Disclaimer: This story is meant as a tribute to Cassandra Clares's amazing writings. No copyright infringement is intended.

The Forbidden

It was twilight on that cooler autumn day the last of the sunlight saying a sort of goodbye. Deep within the forest a group had gathered, a roaring fire was crackling the only other sound that could be heard aside from where the occasional yells of pain coming from the nude woman nearby. Her head was laying on the lap of the woman who was given an encouraging smile and words of support while holding her hand.

A large group of hooded black cloaked people was gathered around her. The group was diverse in size a clear indicator that not all that were present there were adults. This had been going on for hours; the group had arrived early in the afternoon preparing the fire just a few hours after their arrival. Considering it was fall, the weather was considerably cold. The woman was a beauty with thick gold blond locks and eyes a combination of amber, tawny and gold, the pregnancy had somehow brought out more of her splendor. She was already in an awkward uncomfortable position before the real pain began, but the ceremony had to transgress ahead of the upcoming event if her child would ever have a chance. Removing her cloak it revealed her very pregnant and nude body to those who had attended the birth of her child. Thankfully the ceremony was a short one that bounded her blood with the blood of every adult, and nearing the age of adulthood female, there assuring the child would receive good fortune and love from all. Silly notion was her opinion on the whole, but given her circumstances she was not going to chance anything.

Her baby would be needing this, every vampire child born in this world needed the blessings of those present, specially hers for she knew that she was not survive the birth of her first and only child. It had been the diagnosis given by the royal vampire physician. "If you make to near full term consider it a miracle. You have develop a virus that not harming the baby it is killing your body and will kill you in the end", were the words he said. She was given the choice terminate and save herself or face death. Her entire family was dead, she chose the latter. Her parents had been murdered by a pack of werewolves when their carriage was attacked returning home from a party thrown by the royal family when she was 12 years old in vampire years—technically she had been alive for 120 years at the time. Vampires only age and mature emotionally, mentally and physically one year every 10 human years, the process began at the age of five—. Five years ago it was her husband, again at the hands of the rabid hoard during battle. No children—other than the child she currently within her—, no siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, even her grandparents were dead. She was alone in the world, the only company left was that of the staff that cared for the grounds of the family's mansion and even they had families to see when the day was done.

Nevertheless, what really gave Celine Herondale, formerly Celine Herondale-Montclaire, uneasiness was the knowledge of the people surrounding her. Here she was having a child, a bastard child nonetheless, requesting blessings from the wife of the man she had been in a very intimate and passionate relationship with. She had been so lonely and vulnerable and it started a few weeks after the third anniversary of her husband's death. Maryse's husband had insisted on ensuring she got home safe since by the time she arrived the staff would have already gone to their homes and the mansion would be dark and silent. "Not a good way to arrive home, Celine", were the words that sealed her fate. For a year their affair carried on in secret, but when she discovered that she was with child and her survival was none Celine knew that the secret was annulled. Incredibly Maryse had been both forgiving and generous. She promised and swore a blood oath that she would care, raise and love the child as if it were her own child.

The clan leader, Robert Lightwood—king of the Daylighter vampires and all children of the night—, he had a wife and family of his own. His oldest son 3 year old Sebastian, 18 month old Alec and his wife just found out that she was carrying his third child a few days ago. She observed young Sebastian in his young 3 vampire years and his not understanding that the "fat lady", as he called her, naked woman on the forest floor was going to give him a baby brother or sister at any moment now. Her child had decided to come into the world 2 months before she was full term, but unlike with humans vampire children were safe to enter the world after six months. Celine wondered what Sebastian would look like at the age of five when the maturation process for vampires commences.

"Ahhh!" Another severe shot of pain hit Celine and she couldn't help but scream and squeeze the hand she was holding all the more tighter.

"It's ok. We're almost done." Maryse's soothed and comforted her.

"I can see the head!" Valentine Morgenstern, royal vampire physician announced, assisted by his cousin—or more like brother— and fellow physician, Hodge Starkweather. "Baby has a full head of golden-blond hair just like yours Celine." He said excitement reining in his voice.

But Celine was beyond comprehension already she felt her body weakened and drained and if wasn't just from the exertion of the birthing the only child she would ever have. She had taken all the precautions necessary and left no affairs out of order. Everything she owned and every account would be placed in her child's name upon her passing, Maryse would adopt her baby as well, ensuring it would be raised in a loving home with both mother and father. She had picked names for both since she didn't know what the child would be. Maryse had been kind enough to help through it all, and was there for everything, even the naming. Jonathan Christopher Lightwood if it was a boy, Sarah Rose Lightwood if a girl was born.

