The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 6

I agree to your terms, Eden announced. “Now tell us what we want to know.

Viktor blinked. His tiny mate had easily agreed to leaving with him, then subsequently made a demand of him, all in one breath. No one demanded anything of King Viktor.

He wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. It was refreshing to be challenged by a female, but it would not become a habit of hers. Taking his hand to her bottom may happen sooner rather than later.

Eden, you do not have to do this, Edward told his daughter.

Viktor wanted to argue, but he remained silent, allowing Eden to make her own case. She must be feeling the lure of her own cicatrice. Why else would she choose to leave with a stranger?

I know. But do you think it would end here if I refused? We both know it wouldn’t. There is no possibility these marks are coincidence. So, let’s accept it and move past it.

The edges of Edward’s mouth turned down. He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, like he’d done a thousand times before.

Always so logical, he told her. She’d been this way since shortly after her mother passed.

Edward gestured to Viktor. It seems the floor is yours.

Viktor returned to his seat, ignoring the fact he did not like how his sieva had arrived at her decision. Irrationally, he wanted her to feel something, to argue she felt compelled to go with him. Which, for someone who had rarely allowed his own emotions to dictate his decisions, was entirely hypocritical.

Resigned to cooperate, Viktor started talking. He confessed the misfortunes of the Prajna, hoping he was doing the right thing.

Having just found his own mate, he had a newfound appreciation for his people’s frustrations. He and Eden were the first true-mates to replace one another in a hundred years. He prayed they weren’t the last.

When he finished, the room was quiet.

In ancient times, Theron broke the silence, many of the Prajna could not conceive until their clan’s leader found his own mate and bore young. It’s possible this is your problem.

Eden’s face flushed, fully understanding the implication. She’d never been so much as kissed before, had never wanted to be. Until today.

Yes, I know, Viktor replied. However, I’m not convinced that is the issue. We have experienced a number of cases of conception. Unfortunately, none of the young have been brought to term. Not in decades.

Which is extremely regrettable, Viktor. Truly, it is a travesty your people face. I still believe there is hope it will be rectified once the leader has his house in order.

Theron’s words dug into Viktor, sharp and biting. The insinuation was he needed to impregnate his sieva.

He purposefully kept quiet that this subject was one of the reasons he had come here. His intention had been to discuss Bianca and the plan to attempt getting her with child, despite the awakening of his cicatrice.

There was no need to further enrage Edward or to make Eden uncomfortable. He would have to broker the conversation eventually, but, for now, he would not rock the boat. Eden was his and he intended to keep her, no matter what.

Theron arose from his chair. I think we should conclude here. Viktor, I will send word once I’ve spoken to Marrok. Hopefully, we’ll come across something in the scrolls that may be of use. I’ll summon my courier now.

Viktor and the others stood, as Theron left the study. He motioned to his mate, whose eyes had scarcely left him.

Eden. Now would be the time to tell your family goodbye. I will wait for you outside the temple. I advise you to hurry.

Her eyes glinted with displeasure. I need to pack my things, her level voice countered.

Find your sister. Tell her to pack your belongings and I will have someone bring them along shortly.

Oh. You travelled here with another?

No.

I don’t understand.

You don’t need to. You have ten minutes.

Eden held her tongue, not wanting to cause a scene, and took off in search of Evelyn. She shoved her fists into the pockets of her long skirt, thinking singeing the King might be unwise.

Viktor turned to Edward. I know I don’t have to tell you the way of things between sievas. However, I feel compelled to assure you she will be safe with me. I would never harm my mate or allow any threat to come near her.

The tightness in Edward’s jaw eased a small amount, knowing Viktor was making an attempt on his behalf. He felt like he’d been tense since the day Kellan had come to meet Eden, half a decade ago.

His wife had warned him, once their children chose their path, to let them go. If he interfered, it would have drastic consequences for Imperium. It was hell obeying her wishes.

I know, he told the vampire. I like you, Viktor. I’m probably the only Gwydion who does. So, I feel obligated to tell you it’s not Eden’s physical safety that is most concerning to me. She is powerful and could likely handle whatever the Prajna throw at her.

Viktor believed Edward, judging from her abnormal speed and the way she controlled her heart rate earlier.

Then what is your concern?

