Alek bared his fangs at his sons, they stiffened. “I’m the one who’s made the mistake of asking, I will be introducing Lanias to the elders. One of you will step up, or I will simply pick andalert your grandparents of who will be taking over.” With that he walked around the desk and stopped short in front of them. “And I have never once felt any shame because of you, not until this very moment.” With that, he stormed from the office.
He’d thought they at least would have exposed their hunger for the throne. Although to be fair even he knew he was offering them an unbearable duty. Not one of his sons showed weakness, they were more than capable to rule. The world of a criminal was far more dangerous than the world of a King. He’d meet with the elder and the others and heard their thoughts on the issue. The other elders also had children, not that they’d established a kingdom as he’d done but they could give him insight.
Alek would no longer be patient; they would need to pick up the role of leader.
Whether they wished it or not.
LANIAS
Lanias stood in the mirror giving her figure an examination. “Now, if this is what it means to be a Queen, then I won’t reject it.” The dark red gown she wore hugged her body like a second skin. The silk material was obviously expensive. She loved how it cupped her breast. She’d styled her hair to be pin straight, stopping just below her bottom. She looked at the red heels that had red ribbons on the back. “Red bottoms always added just the right amount of bitch to the look.”
Alek walked up behind her, wearing an all-black suit. His hair was combed back, exposing his forehead. He placed a kiss on her shoulder. “I told you that I would take great care of you.”
“But you didn’t say you had taste,” she joked, turning to look up at him. “Now, what I want to know is why I’m dressed to the nines. Though it doesn’t take much to get me in an expensive dress. Just where is this dress taking me I wonder.”
Her red colored lips parted as she leaned up and said, “I also noticed four men weren’t exactly happy today.”
He lowered his lashes. “I want one of them to take the title of Monarch.”
“And let me guess, none of them want it?”
“They seem to be more than happy to leave me with the title for eternity.”
“Why do you want to hand it over?” Lanias asked. “Do you not want me to be your Queen? Is my reign to be so short?” She pouted.
He grasped her chin when he spotted her bottom lip trembling with humor. “You can’t even say that with a straight face. I’ve grown tired of politics, and the elders keep requesting I retire. And I don’t disagree with them, being the face of The Vampires of the Veil has lost its charm.”
“Okay, I understand that but why does that lead to us dressing up?” Lanias asked, confused.
“We’re going to meet them,” Alek said, grabbing her hand and taking a step back into a cloud of red mist.
“Meeting who?” Lanias exclaimed, just as they entered an elegant ballroom.
In shock she looked around herself in stunned silence. The room was filled with well-dressed individuals, who looked like they had just stepped out of a vogue magazine. And while she didn’t feel less than them, it was still jarring to go from her bedroom to a ballroom. She glared at the man who’d dragged her here so abruptly.
“Yeah, definitely still have moments where I want to hex you.” She jerked her hand from his and dawned a practiced smile obtaining a champagne glass from a passing server.
“How long has it been Aleksandra,” a tall, blonde woman called as she approached them. She wore a bronze mermaid gown. The amber and gold necklace that rested on her neck, caused Lanias’ hands to itch. “We’ve missed you.”
Alek greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Pulling back, he offered her a polite smile. “Rebecca it’s been only twenty years since the last gathering.” She waved him off, flashing back a bright smile.
“Don’t tease, Jacob has sent an invite many times, but you were too busy playing with that rabble in the Veil to see us.” She turned her amber eyes on Lanias. “And this is?”
“My mate,” Alek announced, putting an arm around her waist. “She’s here to be introduced to The Elder. Lanias, this is my cousin Rebecca.”
“Oh, and just what blood line is she from?” Rebecca asked, her eyes sharpening on Lanias. “I don’t think I’ve heard that name before in my circles.”
“It would be an unlikely name heard especially since my circles are a bit selective when it comes to who they allow in,” Lanias answered as she took a sip of her champagne then continued. “Though I’m sure if I mention your name to them, they will try to remember you.”
She hid her grin behind her glass.
Rebecca’s eyes hardened, as she tilted her head right. “Interesting, and what pray tell is it you do to be welcomed in such exclusive circles?”
“I run the place their husbands go to get relief from their trophy wives,” Lanias said. Enjoying the brief flash of anger that appeared in Rebecca’s eyes. “A bar.” She added after a briefsilence, hiding her sly smile behind her glass. “You might have heard of it, The Shade.”
The minute she named her establishment Lanias watched the color leach from Rebecca’s face. She found it interesting as she’d never met the woman before.
“Is that so,” Rebecca said her voice sounding choked. She turned to Alek, “Mother won’t be pleased you’ve mated such a Witch.”