"One more final push, Celine. You can do it!" Maryse fostered.

"Yes, Celine. Just one more and our child will be here. Please, I want our child to see you at least once in their life." Robert spoke for the first time in hours; his voice gentle and optimistic.

And so she did, with all the strength her body could muster.

"That's it! That's it!... One shoulder, the other…" Valentine announced "Baby is out." In his hands was the tiny crying body of an infant baby boy. Jocelyn Morgenstern, his wife waited quiet and patiently with blankets to clean and wrap the child. She too had found out that she's pregnant with their first child. "It's a boy! You have a son Celine, Robert." Delight he handed the boy to his wife. She proceeded to cleanse and cover the boy from the cold.

"My baby." Celine sat up and reached for the boy that Jocelyn was returning. "Hey, you, hi." She cooed, holding the boy close. She breathed in the baby's scent, inhaling the sweet smell of her son creating a lasting memory. Looking at all who gathered to behold the birth of her son she was thankful. The Lightwoods and Morgensterns (for obvious reasons), the soon to be Starkweathers, Lewis, Penhallows, Waylands, Blackthorns, all of them loyal families and members of the royal court. They had frowned and voice their disdain over their king's infidelity and her participation in it, but hence Maryse moved forward. As the king and queen they had also moved passed what could not be changed to join in the birth of new royal blood. She had forgiven her husband's indiscretion, not worth having any friction when he was genuine in his love for me.

"What's his name?" Robert wanted to know.

"Jonathan. Jonathan Christopher Lightwood." Celine gave a weak smile.

Celine was already feeling her body weighing not much longer before death claimed her, maybe an hour. She wished she could nurse her baby, but with the mysterious virus her body developed it caused concern at her son contracting it. Nonetheless, she would enjoy every second that she had left with him. Ten fingers, ten toes, chubby cheeks, a thick dark golden-blond mane like hers and astoundingly he had her family's amber, tawny and gold tone eyes. On his shoulder he also had a birthmark much like the one she had on the back of her neck a mark like a star. Yes the boy was her son through and through. Tears formed in her eyes, pink tears tinged with blood, she felt heartbeat slowing.

The child's sudden wails alerted those who were there that he was hungry. Two very sharp little fangs descend from his diminutive gums and vampire babies needed a little something more than just their mother's milk.

Hearing his cries Maryse undid the ties to her robes exposing her naked torso to every man, woman and child present at little Jonathan's birth. "May I?", she asked.

Mournfully Celine handed her son to Maryse.

Taking the boy in her arms, and cradling him with one arm, Maryse placed her breast near the boy's mouth and waited for him to realize his nourishment was right there for the taking. Memories from when her own sons at this age flooded Maryse's mind. They too didn't take her breast at first, both had needed some coercion.

"Robert?" Maryse looked at her husband and gave him a knowing smile as if saying some help please.

Robert knew exactly what to do, his fingernails elongated. Gently he pinched his wife's nipple drawing a very thin trickle of blood, too bad no matter how gentle he was it still hurt.

Blood.

Source of food and survival for all vampires and they were no exception, at even the faintest hint of fresh blood, no matter how thin or small, it always put every vampire on alert with fangs lengthened. Yes, vampires could use normal human food, though it did scarcely to provide what blood could.

Hisses were heard throughout, as the boy used his fangs and strength to latch onto the nipple of his adoptive mother's breast.

Maryse gasp from the pain it caused, even for the small size of baby fangs they still pack quite a punch. She caressed her new son's soft baby hairs remembering when her sons were that small. It surprised her how few small features the baby inherit from his father. Pointed chin and nose; only time will tell if he has high cheekbones like his father or any other particulars for that matter. Nevertheless, curiosity got the best of her and she undid the lower part of blankets. Oh, yes! You are Robert's son alright, noting how "well-endowed" the boy was just like his brothers and their father.

Jealousy stab at Celine's heart it should be her breast feeding her son, her blood nourishing and strengthening the boy's body and vampire abilities. But she also knew why she couldn't; this virus was too dangerous to risk her son's life. Dizziness began to plague her and out of nowhere….

