Chapter 50 Ball

Ball

Nikolai

"Oath of fealty?" Rhazien paced around the courtroom.

The court was over for the day and only Vladimir, Sofiya, Rhazien, Darius, Leikos and Ezra, Ava, and I remained.

"Really. The people do not like it." He shook his head. "First is having their King being killed by a werewolf. Second is a werewolf being their King and now you gave them hope but took it away by demanding the oath of fealty."

I glared at him. "You have no say in that matter. Tread carefully Rhazien."

"The people are scared of you, Nikolai. Many people have tried to kill Vasilik and all of them have failed. They think that you are the one who killed him. They are scared and confused and don't know what to do." Ezra said.

"And it will remain that way," I said firmly. "As far as anyone except us knows, I am the one who killed him. And I have been nothing but kind to the people. They have nothing to fear."

"You killed the Sacredos. I think there is plenty to fear." Rhazien said dryly.

I slammed my hand on the hand rest of the throne in anger. "He was a rapist. I will not hear another word about Louis."

"Apologies." He bowed his head.

"It's fine, Rhazien. What do you suggest for us to do?" Ava asked.

Rhazien remained silent.

"Earn the trust of the people," Sofiya said. "Interact with them. Show them you are a good person beneath the tough exterior. Do one good and a hundred people will speak about it."

"I am not going to put Ava's life in danger to go out and interact with people to gain their approval." I snorted. It would be foolish to do so.

"You can throw a ball," Vladimir said. "Vampires love to party. It will be a public setting. The security will be at its highest and the Kingdom's richest will be in one place. Attacking there will be attacking the economy of the kingdom. We can't afford it. Anyone with a decent mind will know that." He said.

I thought about it. I didn't need anyone's approval. I was leaving in a couple of days. But this would help Vladimir a lot later on.

"Fine. Tomorrow night." I agreed. "Anything else?" I looked at the people surrounding me.

"No, King Nikolai." Lady Ezra said. "Thank you for your time."

"Welcome," I said and stood up from my seat.

Ava and I walked out. I was exhausted already. I just wanted to go back to the pack. I hated being answerable to these people. My brothers understood me. We understood each other. We had an understanding. I knew what was best for the pack. We made a good team. What I said goes, without question.

Vladimir knew about the oath. He understood that when the war would come, I might need his help and he would not be able to lend it to me. He will have to deny it because of the rejection of the vampires to fight for us. But an oath of fealty would mean he will have to do as I say, without question.

He knew that and understood that. He also knew that I would come with my entire army for him if need be.

These people didn't understand the depth of our loyalty. It was a werewolf trait. To be loyal to the pack and family. But after so many years, Vladimir understood it well.

It was something these people never will.

"Can we go to the library, Nik? I want some more books." Ava pulled me to a stop in front of the library doors.

"Sure," I replied and the guards opened the doors for us.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" I heard a voice yell and then there was the sound of a loud smack which was followed by the sound of someone falling on the floor.

The entire library was empty except for two heartbeats.

Ava's widened eyes looked at me.

I purposely clicked my shoes on the hardwood floor as I walked inside and Ava followed hesitantly.

A man was standing near one of the reading tables and his slave was fallen on the ground. Presumably, she was slapped and she fell on the floor.

Ava tried to go to them but I caught her hand and shook my head. This was not our business.

I heard another smack and her chin trembled.

'It's not our business to intervene. She belongs to him.' I mind-linked at her.

"My King." The man said and bowed when I saw him. "My Queen." He bowed again when Ava looked at him.

"What seems to be the problem?" She asked him and eyed the slave crying on the floor.

"I had told my pet to get me a couple of books Lord Leikos had personally ordered me to get for him." He said.

I saw the pile of books on the edge of the table and a couple fell on the floor and they were all drenched. "She didn't notice a glass of water over there and spilled water all over the books, my King." He looked worried as he picked up the books from the floor which made more water leak out of it.

It was her mistake...

"Lord Leikos will be very angry." He mumbled under his breath.

"There might be other copies of the book." Ava offered.

"These books are centuries old, My Queen." He shook his head. "Their copies haven't been made. They are all handwritten."

What kind of books did Leikos want?

I walked over there and picked up a couple of books.

History of Faes. The Fae Kingdom. Fae Powers.

What the fuck.

