I flopped back onto my fainting couch with a sigh. Aiden was engaged to Maria based on a power matching. Although they seemed to work well enough and liked each other on a friendly level if not romantic.
Kaden however had been matched with Aia for political reasons. It figured since he was the oldest. He would be able to take a concubine or two assuming she would allow it. I didn't think she would. That was one female who liked power too much to allow any risk to it.
"What is it Mistress?" I looked at Lincoln.
"I was just wondering if I could kill Aia without getting myself or my brother in trouble."
"We could make a request," Von offered. He leaned over the back of the couch and looked down at me. "I thought you hated Kaden though."
I rolled to face Von. "Firstly, I do not hate my brother. We just don't see eye to eye all that often. Second, what do you mean by request?"
"If you want somebody assassinated you'll have to speak to one of the Death gods."
"Mor would be the best one to speak to. However, he rarely if ever approves of assassination," Lincoln added.
"Why would Mor be the best?"
Von laughed, "Your education is still lacking, clearly." I leveled him with a look.
Lincoln smiled at our antics, "Mor is the father of all Death Gods. By going to him and getting his approval you would be able to call upon all Death God Assassins."
"So is there like a God of Assassins then?"
"Technically yes, there is one, Phon."
"So I would need to speak to Mor about getting his God child Phon, to aid me?"
"Phon would have the most powerful Assassins for what you need, but you also need to speak to a royal before you do that."
I sat up at that, "Why?"
"Since you are requesting the aid of the Gods for an Assassination the royal family of the kingdom you wish to commit the assassination in must be made aware or else they my suspect you of trying to assassinate them."
"Great so I have to seek an audience with Vampire Royalty first," I sighed as I flopped back on the couch.
A knock came from my door, "Mistress you have guests."
"If it's my brother please tell him to go sit on a porcupine!"
"The Princes are here to see you," was the returning answer.
That made me sit up in horror. There was no way they hadn't heard me. The Royal bloodline was strong. They had to be to stay in power and my yell hadn't exactly been quiet.
"These are my private rooms!" I said as I stood. I was in no state to be seeing the Royal Vampire Princes. Not in any way, shape, or form.
"They said they were here for a personal matter and wished to speak with you privately. Considering you family is here I thought this would be better. I imagine your Father and Brothers would ask many questions if they leaned of the Prince's visit."
I sighed. He was right. Papa was already trying to pry into where and why Alaric had gone. Kade had clearly been trying to learn more about what my being a Mistress entailed along with Aide. Aia had already been caught snooping about the halls and had been herded back into saver areas several times.
I forced myself to straighten. My outfit wasn't exactly fit for greeting guests let along Royals but then they had come unannounced and I couldn't exactly ask them to wait while I worked to make myself presentable.
They sat on my wing backed tuffed couch looking every bit like the Royals they were. Their hair was darker today, taking on a more smokey hue to the silver. They looked like something out of a painting. A still moment of beauty that made my breath hitch in my throat.
I bowed my head, "My Princes. How may I help you today? Lord Elijah, Lord Evander?"
Lord, it was what they had told me to call them. Since they were here in an unofficial capacity it should be okay.
"We are here to see you," The one on the left said. I still couldn't tell them apart. I hadn't spent enough time with them.
"Please sit," The one on the right said. I did. I sat in the center of the couch opposite to them. I briefly considered them framing me. Standing on either side of me as I sat here. Standing to the sides and slightly behind me, the same way Jasper often did. I liked the idea, of them there, at my back.
"Please forgive me for my current attire. I find most clothes to be... uncomfortable."
"You look beautiful Mistress," right side.
"Please remind me which of you is which," I chuckled. "I find it difficult to tell the two of you apart since I don't know much about you."
"I am Evander," right said.
"Elijah," left.
"Right so how may I help you?"
"We need your permission to call on several of Nefer's Pures. There is a high level Dungeon on the verge of a break."
I looked toward Lincoln in question. "You are our Mistress. Since the Gods of War, fighting, aggression, and strife tend care little for what happens, therefore more often than not it falls on the God's children or in this case Mistress. If you agree it is the same as our God agreeing. If you disagree they could try and petition the children or the God but it is unlikely either would disagree with your answer since most Gods have Mistresses and Masters to speak for them, to speak with their authority while knowing more of the events in motion and what would be best for their people. Therefore, since Nefer is the God of War and Blood you will be sought out for any event in which warriors of strength are needed. Such as a impending dungeon break."
"Thank you Lincoln."
"Of course Mistress."
I turned back to the Princes and crossed one leg over the other, "I would be happy to spear a few Pures for your needs but that seems rather official for an unofficial visit."
"We also came to see you, Mistress," Elijah said.
"Me? Whatever for?" I asked. "I am happy to let a few Pures fight for you as I said. Is there another reason you wanted to speak with me?"
"It has been brought to our attention that you were born Human," Eiljah said. "So we wanted to know... Was Lord Alaric the one who turned you?"
That made my smile drop along with the temperature in the room. Lincoln placed his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off with a sigh. "No, Alaric did not turn me. No one turned it. It was simply the will of the Gods. I went to bed Human and woke up a Vampire." They stared at me. "I would appreciate it if we didn't speak about him any further. I hope you understand."
"I was under the impression that your control was much better."
I sighed as Von moved up beside me. "Lord Alaric is a sore spot for her. Other than him she displays exceptional control. Well him and her bloodlust."
"I starved for four years. I'm adjusting," I snapped.
"And doing very well," Lincoln soothed me. "Where is Jasper?"
"At the temple," I sighed.
"Here." I turned to find Jasper at the door. He was followed by another man. The man behind him had coppery red hair. His body moved with a fluid movement.
"Lord Altan," the Princes said.
He didn't even spare them a glance as he strode to me. He kneeled in front of me and I jerked back. My fangs snapped down. I looked at Jasper, "Nefer son?" He just laughed with a nod. "I'm in a meeting," I snapped at the new male.
He spun to face the Princes. "What brings you here?"
"The Mistress," they said.
"Are you offering yourself to her?" he looked back at me. "She seems a bit young yet." I felt my eye twitch.
"Jasper control your brother before I put him in frills."
The new male looked at me and shrugged. "I'm game. Do you have any in red?"
"Stop!" I snapped. "Everyone stop! You two! By the wall! Go." Jasper and his brother moved. "Lincoln, Von go get some Pures for after I'm done with the Princes." I then turned my attention on the Princes. "You wanted to see me. I want you to get to the point. I officially have had it with this day."
Evander smiled, "We would like you to participate in the Dungeon raid as well. As the Mistress of the Vampire God we, as Royal, will speak with you regularly and should get to know you. If you would be open to that."
I shifted where I sat. I still hadn't gone on any other Dungeon Raids. I had been meaning to but I had been more concerned with getting my hunger under control. I leaned back.
"I would like that. I also have to ask the two of you something. I was going to follow proper procedure which would have taken a while I'm sure-"
"Not for you. A Mistress can show up and request a Royal audience at any time," Eiljah explained.
"Oh... Well I want to request an Assassination."
"Of who?" Evander asked.
"No one important. There are certain people in my family who I would like not to be but I was told I need royal permission before I seek a Gods permission."
They laughed. "Family matters of a Mistress are a different matter. You may... take care of any family members however you deem fitting. You outrank your parents and grandparents. Even if they fall under another race and their races' Royals take issue with it you are a Mistress. To take issue with how you deal with your family is to take an issue to your God as they are the only person you answer to."
Yeah, accept I didn't really listen to Nefer either. He hadn't really ordered me yet but I was free to pretty much do what I wished.