Loud chorus of gasps were heard suddenly drawing Robert and Maryse's attention back to what is happening.

Following the gaze of those present Robert and Maryse to gasp, there a few feet from them was Celine Herondale. Her body shaking and convulsing violently with strange painful squeals and cries. Because of their heightened senses they could also hear her heart beating wildly and erratically.

Then silence.

Just as sudden her body stopped, laying perfectly still, they all knew it was done.

Unable to stand Robert nearly crawled approaching her body. He reached her at the same time as Valentine had, having been too dumbfounded to move any faster.

"She's gone." Valentine announced somberly, kneeling he closed her eyes and covered her naked body.

Robert took her hand hugging it to his chest. Their affair was never supposed to happen, nor should've lasted as long as it have. He loved Maryse too much, since they were very young. Then one day when he was 15 years old—or more like a 150—his parents announced that they had arranged for him to marry a girl suitable to be queen and carry on the Lightwood line. At first he had been furious, and then delighted at who her identity was.

Maryse had been very poised and forgiving of his and Celine's indiscretion on top of the humiliating fact that he had impregnated her. To then agree to mother and love his bastard child!? His wife was nothing short of a saint and he didn't deserve her.

"Robert?"

His thoughts interrupted by Hodge.

"We must perform the funeral ceremony now."

"I know." Robert whispered and kissed her hand one last time standing.

Allowing the others to cover and wrap Celine's body in stark white blankets. Prayers were chanted and her body thrown in fire. Once the fire died down all her ashes were gathered into an urn to be spread over her favorite area in the forest overlooking a waterfall. As the urn's covering was to placed back on Maryse called out.

"Wait, please." Taking off the pendant she'd been wearing. "Robert, scoop some of Celine's ashes into the vile that hangs on my pendant. I hope that doesn't sound too morbid, I do want for Jace to have a piece of his mother of sorts with him."

"Jace?"

"Yes, Jace combine his initials and that's what you get isn't it? I honestly wasn't particularly fond of the name Celine had chosen, but considering the others on the list— Jonathan Christopher was the best one trust me." She half grinned.

"Don't you like it as a nickname for our new son?"

"It's alright I supposed." Robert would agree to anything Maryse wanted for the time being, he wanted to earn back the shattered trust. Though she never expressed any contempt; at first there had been shock, then anger and then what through him for aloof, forgiveness. What's done can't be undone and the child is not to blame for it parents indiscretions, were the words she said to both Celine and him when they together confessed to the actions which had another woman with his child.

"Jace Lightwood has nice ring to it, besides it is only a nickname."

"It sure does." Jocelyn agreed smiling.

All who were left now was Valentine, Jocelyn, Hodge, Elodie Velarc—Hodge's fiancée—and the children. The others had little by little departed after the final part of the funeral—the burning of the body—was done.

For the first time all day tears flowed from Maryse's blue eyes. She had been graceful, strong, lenient and now a mother to a child not her own. Could I do this? Could mother and love this child? Why had I been forgiving? Neither one was deserving. The tears were of both rage and heartache.

"Maryse what's wrong?"

"Don't speak to me Robert!" She stood for the first time from the spot she had been since it all began. Fury reign on her voice.

I knew this was coming. Why had he thought this would never come to pass, "Maryse, please."

"No, Robert! Just stop it! I can't do this right now. Sebastian, Alec and Jace need me at the moment. You," she gave him an icy ire filled glare, "can wait."

Taking the children she left. Her vampire speed aiding greatly creating no work at all of making her retreat a hasty effortless one.

Placing a comforting hand on his "brother's" shoulder Valentine said the words that would stay with him for the rest of his life….

"It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Thomas Paine, my friend can't remember the exact source at the moment."

"I can't believe I got into this mess. Me! I have done nothing but love one woman since I was a child. Then what do I do, I go for my cousin's widow on the third anniversary of his death. Stephen Montclaire, cousin… No, brother, wherever you are please forgive me." Robert grabbed chunks of his hair.

"You have to give it time, Robert." Jocelyn tried to give him reassuring words. "Maryse is just overwhelmed at the moment. I'll make sure she's ok." She hugged and kissed her husband sweetly.

Robert knew that his friends were right only time will tell what the future held. He would be there for his wife, his three sons and the child that was growing in her womb…

"My lord," One of his guard said arriving several minutes after the queen's departure his breathing uneven and slightly raged from running all the way from the castle. "we found this." He held out a vile that had a strong odor of blood and some odd ingredients.

