A Warm Heart in Winter Read online

  PRAISE FOR J. R. WARD AND HER BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES

  “Frighteningly addictive.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Ward brings on the big feels.”

  —Booklist

  “J. R. Ward is the undisputed queen… Long live the queen.”

  —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

  “J. R. Ward is a master!”

  —Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author

  “Fearless storytelling. A league all of her own.”

  —Kristen Ashley, New York Times bestselling author

  “J. R. Ward is one of the finest writers out there—in any genre.”

  —Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author

  “Ward is a master of her craft.”

  —New York Journal of Books

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  Destiny is never wrong. And love is never wasted.

  —Lassiter

  GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND PROPER NOUNS

  ahstrux nohtrum

  (n.) Private guard with license to kill who is granted his or her position by the King.

  ahvenge

  (v.) Act of mortal retribution, carried out typically by a male loved one.

  Black Dagger Brotherhood

  (pr. n.) Highly trained vampire warriors who protect their species against the Lessening Society. As a result of selective breeding within the race, Brothers possess immense physical and mental strength, as well as rapid healing capabilities. They are not siblings for the most part, and are inducted into the Brotherhood upon nomination by the Brothers. Aggressive, self-reliant, and secretive by nature, they are the subjects of legend and objects of reverence within the vampire world. They may be killed only by the most serious of wounds, e.g., a gunshot or stab to the heart, etc.

  blood slave

  (n.) Male or female vampire who has been subjugated to serve the blood needs of another. The practice of keeping blood slaves has been outlawed.

  the Chosen

  (pr. n.) Female vampires who had been bred to serve the Scribe Virgin. In the past, they were spiritually rather than temporally focused, but that changed with the ascendance of the final Primale, who freed them from the Sanctuary. With the Scribe Virgin removing herself from her role, they are completely autonomous and learning to live on earth. They do continue to meet the blood needs of unmated members of the Brotherhood, as well as Brothers who cannot feed from their shellans and injured fighters.

  chrih

  (n.) Symbol of honorable death in the Old Language.

  cohntehst

  (n.) Conflict between two males competing for the right to be a female’s mate.

  Dhunhd

  (pr. n.) Hell.

  doggen

  (n.) Member of the servant class within the vampire world. Doggen have old, conservative traditions about service to their superiors, following a formal code of dress and behavior. They are able to go out during the day, but they age relatively quickly. Life expectancy is approximately five hundred years.

  ehros

  (n.) A Chosen trained in the matter of sexual arts.

  exhile dhoble

  (n.) The evil or cursed twin, the one born second.

  the Fade

  (pr. n.) Non-temporal realm where the dead reunite with their loved ones and pass eternity.

  First Family

  (pr. n.) The King and Queen of the vampires, and any children they may have.

  ghardian

  (n.) Custodian of an individual. There are varying degrees of ghardians, with the most powerful being that of a sehcluded female.

  glymera

  (n.) The social core of the aristocracy, roughly equivalent to Regency England’s ton.

  hellren

  (n.) Male vampire who has been mated to a female. Males may take more than one female as mate.

  hyslop

  (n. or v.) Term referring to a lapse in judgment, typically resulting in the compromise of the mechanical operations of a vehicle or otherwise motorized conveyance of some kind. For example, leaving one’s keys in one’s car as it is parked outside the family home overnight, whereupon said vehicle is stolen.

  leahdyre

  (n.) A person of power and influence.

  leelan

  (adj. or n.) A term of endearment loosely translated as “dearest one.”

  Lessening Society

  (pr. n.) Order of slayers convened by the Omega for the purpose of eradicating the vampire species.

  lesser

  (n.) De-souled human who targets vampires for extermination as a member of the Lessening Society. Lessers must be stabbed through the chest in order to be killed; otherwise they are ageless. They do not eat or drink and are impotent. Over time, their hair, skin, and irises lose pigmentation until they are blond, blushless, and pale-eyed. They smell like baby powder. Inducted into the society by the Omega, they retain a ceramic jar thereafter into which their heart was placed after it was removed.

  lewlhen

  (n.) Gift.

  lheage

  (n.) A term of respect used by a sexual submissive to refer to their dominant.

  Lhenihan

  (pr. n.) A mythic beast renowned for its sexual prowess. In modern slang, refers to a male of preternatural size and sexual stamina.

  lys

  (n.) Torture tool used to remove the eyes.

  mahmen

  (n.) Mother. Used both as an identifier and a term of affection.

  mhis

  (n.) The masking of a given physical environment; the creation of a field of illusion.

  nalla

  (n., f.) or nallum

  (n., m.) Beloved.

  needing period

  (n.) Female vampire’s time of fertility, generally lasting for two days and accompanied by intense sexual cravings. Occurs approximately five years after a female’s transition and then once a decade thereafter. All males respond to some degree if they are around a female in her need. It can be a dangerous time, with conflicts and fights breaking out between competing males, particularly if the female is not mated.

  newling

  (n.) A virgin.

  the Omega

  (pr. n.) Malevolent, mystical figure who once targeted the vampires for extinction out of resentment directed toward the Scribe Virgin. Existed in a non-temporal realm and had extensive powers, though not the power of creation. Eradicated.

  phearsom

  (adj.) Term referring to the potency of a male’s sexual organs. Literal translation something close to “worthy of entering a female.”

