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Chapter 8

Regis sat at his desk, staring out at the city, which was still active, despite the late hour. His meeting with young King Nyx had gone better than he could have imagined. Not that he had imagined meeting the King of Galahd when he had offered a meeting to the Wolves. He did wonder how that had happened, had all of the Kings been Wolves? He knew that their leadership did not follow a family line, so perhaps Ulric had been a wolf first and then later chosen as King. He had been chosen young; he'd been maybe twenty at most when he had come to Insomnia. That was one group of immigrants he wanted to improve conditions for. He was relying on their aid to contact the other packs within the city, especially the more wild ones as he could not send the Crownsguard to do so without bloodshed or someone leaking what was going on.

He knew the Council was getting curious about his actions and that sooner or later he would have to speak with them. There were times he wondered at the wisdom in having the Council, there hadn't always been one, it had been formed three hundred years before, when an underaged King had taken the Throne. They should have stood down once he was of age, but they hadn't the Sovereign's power was meant to be absolute, chosen by the Crystal and the Astrals.

Noctis was still linked to the Crystal, could still use magic, which meant he was still in line as heir to the Throne. He did wonder why. It was a deeply kept secret, but he was not the first Royal to be turned or infected, all of those had lost their connection. Why was Noctis different? Could the Prophecy….

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Prompto put the sword down and collapsed on the ground, if he needed to breath he'd be panting. Gladio lowered his own blade, smiling at him. It had been Ignis' idea, a comment one evening while he was cooking (Gladio was very happy that Ignis was able to cook again), but he had mentioned keeping their skills fresh, for their own protection and their Master's. Then Noctis had asked Prompto what he knew about fighting and he'd been forced to admit he had been trained some in hand to hand but mostly in various firearms. Gladio had then suggested teaching Prompto how to fight with a blade and he'd agreed. He was very, very glad he was a vampire because if he was human he would be very sore. He felt arms wrap around him and smiled, leaning back into Noctis who rested his chin on Prompto's shoulder.

"And he's been doing that to me since I was seven," Noct told him.

"You have my eternal condolences," Prompto promised and Noct laughed, cuddling against him and Prompto cuddled back. He would never turn Noctis away from physical affection, he just had to be careful not to influence him or let things go further. He had promised to release Noctis once it was safe for them both and he would, but he would never let him know how much that day scared him. Noctis swore he didn't hate him…but would that change once the bond was broken? As time passed and it became more apparent just what he had lost in being turned?

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Cor read the message the young Glaive had slipped him in the hall, pondering the contents. He was curious, why would the wolf want to see him? He could see no reasoning behind a trap, not with the treaty in the works between him and Regis. Why ask to see him though, and alone?

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Iggy leant over Noctis, eyes taking in the expanse of cool, pale, skin. He'd seen Noctis in various stages of undress almost all his life, but he'd never gotten to just sit and take it all in. They were both naked and he felt no shame in it, but he could tell that if Noct could still blush he'd be red cheeked. Prompto and Gladio were nearby but not hovering and he knew Prompto was keeping an eye on them to ensure Noctis remained in control enough to not hurt him. They all knew Noct would never willingly hurt them, but he wasn't even two months old as a vampire yet. All of the scars Ignis knew were gone, including the mass on Noct's lower back from the daemon attack and following surgery. Vampires did not scar easily, and the transformation had removed those gained in life.

"Iggy," Noct whispered, fighting the urge to cover himself.

"You're beautiful," he reached out to run a hand down Noct's side, feeling him shiver at his touch. It felt good, touching Noct like this, something he never would have dreamed of doing before. Noct had been unsure with the fact that he desired nothing himself, though Iggy saw little difference in how he was now and before when he did his best to ensure Noct's needs were met before his own. This was his way of trying to equalise things between them, to lie still on the sleeping bag while Iggy looked at him and touched where he chose. He could make a choice, if given options and so he chose to keep gently caressing Noct's sides, hearing his breathing hitch despite the fact he didn't technically need to breath anymore. He tenderly explored every inch, watching as Noct fought to remain still, hands gripping the bag tight. He leant in for a kiss which Noct eagerly gave, a hand finally leaving the bag to run through his hair.

