(Damien's P.O.V)

As the meeting adjourned and the meeting hall emptied, I found myself still sitting there.

My mother eyed me, a small dark smile gracing her lips and fiery red hair cascading down her back in pretty curls before she turned away.

My father gave me a pat before he left and then it was just me.

And, well, General Lucien.

He stared at me, cold as ever and I sighed. 

"The last update was that Killian isn't strong enough and he needs time but...he isn't stopping his minions from gathering an army. Hellion will soon be over-populated and then they'll move on to the next territory."

"Obviously." He deadpanned and I gave him a sour look.

I rubbed a hand over my face and looked out of the window, gulping. "Will you please stop staring at me like that?"

Lucien snickered, "Should I?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Yes, you should."

Lucien clenched his jaw and leaned on the table across from mine. "Then you should stop being an idiot as well, Prince Damien."

I frowned at him. "What did I do?" 

Okay, so I might know but that doesn't mean I'm going to give Lucien an easy way to corner me.

Lucien rose an unimpressed brow and his amber eyes glinted threateningly. I groaned.

"Lucien. Don't you have soldiers to train and strategies to work out?" I asked him.

"I do." He confirmed before standing up from his seat and it would've been too much too hope he would let me be.

He came over and leaned against the table, facing me as I twisted my chair to look up ta him. "Then why can I see the General's body still here?"

Lucien gave me a cold look and I smirked. "Irritated? Ready to leave?"

"Do you expect me to stay silent forever? It's been, what......More than two months already?"

I looked away, jaw set.

The Shifter General continued, "When was the last time you drank from a fresh prey, hm?"

"When was the last time you smiled?" I shot back.

His eyes hardened. "That's not what I do."

"Yes, but I know that someone had just started chipping away at the ice coating your heart."

"Is changing the topic going to make your dark-circles and that gradual weakening change as well?" He folded his arms across his chest and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Lucien...." I warned.

"Damien....." He threatened back and I let out a frustrated noise, standing up as well.

"I'm going to do as I please." I firmly established.

He narrowed his eyes and scoffed. "You have been living off of blood in cups when you know it doesn't give the same strength or thrill like fresh blood does to you."

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. "Lucien, I'm perfectly fine."

Even I knew what a lie that was.

After Cara's departure, I couldn't exactly forget her. Worry gnawed at me and I couldn't bring myself to drink from someone else after the kind of intimate and pleasurable experience I had with her.

I'd attempted after much prompting from Lucien in later weeks and just to prove to myself that I could do it but I spewed out the blood I'd consumed from Keely.

It wasn't like the usual times.

Fresh blood from no human matched the honey sweetness of Cara's. No scent was as intoxicating as her lemon and lilac one.

And it didn't give the same kick as her blood.

At most a vampire can survive a week without blood in any form before starting to weaken.

I'd lasted two after my last drank from her. I'd felt more powerful, more rejuvenated both times after I drink from her.

It was different. My power coursed through me on a new high and I only noticed the difference after she left.

Lucien stood straight and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

I'd felt tired gradually and my eyes had bags underneath. So I'd turned to blood in stores which wasn't exactly fresh.

"Damien, she's not here and you need to sober up. Why do you even care?" He hissed the last part and I scoffed.

"You've been crankier too since she left with that Fae bastard. Don't deny it, you shape shifter." I retorted and he gave me a hard look.

"See? You're back to being unapproachable. In the four centuries I've know you, aside from me who else did you even slightly open up to? Hm? Fuck, you gave her your Jade ring! Does that say nothing?"

Lucien groaned. "You're reading into things now."

My teeth gritted and I scoffed. "So is that the reason Cecilia is getting to have you to herself more than usual? Her visit here this time is lasting quite long and you're surely using your time nicely."

Lucien's eyes flashing threateningly and I shook my head as he growled, a clear indication for me to drop the topic.

I stared into his amber eyes and then slowly nodded. "Right. Okay. Then you're being a hypocrite."

He exhaled tightly, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "So what if I am? At least I'm not driving myself to the brink of death!"

I made a face. "You're exaggerating."

"Right now we don't need you to be sappy we need you to be powerful and ruthless. Killian is back, Damien. Doesn't that seem like a bigger problem to you?"

I blinked and a chuckle escaped me. "Do you realize that's the most you've said in a very, very long time? I don't think I've heard you speak so much at once."

A hand slammed down onto the table and eyes blazing, Lucien glared at me. "What do you want me to say?"

I looked away and spoke somberly. "Did you read Arion's letter?"

His hand slackened on the table and I saw him nod.

"She's not just some random human you found." I glanced up at him. "Esmeralda Eldwick knew of her. And Arion clarified that the Alpha King of Adalda is involved as well."

"And?" He spoke expressionless.

"It doesn't make sense." I let out a frustrated sigh. "The most powerful of the four main races of Vammal have a connection to her. The Vampire Prince. The Shifter General. The Fae King."

"And now the Werewolf Alpha." Lucien concluded.

Silence blanketed us for a few select moments until Lucien broke the fragile glass of tension.

