Immortals After Dark discussion

We will be reading and discussing The Warlord Wants Forever between July 1 and July 15th.

Book Description:

Nikolai Wroth, once a ruthless human warlord in the 1700s and now a general in the rebel vampire army, needs to find his Bride, the one woman who can render him truly alive. As a turned human, he doesn’t enjoy a heartbeat or breaths and is consequently weaker than fully blooded vampires. He wants his Bride for the power she will bring him and can hardly believe it when his heart beats for Myst the Coveted, a mad, fey, mythological creature.

Myst is known throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, part chillingly fierce warrior, part beguiling seductress who can “make you want her even as she’s killing you.” She has devoted her life to protecting an ancient, powerful jewel and to fighting the vampires, and she now sees a way to torment one—for with Wroth’s heartbeat comes consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her.

She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen the jewel which commands her, giving him absolute power over her. While he possesses it, he can make her do anything, and he plans to in order for her to experience first hand the agonizing, unending lust she’d purposely subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Wroth realizes he wants more from her and frees her, will she come back to him?

The first in Cole's Immortals After Dark series was originally published as one of three novellas in "Playing Easy to Get". It was also available on its own as a special promotional ebook from Simon & Schuster.

**Participants are welcomed to post their questions and thoughts.**

just reread it :)

Read it and listened to it. I like how Kresley made both of these characters strong. She does show their vulnerable side also. I love how Mist is not afraid to be so bold and use her feminine wilds! I love how Nikolai feels about her but he is still afraid she will leave. I like in the end he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her. It's short but sweet.

What I love so much about this series (besides the off the chain hotness of the heroes) is the humour. The Valkyries especially are just too funny. Mysty The Vampire Layer says it all.

I'm going to read this later today or this evening! Love the Wroth brothers.

Starting the reread today! Will be back to discuss. Love this series.

Will start the reread today!

I have a question. I noticed in the story that Myst has blooded other vampires and then killed them. I thought only a vampires bride could blood them? I don't recall reading that Myst had some kind of magical powers or anything. Did I miss something somewhere in the book?

If I am understanding what I have read correctly. That is just what Myst told Nikolai in retaliation for him misinterpreting the dreams. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Beginning re-read tonight!

Starting to dive in

Finished!

Feels like the first time.....

Ava wrote: "Feels like the first time....."

You said that and I thought of that song by Foreigner. :)
http://youtu.be/PfO7ZVdzfZ4

I'm about 25% done with my reread. You know the point where (view spoiler)[ Myst leaves poor Nikolai without letting him get off. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)] That was super mean of her.

Melissa wrote: "I have a question. I noticed in the story that Myst has blooded other vampires and then killed them. I thought only a vampires bride could blood them? I don't recall reading that Myst had some kind..."

Myst apparently has been other vampires 'true' bride. She exploited that to get close enough to kill them.

Just finished my reread of this book and I love it just as much as I did the first time. I even have a Nikolai shirt for crying out loud. He is one of my favorites in the series. As much as I love her lykae, which I really do LOVE alot, I will always be a vampire girl. ;)

This little novella was a great way to kick off the series IMO. Plus, Kresley is one of the only authors who can write heroines who I don't want to murder within the first couple chapters. I did think that what Myst did to Nikolai was pretty mean though. FIVE YEARS! That is harsh. Seems like it was well worth the wait for him though and everything turned out great for both of them.

Melissa, i thought that was interesting too. at first i thought she said to antagonize him but consider the fact that...a heart beat is what signifies the bride to the vamp. but for the Valkyrie it not until she finds herself running into his open arms. Also she lived so many lifetimes and even though other vamps blooded it was only on their end. she didnt feel anything for them.
them thar is my thoughts on it...what'cha think?

I think the blooding was just on their ends. They weren't her true mates.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I think the blooding was just on their ends. They weren't her true mates."

I think that's ultimately it...the blooding is one sided, only means something to to vamp.

As it applies to Myst and Valkyrie's its the running into the arms thing for their significant other.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I think the blooding was just on their ends. They weren't her true mates."

I thought a vamp could only be blooded by his Bride (?) That's repeated over and over in the series. Now, I need to go back and re-read my re-read lol.

Lulu wrote: "Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I think the blooding was just on their ends. They weren't her true mates."

I thought a vamp could only be blooded by his Bride (?) That's repeated over..."

That's right. But that doesn't mean that his "bride" can only blood one vampire. At least that is my understanding. So Myst may have blooded others but they didn't matter to her because they weren't her true mate. She had to want to run into their arms for that. So, with Nikolai is was different because it was mutual. She was his bride and he was the one she would always run to.

What Jessica said!

I was looking back through the book and I noticed there was one part where they were talking about Myst's gifts from the Gods and one of them was to make men want her. Maybe that gave her the ability to blood vampires? I also noticed that it takes a while for Myst to blood Wroth. Correct me if I'm wrong but later in the series vampires are blooded by their brides as soon as they come across them for the first time. Perhaps this is just a simple case of the authors first novel in the series and she doesn't cement all the rules until she is a few books in so there are some inconsistencies in the first book.

That makes sense to me since the later books really emphasize that every vampire has only one Bride that can blood him.

I don't read them as inconsistencies, but I agree that her world-building is more cemented in subsequent books.

