A/N: This story is a total rip off of Sacrificed to the Dragon by Jesse Donovan and Claimed by the Alphas by Viola Rivard. Both are great Indie series on Amazon. This story is also the first multi-chapter story that doesn't feature my OTP. I feel like I'm cheating on them, but damn it there is just something about Klonnie. Anywho, please excuse the grammatical errors and bad language. And yeah, smut.
Disclaimer: This definitely ain't mine.
Prophesy
The sound of his boots hitting the pavement echoed off the walls. His bellowing cape swept the floor behind him. Torchlight flickered across his face as he descended deeper into the dungeons of the castle. He didn't come here anymore. Not since he stuck a blade in his father's back and claimed the throne. Only something dire would call him back into the dark playground of his adolescence, something that could topple his empire.
He pushed against the sturdy oak doors. His face scrunched as the hinges squawked in protest.
"Kael show yourself." The hybrid king barked into the shadows. His hands impatiently found his narrow waist.
"Majesty, you honor me." The seer hissed. Niklaus narrowed his eyes as his old advisor slithered into view. Torches erupted into flame around the cavern illuminating a room strung with cobwebs. Rodents inhabiting the den fled from sight leaving their droppings amongst the countless snakes skins littered about.
"The new moon will mark the seventieth year since my father's death and the imprisonment of my siblings. The blood witch is on her deathbed. Her last breath will give life to my family. Tell me, should I be planning a homecoming celebration or four funerals."
"You come to old Kael for this information, my liege. Surely the king's court harbors more than one talented soothsayer."
"None as talented as you. They have been unable to offer me any information. The stars will not reveal what I am after."
"And you think Kael can do better?"
"I know she can."
The fortuneteller slinked further into the light until she was standing in front of her king. It seemed time had no effect on the creature. Her bronze skin was still firm, her hazel eyes clear, and her breast round. Her hair was just as black as Niklaus remembered it. It still ran down her back in waves. The scales that covered her lower half were also black and glistened in the dull light.
"I require your blood, and your oath." Kael said her eyes flashing yellow.
"So be it." Niklaus acquiesced. The woman smiled then brandished a gold blade. She reached for the king's arm. He grabbed her by the wrist.
"You will have your title and your former position in my court if and only if your intel proves worthy." Niklaus said.
"Henrik's death was fate. It was beyond us all. The stars reveal only which will move destiny forward." The old soothsayer pleaded for what seemed like the thousandth time. Niklaus released her arm.
"Pray that fate is your ally tonight." The king said extending his arm to the witch.
She opened a vein and let the blood pool on altar between them. When there was enough to do her work she spat onto the slab connecting her life force with Niklaus's. She removed the necklace around her neck. Sliding each one of the magically engraved dragon's bones from the strap of leather.
"What is it that you seek?" She asked rubbing the runes together.
"I want to know if I can reunite my family amicably," Niklaus said anxiously. The seer threw the bones in the air and watched as they hung there for a second and then clattered to the floor. Niklaus looked down at the runes strewn about the ground and then back up to his advisor.
"That doesn't bode well. What does it mean?"
"It means you are lying either to yourself or to me. That is not what you truly seek." Kael said picking up her beloved tools. Niklaus exhaled. He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Why would I lie? I need to know if we can be a family or do I have to kill the lot of them." Kael eyed the man again. She was about to speak when her eyes went black, her back arched, and a screech ripped from her throat echoing throughout the dank space.
"The forthcoming heir is the answer to the question unasked. Plant your seed, and reap your hearts desire." Kael hissed into the dim cavern. The woman collapsed against the altar. Blood covered her core. The man watched unsure what to make of the spectacle he had just witnessed.
"Kael." Niklaus huffed waiting for her to rouse.
"KAEL" The king roared. The woman slowly righted herself visibly weak.
"Forgive me majesty. It has been a long time since I have been a conduit for prophesy"
"Prophesy?" Niklaus repeated. "Is that what you were on about?"
"The universe wants you to conceive an heir." Kael informed.
"What use do I have for an heir? I'm immortal."
"Well if you want the outcome you seek, then the stars require an successor." Niklaus pursed his blood red lips.
"This is not what I wanted to hear, serpent."
"The truth never is. I'm sure there are plenty of humans to your liking. Just take one and…"
"The world has changed Kael. We have signed a peace treaty with the Lycans and the Order of Mage. Humans must give their consent."
