Cepheus sighed and ran his fingers through the boy's soft strands.

The nymph was completely exhausted after their time in the shower and knocked right out after his head hit the satin sheets.

The vampire felt guilt tug at his insides as he remembered the dejected expression on his mate's face. He never meant for Bay to feel unwanted or undesired; he didn't mean for the boy's needs to go unmet. He was simply being protective.

Thankfully, though, Bay seemed to be slowly moving on; the nightmares and fear didn't prolong. But Cepheus was still haunted by the boy's screams—his tears. He tried to handle Bay with soft touches and care but clearly that was not the right approach.

The vampire sighed once more before standing up from the bed and straightening out his attire.

He was clad in slacks and a white dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up on his arms.

Quietly he left the room and closed the door, only letting a small click sound as the wood sealed shut.

It still unsettled him to leave the vulnerable nymph all alone, but the two stationed and trustworthy guards that took post outside his quarters eased his mind just a bit.

The King took steady, confident strides down the hallway, his dark eyes hard and intimidating. He was meant to go straight to the audience room, where he would meet with his council, but instead he took a short detour.

He was dressed more formally than usual, deciding to look the part of a ruler as he felt his subjects needed a reminder of their place. The council poked and prodded and made demands of him as if he were not the crowned King of their species.

It was a nuisance at first but now it had crossed the line of disrespect.

Cepheus unlocked a door and walked into the silent room. It was cool and brought on a chilling aura, reflective of its age and character.

He walked towards an antique dresser that was an array of intricate designs carved in fine wood. It stood off to the side, adjacent to the tall glass encasement that held his crown.

Cepheus opened the wide drawer that was home to an assortment of Royal jewelry.

Glittering stones and chains stared back at him, each of them holding an unfathomable value. The ornaments were passed down from each one of his family members, generation after generation. These jewels were older than him and that itself added to their prestige.

Cepheus pulled out a red stoned ring that was held in a swirled metal structure. He slid it on his index finger absentmindedly before searching for what he really came for.

It was a beautiful and delicate piece, probably worn by a family member over a lifetime ago. The vampire preferred this for his just as delicate mate, rather than a traditional crown.

Cepheus carefully picked up the jewelry, his lips quirking up in a small smile as he pictured the diamonds on his tiny nymph.

It would be his first gift to him, the first of many. He couldn't wait to completely cover the boy's creamy skin in an assortment of stones and jewelry.

Quickly, he placed the headpiece in a velvet case and stored it in his front pocket.

He closed the drawer and left the room, taking swift strides towards his original destination.

Loud voices could be heard from down the hall, and he hardened his expression, ready to face the group.

"Your Majesty" They all stood and murmured upon his entrance.

Some looked a bit intimidated by his presence, sensing the authoritative power that was particularly overwhelming.

The King didn't even acknowledge the greeting, and walked straight to the head of the table.

"Sit" Cepheus boomed; his darkened eyes watched as the council slowly descended in their seats, their eyes still hesitant and wary.

Some wondered if he was angry, if there was a matter that had upset the man; there had to be a reason why he was acting so austere. This behaviour was strange given his usual laid back demeanour.

One of the council members finally spoke up. He was an older vampire, closer to Cepheus in age than the rest.

His hair was an ashy brown and his eyes just the same. At first glance you would think him to be just a young man. But he had seen and lived through more than most of the members in this castle.

"Sire...I know our request of you seemed...sudden. And we understand that you needed time to rest after the happenings of last week. But we all,"  the man gestures to the rest of the people in the room, "we all wanted you here so that we could discuss the matters of...of your beloved my Lord."

It was silent in that moment—so silent that the slight sway of the trees could be heard and even more, the thumping heartbeats of the men and women in the room.

Cepheus smiled.

He smiled and twisted the red-stoned ring on his finger. It appeared fluorescent, glowing slightly to reflect the vampire's growing lust to paint the room red with their blood.

"And what is it that concerns you about my beloved?"

The councilman swallowed then, seeming more hesitant to spit out his words.

"Well you see, My Lord...The prince is a nymph. We've never had a nymph as a shared ruler. Some may not...accept this pairing. I'm sure even you had you doubts Sire. I mean, a nymph ruling over a colony of vampires is quite peculiar is it not?"

The man finished with a chuckle, a strained attempt to lighten the heaving weight of his words.

Cepheus chuckled along with him but it was a sinister and darkened sound that had everyone in the room shivering in their seats.

"What are you trying to say Taras? That my beloved doesn't deserve to rule by my side? That he's not worthy of you respect?"

"No, no of course not, My King," the man rushed to save face, "I'm simply offering the views of the people. We all have your best interest in mind Sire; you are a fair and just ruler. We just wanted to inform you of what's been whispered on the other side of your walls.

"What I'm trying to say is...are you confident in your bond with the water nymph? I only ask—we only ask because we fear that some may...challenge you when you introduce the prince during his crowning ceremony."

Cepheus rose a brow, steepling his hands as he listened.

"Challenge me?" He repeated, his tone arrogant and disbelieving. "And I don't supposed any one of you support these...views, hmm? Anyone else feeling uncertain about my bond? Think it unnatural? A fraud?"

All 15 members shook their head instantly.

The vampire's jaw twitched, his eyes darkening as he picked up the foul smell of dishonesty.

"Bullshit!" He roared.

"My Lord—"

"No! How stupid do you think i am? Did you really think you would be able to hide behind our people? Do you really think the common folk would be foolish enough to challenge me? Me?!"

Cepheus stood up from his chair, the sudden movement making the structure topple over. His hands clutched the border of the table, his veins protruding and muscles straining against the material of his shirt.

"But you would be, foolish, that is. What were you planning? A revolt? With the fae coming tomorrow, that would be the perfect time to get your affairs in order. With me out of the way you would have ample amount of time to round up the troops," Cepheus spat.

"Which one of you were going to do it hmm? It would be the day of the crowning ceremony, as you said. Which one of you signed up for the challenge to kill me."

The King's eyes, now red, searched the fleeting gazes of his council. When silence prevailed he snarled and let his talons scrape against the table's wooden surface.

He walked over to the man named Taras and wrapped his hand around his throat, positioning his sharp claw over his racing jugular.

"Since you've been so open and honest today, why don't you tell me," Cepheus' words were a low whisper but everyone could hear him loud and clear, "or perhaps you're the King slayer?"

Taras went to shake his head but thought better of it, seeing that any sudden movement would cause his artery to be sliced into and he would bleed out instantly.

"N-no, my Lord." He breathed shakily. In the back of his mind he cursed the other councilmen for not speaking up. Now it appeared as if he was the sole conspirator in the operation.

"Then who, pray tell, would it be?"

The man swallowed nervously, tempted to remain tight lipped, but he soon decided death wasn't worth the trouble. Fuck this plan and his "brothers", he would not die today.

"Melessandra, my King."