Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 71

Derek stormed back to his room and opened the door. The moment he saw Lucy though the anger con parted as she peacefully slept. His lips curled upwards at her adorableness. He wasn't angry now but more. Even if it was someone of influence... did they have to gossip about it? Even if it was out of pity how would that be any of their faults?

All he wanted was to live with his mate and their little family. He wanted to love them and enjoy life to happiness was all that mattered to him. More than the crown.

Jasper looked up at Derek and nodded for him to come over. He glanced down at Lucy who was still so She was pretty tired. She fell asleep almost instantly. How did it go?

How do you feel about being the crown prince? Derek gave Jasper a wry smile as he crept in front of th That bad huh?

He wants to wait before he makes any decision. He wants to speak to whoever spread the rumor first. I'm sure your father wants to see this person punished Derek. I'm with you but your dad has been doi Derek frowned and leaned back a bit on the couch. He couldn't think rationally when it came to Lucy. taken on an unhealthy obsession level. Lucy was always on his mind and he needed her. She was a dr have this bond.

Justice sat his controller to the side and looked over at Derek. As his guardian now he could mind link In about an hour.

I'm going to get something to eat then. Justice eased himself up quietly and placed a pillow over Lucy Jasper was trapped until Lucy woke up or Derek woke her up. If he moved she would wake for sure. Are you planning to take Lucy to the meeting? Jasper asked and noticed Derek's eyes turn black. No, I don't want her there. She doesn't need to hear this stuff.

So if she is still asleep...

I'll give you the cliff notes.

Isn't this one of those mandatory meetings? Jasper said with a smirk.

y flooded out of his body. She was curled up on the couch with her head on Jasper's lap and her feet wedged under Justice. Her little pink lips were slightly feeling the hurt. Seeing his sweet mate and after everything, she went through... Damn it hurt. He trusted his people so much which is why it hurt all the mpathy... they would know it would have been a horrible topic to talk about. One that would have been painful. Had his mate been r***d and impregnated,

If he had to, he would take her away. He would live among the wolves or dragons... hell he would live anywhere if it kept her from being hurt. Her asleep.

th. He sat on the floor sideways in front of Lucy where he could watch her.

en decide what to do. Derek scowled. for a while now.

ked over her tracing her facial features with his eyes. All he wanted to do was protect her and keep her safe. He smiled looking at her. His love for her has he needed to constantly inject himself with. The feelings he had now made his love for her before seem shallow. Thank the gods she is his mate and they im too. When is the meeting?

to cover them. He quietly tiptoed out of the room easing the door shut.

Not for you. Your number one task at all times is protecting Lucy. Above everything. Let the kingdom fall as long as Lucy lives. She is my first priority. And I am tasking her as yours as well.

Jasper smiled and shook his head. She has always been my first priority over this place. You and Lucy are my priorities. If you leave the kingdom I am too. I don't care who takes over. I guess your father better not die or retire because I go with you. I think of us as a package deal. He then looked down at Lucy sleeping on his lap. She's my best friend... I also won't stand for her mistreatment. I will be watching how this is handled as well.

Both men stared at Lucy quietly after that. They had made a quiet agreement. They would take their group and leave if they had to. Alaric didn't have to hand the kingdom over to Derek any time soon if at all. As long as he was alive the vampires had their king. And in the worst case Jester was there too. Derek and Jasper would stay together no matter what. Whether it is here or somewhere else. It wasn't about this incident. It was about more than that. It was about not being controlled by others because of their position and standing. A wrong doing is a wrong doing that should be punished the same no matter who you are. This was something that should be punishable by death because the intent was to smear and place doubt over the future heir. This was done maliciously. Both Derek and Jasper needed to see this handled appropriately.

Lucy sat up frantically. Her heart was racing and she began gasping for air.

"Lucy, what is it?" Jasper asked looking at her startled face.

Derek reached out and grabbed onto her hand trying to make sense of her emotions and thoughts.

She blinked a couple times and furrowed her brow. Something was wrong... something was bothering her. She looked around the room and up at the door as it opened revealing Justice eating a sandwich.

"What did I miss?" Justice focused onto the worried green eyes and strode up to them.

Lucy clutched her chest as it was seared with a hot iron. She winced and doubled forward into Derek's arms.

"Aba... where is Aba." Lucy whimpered.

"Abaddon!" Derek ordered but nothing... "Mira!" He commanded. Neither of them appeared. He glanced up at Jasper as he rubbed Lucy's back trying to soothe her.

Justice sat beside Lucy and grabbed onto her hand to help ease her pain.

