Page 32 of Vampire Chained

“Good. See you later,” I said as Dav pulled on my hand leading me out of the door.

Side by side, we wandered through the dawn light towards our home. It was a new annex, built on the back of the castle. A mating present from the Count. It was gorgeous and I loved it. It was our own personal space. Dav had handed over responsibility for decorating it to me, and it had filled me with joy to choose the furnishings and all the little bits of homey stuff that made it uniquely ours.

“The war’s escalating, isn’t it?” I asked, dread dragging at my chest, making my heart heavy.

“Yeah. I’m afraid it is. Balthazar is the King’s champion and advisor. He commands hundreds of thousands of vampires across the world, our kind and Mades. The King’s own troops, together with Bal’s, are enough to make anyone of any race think twice about trying to take the Blood Throne. Unless they’re mad.”

I frowned despite the emotion and sense of belonging in my chest at being classed ashis kind. “Is this really all about the Blood Throne?”

Dav pulled me down onto the small bench outside our front door. We sat and watched the birds as they landed in the courtyard feeding on insects, and the scent of honeysuckle filled my nose.

“Who knows? But it is the seat of power for the Vampire King. Whoever sits on it has dominion over all vampires. Including the Mades who are still loyal. If vampires don’t abide by the King’s rules they die. Balthazar and I enforce that.”

I smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Powerful as fuck, aren’t you?” I teased.

Dav smirked, but his eyes remained serious. “El, Victor’s threatened the most powerful shifter in existence. Connor’s our ally, and we need the shifters and the fae on our side, no matter how powerful Balthazar is. If Bal’s enemies can weaken him by any means, especially by alienating, or killing, his allies, it will mean bloodshed for everyone, not just the vampires. The fae and shifters are leaders in finance and technology. Our enemies have already started a financial war. They’re closing banks that used to be sympathetic to vampires. They’re stealing money off ancient Original families and using it to finance their war. They have technological capabilities far beyond ours, and are stealing and laundering money via electronic means. But most disturbing of all, they’re turning humans against us by using the bloodlust virus to cause mass slaughter. We’re strong, but if humans turn on supernaturals it will be a global slaughter on both sides. The only way out of this is to hunt down the ones who are fuelling this war and end them. Viktor’s the first lead Bal’s had in a long time.”

“If Balthazar’s so powerful, surely the war will be over quickly?”

“It’s not that easy. We don’t know who’s leading them, or who their allies are. Whoever it is, is powerful and cunning.” Dav leaned back, watching a bee as it went about its business, flying along a bed of dahlia’s.

“But I don’t understand. If they’re already so powerful, why do they need to incite a war?”

Dav crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated the clear blue sky. “From the beginning of time there’s always been someone who craves more power, more strength, more money, more…everything. And Bal is ancient, one of the most omnipotent creatures in this world. That means he’s always a target. More so when he’s one of the only obstacles between their quest for power and the throne.”

I contemplated Dav’s beautiful profile. “Has he never wanted the throne for himself?”

Dav smiled. “No. Once he’s given it, his loyalty is unwavering. When the royal family was slaughtered over a thousand years ago, he survived. It took him years, but he reinstated the king’s bloodline and swore to protect it, and that’s what he’ll do until the day he dies.”

“But he’s immortal, isn’t he?” I suppressed a shudder at the thought of how old Balthazar Rossi actually was.

Davlov huffed a chuckle. “What was it you said to me? Oh yeah,as old as fuck,wasn’t it? Well, Balthazar’s that old, and far more. It doesn’t mean he’s invincible. He’d be real fucking hard to kill, but everything that lives can die, if you know how to end it.”

“Oh.”

Dav’s chuckle rumbled through me. “Don’t ask, because I won’t tell.”

We sat in silence for a while, both caught up in our own thoughts.

I gave a start when he stood up and held out his hand. “Come, I have a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

He just smiled, and cocked his head expectantly.

I rolled my eyes but placed my hand in his. Warm fingers curled around mine.

“Close your eyes.”

I did, but my steps were sure. I knew my way through this house with my eyes closed, even without Dav’s hand in mine. He’d kissed me, fucked me, and led me through these rooms enough that I’d never forget them. Besides, I trusted him with everything I was.

“Open them.”

I did. And gasped.

“Oh. My. God. Davlov…” My shocked whisper faded as I slapped my hand over my mouth.

In the corner of the living room, near the open patio doors, was a Bosendorfer Opus 50 grand piano. Shaking, I approached the magnificent instrument and trailed my fingertips over the keys. “This is too much…”

Dav came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Nothing is too much for you. Now…” He guided me over to the stool and pushed me gently down. “Play for me.”

So I did, my heart overflowing with love for the mate who had shown me what happiness truly was.

The End