You know who you are, and you all inspire me for different reasons. Thank you to the friends that I made during my time in Scotland where I wrote this book. Adventures, laughs and dreams- always.

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  About the Author

  Other Books by Kia Carrington-Russell

  The Mad Hatter Vampire Prince

  “How in God’s name did I get raked into this boredom?” I snarled displeased. I sat on the oversized throne raking my pointed nails against its armchair. The marble room was bright with white tiles and polished as it always had been. The gold trimmings sparkled against the bold glass chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. I uncomfortably sat from side to side on the cushions that were far too used to my brother’s mold instead.

  “For the eighth time that I’m explaining it yet again; your brother had other affairs to attend to and as first prince, it is your responsibility to step in and listen to the people from time to time,” Galador said in his dry and whimsical voice. I flopped myself back dramatically huffing, annoyed that I had somehow agreed. I looked up at the old vampire who looked no older than mid-thirties. He dressed like an outdated housewife with a spark of boring ass butler. I grumbled to myself. How had my company fallen so low? I could be entertaining myself in splendor, instead I was amusing this old bore. I twisted to look at him at a better angle.

  “I wonder, Galador,” I said, now having slight interest in him. “Did you change your hair recently?” Galador’s blue eyes slowly and begrudgingly diverted from the large wooden doors at the end of the exaggerated and lengthy room and fell upon me. He had been serving my family, more specifically my father, and then brother, for hundreds of years. My brother had now been in ruling for seventy-five years. He stuck to the traditions and old ways of my father, which I found utterly primitive. In retrospect, I stayed away from the throne as much as possible because it seemed painfully boring. You had to ask for permission before killing anyone. We were vampires for fuck’s sake! We should be able to fuck, kill, and trick whomever we wanted without thinking of the political maneuver behind it. If being on the top of the food chain and ruling over humans were results of this, I wish we just ate every last one. At least the only temptation of fun was the whisper of war amongst our own kind. It offered me hope because there were a few stray rebels and Kings who knew how to have some fun in this boring world.

  Galador slid his hand over his sleek blonde hair that was never a strand out of place. “No, your majesty, I have not.” No shit. Because you don’t change ever. None of us do. “Now please focus, your first attendee is about to enter.” I grumbled in response as with perfect timing, the large wooden doors at the end of the room opened wide. I stared past the man that strode in. Beyond his broken posture, the world outside this room was bright and glimmered of freedom. I could be out there, minding my own business and crafting my own entertainment.

  We couldn’t stand or persevere through natural sunlight. One of the downfalls of being a creature of the night. But with technological advances our throne and city had been one of few that crafted a dome over our Kingdom. We were able to produce artificial day and night that we could walk amongst without combusting and lumping into a decaying mass. We were no longer simply creatures of the night that could only stalk during the night but advanced to something more, something–

  “Dear God, kill him! That attire is atrocious!” I screamed at the man that was walking towards me. Immediately he looked panicked. “Guards!” I shouted. They began to move from the sides of the walls on my demand. The overfed man became defensive. How boring, why did they always plea for their life? How I prayed for the day that a human would be less predictable and a little more exciting, if only slightly.

  “Kyran!” Galador reprimanded me. “You’re in the throne room. You can’t so quickly choose to a kill a man because of what he is wearing.”

  “People have been killed for less crimes in the past,” I said looking over my shoulder at him. The man was an eyesore. Galador was not impressed. I sighed. It would be so much more entertaining to see the fat man shake in his boots and possibly shit himself. But oh no, Galador was more censored to this leadership business than I was. I sighed again, not because my body needed breath but because I enjoyed its dramatic response. I was disappointed that he really wasn’t going to let me have any fun during this torturous hour. I wavered my hand at the guards who proceeded to step back. Fine. Let the man live.

  “Tha- Thank you, your majesty. I wasn’t aware that it would be Prince Kyran I would be speaking with today,” He stumbled over his words, still trying to regain his shallow breath. Icky human.

  “If you had, would you have brought me a gift in hopes that I would say yes to whatever your overbearing request is?” I threw my legs over the armchair of the throne slumping in it trying to discover any comfortable angle on this tarnished chair. This was already taking far too long.

  The man offered a timid smile and crumpled his paperwork slightly. Fuck, was he going to give me a presentation?

  “Perhaps, so that I don’t inconvenience you. I will come back next month to speak with King Amell?” The man tattered.

  I clasped my hands in joy, the man jumped–frightened. One of my favorite expressions to see. “I think that would work out perfectly, have a nice day!” Without a second of delay the man walked back through the doors with a speed he didn’t come in on.

