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“Prince Deven,” one of my servants calls with his head sticking from the other side of my bedroom door.

“Yes?”

“Prince Leon’s envoy has arrived.”

“Thank you,” I reply as I pull my cloak from my bedside and put on my boots.

Perhaps I can get some information beforehand about this blood treaty.

I step outside and see the envoy coming up from the gate like a giant serpent. Not a single horseman or carriage is out of line as it moves up the road. Bending its head, it turns and moves on past the main castle door and only stops once the last carriage is in front of us. One of the servants opens the door and a human lady with a lean figure steps out and moves aside. I find her outfit to be rather amusing. Leather pants, a shirt, and light leather armour. I take note of a knife hidden in her left boot. Leon comes out after her. His dark cloak droops around his shoulders just like his black hair. If someone were to take a quick glance at him, they would think that his cloak and hair were one and the same hovering above his feet. His hawk eyes brim with life, unlike most vampires that I know. Our eyes meet and I walk towards him with arms out wide.

“Leon, you tall bloodhound. Why didn’t you send any word before leaving your home? I would have prepared a treat for you.”

“Come now, you silly pup. You know I don't control everything. I'm only a prince, remember?”

As we embrace I begin a whispering conversation.

“Who’s the human?”

“A friend.”

“She’s a nice looking friend.”

“Find your own nice-looking friend.”

We pull apart and he says, “Allow me to introduce… my friend, Monica Flaughan.”

Monica gives him a subtle glare before proceeding to give me a slight bow and saying, “Good evening, Prince Deven. It’s an honour to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Monica Flaughan. Any friend of Leon is a friend of mine.”

The two creatures exchange looks again that make me conjure up a thousand questions in my mind. Forget about the blood treaty. This is more interesting.

“You’re too kind, Your Highness. Please, call me Monica.”

I give her my arm and for a moment she seems unsure of what to do. Her eyes question Leon and he nods in response. Slowly, she takes my arm and I lead her into the castle with Leon walking on my opposite side. I can see the steam escaping from the vampire’s ears.

I wonder how far I can take this.

“Apologies,” I say to the two of them. “My parents couldn’t be here to welcome you, but they are very eager to hear what you have to say about this blood treaty that has come up.”

“Don’t worry little pup. I’ll inform them that there is nothing to fear. The humans and the vampires are simply looking out for each other.”

Looking out for each other? Is there a threat we are unaware of?

“Werewolves don’t fear anything you silly bloodhound. We just want to know what brought about this marriage and its deplorable title.”

“Circumstances brought it up, and it's not a marriage.”

“And what about the name?”

Leon gave a deep sigh. “I don't know why they decided to go with that title."

"And yet it will be up to you to honour it. A beautiful marriage with a terrible name."

"Why do you keep calling it a marriage?"

"Do I? Sorry. My marriage has been weighing heavily on my mind."

Leon does very little to hide his amusement. "You! Getting married! Who is the unfortunate lady-pup?"

"Not a pup in any shape or form, but a lady, nonetheless."

"And when do I get to see this unfortunate lady."

"Tomorrow. We are having a banquet to celebrate the… good news."

Leon pitifully looks at me, while placing a hand on my shoulder. He gives a slight tag and I stop walking. "Please excuse us," he says to Monica. "My friend and I need to have a chat."

I turn to face her and say, "I hope to get to know more about you, Monica, in the coming days." I gesture to one of my servants who rushes to my side. "Please escort Ms Monica to her room."

Once Monica and the servant are out of sight, I lead Leon to my room. Once we are inside Leon makes himself comfortable by sitting on the chair I had occupied earlier and rocky on its hind legs while propping his feet on my desk.

“What troubles you about your wedding, little pup?”

I close the door behind me before carrying on the conversation. “What gave me away?”

“Your lack of enthusiasm. Do you not love the unfortunate girl?”

I lean on the door behind me as I give Leon my reply. “To be honest Leon, no, I don’t, but I can learn to. Besides, I can see the reason behind our marriage.”

“And what stupid reason is that, my dear friend.”

“It’s a political reason, Leon.”

“Politics should never be a reason for one to make a mistake that will last a lifetime. I highly suggest that you reconsider this wedding, Deven.”

“Why? Because you say so?” Of course. Perfect Prince Leon always gets what he wants.

“I’m merely advising a friend to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.”

“And what bigger picture is there than the unification of the Werewolves and Fairies, dear friend?”

Leon plants his feet on the floor, causing the chair's front legs to do the same with a loud thud. “A’el! You’re marrying A’el?”

“It’s not like she has a sister. Nor am I inclined to marry any of her relatives.”

“I would be offering my congratulations if it weren’t for the fact that you don’t love her.”

“Am I to believe that you know of love?”

“I’m not an expert on the matter, but I know for certain what it is not.”

“And what would that be, Leon?”

“It doesn’t lie for political gains, Deven. If you really love A’el you wouldn’t be lying to her.”

“Love is a Facade, Leon!”

“And you would know because?”

“You know nothing of what it is like to be a half-breed. A perfect prince such as yourself can only talk of dreams and fairy tales.” A small voice within me tells me to stop but I ignore it and press on. “Tell me, dear friend. Who does my father love? The queen he calls his wife or the human he calls my mother?”

Leon sits there, dumbfounded. Just I thought.

A few moments of undisturbed silence pass between us before Leon finally speaks again.

“Your father loves you,” he says. “Why else would he keep you here?”

I push myself away from the door and walk closer to Leon. “He loves power. The only reason I’m here is to keep the pack intact. If I wasn’t the chosen one then I would be like every other illegitimate son out there. Who knows how many he has?”

“And so, you wish to have an illegitimate child after marrying A’el?”

“That is not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying, Deven?”

“I’m saying that I will marry A’el not because of some silly notion, but because it is necessary.”

Leon slowly rises to his feet. “Spare our friend the pain.”

“Your treaty has destabilized the status quo. Your kind have done what they felt was best for their own, now I must do the same.”

He places his hands on my shoulders and says, “I didn’t have any say in the matter, but you do. The future that lies ahead is not set in stone, not yet. Don’t do something you’ll live to regret.”

I fail to keep eye contact. “It’s been a long night Leon, we both need our rest.”

He gives me a weak smile before heading for the door.