"Has human nature changed as well? You're a handsome boy. I'm pretty sure there are droves of humans lining up to be one of your many conquests."
"Yes, the groupies, the desperate, the power-hungry or worse, the greedy. There is no way I'm going to produce an heir. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, what human would be good enough to bare my child?"
-o0o-
Bonnie rushed through the congested marketplace dodging stragglers, chicken cages, and tangerine swaddled monks selling bitter chocolate. She could see Lucy's cottage just up ahead. It sat right on the edge of the bustling market.
She opened the gate, careful not to disturb the gnomes that lived in Lucy's profitable herb garden. She ran down the cobblestone path to the wooden door and threw it open. Once, inside the tired witch sunk into the chair at the kitchen table.
"I received your message. What is it?" Bonnie said trying to catch her breath. Her cousin was pacing back and forth. Her husband, Taimak sat on a cot his head in his hands. Their Grams was by the stove staring off into the distance.
"Okay, you guys are scaring me. What has happened?" Bonnie said.
Lucy turned to her cousin, teary-eyed.
"I've been summoned to White Oak Castle." Bonnie eyes grew large.
What offense had her cousin committed now? It wasn't beyond the impulsive witch to hex some vampire's servant or something equally rash.
"We can call Lady Rose. She can speak for you again." Lucy shook her head, distraught.
"I've been called for the pairing ceremonies. I am to be given to a vampire." Bonnie's mouth dropped open.
"They can't do that. It's against the law. There hasn't been a draw for years. They can't do that! Grams, we have to talk to the Triumvirate. The order should hear about this. Can Emily help us?" Bonnie watched as a tear slid down her grandmother's cheek.
"There is nothing we can do, child. Lucy volunteered."
"What?" Bonnie asked confused. All three women jumped when Taimak stood bumping the cot into the wall.
"I can't." He said looking at Lucy shaking his head. "How could you?"
"I'm sorry." Lucy said tears streaming down her face.
"I can't stomach this right now. I need some air." The giant man said walking out of the cottage.
"Lucy, what is going on? Why would you volunteer to be a vampire's concubine?" Bonnie said dismayed.
"I-" The woman started but quickly deteriorated into a fit of sobs. Grams closed her eyes and slowly walked over to her eldest granddaughter. Lucy was just like her mother prone to letting her passions make her decisions. She laid her wrinkled hands on her shoulders and spoke to Bonnie.
"She did it for me. You were fifteen. I was bad off sick. The acupuncturists, shaman, and witch doctors had no cure for me. My own magic was failing me. I was dying, and well, Lucy was doing the best she could to keep us all going. She traded her pledge for some vampire blood and some money to pay our debts to the healer. She was young and stupid and scared shitless, so she sacrificed herself. I'm only here now because of her selflessness." Grams said.
"There was supposed to be a pairing that fall but it never came." Lucy's words tumbled out in a flood. "The Hybrid king thought his court was being overrun with half-bloods. So he stopped the ceremonies. They never called. Five years, and not one word. I met Tai. I had Amelie and Jax. I thought I was free. Six more months and I would have been. They don't take pledges over twenty-five." Lucy finished in a whisper. Bonnie was dumbstruck. She had no idea what to do or what to think.
"Why is he calling for a pairing now?" Bonnie asked on autopilot.
"No one knows. The hybrids and vampires out number us three to one. Only the Lycans can counter their numbers. It's strange. King Niklaus has always favored the pure bloods." Grams said rubbing Lucy's back.
"I need you to help raise my babies while I'm gone. Tai can't do it alone. Grams is getting older. Promise me you'll look after them." Bonnie saw the desperation in Lucy's eyes. Her mind flashed back to the defeat that hung on Taimak's frame.
"No." Bonnie said softly.
Both Lucy and Grams looked up at the determined witch, surprised.
"You're going to have to look after them yourself because I'm taking your place at the pairing ceremony."
-o0o-
The entrance to the castle was full of merchants, villagers, and guards. It was crowded, loud, and hot but the two witches were managing to make a scene anyway.
"You don't have to do this." Lucy said yanking on Bonnie's arm.
"You have a family. Protect and love my niece and nephew." Bonnie said pulling her arm away.
"I can't ask you to sacrifice yourself." Lucy said desperately trying to get her cousin to see reason.
