Urgent Meeting With The King
I was waiting for Vanessa to show up so that we could discuss the results from the day’s Fire aptitude test. This was a yearly ritual so we can discuss the course of action for the ones who scored above the 70% threshold. Ordinarily, she would push to teach those students advanced magic tool making. This would shift their schedules but the problem with that is, Alexandra would lose one of her guards since Derek only scored at 50%. I was beginning there wasn’t much to Derek, but a mass of muscle and he was just a meathead. I shook the thought from my mind because it was unlike me to think so poorly of a potential pillar of my kingdom. I just couldn’t get the thought of his arm around Alexandra out of my head. He barely knew her but presumed to touch her so openly. Perhaps these thoughts came to me because he could be so friendly with her, and I couldn’t. I wanted to make my friendship with her known so that I could better protect her. I couldn’t though because she was a marriage candidate, and I was not allowed to show favor to her, or everyone would challenge her. I had to keep telling myself that I was protecting her by not making my relationship with her known.
Malinus had entered the room, likely to announce the arrival of Vanessa. I tilted my head at him, and he spoke, “Ms. Tannen is here to speak with you about the results to the Fire aptitude test.” I nodded, “You may let her in.” Vanessa, who was wearing a huge smile on her face, strode into the room, “Good evening, Your Majesty. I’m sure you know the results by and that my Goddaughter is the highest score amongst them. I must’ve rubbed off on her somehow.” She sat down with a huge smirk on her face, I rolled my eyes at her, “Yeah, yeah. Anyhow, I have to share with you the results of the council vote on the scribe rankings. I handed the official rankings so that she may reveal them in her classes. Her eyes lit up, no doubt because she saw Alexandra’s name at the top of the list, “I see the council was impressed as well.” I smiled then nodded, “On that note, how do you feel like she would take it?” She looked down then off to the side, “Honestly, she begged me not to send the results at first, but I think she had an epiphany that the only opinion of the position. She told me that the only opinion that mattered was yours.” She beamed a huge smile and then winked, “I can’t imagine why she would think that but that’s what she said.” She was acting like she was some great matchmaker that could set her goddaughter up on a blind date with the great King Lucien of Vellum. It was no different than any other family member or close acquaintance of the eligible ladies in Vellum. I pinched the bridge of my nose, “Don’t do that. You know it drives me nuts.”
She chuckled but cut her teasing short when Malinus came into the room. I was ready to chide him for but then I saw a look of horror on his face, and I rose to my feet. He came in front of me and bowed, “Pardon for the interruption Your Majesty, Ms. Tannen but I have had news from Duke Reginald Batiste. He must speak with you right away; it is concerning a threat to Vellum.” I nodded, “Send him in right away.” He bowed, “As you will it Your Majesty.” He quickly left the room and very shortly after Reggie came in looking tired and upset. He bowed, “I’m sorry to interrupt Your Majesty, Vanessa. I just came from Blackwood where I had to restrain my daughter.” I collapsed back into my seat, “What?” He sat down in a seat next to Vanessa in a collapse himself. Vanessa placed her hand on his arm, “Deep breaths and then explain why the hell you felt the need to restrain our baby.” He sighed, “First of all, ‘our baby?’ Second, The Order figured that if they couldn’t kill my daughter that they would poison her.” I bolted up in my seat, “Poison? Is she going to be, okay? Do we know the poison so we can treat her?” He dropped his head into his hands, “I can’t answer any of that. I just know the poison has taken away her evolved senses. She’s primal like our ancestors. I found her straddling The Chalshin and feasting on his blood.” I felt like the blood drained from my face when I heard that she was feasting on her guard. Another thought was how did she get to straddling him if he didn’t put himself in the position to be seduced by her. She seduced him was another thought. My mind was a mile a minute with questions and revelations until Vanessa spoke and cut through the noise, “I need to contact Dorothea, she’s to potions and cures as I am to magical tools. She will know how to help with Alexandra. How much blood did she consume?” Reggie sat up, “It doesn’t appear to be much, just enough it was on her lips but not dripping down her face. Derek recovered well but since he’s big, I really can’t gauge how much blood loss would affect him. He said she had just bit him right before I came in. I have Jess and Derek keeping an eye on her. Dana gave her the sleeping potion you gave her Vanessa.” She nodded, “You’ll need something more until we get Dorothea here. I happen to have a magical tool I call Sleeping Beauty’s Rose that will keep her rested and you won’t have to keep watch over her. With His Majesty’s permission, I will leave right away to retrieve it and get it on her.” I nodded, “Of course, His Grace and I will join you all there shortly. I will summon Dorothea here if you give Malinus her whereabouts.” She nodded, “That would probably be more expedient since she and I aren’t really on good terms.” She bowed and left the room just as quickly as Malinus had.
