Shadows Of Desire

Thaden stood outside Lierin’s office, waiting. It had been nearly twenty minutes and Lierin still hadn’t called him in. Thaden was growing nervous. He’d left the guest suites after securing Rowan in his room and then headed straight down stairs to find his brother only to discover that Nasir had beat him to it. Thaden raged inside. Nasir going over his head to speak to the Crown prince was an act of blatant disrespect in Thaden’s eyes. It meant that Nasir didn’t trust Thaden enough to reveal Rowan’s presence in the palace himself.

When Nasir finally opened the door to allow Thaden to enter, he was surprised to not only see Lierin but their father as well. King Elandor Dacaryn was sitting at the desk Lierin normally sat behind, while Lierin stood next to him with a dour look on his troubled face. The King watched Thaden carefully as Thaden entered the room. Nasir shut the door behind him then went to stand on the other side of the King.

“Please sit.” King Elandor said as he motioned to the chair in front of the desk.

Thaden nodded then slowly walked to the chair and seated himself. He felt like a school boy, being called into the headmasters office, about to be disciplined for some misdeed.

“I have been made aware of something that I find very disturbing.” The King leaned forward and stared directly at Thaden, their eyes met, and Thaden had to resist the urge to look away in shame. All he could do was nod as the King continued. “Your man servant, Nasir, has reported that you apprehended a vampire in the forest. And, not just any vampire. King Desmond’s supposedly dead son, Prince Rowan. Is this true?”

Again, Thaden nodded. “Yes, Father, it’s true.”

“I see.” The King sat back against his chair, drumming his fingers against the wooden arm rest. “I assume then, that the vampire has been taken to the dungeons, to await interrogation?”

Thaden took in a deep breath, sitting straight in his chair, and said, “No, Sire. I placed him in a guest suite.”

The King looked to Lierin who sighed wearily then dropped his gaze to the floor, shaking his head in frustration. The King returned his attention to Thaden then. “So, you thought it appropriate to place a dangerous criminal in a guest suite rather than in a cell where he belongs?”

Thaden swallowed hard as he did his best to calm his nerves and face his father with confidence. “I secured him in the room with spells. I just didn’t think it was necessary to place him in the dungeons. Other than crossing illegally into our lands he really hasn’t committed any crime, and I don’t think he’s a danger to anyone.”

“He’s committed a crime simply by existing.” The King scoffed. “And, a vampire crossing into our lands isn’t a minor thing, child! He’s not some rouge that can be easily put down. He’s a member of the royal family. By entering our kingdom he’s violated the treaty, a crime punishable by death.”

Thaden tensed. His first instinct was to jump from his seat and forbid anyone, even his father, from touching his mate. It took all of his strength to remain seated though a soft growl did escape his lips which earned him sharp glares from all who were present.

King Elandor narrowed his eyes as he stared at his son. “Do you not agree with my assessment?” The King sneered.

“No.” Thaden said curtly, holding his head high. “No, father, I do not. Rowan didn’t violate the treaty because he didn’t cross into Rosegate willingly. He wasn’t even made aware that he was being brought here until very recently. He and his riding companion were resting on the out skirts of Wolfhaven when several members of Connor’s pack chased him through the forest and across the border. He would have had no way of knowing that he’d entered our lands because he was running for his life.”

“That’s no excuse.” The King snarled. “He should have stayed in his own kingdom. The moment he left Basmorte, his fate was sealed.”

“He left Basmorte to escape his father and an arranged marriage to Lord Killian Thorn.” Thaden argued. “He’s not our enemy, if anything, he could be considered an ally. He has no love for his father. Trust me on that. For Goddess sake, he faked his own death just to get away. And, with the help of a Fae I might add.”

“Ah, yes, the bog giant.” The King scoffed. “His role in this deception shall be ascertained as well.”

Thaden stiffened some in his seat. “Actually, father, I’ve already ordered the bog giant to be set free.”

King Elandor leaned forward, staring angrily at Thaden over the desk. “You did what?”

Thaden sighed. “It was a deal I made with Ro...the vampire, Sire. His surrender for the giant’s freedom. The vampire kept to his word and so, as a matter of honor, I also kept mine.”

The King shook his head as he laughed, turning to look at Lierin. “Your soft hearted brother here has no clue as to the fundamentals of warfare. He treats prisoners as honor guests and releases possible traitors.”

“Indeed.” Lierin said, glancing at Thaden. His expression remained stoic.

“The war ended twenty years ago, father.” Thaden said with a sigh. “Until this incident, the vampires have remained quiet with the exception of a few random rouges here and there.”

“Your impudence is growing tiresome, boy.” The King frowned. “Now, I will tell you what’s going to happen. Your little vampire pet is going to be taken to the dungeon and put in a cell as he should have been the moment you brought him to the palace. He’ll remain there until I have thoroughly interrogated him. Then I, and only I, will make a determination as to what’s to be done with the beast.”

