Khloe's POV:

Doe, Marcus and I struggled to match Nico and Xanders speed as they walked quickly towards the entrance to their castle, weaving between humans and vampires alike.

Still, that didn't stop me from gazing upon the huge structure.

Just from first glance, I could tell that Bronwyn's castle seemed like a dwarf compared to this one.

And that fact both overwhelmed and excited me.

I also noticed that this castle seemed to be a lot more welcoming to the vampires that lived there with the huge entrance being left wide open instead of having a guard and gate let people in as the last castle did.

I focused back on the path ahead of me and not running into the vampires that obviously were not going to step out of the way for two pets and a slave.

Nico frequently checked back to make sure I wasn't too far behind him, but neither of the vampires lowered their speed.

Not that I could blame them.

All five of us raced up the black-marbled stairs up to the entrance.

The two slave boys standing on the sides of the entrance caught my eye.

Doe and I nodded in response to their greeting that Nico and Xander unintentionally ignored

Marcus on the other hand squinted and looked them over like he was studying them.

Which I guess was understandable.

The three of us skidded to a stop once the two vampires stopped abruptly, their eyes quickly looking around like they were looking for something.

The room was absolutely filled with vampires and their pets, yet somehow it was still spacious.

White and gold marble spread across the entire floor, looking absolutely spotless and free of any flaw.

Actually, everything in this castle so far seemed to be free of any flaw from the textured white walls to the deep red curtains that hung here and there to the crystal chandeliers.

All of this honestly felt like a breath of fresh air

Slaves walked orderly around the room carrying trays filled with a variety of finger foods and some carrying glasses of blood.

I hadn't ever realized that Xander had sped off before he returned, somehow managing to hold two glasses of blood in each of his hands.

Xander immediately chugged down both of them as soon as Nico had taken the other two.

Nico did the same thing, but with a bit more decency.

Both brothers let out a sigh of relief, their shoulders visibly relaxing.

"Okay," Nico breathed out, setting his glass on the empty tray of a passing slave, " Now that that's over..."

He ran both of his hands through his hair to recompose himself and it took everything in my power to keep a straight face.

"Yeah," Xander replied, finally taking a moment to actually look around, "Wow. Mom and Dad really fixed this place up."

Nico took a moment to look around himself.

"Huh. I guess they did." He responded.

I jumped as a tray was suddenly held in front of my face.

The slave boy holding it laughed a bit at my reaction before gesturing for me to take one.

I looked down the food he was offering.

"Cucumber slices topped with smoked salmon, dill, lemon juice, and cream cheese." He told me, now having caught the attention of the two on my right.

That honestly sounded really good.

I thanked him, grabbing one of the small plates that held three of the treats.

I took one before passing the plate to Marcus.

He then took one and gave the last one to Doe.

As soon as everyone had theirs, I took a bite.

I didn't even have time to stop the small moan from exiting my mouth as the different flavors mixed perfectly in my mouth.

I covered my mouth in embarrassment right as Nico turned his head to face me, his face looking confused and surprised at the noise.

Which really didn't help with my embarrassment.

He eyed the remaining food in my hand before he smiled in amusement and understanding.

"No one seems to recognize us," Xander said, regaining Nico's attention.

I popped the remaining food into my mouth.

"Well yea, we did kind of leave for one-hundred years give or take. I didn't really expect them to." Nico replied.

"I guess," Xander began before snapping his head to Nico, excitement, and mischief now written all over his face. "What do you say we," He leaned closer to Nico, wiggling his eyebrows, "announce our arrival?"

Nico placed his hand on Xander's face, pushing him away.

"I'm pretty sure by 'we' you mean me since I'm more powerful than you and if you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting, then no."

Nico drew back his hand.

"Come on man. You're being lame." Xander complained.

"I'm being smart. Now come on, our parents will probably announce our arrival once we go see them." He said before he began walking.

We all followed.

"Wait, do mom and dad even know we're here?"

"Nope. I didn't really have time to write them back and tell them that we were coming."

Xander was silent for a moment, a look of nervousness coming over his face.

"Oh... Do you think they'll be upset?" He asked.

Nico rose a brow.

"Upset? To see their sons? I doubt it, Xander." Nico assured him.

"Yeah, but they sent you away in the first place to get a wife and you're returning empty-handed."

"Awe is my little brother worried about me?" Nico cooed.

Xander punched Nico's arm, causing Nico to laugh

"Shut up!" he yelled, his next words being a lot quieter, "I just know dad doesn't really react well to disappointment."