"You there. Shut it, or I will throw the both of you in the stocks." A brute of a man shouted over the crowd pointing at the two cousins. He was one of the many guards surrounding one of the Hybrid King's administrators.
"Gwen Thatcher." The royal official called. A beautiful dark girl stepped forward. Her eyes were oval onyxes. Her plump lips were pulled into a tight line. A single tear rolled down one of her high cheekbones landing in the dirt. She reached the front of the crowd where she was shuffled through the castle gates.
"Bonnie, don't do this." Lucy whispered.
"And if I don't… Are you really going to stop me? Are you going to abandon your children like our parents abandoned us?" Bonnie countered trying to move forward.
"My father was a drunkard and your mother was…" Lucy stopped trying to find the right words.
"What a free spirit? She rather serve at the Triumvirate's behest then to take care of her daughter. I know what it's like to be a motherless child. Don't do that to my Mimi and Jaxie."
"Gretchen Smith." The official shouted, crossing another name from his list. An auburn headed woman pushed her way through the crowd.
"Here. I'm here." She answered. The girl radiated joy.
"And what will I tell them of their favorite aunt. They will mourn the loss of you also. This is my doing. I knew the consequences." Lucy continued.
"Simone Bassett" The man called into the crowd. A hush rolled over the courtyard. A servant rushed to the side of an opulent carriage and opened its door. Everyone watched as the future leader of the Travelers stepped down into the dust. The woman could only be described as magnificent. Her eyes were as blue as the heavens, her skin white as the clouds, and her waist length hair was the golden sun. Everyone was in awe. The Bennett cousins were curious. Why would mage royalty want to bare a vampire's child?
Bonnie and Lucy stared after her. Both of their stomachs knotted in fear. Something was up. Lucy shook her head.
"Now I know you're definitely not going." Lucy whispered to her cousin.
"And why not? The Travelers don't scare me. Have you forgotten who we descend from?"
"Olivia Taylor." The statesman started up again. A petite raven-haired woman gathered her bags and marched through the castle gates.
"Yeah right. I thought you didn't buy into Gram's drunken fairy tales. Qetsiyah, Bon? Where's the blood witch now? You're not doing this. I can't ask you to make this…"
"Sacrifice? Like the one you made five years ago without telling me. I could have helped." Bonnie argued.
"Helped what? Work at the tavern? Were you going to pledge and get pregnant at fifteen? You had to finish your apprenticeship with Auntie Em. I was the grown up. I was in charge."
"And now I'm grown up and I'm telling you I'm doing this. You had nothing to lose five years ago. Now you have a whole family. Let me do this. It's my turn." Bonnie countered.
"Bonnie." Lucy sighed. Her cousin was so ready to prove herself.
"Lexa Hunter." A sturdy woman with curly brown locks grabbed a mountain of a man near her. The man wept and clung to her sun kissed arms.
"Papa. I must go." The man grabbed the sword in his sheath. Vampires appeared from the thin air and surrounded him. She grabbed his hand.
"It's the only way." She kissed his cheek. "It's only ten months. A year at the most." She said gathering the rucksack in her hands.
"You heard her Luce. It's only a year at the most." Bonnie said smiling sadly.
"Like I would believe you would ever abandon your child." Lucy said water pooling in the bottom of her eyes.
"Ditto." Bonnie responded.
"Lucy Bennett." The man called. A hush went over the courtyard again. The movement ceased. The crowd parted as all eyes were on the two cousins. The gossip had spread and everyone knew the fortune that had befell the House of Bennett. The Healer's house would grieve tonight.
Bonnie stepped forward.
"No." Lucy cried grabbing her.
"Me or them." Bonnie challenged. After a moment, Lucy's face broke.
"I can never repay you for this. I'm so sorry." She cried letting go of her cousin.
"LUCY BENNETT." The Guard called again.
"Don't be." Bonnie said smiling. "Kiss my babies for me. Go home to your husband. Tell Grams I love her." Bonnie said walking to the gates. A couple of people she knew nodded to her as she went. A few looked at her in pity. Bonnie Bennett, a vampire's concubine.
-o0o-
"She can't do this." Sir Damon said looking at Lucy's contract. "It says Lucy Bennett. This is Bonnie Bennett."
"She took her place. It's an even trade. Besides she's younger and is probably a better vessel for conception. Lucy at her age would have barely passed the physical." Barrister Donovan argued. The young man was Bonnie's appointed arbitrator.
