The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 704. Blackmail

Chapter 704: 704. Blackmail

"That’s blackmail."

"Call it whatever you want," Louis said, "but we both know I don’t give up easy."

"That’s not completely true," Mauve replied but didn’t elaborate; this was not the time to discuss another of Louis’ major shortcomings. "Still, I don’t want to let go of this so easily. Not after you just told me you intend to keep even more things from me to protect me."

"I already failed one person, and I can’t exactly fix that. I am sure with this incident, whatever progress had been made has completely been ripped asunder. I don’t want you to bear any burde—"

"I can handle it," Mauve interjected.

"I didn’t say you couldn’t. It’s completely selfish of me, and I realize that is not a good thing. The results sometimes don’t outweigh the process but I have no intention of changing. Let me shield you. Let me deal with all the troubles, and the two of you would think your lives were nothing but a field of daisies. That is all I can ask for."

He paused for a moment, only to start speaking again, this time the emotion in his voice was clear as day. "I can’t even look at your face, Mauve. You have no idea how it crushes me to see the mark the bastard left on you, and I am sure Jael feels the same way. I am sure he wants nothing more than to rip him to pieces, but unfortunately, there is only so much we can do, and I hate that."

His voice turned malicious, "The Lords are like sharks waiting to pounce at the sight of even the tiniest blood. I hate that you have to come into the mix. I hate that we have to follow proper procedures, but I swear on my life—and Jael’s—we won’t rest until Seraphino is buried deep in the ground. To hell with the rule that you can’t kill vampires. To hell with that rule!"

Mauve sighed. "Please stand up, Lord Louis. Please."

"Have you forgiven us both?" Louis asked, adamant.

"No," Mauve returned, "but I have an idea on how you can make amends, and I may consider your plea."

"I am listening. I will do it to the best of my ability."

"You won’t like it," she stated, "but frankly, I don’t care about how you feel. This is what I want, and you have to abide by it whether you like it or not. Call it selfish, call it blackmail, I don’t care. I am the Primus’ mate, am I not?"

"Yes, you are, my lady."

"And you serve the Primus, do you not?"

"I serve the Primus, my lady."

"Which in turn means you serve me."

"I never thought I’d live to see the day you’d act in—"

"Answer me," Mauve said, standing to her feet.

"Yes."

"Good," she smiled. "I will listen to you, take your advice wholeheartedly. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me or the baby. Regardless of this incident, I do trust both of you very much. However, I refuse to be left in the dark. You can no longer do that. I am the Primus’ mate and therefore should be made aware of everything, especially when it concerns me. I do not speak to you as Mauve. From now on, you’re forbidden from keeping things from me. I don’t care how minuscule it is. I won’t act on it if that’s what your wishes are, but I won’t be kept in the dark. Should this repeat itself, I will assume you’re not on my side."

Louis ground his teeth. His head was still on the floor, but he didn’t have anything to say. He had underestimated Mauve. Regardless of how weak she looked, she was stronger than most.

He had known that the instant she had walked into the dining hall without Jael, displaying the mark the bastard had placed on her. It was not only shameful, but he knew all the other Lords had shaken in terror. This was the Primus’ mate, and one of them had deliberately laid hands on her. It was clear, it was fear, it was pity, it was sympathy, and it was good.

"Do we have an understanding, Louis?" she asked.

Louis slowly raised his head and stood to his full height, and then he bowed. "Yes, my lady. We have an understanding."

"Good," she said. "You are dismissed. Get me Danag on your way out."

Louis nodded. There was no reason to be shocked now; Mauve had already exceeded his expectations on several levels. This was almost expected. "As you wish. And the Primus?" Louis asked.

"Jael? Let him wallow in his guilt. I’d rather not see him now."

"I never would have assumed you could be cruel."

"It’s not cruelty. I learned that I have repeated myself too many times without giving consequences for his actions. Next time, he would think twice about conniving with you and not informing me."

"You know I am fully to blame for this."

"Maybe," Mauve shrugged, "but I am married to Jael. It’s different."

"I don’t think I can ever understand the matters of lovebirds."

"Oh, you will someday. I am sure of it."

"That makes one of us," Louis said. "If you’ll excuse me." He bowed again and walked to the door.

Mauve paced the huge library. She couldn’t believe what she had just done. It didn’t feel wrong, but it was also exhausting. She realized why she always hid behind Jael. It was fine to sit back and let him take the reins. Even when she told him to tell her everything, she was still only listening, not taking any active part. No wonder they thought Seraphino was a terror they needed to shield her from.

He was; she would be lying if she said the memory didn’t make her want to crawl under her bed and remain there. But she couldn’t be stagnant. She had to take it as the Lords had no intention of giving it to her. By the time Danag walked into the library, Mauve was calmer, seated, and ready for him.

"You called, my lady?" he asked with a bow.

"Have a seat, Danag," she said.

Danag hesitated but only for a few seconds, then he nodded and took a seat. Mauve locked eyes with him and opened her mouth to speak.