Armageddon

“What does that even mean?”

They had entered a large opening in the mansion with a few furniture sets lining the walls. It was well lit and warm, but it could never heat the frozen hearts that now regarded them dangerously.

“I trust you will explain where you have been,” her father demanded, the calmness about him even more terrifying then if he had been shouting. “And why has Michael been spouting madness since his return. We’ve given him medication and therapy, but it only makes him worse. You had one responsibility and you even pissed that down the drain,”

Tia watched as the doors were shut behind them, to hide them from any curious eyes. Her father was everything about appearances. “I can probably assure you that half of what Michael has claimed is the truth,”

“Was it you? Are you the one who started this joke about a peace treaty regarding neighboring kingdoms? How many delusions have festered inside your mind to allow you to start such nonsense?”

“Father, I did not come back to let you lecture me. Nor have I even come back, as a manner of speaking. I am here to see that the diplomatic meetings happen and to try and reason with the two sides. I am the only symbol of peace here,” her mother came out like a snake and attempted to strike Tia across the face. Jaya was between them in an instant, his outstretched hand catching the females.

She yanked her hand away, jumping in fright as she met the cold gaze of the larger man. The President’s fuse seemed to snap. “Remove this man, why is he still here?! Kick him out at once,” Several guards joined the group and tried to approach him casually as if escorting him out would be a simple task. Tia folded her arms and rolled her eyes as Jaya picked up the closest one by the face. His dark gaze was displeased and even board. Everyone hesitated while Jaya walked to the door, opened it, and tossed the kicking man out the door. He closed it and turned back to the stunned room.

“You were referring to him, am I right?” Jaya asked, almost serious.

“This is my bodyguard, Jaya, appointed to me for my protection by my boyfriend, King Vladimir. Who is on his way here to discuss a peace treaty with you at this very moment.” Tia walked up to her father, giving him as much of a pleading look as she could muster. He was on edge, but he was listening. “Please father, would you get your head out of your ass for once in your life and do something momentum for our people? Go down in history as the man who ended the strife and moved our people into the future like you always wanted. Just not exactly like you always wanted…”

At that very instant the doors slammed open and several guards entered the room. Guards wearing an attire she recognized. She twisted around as a tall and intimidating figure stepped onto the threshold. Jaya instantly fell to a knee. Vlad continued to walk into the room with his hands folded behind his back, several other royals surveyed the room. He stopped just before Jaya, sparing the man a glance.

“You are going to the torture chamber when we return,” he spoke softly. Tia could hear the rage masked in his voice. A few Human guards approached Tia and her father, one leaning in to whisper to the President.

“They came out of the Dark Continent, your Majesty. He was very insistent on coming here at once, said your daughter was injured.”

Vladimir approached them, his gaze sliding over them all before resting on Tia. She hesitated, but he was quick to look away from her. “I see you disobeyed me,” he spoke dryly, regarding her father and offering him a smile.

“Don’t talk to me when you look at my father, you’ll give him the wrong impression.” She growled.

“Well I can’t bear to look at you right now, can I?”

“What exactly does that mean?” He slid his gaze back to her and his eyes brightened so fast they could melt the room they stood in. The Humans around her jumped back with a cry of terror. “Oh, are you angry with me?” She spoke coolly. “Well good, because so am I.”

“I was generally worried about you,” he yelled, fulling turning his attention on her. “I smelled your blood; do you have any…” Instantly he trailed off. His gaze searching. Slowly he leaned forward and sniffed. As if snapping out of it her father quickly grabbed her, yanking her away with enough force she was lifted off her feet. He snapped his fingers and the guards around them pointed their guns at Vlad. Several of his guards drew their swords, making sure to stand between Vlad and the Humans. He turned and met Tia’s gaze, who stood next to her father with his hand around her upper arm. She was glaring at her father before turning and meeting his gaze.

