Chapter 244

"Where are they?" I asked, already moving toward the great hall.

"Your throne room," Liam replied, falling into step beside me. "They're demanding an audience."

"Demanding?" I repeated, my voice dangerously soft. "In my own home?"

Liam's mouth curved into a humorless smile. "They seem to think your position has been... weakened by recent events."

"Do they now?" I murmured. "We'll see about that."

I turned to Elena, who had been watching our exchange with sharp eyes. "Go to Malia," I instructed her. "Stay with her until I return."

She nodded, her expression suggesting she had a thousand questions but knew now wasn't the time.

As she departed, I straightened my shoulders and headed for the throne room, Liam and Craig flanking me. I could feel the power of the four Coastal Kings before I even entered—a heavy, oppressive presence that would have intimidated a lesser vampire.

But I was not lesser. I was Ethan, ruler of the largest vampire territory on the continent. And I was done being played with.

The throne room fell silent as I entered, all eyes turning to me. The four Coastal Kings stood in a semicircle before my throne, Dominic of the North, Alaric of the East, Victor of the South, and Raphael of the West. Each powerful in his own right, and dangerous as a collective.

"Gentlemen," I greeted them, my voice cool as I took my seat on the throne. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Dominic, the eldest and most powerful of the four, stepped forward. "We've come to discuss the future of your territory, Ethan," he said, deliberately omitting my title.

"My territory is not up for discussion," I replied evenly.

"It is when your leadership puts all vampire kind at risk," Alaric interjected, his thin face twisted with disdain. "Word of your brother's betrayal has spread. Your house is divided. Your rule is compromised."

"And you think you could do better?" I asked, allowing a hint of amusement to color my tone.

"We think someone stronger should take the throne," Victor said bluntly. "Someone who hasn't allowed a rogue vampire to threaten our very existence and let a human steal our powers."

"Someone like one of you, I presume?" I leaned back in my throne, the picture of relaxed confidence despite the rage building inside me.

"It would be for the good of all vampires," Raphael said smoothly. "A peaceful transition of power. You could retain some status, of course. Perhaps as governor of a smaller territory."

I laughed then, the sound echoing through the throne room. "Let me be clear," I said, all pretense of amusement vanishing. "I have no intention of giving up my throne. Not today. Not ever."

"You may not have a choice," Dominic warned. "The Council of Elders is concerned about your ability to control your own family, let alone an entire territory."

"The Council of Elders can concern themselves with their own affairs," I replied coldly. "My territory is mine to rule as I see fit."

"Even if it means war?" Alaric challenged. "Because that's what you're facing, Ethan. War on all fronts. From your brother, from Gideon, and now from us."

I stood slowly, my power filling the room like a physical presence. "Is that a threat, Alaric? You think i want fight with Sebastain?"

"It's a reality, everyone knows he betrayed you by taking your wife to be to the witch " he replied, though I noticed he took a small step back. "One you would be wise to accept."

I descended the steps from my throne, approaching the four kings with measured steps. "Let me share a reality with you," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "While you've been plotting against me, I've been securing allies you couldn't imagine."

I pulled out my phone…a modern convenience many older vampires disdained and made a single call. "Now," I said into it, then hung up.

Almost immediately, each of the Coastal Kings' phones began to ring. They exchanged confused glances before answering.

I watched with satisfaction as their expressions changed from confusion to alarm to outright fear as they listened to the voices on the other end.

"What is this?" Dominic demanded, his phone clutched tightly in his hand.

"Insurance," I replied simply. "At this moment, each of your primary residences is surrounded by forces loyal to me. One word from me, and they burn it to the ground with everyone inside them."

"You're bluffing," Victor snarled, though the uncertainty in his eyes betrayed him.

"Am I?" I challenged. "Check the security feeds on your phones. I believe your staff is quite diligent about sending alerts when strangers approach."

They did, and the color drained from their faces as they saw the truth of my words.

