Chapter 74 Brother's guilt
“What will you do now? Stop her? Lie to her—”
“Yes.” Valerio said, firm, almost cutting him off. “I won’t tell her. Not yet.”
“Until when?” Elena’s brows drew together.
“I don’t know.” He looked away, avoiding the weight in her gaze. “And you will tell no one.”
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Valerio had made up his mind.
He would keep Evyths at all costs.
Elena said nothing more. She only nodded, rising quietly and leaving him alone.
He needed it.
Space. Silence.
Something that didn’t demand answers from him.
...
Time moved strangely after that.
Too fast and too aware.
As if even the air understood that Evyths would not remain for long.
Valerio pulled his hood over his head and mounted his mustang, Vance riding beside him as they moved through the city of Ravencroft.
The streets were alive.
Taverns roared with laughter. Brothels were crowded. The scent of blood and indulgence lingered thick in the air.
The vampires were… celebrating.
Their king was alive.
Even if they hadn’t seen him walk among them, they felt it.
And that was enough.
Valerio watched them in silence.
He didn’t feel what they felt.
Not even close
By the time they reached the outskirts, Octavio’s mansion came into view—towering, dark, stretching toward the sky like a silent sentinel.
Bats circled the rooftop.
Ravens perched along the edges, their low sounds echoing into the stillness.
The gates creaked open the moment Valerio approached.
They rode in. And dismounted.
Walked toward the entrance.
The door opened slowly.
Knox stepped out, a robe hanging loosely over his tall, lean frame.
The moment he saw Valerio, his face lit up.
“My king—”
He didn’t finish.
He rushed forward instead, pulling Valerio into a tight embrace.
Valerio let out a quiet breath, a small smile tugging at his lips as he patted the boy’s back.
The hug broke.
Knox pulled back, studying him closely.
“You look… stronger than I remember.”
“And you look older,” Valerio replied lightly.
Knox’s gaze shifted briefly to Vance, then back to Valerio.
“Where’s Crystal?”
Valerio’s expression softened slightly.
“Hibernating.”
Knox’s face fell. "She felt it,” he said quietly. “Before it happened. Your death… she knew.”
Valerio nodded once.
“Did she tell you?”
Knox shook his head.
“I could tell.”
A pause.
Then, Knox continued.
“Write to me when she wakes up.”
Valerio placed a hand on his shoulder.
“We don’t know when that will be.”
“I’ll wait.”
And Valerio knew he meant it.
Knox had always loved Crystal since they were children.
There had plans, even of a future mating.
But time had never given them the chance.
“Octavio?” Valerio asked, his tone shifting.
Knox shrugged.
“He’s been… distant. Ever since the council meeting.”
Valerio nodded. "Thank you.”
As he stepped inside, Knox turned to Vance, already reaching for his sword.
“Come on,” he grinned. “Let’s spar.”
Valerio didn’t look back.
He moved through the halls with quiet familiarity.
The scent of myrrh and cedarwood filled the air.
The room hadn’t changed. Just slightly.
It pulled at something in him.
Memories. Their childhood. Before titles. Before crowns. Before everything became… heavy.
He found Octavio on the porch.
Seated Still.
Staring out over the vast field beyond.
Predators moved in the distance.
Silent. Patient. Deadly.
Valerio approached without sound.
Still, Octavio felt him.
“This reminds me of us,” Valerio said, stopping beside him. “I almost forgot how good it felt… being the ones watching instead of being watched."
A faint smile touched Octavio’s lips as he lifted his chalice.
“You shouldn’t be here, Your Majesty.”
Valerio sat beside him, waving it off.
“I couldn’t be anywhere else.”
There pause at first.
“And Evyths?”
The name hit him harder than expected.
A quiet burn beneath his ribs.
“I can’t face her yet.”
Octavio didn’t look surprised.
“Why?”
Valerio hesitated only for a moment but it was enough.
Octavio let out a quiet, knowing chuckle.
“I know that silence,” he murmured. “You’re avoiding something.”
Valerio scoffed lightly.
“Not avoiding. Waiting.”
“Same thing.”
Silence stretched between them.
Until Octavio turned, his expression sharpening.
“Why are you here, Valerio?”
“To talk.”
A dry laugh escaped Octavio. "Of course. After two decades, my king remembers I exist.”
Valerio’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Say what you want to say.”
Octavio didn’t hesitate.
“I stood there while they accused me,” he said, his voice steady but edged. “Of something you know I would never do.”
“I didn’t accept it—”
“No,” Octavio cut in, his gaze hard. “But your silence did.”
The words landed. Heavy.
“You said nothing,” Octavio continued, rising now. “Nothing while they stripped me of my name with their eyes.”
Valerio remained seated.
Still. Listening.
“I am not responsible for Evyths’ pregnancy,” Octavio said, his voice tightening.
“I know.”
Octavio scoffed. "You know… yet you let them believe it was me.”
Valerio exhaled slowly.
“For months, while you were in that crypt, I protected you,” Octavio continued. “I protected her. I stood between her and the council. Between her and Raven.”
His voice dropped. “I didn’t need your validation, Valerio.”
“I needed your word.”
That hit deeper than anything else.
Valerio’s gaze lowered slightly.
The weight of it settling in.
“Instead,” Octavio went on, quieter now, “my name is dragged through the mud… for something you did.”
Silence followed.
Long and heavy.
Valerio didn’t interrupt him. He didn’t defend himself because he couldn’t.
Soon… Evyths would look at him the same way.
And that thought alone cut deeper than Octavio’s words ever could.
“I told them,” Valerio said finally. “After you left.”
Octavio stilled.
“I admitted that I was involved with her,” Valerio continued. “But not about the pregnancy.”
“Someone had to take the fall,” Octavio muttered.
Valerio’s expression hardened slightly.
“You will not speak to me that way again.”
His voice was calm but firm.
There was a pause.
Then Octavio smirked faintly. “Of course.”
Valerio leaned forward, elbows resting on his thighs.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel… lesser,” he said. “But as king, I had to listen before acting.”
Octavio said nothing. “Your name will not be tarnished,” Valerio added. “Not while I sit on that throne.”
He rose to leave but Octavio spoke again.
Quieter this time.
“I’m sorry.”
Valerio paused. “I was angry,” Octavio said. “Everything is falling apart.”
“I know.”
Valerio glanced back.
“It feels like I’m being forced to choose.”
“Then choose your truth,” Octavio said.
Valerio didn’t respond immediately.
Because he already had.
“I found something,” he said instead. “Letters.”
That got Octavio’s full attention.
“One from the hunters,” Valerio continued. “One from the werewolves.”
Octavio frowned. “Why?”
“The hunters have been in contact with someone in the castle,” Valerio said. “Someone with access.
“They’re coming.”
Octavio’s expression darkened.
“They’ve heard you’re alive.”
“That’s not all,” Valerio said quietly. “Something else is in motion.”
“And the werewolves?"
Valerio’s jaw tightened. “They’ve called for Evyths.”
Silence.
“Under moon’s authority.” he added.
Octavio shook his head immediately.
“No.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Valerio’s gaze darkened. "I’m not telling her.”
Octavio looked at him. “She will find out.”
“Not until I’ve handled the council,” Valerio replied. “If they’re distracted, they won’t act against her.”
“And when her king comes for her?” Octavio pressed.
That was the problem.
Valerio didn’t answer right away.
Because there was only one answer left.
He looked toward the fire.
His expression shifting.
Hardening.
“If King Leon crosses into my territory…” his voice dropped, cold and final.
“I will declare war.”