Chapter 52
The group walked out from the portal and were back in the hallway of the vampire kingdom. Derrick took in a deep breath, and a warm smile rested on his lips. He was home. And finally, he would be able to act like this was his home.
“You’re back!” Ryan came from down the corridor and his eyes immediately rested on Derrick, with Lucie still clinging to his arm. “Are you planning to make the announcement early?”
“I need to speak with my parents first. But that’s my plan,” Derrick said, and he watched as Ryan’s eyes trailed to Lucie and back to him. He knew what he was thinking. “Myra.”
“My lord.” The small, pale woman appeared in a kneeling position.
“Tell my parents I request their audience in my chambers.” The girl instantly vanished.
“Let’s go.” He nodded to Ryan to join them as well.
They were in a private hall that was reserved for the royal family, so keeping Lucie at his side here wasn’t a problem.
He led her to his room with the others following.
They walked inside and everyone made themselves comfortable, except for Abe, who remained standing.
“Please, have a seat.” Lucie nodded to another chair. She noticed how he hesitated until he locked eyes with her. Then he obediently walked to a chair.
“Hey, if this works out, you won’t have to swap spit with Ryan again.” Aedan’s eyes flickered as he stared at a very pale and uncomfortable-looking Ryan.
Derrick squeezed Lucie’s hand and sighed heavily. “You’re lucky I can read Lucie’s mind.”
“That takes all the fun out of it,” Aedan said with a disappointed snort.
“Aedan! I thought we were bros.” Ryan sighed in relief, shooting daggers at Aedan.
Aedan chuckled. “We are. Tormenting my new family is sort of my thing, though. But with Lucie and him connecting memories, it’s hard.”
“Speaking of bros …” Ryan turned and looked at Justice, who had been quietly observing him with what he thought was a predatory glance. “You must be Justice.”
“I must be,” Justice said, trying to hide his personality for a moment longer. “Word is you happen to like the ladies. I am also one who likes the ladies.”
“Once I’m off the hook from playing pretend fiancé, you want to be my wingman?” Ryan grinned widely.
“No. But you can be mine.” Justice snorted, and the two men chuckled together.
Lucie giggled and shook her head. She knew they would get along splendidly.
The door to the hall opened and King Alaric and Queen Willa walked in. They all stood and Derrick approached them, hugging both of his parents.
“Is everything okay? We weren’t expecting you.” Alaric watched as his son nodded while drawing Lucie to his side, making sure they could see the mark that was now on her neck.
“Breaking tradition?” Willa said, clicking her tongue.
“Yes. And I need to break it again,” Derrick said firmly.
“There is someone that is claiming the elite leader Ryan is their steady boyfriend. The girl doesn’t know who I am, so she doesn’t understand how damaging her lies are.
Furthermore, she has fabricated a video that isn’t true either.
I ask to announce myself to my people. I want to clear my name. ”
“No. You can’t announce this until you’re crowned. The day you are back here permanently will be when you are announced the crown prince. You know this has a purpose.” King Alaric said firmly.
“And I have accomplished that purpose, haven’t I?” Derrick said in exasperation. The purpose was to find faithful allies, and he had with his soldiers.
“You must finish the task you set out to do and bring your soldiers home,” Alaric said firmly.
“I already told Jasper to tell them who I am,” Derrick said, and his father’s eyes darkened.
Alaric sighed angrily. “Well, what is done can’t be undone. But I still won’t allow it. If there is a rumor, go and dispel it as Ryan. It is not time for you to join us here at the palace.”
“I fail to see why not. Could you explain this to me? Other than breaking tradition, what is the problem with him announcing who he is?” Lucie met their gazes confidently.
“Derrick must prove himself.” Willa said quietly.
“And he hasn’t? And he can’t if his identity is revealed?” Lucie felt irritated. She could feel how upset Derrick was, and how trapped he felt. Well, they couldn’t trap her. “Furthermore, this is the price I demand for keeping the soul Abaas a secret.”
“Lucie,” Derrick hissed and tugged on her arm.
“No, Derrick. You may have made a deal for the prince and Ryan to put on a charade, but you never made this deal with me. You have chosen to show me a fake fiancé, and now you want me to continue to play this role. I should have been made aware from the beginning. I went through a lot … feelings of being unwanted and not being good enough. Had I been made aware from the beginning, all of that could have been avoided. What is being asked of me isn’t fair.
I won’t wear another man’s scent anymore.
I am not letting someone else bathe me in their spit.
And I am not going to pretend to be another’s mate.
” Lucie’s green eyes attacked them. She could feel how nervous Derrick was, and he was waiting for his parents’ reaction with bated breath.
But not Lucie. This was enough. Everything that had happened to her recently was because she couldn’t simply have her mate by her side.
Finally, Willa smiled. “Lucie, you are perfect. Isn’t she perfect, dear? If only I could have had a daughter. I imagine she would have been so much like you.” She looked at Alaric, who had a small smile on his lips as well.
