Chapter 42  ∣  We Say Goodbye

-Maverick

I never would have thought that taking my father's place as King would feel like the weight of the world was placed on my shoulders. At that moment when I ascended to the throne, I knew everything would fall on me from this point forward. Not only I but Eris also.

The room erupted with clapping, gazing out over the coven of not only mine now, but the few neighboring ones that had come to witness the truth. The truth is, the rogue vampire prince has now become the King, and everyone would look upon with skepticism. Not only because I was now King, but a mortal stood by my side reigning as the Vampire Queen.

What a disappointment to many of those who wished my father were still in command. It was my time now and I wasn't going to stand around anymore hiding in the shadows or killing any werewolves on sight. No, we needed to take the fight to them, the ruthless killing we all were partaking in wasn't drawing out Alpha King Chase.

Nothing we were doing was working, so the only thing I could think of was to partake in a retreat with the many coven leaders across the world as this war was not only affecting the U.S. covens. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't want to be like other rulers where I sit behind the walls in safety while the killing is done for me. I would be at the front lines, just like my mother as a princess...she didn't care what title she held, she wanted to change this world.

She accomplished that with the hunters however, that very thought was shattered the second sides had to be chosen among the hunters. Peace crippled and now I don't see any way for peaceful coexistence without being allowed a single meeting with the werewolves' King.

Eris was nervous, standing beside of me when all of the vampires had left, save for my grandparents, my parents, Zak, Arlynn and Killian. It was an ominous silence that fell upon us, no one daring to be the one to speak first.

When the silence had gone on long enough, I said, "The calls have already been made," eluding to the coven leaders agreeing to meet in a secluded area unknown to the wolves. I continued, "Zak and Killian," I turned my attention on them, their eyes meeting with mine as I finished, "I am charging the two of you with keeping Eris safe while the rest of us are away."

They both nodded, not questioning my judgment for a second. When I turned next to Arlynn, her fiery red hair was covering half of her face. She pulled it back and tied it at the base of her neck. I stated, "Arlynn, you will remain here as commander and advisor to Eris as you have been to my father for many years. She has the final say on any matter but guide her with your years of wisdom."

Eris remained silent, but I could see the tension in her jaw when she realized that I would be leaving as well. We had spoken about it a few times, but nothing was ever decided on until now. I'm not putting her at risk and she's safest with a lethal commander, one of the strongest assassins I know and a hunter with undying loyalty to this family like no other.

"We should be on our way," I noted to the ones who would join me, watching them disperse to gather anything they would need before we left.

Zak was the first to speak as he asked, "How long will you be gone for?"

"I'm hoping just a couple of weeks," I replied while Eris' eyes glanced my way and I reassured her, "it'll be alright. You're safe here."

Eris giggled and sighed, "Oh I've heard that one before," she paused and nodded, "then again, no one is ever safe anywhere so if you wish for me to stay here and perform my duties as your Queen, I won't argue."

"Just be careful," Killian shook his head and reminded me, "with all of you leaving...that leaves no pureblood on-site, weakening us if anything does happen. Not only that but having you all in one place at one time isn't exactly the most logical option."

I knew he'd say this. I completely agreed with him, but if we didn't bring our strongest players to the starting line, how could we expect to overpower the other team? If I left either my grandfather or father here, neither of them would let their significant other leave. If I left my mother and grandmother behind, they'd be furious that I might think them weaker than their counterparts. I can't risk them wondering if the other is okay, knowing they are right in front of them is the best option.

"I understand your concerns, but if I went about it that way, only my father and grandfather would be coming with me," I replied, watching Killian's features change momentarily.

This isn't what I want, to risk any lives, but if we don't, we risk the entire vampire species.

"You all may be strong," Killian begins and I see the hurt in his eyes, the pain from what happened to Kenzie, "but don't take anything for granted and protect one another. As Eris said...no one is safe anywhere, don't get too comfortable wandering into their territory."

While nodding, I replied, "We won't."

Dismissing the three before me, Eris and I were the last to remain in the ballroom. Through the open doors, I could see everyone getting ready to leave, my grandmother and mother speaking with one another in hushed tones while lingering in the hallway. Once they caught sight of me, they moved closer to the door, the sun having fallen just a few hours prior.

Eris' gentle touch caressed the back of my hand, startling me for a second. When I turned to look at her, her eyes held a few unshed tears. Her voice was watery when she said, "Please come back to me."

"I promise, it won't be long before we're standing here once again together," I returned her saddened features with a small smile, curling a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. Her emerald eyes gazed into my own while I leaned down and planted a kiss upon her lips. When I pulled away, I could see the tears clearly cascading down her cheeks.

Brushing those tears away I mentioned, "I've been a rogue for many years sweetheart, do you think anything has changed now that I am King? I'm still going to play and fight the way I always have and that's what's going to draw out this King of theirs."

"I know you are strong..." her voice trails off, furrowing my brows when she suddenly seems at a loss for words.

Pulling her into a warm embrace I whispered, "You are stronger than me my vixen. Everything you have been through in both lives...nothing I have been through compares and I know you'll be safe."

"Mav?" My mother's voice emits from the open doors, my head tilting in her direction to see the fighting clothes she has adorned. I had already come to this ceremony dressed for a fight, not as a King sitting on a throne day in and day out. I was ready to go and put an end to all of this...but my heart ached at the thought of leaving Eris.

"I love you," Eris whispered to me as she placed a gentle kiss on my cheek after standing on her tiptoes. Leaving a longing kiss on her forehead, we soon separated, Arlynn walking back into the ballroom and nearing Eris while I left through the open doors.

The pain in my heart continued to distort my emotions, wanting nothing more than to remain here as Eris' greatest protector...but I couldn't.

"Are you alright Maverick?" My grandmother placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and I just responded with a simple nod. The doors to the mansion opened, revealing the moonlight, the cool night air nipping at our skin as we all slowly made our way out into the front courtyard. Once the doors were sealed shut, I let out the air that I'd been holding in my lungs since leaving Eris behind.

We began our journey, trekking fast across the country, staying hidden for the most part, and not allowing ourselves to linger more than a few hours in a single location. Along the way, we ran into a few hunters, finding them to be in our favor and aligned with the vampires, they had offered their blood, spilling it into bowls to feed us. There were also a few werewolves that we came across...however, we didn't make our presence known, keeping our distance while we kept one thing at the forefront of our minds...Alpha King Chase.

Small fights were no longer to our advantage and by picking these petty fights, we weren't getting anywhere.

We arrived at the secluded meeting spot selected by my mother during her travels across the world while picking off the recognized coven leaders one by one. We ended up at a fortress once used by Ronan, desolate waste of space now...but it would provide the cover we needed while gathering a large group of vampires into one location.

"This place smells like death," I let the words roll off my tongue, walking across the grass toward the entry point of the fort.

My mother sighed, "That's because this is the final resting place of two recognized coven leaders and many rogue vampires."

My father couldn't help throwing in, "And also where you almost ended up meeting that same fate."

She shot him a nasty glare, "We all made mistakes...or need I remind you that you were the reason Maverick became a rogue vampire in the first place?"

"Children...settle down," my grandfather sighed with irritation, his eyes constantly scanning the area, the bickering ending when the door to the massive fort began to open. I could tell this was another one of those places that we shouldn't have even tread on...but due to its history, no werewolf would find us here.

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To Seduce a Mortal by K. A. Young and Laisha C. Gardner

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