Xander's POV:

I got myself together, packed up a bag of necessities, and kissed Doe goodbye all in the nick of time.

I got down to the registered ride to be met with my vampiric driver who also introduced herself as my clerk and stenographer for this trip. She introduced herself as Slyvia, we exchanged general formalities and promptly left from there.

I guess my parents didn't want to risk sending the typical human driver given the location.

The stenographer was to be expected. There was always someone documenting when these kinds of things happen for record-keeping sake

I denied the follow of guards when it was offered. I didn't see the point.

Nico described these vampires as downright savages, but even if that was true, no one could protect me better than I could. Guards would just add people that I felt the need to protect if things really were to go awry. Apparently, I'll be assigned some from their side when I get there anyway. Just to keep track of me I suppose.

That, and I really just wanted to be alone during this 90-mile car ride.

Give me some time with my thoughts to plan out this whole ordeal.

Whether on purpose or not, this was my first big job for my city, and i wanted to go through with it as smoothly as possible.

I was strangely caught off guard by my lack of nerves thinking about all of this. I'd been so used to them lately.

Instead in its place carried the knowledge I had that whatever happens, I'll be able to handle one way or another.

Hm... I missed this... Is this what Nico meant with the whole "trust yourself and your instinct will too' speech?

I leaned back, resting my elbows on top of the headrest and stared out the opposing window.

Take a minute to reminisce Doe's response to Nico's sudden favor.

"What's the problem?" I teased seeing her huffy posture while she followed me around to help pack my bag, "You planned on ditching me tonight anyway, but now that I'm ditching you, you're bummed?"

"I was just staying in your brother's room. You're leaving the castle completely." She deadpanned.

"So what I'm hearing is that you're missing me already?"

I got a swift swat on my arm for that.

"I'll be back by tomorrow afternoon," I chuckled, " With the night you plan on having you probably won't even be awake by the time I get back. And if I find a phone in the place I'm staying I'll call the room so you'll have the number."

She stayed silent for a moment to think that over.

"Whatever," She sighed, "Just hurry and pack so you have time to make this goodbye kiss last me until then."