"Lucy Bennett was a skilled and veteran mage. She would have been easier to pair, and her child would have had a higher probability of becoming hybrid. This girl just finished her apprenticeship a month ago."
"Her apprenticeship was with Emily Bennett, leader of the Blood Coven. The woman is her niece, Lucy's cousin, and Sheila Bennett's granddaughter. She is just as likely to produce a witch-vampire hybrid." The barrister pointed out.
"Yeah right Donovan. You know the stronger the magic and skill the stronger the mage genome. She probably can't even light a candle. I signed Lucy Bennett. I will not have my reputation besmirched because she went and fell in love and pushed out two puppies."
Bonnie was nauseated listening to them argue over her like she was chattel. Even worse this fang face freak was trying to insinuate she wasn't worthy. What if she was paired with a vampire who thought like this? What if they all thought like this? She knew one vampire, Lady Rose.
Rose Nightingale didn't attend high court. She gardened and traded plants with her grandmother. She hoped there would be more vampires like her here. She was growing afraid there might not be.
She didn't want to have a child that would be looked down upon by their father. You didn't want to raise a child here at all Bonnie. She hoped Lord Damon was the exception, but looking up at the Royal Marshal's face she knew he was he rule.
"Is there anything else?" Lord Gerard said looking over the papers in front of him. Both men looked at each other then at the Royal Marshal shaking their heads.
"Bonnie Bennett step forward." The man said uninterested. Bonnie moved to the front of the room. "The contract is detailed and spelled out plainly. I'm afraid…"
"Can I say something?" Bonnie said trying to come up with a way to convince them from going after Lucy. Lord Gerard rolled his eyes but gestured for her to continue.
"Sir Damon, you only object because you think my cousin will fetch a better dowry."
"Very astute, this one." Damon quipped.
"Well, I am only one year older than Lucy when you signed her. I am also more skilled and powerful than her at that age. Lucy's talent is natural and strong but she never trained. She learned what she could by watching my grandmother and half the time she didn't do that. Her magic comes from instinct."
"Exactly, you're making my point. She's a natural."
"But, so am I." Bonnie said as grunts rose in the room.
Lord Damon turned and found everyone in the room frozen in place. Even the flies were stuck mid flight. His blue eyes widened as he turned back to the witch. She stood there smirking. He looked up to the Royal Marshal, and he too was a living statue. Even taken by surprise Lord Gerard managed to look smug and superior.
A wind swept through the cavern extinguishing the candlelight and torches in the room. Everyone watched trapped as a flame danced in the witch's palm. The fire danced there then leapt to the nearest candle. From the candle it jumped to a torch on the wall. And so it went until the ball of yellow had bounded to every wick in the room. The witch was barely breaking a sweat. This kind of magic should have drawn blood.
"Imagine Sir Damon a witch with Bennett talent sharpened and honed all at the tender age of twenty-one, a witch with enough gumption to cast on the King's Advisor." Bonnie sickened at her next thought but knew it would seal the deal and save her family. "Imagine Sir Damon that witch being a virgin." Bonnie said releasing everyone from the spell.
"A witch made infamous by her shenanigans in lower court. What price do you think a prize like that would fetch?" Bonnie said staring into ice blue eyes.
Sir Damon scratched his beard in contemplation. If he didn't already have seven concubines he would take her himself. He would have to settle for the gold that would line his pockets instead.
"I withdraw my complaint Marshal. I have no objection to her fulfilling Lucy's contract."
Lord Gerard stared at the young witch before him. He was captivated by her boldness, cleverness, and eagerness to play sacrificial lamb.
"Perhaps you would like to make an offer yourself, Marshal. Forego all the pomp and circumstance." Lord Damon suggested taking notice of the Marshal's interest.
"I have sired enough children to fill these halls, Salvatore, all pureblood by the way. Squire you may deliver her to the companions' halls."
-o0o-
King Niklaus sat on his throne in the upper court as Lord Gerard entered the hall. The room was overly ornate with the classical marble floors and columns. Gold leafed trim, and vast frescoes covered the walls and ceilings. The king himself sat on a throne made of gold and encrusted with blood red rubies. Niklaus's father liked to display his vast wealth in the most predictable and mundane ways as possible. Niklaus's liked to display that he took it all away from the old man.
Lord Gerard made his way through the crowd of hybrids and vampires meandering about and gossiping. Various nobleman and ladies nodded and curtsied as he passed. The king was playing with a lock of his precious Camille's hair when his advisor approached.
