"Your Grace." Lucas greeted to Prince Alessio who grunted quietly beneath his breath.
"She will need to retire to her quarters for the night now and my father has ordered for all Alphas to convene at his study for a detailed report on the events from tonight,"
"I hope you have not come with the intention of driveling." Prince Alessio continued,
Lucas frowned slightly at Prince Alessio's choice of words.
Neveah prayed within her heart that the young Varleston would let Prince Alessio's words go, but of course, an Alpha Wolf would always be an Alpha wolf, never bending to disrespect regardless of the situation.
"I may be within your territory, but you have no say in my personal affairs, Your Grace. Driveling or what not, it is between myself and Princess Neveah." Lucas countered in a dark tone,
Neveah winced as she knew Lucas's words had most likely just nailed her to a chopping block.
"What do you have to say then... sister?" Prince Alessio asked, placing Neveah directly within the line of fire like she expected he would.
"My brother is right, I have had a tiring day and I am positively exhausted, I will retire first and it is proper courtesy you respond to my father's summons promptly." Neveah replied in a blank tone,
Neveah could see the hurt reflected in the gaze of the young Varleston whom Neveah knew had developed a boyish crush on her.
"But of course, we are to meet as you have earlier scheduled? You did promise to go into town with me before your departure and I would very much like to show you to my favorite pastry chef."
"He makes magic with his hands and I am positive you would love his delicacies." Neveah spoke up as Lucas began to head away dejectedly.
Neveah could feel Prince Alessio's glare on her but she ignored him, he would be angered but if Neveah failed to trap Lucas Varleston like Alpha King Lothaire had bid her,
Then repercussions would be far greater than anything Prince Alessio could ever do to her.
In every situation, Neveah had learned to measure her options, between her step brother and her father, who was more terrifying?
Neveah knew the answer clearly and so she settled for the lesser evil.
Lucas's head perked up, a wide grin on his lips as he nodded eagerly.
"Certainly Princess, as soon as the urgent discussions are over, I will come find you." Lucas said, his eyes glinting with youthful excitement.
Neveah felt a pang of guilt within her heart as she returned his smile with what her best version of a genuine smile.
"And again... it's Veah, Lucas." Neveah said as she gestured for him to go on ahead.
As Lucas strode away satisfied, Neveah held back a flinch as Prince Alessio's gaze turned to her.
"Menvi El lumet Kur." Prince Alessio said in the ancient wolven tongue before he also headed away.
Neveah's eyes fluttered closed as the meaning of Prince Alessio's final words rang through her mind, a familiar and unwelcome terror gripping her.
'Menvi El lumet Kur...I will come find you too.'