Chapter 41 Non-negotiable affection
“What was that?”
“Exactly what you saw,” Valerio barked.
Raven boiled with fury seeing that Valerio remained unbothered or without remorse over what he had done with Evyths.
It was an intimate act. Questionable. Forbidden. Disrespectful to their marriage that was only hours ago.
But he was a powerful king, he couldn't be casually questioned.
Valerio drew closer to her, his steps calculated and his gaze daunting.
“You wanted a marriage? I gave you one. Why should you complain? The very moment the former king was cursed was the very moment you sold your soul and freedom to me. You’re my prisoner, Raven, accept it and I'll do with you as I deem fit…” he said digging his fingers in her cheeks harshly, tilting her dark gaze to meet his lethal one.
Raven suppressed her whimpers not to appear weak even if he could see through her, he knew that she was breaking but the king enjoyed every bit of her vulnerability.
“Y-you dare hurt me, you would lose the war—”
“It is a pity that you think I give two rancid fucks about you or your undead army,” he said to her, his tone was rougher and angrier uey he didn't fuss about her statement rather he pulled her hair again as she winced, a black tear hanging in the corner of her eyes. “
“You swayed your back into the palace after buying and threatening the lives of my officials and clan members to get me. That was your mistake thinking that their loyalty lies with you,” he said without hurry in his baritone. He tugged at her hair again, as her her rappled with his big hand gripping her hair. “Raven, open your eyes. I am not my mother—you cannot play mystical games with me,” he snapped and released her severely as she fell to the hard ground, bruising her knees and palms letting out a whimper.
When Valerio moved away from her, his gaze landed on Octavio who remained still and expressionless with unspoken words.
“I am not sure your loyalty lies with me; it's either her or me—the crown,” said Valerio, his brows furrowing.
…
Some minutes later, Valerio was walking with tons of guards behind him and Vance at his right hand side.
Everyone that sighted the king and guards instantly hid away or ran it vanished.
His aura was bleak, his eyes were burning and his face showed no empathy.
Whispers were beginning to cross the castle and kingdom that King Valerio had now become more deadly.
He had no patience even if he never had one; Valerio was unpredictable and callous. It was only to Evyths that he was soft and generous and that baffled everyone leaving their questions unanswered.
By the time the king reached his study where Lucian was waiting, the guards remained outside except Vance who was allowed to follow because he was now the king’s guard.
On the other hand, Lucian has been leaning on a shelf, reading from a parchment that was on Valerio’s desk.
When Lucian lazily caught Valerio’s vacant gaze, he looked back at the parchment.
“Is that how you address the king?” Valerio blurted out casually, something to infuriate Lucian who always seemed mysterious and dark.
Lucian, as predicted by Valerio, put away the parchment as he walked over to Valerio who was halfway seated on the edge of the redwood desk.
“My apologies, your majesty!” Lucian bowed his head, his tone was sarcastic.
Valerio scoffed with a rueful smile. “I will definitely have your head next time, brother!” Valerio smirked, planting a hand on Lucian’s shoulder giving it a harsh squeeze swiftly.
Lucian’s gaze hardened, splitting it between Valerio and his hand. A flicker of disgust flashed on his face instantly.
“You… wanted us to talk—”
“And I shall be quick with it because I can't stand your presence these days,” Valerio snapped with a calm face.
“Why? Because I'm having my way with your pet that you are madly in love with?” Lucian snapped to annoy Valerio, but Valerio remained still and unfazed.
“That is cheap of you thinking that using my hound to spite me would make me any less of a vampire,” Valetio said as Lucian remained silent, monitoring Valerio’s moves while Vance stood prepared in the corner next to the door.
Valerio’s fingers danced on the desk’s surface, now using his sharp claws to scrape the desk, drawing a short vertical line.
“I have read the parchment from our father over and over and over… again.” Valerio began walking slowly walking to the other end, the distance betweeb them was about three feet away from each other. He stood, his hands clasped behind. “I felt his weary words and I could hear his trembling fingers scribble those words and I have realized that...” Valerio took a moment and continued. “He loved you just as much as he did me. He was just and considerate to appeal that I give you a valuable position in the clan or something…”
Lucian scoffed, “A land will not suffice nor will a position in your regime be if any help compared to the misery he landed on my existence...” Lucian snapped angrily attempting to take a step as Vance took a step too.
Valerio remained calm, understanding Lucian's dilemma as he ordered Vance to remain in his spot.
“No one is asking for the other to suffice or asking that you compromise your… pride. On my part, I intend to keep to my old vulture’s dying wish. I will give you anything you ask for or anything that suits your expertise and I will not play the good brother card, it is not in my nature to be generous like your mother, Lorena. And certainly, I won't share the throne…” Valerio stated clearly without pretense.
By now, he crossed his arms against his chest loosely as Lucian swallowed.
“Even your pet?”
“That too, I will not share my pet with anything that clings to my name…” Valerio stated again as Lucian let out a wry smile that plunged the silence.
“Well, I can always do without a position. I will do anything that would make me not he answerable to you, Valerio—”
“It is ‘your majesty’ now,” Valerio snapped instantly, interrupting Lucian’s words.