What took the king surprise was the strong smell of werewolf's blood vile contained. "Where did you find it?" He questioned.

"While on patrol, I heard something coming from the east area of the castle. A ruffle of leaves of sorts. I would've ignored it and left for woodland creatures, but the it sounded too loud for it to be a small animal." The knight's guard paused momentarily. "I called for someone to watch my post while I and a companion checked to see what could it be. As we got closer to where the sound came from I smelled the pungent odor of wolves. We proceeded with caution, but the animal took off before we who it really was. They had left that" He pointed to vile. "In its haste to flee."

"Hogde, what do you make of this?" The physician took the vile inhaling the remnants of it. After a moment he paled—as pale as a vampire could—throwing the vile into the fire. It caused the fire to ignite momentarily, but the flames soon went to the way they had been.

"What was it?"

"Sire, I'm afraid that what we have here is some kind of poison created by the werewolves, sir. From what I smelled the components combined make for a sicken, but survivable potion. However, mix it with the blood of our enemy and it becomes lethal to us, alone."

"Do you mean to tell me the Celine's death and near murder of my son was a plan concocted by that that hoard of vicious creatures with no morals or allegiance other than themselves?" Robert questioned his voiced laced with contempt and fury.

"I'm afraid so." Hogde looked solemn for Celine had always been kind and a very good friend to him. Without her insistence he would have never gotten the nerve to so much as approach Elodie Velarc, let alone asked her for marriage. And she was gone a victim of those malicious beasts that claim to be closest to humanity than what they are. "Sir, I don't mean to add insult to injury, but it is my belief that they didn't work alone. The only way to create such a potion requires assistance of magic. Dark magic to be precise, someone aided them."

"Contact our friend and ally Magnus Bane. If anyone could have an inkling as to who help them," He didn't disguises the bile tone used when referring to the enemy."it would be him. They nearly murdered my son and killed his mother. This 'truce' as king Graymark called it is over." His fist pounded a nearby tree. "This means war, lycanthropes!" His call declared.

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. …..

What they all failed to see was what lurked in the shadows. The figure approached hours after their departure knelt in front of the dead fire and scooped some of the remaining ashes into their hands.

"Good-bye, Celine." The person grinned, opening fingers and letting the ashes sipped through. The wind caught the falling remnants scattering them across the area and further.

"Too bad I never got to thank you for allowing me the perfect opportunity to distract your oh so precious king. The daylighters rein is coming to an end." The figure's grin grew even more.

"I should tell you that that little virus was no virus at all, but just a very small amount of werewolves blood mixed with a potion I injected you with. I was really hoping that it would kill your child too, but your little bugger held strong and was not infected. No big deal, your son will play excellently into my plans. In fact he'll be key into the destruction of the daylighters and the children of the moon." The person looked at the star filled clear sky. "Yes, the true children of the night will rein solely over the humans once and for all. Soon enough no more children of the moon or daylighters. No more laws to follow…"

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. ….. ….. …. …. …. ….. ….. …. …. …. ….. ….. …. …. …. ….. ….. …. ….

TWENTY YEARS LATER

It was a dark starless night, however the new moon was visible in the darkness; a figure emerged from the shadows…

Pulling from the breast pocket of their coat a vial half full of his blood, they would need this to carry out the second part of the plan. "I've waited for this night for over 20 years now…." The vial was placed back into the breast pocket. The person walked swiftly trying to not leave as much vampire scent in their wake, the last thing they needed was the werewolf hoard chasing and killing them when the plan was near complete.

"Time to demise the beloved queen of the werewolves." Looking down at vial in hand. "Dianna Graymark, too bad you're a big bad werewolf or else I would've surely gone after you." The person remembered the night they'd seen the queen bathing in waterfalls in all her nude glory. She had swam and swam not really paying attention to her surroundings, simply enjoying the bliss the waterfalls brought in the moonlight. The person admired her body closely

Remembering that night further the person grinned. It had been the first time they'd seen Dianna Graymark, formerly Dianna Roberts. It had also been the first time they saw Prince Lucian Graymark and by coincidence the night when Dianna had been desecrated at the hands of the filthy lycanthrope.

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. …..

