Chapter 28
Planning
ALEK
“The bond has been settled,” Sorin said as he entered Alek’s study.
Alek nodded, his eyes on the book on his desk. He’d put Lanias to bed then dressed to meet his sons. It would be a long time before he’d satisfied his fill of her. He would be hungry for her until the day she carried their first child. He looked up at Mihai, Dmitri and Andrei who were also there.
“Have you seen that the others have been settled?” he asked this of Andrei.
“Yes, it wasn’t too difficult. Charles took them in, he’s trying to get back in my good graces since his fuck up with the organs.” He lifted his hand when Mihai looked like he would speak. “Don’t ask.” He glared at his brothers. “I’m dealing with it. So, what do you need from us?”
Alek closed the book as he stood, facing his sons he spoke the words he’d been holding back since Sorin had succeeded in taking over the red streets. “Your father has reached the end of this road. It’s time one of you took over The Crown.”
“What?” Sorin whispered.
“No,” Mihai dead panned.
“I don’t want it,” Andrei said retreating a step.
“Fuck that,” Dmitri frowned.
Alek muttered a curse, glaring at them. “Just how much longer are you four planning on leaning on me?” he demanded angrily.
“I know that your mother’s death and the loss of our home brought with it a state of uncertainty but Dmitri you reached two hundred years of age two summers ago.
I have overshadowed you four for too long.
Not only is it way past time I retired, but you four must begin rebuilding what I lost.”
The four of them responded with a sullen silence.
Sorin stepped forward. “I honestly do not wish to take your title father, it is yours and yours alone. You earned it; how could I take it when I’ve done nothing to deserve it.
Killing and leading a few thugs is not the same as ruling and caring for a people.
” He lowered his gaze. “I feel like I would bring shame to our name.”
“Plus, with your new mate. Can’t you still be our Monarch, Father?” Andrei asked. “Your madness will abate with her presence.”
“I am not suited, and you know it,” Mihai said, keeping his opinion short.
Dmitri just averted his gaze.
Alek bared his fangs at his sons, they stiffened.
“I’m the one who’s made the mistake of asking, I will be introducing Lanias to the elders.
One of you will step up, or I will simply pick and alert your grandparents of who will be taking over.
” With that he walked around the desk and stopped short in front of them.
“And I have never once felt any shame because of you, not until this very moment.” With that, he stormed from the office.
He’d thought they at least would have exposed their hunger for the throne.
Although to be fair even he knew he was offering them an unbearable duty.
Not one of his sons showed weakness, they were more than capable to rule.
The world of a criminal was far more dangerous than the world of a King.
He’d meet with the elder and the others and heard their thoughts on the issue.
The other elders also had children, not that they’d established a kingdom as he’d done but they could give him insight.
Alek would no longer be patient; they would need to pick up the role of leader.
Whether they wished it or not.
LANIAS
Lanias stood in the mirror giving her figure an examination.
“Now, if this is what it means to be a Queen, then I won’t reject it.
” The dark red gown she wore hugged her body like a second skin.
The silk material was obviously expensive.
She loved how it cupped her breast. She’d styled her hair to be pin straight, stopping just below her bottom.
She looked at the red heels that had red ribbons on the back.
“Red bottoms always added just the right amount of bitch to the look.”
Alek walked up behind her, wearing an all-black suit. His hair was combed back, exposing his forehead. He placed a kiss on her shoulder. “I told you that I would take great care of you.”
“But you didn’t say you had taste,” she joked, turning to look up at him. “Now, what I want to know is why I’m dressed to the nines. Though it doesn’t take much to get me in an expensive dress. Just where is this dress taking me I wonder.”
Her red colored lips parted as she leaned up and said, “I also noticed four men weren’t exactly happy today.”
He lowered his lashes. “I want one of them to take the title of Monarch.”
“And let me guess, none of them want it?”
“They seem to be more than happy to leave me with the title for eternity.”
“Why do you want to hand it over?” Lanias asked. “Do you not want me to be your Queen? Is my reign to be so short?” She pouted.
He grasped her chin when he spotted her bottom lip trembling with humor. “You can’t even say that with a straight face. I’ve grown tired of politics, and the elders keep requesting I retire. And I don’t disagree with them, being the face of The Vampires of the Veil has lost its charm.”
