All he wanted was to live with his mate and their little family. To love and enjoy them. If he had to, he would take her away. He would live among the wolves or dragons. Hell, he would liveanywhere if it kept her from being hurt. Her happiness was all that mattered to him. More than the crown.
Jasper looked up at Derrick and nodded for him to come over.
She was pretty tired. She fell asleep almost instantly. How did it go?
How do you feel about being the crown prince?Derrick gave Jasper a wry smile as he crept in front of the couch. He sat on the floor in front of Lucie where he could watch her.
That bad, huh?
He wants to wait before he makes a decision. He wants to speak to whoever spread the rumor first and then decide what to do.Derrick scowled.
I’m sure your father wants to see this person punished, Derrick. I’m with you, but your dad has been doing this for a while now.
Derrick frowned and leaned against the couch. He couldn’t think rationally when it came to Lucie. He looked her over, his gaze tracing her facial features. His love for her had become an unhealthy obsession. Lucie was always on his mind, and he needed her. She was a drug that he needed to constantly inject himself with. The feelings he had now made his love for her before seem shallow. Thank the gods she was his mate and they had this bond.
Justice sat his controller to the side and looked over at Derrick. As his guardian now, he could mindlink with him too.When is the meeting?
In about an hour.
I’m going to get something to eat then.Justice eased himself up quietly and placed a pillow over Lucie’s feet to cover them. He quietly tiptoed out of the room, easing the door shut.
Jasper was trapped until Lucie woke up or Derrick woke her up. If he moved, she would wake for sure.
Are you planning to take Lucie to the meeting?Jasper asked and noticed Derrick’s eyes turn black.
No, I don’t want her there. She doesn’t need to hear this stuff.
So if she is still asleep …
I’ll give you the CliffsNotes.
Isn’t this one of those mandatory meetings?Jasper said with a smirk.
Not for you. Your number one task at all times is protecting Lucie. Above everything. Let the kingdom fall as long as Lucie lives. She is my first priority, and I’m making her yours as well.
Jasper smiled and shook his head.She’s always been my first priority over this place. You and Lucie. If you leave the kingdom, I will too. I don’t care who takes over. I guess your father better not die or retire because I go with you. We’re a package deal.He then looked down at Lucie sleeping on his lap.She’s my best friend. I also won’t stand for her mistreatment. I’ll be watching how this is handled as well.
Both men stared quietly at Lucie after their quiet agreement. They would take their group and leave if they had to. Alaric didn’t have to hand the kingdom over to Derrick anytime soon, if at all. As long as he was alive, the vampires had their king. If worse came to worst, Jester was there too. Derrick and Jasper would stay together no matter what, whether it was here or somewhere else.
It wasn’t about this incident. It was about more than that. It was about not being controlled by others because of their position and standing. A wrongdoing is a wrongdoing that should be punished the same way, no matter who you are. This was something that should be punishable by death because the intent was to smear and place doubt over the future heir. This was done maliciously. Both Derrick and Jasper needed to see this handled appropriately.
Lucie sat up frantically. Her heart was racing, and she began gasping for air.
“Lucie, what is it?” Jasper asked, looking at her startled face.
Derrick reached out and grabbed onto her hand, trying to make sense of her jumbled emotions and thoughts.
She blinked a couple of times and furrowed her brow. Something was wrong. She looked around the room and up at the door as it opened, revealing Justice eating a sandwich.
“What did I miss?” Justice focused onto the worried green eyes and strode up to them.
Lucie clutched her chest, as if seared by a hot iron. She winced and doubled over into Derrick’s arms.
“Abe. Where is Abe?” Lucie whimpered.
“Abaas!” Derrick ordered but received no response. “Myra!” he commanded. Neither of them appeared. He glanced up at Jasper as he rubbed Lucie’s back trying to soothe her.
Justice sat beside Lucie and grabbed onto her hand to help ease her pain.
