CHAPTER 158: RACHEL PLATTEN - FIGHT SONG

"Have you made any progress in sorting out the issue?" Veyron asked.

Damien raised a brow at him, then leaned back against the chair. "You mean about me dying?" he asked with a chuckle, the sound dry and far too casual for a man cursed with impending death. "I’ve accepted my fate. I just want to enjoy the time I have left."

"You sound like a man making peace with death," Veyron said, plopping down into the chair.

Damien smirked.

The levity faded a bit, though, as Veyron grew more serious. "Your Highness, if I may ask—Your father steps down after your marriage to the princess. You become king. If what we fear does happen... does your queen rule until the child is of age?"

"Yes, Veyron," Damien said. "But it frightens me. The trials she’ll have to face... to protect our child, to protect herself."

He rose and walked toward the window, gazing out at the city. The moon had begun to rise. Even from up here, Damien could see the torch-lit banners being hung in preparation for the wedding celebrations. It should have brought him joy.

Instead, it just felt like a countdown.

"Luna is strong," Damien said, more to himself than to Veyron. "Stronger than she knows. But the court will eat her alive the moment I’m gone. Gabriel will try to manipulate the council. And the nobles will test her loyalty with every breath."

"You don’t have to worry," Veyron said firmly. "I promise she’ll be in good hands."

Damien turned slowly, one brow raised. "Veyron... why are you so faithful to the throne?"

Veyron gave a slow, crooked smile. "Because it serves my own selfish needs."

"That... is refreshingly honest. Should I be worried?"

"I’d do anything to keep Gabriel away from that throne," Veyron said.

Damien laughed, despite himself. "You make it sound so noble."

"I’m motivated."

******

Morvakar’s long fingers drummed rhythmically on the edge of his desk. In the middle of the room, Michael scribbled with the enthusiasm of a first-year academy student who’d just discovered forbidden knowledge was, in fact, fun.

"So..." Michael said, eyes wide and eager. "You say when humans are turned without the proper procedure, they’re feral and constantly seek blood?"

"Yes...You’re not planning to turn, are you?"

"No, of course not!"

"Wise," Morvakar muttered. "Most don’t understand that turning someone improperly is not just a failed process—it’s a cursed one. Feral vampires don’t simply thirst—they unravel."

"Unravel?"

"They lose their morality. They become hunger. I’ve seen it happen."

Michael leaned forward. "Someone you knew?"

"Not someone. Many."

"Does the same apply to werewolves?" Michael asked, tapping the edge of his pen against his lower lip, deep in thought. "We may be suspecting the wrong species. It might be werewolves that are the culprit."

"I highly doubt that," Morvakar replied. "Werewolves aren’t interested in blood. That being said, a rogue werewolf can be just as dangerous—maybe even worse. They don’t feed on blood, but they lose touch with their human side. That makes them unpredictable. Think of it as... being stuck in permanent beast mode."

"Wow," Michael breathed, looking down at his notes with new reverence. "This...this is interesting. It’s never been quite simplified like this before."

"I guess I’m a good teacher," Morvakar said with mock modesty. "Perhaps I should open a university."

Michael snorted. "I’d enroll."

Morvakar got to his feet. "Want some tea?"

Michael looked out the stained-glass window where the moon was just beginning to bleed into the sky. "Uh... no. I should get going before it gets dark."

"Wise," Morvakar said, walking Michael to the door. "Be careful out there. As you’ve informed me—humans are disappearing."

Michael gave a crooked smile. "Yeah. I’ll keep that in mind."

"Where are you staying, if I may ask?"

"Oh, there’s an inn between the werewolf and vampire boundaries. Kind couple. Great bread. Terrible coffee."

He lied like a man who’d practiced.

"Sounds cozy," Morvakar said. He didn’t push further.

Michael made to leave but paused at the threshold, glancing back at the mantle. There, nestled between dusty spellbooks and crystal vials, was a small, faded photograph in a silver frame.

"I meant to ask you," he said slowly, "the picture on your mantle—the one of the boy. Who is he?"

"He is my son, William. Good boy," Morvakar said with a wistful smile, one hand brushing over the silver frame on the mantle.

"Does he live with you?"

Morvakar’s fingers tightened slightly around the frame, the smile on his lips faltering. "No," he said after a pause that felt a second too long. "He... uh... died. Many years ago."

Michael’s throat constricted. "Oh. I’m... I’m sorry," he murmured, guilt lacing his voice. He hadn’t meant to prod a wound, but it was quite obvious that his father was still mourning him.

"Good night, Morvakar. See you tomorrow," Michael added quickly, already moving toward the door before he would do something stupid like tell Morvakar who he truly was.

Morvakar simply nodded, watching him leave with a faint nod and a gaze that lingered far beyond the closing door. He knew Michael was fishing. But strangely enough, he didn’t mind it.

As the wind howled faintly against the window panes, Morvakar turned back to his shelf of ancient books.

His fingers trailed along the spines of the books. His mind, however, was on the princess—Luna. She had tasked him with finding a solution to Damien’s dilemma. And find it, he did.

He must mark his true mate, Morvakar thought, frowning. It’s the only way to stabilize the dying bond and transfer the curse before it kills him.

And yet Damien, the reckless idiot that he was wanted an alternative.

"Well," Morvakar muttered, reaching for a spellbook bound in leather, "I promised I’d try."

*****

Jane led Luna in stiff silence, shoulders squared, jaw clenched.

When they reached the familiar door, Jane cleared her throat and forced out, "Here you are."

Luna stepped inside slowly, her fingers brushing against the edge of the door as if unsure it was real.

(Power ranking 29 guys!!! What!!! in just a few hours. I am liking this challenge. Okay...lets keep going. The more we step up, the more updates.)