by C. A. Worley
“Yuri, please accompany Eden up to our chambers while I have a word with my brother.”
“But, I was hoping to see the castle today,” Eden protested.
Viktor held up the missive Yuri had handed him earlier. “Not today, mala vestica. You’ll want to read this in private. I’ll be up shortly.”
Eden looked at the scroll worriedly.
“It will be okay, Eden. Take it. Yuri can stay with you until I get there.”
Eden grabbed the parchment and allowed Yuri to escort her out.
“Leave us,” he ordered the remaining guards.
Once the doors were closed, Viktor held out a hand to Luka and helped him off the ground.
“I take it you were your usual charming self,” Viktor accused.
“I may have baited her a bit, yes,” Luka admitted.
“Why? You knew I would not tolerate it.”
“Yes, but I didn’t know if she would tolerate it. She’ll have to have a thick skin to survive here. And if I’m honest, I wanted to know what sort of female the Goddess created for you. And I must say, Brother, she is unequivocally sublime.”
“Yes, she is, but you’ll not do it again. Do not test me on this, Luka. I’ll not act rationally when it comes to her. I’m not capable of it.”
He was loathe to admit it, but Luka needed to understand the cold and logical King was anything but when it came to Eden’s well-being.
The last thing Viktor wanted was to kill his only remaining family member, but he would do it. He would set the world afire if it made Eden safe, especially now, after reading the message from Theron.
“You care for her,” Luka assessed.
“I do,” Viktor admitted.
He’d never said as much to Eden, but their souls communicated and that would have to be enough for now. He wasn’t sure why it was so easy to say it to his brother.
“The Heartless King has finally found his soulmate,” Luka announced, as though addressing the room. He’d always had a thing for dramatics. “I bet that sent Bianca into a rage.”
Luka felt a troubling cramp in his abdomen, thinking of the white-haired beauty. He’d studiously avoided her since she’d arrived decades ago, fearing his severe attraction to her would land him in trouble.
Viktor scratched at the scruff on his jaw. “She ported to my balcony to see for herself.”
“And she lives?”
“You know I cannot kill her.”
“Oh, you could, but you shouldn’t. For once, I don’t envy you in the slightest, Viktor.”
Viktor sat down on one of the steps below his throne. He brought his elbows to his knees, suddenly feeling weary from the weight of his burdens, the regret of his life’s choices.
“She doesn’t know.”
“Who doesn’t know what?”
“Eden. She knows about Dmitri and that I agreed to take care of Bianca. I left it at that.”
“You can’t keep it secret for much longer. We’re weeks past the solstice, Viktor. Time’s almost up to make good on your end of the deal.”
“I’m aware.”
Viktor’s hands fisted, furious with himself for allowing his affection for Dmitri to affect his decision-making. He should never have agreed to the last part of the contract.
He’d conveniently pushed it to the back of his mind, unwilling to spoil his time getting to know his sieva. It hung heavy in the background. As the days passed, he could no longer pretend all was well.
Luka sat next to Viktor, in the same spots they would sit as children. It was where they watched their immoral father hold court, painstakingly destroying their innocence. He scared the life right out of them, slowly shaping them into what they would eventually become.
Unfulfilled. Unfeeling.
Viktor didn’t want to go back to what he had been. Eden was changing him, for the better. He would not entertain any option other than building a life with her, here at Castra Nocte.
What did a piece of paper and a ten-minute ceremony mean compared to the one who held his soul in her delicate hands? Nothing.
“What are you going to do?” Luka asked.
“There’s nothing to be done.”
Luka looked at his brother incredulously. “You mean to have your sieva bow to your Queen?”
“Never. Eden shall be exempt. She’s not a vampire, so she won’t fall under the Queen’s domain.”
Luka leaned towards Viktor, concern marring his handsome face. Viktor couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen it be anything other than contemptuous.
“Something must be done, Viktor. I know I don’t hold a place of esteem in your life, but listen to me. This is not going to turn out well for you.”
“Breaking the contract is virtually impossible. You know this. And I’ll never let Eden go. I’ll chain her to my bed, if necessary.”
“Right, and she’ll allow it. Did you not see the flames coming out of her hands?” Luka’s voice was laced with skepticism.
“I can be very persuasive,” Viktor replied.
“And what of Bianca?” Luka questioned, locking down his reaction to the possibility she’d not end up married to Viktor. He didn’t want to contemplate why he was having such ridiculous thoughts.
“She can live in the Queen’s quarters on the opposite side of the castle. I’ve already ordered her to never enter a room where Eden might be if she cannot be anything but respectful towards her. If I have to, I’ll send her to another residence.”
“It won’t be enough,” Luka stated unwaveringly. “The kingdom has ceremonies and festivals, things the Queen must be a part of. You can’t throw them together like that and expect all to be well. You cannot live two separate lives and you certainly cannot expect them to do it either.”
Luka thought his brother was in total denial. He could not force this upon his mate and expect anything other than the destruction of their relationship.
The soul-bond would not save Viktor from Eden’s wrath once she found out. Or, worse, his brother may very well break her indomitable spirit. Just as Nikolai had done to them and their mother.
