Chapter Four

"Did Hhavoc really have to punch you in the eye?"

Last night's event between Fhear and Hhavoc ended with them getting caught off guard and the male accidently landing a solid in the prince's right eye. Some of the blame was put on Hhavoc while most of it was saved for Fhear. So with their little fight night busted, Fhear lingered around in the Pit even though no one was around. When the prince went to bed, his eye had been different shades of black and purple. Now he stood in a giant room with a huge circular table with a sickly yellow color.

The male who stood next to him was the Princeps Leahdyre Rehvenge. In front of the two were Wrath and Tohr who were speaking to one another. There were a couple of males sitting at their assigned seats while some were still showing up for the meeting. Fhear hadn't seen Cohnrad so he assumed the male was still on his way.

"It was an accident," Fhear whispered back to the male.

Rehv patted the prince on his shoulder while nodding at another male who greeted him. Fhear was too busy staying still that he ignored the male. He didn't know how long the damned meeting would take and he wanted to be back at the mansion before the Scribe Virgin showed up. Today was the day their goddess would see if Paige had complete control of her ability. Everyone knew the human had it in the bag considering there weren't any more body shaped Lassiter holes in the ground. Besides, Fhear wanted to be there as support since he liked his friend's female. Ahgony and Hhavoc would surely be there.

More males appeared in the room with others by their side. Because he was expected to care, Fhear noticed how the others looked like younger versions of the princeps. A second later and he figured out the other males were the sons. So he wasn't the only one here to watch the meeting. However, unlike Fhear who didn't want to participate, he figured the younger males did whatever their fathers wanted in order to come.

And speaking of father and son, Cohnrad entered the room with his son by his side. Both wore a black suit just like everyone with the exception of Cohnrad's long hair. As for his son, it wasn't long and neatly brushed back. When the males greeted his father, Fhear noted the age difference between the two. Cohnrad's son looked like he was ten years younger than everyone else.

Fhear felt a nudge against his back. Glancing back, he saw Rehv giving him another friendly push to join the others. He rolled his eyes as he did what was expected. Cohnrad greeted the prince when he joined his father's side.

"My prince, allow me to introduce you to my son, Vyktor."

Cohnrad's son bowed towards Fhear which he returned with a nod. There was no way he could ignore his way out of this one. Besides, Tohr was watching him and he was sure his father could sense when he was being disrespectful. All he had to do was endure this meeting and hope it let out early.

Really early now that he thought about it. Cohnrad's appearance reminded the prince that he would be meeting the male's daughter after this. Remembering the whole engagement thing put a damper on the male's mood.

The door closed as a sign that everyone was taking their seats. Cohnrad gave the males another bow before taking his leave to his seat. Vyktor followed his father and took a seat behind him as did all of the other sons. With Tohr taking a seat behind his king and next to Fhear, Wrath took his seat right next to Rehvenge. When the meeting didn't start, Fhear glanced around to see if he missed something. His lack of observation focused on an empty chair on the other side of the table.

One princep member was missing.

Whispers floated around the room. Even Fhear glanced around to make sure this missing male wasn't hiding or something. When no one stepped forward from the shadows, Rehvenge cleared his throat.

"Well, I believe we can get started."

One male stood up and began reading a report he was holding. He had just finished the first paragraph when the doors opened and shut behind someone. The male paused in his reading while everyone glanced at who walked in late. Fhear joined in on the spectating eyes, expecting to see another clone of the males.

The prince swore the temperature in the room took a nose dive.

Walking over to his seat was a huge male. The male was so tall that he might as well be taller than Zsadist. His attire was another eye catcher. While all the males wore their black suits, this male sported dark jeans with heavy boots, a black long sleeve button down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a black long coat over his arm.

The male tossed his coat on the table and took his seat. For those who were rudely staring at him, a pair of dark brown eyes glared under his tawny yellow hair. It was a glare that warned someone weaker to back off. And that was exactly what those males did. All of those watching him immediately turned their attention to the table.

Rehv cleared his throat a second time so the meeting could continue. As the male who had been reading tried to pick up where he left off, Fhear leaned over towards Tohr. The male must've heard him because he angled over so he could hear him.

