Vampirism is fucking weird.
But it doesn’t matter because, like I said, I don’t look at them that way anymore.
I don’t look at anyonethatway. Anyone I bed is a means to an orgasm. A way to kill time, to quell my boredom.
“There’s nothing in our laws saying Henry can’t be a very involved right hand, Ezra.”
I know she’s trying to barter with me. If I just go out and do what I’m supposed to do, she can go get her beach time, and I can shadow rule with Henry, and everyone gets what they want.
Except me.
"I just want to be human again,” I mumble under my breath.
“I know, Ezra.” She sounds sad and I look up at her with wide eyes.
“Shit.”
“I hope you don’t regret us, because William and I don’t regret you.”
“It’s not like that,” I assure her. “I didn’t know it would come with so much responsibility is all.”
“I promise you it’s not as much of a burden as you’re thinking it is. Your father and I have had a good life, only enriched by you, and Henry, and Jedidiah. I think once you give this whole thing a chance, you’ll see the possibilities are truly endless. And having the reliability and companionship of a mate is special, Ezra. It’ll make you so much happier than you are now. I promise.”
It shouldn’t be so hard.
Go out. Find a mate.
It’s the turning them while we’re both having an orgasm part that gets complicated. Because I don’t sleep with people. Because I don’t want to have a mate. Because I don’t want to rule.
“Please consider it, Ezra.” She stands up and smooths the silk around her hips, then turns to go.
My father has been standing behind her the whole time and he looks at me with a lesser amount of compassion.
“I love you, in the way we can love each other. But it’s been long enough. If you’re not interested in assuming the responsibility of governing Wildemount, then you should start thinking about removing yourself from the equation.”
“You want me to off myself?” I push my chair back and stand. “Diah isn’t even close to being ready to run this place.”
“I know. But he’s not fool enough to not utilize Henry for help. He’s not selfish like you, Ezra.” My father pushes his chair in and gives me one last, long look of appraisal. “I don’t want to have this conversation with you again. I only hope you make the right decision.”
“Neither of us wants you to end your life, Ezra,” Birdie tells me. “But if not you, then you need to make way for your brother.”
Great. So they want me to sever our blood ties if I don’t take a mate.
My mother looks at me sadly, then leaves without another word. My father follows, and he glides out of the room.
Not literally, of course. We’re vampires not birds. But he moves so fluidly it looks like he glides, and I stare at his back until the doors to the dining room swing closed and I’m left alone.
Just me and the three hundred year old Cristallo goblet that I pick up and throw against the far wall. It bursts and shatters, falling into a glittering pool of lost history on the parquet wood floor.
My parents are right.
I need to make a decision, and I will.
Tonight.
I’m unhappy I didn’t catch the innuendo
I like Coven.
