ZEDKIEL.
A cool wind blows past me as I stare down at the tomb before me with a heavy heart. The funeral was yesterday for all those who passed and for our- kingâ¦
I stare at the engravings on the tombstone.
HERE LIES THE BODY OF A JUST KING, A LOVING FATHER, AND A RESPECTED ALLY. SUPREME ALPHA AMBROSE VILKASâ
Fatherâ¦
Four days have passed since our return and there is a lot to do and a lot that we have already done, but we all needed time to mourn those we have lost.
We have suffered, and we have all lost someone that we loved. They will not be easily forgotten.
I crouch down before the tombstone and look at the flowers that adorn the ground around the grave.
Father⦠I wish I could have told you this when you were alive, but.. I want you to know that I appreciated everything you did for me. For the trust, you kept in me. Thank you for treating me às a person and not as a monster⦠I love you, Father.. -I close my eyes as I allow my sorrow to wash through me. I lower my head, Maryka and Danciana . they will pay for this.. as will the rest of the bastards who were in on this.
The court members have all been stripped of their titles, and those who were not already in prison were being thoroughly investigated.
Ragnar, Chasyn, and Alcazer stood by Evangeline, and I would always be grateful for that.. Hearing footsteps, I look up, only to see Alcazer, but seeing me heâs instantly about to move away.
Ever since I killed Odette, he has not forgiven me and why should he? I killed his wife and was not held accountable for it either.
âAlcazer!â I call, stopping him from walking away.
Iâm leaving anyway.â
He turns back and, frowning, makes his way over to the grave. Itâs obvious he was here visiting her graveâ¦
I step back as he looks down at Dadâs grave, itâs clear heâs been avoiding me and although he has respected Evangeline, he has made no attempt to hide his hatred towards me.
Which is fine⦠but I do owe him.
âBefore I go, I want to apologise,â I say quietly. âI am truly sorry for killing Odette. Her sister hurt my mate, and I in tum took my anger out on her when she was only trying to protect her pathetic sister.
It was wrong.. and I canât even imagine having to tolerate the man who killed your wife. My words canât bring her back, but I am sorry.â
He looks shocked by my apology, as he looks up at me, our eyes meeting, but it doesnât stop him from scoffing lightly.
âAn apology doesnât right what happened.â He says coldly, looking away from me. As if looking at me for too long disgusted him.
âNo, it doesnât, but I truly regret what I did. Iâve committed many crimes, and due to being a prince, my Lycan took advantage of it knowing there were no repercussions⦠I just wish I was stronger to have been able to suppress him, but I wasnât.â I say quietly.
He remains silent, but his hands are balled into fists shaking slightly.
His voice is barely above a whisper when he speaks.
âAn apology is so easy to make. Do you know, when she was being prepared for her burial. that I learned she was pregnant?â
My heart thuds as I stare at him in shock and tenfold regret.
I killed their pup.
âI.â
âYeah, you donât have anything to say now do you?â he says, finally turning and looking at me.
Thereâs only sadness and bitterness in his eyes.
âNo itâs⦠I understand how you feel. More than you know.â I say quietly.
âYou will never understand the loss of a child.â
Alcazer replies bitterly, his eyes glistening with tears he refuses to allow to fall. âI couldnât protect my woman or my child and more than that, I had to watch the killer carry on with his life as if he could do no wrong.â
Our eyes meet, and I realise itâs not hatred in his but anger that masks the tremendous storm of regret, pain, and sadness that torments him.. eyes to the heart of a broken man.
I did that and didnât even realise⦠I carried on selfishly and callously.
âNo, I would never be able to be under the same roof as a killer⦠but⦠I too have lost a child and that emptiness canât be filled. So, I understand to an extent, but it doesnât make it alright.â
âMeaning?â He asks.
âEvangeline was pregnant, but our child was the price to get a second chance at breaking the curse upon us.âI reply quietly.