“Then I’ll not attend any ceremonies,” Viktor countered, knowing how preposterous it sounded, yet unwilling to yield. “I don’t have to be present at festivals. I’ll hold court and leave the rest to Bianca. We’ll split duties and I’ll keep Eden out of court life as best I can.”
“You’ll not attend,” Luka responded drolly. “What about your wedding? You plan to attend that? Plan to invite your sieva to watch you pledge yourself in matrimony to another? I’m sure that will go over swimmingly.”
Viktor’s eyes flashed bright green. He was tempted to hit his brother again, preferably break the nose on his sarcasm-laced face. He hated that Luka was right. There was no positive outcome in this scenario.
Luka shook his head irritably. “There is no peace for us, is there, Brother?”
“No, I suppose there isn’t. It’s the burden of those who rule, Luka.”
“No, I refuse to believe that. And I wasn’t just referring to you, you conceited ass. You think I don’t want to find my own sieva? For the vampire race to once again bear children? We’ve brought a plague upon our heads and every last one of us is paying for it,” Luka’s voice rose as he stood, resolutely straightening his tunic.
Viktor opened his mouth, stunned at Luka’s words. It was the first time Luka had ever inferred he was personally invested in the kingdom’s struggles—the first time he’d acted like the male Viktor had known before Nikolai had broken him.
Perhaps there was hope, after all. It was a last resort, but handing over the crown might be an option if Luka could prove himself capable.
The chance was small, but the flicker of hope remained. Viktor didn’t dare fuel the flame, but he allowed it to burn within.
A fraction of Viktor’s burden lifted the tiniest bit. He needed a miracle. If Luka could find his way back to his old self, Viktor might just get one.
Viktor stared hard at his brother,
measuring the odds, thinking through the fallout from abdicating. Theron’s words about the leader needing to produce offspring hung heavy in his mind.
Viktor sighed. Until he could confidently place the care of all Prajna in Luka’s hands, he needed to explore every other possibility. He was furious with himself for letting it go this long.
For five years he’d lived with the knowledge his sieva would be crossing his path and he’d dismissed it as an inconvenience. What a fool he had been.
Viktor stood to face his brother. “I’ve limited options, Luka. If you have any ideas, I’m listening.”
Luka bowed his head. He didn’t have any ideas, not any that would end without someone dead or his brother dethroned.
“You still have a few weeks. I’ll think on it. We’ll come up with something. I’ll not rest until I do,” Luka promised.
Viktor clasped Luka’s shoulder and squeezed, touched by his pledge. “I appreciate the sentiment, but this burden is mine to carry. Do not waste time worrying on my behalf. Seek answers or alternatives, but do not take on personal responsibility for my mistake.”
With that, Viktor ported away before Luka could respond.
* * *
Eden rolled up the message and sat it on the table next to the chair. She closed her eyes and her shaky hands rubbed her temples, trying to stave off the migraine she felt coming.
“Here, have some tea,” Yuri insisted, pouring her a cup. When she made no move to reach for it, he sat it on the table next to the scrolled parchment.
“I don’t want to burden you further,” he said, “but I wanted to make a comment on your … introduction to Luka.”
Eden opened her eyes.
“First off, kudos to you for the display of power. It earned you the respect of the royal guard and I dare say of Luka.”
“Do you think?” she asked uncertainly. She couldn’t picture Luka respecting anyone if that was his normal behavior.
“Oh, yes. You acted as Viktor does when dealing with his brother. The other males were terrified. I greatly enjoyed it.”
Eden didn’t want them to be terrified of her. She only wanted some degree of respect.
“I also wanted to warn you,” Yuri continued, “should you, in the future, feel the need to turn those flames on him—and not just to singe his eyebrows—if it is not done in self-defense, it is considered attempted murder.”
Eden snorted humorlessly. “I can assure you, Yuri, if I’d wanted him dead, it wouldn’t be attempted murder.”
She didn’t actually think she would do it, but she was in a foul mood and her headache wasn’t helping.
“I believe you. Nevertheless, you should know attempted murder carries an automatic death sentence. If unprovoked, of course.”
Eden wanted to reply that Luka had done nothing other than provoke her with every insulting word he flung at her. But she could see Yuri was concerned and only trying to warn her.
“You mean don’t try to kill anyone unless my life is in danger.”
“Yes.”
“Fair enough.”
She picked up her tea and held it up towards him. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome. Now—” he cut himself off. Something caught his attention at the balcony.
Eden followed his gaze. Viktor was opening the glass doors. He marched to her chair and knelt in front of her, his warm palms settling on her knees.
It was humbling watching the King of Prajna kneel before her. He’d done it multiple times now and she didn’t think she’d ever get used to it.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
She nodded, but she wasn’t alright. Her bottom lip trembled.
“Thank you, Yuri. That will be all for now,” Viktor dismissed his friend, taking the teacup from Eden’s hands and setting it aside.
“Of course,” Yuri replied as he went to the door. “Send for me if you need anything,” he added before shutting it behind him.
Lines formed on Eden’s forehead and her lips pressed tight. She looked pained, but she did not weep. Viktor knew she’d read the message. His sieva was barely holding herself together.
