Chapter 8 #2
“And of course,” Elder Petra adds, a calculating gleam in her eye, “Prince Viktor could remarry. Produce more pure-blood heirs. Strengthen the line further. The Council has several suitable candidates in mind—”
“No.” Viktor’s voice is firm. His eyes are dark and dangerous. “I have already done my duty once. I will not be paraded before noble families like breeding stock again. My daughter is enough.”
“But surely—”
“I said no.”
Elder Petra’s eyes slide to my youngest brother. “And what of you, Prince Sebastian? You are now third in line for the throne. The Council will expect you to fulfill your duty to your bloodline as well. We have several excellent candidates from the noble families who would—”
“I’ll mate when the Blood Calling chooses.” Sebastian’s voice is light, but there’s steel underneath. “Not before.”
“This romantic foolishness—” Elder Voss sputters.
“Is not up for discussion.” Maxim steps closer to Sebastian, arms crossed. A united front.
I notice the look that passes between them. I file it away to ask about later.
The room falls silent. Even the Elders seem to recognize they’ve pushed too far.
I step in before things can escalate further. “The succession is settled. Viktor’s line, then Sebastian’s, then Maxim’s. My brothers’ and cousin’s personal choices are their own. This is not negotiable.”
Elder Harkon straightens his robes, his expression sour but resigned.
“Very well. The Council will... accept this arrangement. King Nikolai may retain his throne. The human Claire will be recognized as Queen of Krovenia. Their offspring will be removed from the line of succession, which will pass to Prince Viktor’s daughter and her descendants, followed by Prince Sebastian’s line, then Lord Maxim’s. ”
“And Princess Serina?” Maxim asks.
“Will be informed that the engagement is dissolved. I suspect she will be... relieved.”
The Elders file out.
The crowd in the corridor erupts in cheers. Mrs. Vasek is openly sobbing with joy. Sebastian grins ear to ear. Maxim looks satisfied, which for him is practically euphoric.
And Viktor...he’s already heading for the door, that familiar darkness settling back over his features like a shroud.
“Viktor?”
He pauses but doesn’t turn around.
“Thank you. For everything.”
“Just be happy, Nik. One of us should be.”
And he’s gone.
It takes another hour for everyone to leave. There are hands to shake, thanks to give, tears to dry. Mrs. Vasek hugs Claire so hard I worry she might crack a rib. Sebastian makes inappropriate jokes until Maxim drags him away. The General clasps my arm and tells me my father would be proud.
Finally…finally…we’re alone.
Claire sits on the edge of the bed, her cell phone in her hands. She’s been staring at it for several minutes.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask, settling beside her.
“No.” She takes a deep breath. “But I have to try.”
She dials and taps speaker phone so I can hear too. It rings and rings and—
“Claire? Oh my god, Claire, where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you for days. I called the university, I called your landlord, I was about to call the police—”
“Hi, Derek.”
“Are you okay? Did those vampires hurt you? Did they drug you? I knew they were dangerous. I told you, I told you—”
“Derek.” Her voice is calm and steady. “I’m fine. I’m more than fine, actually.” She takes a breath. “I’m getting married.”
Silence.
“...What?”
“To the King. King Nikolai. I’m marrying him. I’m staying in Krovenia. Forever.”
More silence. I can practically hear his brain short-circuiting through the phone.
“Claire, this isn’t funny. Whatever they’ve done to you, whatever they’ve made you think—”
“No one’s done anything to me, Derek. No one’s made me think anything.”
“They’ve glamored you. That’s what vampires do, they get in your head, they make you believe—”
“Krovenians can’t glamor people, Derek. That’s not a real thing. It’s from movies. It’s fiction.”
“That’s exactly what someone who’s been glamored would say!”
Claire sighs. She looks at me, a mixture of frustration and sadness on her face. “I knew you’d say that.”
“Because it’s true—”
“It’s not true. But I don’t expect you to believe me right now.” She pauses. “But know that I love you, Derek. You’re my brother and when you’re ready to actually listen, when you’re ready to hear the truth instead of conspiracy theories, I’ll be here. We both will.”
“Both? Claire, don’t you dare hang up on—”
She hangs up and turns off her phone. Then she lets out a long breath and gives me a rueful smile. “That went well.”
I pull her into my arms. “He’ll come around. Eventually.”
“Maybe.” She rests her head against my chest. “I’m going to keep trying. And I want you to try too. Please help me to send him real information about Krovenia and your species.”
“And if he never believes the truth?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Then he doesn’t. But I’m not giving you up for anyone. Not even my brother.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “My Queen.”
“My King,” she chuckles and tilts her face up to mine, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “Now. I believe we were in the middle of something before we were so rudely interrupted.”
She tugs at the belt of my robe.
“Two days wasn’t enough?”
“Two days is never enough.” She pushes the robe off my shoulders. “I’m thinking we need at least two more.”
Her mouth finds mine.
And she’s right.
Everything else can wait.