"It's disconnecting... His soul... his energy..." Lucy gasped out as tears trickled down her cheek. "Something has happened to him."

"Something has happened to both Mira and Aba..." Derek eased Lucy back on the couch and into Justice. "This is urgent. I need to speak with my father immediately..." He looked at Lucy and could feel the pain subsiding. "Baby I'll be right back." He watched her nod and blurred out of the room and down the hall.

His father and mother were still where he left them at.

"Mira and Abaddon aren't coming. Something has happened." Derek looked at his parent's faces but it looked as if they were already aware.

"We could feel the disconnect from Mira." Willa said softly.

"They found the target then." Derek glanced up at his father. "Are they dead?"

"If it is who I am suspecting then yes... they are probably dead. To not respond to our calls..." Alaric looked down and frowned. "Only someone very powerful could have defeated them. Someone skilled through the ages. Someone like Count Drake Basil." Derek shook his head. "But the blood oath he gave you..."

Alaric looked up at Derek in shock. "Blood oath? Count Basil gave me no such oath." "Shit..."

"Derek..." Alaric sighed and shook his head. "We should never make rash decisions and we need to think how our actions can affect our kingdom. However, having said that... I am sentencing the culprit to death. Whoever started these malicious rumors needs to be eradicated. Whoever killed our bound servants must not be allowed to live."

Derek looked at his father and gave him a slight nod. He couldn't enjoy this news in light of knowing Abaddon and Mira had been killed.

"I'm going after him..." Derek said icily.

"Jester and Irene are already out scouting for his whereabouts. I'd rather you not... but I know that is pointless to say. Take Jasper and get rid of our enemy." Alaric knew his son was capable. Count Basil was strong but couldn't be stronger than the royal family. Having Jasper with him was extra insurance because he may not be working alone. And he knew Jester and Irene were incredible warriors. This wasn't an army matter. This was a situation that needed to be dealt with fast. Only the stealth and skill of the royal line could masterfully take down an aged vampire as Count Basil.

Derek nodded his head. "It will be handled." He abruptly turned and marched back to his room. His chest hurt and he knew Lucy was going to be upset as well. Mira and Aba were family to them. And the news was numbing but now it was settling inside of him. They were gone...

He opened the door to his chambers and amber met emeralds.

Lucy shook her head slowly. "No..." She breathed out. But his energy inside of her was gone now. She couldn't feel him at all. She felt Derek pull her up and into his arms.

"I'm so sorry Lucy..." Derek's eyes watered and he looked at Justice and Jasper. "Mira and Aba..." He shook his head. "I've been given permission to hunt and kill the culprit. Their deaths will be avenged."

Lucy shook her head and the liquid water pooled from her eyes. She could feel her connection to Aba was now severed and it hurt. Her nose and eyes were burning as her lungs constricted. Aba and Mira weren't servants, they were friends. And Aba was HERS! He was her servant and she felt responsible. He was finally showing himself to her and the person he truly should have been all along.

Aba protected her, laughed with her, and got angry for her. He even cried for her. She shook her head slowly. This was too much. She couldn't take this loss. Her anger began to bubble to the surface as she dug her fingers into Derek's shirt. She couldn't focus on the hurt. She wouldn't focus on the empty feeling inside of her. She was going to concentrate on revenge.

"Lucy..." Derek said in a whisper.

"I know Derek. But you aren't winning this one. Besides, I need to be close with you and who knows how long you could be gone on this hunt." Lucy stepped back and met with his amber eyes. "Justice and I are coming with you and Jasper." "Hell yeah we are." Justice growled angrily. "We will hunt this bastard down. My sword would like to have a word with him."

"I don't like taking my pregnant mate with me... but given how you need my energy and with Aba..." He stopped and looked down. He had really come to depend on Aba as well too. "I can't see this as a subject I can win at anyways. Jasper... protect Lucy at all times. Above me."

Jasper nodded his head. "No one will touch Lucy. Not with me around let alone Justice."

"I sent Mira out to find the culprit..." Lucy said in a whisper.

"And I sent Aba out to stop the rumors in the palace... Mira must have sent out a distress signal to him and he went to her." Derek squeezed Lucy tightly. "This isn't anyone's fault baby. Don't blame yourself... We blame whoever did it and we kill them." Lucy stepped away from Derek and went into the bathroom. A few moments later she stepped out. She was dressed in her all black outfit, with black combat boots. She tucked her daggers in and then pulled her hair back.

"Let's go hunting." Lucy said in a low growl.