Footsteps with a mind of their own carried a person aimlessly through the dark forest, thankfully because of their heightened vampire eyesight the darkness made no difference to them. There's something oddly familiar about this place, the figure pondered. I've been to this very spot before. The bell finally rung the spot had been Celine's favorite place. The place where she had requested her ashes to be spread after her death. Now this spot was being used by a wolf, a very beautiful with light colored ebony skin and brown eyes, even with the heaviness brought by the water her hair was thick and long. She swam back to where water falling and sat on a rock under it. This action gave full view to whomever was around of her body.

A disturbance in the water alerted to presence of someone else. The person turned to where the sound had come from and saw a figure clearly male swimming in the direction of where Dianna was seating and he too was unclothed. The sound of the crashing water was too loud for the young female werewolf to hear anything happening. She was yelped taken completely off guard when a hand wrapped and pulled her small body back into the water. Emerging from the water and pushing her hair away from her face she turned to find a widely smirking Lucian Graymark.

"Luke Graymark you're so dead!" She reached for him, but his swiftness proved to his fortune. Luke knew making Dianna angry was not the way to go, but when he arrived at her secret place bathing under the waters in all her glory, he simply couldn't resist temptation.

Dianna swam after him, but couldn't quite get him so she gave up. However, when he came close enough she surprised Luke by splashing him.

"Hey!"

"That's what you get for your evil ways, Luke." She smirked and swam away.

"Come on, Di." Too bad she was short Luke's long arms caught her before she had any chance of getting too far.

Luke pulled her back planted firmly his lips on hers, pushing her body against his securely. Gradually, their kissing intensified Luke took the helm moving them toward the rock where had found her when he entered the water.

Her heartbeats increased, Luke heard them loud and clear he knew what it meant and he pulled away from her.

"Di, I love you so much… If we continue I won't be able to stop…." His breathing was erratic

"What if I don't want you to stop." Was her response.

After a moment, he all but ravaged her mouth with his own as he pulled her legs apart in the water. His hardness rubbed against her womanhood. Dianna gasped at the feeling of his bare erection against her, and she felt him groan.

"You're so wet, and its not just from the water." he whispered huskily in her ear, causing her to shiver. He lifted his hips, positioning himself at her entrance. With one last look at her for confirmation, he pushed his length inside her.

Luke groaned and Dianna hissed in pain as he first entered. She was a virgin, and she could feel his large member stretching her to her full capacity. The pain ceased faintly after moment or so. It was only when she felt him begin to penetrate her barrier, that she began to panic, knowing the real pain was about to come. He met her eyes, and leaned down to capture her mouth in a deep kiss, in an attempt to distract her. His thrust into her was hard, breaking through the thin membrane and causing Dianna to give a subdued whimper into his mouth.

Luke was doing his best to be gentle, but it was near impossible Dianna was so petite and tight it was easy for him to forget about her and focus on himself. Truth be told the first time is never as pleasant as it is made out to be. Of course anyone whose ever said those words says them after they become experienced and view first experiences as nothing. Sadly he too would often say the same.

Luke could scarcely remember the face of the girl, let alone her name. Now here he was trying to make his one true love's first memorable. He didn't want to be just some guy got in, got out and left when he was done. No, that was not Lucian Graymark. He was the crowned werewolf prince, son of king Joseph and queen Cassandra Graymark, leaders of the children of the moon. He could have any female at his disposal, and honestly his had plenty of them all the same. They had wanted him only for the fact that he's the prince, but Dianna had been different. From the start she had challenged him, the youngest child and only daughter of their army's captain, John Roberts.

Luke was two years older than Dianna and along with his friends, all sons and daughters of members of the royal court, would tease and frequently bully her when they were children. That all lasted until she was sent away. He had been ten years old at the time and didn't know of her family's decision up until it was too late. Luke had gone to the Roberts' house to ask if the brothers wanted to play upon seeing her mother's looked of sadness, he inquired why and was told the reason. Peculiarly enough for some reason it broke his heart, too, knowing that Dianna was no longer around to… torment? For days all he did was mope and sulk despite his friends best efforts.

All that change eight years later, Luke had been sparring with one of her brothers when he noticed the arrival of a young petite female with long thick dark hair watching them practice. Allan, Dianna's brother, noting Luke's moment of distraction took advantage of it and used it to duck and kick the prince's legs out from under him.

"Good job, Allan." Captain Roberts complemented his youngest son's shrewdness and fight skills. Turning to the prince he said, "You're highness I suggest in the future you don't allow distractions to get the best of you or else our enemies will leave us short of an heir."