I let my eyes close, head falling back against the vehicle wall, shifting my focus between the task at hand, and the girl I would soon return home to.

~~~

We were close. I could just... tell.

The energy in the air had shifted. Enough so to stir and pull at my instinct.

It had me sitting straighter, and at full alert, glancing at every movement out the window as it passed.

These vampires lived their lives as our ancestors did. Embracing our instinct instead of containing it. Hunting from the land itself

With that mindset and the constant intake of fresh blood their 'resting instinct rate' was probably higher than the 50% the vampires near town did.

It wasn't like I had to catch up, but it almost felt like my instinct was trying to make up the difference.

I didn't fight it or try to calm it down.

Trust my gut. trust my instinct.

Vampires started to pass by my window, every single one starting down the car I was in. All dressed relatively well and groomed much better than Nico made them sound. They just looked like typical vampires.

Little cabin-like houses planted in the shadows of trees, hidden and tucked away.

My curiosity grew and grew the further into this forest-like village we drove through.

The crowd of vampires grew thicker until the vehicle eventually stopped.

I stood as soon as it did, and a moment later the door was open for me by Sylvia.

There was a decent crowd around here like they were awaiting my arrival.

Everyone I could see stared in my direction with varying looks on their faces. Some anticipating, some with wide eyes, others with glares of disapproval.

Most of which were red from the recent intake of fresh blood.

Oh yeah... The energy here was definitely different.

"Everyone please welcome Prince Alexander Vanderwood," Sylvia announced, causing an immediate rush of whispers to start up from the crowd.

It wasn't often that Royals stepped foot onto the territory mom and dad mapped out as theirs to do as they pleased...It felt weird just standing here through all of this, so I took a step forward.

"It is a pleasure for me to be able to come as a guest into your livelihood. Please, throughout my stay until the legal proceedings take place, feel free to approach me with any questions or concerns you may have for me to take back to my Mother and Father."

Not my brother. Not yet at least.

These vampires don't act anything like the things I've heard about.

Then again they have breached the treaty multiple times and killed more than a handful of our human citizens in the past year...

Yeah, I won't make any kind of solid conclusions yet.

Sylvia simply pulled out a pad of paper and a pen from her bag, jotting something down before turning to me again

"Follow me if you would, Prince," She directed, starting down a dirt bath I just then noticed.

The crowd parted to allow us passage, and the whispers started all over again.

I could hear each one and kept track of each the best I could.

"Is that the heir? Doesn't look like him."

"It's the second son."

"Second? Lord and Lady Vanderwood couldn't even spare their own time for this? Hell at least send the actual heir out of respect."

"They all carry authority, dipshit."

"So what? Did you hear him? Sounds like an absolute pushover to me. I bet I could take him out myself."

I could feel an internal eye roll.

"Dude-"

"What? Could you imagine the message that would send to the higher-ups? Maybe then they'll start to listen. Here, just watch."

"What are you-"

Whispered grew louder with grunts as the vampires pushed himself to the front, approaching me with purpose and with an intent I could all but taste.

Some even warned him to stop, but he didn't.

I waited. Wanting him to break through the line the crown had made for me. Giving him time to come to his senses and change his mind.

There's no way he planned to 'take me out' in the literal sense. Just send that message he mentioned. Whatever that was.

Even Sylvia eyed me from behind black hair, but still, I waited and listened.

Gradually feeling my eyes start to thin as the steps drew nearer and nearer.

The second He broke the line, I turned back in his direction, feeling the crawling of my skin through the pheromone I released.

The vampire stopped dead in his tracks the moment it hit him, eyes growing wide and his smirk dropping.

I wasn't going for pain, just for a general hold, targeting his lungs to freeze his breaths just long enough to start panic and regret.

The crowd gasped and I swear someone actually cheered, but the second that panic met his eyes, I released it and kept on my way.

Sylvia wrote yet another thing down but didn't speak a word.

K so maybe Nico's version of 'asserting dominance' isn't completely unnecessary after all.

In... specific circumstances that is.

When a vampire's instinct isn't gonna listen to anything else except a royal's innate authority.

Though, I have a feeling Nico would have handled that a lot differently.

I drew in a long breath and continued down the path until houses and buildings began to congregate into what felt like a woodsy main plaza.

Another vampire with short brown hair and dressed in what I would consider formal stepped out of the largest building and began his way toward us.

"Prince Alexander," He greeted with an incline of his head, "It's a pleasure to be able to meet you. I'm Emmet, assistant to our leader here, and I'll be the one to show you around and to your room. Aswell as introduce you to the guards that'll keep watch over night."

I gave his hand a firm shake, and with his presence, Sylvia stepped back behind me to let him take over the guiding.

A prince of your territory comes to visit and an assistant greets me first...

Not typical etiquette, but to each their own I suppose.

"Perfect," I began, glancing past him just in case, "And when exactly will your leader be free to speak with me? I have some things I'd like to discuss with him before tomorrow's signing."

I had to clarify a few things with him to ensure that no more slip-ups happen.

Emmet looked physically nervous, which definitely wasn't my intention, but I figured that getting to the point was the best thing to do here.

"M-My greatest and most sincere apologies, Prince, but unfortunately he won't be able to meet with you until tomorrow morning, but he told me to make you feel as welcome as possible and provide you with anything you might need until then,"

My brows furrowed just a bit, and I felt my instinct shift around.

Something about this just didn't feel right, and I know that my look as well as my silence only unnerved this guy more.

Enough to make him start explaining unprompted.

"I'm sorry, I find it strange myself that he doesn't come to greet you personally, but he insisted that it be this way," He blabbered, clasping his hands together hard at his front.

Strange... Very strange indeed.

But I wasn't here to cause a scene or demand to see this leader like some kind of entitled asshole, so I get it go.

Kept my guard up, but let it go. For now.

I wasn't going to shoot the messenger. Especially when he was already all but trembling.

"I see," I spoke, "Then please, If you would, show me to my room,"

His relieved nod came with a prompt and hasty, "Yes sir!"

~~~

Doe's POV:

I laid face down with my head on a pillow right at the end of Khloe and Nico's bed, feeling the crazily blissful experience of one of Khloe's massages.

Plans may have changed slightly, but Khloe and I were still keen on spending a good chunk of the night together.