"I've been dealing with his disappointment for a long time, Xan. He'll get over it and so will I."

The two fell into silence as made our way across the large main area and let ourselves into one of the many elevators.

Thank goodness they have elevators.

Although the fact that it was definitely the longest elevator ride of my life excited me even more.

We stepped out of the elevator pausing as Nico and Xander did and looked down both sides of the hallway we stepped into.

"Do you think they're in the throne room or the study?" Xander asked.

"Study," Nico replied, "Definitely the study."

With that we turned to the left down the empty hall, only spotting the vampiric guard that concluded that their parents were indeed in there.

He glared at all of us as we approached.

Nico and Xander stood steadfast in front of them, confidently waiting to be let in.

"The Lord and Lady have been asked to be left alone. Go away." He snapped.

Xander snickered as Nico took another step forward.

"I'm afraid you don't have the authority to give that command," Nico spoke calmly.

I gasped as the guard harshly gripped Nico by the cloth near his neck, jerking him closer in an act to be intimidating.

Oh no.

"I think I do." He practically growled, tightening his grip.

Nico's brows raised in amusement.

He sent a glance to Xander, matching his mischievous face from earlier.

Then within the blink of an eye, he had his hand on the guard's wrist and his eyes had gone to slits.

My whole body froze as a loud thunder-like boom radiated from Nico, shaking me to the core.

I couldn't stop the fear from washing over me as my vision began to blur and my skin felt like it was tightening, completely restricting me from moving.

I could move, I couldn't see, and the only thing I could hear was an unnaturally loud ringing and the frantic beating of my own heart.

What was happening?

I felt like I was falling, falling deep into something terrifying but completely unknown. Whatever it was made my stomach drop and skin crawl.

My fear and panic grew with each passing second, the ringing in my ear growing louder and every sensation growing stronger and stronger until my body lost its ability to breathe.

Then just like that, it was over. Everything that was happening just switched off.

My hand gripped my chest the very second I regained my ability to move, confirming in my mind that I was actually still here.

What the heck just happened?

I turned my head in confusion.

Marcus looked absolutely terrified as he also struggled to regain his breath. Doe had even fallen to her knees, both of her hands clutched at her chest as tears from panic began to run down her face.

They felt it too.

Even Xander looked fearful as he leaned against the wall for support.

"Jesus Nico," He said breathlessly.

I turned to Nico as he turned his head back to face us, his eyes widening at all of our current positions.

"Ah sorry," he said contritely, "It's been a while I never really learned how to aim it, are you guys ok?" He asked, mainly focusing on me towards the end of his sentence.

That was Nico? All of that was Nico?!

What even was that!?

Regardless of my continuous questions, I sent him a small nod, knowing I'd be asking him about this later.

Marcus nodded also before he helped Doe back to her feet.

Regardless of how terrified we looked, it was practically nothing compared to how the guard now looked.

His eyes were practically bulging out of his head, his entire body only being held up by Nico's grip on his wrist.

His breaths trembled vigorously like he had almost just experienced death.

"Y'know maybe you were right when you decided not to do that to everyone in the main room," Xander added as he made his way to stand beside Nico.

That's what Xander wanted him to do to announce their arrival?!

It must be a prince thing... or royal thing?

Gosh, this was a lot of new information to take in.

"Yeah obviously I was right, Xander." Nico retorted, dropping the guard to the ground.

That seemed to have snapped the guard out of whatever stupor he was in.

"P-Prince Nicolas. Prince Alexander. M-My greatest apologies, I failed to recognize you. Please forgive me,"He bowed his head, still cowering.

"P-Prince Nicolas. Prince Alexander. M-My greatest apologies, I failed to recognize you. Please forgive me,"

"Nah you're fine. I probably went a little overboard there," Nico replied

Just as he finished his sentence the door was thrown open by a tall woman.

My eyes widened at the sight of her. Her wavy blonde hair that reached her lower back, the elegance of the white dress she wore, and her eyes... the eyes that gave away almost immediately who she was.

"What's all that nois-"

She cut herself off once she spotted the two vampires in front of her, her annoyance quickly melting away into joy and relief.

Both of the boys now wore smiles as well.

"Hey Mom", they spoke in unison.

She quickly stepped out of the room and threw her arms around both of them, initiating a hug between the three of them before she waved away the guard.

The three of them exchanged various 'I missed you's and 'how have you been's.

I couldn't help but smile myself as I witnessed this.

I've heard very little of Nico's family and the things I have heard have not been that positive, so I was happy to see this sweet moment.