“Vlad take a good look right now. Look at what stands between us, this is what we need to overcome. Do you understand? The hostility,” she peeled her father’s fingers off her arm and stepped away from him. The man gaped at her. “Father, President Ramsay, it is my deepest honor, to introduce to you the King of the Fae, King Vladimir Va Dietrich Norwegian… the Fifth. My fiancé,”

The room became chillingly silent. What rage had built up in her father had almost died completely. He was a smart man and was now sizing up Vladimir, slightly confused. Although she could nearly hear his mind working. One by one she came up to the Humans, placing her hands on their own. With a look of complete faith and honesty, she gently lowered their weapons. She took a step toward a Fae guard, although he and all the others certainly looked Human. A guard raised his gun once more.

“Princess,” he cried, his eyes fearful and on Vladimir’s curious expression. She turned and raised her hand, palm outstretched.

“Please lower your weapon,” she rested her hand on the hilt of a sword, one in the grip of a guard who was growling, much like a canine, under his breath. “Everyone, remember why we’re here.”

Vladimir snapped his fingers and in that second all his guard had put away their swords. He opened his eyes, eyes that were dark once more, and addressed her father.

“President Ramsay, the honor is mine.” Vlad bowed as if bowing to an equal. His surrounding company instantly bowed as well, some less pleased than others. The royals lingering in the back gave the same inclination of their heads as Vladimir had, the two girls offering a curtsy. He turned to address them in turn. “Please meet my Uncle, the Prime Minister, and his two daughters, Isabella and Vivian. They are of age and are currently looking to bring peace to our kingdoms like your daughter, who has become a leading female role in the outside world and is cherished by the people of my home. Prince Diaval is the man in the back, being rude and lingering as far away from you all as possible. He is my cousin, no relation to the Prime Minister.” Vlad turned back towards the Humans, catching the intense and displeased glare of Tiana.

“I had to sneak here, and you willingly brought him of all people?” She demanded, just before holding up her hand to silence his response. She turned back to her father, who spoke up without a glance in her direction.

“It is a pleasure, and I have to say you have my apologies. Please, won’t you join us for dinner? It’s being prepared as we speak. I can have my servants show you to the guest rooms,” he waved over people who had come to watch the spectacle. People began to move. All the guards around Vladimir instantly tightened their ranks and he rolled his eyes.

“Everyone down. We are in the home of Tiana’s father; can you please not embarrass me.” Vlad pleaded with his people. Several sets of eyes glanced in her direction before they allowed themselves to be escorted in different directions. Jaya appeared next to Vlad and winked at the second in command, who instantly seemed to relax with a trusted face around.

“Where’s Alexander?” Jaya asked.

“Outside, tying up some loose ends. Care to explain to me Tiana’s smell?” Vlad smiled at a Human guard as he passed by.

“The little monkey had a blood transfusion…” Jaya admitted, his voice trailing off. Tia had been speaking to her father briefly when she overheard their conversation. Quickly she held up her hand, as if to pause her father, and jumped to Jaya’s rescue.

“Vlad it was my fault, I fell asleep keeping watch. A Dark Creature with rough skin decided to hug me, I’m fine. Jaya rescued me instantly, it all just happened too fast.” Vlad regarded her, the redness to his eyes flickering. Her father joined them then, clearing his throat and looking at all three in turn.

“What is a, Dark Creature? Is that why Tiana was checked into the hospital with her skin missing?” He asked. Vlad gave him a smile that didn’t meet his eyes.

“Skin missing, you say?” His eyes were lightening.

Jaya coughed, glancing at Tia. She turned toward her father. “A Dark Creature is a… monster. Of sorts. They come in many shapes and sizes, colors…” Her father’s curiosity was intensifying. “Unfortunately, that was all of Michael’s experience with the outside world, the previous King…” She glanced at Vlad who remained quiet. “Was determined to make a spectacle of Michael. Because we were betrothed, which I denounced, by the way. I hope he informed you,”

“Yes, you mentioned this man is your fiancé.” President Ramsay regarded Vlad, who seemed to be hearing the words for the first time. He opened his mouth and closed it. The disbelief plain as day across his expression. President Ramsay hesitated and looked at his daughter at the same time Vlad did. “He is, isn’t he?”

