UNCLE KIERAN
Damien's POV
The young servant’s stammered announcement sent a jolt through me. My uncle was here? A smile graced my lips. Compared to the meeting with those stuffy, self-important lords who'd just filed out, Uncle Kieran was like a breath of fresh air.
He wasn't just my uncle, he was like the elder brother I never had. He had a rebellious streak so he was always away from the castle. The last time he left, he went off to explore some forgotten ruins in the southern deserts, or at least that's what he told me.
Dismissing the servant, I stood up and straightened my cloth. I walked out of the meeting hall and strode towards the entrance of the palance, from a distance I saw him.
He was still as charmingly roguish as ever. His long dark hair was windswept and his clothes bore some signs of travel. My excitement in seeing him took a nosedive when I saw him hunched over a young maid with her back turned to him. She closed her eyes shut in pain as he dug his fangs in her neck, drinking her blood.
“Uncle Kieran.” I cleared my throat to catch his attention.
“Damien.” Kieran raised his head, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. “Didn’t see you there.”
His attention snapped back to the maid then his hand fisted her hair and tiled her head back. “Let me finish this meal.” he muttered.
“Uncle Kieran, that's enough.” I growled out my displeasure. “We don't use the maids for snacks.”
He scoffed, licking the blood on his lips. “Who said anything about killing?”
He released the maid with a violent shove which sent her stumbling towards me. I caught her and she looked up, a look of terror on her face as she recognized me.
“Yo..your majesty.” She stuttered and bowed.
“Go. Get some rest.” I commanded
The maid nodded and scurried away like a frightened bunny.
“Short on staff, are we nephew?” It seems you have your work cut out for you.” Kieran rolled his eyes and wiped a smear of blood from his mouth.
“What are you doing here, Uncle Kieran?” I rolled my eyes and decided to ditch the pleasantries.
“Heard you pulled a palance coup, the audacity.” Kieran's grin widened
“And where did you here that from?” I squinted my eyes curiously.
“I have my ways.” Kieran waved my question off. “Now tell me, what promoted you to take such a drastic action.”
“There's….a lot to discuss.” I admitted with a tired nod. “But right now, maybe we should clean you up and get you settled in. You look like you could use a bath and a decent meal.”
“Now that's my nephew, always looking out for his old uncle.” Kieran let out a hearty laughter. He suddenly stopped and stared with a blank stare. The shift in expressions caught me off guard.
“I have one question for you though. What happened to my brother.” Kieran asked and my heart skipped a beat.