It was very different with Noct, he did not immediately know what he wanted from him, not like with Master who was in his mind all of the time. He always knew what Master wanted but with Noct he had to use what he knew about him as well as the clues from his body, actions, and words to work out what it was he wanted. He also knew Noct was inexperienced, outside of some teenage crushes that he had never acted on. Thankfully he had a life time of knowledge when it came to Noct. The hand not keeping him up over Noct moved lower down the Prince's body. He watched Noct's face as he writhed under his touch, amazed that he could give him so much pleasure that his eyes were going vampire black.

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Cor stared at the young King who was waiting in the small room for him, deep in the Galahd immigrant sector and received a slight smile in response.

"Wasn't sure you'd come," he admitted.

"Your note said you needed to speak with me about something important," Cor answered, and Nyx nodded.

"Your scent."

"Pardon?"

"I told the truth, there is no sign of vampiric interference, but I did leave something out. Just not sure if you're aware of it or not."

"Aware of what exactly?" Cor demanded in concern, what could he possibly have picked up? Was he ill and hadn't realised it?

"Well…how well do you know your family tree?" Nyx hedged, obviously nervous.

"Pure Insomnian on my Father's side going back as far as can be traced. Immigrants on the other side, from Cleigne as far as I know. What is this about?" he demanded. The only reason there'd been no complaints over his joining Regis on his trip all those years ago and then being named Marshal was because of his Father's family. Not that Regis would have listened, but it had kept complaints to a minimum, these days he was simply too good at his job and too famous for anything to be said.

"Guess it's on her side then. Look, I don't know if I should be the one telling you…but you've got someone in your family that's, not quite human."

Cor froze in shock. He'd heard a lot of things over the years, but no one had ever claimed that. he barely remembered his Mother, had never met any of her family either. "Just say it," he bit out.

"Fey, you've got a member of the Fey in your family somewhere. A few generations back but it's there if you know what to look for. It probably helps account for your legend, you're likely harder to kill than a pure human, and maybe at least partially immune to vampire powers or even being infected by a were. Don't quote me on that though."

Fey? No wonder he'd wanted to meet alone. They weren't treated as badly as most non-humans, but there was still prejudice. Could he believe him? what would he gain from lying though?

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"You sure?" Prompto asked as he knelt in front of Noctis.

"Positive," he promised, taking Prompto's hands in his. Usually there were oaths involved, there was a whole ceremony, but he saw no point in it now. They weren't sure it would even work, yes, Noctis could still use magic but that didn't mean he could still share it. "It's safer if you can access it," Noct smiled and then reached out for his magic, feeling it hum through him, down his arms and into his hands, the air around their clasped hands glowing blue and sparkling, sinking into Prompto's hands and he gasped, eyes wide, flickering black briefly. "It worked!" he grinned at his stunned Sire.

"Now you just need to learn how to summon items from the Armiger," Iggy smiled.

"It's easy, we'll teach you," Gladio agreed.

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Pelna parked his truck and got out, scanning the area. It had become a bit of a game; he would try to spot them before they could appear in front of him to startle him. "Gotcha!" He laughed, spotting the figures and he heard them laugh before they moved and appeared in front of him. "How're you doing?" he asked as he grabbed the bags from the truck and then the Prince was there, helping. He'd never thought he'd meet Prince Noctis and yet now he had met and talked with him several times.

"Okay," Noctis told him. "Thanks for the books last trip, Gladio was driving us nuts without anything to read," he grinned and Pelna chuckled.

"Glad to help. Got those ingredients you asked for. One of your group must be a dedicated cook."

"Yeah, Iggy loves to cook. I miss his food, but I can still smell it," Noctis admitted, looking a bit down.

Pelna grimaced, he'd never considered that a vampire would miss food. "Guess there's a lot you miss?"

"Home," the Prince whispered.

"Yeah, I know that one," Pelna grimaced.

"You don't look Galahdan," Noctis offered, obviously curious even as his Sire came up to take some of the bags, wrapping his free arm around Noctis' waist.

"I'm not," Pelna shrugged. "They took me in, saved my life by changing me. I was born at sea, never had a home on land, we fished for a living, sold our catches up and down the coast."

"I'm sorry," Noctis offered awkwardly.

"It was years ago; I've got a pretty good life now. Eyes and ears for my King out here in Lucis," Pelna grinned and looked them over, they appeared well fed which was good, half-starved vampires were not good for anyone in range. And it seemed they weren't too bothered by the sun, a change for the Prince who had made sure to remain covered the first meeting. It seemed his ability to withstand the light was increasing. "I'm heading to Lestallum for a few weeks, need anything from the city?"

