Read The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) for Free Online Page A

Darian nodded. “Well, she called me and told me that she’s having twins. Isn’t that wonderful? I wonder if she’s going to have boys or girls or one of each!” she said excitedly.
    Xavier chuckled. “I know that Sergio must be beaming with joy,” he stated matter of factly.
    “Yeah, she said that he was. He’s waiting on her hand and foot, his Queen and mate. I’m so happy for them and they make a beautiful couple,” Natasha said then she looked at Darian. “Don’t you agree?”
    “Of course I agree. I hope that you’re not asking my opinion out of jealousy,” Darian said as he met Natasha’s gaze.
    “No! …No. I was just asking to see if you agreed, that’s all,” she said, it still amazed her just how well Darian could read people.
    He was right, she knew that Elise and he had been lovers in the past, and maybe just the smallest hint of jealousy may have sparked the question. She knew full well that Darian would never go back to Elise, and the relationship that he'd had with her was strictly sexual as far as Darian was concerned, but she couldn’t help but ask anyway.
    “Well, Elise said the morning sickness is the worse, it’s her first time being pregnant and she’s just as nervous as she is excited,” Natasha said.
    “I’m sure she is. If she bares a daughter or daughters, then the position of the Pride’s Queen will be sealed. Her union with Sergio pleases her Pride, I’m sure.” Darian said calmly.
    Natasha was beginning to wonder if they were truly happy for Elise and Sergio. “Why do you two seem less than thrilled?” she asked finally.
    Both men looked at her and smiled.
    “It has nothing to do with me. I’m pleased that Elise is happy finally. However, the fate of her Pride is of no concern to me,” Darian stated.
    Xavier glanced at Darian then back to Natasha.
    “I feel the same as Darian does. I have no direct impact on her Pride. But if they are happy that is all that matters,” he said.
    Natasha looked at both men, sometimes the detachment of the vampires from all other beings concerned her. She didn’t expect them to feel as she felt, but she did expect them to feel . Perhaps they did feel, only they didn’t quite express their feelings the way that she did. Natasha knew that she needed to learn much more about vampires. She had been with them for eight months and she spent the last four months truly opening up to them and their lifestyles. She was still learning and it would take time for her to fully understand them.
    “Darian, some of those things that you mentioned that were out of your reach… were any those the ability to eat food or have children?” Natasha asked curiously.
    “Yes. Many years must pass, perhaps a millennia or two, before I would be able to taste one morsel of food,” Darian said. “Not that I’m terribly anticipating that aspect.”
    “Do you ever miss it?” Natasha asked innocently. “Back in the restaurant, you said you missed food.”
    “I said that I wished I could remember the taste of food. This is true. But I’ve learned from older vampires that the digestion of human food is far less desirable and enjoyable than one would expect. Let’s just say, I would rather take their word for it.”
    “So you’d never eat human food if you had the chance?” Xavier asked.
    Darian thought about his question seriously before answering. “I probably would, but I don’t believe I would make a habit of it.”
    “Do you ever regret not being able to have children?” Natasha asked.
    “At times, I do, but not often. If ever given the choice of mortality over my immortality, I would choose to remain as I am. The greatest thing that has ever happened to me was my immortality. So not being able to have children of my own is an unfortunate loss, but one I am willing to accept.”
    Natasha nodded understanding what Darian’s life meant to him. He was very much like Xavier in that regard. Knowing they’d lost aspects of their humanity, but