Eden guards her heart. She does things to herself to control her emotions. It isn’t healthy, and I’ve never been able to break her of it. So, as her father, I am telling you to take care of her heart. Do nothing to damage it.

Viktor was nonplussed. Of all the warnings he’d expected to hear from his mate’s father, he hadn’t expected this.

Part of Viktor wanted to tell Edward the bond between he and his sieva was none of Edward’s business. Maybe the elemental was brighter than Viktor knew. Viktor wasn’t known for taking care with others in word or deed.

Regardless, he would not depart with Edward feeling like Viktor would be careless with Eden’s emotions. He could be distant and cold, but he had no intention of hurting or mistreating Eden.

His cicatrice burned at the lie. Admittedly, there was one predicament in his life that would cause her grief, but they would work around it. There was no other option. No vampire would ever willingly let go of his mate once he found her.

I will do my best. You have my word. Viktor bowed and swiftly exited.

Edward watched the King of Prajna walk out the front entrance of the temple to wait for Eden. Foley put a hand on Edward’s shoulder.

You do realize you just asked The Heartless King of Prajna to take care with your daughter’s heart?

I assure you, Foley, the irony is not lost on me.

Eden exited the temple and came down the stairs, feeling much lighter after having a few moments with her family and enduring Evelyn’s overzealous excitement.

Her sister was a hopeless romantic, spouting off nonsense about not fighting Fate and cherishing an enduring love. Evelyn would have jumped right into the vampire’s arms in front of everyone if she’d been the one with the matching birthmark.

If their father had not been present, Eden would have assured Evelyn what she was feeling had nothing to do with love or romance and everything to do with the natural laws of attraction. Mates were meant to procreate. It was why nature saddled them with outrageously incessant physical cravings.

It didn’t stop the tiny seed of hope from planting itself firmly inside her. She cursed herself for it, but then her mark lit up and she could once again think rationally.

Eden reached the bottom of the staircase and moved towards the awaiting male. She stopped when she saw the severe sloping of Viktor’s eyebrows.

What are you wearing? he scolded more than asked.

She looked down at her riding breeches and tall black boots, then she inspected her shirt and cloak. Nothing seemed out of place. She took in his old-fashioned suit and wondered if he’d ever seen a woman in trousers.

This is what I typically wear when I go riding.

Eden looked around, expecting to see horses, but there weren’t any.

Is your horse in the stable? she asked.

No. I do not travel by horse.

He seemed on edge. More so than before. Mayhap he was afraid she could not handle hiking the terrain on foot?

Is this the fashion of females in Gwydion? he asked.

For some. Do you … do you not like it?

Viktor’s green eyes flashed brightly.

“The problem, mala vestica, is that I like it very much.”

Eden’s body thrummed in awareness that his gaze was travelling all over her figure, and he openly enjoyed what he saw. She was suddenly very hot under her heavy cloak.

Her hand drifted towards his and lightning-fast he grabbed her wrist, judiciously avoiding the end of her limb.

Careful. This is not the time or the place to start such a thing.

I only meant to touch your hand.

Come. Once we are in Castra Nocte, I will explain things to you.

How far away is it? she asked. No one, other than the vampires, knew exactly where the King of Prajna resided.

It is on the far coast, well hidden from anyone wishing to do you harm.

The far coast would take days on horseback. Weeks, if they had to walk.

But how will we—

Before she could ask about their mode of travel, Viktor had his arm around her waist. Suddenly, she was being compressed so hard she couldn’t breathe. A second later she felt a cool breeze on her skin.

What—what was that?

That was how I travel. Porting is much more efficient than riding on horses, don’t you think?

Eden looked around. They were no longer outside the temple. They were standing on a stone balcony. A single chair and small table sat nearby.

They’d ported to his castle on the eastern coast of Imperium, hundreds of miles from the temple. A snap of a finger and she was in a far-off land.

This was why Prajna had a reputation for being abnormally fast. They could cross a great distance in the span of a heartbeat. It would take some getting used to.

Seagulls cried in the distance. Eden turned her head towards the sound, but she couldn’t see past the thick mist rolling off the ocean below.

A storm is coming. Let’s get you inside, he said.

Viktor, still with his arm around her waist, led her through the arched doors and straight into his bedroom.