Unedited.
Claire POV.

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Suddenly, Nicklaus pulls out the chair, for me to take a seat. Then, he follows my lead.

"You may come, slaves." He directs the chosen's after the other vampire kings follow suit. They move in unison, like a choir singing together in harmony.

"Now that we're all are seated," he announces. "We can feast and discuss the matter at hand."

"Cut the Crap, Nicklaus! How about you enlighten us with why the hell you declared a chosen whore to be our queen?"

***

My neck snaps in Cyrus's direction, crimson red blood immediately drips into my vision, and my chest is ablaze, full of scorching hot rage. "Mind your tongue, Cyrus," Nicklaus growls.

The love and devotion in his features are long gone. Long gone! Replaced with passionate fury.

I can feel his body go stiff beside me. His soft and delicate fingers, which were just entwining with my own, are now sharp and claw-like talons digging, deeper than deep into my skin. Even with that, I refuse to let him go. My hand moves up his skin and grip onto his wrist.

Cyrus's red eyes lock with my own. "What," he asks with a sarcastic tongue. All I'm doing is voicing the concerns of the people. He can't be serious, right now. He is trying it. Out of all the barbaric creatures inside of this room, I've never expected Cyrus to challenge him, to challenge us.

The others vampire kings watch the scene with emotionless expressions and in complete silence, including Xander.

"You and I both know this has nothing to do with how anyone feels, but you." My grip on his wrist is slipping by the second. "Don't turn our petty dispute into a personal vendetta," Nicklaus warns. "It shall not end well for you."

Cyrus stands to his feet. "I'll take my chances. He is playing with fire. "You're bringing filth to our throne and you expect me to bite my tongue," he spits, staring Nicklaus directly in the eyes.

"Cyrus," my beloved voice is low, dangerously low. Somehow, the room still manages to shake. He is losing control and so am I.

Fury crashes through my entire body like a tidal wave. The dark and menacing presence breaks free flooding my mind, body, and soul. Without warning! Pitch black rage taints my inner light. My monster is in attendance, ready to pounce.

There is a storm of apprehended murder, brewing above our heads.

Each passing second, the room becomes more silent and more deadly. The air is filled with cruel and wicked anticipation. Cyrus's action is a wreck, a recipe for brewing death. My beloved is shaking violently. He is this close to snapping. His rage is scorching, burning brighter than the deserts sun. The darkness inside of his soul invades my own, darker than a fossil fuel of midnight coal.

Century's worth of memories consumes my brain. Nicklaus memories with him and Cyrus! He is fighting his demon, attempting to spare the king that he calls brother life.

"Cyrus,' I use a tone of reason out of respect for Nicklaus.

"You have no right to speak to me slave," mocks Cyrus, sealing the deal.

With a chilling roar, Nicklaus releases the beast. He moves in a blur. So quick I didn't even feel his wrist slip from out of my grasp. The scorching hot heat burns brighter with the movement of his feet. In a flash, Cyrus is up out of his chair, meeting Nicklaus head-on.

Cyrus pounces into the air, with fangs descending and talons swinging, swiftly going for blood. Nicklaus manages to avoid Cyrus' attack with no hesitation, delivering a swift blow of his own. Deadly and lethal they are both out for blood.

The chosen's in the room scatter like ants. The servants and slaves run for cover as well. No one wants to be in the middle of two vampires going at each other's neck, literally.

Especially, not two vampire kings!

All eyes are on them, except for one. King Rufus is staring at me, with an annoying smirk planted on his handsomely devilish face. He is waiting to see how I react to this bloody battle that is currently making the chandeliers above our head shake violently.

Testing me! Ignoring his dire need for attention my monster and I sit back and watch our beloved put the other monster in his place. We feel no fear. Our beloved can handle his own, and even if Cyrus somehow defeats the odds and get the best of Nicklaus. He would lose his life before my beloved loses his. That's a promise.

Nicklaus issues out a chain link of violent and deadly blows and Cyrus's mulberry-scented blood fills the air. His assaults are so quick I'm positive the humans in the room are unable to pick up on who is hitting who, but I can. Nicklaus isn't showing an ounce of mercy.

Is it wrong that I'm getting a kick of out this? Is it wrong that I see no wrong in Nicklaus's actions? I am wrong, but I honestly don't give a shit.

Screw whoever is against us! Two strong arms are placed onto my shoulders. Xander's familiar and comforting touch consumes me. "Only you can stop this, brave one" he whispers inside of my ear. Now, why should I do that?

Wordlessly, I look at him like he is crazy.