“Okay, I understand that but why does that lead to us dressing up?” Lanias asked, confused.
“We’re going to meet them,” Alek said, grabbing her hand and taking a step back into a cloud of red mist.
“Meeting who?” Lanias exclaimed, just as they entered an elegant ballroom.
In shock she looked around herself in stunned silence.
The room was filled with well-dressed individuals, who looked like they had just stepped out of a vogue magazine.
And while she didn’t feel less than them, it was still jarring to go from her bedroom to a ballroom.
She glared at the man who’d dragged her here so abruptly.
“Yeah, definitely still have moments where I want to hex you.” She jerked her hand from his and dawned a practiced smile obtaining a champagne glass from a passing server.
“How long has it been Aleksandra,” a tall, blonde woman called as she approached them. She wore a bronze mermaid gown. The amber and gold necklace that rested on her neck, caused Lanias’ hands to itch. “We’ve missed you.”
Alek greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Pulling back, he offered her a polite smile. “Rebecca it’s been only twenty years since the last gathering.” She waved him off, flashing back a bright smile.
“Don’t tease, Jacob has sent an invite many times, but you were too busy playing with that rabble in the Veil to see us.” She turned her amber eyes on Lanias. “And this is?”
“My mate,” Alek announced, putting an arm around her waist. “She’s here to be introduced to The Elder. Lanias, this is my cousin Rebecca.”
“Oh, and just what blood line is she from?” Rebecca asked, her eyes sharpening on Lanias. “I don’t think I’ve heard that name before in my circles.”
“It would be an unlikely name heard especially since my circles are a bit selective when it comes to who they allow in,” Lanias answered as she took a sip of her champagne then continued. “Though I’m sure if I mention your name to them, they will try to remember you.”
She hid her grin behind her glass.
Rebecca’s eyes hardened, as she tilted her head right. “Interesting, and what pray tell is it you do to be welcomed in such exclusive circles?”
“I run the place their husbands go to get relief from their trophy wives,” Lanias said. Enjoying the brief flash of anger that appeared in Rebecca’s eyes. “A bar.” She added after a brief silence, hiding her sly smile behind her glass. “You might have heard of it, The Shade.”
The minute she named her establishment Lanias watched the color leach from Rebecca’s face. She found it interesting as she’d never met the woman before.
“Is that so,” Rebecca said her voice sounding choked. She turned to Alek, “Mother won’t be pleased you’ve mated such a Witch.”
“I’m far beyond the age to care about Mother’s opinion,” Alek retorted.
She tightened her lips to a thin line before she turned on her heel and marched away.
“Well, she was nice,” Lanias mused finishing the rest of her champagne. “And now I’m wondering why I’m here, once again.” She asked this pointedly.
Alek leaned over and brushed a consoling kiss on her cheek. “Half the battle has already been won.” He said removing his arm from her waist but holding her hand giving her enough time to set her glass on a table nearby before he dragged her through the crowd once more.
ALEK
Alek had no intention of staying long, the vampires here believed themselves above all Beings. He’d been more lenient in his view; he knew that each Being had their strength and weakness.
And most of the Vampires here weren’t even related to the elders as he and his cousins were, themselves, born of the ruling family.
Many of them sought favor, or a chance to be welcomed into the top families. Alek did not need to navigate the social waters since he was a son of those families.
“Ah, my son. You’ve come.” His mother stood surrounded by her usual sycophants. Her white hair, long and touching the ground. She wore an ivory chiffon dress, with diamonds that could probably buy an empire. Her soft red eyes met his as she opened her arms to him in welcome. “I’ve missed you.”
He went to her, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. Withdrawing, he gave her an appreciative once over. “You look well.”
“Have I ever looked bad?” His mother teased, brushing an affectionate hand along his cheek. She looked at Lanias who gave her a slight bow of the head. “And this beauty, who is she to you?”
Alek smiled, lifting Lanias’ hands to his lips. So that his mother could see the back of his right hand, and the changed mark there.
Her eyes widened as a pleased smile came to her lips.
“You’ve re-bonded,” she whispered, turning to face Lanias and taking her hand.
“As Aleks mother, please call me Ghia. I welcome you and thank you. I wasn’t sure how much longer he could endure being alone.
I feared the possibility of hearing about his death as time went by. ”