Chapter 20 Ciprian
CHAPTER TWENTY
CIPRIAN
STRIGOI KINGDOM PALACE
I gape at the screen, dumbfounded.
Viviana is fearless, just talking to my father about her realm, telling him about her studies and how she discovered my existence, and explaining every detail of her life, all without a care in the world.
She even tells him that she prefers to be called “Vivi,” something she’s never said to me.
I learned about the nickname when researching everything I could find about her existence, but she’s not mentioned her preference to me. She only focused on her dislike for pet, which I’ve now learned isn’t a true dislike.
Because she definitely responds favorably when I call her pet in the right setting.
However, all of this is… mind-boggling. And not just because my intended mate is calmly talking with a psychotic Strigoi, but because that psychotic Strigoi isn’t acting all that psychotic.
The last time I saw my father—over a thousand years ago—he could barely string together a sentence, let alone carry on a conversation.
His mind was as broken as his heart and soul, his desire to feed and kill the only two instincts that kept him alive.
When he shoved Viviana up against the wall, everything inside me rioted, my need to escape the palace and get to my mate stealing my breath and nearly causing me to slaughter everyone in the sitting room.
But then he backed off. Because she told him to.
And I… I’ve been captivated ever since.
This has been going on for hours, the two of them having long since finished their meals. My father is on his fourth blutini glass, and she’s gone through several waters.
It’s like they’re old friends reminiscing. My father even found her a blanket to curl up in when she expressed being cold.
I was relieved when she covered her bare skin, yet furious that she was on display for the entire kingdom for at least an hour before that.
Everyone knows what my mate looks like, which is typical for these proceedings. But it’s unacceptable to me. She’s mine. No one else should be allowed to see her in that manner. Only me.
Though, I can’t deny that she resembled a beautiful queen as she conversed and moved with confidence and grace. I warned her that trials are typically broadcast to the kingdom. I’m not sure if she remembered that or not, but at least I did my part in sharing that detail with her.
It’s unclear whether or not that makes any of this consensual. Fortunately, she doesn’t seem disturbed by the experience. She’s merely talking to my father like he’s an old friend.
“The general consensus is favorable,” Barnes announces, drawing my attention to where he and my grandfather are seated. They’ve been scanning feedback on their tablets while I watched my intended mate on the holographic screen hovering in the center of the room.
Fjord left us hours ago, choosing to do security rounds instead.
But I know he’s here as a babysitter—for me.
Which explains the full guard outside.
They were prepared to stop me should I have chosen to intervene. I didn’t. However, it wasn’t because they intimidated me. I was too captivated by my intended mate to do anything other than observe.
My courageous, beautiful female.
She is positively stunning.
All I want to do right now is demand a portal key so I can go to her and pull her into my arms.
Alas, she’s still talking to my abnormally sane father.
Or perhaps it’s not abnormal at all. Perhaps he’s been sane for a while now.
Is that the true purpose of this trial? My grandfather mentioned that this might be the experience we all need.
“Did you know he was of sound mind?” I ask, interrupting whatever Barnes was just saying to my grandfather.
“I’ve suspected it for some time, yes,” my grandfather replies, obviously understanding what I meant by my question. “I don’t think he was ever truly insane, just… devastated. We all know Strigoi mate for eternity.”
“Yes, but some have taken more than one mate in the past,” I say, aware that every dynamic is different. While most of our kind is too possessive to ever share, there are those who prefer it.
“True,” he murmurs. “Maybe your father will be one of them in the future. If he’s welcomed back into society, I mean.”
My eyebrow wings upward. “So this trial was your idea.”
He merely smiles. “When you become a father—which I imagine will be soon—you’ll understand my decisions, Ciprian.”
“Soon?” I echo, caring more about that than his comment regarding my future understanding. I don’t need a child to know why he did this.
He wanted to exonerate his son while also proving that my female is the right queen for this kingdom. It’s a healing experience. One that will hopefully encourage the Strigoi to trust their royals again.
