Chapter 171: 171-As old as time
Measured footsteps echoed through the corridors before the doors unlocked, and Jarel walked outside and held the door.
"Your Highness, welcome," he placed a hand on his chest in greetings.
Vaki rolled his eyes at the display of respect. The vampire hadn’t shown him such respect in forever. Sometimes, he even thought Jarel had forgotten his real identity. "Drop the useless formalities. We are here for work."
He ambled inside, and once he moved past, Jarel let go of the door. A foot reached forward and struck the door before it closed.
The blackblood guard walked through carrying the unconscious Kayden in her arms and glared daggers at Jarel.
Jarel broke a cold sweat before holding the door open for the queen consort who followed behind. "My apologies, my queen," he bowed his head.
"It’s no matter, Jarel. I understand that Vaki is the only power you recognize," Queen consort Kheamossa spoke in no rush, and the pressure from her forced Jarel to his knees. "But I do encourage that you don’t forget that I am the rulling power of the nation."
Jarel flashed a respectful bow and lowered himself even lower. "My apologies."
Vaki watched their interaction with a smile. Seeing Jarel uncomfortable, he walked back and stepped between them, holding Kheamossa’s gaze so they didn’t fall on the pitiful man.
"One would think after missing me for so long, all your attention would be mine," he playfully said.
Like clockwork, Kheamossa looked at Vaki and softened. She stopped releasing the pressure that was crushing Jarel and took Vaki’s arm. "And who said was it that said I missed you, your loneliness?"
Vaki laughed heartily at the shot she fired towards him. He wrapped a hand at her backrest and led her inside.
"True. How can I compare to Velanora?"
"You can’t," Kheamossa stated sharply. "My queen is one in a million and for her to be weighed by the crazy likes of you, is an insult to her," she spoke up for her lover and the reigning queen of the nation.
Vaki looked pleased with her answer and not the least but insulted. Love was always a beautiful thing to witness, especially in the hearts as old and still youthful as Kheamossa.
"I wonder, does Varitreya take after you or Velanora?"
"That is yet to be seen with how she’ll handle the flower of fate," they continued in.
They headed inside, Jarel rose and followed behind them. The shadow guard carrying Kayden didn’t dare speak or make her presence more than it was.
She simply carried the young blood lord and followed in. Among everyone present, she was the least powerful, and standing out was never a good idea in the presence of such powerful figures.
"I don’t get it. We own the entire vampire nation... why must we sneak into the secrets chambers of the whiteblood tower and stay at Veris?" Kheamossa asked, annoyed with having to enter a tower she personally designed and foresaw being built like a thief in the night. She was above a life in secret.
"We need to stay close to Maisa and see to it that she follows the path we’ve chosen for her," Vaki explained patiently. "We can no longer act from a distance."
"And the hybrid? What do you intend to do with her?"
Vaki remembered Freya. His fingers instinctively found the added braid on his head as he thought of the last conversation with that person that’s buried in his memories.
"She is the answer to our question."
"Question?" Kheamossa’s eyes and voice grew colder as she asked that.
Questions? They had a gazillion of those who still didn’t have answers. She couldn’t help but wonder which one was Vaki talking about.
"Her bite earlier had triggered the blood moon and restored a bit of Maisa’s link to her zing."
"That means..."
"That as long as she keeps feeding on Maisa, the flower can recover, and Maisa can regain her connection with her mates."
Kheamossa paused and found the corner of her lips curving up. That answer had cleared most of the worries in her heart and mind. She felt glad they stumbled into such a miracle and such a time.
"Then, let’s make haste with the plans. The sooner the flower blooms, the faster we can all get what our hearts truly desire."
"That’s why I am imploring the help of Taratoya. The vampire is capable of moving mountains as long as she gains from it," Vaki explained.
Behind them, Jarel felt the massive difference between himself and Kheamossa. Most of the time, he’d beg for so long before Vaki trusted him with his plans or secrets while Kheamossa need not even ask before he patiently loops her in.
He burned and choked on his jealousy. He couldn’t understand why he felt this possessive towards Vaki, or his place by Vaki’s side but like everyone who served the vampire, no one was immune to the feeling of wanting to be the one he trusts the most.
"Careful of that niece of mine. She’s Velanora’s handiwork, and you know how Vela is," Kheamossa warned him.
"Oh?" Vaki was even more tempted to get involved with Taratoya now more than ever. "Thankfully, you are here with me, and I don’t need to worry about her. You can do it for me."
Kheamossa scoffed. "And Kayden?"
Vaki turned around and gazed at his destined mate. He felt a strong urge to fuel the flower’s bloom with his own blood and use the chance to beat the first mother black and blue for this uncalled for gift.
"I’m still thinking..."
"With all the beauties in your life. Do you have space in your heart for one more?"
Vaki’s smile widened. The way she said it made his heart feel light with humour. "You know it’s my mind that is full of beauties. My heart holds only one," he said with a distant look.
They arrived in the lounge and settled in. Despite the barriers in the whiteblood tower, they could hear every single sound in the tower.
"Do you miss your days as a student?"
Kheamossa shook her head. The role that fitted her best was the one she was wearing right now. She wanted nothing less than the power that came with being at the top.
"Set the boy down on his partner’s lap," Kheamossa ordered her guard.
Vaki, who had just sat down and motioned for her to sit beside him, froze. Like a mindless robot who served the queen consort with effortless loyalty, the blackblood guard lowered Kayden on Vaki while avoiding the powerful vampire’s eyes.
"Are you mad, Khea?"
"No, but he is your mate. You should take responsibility for him."
"I am as old as time, Khea. And you want me to...with a child of the new generation. If that’s not insanity, what is?"