  Princeps

  (pr. n.) Highest level of the vampire aristocracy, second only to members of the First Family or the Scribe Virgin’s Chosen. Must be born to the title; it may not be conferred.

  pyrocant

  (n.) Refers to a critical weakness in an individual. The weakness can be internal, such as an addiction, or external, such as a lover.

  rahlman

  (n.) Savior.

  rythe

  (n.) Ritual manner of asserting honor granted by one who has offended another. If accepted, the offended chooses a weapon and strikes the offender, who presents him—or herself—without defenses.

  the Scribe Virgin

  (pr. n.) Mystical force who previously was
counselor to the King as well as the keeper of vampire archives and the dispenser of privileges. Existed in a non-temporal realm and had extensive powers, but has recently stepped down and given her station to another. Capable of a single act of creation, which she expended to bring the vampires into existence.

  sehclusion

  (n.) Status conferred by the King upon a female of the aristocracy as a result of a petition by the female’s family. Places the female under the sole direction of her ghardian, typically the eldest male in her household. Her ghardian then has the legal right to determine all manner of her life, restricting at will any and all interactions she has with the world.

  shellan

  (n.) Female vampire who has been mated to a male. Females generally do not take more than one mate due to the highly territorial nature of bonded males.

  symphath

  (n.) Subspecies within the vampire race characterized by the ability and desire to manipulate emotions in others (for the purposes of an energy exchange), among other traits. Historically, they have been discriminated against and, during certain eras, hunted by vampires. They are near extinction.

  talhman

  (n.) The evil side of an individual. A dark stain on the soul that requires expression if it is not properly expunged.

  the Tomb

  (pr. n.) Sacred vault of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Used as a ceremonial site as well as a storage facility for the jars of lessers. Ceremonies performed there include inductions, funerals, and disciplinary actions against Brothers. No one may enter except for members of the Brotherhood, the Scribe Virgin, or candidates for induction.

  trahyner

  (n.) Word used between males of mutual respect and affection. Translated loosely as “beloved friend.”

  transition

  (n.) Critical moment in a vampire’s life when he or she transforms into an adult. Thereafter, he or she must drink the blood of the opposite sex to survive and is unable to withstand sunlight. Occurs generally in the mid-twenties. Some vampires do not survive their transitions, males in particular. Prior to their transitions, vampires are physically weak, sexually unaware and unresponsive, and unable to dematerialize.

  vampire

  (n.) Member of a species separate from that of Homo sapiens. Vampires must drink the blood of the opposite sex to survive. Human blood will keep them alive, though the strength does not last long. Following their transitions, which occur in their mid-twenties, they are unable to go out into sunlight and must feed from the vein regularly. Vampires cannot “convert” humans through a bite or transfer of blood, though they are in rare cases able to breed with the other species. Vampires can dematerialize at will, though they must be able to calm themselves and concentrate to do so and may not carry anything heavy with them. They are able to strip the memories of humans, provided such memories are short-term. Some vampires are able to read minds. Life expectancy is upward of a thousand years, or in some cases, even longer.

  wahlker

  (n.) An individual who has died and returned to the living from the Fade. They are accorded great respect and are revered for their travails.

  whard

  (n.) Equivalent of a godfather or godmother to an individual.

  PROLOGUE

  Qhuinn, son of Lohstrong, entered his family’s home through its grand front door. The instant he stepped over the threshold, the smell of the place curled up into his nose. Lemon polish. Beeswax candles. Fresh flowers from the garden that the doggen brought in daily. Perfume—his mother’s. Cologne—his father’s and his brother’s. Cinnamon gum—his sister’s.

  If the Glade company ever did an air freshener like this, it would be called something like Meadow of Old Money. Or Sunrise Over a Fat Bank Account.

  Or maybe the ever popular We’re Just Better Than Everyone Else.

  Distant voices drifted over from the dining room, the vowels round as brilliant-cut diamonds, the consonants drawled out smooth and long as satin ribbons.

  “Oh, Lillie, this is lovely, thank you,” his mother said to the server. “But that’s too much for me. And do not give Solange so much. She’s getting heavy.”

  Ah, yes, his mother’s perma-diet inflicted on the next generation: Glymera females were supposed to disappear from sight when they turned sideways, each jutting collarbone, sunken cheek, and bony upper arm some kind of fucked-up badge of honor.

  As if resembling a fire poker would make you a better person.

  And Scribe Virgin forfend if your daughter looked like she was healthy.

  “Ah, yes, thank you, Lilith,” his father said evenly. “More for me, please.”