She offered a strained smile to her father and met the wide gaze of the Fae King. “Vladimir, I’m sorry I didn’t pick a better time to accept your offer.” She lowered her head, in an inclination of a bow.

“Tiana,” he gasped, swooping her in a giant hug. His lips found hers hungrily. She hugged him back, still a little upset with him. After a moment she pulled back, offering a small peck to end the kiss. He gently put her down, tugging a strand of her hair.

Her father laughed happily, coming up next to them and clasping his hands on their shoulders. “This is cause of a celebration! Tell the staff, pull out my best alcohol, tonight, we make peace!” He squeezed them both and turned to join his wife, who remained on the other end of the room. He placed a hand on her waist and together they left the room. Like the dirty shadow he was, Diaval appeared next to them, holding a cloth to his nose and mouth. He bowed toward Tia.

“I see you stink again,”

She mimicked him silently.

He turned towards Vlad who eyed him. “Think we should tell them the main course is their flesh yet?”

“Diaval,” Vlad warned as Tia smacked his arm.

“You invited him, Vlad.” Alex chimed in, suddenly appearing next to them all. Tia stared at the tall blonde, his long hair tied loosely, a twin tailcoat hanging elegantly off his slender shoulders.

“Alexander?” She met his blue gaze. He gave her a half-smile and a swooping bow.

“Show off,” Jaya mumbled.

Diaval cut in suddenly, his forehead looking paler than normal. “I think I’ll retire to my room for the evening, while I always wanted to come here, I honestly cannot stand the smell. It’s making me sick…”

Tia raised an eyebrow. “But you’ve eaten Human…”

Vlad cleared his throat, but Diaval ignored him. “I would buy them on the black market and lock them in my basement, made sure they ate good food. Don’t look at me like that, we all have needs.” Shaking his head, he retreated towards a waiting guard.

“Hands to yourself,” Vladimir called after him before looking at Alex. He nodded and followed the Prince.

A thin man with grey hair approached Tia and Vlad, he kept one hand behind his back while the other fixed the spectacle covering his left eye. His dry eyes, emotionless and cold to the world, fixed themselves on Tia. She grew stiff beneath his gaze and regarded him equally as coldly. Vlad stepped in a way to draw the man’s attention to him. He offered a joyful smile, one that played with the corners of his eyes but did not meet.

“I recognize you from somewhere,” he mentioned, holding out a hand to shake.

The man held out his hand, quickly dismissing Vlad’s offer. With an even drier tone he spoke, “I would imagine. I am the chief of staff here and Lady Tiana’s personal mentor. You could say I am the one who brought her up, strictly under the guidance of President Ramsay and the Second Lady, of course.” He rubbed his fingers together and addressed Tia once more. “I wish you to come with me, I will have you changed from those dreadful clothes and you will meet privately with your parents. To discuss family matters,” his gaze flashed towards Vlad again before traveling to Jaya. “I won’t keep the Mistress long; the remaining staff can see to your needs. Please, come and go as you see fit.” He inclined toward the door where President Ramsay and the Second Lady had retreated to, his ever-watchful gaze burning into Tia.

“Tia is not permitted to leave my line of sight, end of story.” Vlad threatened, his eyes brimming. The man hesitated, catching an underlining inhuman growl to Vladimir’s tone. Tia quickly put her hand on his arm, yanking his attention back to her.

“I should probably speak with my parents; Vlad I will come to you the moment I’m able. I trust you understand?” She referred to the older man once more. “I will share a room with Vlad, please see to it that he’s offered my personal quarters.”

“You are unwed, and there is still the matter of your betrothal-,”

“Can it, Greyhound,” Tia growled. She stood before him, glaring up into his unimpressed face. Her red curls like fire around her. “President Ramsay is my father and we will discuss my future. You are a servant, and nothing more. You will not control me, nor will you have any say in the future that is to become. Keep acting like a self-served prick and I’ll feed you to the wolves,”

Vlad frowned and Jaya laughed. She turned back toward them and shrugged before stalking off.