The Undead Assassin
POV: Alexandra
I leaned in toward the table when my father stated that we knew that assassin, I remembered the time that I lived out my uncle’s memories. I remembered the face of my assassin but I don’t remember him from Terre. I shook my head, “Daddy, I looked at the face of the assassin in Uncle Talon’s memories and I don’t recognize him.” He sighed, “You wouldn’t remember him because you were just a baby when he died.” I gasped, “William?” He nodded, “Somehow The Order knew of his kidnapping of you and the fall out from that. They decided to use his spirit’s hatred of you to send a relentless unkillable assassin against you.” Lucien cleared his throat, “So it was the man that afflicted with the Aphrodite ability?” I nodded, “It affected him so immensely that he acted out of character. I guess he blames me for his death. His whole family did so this news is nothing new to me.” Lucien clenched his jaw, “I think you underestimate the rage of a tortured soul. They wouldn’t have been able to use Tyleesh’s ability against him if he hadn’t been a tortured soul. He will likely have some power or ability connected to his rage.” My father dabbed his lips after finishing his final bite of food, “He’s right, I suggest you read up on the undead when you get back home. That is why we were so upset that you went without your guard because he could strike you at any time.” I nodded, “I understood the day it happened when the Elder pointed it out to me.” Lucien patted me on the knee, “It’s okay now, Xan. We know that you know you messed up and showed it by wanting to take responsibility.”
He turned to my father, “So now that we know who he is, we can come up with a weapon for him. This would require a special trip to Terre for a soldier and one from House Batiste that has been there.” My father and I looked at each other and he smiled, “I think we should send Ashton and Alexandra.” Lucien sighed and shook his head, “I’m afraid Alexandra will not have the time to do so. These tasks will keep her busy until the masked ball.” My father rubbed his chin and nodded, “Okay, then I will go with him. I know where we can find the required items.” Lucien nodded, “I will send the official orders to House Batiste after we are done here. Which brings me to another subject.” He turned back to me, “Malinus will be by your father’s tent in the afternoon with sponsorship paperwork for Lucy. I want to meet her in the morning. I obviously cannot single her out in the tent but I won’t have time to visit everyone there just yet. I have requested that Doc bring her to this tent in the morning. I have cleared this by Elder Enzo but your first task will be to introduce the young lady to me. We will visit for about an hour and I am afraid that is all the time that I will have for her while I am out here.” I cleared my throat, “Can we address the fact that I am not guaranteed to be Queen? What will you do with her if your Queen does not agree to an adoption?” Lucien clenched his jaw, “I don’t even want to think about that.” My father sighed, “You like this child so much, Xan?” I nodded, “She’s very sweet and I think she would be a great addition to any family.” My father gave a determined nod, “Then we will adopt her into our family if things do not work out. Sorry, Your Majesty, I know you don’t want to think of a future without Alexandra by your side. I know what that is like, trust me.” I looked up at him, confused, “What do you mean?” He smiled, winked, and shrugged, “A story for another time perhaps.”
My father stretched and yawned, “I think it is time for me to take my old bones to bed, Your Majesty. I have an early morning of pouring over those documents. I am almost finished with the task and would like it to be done by tomorrow night so I can go back to my wife. I miss her terribly. I think you can understand that.” Lucien looked at me and smiled gently, “I think I can very much understand what that is like. How soon is too soon? Is that right?” My father smirked and nodded, “Exactly.” Lucien stood up, “If you both need rest, please do not let me keep you.” My father smiled at me, “Oh, Alexandra doesn’t need to come with me. I think you kids could use a little time alone but just remember that Derek will need to be in his tent by lights out.” Lucien rubbed his chin, “Right, Derek. Reggie, will you send him in on your way out?” My father nodded, “No problem, I will send him in now then.“ He kissed me on the head and left the tent.
