The council
Damien’s POV.
Council Ultimatum face and the other faces of the elders seated before me, the council chamber loomed cold and relentless around me.
Balen sat at the head of the table, his sharp features clearly marked with power. Leading this council for more than I had been living, his voice bore the weight of the vampire world. Though my heart was hammered in my chest, I stood in the middle trying to keep my face serene. Every eye was on me, poised for my reaction and ready for me to react. Balen spoke first; his voice was steel, cold, and cutting. "King Damien," he started, his tone full of criticism, "we have gathered here to address the grave concerns regarding your recent actions specifically, your reckless disregard for the safety and stability of our world."
I tightened my hands and pushed myself to still. Though it made facing them more difficult, I knew this was coming. Balen carried on, his eyes cutting over me. "Your interaction with the human-wolf girl Freda has not only threatened the delicate equilibrium between our species and the humans but also put us in unneeded danger. She is a menace; one you have mistakenly decided to welcome rather than eradicate."
Freda. My blood started to boil just hearing her name from Balen's mouth. She was not understandable to them. They missed what I saw in her—the bravery, the strength, the light she carried into our world. To them, though, she was only a threat, a thread that needed to be removed from our kingdom before everything came apart. I turned to meet Balen squarely.
" Freda is not a threat," I responded, my voice firm. She represents our opportunity to close the distance separating people from vampires. We have lived in the shadows, running from them and they fear us for far too long, we should be at peace with each other. Freda can enable us to charge that. She can guide us to a fresh approach.
The elders murmurs of unhappiness flowed through them. The change was not something they liked. They never had. For them, the only means were the old ones. Balen's eyes closed and his lips opened to a thin, bitter smile. "Although your idealism is commendable, Damien, it is also perilous. You overlook the fact that our survival depends on secrets and blood, preserving the equilibrium that has kept us safe for ages. Your bond with this human female compromises all of that.
"I am not endangering our kingdom." I am working to save it. You believe the solution to this is to hide away, sticking to the old ways? We shall be destroyed by that. We have to change with the world as it is evolving."
Balen's smile darkened, "Although you have only been king for a brief while, Damien, already you have caused anarchy in our kingdom. The council cannot let this go on. He stood, and the other seniors stood as well, like a pack of wolves getting ready to attack. "We have an ultimatum here, Damien. Either you will be formally challenged to your reign or you will break this stupid link with the human."
Their minds made up, they were joined against me.
"You're asking me to pick between my throne and Freda, my mate," I murmured softly, I am not able to make that decision. Balen's gaze stayed stern even though his voice softened just slightly. "Then you have to be ready for the fallout, Damien. The council will not watch helplessly as you guide us towards ruin. "
I would not let them, nevertheless, take Freda from me. She was everything to me—my hope, my fortitude, my future. I could not part from her. Not quite like this. "I won't give up I promise you all," I shouted, my voice sharp although inwardly I was shaking. "You will not and never take my throne from me." The elders looked at one another, a quiet conversation going between them. Balen nodded, as though he anticipated this answer. "Very well, Damien," he responded.
"The council will get together in three days to decide where and when the challenge is scheduled. You are still king till then; but, realize that your rule is running out.” The elders turned at that and started to leave the chamber, their robes whispering against the stone floor. I stood there with the frigid silence engulfing me from all directions. I had to consider plans.
When I opened the door, Freda was seated by the window, the moon softly lightened her face. She gazed up at me, "Damien," then stood up and walked across the room to meet me. "What happened? What did the council say?” I inhaled deeply in search of the appropriate words, but they would not come. Pulling her into my arms and cradling her close, as though I could protect her from the approaching storm, was all I could do. Still, I couldn't get rid of the impression that she was slipping away from me no matter how firmly I gripped her. And for the first time, I really felt terrified about what lay ahead.
