54__Return of the Vampire King

“Whoever raised you did a terrible job,” said Viktor. Kamilla saw Rogan’s eyes narrow dangerously. “You’ve got no manners, no self-respect…” Viktor shook his head from side to side in disapproval and said “Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Rogan clenched his jaw and kept his gaze fixated on Viktor’s. “Rena,” he muttered through gritted teeth, unrelenting in his plans. “I asked you to look.”
Rena lifted her gaze to Viktor and did a miniature bow. She looked into his eyes for a long moment and Kamilla saw a look of utter relief fill her face, easing away the tension that had arrested her features.
“Yes!” said Rena to Rogan. “It’s him. This man is Viktor, King of Onyx.”

The confirmation only served to further jolt Kamilla’s heart and she stared up at Viktor’s face as he smirked at Rogan. Her chest grew tight when the breath wouldn't leave her lungs. The supremacy of Viktor's aura engulfed her, it's intensity and darkness more powerful than anything Kamilla had ever felt. He stood beside her in his fullness, from head to toe, the King of Onyx.

“What’s this?” he asked mockingly. “You’ve brought your personal witch to carry out a test of some sort?” Viktor smiled and tilted his head. “You’re awfully interested in me these days, Rogan. I suggest you come clean if you’ve got a crush on me.”

Rogan’s mouth curved and he scoffed out a laugh. “I could say the same thing, Viktor,” he muttered. “What with you sending your little bride to Cassius to ask around about me.”

Viktor’s smile slowly died and he raised his brows. “And what the fuck, may I ask, does a Vampire Elder of Onyx get up to in Cassius in the first place?”

Rogan clenched his jaw and pierced Viktor with a dark glare from his swirling eyes. He inclined his head toward Rena. “Come, Rena.” With that, Rogan turned to leave.

“You’re trying for a war,” Viktor said, stopping Rogan in his tracks. “You’re trying for some sort of showdown between us, Rogan.” Viktor smiled. “I don’t know who you think you’re dealing with… but I’m the Vampire King. I’m Viktor King. Provoke me and I, swear, I will *not* regret tearing you to pieces.”
Rogan clenched his jaw so tight, Kamilla could see it tense.
Saying not another word, he stalked off through the crowd, taking Rena along with him.

Kamilla looked away from them and back up at Viktor to find his gaze fastened to her face.
Her heart gave a jolt at his sudden attention and she found herself unable to say anything except stare back up at him. A sudden hiccup shook her entire chest and Kamilla cringed. Of all times.
Viktor’s mouth twitched when she hiccupped again. Silently, he tugged her closer and raised a hand. Kamilla gasped when Viktor suddenly held her nose closed with his thumb and forefinger.
She blinked at him over his hand on her nose. “What aa you doi?” she asked him as best as she could with her nose blocked.

Viktor pressed her mouth closed. “Getting rid of your hiccups. Be quiet,” he murmured. Kamilla imitated his silence, not even flinching as Viktor’s gaze grew more and more intense. She stared at him, unable to stop the memories from tearing into her mind. The fury she’d seen in his eyes the day she told him about Charming. The anger she’d felt emanating off him like a heat wave, Kamilla still got shivers from thinking about it. Was he still mad at her?

Viktor swallowed and broke his stare, taking his hand off her nose. Kamilla wiggled it and touched a finger to the tip as she lowered her gaze.
She made to turn away, but Viktor caught her chin, shocking her into stillness when he covered her mouth with his.

Kamilla felt like her heart had been frozen for a decade and was only now thawing. The heat in his kiss warmed her from inside out and Kamilla suddenly realized what she hadn’t for an entire week. She’d missed him so damn much.

His hand cupped her face as he pulled away, letting his mouth rest a whisper away from hers. “Kamilla,” he said. A tear fell from her eyes and landed on Viktor’s thumb. He stroked the thumb over her skin, erasing her tear. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he slightly raised her his head to look at her. “I don’t know how long I’ve been gone… but I remember screaming at you.” Kamilla bit her lip and gazed up at him. “I’m sorry I scared you,” Viktor told her.
Kamilla shook her head. “Don’t be. I’m… okay.”

Viktor drew in a deep breath and pulled away from her. Kamilla watched him put his hands in his pockets and nod. “Okay,” He cleared his throat. “Good.”
Kamilla pursed her lips as Viktor turned his gaze to the ballroom.

What now? Did he remember what they spoke about that day? Kamilla didn’t know whether to bring it up or not after he’d kissed her and apologized like that…

“What are you two doing?”
They turned to see Damon watching them with a puzzled frown.
“Don’t you think that’s a bit too much acting for the crowd?” he asked them.

Kamilla shook her head to correct his misunderstanding. “No—”

“From what I see,” interrupted Viktor. “This ball has been going on for hours.” He gave Damon a look. “I always leave within the first hour, Damon. How sly of you of you to keep me here beyond an hour.”

