Nico's POV:

Both of my parents' eyes searched around me as I walked into the gathering room they decided they wanted to chat in.

"No Khloe?" Asked my mother as I sat myself down onto the lounge chair across from where they were seated.

She sounded mildly disappointed.

I shook my head sparing a short glance at my father.

That firm, powerful energy I'd seen him carry ever since I returned here was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, it also looked like he was almost avoiding eye contact with me, that pinch in his brows signifying something I had admittedly never seen on him.

Guilt.

Good.

"No," I finally gave an actual response, "She had an eventful morning and struggled to get back to our room after the fact. I figured it would've been better for her to rest for the time being. I can relay this information after once she wakes up."

She actually might have overdone it this morning.

Her and her friends get very energetic when they're together, and Khloe was still trying to learn her limit as she recovered.

A limit I could only assume she tried to ignore until she couldn't anymore.

Until her body was visibly shaking from exhaustion and she nearly collapsed in my arms as I lead her back to our room.

While watching her I could tell immediately that she missed the energy she used to have.

And while watching her friends eat she missed her ability to do that as well.

The appetite she managed to fit in that little body of hers was impressive, and the loss of being able to sate it like she used to bothered her.

All of which will return in time, but until then this was going to be how it had to be.

I offered her my blood again, but she refused.

Despite what we both feel when it happens, I can tell she feels a slight bit of guilt whenever she does it.

I just hope she'll see the whole process how I do within time.

"Ah. Alrighty then," my mother leaned forward in her sitting position, "we'll make this as quick as we can."

I nodded, figuring that I'd start with the question that had been lingering on my mind add morning.

"How soon do you want us to be wed?" I asked flat out.

Despite how all of it went down, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the smallest bit indebted to them.

Or at least just my mother.

Either way, I had been delaying this duty of mine as an heir for a long time, and I know this was what they ultimately wanted.

Her eyes went round at my bluntness whereas my father's finally looked at me.

Interestingly enough, he was the one to respond.

"Two years. Starting at the beginning of the next month," He answered.

My brows rose.

That was certainly more time than I was expecting.

"Or at least that's the maximum time we think that we can handle," He further explained, "We know the shift from a human to a vampire can be difficult on top of everything she's going to have to learn."

"And she shift from a regular vampire to a High Lord it's easy either," My mother confirmed.

She would know.

I've heard that the power shift is less difficult on the royal blood.

My father continued, "We want both you and her to be comfortable with the situation she's in before we start a new one. With the help of everyone, two years should be plenty of time. Between then and now, it's up to you and her. If you feel like you're ready before that deadline, then that's your decision to make."

I just nodded, trying to replan everything I had previously thought about.

That will certainly take a lot of stress off of both of us.

I had wanted to take my time with this, but knowing that we could made it that much simpler.

"I'm sure you've already accepted the liberty of being her main teacher in the ways of vampirism, and Alexander has agreed to take on a good portion of your responsibilities to give you the time you need with her. Although we will be expecting the two of you to sit in or join in on certain responsibilities of ours in the meantime."

"Of course," I agreed.

Not only did she need to learn how to be a vampire, but she also needed to learn how to be a leader.

Which given the way she thinks probably won't be that hard.

I know she doesn't exactly like being in a position of authority, but that's now exactly how I plan on leading this place, nor is it how my parents do.

She's a visual and hands-on learner, so this was no problem.

Plus how was I going to dispute with being able to spend more time with her?

"For the things you can't teach her," My mother spoke, "I'll be more than happy to step in. There are a few things I'd like to explain to her as soon as possible."

The tone she had when she said that, as well as the knowing look in her eye immediately realize what she was referring to.

I had to force the initial embarrassment not to show itself.

Right... now that she was a vampire there were a lot more things that were possible between us...

"But in all seriousness, I'd like to get a couple hours with her a week once she can make it through a day without having to rest, and please let her know that if she ever had any questions, I will be happy to assist in any way I can. We both will."

Just a nod from my father on that matter.

"I saw you collected everything for your boy's freedom," He said.

"I did, and if things go a certain way, I'll be collecting everything for yours as well."

It wasn't a question, and based on the look on his face he knew that.

He accepted it without another word.

"Let me know, I can gather some of it for you."

There wasn't a single doubt in my mind that he knew all of the stress and panic he had caused for everyone involved with this.

Maybe this was his way of slowly trying to make up for it.

Xander had told me he wanted to be there for the little conversation I have with him alone, saying he had a few choice words for him to hear as well.

But that would all be later.

All I wanted to do right now was go be with Khloe again.

Let both of us calm down from the previous week's tribulations.

Something in my head craved just the feeling of holding her, knowing that I was easing some of the pains and worries of her body just by being beside her now.

God, I couldn't wait to figure out everything this bond of ours could do.

"I think that's all... for now. We just wanted to check in and state out bases," My mother said, "Do you have any more questions for us at the moment?"

My answer came quickly.

"No, but I'll let you know if I do," I stood, "I'll tell all of this to Khloe, and see when a good time works for the two of you to talk," I said to my mother.

She inclined her head, standing with me, and slowly closing the space between us.

She took a soft hold on my upper arm, leaning in close to my ear.

"I'm happy for you Nicolas, and so ridiculously proud of the man you became. She talked so fondly of you when you two were apart. I can tell that she cares deeply for you. She's a kind soul with a pure heart, and as I'm sure you know, those are so hard to come by," I nearly stiffened in surprise as her grip on me tightened, "Hurt her in any way and I swear to God there will be hell to pay with me."

In an odd way, I came to appreciate the slight threat coming through her soft voice.

My mother liked her quite a lot already.

I let out a small chuckle, knowing that I would only ever be content as long as she was smiling by my side.

"Don't worry yourself, mother," I replied lowly, "If anyone dares to hurt her there will be a lot more than hell to pay with me."