SWNOVELS Chapter Eighteen
Mircea
Sheer terror.
That was what I felt as I stood in what should be my throne room in this damned castle.
Because instead of being empty, the stone carved throne was occupied by my father. His eyes were glowing red in the dark of the room, lit only by candles. That meant either meant that he had turned the lights off for dramatic affect or he had turned off the electricity to put us back into the dark ages.
Both were perfectly viable options when it came to my father.
But I couldn’t let the fear continue to shroud my body. I hadn’t worked up the courage at the Summit to do what needed to be done, only to let it all unravel in front of me because we were back in his comfort zone. This wasn’t how it was going to go.
“You need to be careful, Mircea. If Traian is there, decide straight away if you’re going to run or if you’re going to continue the game. And if at any point you get even an inkling that you’re in danger, don’t think twice about running.”
Vali’s words… my mate’s words echoed through my mind as I stood at the entryway. I had no doubt that if she was here she would be smelling my fear and telling me to get my shit together. Either play the game or run. There isn’t a god-damned second to feel afraid.
“Father…” I trailed off, making sure I kept my breathing steady and my heart rate slow. “I’m glad to see you’re okay, I got worried.” I said, wondering exactly how Mun Kang-Dae was going to respond. He was a step behind me, and while I had my suspicions over his loyalties, I couldn’t be sure. This would be a key part of making my decision on that front.
“And yet you came straight here?” My father asked as he stood up from the throne and took a few steps towards me. I wasn’t going to move. I always had to go to him… this time he would come to me.
“It’s where I thought you would go. You’re safe here.” I said as he kept walking closer.
“Safe? My own son just conspired against me and took my crown-”
“What would have happened if I hadn’t?”
“Excuse me?” He was now standing mere feet away from me, his feet planted in an attempt to ground himself and make it seem like he had this situation under his thumb.
“What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t?” I asked, pulling my shoulders back to stand up straight. It was then I realised that I was the one looking down at him, that all the years I must have been cowering to the point of making myself smaller around him. I couldn’t do that anymore. “Do you think you would have walked out of there with your head held high? The White Wolf dead? You attacked her and then tried to gaslight everyone into thinking that she was in the wrong.”
“So this was all a part of your plan?” He asked, I kept looking down at him.
“I had to take control so I could make sure everything went smoothly back here. If you were removed without a proper plan for me to take the throne, anything could have happened. It is not necessary for the Summit Council to appoint a new ruler when removing one.” I reminded him. He nodded.
“What’s the rest of your plan, Mircea?” He asked next. He must be trying to trip me up. It wasn’t going to work.
“I thought you might tell me.”
“How might I tell you what your plan is?” He asked, I smiled.
“Because, the vampires are still your people until I have my coronation. I might be the Vampire King to the Summit Council, but to the people here you still are. You’re the one in control.” I said.
“It was the plan all along, my King.” Kang-Dae said, as if he knew what was going on. He was confirming my story, helping me…
“So, what’s the rest of the plan, Father?” I asked, he seemed to tense as I spoke. This wasn’t how he thought this was going to go. I didn’t know how long he had been back for, how long he had been waiting in this room, thinking things over and planning what he would do when I arrived.
The doors opened behind us, and when I turned I saw Nari walking through them.
“Hello, fiance.” She said, moving to stand between myself and her father. “What’s going on?”
“My father was going to tell us what the next step of the plan is.” I said, she nodded and turned to look at Traian.
“My King, what is the plan? I wasn’t in the room when it happened but I heard about it. About how the White Wolf humiliated you, and the Council turned against you. How are you going to respond?” She asked. I looked at her and saw the gentle smile on her face. Damn, she was good at this. When I looked back at my father I saw he had relaxed a little.
“The Hunts must go ahead.” He said, and I had to stop my heart from skipping a beat.
“Of course.” I said.
“And we must capture the White Wolf to take part.” He added. I nodded, feeling the air leave my lungs. “But before the Hunts we must sort out your marriage, that must be top priority.” He said, I nodded again as did Nari.
“When do you want the wedding to take place?” I asked, his eyes landed on Nari.
“As soon as it can be planned and everyone can get here. It will be a big event, so don’t rush yourself.” Traian said, his words completely directed to her.
“Of course, give me a couple of weeks.” She replied, still smiling gently.
“Excellent.” My father said. “I will get the Hunts ready.”
As he spoke, I started to wonder if I had made the wrong choice. If maybe I should have run instead of doing this. I could have gone to Vali, we could have worked together on the outside of this.
But it was too late now.