Glancing to the side, I saw a small smile on Does face as well.

My head turned towards the door again once I heard a deeper voice.

"Caroline, what's the fuss abou-" He too paused as soon as he spotted the two boys.

I held my breath and stood straighter as he stepped into my view.

This was him. This was the Lord of the city.

His solid build walked towards them, a small smile on his face much to Xander's relief.

"Well, I never would have guessed that this would be the time that you two actually showed up." He said, obviously happy to see them.

He pulled Xander into a hug before he looked over Nico.

He looked him top to bottom, then glanced around like he was looking for someone else.

Meanwhile, Nico just stood there, perfectly content, almost proud.

The Lord's smile fell for barely a second before he pulled Nico into a hug that looked more awkward than anything.

Small conversation and questions rose again between the family, retelling previous answers and the Lord and Lady asking questions I already knew the answers to.

Although Nico skipped over the whole 'We had to run away from Bronwyn' thing.

I tuned out their conversation, deciding to take this time to get a good look at the Lord and Ladt since I doubt they'd like a pet looking anywhere but down in their presence.

With all four of them standing together, it was more obvious that Nico and Xander were brothers.

Xander was definitely right when he said that he had his mothers hair, although his was a bit darker, he absolutely had his fathers eyes. Nico had the complete opposite.

The Lord kept his facial hair short and neatly trimmed, and if I had to guess, was the reason Nico kept his shaved.

They did share a lot of similarities when it came down to their faces, as well as in height.

The Lady, on the other hand, looked absolutely beautiful.

Her snowy blonde hair clashed radiantly with her deep emerald green eyes and pale skin.

She was a tall but moderately thin woman, her waist creating the most subtle and nearly perfect curve to her frame.

What I was most surprised with was how young they looked.

Both of them looked like they were in their mid-to-late thirties, whereas Nico and Xander looked like they were in their early twenties.

I guess the whole weird way vampires age was the cause.

"And who are these three?" The Lady asked sweetly, looking directly as Doe, Marcus and I.

Despite her gentle voice, I stiffened and turned my head to the floor, only turning my eyes to follow what was going on.

"Oh!" Xander replied first, quickly stepping beside Doe. He placed his hand on her head before he spoke, "This is my pet, Doe. I've had her for over two years. She used to be pretty difficult, but now I think she's growing on me."

Doe nodded in a greeting.

"I see," She responded with a fanged smile, sounding very genuine.

Her entire disposition just radiated gentleness and I just couldn't wrap my head around that.

I proved my own point, my breath catching in my throat as she turned to face me.

"And what about her?" she asked before slowly making her way towards me.

My nerves spiked but eased ever so slightly when Nico was by my side.

"This is Khloe," he began, rubbing the base of my neck with his fingers, "I havnt had her for that long, but shes honestly one of the best... pets I've ever had."

I smiled on the inside, my body not yet willing to do it on the outside.

Nico's mother paused in front of me, but I didn't look up to face her.

"The poor thing looks absolutely terrified," she said before kneeling down in front of me.

I was shocked nonetheless.

"Yeah, she didn't really have the best life leading up to me buying her, plus I feel like being in a room with an entire royal family would be nervewracking for anyone," Nico said.

"Oh...," is all she said.

She tucked her finger under my jaw, lifting my face enough so I was looking her in the eye.

Which caused an interesting conflict in my brain.

Half of me was telling me that this was bad and the other was really enjoying how she was treating me and Doe.

I'd like to think that she was treating us like this because she saw us as human beings instead of pets, but the more I thought about it, she was treating us more like show dogs.

Which I guess was still an improvement.

"Well, it looks like you've taken very good care of her," She finished, then switched her focus to Marcus as she stood.

"And him?" She asked.

"That's Marcus," Nico said before shifting his answer towards his father, "He was a very hard working and trusted slave back at Bronwyn's castle. I would like for him to work as the head of the slave team on my floor. I'm sure you can find some use for him as well."

The Lord rose a brow at this.

"If he was so hard working and trusted then why is he here?" He asked.

"Bronwyn disregarded him for an unjust reason," Nico responded.

"So you stole him."

"Basically."

Wow, he just came out and said it.

The room fell into silence as the Lord's face turned cold.

Marcus tensed beside me.

The lord just sighed, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger.

"Whatever. He's your responsibility." He finally said

A victorious look crossed Nico's features as he met eyes with Marcus.

"Well we don't want to keep you here too long," The Lady began, "A lot has changed in the castle since you've left. Go ahead and get settled in for a bit before dinner."