  “Kyran,” Galador grumbled. “The point of this is so you can aid your brother, not to create a backlog of attendees next month for him.”

  “You’re right… Should I just kill him
?” With Galador’s disapproving glare I knew the answer was no. “Such a buzzkill Galador, when was the last time you had fun?”

  “Bring in the next one!” he shouted to permit the next to come through. I sighed, waiting for the young vampire to take his stride, he seemed far too confident. The little shit irritated me with his cocked swagger.

  “I’m a huge fan,” the vampire said with a smile, his little fangs gleaming with mischief. I smiled back, the impression not reaching my eyes.

  “I’m quite the fan of myself as well,” I said looking at my sharpened nails.

  “I suppose that’s something we will agree on today,” he agreed with a snake’s smile. Surprising; he hadn’t lost his spirit. He began to babble on about needing more currency for his company’s upcoming project. They needed support from the throne so they could hire more laborers. I looked between him and then Galador, entirely bored. How my brother sat through this, seriously baffled me.

  “So, in short,” I cut him off after hearing enough. “You want funds so you can speed up the building process. You’ve come to me with a proposal but what I’m understanding is that you want fancier shit and material for your design and projecting that it’s all in the interest and benefit to your King. None of what you’re telling me actually insinuates it’s going to be built faster or that it will be beneficial to me.”

  “To the Kingdom,” Galador corrected.

  “Yeah, the Kingdom,” I said wavering him off. I could feel the effective eyeroll behind me. “So, son, my word of advice is to work harder and stop holding out your hand for free shit. I’ve been advised that I can’t kill anyone today, but can I chop off his hand?” I swiveled to ask Galador seriously. “Maybe just a few fingers?”

  “Your proposal is rejected. You may leave,” Galador said to the young vampire. I grumbled and slapped my face into my propped hand.

  “Well perceived,” Galador said. I rolled my eyes. It was as if he was praising me like a lecturer would their student. One of the guards reported to Galador that more than half of those who were waiting for an audience today had left. I couldn’t prevent the smirk that so cunningly spread on my face.

  Galador growled and I was so overjoyed that my reputation perceived me. Galador waved his hand, requesting the guards to open the doors yet again. I stared at the opening doors waiting for another pathetic lump to stride in. If it was worse than the previous two, I would undoubtedly find a sudden fixation on the expensive chandeliers. Maybe I would even study the paintings in the room that exemplified our family’s history. Had my life become so boring that staring at antique paintings would be my only form of entertainment for the day?

  A lightly armored human walked in. My eyebrows perked. Her hips swayed with little effort and bold confidence. Her golden hair was tied back tightly as her brown steely eyes fixed on me. She had two swords strapped to her back. Weapons weren’t often allowed in this room. Which meant she was an exception–which concluded she was interesting.

  The light clatter of her shoes echoed throughout the room. I sat upright now entirely intrigued by this beauty. My newfound composure was not missed by Galador who looked at the woman with increased interest. A waft of her natural scented perfume evaded my senses. A very feminine and floral scent mixed with a steely poison that rubbed raw against my nose. An interesting mix. I licked over the points of my fangs, so badly wanting to see if the smell of her was identical to the taste of her blood. I was far too old to lose control from initial distraction. Though I often chose to act on what I wanted impulsively. Instead, I wanted to enjoy her aroma and sunk into a comfier composure in the throne. What fun little mouse had come into my kingdom today?

  “I was under the impression that I’d be meeting with King Amell today,” she said. Her voice was strong and unwavering despite being the only human in a roomful of vampires. Something about her stance told me she could hold her own too, despite the obvious disadvantage. Her sleeveless leather shirt revealed her toned muscles underneath. Arms that were built and strong enough to wield two swords at once. Her stance and harsh brown eyes told me everything I needed to know about her. She was a fighter. She was a warrior. And she was fierce.

  “And instead the Gods have smiled upon you today and presented you before me,” I said with a charming smile that had never failed.

  “Can I have your word that you will take this seriously, or should I leave and wait for the King next month?” she asked abruptly. Although no one moved in the room, I could sense the uncomfortable stature of everyone. They were considering how I might react. No human ever had the audacity to speak to me in such a fine goading way. I let out a monstrous laugh. Oh, she would be fun.

  “You do not speak to the Prince that way,” Galador reprimanded, obviously irritated that I hadn’t already done so myself. “Introduce yourself formally. Don’t offend the throne any further.”