The message had come from Theron with news of her sister, Nora, and their father. They had all been betrayed by the girls’ governess, Mara. She was the elemental member of the Sephtis Kenelm.
Mara had made an attempt on Nora’s life, along with the help of King Kellan’s healer, Agatha. It was unheard of for healers to take a life. Viktor was certain the betrayal had rattled the wolves.
They would be out for blood and they would want to hunt, possibly on Prajna soil. Kellan wouldn’t do it without Viktor’s permission, but he would expect Viktor to cooperate.
Viktor would normally refuse. This time, he couldn’t, not when he’d promised to help find the remaining members of the brotherhood. One of whom was Prajna.
It was assumed the group had four members because that was how it had always operated. Currently, it appeared two members were still alive.
The demon member, Bogdan, had been caught a week ago and dealt with in a manner fitting an assassin—his heart had been removed from his chest. Mara was already dead, by Nora’s hands, if Theron was to be believed.
The demon and the elemental were dead. Agatha, the she-wolf, was on the run. That left one unknown member, a vampire.
Viktor crushed Eden to him. He’d believed she would be safe here. She should be safe here. Regrettably, she might not be, not with the fourth unknown member on the loose.
To top it all off, her father and some other men had been attacked on their way to Castle Burghard to see Nora and Kellan. The Sephtis Kenelm were getting bolder, likely growing desperate in their mission to prevent what they perceived to be an imbalance of power.
He waited for the tears to come, for Eden to show her distress. The only outward sign was the tenseness in her body. He admired her tenacity, but he’d comfort her anyway.
Viktor picked up his mate and sat down in her place, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He adjusted her to sit comfortably in his lap.
Eden pressed her face into Viktor’s neck. She inhaled deeply, comforted by his unique, earthen and spicy scent.
He held her for long minutes before speaking. “I sent word we would arrive at the temple in three days. I asked Kellan and Nora to join us.”
“Is that safe?”
“Sanctus Femina is probably the safest place to be. I’m thinking of sending you there to stay until this is all over.”
Eden sat up, scowling.
“By myself?”
“Of course not. Evelyn is staying there. I’ll make sure you have more than enough guards.”
“I meant, alone, without you, Viktor.”
“I cannot be gone from the kingdom for long.”
“That’s fine. I’ll just stay here, then.”
“Eden—”
“No,” she replied vehemently. “I won’t feel safe without you near. Do not ask it of me.”
Warmth spread through his chest. She was a balm to his wretched soul. He wanted to tell her as much, but he couldn’t. He was afraid to say such things aloud, terrified of her owning his heart when he was only going to hurt hers in return.
He needed to tell her about Bianca. He was running out of time, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Viktor knew Eden. She wouldn’t want to stay with him and he would never allow her to leave.
Goddess willing, he and Luka would figure out a solution before his magically enforced deadline. If they did, maybe Eden wouldn’t need to know.
At the thought of losing her affections, he ported them to the bed, stripped them of their clothing, and held her tight against the length of his body until dawn.
Chapter 18
Three days later, Viktor ported with Eden to Sanctus Femina. They didn’t bring any luggage, having decided not to stay overnight.
He’d tried multiple times to get Eden to agree to stay longer, a month at most, thinking it would be an ample amount of time for
things to blow over. It would give him time to help with tracking the remaining members of Sephtis Kenelm and to deal with Bianca.
Selfishly, he didn’t want Eden anywhere near Castra Nocte or the looming ceremony being planned. He was trying to protect her both physically and emotionally. He feared he would only succeed in one of the two.
Eden still didn’t know the entirety of what was in the contract with Bianca. If Viktor couldn’t find a way out of it, he would tell Eden. He was starting to cling to hope he would find that miracle. It was a dangerous way to think.
He wanted to have faith in his brother. It was starting to look as though Luka might be his only way out. Yet again, he tucked the idea away as an absolute last resort, unsure he could actually go through with handing over the kingdom.
Viktor had considered bribing Bianca. He doubted there was anything more she wanted than the title of Queen, but if there was, he would give it to her. He would have to approach her soon. He loathed the very idea of the female having any sort of leverage over him.
He’d spent some time the past two days with both Yuri and Luka, trying to brainstorm ways out of the contract. They only came up with two options.
One, Bianca could refuse to marry him. Dmitri had added the clause in case she had major issue with Viktor and could not be happy with him. What Dmitri didn’t know was that Bianca would grow up into a selfish adult who would do just about anything to sit on the throne. She would likely never refuse to marry Viktor, even if he could never love her.
Two, Bianca could die. She was barely over one hundred years old, so old age wouldn’t take her. Luka adamantly offered to take care of it, but Viktor brushed off his absurd idea.
If Luka killed Bianca without provocation, Viktor would have to take Luka’s life. It was the law and no vampire was above it, especially when the King was magically compelled to enforce it. It was the ultimate contract required of every sovereign of Prajna who was crowned.
Neither Yuri nor Luka had suggested Viktor step aside. They weren’t aware of the loophole Viktor realized he’d been given. He kept it quiet, unwilling to tease Luka with prospect of being a king.
