Chapter 74 The Prince’s Resolve

Chapter 74 The Prince’s Resolve
LEON
           The lead vampire messenger stood with the kind of rigid posture that screamed that he had never laughed once in his immortal life and would probably stake anyone who tried to make him.

"Prince Leon," he said coldly. "His Majesty commands your immediate return."

I sighed dramatically, letting the sound drag out long enough to echo off the courtyard stones.

"You know," I said, tilting my head, "every time someone starts a sentence with 'His Majesty commands,' my day somehow gets worse. It's like a curse."

None of them smiled. Not even a twitch.

Tough crowd.

Behind me, I heard Zade cough into his fist. It sounded wet and painful but was definitely a judgmental cough. Wonderful. He was still conscious enough to roast my jokes.

The messenger's crimson gaze landed on the bracelet around my wrist. It felt heavier today.

"You are the Crown Prince."

"I'm aware. Tragically."

"You will return."

"I won't."

The answer slipped out so easily it surprised even me.

A trace of surprise crossed his ancient face. "You understand the consequences?"

I lifted my wrist, turning it so the sunlight caught the crimson metal. It gleamed like fresh blood. I wiggled it slightly, feeling the faint heat lick against my skin.

"Oh, this thing? Bit flashy for my taste. Doesn't really go with the whole 'reformed villain' aesthetic I've been cultivating."

"It will kill you."

"I know." The words tasted metallic on my tongue.

"It has already begun. It cannot be removed unless you return."

"I also know that. Jeez.”

The silence stretched, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves and Zade's labored breathing beside me.

Then the messenger took another step closer, his boots crunching softly on gravel. "Why?"

I looked back.

Indie had one arm wrapped tightly around Zade's waist, her body braced against his weight. The poor wolf looked like he'd collapse if someone sneezed too loudly. Yet somehow, he was still trying to stand taller, his shoulders squared in pure stubborn defiance.

My competitive idiot.

I smiled.

"I've grown attached to the scenery."

The messenger frowned, deep lines etching his brow.

"This pack is beneath you."

That made me laugh. "You should hear yourself. You sound just like him."

He didn't understand.

"You know what the funny thing is?" I gestured towards the pack house, its wooden beams warm in the sunlight, smelling faintly of home. "My father would agree with you. He'd say they're weak. Emotional. Reckless. Liabilities."

I looked towards Indie. She was already trying not to cry again, her eyes glassy, her lower lip caught between her teeth. The sight twisted something deep in my gut.

Then towards Zade. He was glaring at the messenger, his violet eyes blazing despite the exhaustion weighing him down.

"...And somehow they're the strongest people I've ever met."

The messenger's jaw tightened, a muscle jumping beneath pale skin. "You are throwing away eternity."

I shrugged, the motion loose. "Eternity wasn't very fun. Too many brooding hallways and not enough blanket theft."

"You will lose your throne."

I rolled my eyes. “Who cares?”

The messenger studied me for several long seconds, his crimson eyes searching for cracks. Then he nodded once. "So be it."

He glanced towards Mason. "We will leave peacefully."

"Good choice," Mason replied, resting his gun across one shoulder with casual menace.

Nearly thirty scouts closed ranks around the vampires, a wall of muscle, steel, and low growls. Nobody lowered their weapons until the massive iron gates slammed shut behind them with a resounding boom that vibrated through my bones.

Only then did I finally breathe again.

...

The engine purred quietly as we pulled away from the pack house, a low, soothing rumble beneath my hands on the wheel.

I drove because neither of my mates trusted me with my own thoughts if I wasn't occupied. Smart of them.

Through the rearview mirror, I watched them, sunlight lighting up their faces through the trees.

Indie sat in the backseat, her shoulder a resting place for Zade. Every few minutes she'd brush his hair gently from his forehead, her fingers trembling.

Nobody spoke for almost fifteen minutes. Only the hum of tires and Zade's ragged breathing filled the space.

"Leon." My mate finally spoke up, his voice gravelly.

I glanced up. "Hm?"

Zade hadn't opened his eyes. "Why didn't you go?"

I snorted. "What?"

"You should've gone."

"Oh." I pretended to think about it, tapping the wheel. "I was going to. I even had a speech prepared."

Indie smiled despite herself, the expression lighting up her face.

"You did not."

"I absolutely did," I cleared my throat dramatically, my voice booming in the confined space. "'Dear Father, unfortunately I have fallen tragically in love with an angry wolf and an even angrier woman. Please understand that I can no longer participate in politics because they are both unbelievably high maintenance.'"

Indie laughed, the sound wrapping around my heart like sunlight.

Zade groaned. "Fuck you."

"Anything you want, baby."

Zade scoffed, Indie laughing hard. Eventually, silence settled again.

Then Zade spoke quietly. "No. I'm serious."

His eyes finally opened, meeting mine in the mirror.

"So am I."

"You'll die."

"Probably." The word didn't scare me like it once had.

"I spent centuries trying to become the son my father wanted. I kept thinking... if I became stronger. Smarter. Colder. He'd finally look at me."

I laughed. "Turns out he all I got as a reward was the bracelet."

Nobody interrupted.

"You know what happened after I met you two?" I glanced at Indie in the mirror. "You both ruined me."

She blinked, her beautiful eyes widening.

"I started laughing more. I started looking forward to tomorrow instead of dreading it. I even started caring whether someone had eaten breakfast." I sighed dramatically, letting the playfulness bleed through. "Absolutely disgusting behavior."

That earned me another small laugh from Indie. She needed it. The sound eased the knot in my chest.

I continued more softly. "I realized something. I don't want a kingdom. I want mornings where Bunny steals my blanket."

Indie gasped. "I do not!"

"You definitely do." I grinned. "I've seen it. Multiple times. Very cute."

She blushed, the pink flush beautiful against her skin.

Then I nodded towards Zade. "And I apparently enjoy listening to this oversized mutt threaten to kill me at least six times a day."

"I've only threatened you two times today," Zade murmured, his voice weak but amused.

"Oh. My mistake." I smiled wider. "You're improving."

Even Zade chuckled. It turned into a cough, but it was still a laugh.

My chest loosened further.

"So..." I said. "When the messenger told me to come home... I realized... I already was."

The car fell silent.

Zade stared at me for several long seconds, his violet eyes searching. Finally, he shook his head slowly. "...You're a pain in the ass."

"I've been told."

"You'd really give up a throne... for us?"

I smiled. "I wouldn't say I gave it up. No? I traded up."

Indie's eyes filled instantly, her precious tears spilling over. Oh my baby girl.

"Oh no," I groaned, though my voice cracked with affection. "Please don't cry. You know I can't handle crying. It makes me all... soft and useless."

She laughed through the tears, the sound watery. "I hate you."

"Join the club."

Zade reached his trembling hand forward between the seats, his fingers searching. I took it without looking away from the road. His grip was weak, but it grounded me like nothing else could.

"...Don't die before I do," he murmured sleepily.

I squeezed his hand once, feeling the faint pulse there. "I wasn't planning on it."

Then I smirked, injecting lightness back in. "Besides... you still owe me that cabin. And our queen promised me beach dates."

I glanced at them through the mirror, my heart full. "I'm collecting on both."

We were going to be okay, right? As if to mock me, a sharp pain traveled up my arm, stabbing the air out of my lungs.

"Leon? Are you alright?" Indie asked, looking alarmed.

I forced out a smile even as the pain swelled. "Never been better."