"My Lord. Ladies." Marcel said to the king and his entourage. He sat on the king's right.
"Marcel." The king answered half listening. He and Greta were playing a game. They were trying to guess what color the redheaded female's undergarments were before they took her to bed to find out. The girl blushed as they took their turn naming the colors of the rainbow. Camille frowned in distaste, which only incited them further.
Everyone turned when Lord Stefan walked into the room, his new wife on his arm. Lady Caroline had just been turned. Today was her first day at high court. The room quieted as they made their way to the front of the room.
"I can't believe he married his concubine." Greta sneered. "Next our court will be polluted with whores from the village tavern." Niklaus and Marcel joined in the sorceress's teasing. Camille took pity on the new vampire. She knew how hard it was to breach the inner circle.
"I'm surprised you allowed such a thing, sire." The witch griped.
"Don't be daft Greta. You know the King will do anything to make his favorite pet happy." Marcel said watching Stefan in sympathy.
"Mind your tongue, Marcel. Jealousy doesn't become you." Niklaus said pulling the redhead into his lap. She gasped to Greta's delight, and Camille's irritation.
"Lord Stefan. Lady Caroline. Come join us." The King said as the couple neared the throne.
"We were just commenting on your lovely nuptials." The king said playfully biting the redhead's neck.
"I'm sure you were." Stefan said eyeing the King. Niklaus had made his prejudice known throughout his entire engagement. Stefan helped his wife settle herself then took his seat on the left the king.
"How are the children, Caroline?" Camille asked genuinely interested.
"They are wonderful thanks for asking. Lillian is just starting school and Tristan is on a full blood diet. They grow up so fast." The woman answered nervously.
"That's wonderful." The king teased his friend. "Are you planning on taking another concubine Stefan now that the new crop is swarming the lower courts?"
Caroline turned even paler.
"Niklaus." Camille chastised.
"It's a genuine question." Niklaus said turning to the blonde.
"No. I am not. I have everything I want and need in my wife and children." Stefan grumbled.
"Excuse me, Sire. I have suddenly taken ill." Lady Caroline said through clenched teeth. She was barely hiding her anger and embarrassment.
"My lady." The King yawned. Lady Caroline rose and fled to the door. Stefan rose with her.
"Lord Stefan. Let me." Camille said following the blonde eyeing her lover on the way out.
"What did I say?" The king said chortling. Greta chuckled with him.
"Leave us." Stefan commanded the woman.
Greta looked over to Niklaus. He waved her and his new plaything away. The lady rose pouting and stomped over to Lord Malachi.
"I asked you to be nice." Stefan said when the ladies were out of earshot.
"You asked. I did not agree. Besides I was nice enough to consent to your disgrace of a wedding." Marcel shook his head.
"What? Like you don't agree with me." Niklaus said taking a sip of wine.
"Yes, but I have the courtesy not to say it to his face." Marcel said smiling at his King.
"If I can't speak the truth to you two then what's the point of having you by my side." The king said surveying his court.
"This is my life." Stefan started. Marcel knew that look. Salvatore was about to launch into a serious brood.
"I gave you life. I made you." Niklaus answered automatically.
"No, you took me and brought me into this circus." Stefan corrected trying hard to not cause a scene.
"You use to love the circus, ripper. Remember, when you volunteered to be my ringmaster. Sometimes I miss the old chap." Niklaus and Marcel eyed each other.
"To be truthful, it's most of the time." Niklaus said laughing with his lieutenant.
"People change. I have wants, desires that have nothing to do with you." Stefan tried.
"I consented didn't I. Play house. Enjoy your little family. I'll be here when you grow bored." The king said watching Greta blatantly flirt with the redhead from across the room.
"It's not like that. I love her." Stefan said.
"He loves her. His human whore. They are meant to bare us children nothing more." Niklaus said irritated.
"Just because Camille is a pureblood vampire and Greta is a vitch doesn't make them any less your whores." Stefan hissed. Marcel looked over to the seething vampire, impressed.
"I haven't asked either for their hand in marriage have I?" Niklaus continued unfazed.
"Thank God for that. I can't spend an eternity with Greta." Stefan muttered. Marcel snorted.
After a moment Stefan asked, "I don't understand, if you hate half-bloods so much why are you allowing another pairing ceremony?"