“You have a leader’s heart. You’re right. We should have thought things through better. And my guess is, with you as the new queen, a lot of traditions will be broken,” Alaric said with a quiet sigh.
“Yes. I will not have any son of mine participating in some quest where he has to prove himself. I understand the identity thing to find loyal soldiers, but having to prove themselves? No. Won’t be happening.
No child of mine will have to prove themselves to me.
” Lucie felt Derrick pull her into his chest as he beamed down at her.
She blushed slightly as his thoughts entered her head.
She could feel his pride, adoration, love, and lust.
“She is perfect.” Derrick leaned down and gave her a gentle peck on the lips.
“I am so happy that you two ended up being mates,” Willa said with watery eyes. “This is more than I could have ever hoped for. And seeing you two together makes me so happy.”
“Alright, son. Do what you feel you need to. But how do you actually plan to handle the situation?” Alaric asked curiously.
Derrick smiled. “Just leave it to me. I’ll handle everything. I just need you to organize a formal event for tonight.”
“We can do that.” Alaric looked from Derrick to Lucie. “You two are a good match. You will have strong children together.”
Derrick chuckled and watched as Lucie’s ears turned red. Her embarrassment was adorable. “I couldn’t agree more. There will never be anyone else for me but my little mate.”
Lucie put on a long, formal, black sleeveless dress and put the finishing touches on her face.
She was left alone to get ready but was to meet Derrick in the main ballroom.
She wasn’t sure where that was, but Abe and Myra were left with her.
She walked out of the bathroom to see them both dressed nicely as well.
“Princess, you look stunning,” Abe said with a half bow.
“My lady.” Myra said, curtsying low to the ground.
“Nuh-uh, you two. Don’t you dare! It is a friendship relationship with me, you got it?” Lucie narrowed her eyes at them sternly, and they both smiled at her.
“Now … do either of you have any tips for me? What should I expect? Derrick disappeared so fast before I could read the plan in his mind. So I guess he’s surprising me too, huh?” Lucie watched as they both shrugged slightly.
“We weren’t told anything. Probably so you couldn’t order it out of us.” Abe chuckled.
“The king has arranged for a formal dance tonight. It’s considered a ball of sorts. People will be dressed in their finest and will be waiting for some special news. These things are usually held to announce a new mate, a visitor, or news of a pregnancy.” Myra gave Lucie a side smile.
“Oh my gosh. They’ll think I’m pregnant.
” Lucie slapped her forehead. She could hear the gentle laughter from Abe and sweet giggle from Myra.
She looked between her fingers at the two of them before laughing a bit herself.
“I guess it may not be entirely wrong, though.” She watched as the two of them immediately quit laughing.
Their eyes darted to her stomach and back to her eyes.
“Are you pregnant, my lady?” Myra suddenly asked with a protective air about her.
Lucie laughed. “Well, I can hardly know that after just a couple of days. But after my heat, I can’t say it isn’t a possibility.”
“We should maybe take precautions, then,” Abe said with pursed lips. His eyes wandered over Lucie with protectiveness. He could feel himself reacting to the possibility of there being a life growing inside of her, and it made him want to shield her, to protect her and the future.
“Don’t be silly. You know you fought my grandmother while she was pregnant and she ended up being just fine. I come from a strong and resilient bloodline, and I’m not about to be locked away. Which makes me think.” Lucie grinned and looked at Abe. “Can you block the mate link if I ask you to?”
Abe furrowed his brow and set his jaw. “I wouldn’t want to do something like that.”
“But you can?”
He let out a loud sigh. “Yes, I probably can, but—”
“Relax.” Lucie giggled. “I’m just thinking that when the day comes and I am pregnant, I would like to surprise Derrick. Instead of him just knowing, I would like to tell him myself.”
Abe smiled and nodded. “Okay. Yes, I can do that.”
“So, are you going to be my escort?” Lucie asked, looking at Abe.
“No. Myra and I will be doing our job and keeping an eye on things from the shadows. Your escort is waiting for you in the hall.” Abe motioned toward the door.
“Speaking of which …” Myra smiled. “You should probably get going.”
“Yes, I know.” Lucie inhaled deeply to settle her nerves. She wasn’t a big fan of these public events, especially when she felt a bit in the dark about it. She walked toward the door and opened it. In front of her stood Justice, dressed in a black tuxedo.
“You look amazing, Lucie.” Justice beamed and extended his arm to her.
She glanced behind her to say something to Abe and Myra, but they were already gone. “I hope you were shown the way, because I don’t know where I’m going.” Lucie turned back to Justice and bit her lip, smiling.
“Yes, I know where I’m going, and I already had a nice peek. There are some delicious specimens here, and maybe I have a chance, being the mysterious new guy.” Justice winked down at Lucie, who only shook her head with a laugh. He might be her guardian, but he was still the same lecherous Justice.
She walked with her arm in his down several halls that led to two double doors, where two guards were waiting. She wasn’t exactly sure what was planned for tonight, but the anticipation had her buzzing with excitement.