I sighed, “I can’t imagine what that scene that was to walk in on your daughter on top of her own guard. Not gonna lie, probably would have punched him for putting himself in that position.” He shook his head, “My first priority will always be taking care of Xan. The Chalshin and I will have a little chat on what’s allowed under my roof. She may be the master of the house since she officially presides there, but it is still the land bestowed to me by the crown. I’m going to talk to Duke Brethan as well about his son’s conduct, but I imagine that will have to overseen by King’s Right of Resolution.” It was a headache to conduct this ceremony, but it worked to keep the nobles in conflict resolution and peace. I nodded, “I will petition the council and I am officially suspending your duties in London. You may summon the Duchess to Vellum until we can cure Alexandra. Now let’s get going to Blackwood, I have a shortcut and I am aware that Vanessa likely took your carriage.” I would have to share the secret passage from my chambers to Blackwood, but this was the only way I could be inconspicuous about going to Blackwood. I trusted Reggie would be secretive about this passage, but I wanted confirmation, “You have to promise me that what I am about to show you remains between the two of us, not a peep to family either.” He nodded, “Of course Your Majesty, you know that House Batiste will always stand on your side in whatever you need.” I nodded, knowing full well he placed a lot of weight on that promise. Reggie would never bring up his house’s honor unless he was deathly serious. It was a secret he would take to his grave.
We made out of the office, and I stopped in front of Malinus’ desk, “I am going Blackwood and I will be done for the night so you may go.” Malinus nodded then shot a glance at Reggie that was a mixture of worry and sadness, “I hope my dear cousin fairs well very soon Your Grace. Please know that I will pray to Aphrodite on her behalf at the temple on my way home.” Reggie nodded at him, “Thank you dear friend. Talia and I would appreciate that.” I waited until I knew Malinus was gone and then we walked across the hall to my bedroom. Reggie had a puzzled look on his face, and I patted his shoulder, “There is an ancient tunnel that connects the castle, the university and Blackwood. I don’t know the history quite yet but apparently it was needed at some point. I let Alexandra use it to get from home to school but she doesn’t know about this passageway. It would likely cut down on the travel since we won’t have to contend with walls, buildings, people, and nature. It’s just a straight shot from the doorway here to your study in Blackwood, I believe. I haven’t used it yet to travel there though so I’m not entirely sure where it leads to exactly.” I walked across the room to pull open the door behind my wardrobe and both descended the staircase that went down into the tunnels since my chamber and office were on the second floor.
On the way over, I was terrified what I would find on the other side of this passage. If she wasn’t asleep, would she the primal animal that her father described. I couldn’t quite imagine what that would look like, she had to have been pretty seductive to get to the blood that she desperately wanted. I imagined with the moon having been full a couple of days ago, that it wouldn’t have been hard. Her first instinct was to go after the one who would least resist her. With a lycan just out of heat who seemed to have an attraction to her anyhow, her instinct was the most correct. Unfortunately for Derek, he left himself vulnerable to her. Likely word of this would get back to the Citadel and he would have to go in for counseling on how to properly keep your guard up. I didn’t blame the guy, honestly. You’re in a room with a beautiful woman who wanted to kiss you. As a man who enjoys the company of a woman, it made no sense to turn it down. Nonetheless, he was on assignment, and he needed to keep his guard up even if it was the asset that was seducing him. The fae and elves have women that can glamour another race to think they are being seduced by the one they desire most. He would be chided heavily for his actions this night. It wouldn’t take him off assignment, I would have to request that, but I think he was the one best suited to do this job. We finally reached the other end and came out from behind a bookshelf in Blackwood’s study. We came out of the study and walked up the stairs to Alexandra’s room, I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
