115

“I didn’t know you were so close with the wolf,” Avetha said.

Zikur smiled peevishly. “Another thing you do not know about me. Why are you here, Avetha? Shouldn’t you be at the party?”

“The party ended minutes ago. You would have known that if you weren’t familiarizing yourself with the wolf.”

“That wolf has a name, Avetha.”

“And I do not care. She’s still a wolf nonetheless, an omega to be precise. Seems you omegas have a way of knowing each other.”

Zikur’s nostrils flared. “What exactly do you want?”

“What could I possibly want other than to offer my condolences to the queen? I hear, Thjis has quite a way with fists.”

“So do I, if you do not leave here at once.”

“You need not protect her, Zik. She’s a woman with too many sins.”

“It takes one to know one, Avetha. And please, don’t you ever call me Zik again.”

“Why not?” she asked, stepping closer. “Is it because it reminds you of those years spent slaving at the packhouse?”

Zikur glared. “It doesn’t remind you of anything other than the fact that, that was the name you wanted to call me in bed.”

Avetha’s eyes widened. “What? I never fancied you, Zikur. It was always Thjis and it would always be Thjis.”

“And where is Thjis now?” Zikur asked, smiling.

Avetha remained quiet.

“Look Ave, I think you really need to let go of your love for the monster and…”

Avetha cut him off. “If he’s a monster, then what are you? Does she know of the atrocities you committed once you assumed your new form? Is she aware of the day you murdered her parents in cold blood?” Avetha paused and leaned in. “Is your darling Ogra aware that you are Nivokov’s murderer? Is she?”

“That’s enough!” Zikur thundered. “Now you listen to me, you winged fairy. You will do well to stay out of my business if you still want to remain the Fae Queen.”

She laughed. “And who wants to dethrone me? You, an omega vampire?”

Zikur chuckled. “You’d be surprised at what abilities this omega vampire possesses. Now before you leave the Icelands for good, do well to tell Thelia I wish to see her again sometime.”

“It’s already midnight. It’s best I return home now,” Amar stated as she set down the filled glass of water. She couldn’t trust it or any other edible thing the prince had given her.

“Home? It’s too late to go home. You cannot return home, Amar, not at this hour,” Wilhelm said.

“So you would rather I stay here in this palace while your father roams free?”

“My father won’t hurt you anymore, Amar. You’re safe from him, Amar.”

“I’m safe? But what about my sister, Wilhelm? What about her? For some reason unknown to me, he wants her and how do I save her from him? From a Vampire King? Lest you don’t know, she will be here more often, seeing that your cousin or whatever has succeeded in making her his tutor,” Amar yelled.

Wilhelm sighed. “Amar, I know that you’re pissed but…”

She cut in rudely. “I am not pissed, Wilhelm. I’m only worried for my sister. I’m worried what would become of her if she’s found guilty of the crimes you accuse her of.”

“Well if you were so worried about what would become of her once she’s guilty, which she is, you should have groomed her well instead of letting her off like that.”

Amar looked at him. “You...you did not just say that.”

He sighed. “I didn’t…”

“I don’t want to hear it,” she snarled, walking towards the windows and opening them wide.

“What are you doing?”

“Leaving. I thought it was that obvious,” she responded, throwing one leg over the windowsill.

“Amar, people leave through the door. What you’re doing is suicide.”

“Is it? Well, I can’t really see from up here,” she said.

“Amar, come down at once.”

“I will only do that if you unlock the door.”

He didn’t move.

“Very well then. The window it is.”

“Amar, you could die. And if you die with my blood in your system, you will become like me.”

She snorted. “Your blood is no longer in my system, Wilhelm. I made sure of that in the bathroom with your pocket knife, which is really sharp by the way.”

Wilhelm swore, walked towards her, and grabbed hold of her arms.

“Wilhelm, what are you doing? Let go of me!” she shouted, scratching at his face.

“Stop fighting me,” he gritted, attempting to pull her away. Alarmed, Amar kicked him where it really hurt, and Wilhelm stepped back, and poor Amar fell from the window, screaming. Wilhelm cursed and jumped as well. He laid down on the ground, awaiting for her to collapse on him. She did.

“You shouldn’t have saved me,” she said, getting up. Wilhelm rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t going to leave Toreh without a sister, Amar.”

“Oh please. Do not act like you care for my sister, Wilhelm.”

“You’re right I don’t. but I care for you, therefore I shall care for her as well.”

Amar stared at him, breathing hard. The silence was annoying, and Amar decided to put an end to it.

“I shall return home now.”

“Is there anything I can do to make you stay?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Wilhelm sighed. “Call me when you get home.”

Amar laughed. “I don’t even have a phone, neither do I have your number.”

“You do now,” he said, pressing a sleek handset into her palm. Amar stared at the phone wide-eyed.

“I…I can't take this,” she said shoving it into his hands.

“It’s a gift from me to you, Amar. And since it’s already Boxing Day, I’d like to think that it’s quite okay to give you a gift.”

Not ready to argue with him, she took the phone and walked away from him without even saying goodbye.

Wilhelm went up to his room, heart heavy. He poured himself a drink and drank to his heart’s content. But not even the liquor could quench his need for the Tamac. He needed her for his future. The only way the Crown could be passed onto him and not his brother was if he begat an heir fast.

And to begat a legitimate heir, he needed to marry Amar. And to marry Amar, he needed her to like him. He needed her now. With that thought in mind, he walked towards the door, opened it, and was shocked to see Toreh on the other side.

“Um, aren’t you supposed to be with Eloive?”

“I came here to see my sister, but it seems she’s not here. Where’s Amar, Wilhelm?”

“She went home,” he replied.

“Home? By this time? You should have stopped her.”

“Believe me, I tried. She wouldn’t listen.”

“Well, if she’s home, then I have to be home too.”

“Do you females have a habit for walking in the dark?”

“Do you vampires? My sister and I can take care of ourselves, Wilhelm. We certainly do not need the likes of you to cater for us.”

“If that’s true, you would have saved Amar yourself.”

“You’re an asshole.”

He chuckled. “So, I’ve been told. You and your sister might think you’re so strong because you’ve been blessed with speed and the ability to birth supernaturals, but you are just girls. And you and I both know that human girls don’t and will never stand a chance without men like me by their side.”

Toreh eyed him. “We’ll see about that Wilhelm. Now if you’ll excuse me, my ma needs me.”