They need a strong queen, someone who won’t break their hearts.
And they needed to rekindle their faith in their former king.
I comprehend all of that now. It was a good idea. If it worked, it was an even better plan.
But I don’t care about any of that right now.
I simply want my female. “She’s mine to claim,” I say before he can respond to my inquiry. Because I don’t need him or any of them to tell me that she’s passed. I know she’s destined to be my queen. “I would like a portal key. Now.”
My grandfather’s lips twist upward. “I’m surprised it took you this long to demand it.”
“Some might consider that a failure,” Barnes murmurs conversationally. “However, I’m going to choose to interpret it as a show of respect. He was waiting for a formal decision to be declared before issuing a command.”
My grandfather nods. “That’s how I choose to interpret it as well.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m not fucking here,” I growl, pushing to my feet. “She passed. Let me go to her.”
The two ancients smile at each other, then stand. “She passed hours ago, based on the feedback we’ve received. The kingdom is quite taken with your intended mate, Ciprian. But what we haven’t told you is that the trials have… evolved.”
I stare at my grandfather, waiting for him to elaborate.
However, it’s Barnes who says, “After your mother’s untimely demise, the elders gathered to discuss future trials.
We decided it wasn’t fair or enough to merely judge a human’s candidacy.
Compatibility is the key to success. That’s the error we made with your father.
And we refused to allow history to repeat itself. ”
“But then you took it upon yourself to go hunting alone,” my grandfather adds. “At first, we were concerned. I almost came after you.”
Barnes nods. “Marius intervened.”
“He more than intervened. He saved the process,” my grandfather replies. “He offered to report back to me with exclusive updates. It was dire there for a while, but he insisted on letting you do this your way. And I’m thankful that we listened.”
“Because he was right,” Barnes says.
“He was right,” my grandfather echoes. “More than right. This is how the trials should be conducted—by the Strigoi heir finding his or her own mate, then going through a series of tests to prove their devotion to the other.”
“Great. Can I go to her now?” I ask, impatient to leave.
“You’re not hearing us,” Barnes says.
“I hear you just fine,” I argue. “I’m impatient to get to my intended.” I hold out a hand. “Now.” I don’t add a placative word or a plea. It’s a demand. These two elders might have incredible power, but I’m the Strigoi King. And I want my female.
“Just continues to prove us right,” Barnes murmurs, his amusement grating on my nerves.
“You were the primary trial,” my grandfather informs me before turning to walk away. “That’s what we’re trying to tell you, Ciprian.”
I stare at his back, irritated by both his words and his physical dismissal. “Are you trying to tell me I failed?”
“Oh, no, you passed,” Barnes informs me. “First, with Marius’s reports. Second, by storming in here and demanding that we reveal where your mate was located. Third, by respecting your elders while patiently awaiting a verdict.”
“And now,” my grandfather says, turning toward me once more with a device in his hand, “by commanding that we let you go to your future queen. It proves you’re truly enamored with her. Which means you’ll do right by her.”
“Thus, hopefully, preventing the mistakes of your predecessor,” Barnes adds, quieter now.
“Are you telling me all of this has been televised?” I ask, irritated that I’ve probably been on display for the kingdom this whole time.
But both men shake their heads.
“This was a change devised by the elders, one they required us to report back on—just like Marius did with me. Your reactions were private. Only our feedback will be heard.” My grandfather holds out the item in his hand. “Congratulations, Ciprian. I look forward to meeting our new queen.”
Barnes steps between us before I can react, making me sigh with annoyance.
I’m very done with this conversation and these trials.
All I want is to reach Viviana.
And maybe… maybe pause for a greeting with my father.
“The inauguration will occur in ten days,” Barnes informs me, all business again. “That should provide you with enough time to… indulge.” With that, he moves again and allows my grandfather to hand me the portal device.
I stare at them both for a beat. “Thank you.” I mean it. Mostly because this madness is done. My queen has been approved.
And now…
Now it’s finally time for me to claim Viviana as mine.