They were obviously ready to cut each other’s necks but they chose to keep still.
Suddenly, they bred enmity between themselves. Something that wasn't usually there while they were growing up, in fact, they were the best of brothers. Until they found that they weren't cousins but half-brothers. It ended their relationship in a snap.
“If that is all, I would like to take my leave, your majesty!” Lucian forcefully said.
“I will be waiting to hear from you or what it is that you want. I will bit revoke my father’s words over the… vendetta between us. I think that you deserve to be in the castle with me…”
“Oh, like you truly care?” Lucian yelled angrily, pain flashing in his eyes. They were palpable and deadly.
“I do care,“ said Valerio.
“You do not!” Lucian countered the king, his tone shook with fury and frustration. It ate him deeply and made him distant from everyone including himself. “You were not the one who had to live with Lorena and her outbursts. You didn't suffer ridicule. You weren't an outcast in the clan or kingdom—you have always had a place on earth. Not me,” Lucian finally let out while his fists balled as Valerio’s gaze slightly softened. He knew that Lucian was right.
“Yes, I have always had a place but I have never considered you any less of a vampire, Lucian. You know that…” Valerio stated firmly too. “I am not the enemy here, Lucian, I am your brother. Somehow, I understand why you are furious with me but I am not your enemy here…” he added as Lucian’s fists detangle.
“It makes no difference,”
“It does.” Valerio snapped, studying his brother. “I am not the man who abandoned your mother for years. I am not the one who fell in love with two women—twins—”
“Yet, your mother killed mine, she stole something from her,” Lucian interjected truthfully.
“Still, I am not my mother. I have been angry with Elena for so long that we have not crossed paths since the time I returned to the castle from your manor. I am broken by her deceit and betrayal to this day. If I had an option, 9 would have killed her myself but it won't bring back my father and your mother,”
“At least, it would avenge them…” Lucian’s voice trailed off, taking off his gaze.
“It wouldn't. It would only hurt us more.” Valerio let out as he took two steps closer to Lucian who stood still with so many words running through his mind. “I used to think that distance was the answer to what I had become but… it isn't, completely…”
“Is it Evyths?” Lucian asked.
He was lenient for being direct and speaking his mind which, at the moment, made Valerio a little drawn back.
Valerio scoffed lightly, “Evyths is a broken woman who is on the oath of finding what her purpose is. I only shared in her misery indirectly. But… it is only a matter of time, she would return to her pack and everything that we have... shared would be void. I'll be back to being a sad, lone, distant royal. As always. Maybe.” Valerio said calmly, his eyes slipping into Lucian’s mind.
This was their longest conversation in years, it felt good yet tense.
Valerio was drowned in his thoughts about Evyths too, he knew that time was running out and the antidote was ready to be sent to the werewolves as promised and the incoming war was looming.
But, was he ready to lose Evyths now? Now that he's confessed to her his intentions of making her queen? Was that just his fantasy? Valerio was torn between chaos and pain.
“I see his you look at her, I know you like her too…” Valerio instantly spoke, speaking his mind even if it hurt to admit it.
“Her smell, it's addictive. It is like a taste of fresh, warm blood...” Lucian admitted as he leaned against the desk.
“I know. It took so much discipline not to drink her dry. She's… innocent. Very innocent...” Valerio added as he leaned on the desk too, both staring at each other.
They both loved Evyths and it would clearly put a strain on their relationship as brothers. They would be like their mothers, fighting over woman like their mothers did over a man.
“You love her dearly,” Lucian said but it was more like a question, sensing the rivalry between them.
“It has become my bane—my plague. I cannot help it,” Valerio admitted. However, he did not have the intention to hide it from anyone. He was looking forward to marking her if she lets him.
“I am attracted to her but you should not worry, I respect my place in her life. She does not see me as a lover. She thinks I'm her friend…” Luciam said as Balerio chuckled dryly.
“She thinks everyone is once you're nice to her. She's very innocent and I love that about her,” Valerio stated as he looked ahead, his gaze darting to the ancient sword that belonged to his father and one him.
“Quite. I enjoy her company and I have tried to manipulate her but she's bent on clinging onto you, Valerio.” Lucian looked away too. “Anyway, I hope to stay away even if her smell draws danger…”
“I won’t hesitate to have your head if I need to protect her…” Valerio smacked jokingly but it wasn't a joke and Lucian knew that too.
The silence lingered a little longer than it should have. They agreed on everything except about Evyths. It was non-negotiable.
Valerio knew it. Lucian knew it too.
Perhaps Octavio, who was not backing down either.
“That aside,” Lucian rose, facing Valerio fully. “I saw something earlier and I tried to tell you before your jealous ass cut in,” Lucian teased as Valerio rubbed his face across, he could not lie about it.
“What about?”
“The hunters have set up tents miles away from the kingdom. I think they are prepared to attack Ravencroft,” Lucian explained as Valerio rose, his face rolled back to its usual frown.
While Vance took a step closer to them, awaiting an order from King Valerio.