Page 27 of The Depraved Prince
And if she’s a Valkyrie, her blood will make me even more powerful. They say it’s like being shot with adrenaline. Our basic immortal abilities like our strength, our speed, our thinking process is to the next power. And it’s hard to stop from draining them, which results in killing them, and alas, our powers that await to be unlocked will reveal once the Valkyrie’s heart stops beating.
“It’s time you start taking over the tasks, son. You will take care of the North, our Cathedral, the military, and immortals will be under you whether you like it or not. I retire very soon. You are my son. You are a Drago!” He raises his voice with stipulation, each word louder than the one before. His eyes narrow down at me with blinding rage as he continues his outpour of frustration. “You were born a king. It’s time you start acting like a fucking king!” He spits with venomous rage and uses his powers to spring over to the door in the blink of an eye.
I hold my ground, silently seething out of respect. I would never dare challenge him when he’s in a state like this. His fangs protrude over his thin lips, and his eyes are transformed into a deep ruby red, glowing out of madness.
An awkward, thick silence fills the cold, dark, musty room.
I break it.
“Wow, Dad, you see? You ordering me around really brings out the color in your eyes. Maybe you should stay the king,” I remark sarcastically. In a flash, I’m standing at the other end of the table, pouring myself my own glass of O-Negative blood. The delicious metallic fluid rolls down my throat and my fangs automatically point out. It’s a reflex.
“Hayden,” he scolds. He takes in a deep breath, his tone softening before he continues. “Take this seriously. If it’s the one thing I have left to ask of you, take this role seriously. I cannot afford to lose you.” His tone switches, unraveling a softer side, like he’s hurt. Losing me means leaving my little, harmless brother to be in charge.
Kallum in charge would be a disaster in my father’s eyes. In every single northern vampire’s eyes. He’s easily manipulated and easily taken advantage of, and we all know it. He would try to take a different approach when it comes to ruling.
My father pauses, sucking in a heavy breath like it’s hard for him to continue.
It still baffles me to this day that even though we do not have a beating heart, our bodies act like we do. We act human when we’re far from that.
“So, this is why you wanted me to kidnap her? Threaten her entire family’s life? And here I thought you were a good man that followed the rules. I thought you had a soft spot for these fragile humans and wanted me to protect her. Not kill her.” I shake my head. I’m all about breaking the rules. But even I know that taking a human’s life means I go to the inferno for my execution.
It’s specifically made to look like an arena. In the dead center, it’s uncovered for the Immortals to be executed, specified for on-display executions. The sun is one of the ways to end us. That’s why every cathedral in the four regions carries Stained Glass inside. If the sun is filtered with Stained Glass, it can shine on us without us dying or burning.
“After hundreds of years. I’m still learning something new about my father. A side of him that I can relate to.” I smile, flashing my own fangs. I bow my head, dipping my glass like I’m raising a toast of celebration. I take a sip, and my taste buds erupt. I clench my jaw over and over again.
“Ah.” I sigh and lick my lips. My taste buds are going wild. “That’s damn fucking good.”
If I’m correct, he wants Millie because the southern king does.
Power.
King Davenport wants to inflict fear into every other immortal because once our powers are unveiled, no one would dare challenge a vampire if their powers are of use.
“A war is brewing. The southern king is upset you killed one of his sons. He doesn’t want you to marry Eleanor any longer.”
Thank fuck. Relief floods me. I’m not meant to be anyone’s husband.
“A meeting has been called with all four Immortal Kings. I think I've been pushed into a corner here, Hayden.” He grips the doorknob tight. Our family crest ring turns around his finger slightly. A black snake wrapped around a bat.
I stand up excitedly. A seed has been planted in my dark mind.War. I want to see it thrive with thrill. I’ve been wanting to see the Davenports go up in flames or his head detached from his body since the day he killed my uncle. My uncle fell in love with a Valkyrie. It’s forbidden to marry them.
“I will attend. As the new soon-to-be king, I want to be there.” I place both palms on the redwood table. “If he wants to start a war, I’m as sure as hell going to end it and make him regret the day he ever challenged a Drago. No one threatens a Drago and gets away with it. No one blackmails or taunts us, and I’ll make sure to make that known once you step down and I take over.” I spit with rage. I turn to Holland, then back to my father.“I’ll send a message to everyone when King Davenport’s head is in my hands and his eyes are on the throne I sit on.”
“Spoken like a true king,” My father says proudly. He smiles at me, and for the first time in a long time, his eyes glimmer with prideful glee.
“Not my style, a little over the edge, but uh—” my father admits as he trails off. He shakes his head once worriedly. He fears his own son. They repeatedly remind me that I’m a monster. “I think it’s best you take her for your own. Bite her. Get it over with. Kill her. Initiate your powers and take over the four kingdoms. No one would dare challenge us. I’m sure the Davenports will track her, here, soon.”
Holland’s red eyes widen, and he glances at me, then my father, forcing his long hair to whip. “Are you sure you want Hayden biting her? Kallum is more suitable, predictable, he’s?—"
“Controllable.” I interrupt his unnecessary rambling. Holland stiffens, slowly ripping his dark eyes from my father before pinning them on me like he’s trying to control his seething.
He just won’t quit, will he?
He won’t give up on fighting for Kallum’s ascension. A month ago, I would have been encouraging this. Agreeing to his outbursts and for my brother to wear the crown. But now? The chance to liberate my powers? The first immortal to do so in centuries? Well, that’s just too much fun for me to give up now.
Holland stops talking like I’ve cut his tongue off with my blunt comment. He raises a white eyebrow, his lips turning into slits.
“He’s controllable. You want to be able to control him, and you know you won’t get that with me,” I quip with a tightened tone. Holland will be my right-hand man when I take over. But I refuse to have someone by my side that continues to challenge my authority.