"Dully noted captain." Luke shook the captain's hand.

While everyone went back to discuss where the prince went wrong, Luke turned to where he had last seen the young female. However, she was nowhere to be found, as if the ground had opened up and swallowed the girl. It would be days before he saw her again walking with Mrs. Roberts and Allan. They were in the market place that day and Mrs. Roberts and Allan were speaking with one of farmers about his produce, while the girl walked ahead looking at what further merchants had.

Stopping at a table full of necklaces and other jeweled items, Luke decided to introduce himself. Confident and a little too self-assured, Luke failed to see the look of astonishment that crossed the girl's face when he presented himself. He didn't give the female a chance to say a single word, he simply went on and on for several minutes thinking that with his royal title and good looks he would have this girl naked, on her back and screaming out his name in no time.

"There you are mother and I have been looking everywhere for you." Allan came out of nowhere. "Oh, my apologies your highness, I didn't see you standing there." He gave the young royal a small bow. For as many years as they'd known one another and played together since they were children, Allan seldom treated him as anything, but royal, very different from his older brother Thomas.

"It's quite alright Allan, do you know this young woman? Is she a distant cousin of yours? I don't recall ever seeing her before."

"My prince—" Luke frowned at him for the use of his title.

"Allan, how many times do I have to tell you, you're one of my closets friends, please call me Luke. Feel free to address my parents properly, but reframe form doing so with me, unless they're around."

Allan begrudgingly complied, "Luke, I do believe you remember I have a sister…"

"Yes, but didn't you're parents sent her away to live with relatives years ago?"

"That they did and here she is back for a short visit. Luke this is Dianna my, not so little, little sister."

Luke was beyond flabbergasted, the woman standing before him looked nothing like the weird girl who had lost her two front teeth. Favorite target of he and his friends relentlessly bullied. No. Here was a woman standing before him, though petite, she has waist long thick wavy dark locks, mysterious amber brown eyes, heart shaped face, voluptuous body…

"Greetings, your highness." Dianna greeted courtly and gave the prince a small bow. "I'm sorry, Allan. Nice to have seen you again sire."

That had been over three years ago and her short visit turned into a return home.

It would take Lucian almost a year to finally sum up the courage to properly engage her companionably. And it would take even more months before she took it serious—not as one of his age old jokes or flitting flings. Yes, Prince Lucian had developed quite reputation after all for having numerous female companions of questionable virtue and those whose virtue was intact didn't remain "intact" for too long once he set his sights on them.

Now tonight here he was taking her most precious gift and they weren't even married, yet. His family had first rejected the idea, the royal crowned prince marrying a commoner? The notion was preposterous. Not an accepted practice at all….

Nevertheless, he relented proving to his parents that Dianna was worth it and more.

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. …..

"Are you sure it will work Lilith?" The person impatiently and angrily questioned the sorceress. "Last time it took me actually injecting the wolves' blood for success."

"Yes, I know. What we missed that time was to use the key ingredient with the content of the vial. This time though mix a few drops of your vampire blood with what is inside. Make sure she takes it with her food. It won't kill her immediately which is the result you want, just like the first time. She'll become ill and die during birth, the child will be collateral damage." She smiled evilly.

"After this your debt to me is paid in full. Heave my warning leave and never come back. If you do, I may feel the need to seek your services again in the most foulest of ways imaginable."

"So be it." With those words Lilith vanished in cloud of smoke and dust, never to be heard from again.

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. …..

Now on a cool autumn night under the light of the full moon lighted and warmed by a roaring fire a group gathered…

"Uhhhh!" The woman moaned as more pain shot through her body.

"We're almost done my love just one more big push and our child will be born." He comforted and supported his wife through this the birth of their third child.

"This is your entire fault!" She yelled.

Here we go again. By now he knew the words by heart.

"I know." He muttered.

"You did this to me! I was happy, ecstatic with my two little boys, but not YOU. NO. You just had to go for another."

"Oh, boy." He covered his face with his free hand. Whomever said that after number two, child birth becomes second nature to women, a cake walk, was clearly NOT married to a female severely hormonal werewolf.

The doctor gave Luke a sympathetic look. He had been the lycanthrope to deliver now the fourth generation of the Greymark bloodline. A blessing and a curse at times.