"Not that I can think of, we'll have to ask the others,"

"I'll await your call. Hope this is enough to see you through till I'm back. The Hunters aren't as active so you should be able to go into a settlement if you really need something, juts watch yourselves," Pelna offered and Prompto nodded.

"We'll be careful," he assured the wolf.

"See you in a few weeks," Pelna got in his truck and waved before driving away.

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Noctis wrapped his arms around Gladio, gently licking at his throat and Gladio moaned, hands moving to grasp Noct's shoulders as he delicately sank his fangs in. He moaned as hot, rich blood filled his mouth, swallowing hungrily. He could feel Gladio's body reacting to the bite even as the older male shifted and he shifted to move against him. He pulled back and licked the wound closed, staring into amber eyes as he continued to move. "Okay?" he murmured and Gladio nodded, grip tightening briefly.

"Noct," he stared up at him, utterly open and unguarded different to how he'd been for years. The anger and occasional resentment was totally gone, and it was good, Gladio was much more at peace now. He was breathing heavily now, not due to blood loss, Noctis hadn't taken much, he clung to Noct as they moved together, seeking release. He had never imagined doing this with Noct before but now he couldn't imagine not being with him or Master. They were everything to him. He knew he had resented Noct a lot of the time before, been angry at how he didn't like training, how he slept so much, seemed to waste time on silly things, but now he didn't. He knew his Dad was upset, that he knew something about him was different, but it didn't bother him. He would keep Iris safe; they would look after each other and that was good.

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Prompto watched as Gladio swung his sword at Noct who easily dodged the blow, slipping to the side to make an attack of his own. It was obvious they had both trained their whole lives with their weapons and he doubted he'd ever be as good, even if he trained for decades. Noctis practically danced across the cave and seeing him warp had been amazing. Prompto was just glad he was getting the hang of calling things from the Armiger, he'd stored the gun he'd been given there as well as some of their blood supplies as emergency rations for both of them if something happened. Watching Noct….he wanted him so much, something he was very careful to shield from the younger vampire, he refused to influence him like that. Noct seemed to think he liked him and all he could do was hope he did and that it wasn't bleeding over to Noct from his own feelings, that Noct would still want him even without the bond.

He glanced at Iggy as the human shifted slightly, smiling as he gently wrapped an arm around his shoulders and Ignis immediately curled into him, radiating utter contentment.

"It's wonderful to see him move like that."

"What do you mean?" Prompto asked curiously.

"The attack when he was a child left his back a mess of scars and has affected his mobility ever since. Now he can move however he wishes with no pain," Iggy explained.

Huh, Prompto hadn't known that, he hadn't looked at Noct's back when he'd been naked during the act of changing him. he wondered what it was like, to be in pain for so long and then to suddenly be free of it. No wonder Noctis was always moving, he was enjoying the lack of pain. Noct glanced his way, sensing his mood and he smiled at him so Noct smiled back before refocusing on the fight.

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Noct leant against the boulder, eyes scanning the horizon, every sense stretching to catch the first hint of an approaching vehicle. Cor was coming to see them again and he was excited, happy his Uncle wanted to see him. He missed his comforting, solid presence, nothing ever seemed to phase the Marshal. He missed Uncle Clarus too, but he missed his Dad the most. He hoped that one day soon they could see each other again, even if only briefly.

Prompto was around, hanging back again unless needed or asked for but Noct knew he'd be at his side in an instant if he was needed. Prom would never let anyone, or anything threaten him, but it was different to the way he'd been protected in Insomnia, to most his protection had been nothing more than duty to the Crown, even Gladio had made it feel that way a lot of the time. That was something he was glad had changed.

Noct grinned as he heard an approaching car before seeing it, but then he frowned slightly, Cor was driving but he wasn't alone. He sent a pulse of reassurance to Prompto, he still had his magic and added to vampire speed and strength he could protect himself. The car stopped and Cor got out, looking around for him so he leapt from his spot on the cliff above, landing easily several feet from the car. It was an overcast day, so he had the hood of his jacket down and he smiled at Cor before looking to try and see who else was in the car. The passenger door opened, and he gasped in shock, mind racing as he tried to believe what he was seeing. "Dad?"

TBC..