Awakened by the Vampire Prince 2(8)

When York and Esral, together with the rest of their entourage, descended from the rock on a steep staircase, Xavier followed slowly behind them as they made their way back to Pulamor. Keto and that female who had tried to seduce him, were walking together a little behind the rest. The two were in deep conversation and by the way the elven female touched Keto’s arm every now and then, Xavier was sure that they were intimate.

Thank fuck he hadn’t taken the female up on her offer. Rutting the elven prince’s female would not be a good move when trying to improve vampire/elf relations. The sad thing was that he didn’t think at this point that he would be able to rut another female again without thinking of Esral anyways. He didn’t want anyone else. He really needed to gain some understanding of this whole fucked up situation before it ate him alive.

A great number of elves surrounded the couple. Xavier didn’t want to make a scene so he followed in silence. The main party disappeared into Keto’s chamber. Xavier overheard the male mention a celebratory meal. The elven fucking prince even put his arm around York’s shoulders as they entered. Xavier could hear Cheri’s high pitched laughter. It made him want to hit something…repeatedly.

Xavier pulled his phone from his pocket and speed dialed Brant.

“It’s done.” He said, after his brother answered.

“What, Katar is well again and you’ve mated the princess?” Brant sounded like he was smiling, which infuriated Xavier.

“Katar is no better but the healers are convinced that a cure lies just around the corner and Esral and York are to be mated in three days.” He choked out the word mated. His throat seemed to have closed.

“What?” Brant growled.

“You heard me. After I… congratulate them, I will be coming back to our own territory. There is nothing to be concerned about regarding the vampire/elf relationship.” Xavier replayed the vision in his head of how Keto had put his arm around York.

“Bull–fucking–shit,” Brant spat. “York may be an elite but he does not represent the vampire royals. I can’t believe you would roll over so easily and watch your female be taken by a male that you command. I thought you had fucking balls.”

“Esral is not my female. She has made that infinitely clear.” It hurt him to say the words out loud. If she were truly his then she wouldn’t be agreeing to this whole farce.

Brant had the audacity to laugh. “If you say so. I’ve seen the way you watch her. If I thought it was only lust I would say the way you look at her but it’s not. You keep an eye on her. Would protect her with your life if need be.”

“It was my duty to watch her, to protect her,” Xavier interjected.

“You beat males for looking at her, let alone approaching her. That wasn’t for her protection, so don’t try and feed me that bullshit.”

“I know how males think. Anyway, none of them are good enough for her.” Xavier said, trying not to growl.

“None of them are good enough except for you.”

“Even me dammit.” This time he couldn’t help but to growl.

“What? So you’re going to let a lesser male take her?” There was a long pause. “This isn’t how this was supposed to go down.”

“What are you talking about?” Apprehension rose up in him and he found himself clutching the phone tighter.

“You were supposed to realize that she was the female for you and claim her.”

“This was all a game to you?” His anger carried through each word.

“I can’t help it, you’re so fucking stubborn. You don’t see what’s right in front of you.”

“Bullshit, Brant. Esral has agreed to mate with York. I think that speaks volumes.”

“The princess is head over fucking heels in love with you, you idiot. She pretty much admitted as much to me. I gave her advice to make you jealous, seems like she might be taking it a bit far.”

Xavier ground his teeth together. “Why can’t you just stay out of things that have fuck all to do with you?”

“The future relations between elves and vampires has everything to do with me.”

“I’m not a fucking pawn. Don’t try and use me as one.” His voice had dropped.

“If you had just claimed the princess instead of fucking around none of this would have happened,” Brant growled back.

“That’s just it”—Xavier sighed—“I told the princess…” He paused, deciding not to confide in Brant.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Xavier said.

“Just tell me. Maybe I can help you.”