Chapter 169

Chapter 169
Aeron
My world finally feels like it's "right" again.
Order has been restored to the castle. The North has a king and the wolves returned to their homes. I have a few districts without lords to oversee the areas and with wolves running wild, but it's nothing I can't handle. Stonheart village has a new governor and the humans are settling back into their roles.
I was looking forward to some peace and quiet and normalcy.
But I had to stop at Vlad's mansion on the way back from the pits.
Why the fuck did I have to stop at his mansion? There are half a dozen other vampire homes where we could have spend the week to recuperate.
And I chose Vladimir.
Why?
To shock Isla?
To impress her?
To test her?
I wish I knew why I went there of all places.
"Is your castle warded?" Vladimir asks as we exit his, frankly, splendid carriage.
"It was," I answer. "Against the fae and other magical creatures from their realm. Now that it collapsed... I think my wards are useless."
"But you have druids here?"
I try to stare a hole into my brother's chest. "I have a druid. Samuel and Hakon have druids working for them, but they are not here."
And I have no idea when they'll be back, or if they even plan to come back. They did not want to get on to coach with us. Their excuse was that they wanted to visit with our other siblings now that we had a moment of peace and the world has slowed down to take a breath.
I don't think it has. Isla is on edge, and something is clearly up with Vladimir.
"If someone's listening," Vlad says hesitantly. "Will others be able to hear?"
"That depends," I say. "Who is listening?"
"You know... people."
"Vampires? Werewolves? Humans? Give me a clue man!" I snap.
He's vague on purpose, and I want to wring his neck for it.
"I don't know who is listening," my brother says. "I just know they are."
"A god," Isla breathes. "No. A goddess."
"Oh fuck," Vlad says in reply. "Really? You know for sure?"
Isla's hand flutters against her chest when she nods. "Yes. I can feel her presence." My bride frowns. "She's not our goddess, it's not Lilith."
I glance at Vladimir, then concentrate all my attention on Isla. "The Moon Goddess? Luna?"
"Hm-mm." She shakes her head. "She's not from this world. She's one of the fae goddesses?"
"Is she asking?" Vladimir says and looks at me. "Why is she asking when she's a goddess herself?"
The world is slowly starting to turn red. My brother is starting to piss me the fuck off, and I want to crush his head in my hands until I feel his skull break and his brains squishing between my fingers.
"I'm new," Isla explains as if she has to. "I know nothing about myself... hell, I barely know what it means to be a vampire."
Vlad's sullen bride gives me a sardonic look. "Some maker you are."
"Yes, I know," I answer in a bored tone. "My oldest daughter is already the queen of the North, and my oldest son is in the dungeon. My mother's in the pits. Keep it up, I clearly have no problem throwing my family to proverbial wolves." I step closer to Vladimir's bride. If he told me her name I had forgotten it, that's how little she means to me. "And we are not so close that your life concerns me."
But it clearly bothers Vladimir. He steps between us, pushing his bride behind his back. "Forgive her. She's new also... I'm still teaching Lauren how to be a good vampire."
I turn to my attention to my brother. "What? Like you?"
"Children," my father says in a tired voice. "Can we not fight? For one night can we have peace?"
"Who's fighting?" I ask and glare at my brother.
"Is there a place," Vladimir tries again, "where we might... speak in private."
"That depends. Do you want complete privacy? Just the two of us?"
His eyes flick to Isla. "Your bride might join. I have a feeling you tell her everything anyway."
"Just about," I agree. "She's my queen and one of my advisors."
Vladimir nods slowly. "It is a pity our siblings are not here."
I yawn. Not because I'm tired, but because Vladimir is starting to bore the fuck out of me. "If it's important enough, I'll summon them." I take a step in his direction. "Look, you've been dangling this... carrot in front of me for almost a week now, and I'm getting kind of sick of it. Either tell me what's going on, or go home."
"I merely asked for complete privacy."
I look at my father. He's dead inside. If he could follow Idun into the pits he would have. If he coudl fall on a stake and kill himself, he'd do it. In time, his longing for Idun will fade and he'll take another bride, but for now the loss of his bride is right in the center of his chest, pounding him like a fucking wrecking ball in the heart.
"My apartment," I say and turn my attention back to my brother. "It's the only place that's warded against everything, including gods and goddesses."
"Fantastic. Shall we, then?" Vladimir asks.
We are a sullen procession, making our way up the many steps to the front door that creaks open as we approach.
I sigh with nostalgic relieve as we walk into the familiar foyer, and look up at the roof that's so high up it's almost invisible from here.
My God, it's good to be home.
If only I could have come home without a crisis for once.
Isla gives me a sideways glance and starts to laugh.
"What's funny?" Lauren asks.
Even her voice is devoid life. She's an annoying cunt. I can't stand the sight of her, and the sound of her is even worse.
"Nothing really," Isla answers. "I was just thinking that for eighteen years, my life was... boring. I had to sneak out of the house and spy on the vampires for a lil... razzle dazzle. And now... some days are so boring that I'm afraid it will kill me, and other days I'll give my left tit for a few weeks of boring."
"I don't... understand," Lauren says. "All days are the same."
"Maybe for an ordinary vampire like you," I say in a bored tone. "But Isla is not like you... or anyone else really."
"Indeed," Vladimir agrees. "And that is why we need to speak as soon as possible."