The funeral was the very next day. It was not often that a vampire King dies so the event was extremely enormous. The streets of the kingdom were crowded with people who respected him and sometimes feared him. Even the kings from the other regions came to give their respects to the lost King.

The ceremony was scheduled at night so all the townspeople held up candles as a path was made for the royal family to descend and make their way through the streets. The four brothers were the head of the line carrying the casket.

It was only a two mile walk to the grave site yet it felt like an eternity was weighing them down. The casket was placed inside a large stone chamber tomb, beautifully architected in marble.

The crowd then gathered around as a few kind words were spoken. A vague explanation was given about his untimely and practically impossible death. His betrayal and attempt at murdering the future queen had lead him to his grave. 

The crowd was silenced with shock and disbelief but no cruel words were whispered on Deva's part.

She hadn't spoken to Darius since the incident. She wasn't sure what to say or do. She knew he was in pain and he was doing a very good job covering it up.

Darius stood tall and emotionless as he listened to his mother fondle over loving memories.

Her hand subconsciously slipped out of Adamarius' grasp. Adamarius instantly stared down to see what was bothering her.

'He needs someone.' She whispered helplessly through her mind link.

Adamarius didn't need her to explain who she was talking about.

'He needs you' Adamarius whispered back.

She knew he'd understand and turned to walk the direction Darius was standing. Darius didn't look at her but she knew he felt her presence.  

She took his hand in hers and sighed in relief when he responded. He needed her and at the moment she really needed him. She needed to know he was going to be okay with what he had done.

After the ceremony Deva still wouldn't let him go. Adamarius didn't even try to stop her or come find her after the disbursing of the crowd.

The dreaded steps to his room was compressing some sort of pressure against her chest. Was walking into Darius' room alone a good idea? Every form of warning signs were flashing in front of her.

Inside the solace of his room Darius detached himself from her and walked over to his balcony window. With his jaw clinched he blankly stared out into the dark starry night.

"Darius?" He made no effort to answer. "Darius..."

He finally turned and his haunted eyes made her freeze in place.

Then the words just came out. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Darius."

"No," he quickly held her face in between his hands. "Don't."

His weak whisper was like a taunting cut to her soul because she could feel the pain in his voice like it was her own.

"You should have..." He tried so hard to get the words out. "You should have picked the right son. You should have picked Lucian."

It was tearing at her soul to hear him; to have him confess she chose wrong. But in her heart she knew she didn't because Darius was a part of her that could never be replaced. 

"Then I wouldn't have..." He stopped and she knew what he was going to say.

"You wouldn't have killed your father." She closed her eyes. "It's my fault Dar and I'm so sorry."

"I would never have let him hurt you Deva."

"I know." There was no need to declare it.

"Then you know I would do it a thousand times over if it meant you are alive."

He dropped his hand and took a few steps back. It was as if he was digging his own grave. Like she feared he was swimming in guilt because of her. She couldn't let him take all the blame.

His muscular back was facing her but she could tell he was struggling. "I shouldn't have pursued you." His regret echoed. "This is all my fault. The pain you went through was because of me. I should have never gone after you or wanted you the way I did."

His torturous words were cutting her deep. Deva stood in front of him and quickly wrapped her arms around his waist before he could even think about pushing her away. But of course he would never dream of it; having her in his arms again felt like the safest and most sane thing in his world now.

"Don't Dar. What we had couldn't be shared with anyone else. I don't regret it."

She lifted her head from his chest and met his longing eyes.

"I just wish it didn't have to be like this. All the pain and suffering we both went through was because of my father. If he hadn't brought Amber back we would still be together."

"I know." And that was the sad truth.

What would her life be like if she was still with Darius? The thought was too much to even fathom. They eventually pulled apart and Deva silently made her way to the door; still feeling Darius' gaze upon her back. She fled like the coward she knew she was. Burying her feeling for Darius was danger but definitely necessary.

In the hall she felt she could finally breathe again. She knew he wanted her to stay longer but that was a very bad idea. Deva made it to Adamarius' room and didn't even knock.

He was already lying in bed, eyes closed. She clawed in beside him and he opened his arms for her to get more comfortable.

Her cheek rested on his warm chest and she thought of the day's events. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be Queen just yet.

"I promise I'll be right by your side if you need me Deva. I won't let you stand and face the kingdom alone."

Was that even possible? Could she still be with Adamarius if he wasn't exactly the son of the King?

The next day Deva was awakened by a knock on the door. She snuggled closer to Adamarius' warm chest hoping to get rid of the annoying sound.

"I believe they are looking for you beautiful," his soft husky voice beckoned.

"Tell them I'm not here." She would do anything to get more sleep.

His vibrating laughter made her smile. "You know it's pretty easy to spot the Queen. They'll find you eventually."

She huffed, throwing the covers over. "Happy?"

He shook his head in amazement. "I promise it gets less torturous with each new day."

Deva rolled her eyes. "Come in!"

Jeffery appeared in panic. "My Queen the council is waiting for you in the study."

By the way of his rushed tone she knew it was urgent news. She glanced at the clock and groaned. It was already way past noon.

"How long have they been waiting?"

"An hour, my Queen."

"I'll only be a moment."

Jeffery nodded and exited the room.

Deva dragged her lazy body out of bed and forced herself to endure the next few hours with a civil attitude. She couldn't at least get one good day of rest especially with everything going on.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

Deva shook her head in his direction. "No. I've got this. You should go check up on your mother."

Adamarius nodded and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I'll see you after."

"Yup."

Deva spared no mind to her attire. After all she was technically Queen. Who would even dare try to criticize her now?

Inside she was a little surprised to see Darius at the desk looking over some papers.

"Ah your majesty." Nathan, one of the council members, greeted her with a warm genuine smile.

She met Darius' eyes and had to ask. "What is all this?"

"Prince Darius was just going over a few forms and documents before you arrived. He has been a major help and I am sure you will be pleased with the solutions he has come up with."

He was trying to help lessen her load and she was completely thankful for that. "I'm sure I will. Thank you Darius."

"Anything to help my Queen." His blue eyes were still a bit emotionless but they sparked once she smiled back at him.

Nathan stepped around the desk and in front of Deva. "Since we've already covered most of the deeds there is still one important matter that needs to be discussed my Queen."

"And that is?"

"Who you will choose to be your King?"

Her heart stopped. She was dreading this moment.

"We understand the many complications that followed you here. Choosing the person you will be spending the rest of your life with and depending on that person with your life is a very tough decision."

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"We want you to know that the council will fully support whoever you may choose. The three sons of the late King would make a splendid match like it was originally planned but also an alliance with the lycan people would secure all feuds."

Was she hearing things correctly? "So Adamarius is one of my options? I can choose him to be king?"

"If you wish it. Some of your people may not agree at first but you can't always please everyone. A bond with the lycans is a great way to start over and make peace."

"I see."

It made sense, of course. It just never occurred to her that it may be that easy. That she could have Adamarius and the kingdom.

"How long do I have till I make my decision?"

"A week at max my Queen." She nodded and Nathan moved away. "These papers need your approval and signature and then we are done here."

Deva stood as still as a statue even after he was long gone. What was she supposed to do? Everything was never as it seemed. It was complicated and messy.

She could sense Darius looking at her.

"My time here has stretched me to my limits." Her eyes locked onto his. "I have been twisted and pulled in so many directions that I don't know what the right way is anymore." She exhaled. "I won't take Marcus from Julia. I won't take away their happiness. And I can't hurt Lucian anymore.

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