“Might I suggest, your majesty, a quick beheading.” Nasir said with a smirk.

“You may not.” The King shot Nasir a disapproving frown. “I will judge his crimes and decide a fit punishment. I’m not totally convinced yet that his death would benefit us any. He may be more useful as a hostage.”

“A hostage?” Thaden was on his feet, glaring at his father as the rage inside of him slowly began to grow. “A hostage for what? The vampire’s have made no move against us. What do you hope to achieve with these actions, father? Are you trying to start another war?”

“You will be silent!” The King bellowed as he too rose to his feet, glaring daggers at his youngest son. “The war never ended!” The King yelled, causing everyone in the room to tremble with fear. “The treaty may have put a stop to the fighting but it never ended the war. I’ve been waiting, for twenty years, for those blood suckers to do something like this, to violate the treaty so we can attack them. I will not be satisfied until the entire vampire race is wiped from the face of the Earth!”

Thaden stared at his father in disbelief. “You’ve gone mad.” He whispered. “Your hate and prejudice has truly pushed you over the edge.”

The King sat back down, calmer now as he regarded his son with a look of pity. He sighed. “My son, you were too young to remember the devastation that those monsters caused us. The loss and pain that my people suffered at their hands. Whole families were murdered in a single night. Those who were not killed were taken as slaves. They ravaged our lands and nearly left us destitute. If not for the packs, our race would have been exterminated.”

“I know the history, father, and I am sorry for all that you and our people suffered but you want to put blame on a boy, a boy who wasn’t even born yet, for the suffering that his father caused. How is that fair?”

“Thaden, you speak of this boy as though he were an innocent but you forget, dear brother, he is a vampire, a blood drinker. How many innocent lives do you think he had taken in his lust for blood?” Lierin spoke to Thaden, attempting to get him to see the truth but Thaden couldn’t accept that Rowan was anything like his father.

“You’re wrong about him.” Thaden said softly, his expression pained but sincere. “I can’t explain how I know this, but I just do. He is innocent and he’s kind. He’s like a frightened little child, not the blood thirsty beast you’re trying to make him out to be. And, there’s something else, I don’t know what it is or even understand it but he’s different. He...he has a heart. Literally, I’ve heard the beating of his heart, even felt it, somehow. Vampire’s are the living dead, are they not? They’re not supposed to have a living heart yet...he does. That has to count for something.”

The King shook his head. “That’s impossible. He’s tricked you somehow. Vampires are cold, dead, things. They have no heart, they have no emotions. They are cruel, wicked, devils. Nothing more.”

Thaden shook his head. “I disagree. At least when it comes to Rowan. He’s not like the others of his kind. I’d be willing to stake my life on it. When I look into his eyes I see hope. Wild and untamed hope for a better future hidden away behind a mask of pain. I know he’s suffered in the past. He fears his father and he fears what will happen to him if he’s returned to him.”

“He’s told you this?” Lierin asked, narrowing his eyes as he looked Thaden over, almost as though studying him.

“All lies of course.” Nasir scoffed. “The brats merely trying to save himself. He’d say anything to save his own skin. You can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”

“No.” Thaden ignored Nasir’s remarks and looked to his brother, his eyes almost pleading. “He didn’t need to tell me anything. He didn’t need to utter a single word. When I held his hands in mine, his soul spoke to me. The soul he’s not supposed to possess, but it spoke to me. For a brief moment it was like we were of one mind, one soul, and I could feel what he felt, the fear and the uncertainty he felt. I knew his sorrows, and I knew his pain. I knew in an instant that he wasn’t a threat to us. His only desire is for a peaceful, happy life. We shouldn’t be talking of condemning him, we should be helping him. He’s as much a victim of his father’s cruelty as we are. He needs our help.”

Lierin and the King turned to face each other and a knowing look passed between them. Lierin sighed heavily, running his hands through his hair. The look on his face was solemn. The King, on the other hand, looked furious. His nostrils flared and his face was beginning to turn a frightening shade a red. His eyes narrowed as he turned back towards Thaden and his gaze bore into him. He gripped the edge of the desk so hard that Thaden worried the man might actually crack the wood. Thaden took a cautionary step back, suddenly fearful of his own father.

“Tell me this can’t be true.” King Elandor hissed through his clenched jaw. His nails scraped along the surface of the desk, putting deep gouges in the painted wood. He stood slowly, and leaned forward, his upper half bowing over the desk in an angle that made him look as though he were getting ready to attack. Thaden braced himself but no attack came. Instead his father just glared at him, seething with anger. “Please.” He growled finally. “Please, tell me that the Gods have not cursed my house by giving my son a vampire as a mate.”

Thaden looked down, not knowing what else to say but the truth. After several minutes of debating with himself he finally exhaled the breath he’d been holding and nodded. “It’s true.” He spoke, bringing his eyes up to anxiously meet his fathers. “Rowan is my mate.”