"This can never happen again."

The King's voice was low, although the tone in which he spoke was deafening, calling the room to silence.

Zane, the nymph's personal guard, was positioned outside the door of the King's chambers. More guards were stationed throughout the hall, preventing anyone from getting within even a breath of the East Wing.

"I'll make sure it doesn't, Your Majesty." Melesandra assured.

Being Chief of the Kingdom's defence was the only reason she was permitted in the room with Cepheus' wounded mate.

She was not particularly surprised when she walked in and saw that the King's special guest bore his royal mark. The way the boy was coddled by the vampire when she saw him previously, hinted at the intimate relationship the two shared.

She stood at the foot of the bed while a doctor applied a cooling salve on the boy's injuries. He hadn't yet awakened, and she worried that if the prince's current condition prolonged, it would send the Vampire King into a destructive spiral.

"I'll organize a border watch rotation with our strongest guards. It'll be known that no-man's land is no longer, and the forest line falls under your ownership."

Cepheus nodded absentmindedly, his attention fully captured by his mate. The vampire had not seen the boy's silver eyes since he closed them almost 12 hours prior.

He willed his mind to busy itself with new plans to ensure his mate's safety. He had been too lax in his attitude, reliant on his power and title as King, as if that would be enough to protect his beloved. The outside world was dangerous, full of evil and contempt. It was no place for a soul as delicate and pure as the beautiful boy that lay in front of him. Being alive as long as he has...the vampire was ashamed to say that he'd forgotten what it meant to face adversity.

"When will he wake up?" Cepheus questioned for the umpteenth time.

The doctor paused his movements and peered at his King from the corner of his eye, knowing that he had to choose his next words carefully as to not upset the inpatient man.

"He should wake when his body feels it's ready. His injuries are not particularly severe but the stress of the entire situation sent him into shock. I wouldn't want to set high expectations about something that no one can predict."

This was not what Cepheus wanted to hear. Not the first time he asked and certainly not again after his mate had been unconscious for nearly half a day.

He stood up abruptly from his chair, making it fall over and clatter on the wooden floor. The troubled man pulled at his already messy strands in frustration.

"For once, could you just tell me what I want to fucking hear!" He roared.

Both the doctor and Melesandra looked taken aback by his outburst. They knew their King to have a temper and often speak with vexation, although, despite this, he had always been a level-headed man.

"I-I'm sorry that I can't give better news. But—wait, he-"

"Just get out." Cepheus intercepted bitterly. He was facing the window now, his fists clenching as he fought the urge to hurt someone who his rational mind knew didn't deserve it.

"No, Your Majesty, he's waking up."

Shock befell the King's face and he flashed over to his mate's side in an instant.

True enough, the small nymph was fidgeting slightly under the sheets, clearly showing signs of nearing consciousness. A small whimper passed the boy's lips and Cepheus' heart stuttered, his hands gentle as he cupped the boy's cheeks and ran his fingers through his soft strands.

"Blue" The King whispered softly. His eyes darted across the nymph's face, desperately wanting to see his eyes open—at this point he needed to.

Bay whimpered again and shifted his weight onto his injured arm, causing his eyes to fly open and a short cry to follow.

"It's okay baby, I'm right here. You're okay." Cepheus soothed, letting his fingertips gently run over the nymph's pale cheek.

"Hurts" Bay cried. He lifted a shaky hand that hovered over the bandaged area, clearly too scared to touch it.

"Here, the prince needs thi—"

Cepheus snarled when the doctor reached towards his vulnerable mate. Ruled by instinct, his hand snatched the middle-aged man's neck in a deathly grip and his fangs dropped, prepping for the kill.

"Cepheus!" Melessandra boomed, causing the vampire's red rimmed eyes to flash towards her own.

She made sure not to move any closer, retaining her place at the foot of the bed. Her green eyes hardened at the King's behaviour and she levelled her voice when she saw that she caught his attention.

"You're scaring him."

Her words seemed to free Cepheus of his primal influence, and his hand immediately released the doctor's neck, letting the man gasp and writhe as he dropped to the floor.

His expression immediately softened as he met the teary eyes of the small boy on his bed—the boy who was momentarily forgotten in the midst of his violent display.

"Forgive me." The words fell from the King's lips without thought and he dropped to his knees, laying his head on the boy's sheet covered stomach.

"I should have never left you."He whispered.

After a short moment, the vampire felt small fingers gently run through his obsidian strands and a quiet murmur met his ears.

"I-it's okay."

Cepheus didn't even flinch when the doctor moved this time, his mind no longer troubled. Rather, he was the calmest he'd been since the incident, finally relishing in his mate's touch that he'd been deprived of for so long.

The doctor was lucky to be a vampire. The trauma to his neck quickly faded to a slight soreness thanks to his accelerated healing.

Still though, he proceeded with caution as he walked to the other side of the bed and slowly outstretched his hand so that the nymph could take the few pills.

"T-these will help with the pain."

Bay took the capsules and stared at them for a moment, his hand pausing its movements in Cepheus' hair.

"They're pills, painkillers" The doctor elaborated further when the nymph appeared confused.

"Bring him a glass of water and some food please." Cepheus lifted his head from his mate's warmth and spoke to Melessandra who was still watching the exchange. She gazed at them with a stoic expression although she was experiencing some internal confusion and quite frankly, utter disbelief.

Never had she seen her King on his knees before, nor had she ever heard him speak that softly with words so kind. Clearly, the vampire had learned from his earlier mistake of acting rash and  brutish in the presence of his mate. He'd even used the word please.

"Of course, Sire." She bowed slightly, and for the first time such a curtesy was sincere and not an act of formality. For he had genuinely gained just an ounce of her respect.

The doctor spoke again, shortly after Melessandra's departure.

"He'll need his bandages changed again in a few hours. The wounds are not extensive, although they are deep. You'll want to keep the area dry and protected to minimize pain and reduce the risk for infection."

The doctor's eyes briefly met the King's stoney gaze and he flinched,   before clearing his throat. 

"I-I'll leave you be."