But blooding a vampire doesn't mean he has to stay with her after they have sex, as we find out later. He can later move on to be with other women. So if you turn that around to Myst being able to blood more than one vampire, it makes sense to me.

My explanation on Myst blooding other vamps:

Usually when the vamp sees his bride the signs start right away (beating heart and all that) but it didn't happen with Nikolai.
The moment Myst revealed her true face and Nikolai saw the real her the blooding started.
So I'm thinking the Myst other vamps blooded to was a different appearance she presented. They didn't blood the real Myst.
And because Myst had feelings for Nikolai, the concealment slipped in front of him and he was able to see real Myst.

Just to kind of change track here. What were everyone's favorite parts in the book? I loved when the other Valkyrie were calling Myst the vampire layer and when she told him if he bought her the xbox he might have well have slayed a dragon for her. I think that is just a taste of the humor Kresley Cole injects into later books.

I like how while I'm reading this book I can see the points where the other books are mentioned.

I thought the part where he sacrificed himself to save her was super moving and dramatic. I don't know if it was my favorite part because I loved all the banter between the Valkyries too.

Fav. part was Myst and Nikolai getting caught outside by Regin and Lucia. "u had sex with a vampire!"

Kryptonite wrote: "I like how while I'm reading this book I can see the points where the other books are mentioned."

Oh Yeah! One of the Valkyrie does mention they have a werewolf in the basement and he's being noisy. I forgot about that. Emmaline is missing at the moment too, right?

Yes, the first two books happen at the same time.

Re-read complete! I love Nikolai and Myst. Regin cracks me up....it's also great how you understand so much more after re-reads..like when Murdoch tries to talk to Nikolai and he says "when did you become so understanding" and he explains that "someone" showed him..well reading now we all know it's Danii...and still ever time i read Lucia in my head I always wanna say "Lousha"

Mandy wrote: "Re-read complete! I love Nikolai and Myst. Regin cracks me up....it's also great how you understand so much more after re-reads..like when Murdoch tries to talk to Nikolai and he says "when did you..."

I agree Mandy. I love how they all over lap and tie together.

I totally forgot about the reread on the 1st, so I'm a little late on joining the discussion. I just finished the reread and I like everyone else the part about previous bloodings was confusing. And my favorite part is when Myst runs into Nikolai's arms.

Melissa wrote: "Kryptonite wrote: "I like how while I'm reading this book I can see the points where the other books are mentioned."

Oh Yeah! One of the Valkyrie does mention they have a werewolf in the basement ..."

At that time Emma's in Scotland and Lachlain refuses to send her back.

Also, Murdoch's story is going on.
When he's injured and Nikolai visits him, Murdoch has already met Daniela.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I don't read them as inconsistencies, but I agree that her world-building is more cemented in subsequent books.

But blooding a vampire doesn't mean he has to stay with her after they have sex, a..."

Because she didn't accept them and give them blood/sex and killed them she was free to blood a vampire again in the future.

Since she accepted Nikolai, Myst can never be anyone's fated mate in the future.

I finished this last night. Wanted to reread it again immediately. That's what happened when I first read it.

Too many favorite parts to list.

I tell you, those Wroth brothers are just too hot. While I won't pick a favorite in this series, Nikolai still makes me fan myself.

That makes sense, Ellen.

So do those who are rereading with us like this better, the same, or not as much, this time around?

This book is better every time you read it. I have read it 3 or 4 times now.

I think I have to agree, Susan. I've read it almost four times, and I find something different in it with each reading.

After thirteen or so books, I feel that looking back shows how strong her world-building is in this series.

It is amazing. Some small little thing will happen and you see the consequences 3, 4, or even 5 books later. Excellent writing!!

Very true. I'm impressed how she keeps events consistent when they are all happening at the same time in the different books.

What do you guys think of Myst? Did you like her MO for killing vampires?

How does she stand out amongst her sisters?

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "What do you guys think of Myst? Did you like her MO for killing vampires?

How does she stand out amongst her sisters?"

since this was the start of the series, the sister are kinda judgmental about her pairing up with a vamp; well at least "an enemy." I cant remember how the sisters paired up. Didn't most of the Valkyrie's end up with a vamp or Lykae? In my head right now it seems that way.

I think Myst MO for killing seems honorable, but i didnt like that she was pretty much always used as bait. I dont think a sane person would do that...js

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I finished this last night. Wanted to reread it again immediately. That's what happened when I first read it.

Too many favorite parts to list.

I tell you, those Wroth brothers are just too hot...."

Sebastian's my favorite.
And yes it gets better every time you reread it. Looking forward to rereading the next book.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "What do you guys think of Myst? Did you like her MO for killing vampires?

How does she stand out amongst her sisters?"

I am not a huge fan of the way that she was always used as bait. I also felt like they were pretty prejudice against all the other lore creatures. I mean, I understood why they were but...it makes you wonder how many vamps and other creatures they killed that weren't really evil or bad.

I think Cole definitely starts her series with the detente level at zero between the Loreans. As the series goes along, you see that change a lot.

Myst was pretty much the tease, which I didn't feel that great about initially. However, as the book goes along, I could see that she's taken some ownership over her allure instead of allowing it to make her a victim.

That's true Lady Danielle. She used what could have been viewed as a weakness and trued it into a strength.