Killian’s POV
“Lydia.
You understand that’s impossible.
As the Clan Lord, especially after tonight’s rogue vampire attack, I need to handle the aftermath.” I stated firmly, my voice carrying the authority expected of a pureblood leader.
“That can wait until tomorrow.” Lydia insisted, sliding her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine with practiced seduction.
By the ancient bloodlines, I wanted nothing more than for this woman to disappear from my existence completely.
Every touch felt like a betrayal to the bond screaming in my veins, to Caius howling in the depths of my mind for our true blood mate.
I managed to extract myself gently from her embrace and brushed a quick kiss across her forehead, maintaining the facade we’d built for the Clan’s political stability.
“I’ll return as quickly as possible.
You have my word.” I promised, the words tasting like ash on my tongue.
“You’d better.
I’ll be waiting in our chambers, ready to celebrate your victory over those pathetic rogues.” Her voice dripped with the kind of possessiveness that made my vampire spirit recoil.
“I’m certain you will be.” I forced the expected smile as I set down my crystal goblet of blood wine and headed for the door once more.
The damage assessment revealed surprisingly minimal destruction from the attack.
The rogue vampires had been ancient ones, their human consciousness completely devoured by their blood spirits, leaving only mindless killing machines.
But our defenses had held, thanks largely to the barrier spells provided by our witch allies.
With that handled, I made my way back to the medical wing to check on the clan members receiving treatment.
Each one appeared to be recovering well from their injuries, the healing properties of vampire blood working to mend torn flesh and broken bones.
Amara was nowhere to be seen in the main treatment area.
However, I spotted Flint positioned outside one of the private recovery rooms, his massive frame blocking the doorway like a loyal sentinel.
I approached down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
“Her mother is inside with her.” Flint informed me without preamble, his voice carefully neutral but his eyes holding the same protective gleam they’d carried since Amara came of age.
“Sylvia doesn’t know about our blood bond, correct?” I inquired, though I suspected I already knew the answer.
“No.
Amara believes her mother wouldn’t handle the news well.
Not considering what happened to her father in your family’s service.”
Flint provided the explanation with just enough edge to remind me of old sins, old debts that could never be fully repaid.
I turned toward the room, drew a steadying breath that I didn’t technically need, then stepped through the doorway.
Sylvia’s gaze lifted to meet mine, and I saw the same defiant fire that burned in Amara’s eyes when she faced me down.
“What brings you here?” She questioned, her tone making it clear she didn’t welcome my presence.
“I wanted to check on her condition.” I replied, keeping my voice carefully modulated.
“Since when do you care?” Sylvia challenged, rising from her chair beside Amara’s bed with the grace of a protective lioness.
“I never claimed I didn’t care.”
“No.
You simply abandoned us in those outer territories without any protection or patrol coverage.
You knew those rogue attacks were escalating.
Your father was probably hoping I’d be the casualty, but instead my daughter lies here barely clinging to life.”
Sylvia spoke without looking at me, her attention fixed on Amara’s pale form, on the bandages that covered silver-inflicted wounds that should have healed by now.
“This wasn’t my intention.
I’m implementing increased patrols.
They’ll cover the entire territory perimeter.
Including the area around your trailer.” I assured her, knowing it was too little, too late.
“Far too little, far too late.
She’s everything I have remaining.” Sylvia stated, her voice cracking with emotion she tried to hide.
“I understand that.
And she’s what keeps you fighting.” I observed, recognizing the fierce maternal love that had kept them both alive through years of my family’s neglect.
“What could you possibly know about any of this?” Sylvia snapped, whirling to face me with fury blazing in her human eyes.
“Because Amara shared it with me.” I revealed.
Her head jerked toward me sharply, confusion replacing anger.
“What?
Why would you be speaking with my daughter?
You’ve made it abundantly clear she’s beneath your notice.”
“Because I’m not my father.
I do care about clan members.”
“Really?
You’ve held the Lord position for years and never once spoken to me.
You’ve made no effort to relocate us from that trailer.
Don’t claim you’re different from your father.
You’re identical to him.
Now, please leave my daughter’s room.” Sylvia demanded, her voice shaking with barely contained rage.
I knew my presence would accelerate Amara’s healing process through our blood bond.
Just like before, when she’d been beaten by those pureblood bullies.
But explaining this to Sylvia without revealing the mate bond seemed impossible.
“What are you waiting for?
She’s not your concern.
She’s not your obligation.
I’m capable of caring for my own child.” Sylvia’s voice grew sharper, more desperate.
“She’s my blood mate.” The words escaped before I could stop them, carried by Caius’s frustrated howling in my mind.
Sylvia stared at me with wide eyes, completely stunned into silence.
“Does she know this?” Sylvia stammered after a long moment.
“Yes.” I confirmed, the single word heavy with implications.
“Why didn’t she inform me?”
“She thought you wouldn’t understand.
You’re now under direct Lord command not to reveal to anyone that I’m mated to your daughter.
This information cannot leave this room.” I ordered her with the full weight of vampiric authority, watching as the compulsion settled into her mind.
“How many others are aware?”
“My Beta and Flint.
The warrior who’s been her protector since she came of age.” I explained, moving closer to Amara’s bedside.
“This is unbelievable.” Sylvia muttered, sinking back into her chair.
I moved to the opposite side of Amara’s bed and took her hand in mine, feeling the familiar jolt of connection, the way Caius purred at the contact even as my human consciousness recoiled from the complications.
“I know her healing will accelerate with me present.
The blood bond facilitates it.” I said, watching as color began to return to Amara’s cheeks.
“What do you mean by blood bond?” Sylvia asked, her voice small and confused.
Damn.
Amara hadn’t wanted to share the supernatural details with her human mother.