"I know he doesn't deserve your pity or protection," My mate's vicious growls overpower Xander's insane plead. "Trust me when I say you don't want him to follow through with this."

Ignoring him, I continue to watch Nicklaus's monster show his dominance. He truly is a deadly beautiful creature. The way he cleverly manages to invade any issued attack from his opponent.

The way my beloved brings forth the scent of spiced mulberry blood, with a cruel and calculating smile on his face and a river of blood dripping off his fangs. It's enchanting. I'm drawn to his wicked, wild, and wondrous monster need for blood like an addict. I find it highly addictive.

"Claire!" yells Xander, gaining King Seneca's attention. Except for Marcellus, no other vampire king in this room have the slightest clue of how powerful I am. I know he is curious to learn why the hell Xander is begging me, out of all people to save the Ruthless King.

He is a smart man. With one word, I can stop this. I can stop him. Only one question remains. Why the hell would I do that?

Play with fire and you must be burnt. Step out of line and you must get crushed. Go against my beloved and you must be dealt with accordingly. Defy him if you must, but you shall die.

In the next moment, King Cyrus fights back with his all. Both of their monster ferocious and violent nature begin to clash. They have to been fighting for over ten minutes, but the fight has truly just begun.

His monster starts to demonstrate his true nature. He moves with the same grace of a predator, that I have grown used to my beloved demonstrating.

Nicklaus's monster takes over completely, proofing that he is a true force to be wrecking with. This is when I realize that he has been toying with Cyrus from the very beginning. He is still toying with him.

"Please put an end to this."

"Now why would I do that?" I hiss, briefly looking into Xander's blazing red eyes.

Can someone please tell me why?

"Yeah why would she do that," Marcellus mocks lowly, but no sound is low enough for my sensitive ears. I don't have to spare him a glance to know that he is grinning like a Chester cat. He gets me.

I don't want to save him. I am in a dark place, and it goes blacker than black the moment Cyrus' talons unexpectedly sink into Nicklaus's chest, bringing forth a new scent to fill the air. Nicklaus's sweet and intoxicating burning cedarwood fresh berries and a hint of cinnamon-scented blood invade my nostrils.

Quickly, I jump out of my seat with a roar, ready to pounce and officially gain everyone's attention inside of this room.

"What is she," I hear someone say.

"Claire, my friend is a fucking queen. You mother fuckers have no idea who you're dealing with," someone brags. Marcellus, I'm sure. I don't know and I don't care. Right, now I want blood.

"Claire!" Xander attempts to restrain me. My skin starts to tingle. My slow heart rate increases rapidly, and my neck itches intensely, further provoking my monster. She loves the raw and intense power flowing with me.

Xander is holding me by my waist at this point. "Claire, believe me when I say, you don't want to do this," pleads Xander. Yes, I do!

He has to be insane. The power burns brighter. Xander is stronger than he looks. I'm trying my best to break free. I don't want to hurt him, but I will.

"This will only result in more bloodshed. You're better than us." He reasons, a similar conversation we once held flashes inside of my mind. "You are our savior." He once said. Is this what he meant?

Did Xander know that I was Nicklaus beloved since day one? Of course, he did! That would explain everything.

I twitch my head back in the direction of the fight. The two barbaric kings deliver a series of deadly blows. My patience is running thin. At this point, it's hard to see who is winning.

"Get your hands off me, now," I warn Xander. My voice is not my own nor are my thoughts. My mind, body, and soul are clouded with a great deal of malice.

Instinctively, I know it's more of Nicklaus's desire to kill, more so than my own. That doesn't make much of a difference, we are still one. The fight is getting out of control in front of my soulless eyes. Cyrus's back is turned to me, presenting his body as a gift. I want debs.

"Claire!" Yells Xander. "Please calm down!" In response, I release a menacing growl. My power continues to surge. The fight continues to go on. I draw the power fourth, ready to release my hell on earth into Xander next words register inside of my head.

"Give Cyrus and Nicklaus the same respect we gave you and Mecca."

His words hit home and catch me by surprise. I manage to regain control within a second. His choice of words mentally stings, forcing my monster to retreat.

I take a moment to recollect my thoughts. It feels like hours, but I know it is only a second. Xander's truthful words ring over and over inside of my head.

"I will not intervene in any way," I state calmly, turning to face him. Disappointment sinks into Xander's features, regardless he lets me go. He knows I am woman enough to keep my word.

"Don't forget who you are," Xander whispers. Once again stinging me with his sharp tongue. I nod my head in agreement and refocus on my battling beloved.