He looks shocked as he looks up at me sharply, and Iâm surprised to see his eyes become sadder.
âIm sorry for your loss.â He says quietly, turning away.
This time itâs my turn to be surprised.
Canât I salvage our rocky relationship?
I place my hand on his shoulder. âIâm truly sorry Alcazer, if thereâs a way, I can make it up to you. I will. Just tell me what I can do.â
After a few moments, he looks over his shoulder.
âThereâs nothing, but perhaps it was good that we had this conversation. May our children be united in heaven.â He says simply.
For a split second, he places his hand on top of mine, patting it before he turns his back on me â and, wiping his eyes, walks away.
I look down at Dadâs grave.
Another crime. another burden to shoulderâ¦
âI killed my nephew or niece..â I say to the silent graveyard, dropping to my knees, guilt consuming me.
âNo. Zerachiel did.â
I sigh heavily as I look up to see Kash approaching.
A sharp wind blows, and despite the gloomy weather, itâs not too cold, just dull.
âYeah⦠maybe.â I say.
âNot maybe. He did that.â He says quietly yet firmly.
I fall silent as he pays his respects to Dad, and I take a moment to scan the other fresh graves. We lost seventeen other men and women on the battlefield and another eleven here at the castle.
âSo what now?â Kash asks as a bird chirps loudly above us and we turn to see it soar high into the sky.
âWe rise, we combine our kingdoms and our species, and we live our lives to the fullest. We arm to improve, we correct our wrongs and for those we canât.. we seek redemption.â I reply as I stand up just as a ray of sunshine cracks through the clouds and we both look at one another.
All hope isnât lostâ¦We canât help but smirk.
We got this.
âSounds like a challenge and a fun one.â He says.
Iâll be by your side,â
âOh yeah? And what of your queenâs? Isnât she making you her Beta?â I ask, smirking.
âWell, hers or yours, what difference does it make?â
He says, but his smile fades slightly.
âWhat is it?â I ask.
Distractedly, he touches his neck.
âZiahraâ¦â
I c**k a brow. âWhat about her?â I ask, knowing she was going to head out.
She had said there are things she needs to do, and although I would be leaving for a short while too, we were figuring out how we were going to do this.
I know Kash couldnât leave, just like Evangeline couldnât.
âShe said she has things to do before sheâll even consider settling down.â He says.
âThe way we feel the bond as vampires is different than that of werewolves.. We can go years without being with our mates, but we will always stay true and loyal to them. Life isnât as short for vampires as it is for werewolves and once we love⦠it never fades⦠she wonât forget you but you will need to wait for her.â I say, realising what his fear is.
He looks at me, and he frowns, masking his sadness as he shrugs.
âYeah⦠I mean I need to make sure Isa is ok too.
After things settle, Ill go find her. I can keep busy too.â He says, his voice sounds rough, but I know heâs just hurt.
I nod, hoping Ziahra returns to him soon, because he needs her.
âSounds like a plan. Now I heard from a little bird, or should I say a little mouse, that Ziahra plans to leave tomorrow night, make the most of this time and maybe at least get her to f*****g mark you.â I mock. âWhat kind of man are you?â
He narrows his eyes. âSheâs not an easy one. Fine, Iâm off to mark and bed your sister.â He flips me the middle finger and I growl, making him smirk cockily.
âWatch it!â I snarl, my eyes blazing red.
âHey, I had more choice words, but I kept it⦠clean.â He smirks before he breaks into a run, and I shake my head.
Dickhead.
I turn back to the grave, smirking faintly before I become serious once more.
I should head back too..
Sighing, I touch the cool marble one final time and take a deep breath.
âWe will all make you proud, father. You have four sons who will make sure to uphold your teachings and reputation.. Goodbye, Dadâ¦â
Turning away, I let the whistling wind consume my mind, the sounds of the smallest insects fill my ears, and I look to the sky.
Until we meet again.