"This is madness," Raphael whispered. "You would start a war among vampires?"

"I didn't start this," I reminded him. "You did, when you came into my home and demanded my throne. I'm simply showing you the consequences of your actions."

"What do you want?" Dominic asked, his earlier confidence shattered.

"Your loyalty," I said simply. "Public, unwavering support for my rule. A formal alliance against Gideon and anyone who supports him, including my brother."

"And if we refuse?" Alaric asked, though we all knew it was an empty question.

I smiled, showing my fangs. "Then you return to your territories to rebuild from ashes. Assuming you survive the journey."

A tense silence filled the throne room as the four kings exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them.

"Very well," Dominic finally said, his voice tight with suppressed rage. "You have our support, Ethan."

"King Ethan," I corrected him.

He inclined his head slightly. "King Ethan."

"Excellent," I said, returning to my throne. "Now, let's discuss how you're going to help me destroy Gideon and bring my brother to justice."

As the Coastal Kings reluctantly gathered around to hear my terms, I caught Liam's eye. The werewolf alpha gave me a small nod of approval, a gesture that would have been unthinkable just days ago.

Strange, how quickly alliances could form in the face of a common enemy. And how satisfying it was to remind those who thought me weak exactly why my father had chosen me, not Sebastian, to succeed him.

Later, after the Coastal Kings had departed with their tails between their legs and promises of support on their lips, I returned to my chambers to find Malia and her mother deep in conversation. They fell silent as I entered, both turning to look at me with identical expressions of concern.

"Is everything alright?" Malia asked, rising to meet me. "Liam said the Coastal Kings were here."

"Everything is fine," I assured her, taking her hands in mine. "They won't be a problem anymore."

Elena watched us with sharp eyes. "What did you do?" she asked bluntly.

I smiled, not bothering to hide my satisfaction. "I reminded them why it's unwise to threaten a king in his own castle."

Malia squeezed my hands. "Did you... hurt them?"

"No," I said truthfully. "I didn't need to. The threat was enough."

She nodded, relief evident in her expression. Despite everything she'd been through, everything she'd learned about our world, there was still a core of humanity in her that balked at unnecessary violence. It was one of the many things I loved about her.

"Your mother has agreed to stay with us," I told her, changing the subject. "To help during the pregnancy."

Malia's face lit up, and she turned to Elena with a smile that made my heart ache with its brightness. "Really? You'll stay?"

Elena nodded, her expression softening as she looked at her daughter. "Of course I will. Someone needs to make sure this vampire king of yours doesn't drive the staff to rebellion with his paranoia."

I raised an eyebrow at her teasing tone but didn't argue. If anyone had earned the right to speak to me that way, it was the woman who had raised the love of my immortal life.

"I've had rooms prepared for you adjacent to ours," I told Elena. "And I've assigned guards who will remain with you at all times."

"Is that really necessary?" Malia asked, her brow furrowing.

"Yes," Elena answered before I could, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It is. There are forces at work here beyond what either of you fully understand."

I studied her, sensing again that she knew more than she was telling us. "Perhaps it's time you explained exactly what those forces are," I suggested.

Elena met my gaze steadily. "Not yet," she said. "First, we need to ensure Malia and the baby are safe. Then we can discuss... other matters."

I wanted to press her, to demand answers about Malia's mysterious powers and what Elena clearly knew about them. But the exhaustion in Malia's eyes stopped me. She had been through enough for one day.

"Tomorrow, then," I conceded. "For now, rest is what we all need."

As Elena retired to her new quarters and Malia and I prepared for bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were standing on the precipice of something monumental. A war was coming—not just with Gideon and Sebastian, but with forces I was only beginning to understand.

But as Malia curled against me in our bed, her warmth a stark contrast to my natural coolness, I found myself strangely at peace. Whatever came next, we would face it together. Vampire and human. King and queen. Husband and wife and parents but i had to see Sebastian tomorrow. He had a lot to explain.