"Who's the male who just walked in?" Fhear asked.

"Ah, him." Tohrment nodded in the male's direction. "His name is Bhrutal. I recommend you be careful of him."

"Why do you say that?"

The Brother glanced back at his prince. "Don't let the title fool you. This isn't the first time the princep has been late. It's just that the others are too afraid to call him out on it. All I know is that he took his father's position almost thirty years ago. I don't know what his story is and I don't care. Even Rehv is wary of him so I suggest you to take the same action."

Fhear sat back with this new warning. He assumed majority of the males in this room were the typical aristocratic bastards. But as the prince casted a glance at the male, the warning rung true when Bhrutal met Fhear's gaze. Something in his eyes brightened as if a beast was challenging him to do something.

There was a predator in a room full of prey.

Turned out the meeting went longer than expected. Having to sit on his ass for three whole hours, Fhear was ready to throw his chair across the room and flip everyone off. During the entire time, his hand held a firm grip over his cell phone in hopes of a text or something to come up. Perhaps it was a good thing nothing happened. The silence was his only hope that the Scribe Virgin hadn't shown up yet.

Next order of business was meeting this female and he was home free.

With the last report read and done, Rehvenge officially declared the meeting over. All of the males stood up from their seat and bowed at their king and Leahdyre. Once the two stood as well, Fhear bolted up from his chair only to stop when his spine didn't bend right. The prince made sure to act discrete while popping his back. This was the first time in hearing so many pops coming from the bone. One pop was so loud that Tohr heard him. The male raised an eyebrow once Fhear was sure he could safely move around.

While everyone was filing out of the room, Fhear kept his phone low as he texted Dhusk.

Meeting done! B there soon

Fhear didn't expect a quick reply but was surprised when his friend sent a text.

SV came hour ago

The prince no longer cared if someone saw him hunched over his phone. Bringing it up, he used his fingers to send back a fast text.

WTF?

…yeah.

Why not txt?

Ur dad said not 2. Not want 2 distract u. Sorry, man

Fhear was in a blind rage that he didn't remember what he texted his friend before shoving his phone in his pocket. One thing on his mind was how he was going to get his father for this.

Since he was the only one still standing in the empty room, the prince stormed out and just opened the door when he noticed two males standing in the deserted hall. They were standing in the far corner so Fhear couldn't hear what they were saying. He didn't need to hear them to know they didn't want prying eyes watching them.

Cohnrad was talking to Bhrutal.

Their conversation must've been on the tail end because Bhrutal nodded and left. Cohnrad raked his hand over his hair, accidently pulling some red strands free. The male took in a deep breath as if to steady himself and shook his head. Something dark shimmered in those green eyes of his. But just as fast as Fhear saw it, it faded under a calm façade.

Fhear stepped out when the male left behind another set of doors. Tohr's warning still lingered in his head. If someone with that kind of rep was part of the princeps, what was he doing talking to Cohnrad in the shadows?

This wasn't time for a conspiracy theory. The doors Cohnrad exited were the same ones Fhear was heading to. He took a moment to keep his urge to pound some sense into his father on the down key. There would be more than enough time when they got home.

When he knew he was safe from inflicting physical harm on his old man, Fhear strode across the hallway and opened the doors. Cohnrad's son must've left because he wasn't anywhere in the giant room. Besides the male's absence, everyone else was accounted for.

Fhear turned his attention to the female sitting.

Wearing a red dress with her red hair in a neat braid, the female stood and bowed at Fhear. She even wore a matching pair of ruby bracelets on each wrists. The necklace dangling around her neck was a mix of ruby and amber stones. Her accessories and the bright color of her dress brought out the emerald like color of her green eyes.

"My daughter, Claudya."

Claudya gave Fhear another bow. "My prince," she greeted.

Although this young female was a beauty to behold, she wasn't meant for Fhear. He couldn't explain it. All he knew was that this wasn't meant to be and the female that was his was still out in the world.

Now he would never get a chance to start looking. Claudya, daughter of Cohnrad, would one day become his shellan.