  I propped my elbow up and rested my face in the palm of my hand. I couldn’t help but sweep my gaze up her legs. I had no doubt that her hidden legs were as muscular as the rest of fighting fit body. Her face though–her face was what drew me in so forcefully. She held such a stern expression that probably hadn’t seen laughter for years. It was beautiful. Ruthless, calculated, and unforgiving. A large jagged scar ran down the right side of her neck. Either a vampire had tried to take her life most savagely or someone had cut her deep in a fight. I grasped hard on the armchair. Surprising even myself by how much that disturbed me. What an interesting pull to have towards such a woman, a human of all things. I was aroused by my sudden interest in such a tiny mouse.

  Without apology, she introduced herself. “My name is Sasha Pierce. I’m here in my father’s stead today, Captain Mile Pierce. We stand guard over your walls.” I knew that the last added part was because she assumed, I had no idea who either of them were. It might’ve been close to the truth. Humans guarded our walls so we would never be exposed to the risk of real sunlight. They were the hounds at our doors. They were elite fighters who despite the difference in speed and strength, could hold their own in a fight with the weapons they crafted. They were lovely little guard dogs.

  “And what does this little wall sitter want from me?” I patronized.

  “I want nothing from you,” she said bashfully. I couldn’t contain my smile yet again, which did nothing to unsettle her. “I’ve come to ask the King, if he would allow us to start exhibitions outside of the wall.”

  “That’s preposterous, we already have an elite team for that,” Galador interrupted. I rose my finger to him and he immediately silenced. He was taken aback but didn’t speak another word.

  “Didn’t you say that I was making the decisions today,” I reprimanded him with a cocky grin. I turned to Sasha with a predatory gaze. I had a reputation befitting of me amongst the many Kingdoms of our land. Most either feared me or crazily obsessed over me. But this one was different, no signs of either. I jumped off my seat and with lightning speed, came to a halt to stand in front of her. A breeze swept past her from my speed, but no clothing or hair moved. It was all so tightly pinned back just like this woman. I circled her, assessing her more seriously at a closer advantage.

  Her scent was driving me crazy. I stepped closer and pressed my nose to her neck and inhaled. The surprisingly floral and feminine smell flooded me and inevitably made me thirsty for her. But the pang of copper shortly came through with an undertone of grit to my pallet. My cock began to throb with anticipation. Strange that she hadn’t so much as flinched since I approached her so closely. She just stood, frozen like a well-trained soldier. My cock throbbed for her as I circled once again. I brushed back part of her leather collar to see how far the scar stretched down her neck. I couldn’t see the ending.

  “Who did this to you?” I asked. I wanted to know who and how I could find them. It had been a while since I had ventured on a scavenger hunt.

  “You don’t intimidate me,” was her response. I arched my eyebrows and stood in front of her. I was not oblivious to my own
overpowering presence and physical appearance. Some had proclaimed me as a beautiful death angel. I hadn’t met anyone yet that could so easily look into my crystal blue eyes and not become short of breath. I was glorified in my maddening reputation and looks. But not this woman. My own arrogance began to eat at me alive. I wanted the gratification of her attraction towards me.

  “If not intimidation then do I thrill you in other ways?” I said in a husky tone that would make most whimper and plea. Again, her body gave me no indication of interest. She just matched my stare with those steely brown eyes. Was she… bored?

  “Not in the slightest,” she said. She looked over my shoulder and began to speak to Galador, ignoring me entirely. “There’s been an increase of movement outside the walls during the day which indicates that they are human. If we had scouts further out, we could catch them and bring them back. Your elite vampire team cannot approach them outside the wall while the sun is up. They aren’t enough.”

  “How dare you–” I cut Galador off with a monstrous cackle. I stepped in front of her sight yet again so that she couldn’t see past my shoulders. Her gaze was relentless. I pressed my hand around her throat very slowly in consideration. She didn’t react in anyway. So controlled. Had it been anyone else, I would’ve snapped their neck for ignoring me by now. I contemplated it. Her throat bobbled. She was only human. Slowly she slid her hand behind her back to reach for the handle of her sword. In those few seconds the soldiers that stood silently against the walls stepped forward. I couldn’t help but chuckle. As if I needed such protection from one measly human at that. My brother had become too comfortable within his cushioned position if he was relying on his guards.

  “Although I love the confidence little lamb,” I purred. “You shouldn’t overestimate your own ability and underestimate me. If I desired it, you would already be dead.” I stroked over the jagged scar on her neck. My thumb trailed over it as I contemplated what I would do with this new toy of mine.