"Why don't you ask Queen Kesla. She sure knows a lot more than us."

I snickered, "My mother can be very tight-lipped. You should know that."

Suddenly I hissed, my hand flying to my side where it ached a bit, like claws sinking in and tearing.

Lucien frowned, unease in his eyes as he bent forward and his platinum blonde hair fell over his forehead. "What?"

I breathed heavily as an agonizing pain vanished away. I clenched my jaw, angry and irked.

"What, Damien?" Lucien repeated, firmer than the last time. I shook my head.

This was not the first time and I knew exactly what caused this. I knew who was suffering but I don't think I could tell Lucien that as of yet.

"Nothing." I then gave him a confused look. "Do you not worry about her?"

For some reason, Arion or Lucien or even that mongrel being involved didn't make me as uneasy as it would at the thought of some other guy with Cara.

Of course I'd rather have her to myself though.....

"The pet will be fine. I'm certain."

I clenched my jaw but before I could say something, the door flew open and Minister Gallum stood there.

With a strange glint in his eyes, the snake like tall man addressed us. "The Queen is calling for you two in the throne room."

I frowned, wondering why my Mother wanted to see us. For the past two months nothing extraordinary had happened in the Palace and she had been her usual self but her dark glances couldn't be ignored either.

"Alright, we'll be there in a moment." Lucien curtly replied and he shrugged, leaving us alone once more.

Lucien didn't beat around the bush this time. "You drank from Cara twice, right? What did you do?"

I remained silent, unable to meet his eyes.

Lucien inhaled deeply and I marveled at his capacity to keep himself in check unlike me.

"What. Did. You. Do." He gritted his teeth and I loosened a breath.

Meeting his amber pools, I frowned slightly. "I made a Soul Bond with her."

•○•

(Lucien's P.O.V)

For a moment, I stared at my best friend, silent as the night.

I looked away silently and started to make my way towards the door without a word.

Queen Kesla had called on us.

I wonder why.

"Are you going to ignore me?" Damien rushed out behind me, licking his lips, his pallor worrying.

But at the moment, not so much. He could die for all I cared.

I shrugged, shooting him a cold look.

He cringed.

"It was...it was a mistake and I-I didn't even know I'd done it until she left and I felt the first...well..."

He ran a hand through his midnight black hair and I narrowed my eyes.

A Soul Bond. A Soul Mate. Not much difference left there.

I couldn't exactly wrap my head around what he had done.

"A Soul Bond is not a game, Damien."

He snapped, "I know!"

I whirled on him, "Then why did you do it?"

I was raging inside. My defense of cold and unapproachable was faltering as the frosted over emotions peeked out, like water under a glacier, trying to find a way to wrench free of the confines the ice provided.

He looked away, "I told you...it just happened. I had no conscious part in it at all."

I glared at him frostily but he avoided my eyes and resumed walking.

A Soul Bond is the only thing a vampire does to solidify his other half; be it human, fae, shifter or vampire or any other creature they choose. Aside form a bite mark that won't fade, much like a werewolf.

It happens when while drinking from the other, you suck in a part of their soul and in turn give them one of yours. It's done with conscious effort and much thought out process.

Its also very risky and certainly not something a Vampire Prince should have done with a human who can die with one snap of our fingers.

I should have known when Damien became so overly possessive of Cara since the very start but I was too absorbed in my own defenses breaking down by words and looks if the jade eyed human slave.

My nostrils flared. And I knew it wasn't just because he had put himself at risk but Cara as well, it was also because....

I didn't like it.

I didn't like that he had a claim on her when I didn't. And she wasn't even in Celera, she was in Valeryn at the moment with another male.

But then did that mean everytime Damien had those reactions, it meant he could feel her pain or such?

Was she in danger?

What also worried me was that just now, I'd felt something myself. Like a small scorpion pinch in my side exactly where Damien had hissed and looked at.

I'd felt them before but they were always ignored, nothing of much importance. Small points of pain or emotions.

Now...now I wondered why and how.

I gritted my teeth and felt the loss of the ring I'd worn for five centuries at the least and given away to a human slave girl. But it reassured me strangely to know it could be protecting her as well.

I snickered silently to myself wondering where such thoughts had invaded my mind from.

I willed my frost and ice to wrap around me like the protective layer of armor they served as. But the defenses were no more as strong as they had been.

In Arion's last letter, he had also mentioned the witch ambush that had been set up for them and how a member of the Golden Pack had helped them.

Damien wasn't wrong. For the Golden Pack and Alpha King to be involved as well, it had to be something much bigger than some mere attraction.

I inhaled deeply, smelling oranges on myself and I gripped my sword tighter.

Her scent doesn't fade easily.

But as long as Cecilia could manage to keep my mind and body occupied, I had not many problems with it in the past. Even now.

But now oranges was a scent that was making me feel uncomfortable. Making me long for lilac and lemons.

It was true that I'd been lax in Cara's presence and Damien obviously noticed. I'd been amused by her. I'd smiled at her. I'd been more open than I ever had and I showed a deeper level of attachment to her than I had with many others I'd known far longer.