"Your brother and his lackeys were wearing on my nerves." Niklaus said popping a grape in his mouth.
"Exactly. More of a reason for you to refuse." Stefan reasoned.
"What me, Salvatore? I'm a benevolent king." Niklaus snickered.
"Niklaus the terrible only acts for two reasons. For himself and for power." Marcel said watching Lady Vanessa.
Stefan snorted.
"Is something bothering you Lord Gerard? Your tongue has been particularly sharp this evening. Maybe I need to cut it from your skull." Niklaus threatened.
"Oh you haven't heard Sire. A witch made a mockery of the lower court." Lord Damon said easing to the throne.
"Damon." Stefan said.
"Brother." Damon returned.
"If I remember correctly Damon. She bested you in a contract dispute. Barrister Donovan won one in court today." Marcel said unbothered by Niklaus's idle threats or Damon's jeers.
"Her little show was entertaining, but my pockets will have the last laugh. Brother, you're into humans. I have contract on a rather lovely witch: powerful, smart, a virgin, beautiful with a little ethnic flavor. Imagine the half blood children you can have. I know you like them feisty. She'd make a good spare when you get tired of the mouthy blonde."
"Not interested. If she's so great why aren't you entering the pairing yourself?"
Damon had been pondering that question all afternoon. There was just something about this girl. Which is why he knew not to mess with fate. Next thing he knew he would end up like his brother, the laughing stock of the high court. Who marries their concubine?
"I'm actually thinking about it. I mean why stop at seven concubines and twenty children. You see if you know what your doing in the sack Stef, they'll stay without marrying them." Damon said winking.
"Yes, they will, especially when their partner is one of the richest man in the kingdom." Marcel quipped.
"The richest free man in the kingdom. You and my brother don't count. All your money comes from the King. I am a self made man." Damon answered.
"Your riches come from your daddy and pairing contracts. You're harem from pairing matches. How is that self made?" Marcel joked. Damon ignored him.
"There's some talent in this round is all I'm saying. I think you three should attend the ball. Two words, Simone Bassett. Make that five, Virgin Bennett Witch."
"Peddle your wares somewhere else, Brother."
"Peddle your wares somewhere else, Brother." Damon mimicked. "Silly Stefan your marriage is free publicity. I'll have double the humans next year, women and men. All ready to marry vampire royalty. Tell my sister-in-law I said hello."
"Goodbye Damon." Stefan said annoyed.
"Ask her will she sponsor one of the candidates. Lady Vanessa always enjoys it doesn't she marshal." Damon continued.
"Bye Damon." Marcel waved.
"Sire, Imagine your heir a hybrid of witch, werewolf, and vampire." Damon said turning to the king.
Damon looked into the King's eyes. He knew when he was landing punches. The King was thinking about it.
"I bid you adieu, Lord Damon." Niklaus said cutting off the pimp. Why was the Traveler's princess here?
-o0o-
The king was furious. Kael had lured the Bassett girl here without his permission or knowledge. He didn't care if she was the perfect vessel. He didn't want an heir. He just wanted to be reunited with his family. Okay, he just wanted to be reunited with Elijah and Rebekah. Kol he could stomach for maybe a year before putting him back in the ground, and Finn even lesser.
There had to be another way. How was some half blood child going to stop the impending war? So he killed their parents and stuck them in coffins. Surely, they had to understand why, right? Seventy years is enough time to calm down. Niklaus sighed. They were going skewer him.
Stefan and Marcel was the only family he had right now. Stefan had gone and made his own family, and Marcel was beginning to pull away for Vanessa. Greta was vindictive and power hungry and Camille gullible. If only he could combine them. He would have the perfect mate.
His hybrids were yes man and the vampires fake. Half of them hated him and wanted to see Malachi in power. And if that wasn't enough the stubborn old witch was finally giving up the ghost. It was only a matter of time before the Mikealsons awaken and challenge him for the throne.
"Greta." Niklaus said. The woman stirred from beneath the blankets. "Greta." He repeated.
"Sire" She answered her voice hoarse from sleep.
"I want the council to attend the companion ball. Find out everything you can about Simone Bassett and her family." Niklaus said rising from the bed his naked frame lighted by the fireplace.
"Majesty, are you looking to sire a half-blood?" Greta said smiling. Niklaus drank from his goblet.
"For once, just do what I asked."
"I always do what you ask." Greta said annoyed.
"Do it silently."