The lycanthrope growth and aging process, similar in its deliberateness to that of their enemy mortal the vampire, was gradual as well. They aged one human year every five years. So yes the royal doctor had seen delivered many of the Greymark children. And out of all the ones he'd dealt with, Queen Dianna had proven to be the most difficult. As sweet, as fair, as kind and gentle a woman she is when it comes to child delivery time, she is your worst nightmare come to life.

"Dianna, please this is it final push." Their doctor directed.

"Ok. This is it no more. Uuuhhh! Ahh!"

Cries of child were almost immediately.

"It's a girl!" The doctor announced his voice full of surprise at the unexpected gender of the child he held.

"Your majesties you have your first daughter." He held the wailing baby girl and both mother and father saw their daughter for the first time. "In all truthfulness this is the second time I've delivered a daughter to the royal family. I never thought that I would see this blessing happen again after Amatis."

Stunned was the only word to describe the atmosphere that night. It had been generations since the last time a female had been to the Greymark line.

The baby had curly, brown and gold hair, light brown skin and amber eyes Luke noted. Specially, the amber eyes, exactly like her mother's at one point he had been scared that none of his children would have their mother's beautiful eyes. Those eyes had been the first thing he saw after all those years of them being apart

Just like her mother.

The doctor handed the infant to Dianna.

"Hello! Hello there little girl." Dianna cooed and gushed over her child.

"Thank you." Was all Luke could say, standing by his wife and lovingly observing his daughter.

"You're welcome, but as much as I'd like to take all the credit for this one I wasn't alone." She gave him a wink. "It was a team effort."

"The problem here is what are going to name her? We were so certain another boy was coming and his name would've been John Andrew after our fathers, but now…" She let it linger. Her mind was drawing a blank.

"Maia."

"What?"

"Her name, Maia. I like it, what do you think?"

"After my mother and your grandmother?" She processed it. "Yes, why not. Hi, baby Maia Greymark."

"Your majesty, that would be Princess Maia Greymark." The doctor corrected kindly.

It annoyed her to no end when they did that, correct her over trivial details.

"Of course, how could I forget? I've only been queen for almost fifteen years now." She handed the infant to Luke who was anxiously awaiting the chance to hold his little girl. My little girl.

Everyone shared a laughed, if there one thing everyone knew about the king and queen was that they never took themselves too seriously or regarded themselves as the typical pompous, arrogant, commonly autocratic royal court.

"What's that smell?" The doctor was on alert.

An odd odor suddenly crept around them. It was very familiar to Luke, whom had smelled it in the battlefields the many times he'd slaying their mortal enemy.

The strong smell of blood, vampire blood, spread quickly. All were on high alert, the soft human features quickly changing to that of the wolves true form some even exploded out of their clothes because of their giant like size. Luke, though gentle, held his daughter tight.

"Vampires." Someone said.

"Here, but how? We inspected every niche and crevice of this area days ago. We even had men weeks stay for weeks ensuring that is was deserted."

Dianna, felt herself weaken all of sudden. Her breathing became labored and she was having trouble staying awake. Then gurgling sounds were heard. Dianna thrashed quick and violently almost as if choking. She started to cough out blood.

"Doctor the queen…. She's bleeding." His assistant announced.

"What!?" Luke all but yelled, looking "Do you something…"

The doctor instantly took action, but no matter what he tried the bleeding continued profusely. Until the queen's body lay in complete stillness. She had died. The king was beyond overwhelmed, frozen. His arms tensed so much so that his hold on his baby daughter tightened. She began to fuss, wriggle and shake out.

"Luke give me the child." Amatis, his younger sister requested. He complied knowing why.

His daughter needed to be fed and thankfully Amatis had had a little boy herself several months ago, little Maxwell Lucian Brownstone. She pulled off her cloak and undid the ties of her top freeing one of breasts to nurse her niece. The baby took immediately latching on to her aunt for the nourishment that only a female could bring to a new life.

Luke gave the scene, a nursing mother, a hateful disgraced look. It was wrong is shouldn't be his sister feeding his child, that was for Dianne to do as she had done with their older sons, Daniel and Jordan. The hate wasn't aimed at his sister or daughter, it wasn't their fault, but at what couldn't be changed.

"Sire," Alaric Brownstone his second in command, and husband of Amatis, touched his leader's shoulder giving him an apologetic look. Him and Amatis had been married for two years and he and Luke have been friends for longer, still he hardly ever addressed him without royal titles or formalities, "do you want us to search the area for vampires? I don't believe there are any…."

