Chapter 42 Lonely Old King

Chapter 42 Lonely Old King
Breakfast the next morning was tense. Nova stabbed each pea on her plate with unnecessary force before bringing it to her mouth, her movements sharp and deliberate. 

Across the table, two men watched her with varying degrees of unease. Rune looked exhausted. Lucien looked almost concerned.

“Take it easy on the poor vegetable, would you? It’s innocent.” Lucien said, twirling his bowl of red pasta with practiced elegance.

Nova’s eyes snapped to him, displeased. “What are you still doing here, anyway? Isn’t your business finished?”

Lucien sighed dramatically. “It is. But there is something about this scenery that makes me want to linger for a few days. I’m in no rush.”

Something in his tone suggested he wasn’t staying for the scenery alone. Rune must have sensed it too, because he shot the vampire a piercing look.

“One week,” he said flatly. “Then you’re out.”

Lucien rolled his eyes and lifted the glass of red liquid beside him, taking a slow sip. “Whatever.”

Nova eyed the cup, watching the way it stained his lips. Something told her that wasn’t red wine.

He caught her staring and grinned. “Don’t be alarmed. It’s not human blood. That was once a delicacy, but over the years, it’s become tainted. Hard drugs, other substances—it’s no longer appealing. Animal blood is far better.” He raised the glass again. “Much cleaner.”

Relief flickered through her. At least humans weren’t being used as a food source.

“What if we had not adopted bad habits? Would you still be drinking human blood?” She asked.

Lucien paused, his glass halfway to his lips. Then his mouth curved into a slow smirk.

“Let’s not dwell on the ifs.”

His words gave her all the confirmation she needed. The answer was yes. She couldn’t help but imagine how life would be if the supernaturals won this war. Would they torture humans just like they tortured them?

Her grip tightened on her fork.

“You should finish your meal,” Rune said quietly.

She didn’t spare him a glance, shoving another bite into her mouth. He could probably feel anger through the bond. Good.

She turned to Lucien. “Is it true you’re immortal?”

Lucien snorted. “I’d hardly describe us that way. We can die.”

“A stake through the heart?”

“Anything to the heart would kill anyone.” He said, as a matter of fact. Then he dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “We stop physically aging after a particular age. It varies for each of us. But when the soul and spirit grow too weak, we die naturally. Just like everyone else.”

She nodded. “What about the sun? Does it bother you?”

“A bit. I’ve developed some resistance to it, so my condition is better than most.”

A brief silence reigned.

“What are you guys going to do if you win the war?” She asked abruptly.

“We shouldn’t talk about this here.” Rune cut in quickly.

“Why not? It’s not like I’m invited to any of your special meetings.”

“Enough!” The growl rumbled from his chest, and Nova froze. A vein pulsed at the side of his neck. She caught herself smirking. He was angry. Good. “When you’re done eating, go upstairs and change. Your training resumes today.”

“I don’t want to,” she scowled.

Rune exhaled slowly, reining himself in. “You know what’s coming. There’s no stopping it. It’s best you’re prepared to fight.”

“Against my own people?”

“They won’t hesitate to hurt you. They wouldn’t care.” He said quietly.

Lucien nodded in agreement. “I’m afraid he’s right.”

A part of Nova knew that they were telling the truth. Humans could be ruthless when it served them. In a war, they would likely see her as a traitor or a casualty, nothing more.

“Fine.” She pushed back from the table and went up to change.

When she returned, the table had been cleared. Rune and Lucien stood by the doorway. 

Lucien was dressed in his elegant white coat, looking more suited for a gallery opening than a forest clearing. Rune, on the other hand, was shirtless, his skin catching the morning light like something carved from marble. Nova’s gaze snagged on the lines of his chest, the slope of his shoulders. She swallowed and looked away.

‘Stupid mate bond.’

As always, the plan was to race Rune to the waterfall. He disappeared behind the bushes to shift, and moments later, the massive black wolf emerged, shaking out his fur. A distinctly wolffish grin spread across his face. It was the only time she found Rune genuinely endearing.

She turned to Lucien. “Are you running too, vampire king?”

He grimaced. “I find running utterly tacky. I prefer to walk.”

“I thought vampires were fast runners.”

“We are,” he confirmed, then turned and strolled into the trees at a leisurely pace, his white coat stark against the green. He looked like a ghost wandering through somewhere he didn’t belong.

Nova shook her head. “Supernaturals are weird.”

Rune nudged her thigh with his nose. She sighed, took off, and didn’t look back.



She reached the cliff breathless and sweating, her legs burning. But it wasn’t as bad as the first day she ran.

