Chapter 79 - The King's Bite

“What are you going on about?” Allegra asked as she wiped the last of the sleep from her eyes, looking up curiously at her husband.

“We are leaving. Right now. You did say you were tured of waiting for us to go on our honeymoon, did you not?” he asked teasingly.

“Vlad this isn’t funny,” the Duchess complained as she tried to duck back under the covers even though the potion had done its job. She felt completely fine now.

He was too quick for her, however, and had the comforter in his hands before she could pull it over her head.

“Have you ever known me to be the type to joke?” he asked her with a raised brow.

“So you’re telling me we’re leaving today?” she asked dumbly, unable to follow his train of thought.

“Right after you finish getting ready, yes,” he confirmed. “We will be on our way.”

Allegra leaped out of bed in a panic.

“But I'm not ready!” she insisted. “I haven’t even packed, let alone done anything to prepare for the trip. I don’t even know where we’re going!”

The King stood up and placed calming hands on her shoulders to give them a comforting squeeze.

“It has all been taken care of,” he insisted. “All you have to do is get ready for our flight.”

Right on time, Cilla’s celebratory voice came from their walk-in closet.

“There!” shouted the redhead. “Everything Legs could possibly need for the next two weeks packed, as promised.”

Cilla came out proudly rolling two medium sized suitcases along with a couple of carry-on bags.

“I may have overdone it,” she admitted, “but it is better to be over prepared than under.”

Allegra turned her head up to stare at Vlad with stars in her eyes. “You got Cilla to pack for me?” she asked in a whisper.

He shrugged. “I knew she was the only person you trusted enough to do it. It was common sense. Now go shower.”

The King pushed her in the direction of the bathroom and she obediently went, but not before stopping to give her best friend a huge hug and a kiss on her cheek in thanks.

“You’re welcome,” Cilla said as she buffed her nails against her shirt and gazed at them proudly.

“Yes, yes, I am unworthy to grace your presence,” retorted Vladislav dryly. “I would appreciate it if you could go get Aidon from the lounge. Just have him meet us downstairs when we say goodbye to everyone else.”

“Fine,” the redhead conceded easily enough as she left with a parting shot. “My goodness, what would you have done without me?”

Allegra came out and noticed that Cilla had chosen something for her to wear on the plane and proceeded to pull it on. It was a versatile jumpsuit, which gave her an idea of the weather of the place they would be going.

“Are you still set on keeping our destination a secret?” Allegra asked as he leaned back against the bed and lazily watched her dress up. “Even today of all days?”

“You will find out once we are on the plane and not a minute before,” he said unrepentantly.

Allegra rolled her eyes as she finished getting ready. At some point, a pair of footmen strode in to take their luggage out. “How long are we staying?” she asked as she checked her appearance in the mirror one last time, pleased with what she saw.

“Two weeks,” he admitted, but before she could voice her disapproval, he rushed on. “Do not worry. I had a word with Queen Solal and they will still be here on our return.”

Allegra placed a kiss at the corner of his mouth. “You really do think of everything.”

She did not protest when he took her by the hand and led her out of their rooms. She noticed a higher number of human footmen walking about and they all saluted as they passed them by. She supposed it was a customary way of saying goodbye to their King. They reached outside the castle and Allegra saw everyone she had expected to be there standing in wait.

She hugged Milena and the vampiress even hugged her back. Both Mason and Niklaus were treated to a hair scuffle, because the last thing she wanted was for Vladislav to enter one of his jealous moods. Zallius and Cedai did not say a word to her, but they both held one hand each for a little too long until she felt a tingle of magic shoot up her arms. She assumed it was a protective spell.

“They’re taking a few days of silence,” Cilla whispered in explanation of the faes’ silence as she hugged her tightly. “Have a great time and do everything I would.”

Allegra giggled at that before opening her arms for her little brother, who rushed into them and held on tightly.

“I’ll be back in a flash,” she promised.

“You better be,” the boy warned as he accepted Vladislav rubbing his hair with familiarity.

They all waved goodbye as they stepped inside their waiting car. It was a smaller convoy – only three cars, but Vlad assured her that was all they needed with them being filled with vampires. They spent the long drive to the airport with Allegra guessing and failing to name where they would be going. She gave up as soon as they were driven onto the tarmac where their private jet waited for them.

Vladislav led her on as their bags were loaded and their security team took their positions throughout the plane.

“Have you given up, then?” he taunted, knowing she would never guess correctly.

“Either you tell me or the pilot will,” Allegra responded, having completely given up.

Vlad laughed before he grew somewhat sombre. He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb across the back of hers.

“We are going to Estoyya,” he finally said.

“Estoyya?” Allegra repeated in disbelief. “I thought that was a mythological place.”

The King shook his head. “No it is not. As a matter of fact, my mother came from there.”