If Nicklaus was distracted by my little outburst no one would ever know, the fight continues. Crimson blood now stains the once squeaky clean marble floor, roars, and vicious growls ring loudly through the air. Both of them move in a frenzy of bad blood.

They are at each other's neck, claws, fangs, and blazing red eyes continuing to go for the kill. The contents inside of my stomach flip-flops, drop, and spin.

I hate standing back and watching. Especially now, after Cyrus managed to draw blood, but Xander is right. I would have been crushed if Nicklaus took Mecca's life. Just thinking about that type of tragic ending brings me great distress. Regardless, of my personal feeling towards Cyrus at this moment, I know very well Nicklaus loves him dearly.

From out the corner of my eyes, I see all of the vampire kings, besides Marcellus once again watching me with great interest. It's strange. They seem more interested in trying to figure me out than they care about their brothers attempting to take one another lives.

It makes you wonder if they give a flying fuck about either of them. Or are they just used to this type of brutality against one another? 

Even Marcellus has no shame, watching the show on the edge of his seat. The smudge bastard lives for bloody glory. Let's face it! Neither one of the Kings disappoint with their sharp claws digging and deep wounds gushing out blood.

The two monsters continue to move in a blood-lusted frenzy. They are at each other's neck continuing to go for the kill. For like hours now it seems. Then, out of nowhere, Cyrus's movement slows down, becoming sloppier, and before my very eyes, I can see the ruthless king's power surge coming to an end.

In a blur of lethal movement, Nicklaus's claws dig deep into Cyrus's neck, lifting him off the floor with one hand. With a victorious growl, he plunges his sharp animalistic fangs inside of Cyrus's neck, followed by his bare hands ripping into his chest. Chills from the thrill of his close kill, flows through our bond like a ripple effect of a tidal wave, the victory belongs to him, followed by a whirlwind of sadness, which nearly knocks me off my feet.

"Nicklaus enough!" warns Xander. "This is not our way."

Nicklaus's neck snaps in Xander's direction and a deep growl rumble through his chest. He now has everyone in the room's undivided attention. If the other vampire kings inside of this room disagree with his action they don't show it. They sit in audible silence, emotionless watching the scene along with me.

When Nicklaus raises his fire-blazing eyes in my direction my heart skips a beat. He doesn't want to do this, but he will for me. Reality comes crashing down, and my monster retreats to the back of my mind as if it is non-existence.

I stand in silence watching him watching me. Now, that the battle is coming to an end, I can see that he is a little bloody but is in way better condition than Cyrus, who could lose his life in a matter of seconds.

Pain sources inside of me and I realize that I can't let that happen. Xander is right, I must stop this.

Nicklaus breaks eye contact and I know he is going for the kill.

"Nicklaus, please stop," I can barely hear my voice. The other king's eyes flicker from me to him.

He freezes once again making eye contact only to question me. With a deep reluctant sigh, I speak. "Cyrus is your family, he is our family. No matter what we go through family is family."

Unexpectedly, King Rufus stands to his feet and heads in my direction, dragging his pet human on a leash behind him. Out the corner of my eyes, I can see Marcellus's body tenses and I can all but feel Xander crouch down protectively behind me.

My eyes lock with Nicklaus. He tosses Cyrus's body to the side like he is nothing with his eyes assessing his new enemy. "Rufus," Nicklaus's voice is a warning. He is still struggling with his monster. I don't think I have it in me to save another king if another attacks me.

Matter of fact, let me be clear. I will not save King Rufus if he decides to attack me. I don't like him at all. Not even a little bit but there is no need to go in with guns blazing for now.

I hold up one hand, hoping my gesture will keep Nicklaus at bay. I can handle my own. All of the vampire's Kings need to learn that I am also a force to be reckoned with. If Nicklaus continues to fight my battles I will never gain my respect.

I am the destined queen.

Nicklaus doesn't have to fight my battles. No one does. That's neither here nor there because King Rufus doesn't give a shit about what's going on around us anyway. He continues to stalk his way over to me. His golden eyes are locked on to me. His lips are curved into a sickening smile that flashes at me.

I watch the fool walk straight into a death trap (Me) with an innocent smile plaster on my face.

His hands move inside of his pocket, and my mind shifts back to the memory of Rufus playing with his pocket knife. My monster reappears inside of my mind, waiting patiently, and the raw intense power, flood through my veins gracefully.

I'm ready. He is now inches away from me.

King Rufus hesitates for a second, as he should, and then out of nowhere, he bows his head in the process of kneeling onto his right knee.

What the hell is he doing?

"I pledge my loyalty to King Nicklaus and Queen Claire, The Queen of All Vampire Kings," he declares, shocking the fuck out of me.

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