Rune emerged from the trees moments later wearing only a pair of pants. Nova’s face heated involuntarily. This mate bond was becoming a problem.

“Stretch first. Then we will spar properly.” He told her.

Nova fanned her face. “You’re not even going to let me enjoy the view?”

His brows arched. “What view?”

She was already looking at his chest again. His soft chuckle told her she’d been caught. She refused to let him strip her pride as well.

“The waterfall, obviously.”

“Sure,” he said, the amusement lingering in his voice. They began to stretch.

Soon, they settled into their stances, and Nova ran through the moves Rune had taught her before. While they sparred, Lucien finally emerged from the path, casting them a brief glance before ignoring them entirely and settling on the far side of the clearing.

Rune sneered at him before ignoring him, too. Nova wasn’t sure what Lucien had done to earn such disregard, but she didn’t ask.

“Focus,” Rune said, drawing her attention back. They continued the session with him teaching her defensive techniques.

Halfway through, she collapsed onto the grass, panting.

“What’s the point of all this? A witch can flick her wrist and throw me across a room like a rag doll. What is this training going to do against that?”

“True,” Rune stood over her, not even winded. “But the witches are our allies. You won’t have to fight them.”

“Really? Because they seem the most resentful out of all of you.”

He shrugged. “You can’t blame them. They are emotional beings. They were exploited by someone they trusted, and their Book of Spells was stolen and destroyed. Without it, most of their magic was lost forever.” He extended a hand to help her up. “That said, if one ever tries to attack you, get close. Disarm them before they can cast. Speed is your advantage.”

Nova took his hand and rose, brushing grass from her clothes. “I thought werewolves lost the most during the war.”

He shook his head. “Witches were more vulnerable after losing their magic. Without it, many of them were essentially human. They were hunted the most. Burned.” His voice grew quieter. “Werewolves could still shift and defend themselves, but with the Alpha King dead and the mass killings across the world, our numbers thinned.”

He paused, glancing behind her. Nova turned to see Lucien seated on one of the large rocks, staring blankly at the pool below. His expression was complicated, distant, as if he were watching something terrible replay in his mind. It was the first time she’d seen him look anything less than composed.

“And the vampires?” She asked, turning to Rune.

He exhaled. “They fared better. Some were hunted, but most went into hiding quickly.”

Nova was surprised. “So vampires outnumber the rest of you now?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Rune shook his head. “The price for their slow aging is low reproduction. A vampire couple can only have one child. Two, if you’re lucky. While the rest of us have been able to repopulate over the years, they haven’t.”

Nova glanced at Lucien again. He was their leader. She didn’t know how vampire leadership worked, but she assumed it went to the oldest or the most powerful. Either way, it must be a lonely existence.

“How old is he, anyway?” She murmured, tilting her head toward Lucien.

Rune shrugged. “I heard he was friends with my grandfather.”

Nova’s eyes went wide. That old?

“Wow.” She looked at Lucien with new appreciation. “No wonder he owns the biggest business in the country. That’s impressive.”

Rune’s voice took on a sharp edge. “I own a very big business, too, and I’m young. I’m more impressive.” He was watching her expectantly, as if waiting for praise.

She rolled her eyes and ignored him. “Why do you dislike him so much?”

His expression flattened. “I just don’t like his face.”

“I heard that!” Lucien called from across the clearing.

Nova bit back a laugh. Out of everything they’d discussed, that was what made him speak up.

“I think he looks fine,” she said lightly. “He looks rather angelic.”

Rune’s growl rumbled low in his chest. His wolf did not appreciate her complimenting other men. She smirked.

“Thank you!” Lucien’s voice drifted over again.

Nova chuckled.

“There’s something unsettling about him. Vampires are cunning and annoying. Better to keep your distance.” Rune muttered.

A loud sigh echoed through the clearing. Lucien rose from his rock, brushing non-existent dust from his pristine coat, and strolled toward them. He didn’t look upset, but he didn’t look pleased either.

“You disrespectful little mutt.”

“You didn’t deny it,” Rune shot back.

Nova stepped between them lightly. She shot Rune a reprimanding look. “Leave him alone. He’s an old soul.”

Rune’s smirk returned. Lucien’s hard gaze snapped to her. “I’m not that old.” When both of them continued smirking, he rolled his eyes and turned toward the path. “You two deserve each other.” He started walking. “I’ll see you at the house.”

At the leisurely pace he was moving, they’d probably pass him on the way back.

Nova shook her head and turned back to Rune. “Alright. Let’s finish this,” and they focused back on training.