  Qhuinn closed his eyes and tried to convince his body to step forward. One foot after another. It was not that tough.

  His brand-new Ed Hardy kicks middle-fingered that suggestion. Then again, in so many ways, walking into that dining room was going into the belly of the beast.

  He let his duffle fall to the floor. The couple of days at his best friend Blay’s home had done him good, a break from the complete lack of air in his family’s house. Unfortunately, the burn on reentry was so bad, it made the cost/benefit of leaving nearly equal.

  Okay, this was ridiculous. He couldn’t keep standing here like an inanimate object.

  Turning to the side wall, he leaned into the full-length antique mirror that was placed right by the door. So thoughtful. So in keeping with the aristocracy’s need to look good. This way, visitors could check their hair and clothes as the butler accepted coats and hats.

  The young pretrans face that was reflected back at him was all even features, good jawline, and a mouth that, he had to admit, looked like it could do some serious damage to naked skin when he got older. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Hair was all Vlad the Impaler, spikes standing up straight from his head. Neck was strung with a bike chain, and not one bought at Urban Outfitters—he’d taken it off his twelve-speed. All things being equal, he looked like a thief who had broken into the mansion and was prepared to trash the place looking for sterling silver, jewelry, and portable electronics.

  The irony was that all the Goth bullcrap wasn’t the most offensive part of his appearance to his family. In fact, he could have stripped down, hung a light fixture off his ass, and run around the first floor playing José Canseco with the art and antiques and not come close to how much the real problem pissed off his parents.

  It was his eyes.

  One blue. One green.

  Oopsy. His bad.

  The glymera didn’t like defects. Not in their porcelain or their rose gardens. Not in their wallpaper or their carpets or their countertops. Not in the silk of their underwear or the wool of their blazers or the chiffon of their gowns.

  And certainly not EVER in their young.

  Sister was okay—well, except for the “little weight problem” that didn’t actually exist, and a lisp that was going to be dealt with through oral surgery—oh, and the fact that she had the personality of their mother. And there was no fixing that shit. Brother, on the other hand, was the real fucking star, a physically perfect son prepared to carry forth the family bloodline by reproducing in a very genteel, non-moaning, no-sweat situation with a female chosen for him by the family.

  Hell, Luchas’s sperm recipient had already been lined up. He was going to have to mate her as soon as he went through his transition—

  “How are you feeling, my son?” his father asked in a gentle voice.

  “Tired, sir,” a deep voice answered. “But this is going to help.”

  A chill frog-marched up Qhuinn’s spine. That didn’t sound like his brother. Way too much bass. Far too masculine. Too…

  Holy shit, the guy had gone through his transition.

  Now, Qhuinn’s Ed Hardys got with the program, taking him forward until he could see through into the dining room. Father was in his seat at the head of the table. Check. Mother was in her chair at the foot of the table opposite the kitchen’s flap door. Check. Sister was facing out of the room, all b
ut licking the gold rim off her plate from hunger. Check.

  The male whose back was to Qhuinn was not part of the SOP.

  His brother was twice the size he’d been when Qhuinn had been approached by a doggen and told to get his things and go to Blay’s.

  Well, that explained the vacay. He’d assumed his father had finally relented and given into the request Qhuinn had filed weeks before. But nope, his sire had just wanted the defect out of the house because the change had come to his brother.

  Had Luchas laid the chick? Who had they used for blood—

  Their father, never the demonstrative type, reached out a hand and gave Qhuinn’s brother an awkward pat on the forearm. “We’re so proud of you. You look… perfect.”

  “You do,” Qhuinn’s mother piped in. “Just perfect. Doesn’t your brother look perfect, Solange?”

  “Yes, he does. Perfect.”

  “And I have something for you,” Lohstrong said, in a voice that got husky.

  The male reached into the inside pocket of his sport coat and took out a small, black velvet box.

  Qhuinn’s mother started to tear up and dabbed carefully under her eyes.

  “This is for you, my son.”

  The box was slid across the white damask tablecloth, and Luchas’s now-big hands shook as he took the thing and popped the lid.

  Qhuinn could see the flash of gold all the way out in the foyer.

  Luchas just stared at the signet ring in silence, clearly overwhelmed, as their mother kept up with the dab-dab, and even their father grew slightly misty. And Solange snuck a roll from the bread basket.

  “Thank you, sir,” Qhuinn’s brother said as he put the heavy gold ring on his forefinger.

  “It fits, does it not?” Lohstrong asked.

  “Yes, sir. Perfectly.”

  “We wear the same size, then.”

  Of course they did.

  At that moment, their father glanced away, like he was hoping the movement of his eyeballs would take care of the sheen of tears that had come down over his vision.

  He caught Qhuinn lurking outside in the foyer.

  There was a brief flash of recognition. Not the hi-how’re-ya kind or the oh-good-my-other-son’s-home stuff. More like when you were walking through the grass and noticed a pile of dog shit too late to stop your foot from landing in it.