Chapter 84 Chapter Eighty-four

Chapter 84 Chapter Eighty-four
What?” Severin asked. He sounded as dumbfounded as he was. 

“You heard me. Amara wants to kill me because she knows she can't really be Queen unless I abdicate or I die. I'm sure she thinks I'll never hand over the throne willingly.”

His eyes narrowed. “And you want to surprise her?”

Ivy shrugged. “Not quite. If I'm leaving Diamond Ridge, I don't want to have any unfinished business.”

It seemed his plan had backfired. The vampire that broke in was supposed to be a trigger, to make her more afraid. Instead it had only emboldened her. Severin had intentionally led that vampire here, having no other choice. He needed to get her away from Amara and Diamond Ridge.

“You'll take me to Amara so I can abdicate my throne.”

“What are you planning?”he asked. 

“Nothing. Does it look like I'm planning anything?”

“Yes It does. You can leave without abdicating your throne.”

“And have the threat that is Amara always looming over my shoulder? I don't think so. I want this over with.”

Shit. She was right. He was in a tight spot. 

“If you meet with Amara, she'll kill you.”

“Then so be it.”

He scoffed. “I'm not going to let that happen. Just…”

“Just what? You might be content with running away but I'm not.”

Severin growled, low under his breath. That familiar anger was coming back. “You don't understand. Amara said that if she finds you, she'll kill both of us. If you don't care about your life, I certainly care about mine.”

Ivy got out of bed. “You can run if you want, Severin. I'm sick of staying here.”

He held her wrist before she could walk any further. “Wait. Please. Think this through. I'm just…trying to protect you.”

Ivy snatched her hand away. “No. You're trying to protect your source of food.” She hastily put on a nightgown and went into the living room. He didn't follow, wanting to give her some space. It was becoming increasingly harder to control her. Maybe he should just compel her and save himself the headache. 

A few minutes went by then…

“Severin!”

He was by her side in an instant. “What is it?”

The television was on and the Royal station was airing, live from the palace. It showed Amara in the throne room. and a red haired newcomer. A human. Severin could make out Briar in the shadows as well. 

The headline read; Lucien Ashthorne, the princess's betrothed arrives.

His head snapped in her direction but she didn't look at him, her eyes glued to the screen. 

“Ivy.”

“I told you before.”

Severin frowned. Did she? He couldn't remember. 

“My parents promised me to him before they died. Guess he's here to collect his due.” She turned, finally looking at him. “This is it, Severin. The chance I need.”

“The fuck do you mean? You're going to go with that guy?”

“He can protect me.”

“So can I.”

“I mean from Amara.”

Severin scoffed. “Please. If he's with her it means they're working together. Any friend of Amara should be an enemy of yours.”

He watched as the human, Lucien, was given the floor to speak. 

“People of Diamond Ridge, my name is Lucien Ashthorne. I mean no harm to the kingdom. The princess is legally betrothed to me and I've come to aid in the search and take what's mine.”

I turned the television off, not wanting to hear more. 

“Put it back on, Severin.”

“If you really think that guy's here to safe you, then you're a fool. Amara is trying to lure you out.”

Ivy walked closer to him, her face set. “Severin, you will take me back to the castle. That's an order.”

“Not unless you tell me exactly what you plan to do once you get there.”

She gave an exasperated sigh. 

“You're not really going to abdicate the throne aren't you.”

Ivy shook her head slowly.  “No. I'm not.”



“So this is a vampire?” 

Briar wanted to bite this Lucien's hand off. He had been all over her for about five minutes now,  touching her cheek gingerly and prodding her like she was some experiment. 

“Yes,”Amara responded. “One of the most peculiar of them all. She used to be human.”

Lucien's brows raised. “A human can turn into a vampire?”

“Yes but only if they die.”

“Fascinating.” He murmured. 

Lucien Ashthorne was the ‘visitor’ Amara had wanted her to see. The princess's betrothed. He had ginger hair that was slightly long, blue irises and was considerably wealthy. A rich merchant's son from another city. 

Briar resisted the urge to bare her teeth at him only because she was sure that would only make him more curious. 

“Okay Lucien, you've had your fun. Sit down and let's talk.”

Lucien slightly angled his head to Amara, his eyes still on Briar. “What is there to talk about? We've already finalized the details. I'm here to help you find the princess. In exchange you give me my Diamonds. Also I want one of these.”

“A vampire?”

He nodded. “Yes. Where can I get one?”

“They're everywhere. I'm sure one day, one will come in through your window and feast on your blood.” Briar said, unable to resist the urge. 

Lucien’s brows raised slightly. “I didn't know you could talk. Amara when you get me one, I don't think I want it to be so disrespectful.”

“Except I kill a human and get her to turn them, I don't exactly have stockpiles of vampires lying around. They're our enemies Lucien, so you'd do well to stay away from them.”

Lucien gave a pout like the spoiled brat that he was. “Fine. What did you want to talk to me about?” He sat beside Amara at the Royal table. 

“I want you to get an heir out of the princess.”

“I'm gay,” he said with a straight face. 

“I know that. But I need Royal blood for some of my spells and I don't want to keep the princess. I want her dead as soon as possible. But not before I can get a baby out of her. Just to use for my supply.”

Lucien turned his nose up like he was offered something extremely disgusting. “Find someone else to fuck her.”

“I'll triple your pay.”

Briar watched as Lucien paused, considering it.

“Ugh. Do I really have to?”

“Yes, Lucien.”said Amara. “You're her betrothed. You're the only one who has rights to the princess's body and I don't really have the time to start looking for someone else. I need the  blood to be as pure as possible.”

“Fine. Fine. Just give me my Diamonds.” Lucien said. 

Briar really hoped the princess was well hidden like Severin said. 

“You're so eager to home. Stay awhile. Things are about to happen in Diamond Ridge.”

“What do you mean?”

“The moonstone. It's been acting erratically these days. I know the original owners, the werewolves are coming for it.”

“Werewolves and  Vampires? I don't think I want to be here when they storm this place.”

Amara's lips curved in a sinister smile. “Oh Lucien, you don't have to worry. They won't even get that far.”