"No. The blood we all smelled came from Dianne. Take Amatis and Maia home." Addressing him for the first time. "The boys are asleep in their bed, please don't wake. I want to be the one to tell them about their mother. My parents should be awake waiting for news, Amatis inform them of what occurred. Tell them they're forbidden to utter a single of what has happened to my wife. I don't need their gloating poising her memory."

"Luke, mom and dad wouldn't—"

"Amatis, you know our parents renounced my marriage since the day I impregnated Dianne with Daniel. The only reasons they went along with it were because I was already king and they wouldn't ever allow for a bastard to exist. You're too naive, kind and forgiving to understand the disgust mother and father had for my marriage." His tone bitter and loathing.

"Luke, despite it all they're still our parents—" Amatis had been all her life playing mediator between her parents brothers. A daunting task that she had hoped would be appeased when Daniel was born. Boy, had she been wrong!

"I know." He snapped.

A look of hurt crossed her gentle features. Luke and his brothers, often directed frustrations at the only one who never judged them and then felt horrid for doing so. They all wondered what would be like if something were to happen to her before their parents. "No more mediator? You're screwed." Alaric had said with humor that only had Amatis chuckling, but Samuel, Julian and Lucian didn't find such in the statement. The words had the Graymark brothers pondering for the longest time.

"But this will be exactly what they've been hoping for since I married her. I purposely pursued Dianne, don't get me wrong I truly did love her, but knew the all the risks loving someone of none noble birth were. I was aware of what impregnating her could bring, but I didn't care as soon as dad gave me the crown I knew who I wanted as my side and I knew there was only one way for it to happen."

Amatis wished she wasn't the only thing keeping her family from killing each other, but truth be told she was.

She hissed as the baby's wolf teeth bit down on the delicate skin of her nipple wanting also a taste of blood. Though, they were human it was part of their feral nature to desire blood, the thrill of the fresh kill.

Hearing his Luke turned facing her and looking at his daughter. The baby had changed her first transformation. In wolf form the baby had long talons and a beautiful pale silvery coat making her eyes all the more stand out.

"I understand, Luke. I won't say anything to anyone until you're ready." With a solemn look on her face and sadness in her blue eyes just like her family's, Amatis left with her husband and child who still fed.

Gretel, Amatis' best friend, approached the king with blankets to ready the body for a proper funeral ceremony. "Your majesty…"

"Thank you, Gretel."

Dianna's body was wrapped and burned that night. Her ashes spread over their secret place, the waterfall that saw them as lovers. Where Dianne and Luke became one for the first time.

"Sire…" Allan came.

"Allan, please if there has ever been a moment in time where I don't want to be reminded of what I am it is now." Luke pleaded with his brother-in-law.

"Forgive me."

Luke nodded at him.

"I don't mean to pour more slat, but still the vampires… How could've they infiltrated and attack my sister? Our security is impenetrable…."

"I will be launching a full attack against our enemy when they least expected." He turned to the place where they spread Dianne's ashes.

"This means war vampires!" He called out furiously.

…. ….. ….. …. …. …. …..

The person approached where the last remains of the ashes were.

"Good-bye sweet Dianna. Too bad you were a wolf. Your beauty will be missed." He smiled. "I'm pretty sure you were an animal in bed." He laughed at his own inane joke.

Raphael turned looking at the moon filled night bidding farewell to yet another queen of the night. He had bided his time and was very careful and patient as to avoid suspicion.

"Your war will finally come to be, Raphael." Lilith materialized out nowhere.

Raphael's six foot tall form was startled momentarily, but he turned once more. Taken aback by what stood before him, appreciating the fact that she was in all her glory.

With his vampire speed he was standing in front of her before she could even blink. "Yes, that it will." He fisted her hair pulling her head back. That night he ravished her body like there was no tomorrow right there where the ashes of two innocent victims had been left.

Hello! =)

I just finished reading last night the entire first five books of The Mortal Instruments Series and I'm officially in love with the books, can't wait for book six to be out next year. Who knows, maybe I'll reading them all over again. ;-) I just started reading book two of "The Infernal Devices Series" and can't wait for book three to come out in March.

Anyways, please be gentle with your reviews this is my first time writing about something that is not Twilight related. But I do want your thoughts and comments, so please read and review.