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POV Balthazar

When the sun set, I was able to move around freely without fearing being burned by an untimely ray of light.

I felt thirsty and hungry, but I refused Lio’s blood and anyone else’s. She offered to ask who might be willing to donate, but I preferred not to accept. It was my first day in her home; I didn’t want to be seen as some kind of predator. It was enough that I was the different one, the outsider among them.

I insisted that she go out, visit the mines she missed, and reunite with the villagers and friends. But she only did so briefly, eager to be with me. With the windows closed, I went downstairs and interacted with her brothers and mother. I reunited with Nerin and her daughter Estelle, as well as Cezar, her husband and the head of the guard.

Everyone welcomed me well but seemed wary. I understood how Lio must have felt in the palace, among the vampires. I would get used to it. For her. It wouldn’t be easy or quick, and many obstacles would still arise. Like her father himself.

At night, he invited me to a meeting in his office at the castle.

Just the two of us. And I prepared myself to be interrogated, observed.

We sat around a table, and he got straight to the point:

"I heard that your vampire friend is coming here later to bring blood and medicine for you."

"Yes. I informed you so I could have your authorization when he arrives. He’ll be accompanied by two of his personal guards from his Ravencrest clan."

"The authorization has been granted." He analyzed me carefully. "Does your father know that Thorn is supplying you?"

"No."

"And when he finds out or when your friend returns to the United States? How will you feed yourself?"

"I’ll figure it out."

"My daughter wanted to speak with the villagers to see if anyone would donate blood willingly. But you didn’t allow it."

"I prefer it that way."

"There will come a time when you’ll need another solution."

"I’ll think about it."

"I hope you don’t attack anyone in the village. I can’t kill you, since you’re connected to Lio, and that would mean condemning my daughter. But I can be very unpleasant, Balthazar. I bet you wouldn’t like being a prisoner."

I grew irritated, unwilling to endure insults. I met his gaze with equal hardness.

"There’s no need to threaten me. Today, I may be in a delicate situation, unable to offer much to Lio. I am no longer the future leader of my clan, but I still have my dignity. I will take care of her and my unborn child. Without needing to kill anyone here, rest assured."

Riuk leaned back, watching my every reaction.

"I can’t deny that you’re courageous. You gave up everything for her. And I respect that. However, don’t blame me for being cautious. You could be a lethal weapon inside my territory. That’s what my brothers think."

"You too?"

Instead of answering, he continued:

"I’m aware of your mental abilities. Manipulating minds, turning people against each other. Not us, who are supreme. But my people.

Is that your intention?"

"No." My irritation only grew.

"Do you love my daughter?"

"More than anything."

He relaxed a little more, nodding.

"You know, Balthazar, I’ve always been very distrustful. But also fair. I don’t know why, but I believe you. Since the day you took a knife to the heart to protect her, you earned my trust. And if you prove that you love her, that you want the best for her and to live here, you can be sure that you’ll gain a family. One that will stand by your side forever."

That disarmed me. I wasn’t expecting it. And I realized it was much more than I had ever had, in the barren and cold world where I was raised.

"I will prove it. And I won’t be a dead weight to anyone. I have ways to help, I want to work in your clan. I specialize in finance, business, and the financial market. But if you don’t trust me with that yet, I’ll take a job in the mines."

"Help in business is always welcome. Do you think you’re in danger here? That vampires might try to invade, start a war?"

"No. But they could use underhanded means to get closer in the future. Especially when my child is born."

Thinking about it unsettled me, filled me with rage. It was a possibility, especially if the baby showed traits of a superior race.

Alert, Riuk leaned forward.

"If they dare touch my grandson, I’ll kill them all. Without hesitation. It will be war."

"And I’ll fight by your side. No one will take my child from here. No one will even get close to Lio." I leaned in as well, resting my arms on the table. "I know Constantini is a fortress, but it has some weaker areas. Like the path through the forest that leads to the waterfall."

"I’ve thought about that. I’ll have explosives placed around the perimeter. And also motion sensors."

"Even in the higher areas, like the treetops."

"I know."

We started discussing those points, and I felt more at ease when he explained how he would secure everything.

"You two can’t leave here for a while. Even after, you’ll always have protection, including mine."

"Thank you. We’ll be careful."

He ran his fingers through his dark hair, sighing.

"I think I’m going to get gray hairs before my time."

"You’re going to be a grandfather, it’s natural."

"Don’t mock me, damn it!" He almost smiled. "Make my daughter happy, and everything will be fine."

"I already do. And she makes me happy too."

"Alright. About the blood, when the supply your friend brings runs out, we’ll figure something out. Even if I have to order it from other cities or blood banks. And about the medicine to withstand sunlight, I’ll talk to my brother Jax. He’s not very fond of vampires, to say the least. He would certainly refuse such a request, but not if it comes from me or in Lio’s name. His lab can produce the medicine."

"I appreciate it."

"I’ll ask the village seamstress to make some clothes for you. I noticed you only brought this one, and it’s torn in the back. Until they’re ready, I’ll lend you some."

"Thank you."

"Now, let’s talk business. What area of the financial market are you specialized in?"

The atmosphere lightened, and I realized I truly had a chance to be happy here, to feel part of this clan. Problems would arise, everything was new, and doubts were in the air. But I would prove my worth.

We discussed work, and then I left his office.

I sat on the couch in the living room with Lio by my side, she and her brothers laughing and talking, telling me funny stories. It was past nine at night when Teo called the younger ones to bed, as they had exams in the morning. Salomé accompanied them, as always, with a book under her arm.

When we were alone, she turned to look at me, beautiful, her red hair falling around her face.

"Thorn is taking too long."

"He must have waited for it to get dark before leaving to avoid suspicion. Around this time, they’re usually feeding in the left wing."

It felt strange to talk about my home, our customs. It seemed so distant, and it had yet to be a full twenty-four hours away from them.

"Do you miss it?" she murmured, sensing my thoughts.

"No."

"Was my father too hard on you?"

"He offered to lend me his clothes."

"I don’t believe it!" She widened her eyes and then laughed. "He’s obsessed with those clothes!"

"He must have felt sorry for my state. Poor homeless vampire, exiled, with torn clothes," I mocked, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes and her open smile.

"Who would’ve thought! Riuk Constantini befriending his vampire son-in-law!"

"Son-in-law? Are you marrying me?"

"Is that a proposal?" she teased.

"In my mind, we’re already married. But we can make it official." I pulled her closer, addicted to that wolf, to her delicious scent. "As soon as your parents and everyone here accept my presence a little more."

"Just don’t take too long! I might get tired of waiting and go looking for another vampire to marry!"

It was a joke, but it shook me. I grabbed her by the nape, speaking close to her mouth:

"If you tease me like that again, you’re going to get a hard pounding in that little pussy. To remind you who the only vampire that gets to be inside you is."

"Do it…"

Desire flared, blood raced. I leaned in to kiss her, already ready to drag her to bed. But we heard noise coming from the castle entrance and hurried footsteps, like heels clicking on the floor.

"It’s Zara!" Lio lit up, giving me a quick kiss and jumping to her feet.

When her cousin appeared at the doorway, the two of them threw themselves at each other, kissing and hugging, overjoyed.

"You’re back! And you’re staying forever! I already know everything, Uncle Riuk told my father, and he… Oh, Lio! You’re going to have a baby!"

I got up slowly, watching the two of them emotional, her cousin with tears in her eyes.

"I am! I’m so happy!"

"I’m happy too! Oh, I’m not going to cry!" She laughed, the tears already spilling.