Damon’s jaw dropped open. He pushed back his hair as if it was blinding him and blinked twice. “Viktor?”
Viktor sighed. “Try not to look so delighted. We’re leaving now.”
Damon’s mouth curved in a slow grin. “Is it distasteful to grab the King in a bear hug in the middle of a royal ball?” he asked.

Viktor clutched himself and looked at Damon in slight panic. “Very distasteful! Keep your hands to yourself, Damon, I’m warning you!”

Kamilla snickered when Damon ignored the warning and hurried over to crush Viktor against him.
“Damon!” Viktor hissed in panic. “Stop this foolery immediately! I’ll have you flogged a thousand times for this!”

Damon grinned as he hugged Viktor tighter. “Never did I think I’d miss you that much, my King!”

Viktor finally managed to escape Damon’s embrace, clearing his throat as he tugged at his suit and looked around at the guests.
“Damn you, everyone’s looking!” he muttered.
Damon laughed and righted his hair. “You never cared what they thought anyway. Let’s go home!”
***************************

Demetrius poked his head into Viktor’s library, interrupting their conversation.
“Good morning, my King!” called Demetrius excitedly. “Guess what?”

Viktor glanced at Kamilla and Damon’s equally clueless faces.
He looked at the door. “What, Demetrius?”

Demetrius walked into the room and stood by Viktor’s chair, smiling down at him.
“I’ve finally gotten a bit more inspiration. When can we start?”
Viktor looked blankly ahead, wondering what on earth the kid was on about.
He sighed tiredly. “Start what, Demetrius?”

Demetrius’ smile wavered. “You know… another painting. You advised me get a hobby besides feeding people, remember?”

Kamilla looked at Damon as she covered half her face with her coffee mug. They hadn’t dared to bring up Charming even once since last night, afraid of how Viktor would react. But strangely, he seemed to know that something happened and that he hadn’t been conscious for quite a while.

Viktor’s expression didn’t change one bit. “Did I?”

Demetrius’s mouth turned downward and he blinked his slanted eyes in disappointment. “You… you did. Does my King no longer want to be my model?”
Kamilla nearly choked on her coffee and quickly lowered the mug.
Viktor gave Demetrius a look. “Your what?”

Getting up from her seat, Kamilla hurried over to Demetrius and hooked her arm through his. “Aw, Demetrius, why don’t we go and bake something. Hm? I’m craving chocolate muffins!”
Demetrius’s disappointment didn’t leave his face. “He promised to be my portrait model!” he muttered as Kamilla led him away.
“I’ll do it for you!” Kamilla offered.
“Really?!” said Demetrius as Kamilla closed the door.

Viktor looked at the closed door in disbelief and let out a laugh. “I offered to be his… what?”
Damon cringed and scratched the back of his head. “Well… Demetrius thinks it was, but it wasn’t really—”

“Me,” completed Viktor. “I know.”
Damon blinked. “You know what?”

Viktor laughed bitterly and shook his head. “Unbelievable, isn’t it? I’m a Vampire King. A vampire King with a split personality.”

Damon nearly passed out.
Viktor’s mouth curved sardonically. “Oh, don’t look so shocked, Damon. I have an alter, don’t I? The last thing I remember is Kamilla telling me about it before I went crazy on her.” He chuckled. “Pun unintended.”

Damon swallowed his parched throat. “Do you understand this, Viktor?”

Viktor shrugged. “Yeah.” He scoffed slightly. “What I don’t understand… is how the hell it’s possible. It’s such a human ailment.”

Damon pursed his lips. “For humans, it is caused by extreme trauma from things like emotional, physical or sexual mistreatment. Or just a traumatic experience.”

Viktor nodded. “In *humans*. Not Vampires. We’re not ruled by science and biology. We’re ruled by powers of darkness and magic.” He looked at Damon. “I need to find out why there’s an alter in *my* head, because as far as I remember, I never experienced any sort of mistreatment. None that I couldn’t handle or reciprocate anyway.”
Damon bit his lip.
Viktor tilted his head. “What? Is there something else you’re keeping from me?”
Damon released a breath. “Come on, V, you know I did that to protect you—”

“You and Kamilla,” interrupted Viktor. “Need to realize that I am the last person on this earth who needs your protection. There is *nothing* I can’t handle.”

Damon closed his mouth and nodded. “Yeah. I realize that now.”
“Good. Now what do you have to say?”
Damon sighed. “Well… I might know the reason why Charming was created.”
Viktor clenched his jaw then forced it to relax. “You call it that?”
Damon looked away. “It’s his name, Viktor.”
Viktor released a breath. “Go on.”

“Yeah, uhm…” Damon rubbed his forehead. “He told me why it happened. But before we get there, maybe you should see something first.”
Viktor raised a brow. “What?”

Damon smiled nervously. “Charming.”