Now just with the addition of Nico silently chilling in his room next to us.

Reading over on his colossal-sized beanbag next to the fire.

The heir to this territory's throne had freaking beanbags in his room.

I honestly thought I'd walked into the wrong room at first then it took everything in me not to start giggling.

It had me realize that there was still a lot I had to learn about this vampire my best friend is definitely smooching.

I didn't mind his presence too much though, if anything it made it easier to poke fun at both of them and help me offhandedly and seemingly innocently dig at their relationship.

We did have dinner with just the two of us since Nico was 'hiding'. Marcus was strangely nowhere to be found so we just indulged in some chocolatey snacks and cutthroat board games until about 9.

Then she was the one that mentioned a massage before she busted out the paint.

'As an added thank you for the birthday cupcakes' she insisted.

Which I don't think that's how birthday gifts work, but okay.

And this. Wow I never knew something like this could hurt so good.

I mean, I knew she was good with her hands for like painting and drawing and stuff, but holy shit she was releasing tension in my back and shoulders in places I didn't even know existed.

Most of which I was blaming on some hot and heavy nights with my vampire who completely ditched me tonight, but that'd stay my little secret.

And where the hell was she finding the strength to press into my shoulders like this in her little body?

My body sagged completely against the blankets, the long I-cant-tell-if-this-hurts-or-feels-really-good groan getting muffled by the pillow.

I could feel her laugh at my sounds from her position. Basically just straddling my butt.

Her thumbs worked their way into the base of my neck, working at an ache I think I'd just gotten used to and demolishing it in to time at all.

Holy crap what do I need to do in order for her to do this to me like... Once a week.

I rested my face on its side, partially facing Nico before speaking.

"Khloe I'm gonna marry you after this," I insisted through my groggy, dazed voice.

Khloe giggled, meanwhile Nico looked very pointedly away from his book and directly at me.

I guess he wasn't expecting me to be looking right at him, because his eyes soon widened before very awkwardly looking back to his book.

Perfect.

"Oh yeah?" She questioned, "Sounds like a plan. I'll draw us up matching Wedding dresses after I paint your back."

"Please that'd be amazing!" I insisted.

"You think I'm Joking?" She shot back.

I blinked for a moment.

"Can mine be purple?" I asked, getting another laugh from her.

"I wouldn't dare put you in anything else, but first," She gave my back a little pat, "Does that feel better?"

She got off of me while I pushed myself up, stretching every which way and feeling nothing but perfection.

"I feel like I've been reborn," I stated completely seriously.

A look of pride crossed her face while she crossed her arms, "Then my work here is done, and my canvas is ready."

"Oh right," Now time for the paint.

I grabbed my shirt to take it off, but froze once I remembered someone else was in here with us.

Khloe's face pinked as soon as she remembered too, her head shooting over to the vampire.

"Hey Nico, can you Uhm..."

I guess she didn't know how to say it without coming off as rude because I couldn't think of the proper phrasing either.

Nico closed his book and set it off to the rise, rising to his feet as he spoke.

"Kicking me out?" He asked with a grin.

Holy shit he took on that same teasing tone Xander has.

I mean... they were brothers, so it made sense, I'd just never heard Nico do it like that.

"Just for a little bit. You are the one who threw off all our plans so it's only fair."

Holy shit she was returning the favor.

And here I thought saying something like that to Nico could only lead to death.

His grin widened, nodding in acceptance to her words while stepping towards the bathroom.

I kinda felt invisible right now but I didn't mind one bit.

Xander was gonna love all of this when he gets back.

"Right. Then I'll be in the bathhouse until you guys are done. Just knock when I'm allowed to come out."

He stopped in the doorway of the bathroom, "Or do you want me to go somewhere else entirely?"

She shook her head, which was fine cuz I really didn't care either way.

"Nah you're fine. Empty it when you're done though because we're going to use it to clean her up after."

He nodded with a gentle smile and turned.

Jesus the way he looks at her.

Yeah, they definitely fuck.

I grinned at my thought process, grabbing my shirt while turning back to Khloe.

I waited till the door to the bathhouse closed before talking.

"So... Top half off?"

She nodded.

"Take it off.