Prince Justus and the Rogue

Jeremy POV

I know what I did was wrong but I honestly had good intentions. I hope those stand for something. I really want to make up for how I was when Gracia was younger. I wasn't right to her or Cecily for that matter. I see Cecily walk up the steps to come inside and remember that today was an early release day for the school. I bet Gracia forgot all about it with everything going on. Then the next few seconds seem to move in slow motion for me. I smile as Cecily runs towards through the doors. As the doors open I see a flash move past the guards behind Cecily moving straight towards her. It registers in my mind that the flash is a vampire moving at inhumane speed. I grab Cecily spinning around with her in my arms so that my back is to the flash and then I throw her as far as I can and that's when I feet it. The cold stabbing pain of a silver knife blade in my kidneys. I fall to the ground making a guttural sound. I can hear Cecily screaming in the distance, then I hear more people's voices, and wolves. Somebody lifts me and then I let darkness take me over.

I wake up in a hospital bed surrounded by Gracia, Cecily, and Justus. "What happened? The last thing that I remember is somebody lifting me up."

"We heard Cecily screaming and came running out of Justus' office to find a vampire standing over you with a bloody silver knife. Justus killed the vampire while I healed you. After the threat, meaning the vampire, was killed Justus carried you to the infirmary so you could at least be checked over by doctors." Gracia explained while she held my hand. "Dad, you saved Cecily's life!" Gracia said as tears started to form in the corners of her eyes.

"Is she okay? I threw her pretty hard." I said, scratching my throat trying to hide how worried I really was.

"I'm fine. I bounce." Cecily giggled trying to make light of the situation. I laughed too, enjoying her joke.

"So, after everything that has happened we can't exactly kick a hero out of the castle. I believe that you have more than proven your intentions. I am pleased and honored to offer you a permanent residence here in the castle." Justus said as he extended his hand to me.

I proudly shook his hand as I could feel my heart swell inside me. I was finally accepted by my daughters' family. I felt like I had made it past my history of abuse and I was no longer that man. I could stand tall as the man I was today and be proud of who I am. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye as Gracia threw her arms around me and hugged me. A year ago I never would have thought my daughter hugging me would be possible. I would have never thought absolution from my past wrongs would be possible but I stand here today under the light of forgiveness and love.

Gracia POV

I couldn't believe that my father had saved Cecily's life. This wasn't the same man that I had left in fear of my life ten years ago. This was a man that I could proudly say was my father not the drunken abusive man that I knew before. Tears poured out of my eyes as he hugged me back. A month ago I never would have believed this was possible. We had to leave my father in the hospital overnight so Cecily wanted to stay with him. I didn't see any harm with her staying so I kissed them both on the head and then Justus and I left.

"Justus, I'm going to visit your mother." I said, squaring my shoulders, hoping this wouldn't cause a fight.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? No one has been to see her since my father died. Just be gentle with her." Justus said with a hint of sadness in his voice. I wondered if he was sad that he couldn't go with me instead of going back to work. I walk down a long hallway with paintings of previous kings, queens, and their children hanging for decor. The floor is a dark wood with red carpet and the walls are a red wallpaper with embossed designs on it. There are a few rooms on the hallway but the queen's room is the last room. I knock politely and a maid comes to the door she bows as she opens the door for me to enter. The room is so dark that it takes me a moment to adjust my eyes. Once I can see properly I can see a large bed against the right wall with doors next to it probably leading to a washroom and a closet. There are also large dressers and wardrobes lining the walls. On the other side of the room is a small sitting area around a fireplace. All of the colors in the room are dark reds and browns. All of the chairs and chaise lounge couches have dark red velvet cushions and are made from dark brown wood, the dressers and wardrobes are made from dark brown woods, the bed covers are dark velvet red and the headboard and footboard is a dark brown wood, the floors are dark brown wood, the carpets are a dark red, and the drapes are a dark red velvet. All of the drapes are closed except for one. In front of one window sits a chair with a woman in it. Her dress is all white and quite modest in taste as it has no embossed designs, beads, or rhinestones to decorate it. It does have ruffles at the bottom of the dress, at the end of the sleeves, and in a crisscross pattern across the bodice. But the bodice can barely be seen because the woman is wearing a white veil that covers her entire head down to her waist.

"Queen Gracia has come to see you." The maid politely introduces me to the woman.

"Oh she does and what does she want?" The woman asks.

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"Queen Eleanor has asked about the business of your visit?" The maid politely relays to me.

"I wish nothing more than to pay a social visit to the Queen; from one queen to another." I said respectfully back.

The queen takes a long and deeply dramatic sigh. "Allow her to come forward. She may sit next to me at the window. Please serve us tea and go to the kitchen for an arrangement of pastries." The queen sends the maid off with a flick of her wrist. The maid bowed to us both before she scurried off.

Wow. When I worked here I was never around the queen or king. Justus had me constantly serving him so I never met any of the other royals. The maid forgot to pull my chair to the window but I didn't mind. I helped myself as it wasn't a huge task. I wonder what Queen Eleanor would say if she had to move her own chair? I had to suppress a chuckle at that.

"Queen Eleanor, it's so nice to meet you. You should come visit the rest of the castle some time. I'm sure Justus would love to see you." All of a sudden I don't know what to say.

"Ah, yes, you're that kitchen help that he had such an eye for, correct? Do you still help out in the kitchen? How do you like being a queen? Is it a bit overwhelming for you? Or does it suit your taste? Have you been redecorating much? Or how do you spend your time?" Queen Eleanor asks, not waiting any time getting started with the jabs.

Wow is all I can think. This woman is definitely sharp witted. I wonder how she would like my father. I have to stop myself from chuckling again. Okay, she's giving me the evil eye now. "Yes I am the kitchen help that Justus had such an eye for. I bet you never would have thought it would turn out like this! My, how things change! No, I don't help out in the kitchen anymore because I find myself too busy for that. I do like being a queen as it gives me a chance to make the common people's lives better. No I don't find it overwhelming but it has only begun and we have just been putting out small fires since we got here. I have not been redecorating at all because I haven't had the time. Besides, I think the decor looks pretty nice as it is. How do I spend my time? It varies from day to day. I spend a lot of time raising my ten year old sister, I was recently reunited with my father so I'm spending time getting to know him, and I spend time with Justus helping him make decisions. I would really like for you to join us for dinner tonight."

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I sit with my beta, delta, and gamma drawing up the last of the plans for the trip to destroy the key to the Gates of Guinee. This would finally be the end to the key and the end to Achard, or any other person, achieving supernatural world domination. Jackin and Mack were supposed to go with me but Amice, Mack's mate, just found out she's pregnant so Mack is going to stay home and Emil is going with us. Emil's father, the former beta, Jackin's father, the former delta and Mack will run the kingdom together while we are away. We leave in four days.

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Also check out my other books Dragon Brothers - Completed

Cyprian and the Slave

Her Demon His Angel

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