“You have slighted the elven people, my own royal tree.” The elf beat his chest with a tight fist. Then his lips pulled into a feral grin. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a personal slight.” His eyes narrowed. His whole body radiated tension. “My father gave the vampire royal house a great gift. Why did you take her if you never planned on mating her?” He began pacing the chamber while using animated gestures. His head jerked from side to side, blond hair flying. “Esral comes from good stock. From royal blood. Unlike many of your vampire females, she would be capable of bearing young.” He stopped moving for a second, his face looking puzzled. “I don’t understand why none of your males seem to want her. Is she not considered fair to your species? Is it because she has acted without honor?”
Xavier felt his blood heat just listening to the other male. He spoke of his own flesh and blood like she was livestock. A beast that had not fetched a high enough price at the market.
“It is clear that she is definitely defective. I have it on good authority that Esral has allowed at least one and possibly even many of your males to dishonor her, to dishonor our royal oak—” He spat, his face contorted in rage. “My father should never have sent her to the vampires. You are all a bunch of sex crazed, bloodsuckers who will rut anything with a flower regardless of consequence. She should have known better. This is going to fucking kill my father if he hears of it. He already blames himself for the mere disgrace of her still being unmated.”
Xavier ground his teeth until he tasted blood. The muscles in his neck corded and his arms bunched. His hands were clenched so tight that they physically hurt. He was using resolve he never even thought he had to prevent himself from flying at the male. The only thing that really held him back was the concern he saw in the male’s eyes at the mention of his father, King Katar.
Keto continued to pace. “I have already told her that I will find the male responsible for breaking her thorn. Go back to your kings, inform them that I will make this male mate my sister. I will insist on a blossoming ceremony in front of the entire elven community or the male will die.” He growled. “I will deliver the death blow myself. I don’t particularly care if this causes a war. As far as I’m concerned, you and those bastard kings are responsible. You should have protected my sister better.” Keto was pacing once again. His face was red, his hair clung to his sweaty brow. As he said his last, he swung back to face Xavier, the other male’s icy glare was firmly on him.
Muscles bunched tight, Xavier’s arms shook from the exertion. Sweat dripped off of his own brow in an effort to remain calm. He had seen firsthand what the elven folk thought of the princess. How they mocked and ridiculed her. The things that male, Zafar, had said to Esral were a reflection of what everyone in Pulamor thought about her.
Yet Xavier had not expected this from Keto. The male was a colossal dick but he was also Esral’s brother. Surely he should see things differently and stand up for his sister, his own flesh and blood. He should want to stand by her and to protect her from the terrible rumors that were making their rounds. In a sick twisted way, it did seem that the male was trying to make this right. It was a great pity that he was going about it all wrong though.
“I’m not sure where you got your information from but I assure you that your sister was well taken care of.”
Keto choked out a laugh that made Xavier want to pummel him. “There’s no doubt in my mind that she was taken care of.” He smirked. “But a vampire’s idea of taking care of a female and mine are very different.”
“No one laid a hand on her. I can personally attest to that.”
“You?” The arrogant motherfucker dared look him up and down. “Why would I take your word? Who the fuck are you to her anyway? If you are the male that spent so much time with her, then it was probably you that broke her thorn.”
Xavier stepped forward. “Why would you take my word?” He couldn’t help but to growl. “Because if your father dies, and let’s face it, at this point it’s a definite reality. I am possibly the only male that stands between you and an army of vampires. I can clearly see that you are not the type to think things through though, are you? You are irrational and make dumb decisions. Who the fuck do you think you are? When you end up making one dumb fucking decision too many and a shit storm rains down on you and your people, I am the male that will flatten you. I will make it my personal aim to bring you down myself. Unless we somehow find common ground while I am here. It would also be in your best interest to remember your place, elf.” Xavier paused, never taking his eyes off of the male.