"Tell Lord Leikos the library doesn't have the books if you want your life," I told him. "I do not want him to punish you, or worse, kill you for your clumsy pet's mistake."

"Exactly! I mean yes. Thank you, My king." He bowed deeply. "I didn't think of that at all."

"You're welcome. And take your slave." I said before he rushed out.

"Oh yes. Of course." A blush rose on his cheeks as he rushed back in and picked up the leash of his slave and tugged, making her stand up.

He slapped her ass hard, wrenching a cry out of her mouth. "Thank the King, you bitch. He just saved my life and yours."

She bowed deeply. "Thank you, my King. For saving Master's and my life."

"Good." He slapped her ass hard again, making her stand straight.

"Have a good day, my King, my Queen." He bowed to me and them to Ava before he walked to the entrance.

I heard another loud smack. "I'm going to punish you so bad you will regret the day you—" The doors closed after he left.

I turned around to look at Ava. She was frozen and shell-shocked.

"Okay, Love?" I walked to her and cupped her cheek, tilting her head to look at me.

She pushed against my chest. "You're the King." She cried. "Why didn't you do something?" She pushed me back. "You helped him." Her chest heaved and her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Y-you helped him." Her voice shook. "He is no better than the rapist." She whispered, looking down. "What will we do to her?"

I closed the distance between us and caught her hands before she could push me back again. "Stop it, Ava." I gritted.

"I will not." She struggled against my hold. "He will punish her now! Why didn't you do something?"

"It's not my place," I yelled. Why does she not understand?

"You are the King!" She thrashed harder and her hair started turning white.

Fuck no.

I spun her around and pushed her so she was bent over a study table. I held both her hands tight behind her back with my one hand and her cheek pressed to the desk. Her hair turned to the normal dark brown color and I signed in relief. I didn't want any destruction here.

"If I want to punish you here, right now. Will you let me?" I asked, my voice rough.

A tear splashed down her cheek and on the desk and she nodded.

I slapped her ass. "Words, Avalyn."

"Yes, Master." She whispered.

"Will I listen to anyone if they tell me otherwise?" I asked.

"No, Master." She whispered, understanding dawning in her eyes.

"Why?" I growled.

She remained quiet and pressed her lips together.

"Because I want you to?" She whispered.

"Yes. And?"

She bit her lip hard in thought. I pressed my groin over her hips and placed my hand beside her head, looming over her. "Because you belong to me, Avalyn. You're mine. All mine." I hissed in her ear. "You screamed to the heavens that your body belongs to me while I pounded into your dripping pussy. Or do you need me to remind you again?"

A blush rose on her cheeks. She was remembering that night again, I could tell.

"I remember. But another reminder would be good too." The vixen spoke.

"But you have been too naughty for that." I released her arms from behind her back but she remained in the same position, waiting.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I understand now."

"Goo—" I heard the door about to be opened and I pulled up Ava in a flash and straightened her dress and stood beside her.

It was Zora.

She was shocked to see us but she smiled and bowed. "My King. My Queen." She greeted.

"Zora." I nodded back because Ava was too flustered to say anything.

"I want to thank you both. You are the reason I am here." She smiled.

"You never should have been put in prison in the first place," I said.

She let out a small smile and nodded. "If there is anything you need me for, please let me know. I would be happy to help." She bowed again before she climbed up the library.

I walked to the other study table and picked up the books Leikos wanted. Even the wet ones. I held them in one arm and grabbed Ava's hand with the other and walked out.

Thankfully, our quarter was near the library. I shut the door after we entered.

"Why did you bring the books? We didn't even enlist them in the register." Ava said.

"Look at them." I passed them to her.

Her eyes widened as she read the names. "Why does he want to know about Faes so much?" She whispered.

"He knows." She whispered.

I gave her a sharp nod.

She sucked in a sharp breath. "But he's not a bad man, is he?"

"I do not know," I told her. "I told you to be cautious. No one can know, Ava." I caressed her cheek. "You can't trust anyone."

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you." Her hand covered mine. "Again. I'm sorry I hit you. And I'm sorry I yelled at you as I did." Her head lowered.

"I know you are. And you need better control of yourself Avalyn. You were going to use your powers again."

"I didn't realize it." She bit her lip. "I need you to help me to control myself better."

I don't know-how.