Derek came into the tent and bowed to Lucien, “You summoned me, Your Majesty?” Lucien walked over to his desk and sat down, “I understand, in order for you to maintain your standing in the military, that you will need to be in your tent by lights out.” Derek nodded, “Yes, Your Majesty.” Lucien nodded then scribbled something on a paper, “I am sending you official orders to leave your post for the night. If anyone questions you, just show them this document with my seal on it. I have a few things I wish to discuss with Alexandra and I don’t know how long it will take. I don’t want you to get in trouble or lose sleep just because I have delayed your charge in a discussion. I could easily just dismiss your trouble by explaining to the acting General but this is much easier and more efficient.” Derek cleared his throat, “I have a question, Your Majesty.” Lucien dropped the pen on his desk, “You may speak freely.” Derek nodded and relaxed a little, “How will Her Grace get back to her tent without an escort?” Lucien smirked, “I will send her back myself.” Derek sighed, “Won’t that cause problems for her?” Lucien shrugged, “It might but the only ones that matter in this are me, her, and the council. I know Alexandra doesn’t care what others think of her.” Derek looked back at me and spoke hesitantly, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I just mean to look out for my friend and my best friend’s sister. I hope you understand my level of concern.” Lucien nodded, “I appreciate your care for her and I do understand. Please don’t let it worry you further. I have a way to get her back without drawing attention. I just really want to spend time with her. You understand?” Derek smiled then nodded, “I think I do understand. I will leave her in your care then, Lucien.” Derek relaxed his formality letting Lucien know that man to man, he understands that he just wanted to spend time with the woman he loved. It was probably one of the greatest things I had ever witnessed between two men. The mutual understanding of what it was to be with the one they each loved. By Derek leaving me, he could spend time with Jess and Lucien could spend time with me. Lucien handed Derek the paper and waved him off, “You are dismissed for the night then Chalshin.” Derek bowed at Lucien, turned, and winked at me, “Enjoy your night, Lex.”
After Derek left, Lucien rose from his seat and joined me back at the dining table. He reached out to a small chest that was sitting just beside him and pulled out a box. He hugged it to his chest, “You know, the thing about being a royal is that you can’t do things normal people do.” I nodded, “I understand that. I bet it gets exhausting having to follow protocol.” He smiled and looked down at the box, “It does but let me finish what I had practiced a few times before I came out here. Okay?” I leaned back in my seat, smiled, and nodded. He cleared his throat, “As a royal man, particularly a King who still has no Queen, I cannot attend social events with anyone. It’s the rule and especially so since this bloody competition is going on. I curse my past self for coming up with this pea-brained idea.” I sat silently waiting for him to finish as he had requested but my brain was telling me that Grand Pretre also advised him to do this. It was for a purpose. He continued, “So you can understand that, even though I really want to, I cannot ask you to be my date for the masquerade ball.” I nodded to affirm to him that I understood but knew that he wasn’t exactly done saying his piece. He pulled the box from his body and placed it on the table then shoved it towards me, “Even though I cannot ask you to the ball, I would like to ask you symbolically if you would like to attend the ball with me. Open it.” I leaned forward so that I could take the box and open it. Inside was a beautiful necklace with what looked like rose stems on each side that meet in the middle with two purple roses. I looked up at him, “This is beautiful.” He smiled, “Not nearly enough to match your beauty. If you wore this necklace on the night of the ball, I would know that you have accepted my invitation in secret.” I giggled, “Can’t I just accept now.” He frowned and shook his head, “To do so would break with a tradition here in Vellum.” I shrugged, “And that is?” I laughed, “You haven’t heard the story of the Lover’s Ball?” I shook my head, “Never heard of it.”He smiled and leaned on his face on his hand, “I’m honestly surprised about that, being the granddaughter of Darren. I will tell you though if you want to know.” I nodded, “I do. You can’t just leave me in suspense like this. You’ve thoroughly piqued my curiosity.” He hummed then nodded, “I believe the humans start out their stories a certain way. What was it? Ah, yes. Once upon a time…”
Author’s note: I have set up a Twitter account (I will post the info in the comments on this chapter) to keep you all updated on what’s going on but if there’s a platform you prefer, please let me know. I want to keep you all informed the best I can.