It was vexing and irritating and it made my blood boil to temperatures great enough that my ice melted.

"You shouldn't have done that, Damien." I brought my thoughts to Damien again.

"I'm aware. But there's nothing more to do." He seemed resigned to accept his fate but not regretful.

By the time we approached the throne room, I asked him the question, "Do you regret it?"

His answer wasn't instant and as we arrived, I remembered when I'd brought Cara with me into this Palace. Observing the smart little creature who'd definitely managed to go a long way from an escapade.

"No. I don't." He looked me straight in the eye, electric orbs sizzling at her mere mention and I didn't bother to reply.

I hardened my expression as we opened the door and entered.

I'd grown to dislike Queen Kesla more so than not. Especially after I came to know how Theo had gone missing and had actually been the Queen's spy keeping an eye on Cara.

We both bowed.

"Your Majesty. You called for us?" Damien was the one who questioned and I was fine with letting him do the talking.

Queen Kesla looked as regal as ever, dark eyes sweeping over us. Red painted lips uptilted at our sight and her fiery hair curled down her shoulders beautifully.

Her crown glimmered over her darkness and the ocean coloured dress she wore brought questions.

Kesla wasn't one to don bright colours but when she did, it meant something big was coming. It was one of her mysterious ways.

So what was this big thing?

I narrowed my eyes when the Vampire Queen smiled darkly, her Handmaiden by her throne and Minister Gallum by the stairs with a smile on his face as well.

There was another woman, a half vampire besides him whose name was Belaura. She was one of Kesla's most trusted personnel.

The surprising thing I'd learned though was that she had been in the slave circle that Cara had been escaping from that night. In fact she was the Madam who overlooked them.

Now, that couldn't be a coincidence, right?

"Well?" I inquired, urging Kesla to speak.

She arched an elegant brow, amused and her fingers played a thumping tune on the armrest of her throne.

"How do you both feel?"

I blinked and Damien's brows raised. He snickered.

"Perfectly fine."

I held myself back from giving a snarky response as well.

At such times I was glad Damien spoke up about what I didn't.

Queen Kesla made a face of disapproval and almost pouted. I felt my brow twitch in irritation but I held my tongue.

She sighed wistfully, "Oh, but I feel bored."

Shall I arrange for a circus?

Of course, I didn't say it out loud. She licked her lips dangerously and grinned.

"I want you both to go to Valeryn."

Her words left us both flabbergasted. I clenched my jaw and Damien laughed outright.

"Mother, a war is brewing and you want us to leave our Kingdom unprotected and go to the Fae realm...for exactly what?" He scowled.

I agreed with him and narrowed my eyes, waiting for a response.

"There were some weapons they asked for. Two carts full. Take them." The Vampire Queen chuckled, "Don't worry at all. Celera is safe for the time being. But you need to be in Valeryn soon."

I shook my head, "This is preposterous. Why should we go there for something like that?" Ice coated my words but the Queen only smiled.

"Because it's a direct order from the throne." Her tone held no room for argument and it wasn't like we could actually defy her.

Or that we wanted to.

"Besides, don't act like this when you both know you've been dying to see Cara." She playfully smiled, dark shadows lingering behind but it only served to aggravate us.

I'd have to leave the whole security of Celera in the hands of my second-in-command.

Damien was angry and I could sense it because I was boiling inside as well. Keeping secrets, ordering us around, always taking us for fools....there had to be a limit.

It couldn't be just for the weapon transporting. I could tell there was more and this was a mere excuse.

"Could you answer the why?"

"No. Not yet." She drawled lazily.

"Then when?" I growled. The tight leash on my powers was slipping, claws and fangs aching to burst free in imitation of my favorite shifter forms and that had not happened since after the Great Battle. The realization slammed into my like a hundred bricks and I had to physically put in immense effort to not let my loose emotional display catch any attention.

She tilted her head, a sly smile creeping up her lips. "Go to Valeryn. You're going to be needed there."

"And what about Celera?!" Damien thundered, sick of games.

She gave her son a dark look, akin to a glare. "Nothing will happen here."

"After all, the object of interest is in Valeryn." She grinned and Minister Gallum chuckled.

The Queen added as an after thought. "But not for long."

She succeeded in planting the seed of anxiousness within us and I realized just how loose a grip on my emotions today.

It would take a week at the very least to reach Valeryn from Celera.

Damien nodded, as if accepting it despite the course of actions. "Well then...."

With a cold tone, I continued, "When do we leave?"

She leaned forward on her throne, excitement shining in her dark eyes.

"Right now."

•○•

AN~

So...what do you guys think? How was the chapter?

Not only do we know about the uhm, Soul Bond but omg they're going to Valeryn?

What do you think Queen Kesla meant with what she was speaking about? And Belaura is there too....we haven't forgotten her, have we?

Hope you enjoyed, do vote and comment! Means a lot! We have five more chapters and an Epilogue left now so...woohoo!

I was happy because I finsihed the whole book in drafts and so you guys will get a double update. Hehe. But don't forget to vote on the last chapter too if you haven't!

Stay safe and till next time!

~Skyler