Chapter 94 Unyielding

Chapter 94 Unyielding

The room stilled with silence and something that only they knew.
Was it contempt? Or… simply authority?
Evyths' eyes were fixated on all three of them, a small muddled smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
She could feel the questions on their lips. Not judging, just watching.

Valerio's gentle grip around her shoulder slightly tightened, as if preparing her for the worst that could ever happen.

“King Hardwick,” Valerio's gaze sharpened, an almost invisible smile on his lips. “I suppose that we should talk.”

Leon's brows furrowed. “Talk?” The werewolf scoffed. “First you waltz into my territory without proper invitation and now you want to… talk?” his head snapped back.

“It is important.” Valerio simply said.

Slowly, Adler and Selena looked at each other suspiciously and back to Valerio and Evyths.

Leon signalled at Adler and Selena to leave, although Adler was hesitant. When they had left, with the corner of Evyths' eye, she caught Valerio contemptuously staring at Leon, likewise Leon.

She could feel it, the shift in the atmosphere thick with tension.
Valerio pulled away from Evyths measuredly, materializing before Leon.
Evyths knew deep down that Valerio was up to something unthinkable.

“What is this madness,”

“You represent integrity, don't you?” Valerio's question hung between them, pacing and circling Leon, his steps light yet controlled.

“Oh, finally you caught a detail…”

Then Valerio's smile came out small. “I would go straight to matter then, demanding your complete honesty.” Valerio finally stopped before Leon, both leveling their gazes behind a string that threatened to tear apart.

“What are your plans with Lady Blackwin?” His voice stilled.

Evyths watched Leon closely, noticing the drift in his expression — from stern to tensed. And then his finger swiftly rubbing his royal signet.

“Lady Blackwin? What has the king got to do with a bat?” Leon's tone came out sharp and defensive.

“You know precisely what I speak of.” Said Valerio. “I am fully aware of the letters you have been exchanging with the sorceress.” Valerio paused, watching Leon blink, not once, not twice but thrice and then shifted his gaze to Evyths briefly.

Valerio could have spoken immediately but he hesitated, watching his rival like he could literally squeeze the answer through the werewolf's unsteady gaze.

“You are silent—”

“Fuck off. You have no business with my kingdom's affairs, Belmont…” Leon retorted.

Valerio's arms crossed, sizing up the king with his ever-assessing, all knowing ocean eyes.

“I will tell what, Leon, I do not give a solid bloody fuck about what you do with your… kennel of a kingdom. But…” his eyes found Evyths behind him, silently watching the kings argue. He turned back to Leon. “The mother of my offspring lives within these walls which makes everything in this kingdom my business.”

Leon let out a dry laugh, one that was enough to rile Valerio or drink him dry.

“We both know that you need not have to make this about the Omega. She is where she's supposed to be. Her home. Guiding her kind”

Valerio's jaw clenched, struggling to keep his composure. He was certain that had Evyths not been there, he would have combatted with Leon already.

“And Lady Blackwin? You assure me that you have no foul transaction with her?” Valerio pressed.

Even Evyths wished that he would stop pushing the matter. However, it was inappropriate for a vampire to know the affairs of the werewolf, likewise the werewolves to vampires.

Leon moved away, throwing a hand up, his frustration spilling over. “You have overstayed your unexpected visit now, Belmont. You may leave now.” Leon said, standing next to the fireplace, bracing himself.

Valerio was certain that Leon was hiding the truth and that he had associated himself with Raven over something that he was yet to uncover.

“I shall leave then.” Valerio assured, as he walked back to Evyths, taking her hands in his.

For a brief moment, he said nothing but stared with concern while she caught the crack on the vampire King's dour face.

“Be careful, Eva. I am certain that danger lurks within these walls…” Valerio paused, her eyes blinking with tears.

“You still will not tell what the matter is? Valerio we—”

Valerio placed his finger across her lips. Her eyes closed gradually, as if registering the feel of his skin one last time.

“I will protect you and our children,” he vowed as his voice lowered. With the corners of his eyes, he stared at eager Leon and back to her. “Do not trust them or whatever they say. Do you promise me?”

Evyths nodded without hesitation, swallowing the invisible lump in her throat.

Valerio leaned forward, pressing a delectable soft kiss on forehead. He shot her one last concerned gaze before turning on his heel to leave.

When Leon attempted to speak, Valerio vanished leaving behind the tender smell of jasmine and hints of acorns behind.

Acorns, Evyths thought, the ones she had grown to love and now missed.
The moment Valerio left, it felt as if he had taken something very dear to her with him.

The concern on his face, she has not seen that look on his face for a very long time. It only hinted at something suspicious yet dangerous.

Still, he didn't want to tell her.
Evyths braced herself, harshly wiping off the bead of tears in her eyes as Leon's chuckle rang out, penetrating the damning silence between them.

“You told him about the letter, didn't you?” Leon asked firmly.

“How about you tell me what you are hiding?” She asked back.

Leon scoffed, he could have sworn that Evyths didn't have the courage to speak to him that way yet she did. The words of his son gently hanging somehow in his hindbrain as a reminder.

His brow raised sarcastically, sitting by the fire, slightly slouching. Finally, he said; “I do not answer to you, Omega…”

“Either way, your majesty, you will answer to the goddess.” Her tone sharpened. “Through me.”

Evyths' fists balled, her brows forming a tight knot.
Her last words stood like a heavy barrier between them. Commanding and thick with definiteness.

Leon didn't answer immediately. For the first time in years, he didn't know what to say to his subject.

Evyths walked over to him with measured steps, a foot away from him. Leon followed her movement like he couldn't fathom what she was suddenly up to.

Seconds ago he had seen her shed a tear for a vampire and the moment he left, it seemed as if she breathed fire. A beast that he could never tame.

“Your Majesty,” she began but Leon's mind reeled.

Did she really revere his title? Or was she only calling him that for the sake of it? His fingers drummed over the arm rest. Observing. Silently guarded. Controlled.

“I have lived with the vampires for close to a year. I can also tell that danger lurks within the palace. And…” she exhaled, her hands drawn elegantly below her chest. “Lady Blackwin is very dangerous and calculative—”

“Your point?” He lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Evyths' gaze narrowed suspiciously. “What was in the letter?”