58 The Crowning of Kingsley

The Crowning of Kingsley: this is how Kingsley got a throne and became a member on the council. Please enjoy and sorry it took so long!

Kingsley's POV:

I leaned back against the bench, looking towards the humming bird feeding on a flower. My giant bird caged garden was my favorite place to be at during the night. I couldn't imagine not visiting it for a night. It was peaceful here. It's also where I first met Lyle. I could still smell his scent lingering about from his last visit. Aurelio walked in with a tray, humming in happiness. He was still wearing his trendy floral pants and a white dress shirt to match. He had coordinating gold and white colors on tonight. He sat the tray down on the table in front of me then sat down beside me, kissing my cheek. "I made you tea like you asked as well as some warm blood. One of the maids gave me this for you," he held up a letter from the tray. "Might be from Lyle, how about you open it?" He handed me the letter and I began to read it.

Dear Mr. Kingsley Void,

I regret to inform you of the passing of your Uncle Tomas Axelsson. I feel it is in my duty to inform you the funeral will be tonight at midnight. His estate.

~Alfred

I cut off reading and looked towards Aurelio."It's terrible news.... My uncle Tomas has passed away." I gave him the letter for his eyes. "I'll have to be there by midnight, can you make that happen?"

"Yes, of course I can... Your Uncle Tomas? Isn't he a king?" Aurelio asked. I nodded and grabbed my tea cup and started to sip on it. "Damn this means I have to go change into black... You better too Kingsley." He stood up and looked down at me. "I'm sorry about your uncle." I shook my head.

"It's okay, he's just an uncle." I stood up. "He's not my brother or my mother and father." I carried my tea cup out of the garden and started for my bedroom, I could hear him following me.

"So who's Alfred?" Aurelio asked.

"He was Tomas's trusted lawyer and butler," I explained. "I've met Alfred only once before when my parents died. Alfred was also their lawyer."

"Kings have to have lawyers?" Aurelio asked. "Your species is funny."

"No, we don't have to but it's better if we do so the crown or estate falls into the right hands after our death. Otherwise, it'll go to auction to the highest buyer or closest relative.... even if you don't like that relative. Now what's funny is your species," I aimed at him and chuckled.

"Will you be telling Lyle?" Aurelio asked.

"Why? He's part of the Rosario family, not mine. It's not much of his business. He'll find out eventually from Silas that a member on the council died." We went our separate ways as I entered my bedroom and went into my closet, getting into the darkest suit I own and wrapped my black cloak around me. I walked out into the hall, waiting for Aurelio. He seemed slower than me, probably upset he couldn't wear his floral pants tonight. He walked out in a black suit as well and gave me a dull look. "Keep making that face and they'll throw you in the coffin with my uncle," I teased him. He gave me a sweet smile then and wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me closer.

"I'll only let them if you promise to come with me," he purred and kissed my temple. The air around us fluttered with the lights before I found myself surrounded by a dead scent filled with rogue werewolf. He yanked back and glanced around. My eyes followed his as we were both struck with horror of my Uncle Tomas's night room. Maids were still cleaning up soaked blood embedded in the carpet. I wrinkled up my nose as a wolf's corpse was being dragged out. One of the maids glanced at us and froze up.

"I'm here about my Uncle Tomas," I told her quickly before she could freak out. "What happened?" I asked quickly.

"We-well sir, a rogue pack attacked us a few hours ago during daylight.... it didn't end well. Your Uncle Tomas died from a bite to his arm. He tried to fight back but..." She trailed off.

"Where is Alfred?" I asked and glanced around in disgust.

"In your Uncle's study reviewing Tomas's will. He'll be saying it at Tomas's funeral."

"Yes, the funeral is going to be held at midnight," I said and gave her a grateful look before pulling Aurelio off towards my uncle's study. When we entered it, Alfred was leaned over my uncle's desk, marking up a piece of paper with a heavy look of sorrow.

"Alfred," I purred lightly to help the mood in this castle. He looked up and held his arms out to greet me, coming for me to hug me.

"Kingsley! Look at you! Boy have you grown up!" He pulled me into a hug and buried his face in my neck. "You poor boy, filled with so much death in your life... I have great news though. Come, come, come sit." He dragged me to the desk and plopped me down in front of it. Aurelio sat down by me and grabbed my hand. Alfred went back around the desk. "I've been reviewing your uncle's will he left me and he placed you as his successor. You're going to be king!" He looked up at me from the papers and took off his typical spectacles and waved them around. "This whole estate is yours as well. Hell, this chair right here is yours," he patted the chair he had been sitting in. "Your uncle wished for me to help make sure you become a king's student and learn his trade. Well your Aunt Seraphine wants to be your teacher in trade if you'll have her. You're going to have to start sitting up straight and keeping your eyes on your people! You'll have to find a queen- or king to rule by your side as well." He looked towards Aurelio. I clenched my jaw, taking in my uncle's decision to give me the crown. Oh hell. This is going to be terrible when I meet the council. "What's the matter K? You should be happy! You need to stop sulking, that's not good for your kingdom. Your crowning is going to be tonight as well, right after the funeral. We have a suit already being designed for you. We stole measurements from your maid while you slept during the day."

"Alfred, before I forget... What happened while I slept?" I asked.

"About Tomas's death?" He asked. I nodded. "You probably haven't heard but a rogue pack was forming over the last few years and they were wanting to hunt vampires. Your Uncle Tomas was the first and last attacked. Your Uncle's dragon is out still finishing them off around the town, hunting them down with anger for-"

"My uncle has a dragon!?" I asked in panic. He never told me this. I'm in danger for being here! That dragon will kill me! I'm an intruder! I panicked and got to my feet.

"I'm in danger!" I said quickly. Just for being here! Aurelio looked disturbed too and worried for my safety. Even Aurelio knows it's bad to walk into another- angered- dragon's territory. Alfred gave us a worried look. I heard a roar outside before I saw a blue flash outside the window, landing on the ground quickly. I ran for it then, heading out and into the hall, hitting a wall as I made my way away from the window.

"Kingsley! Please don't panic!" Alfred begged me. I heard the front door to the castle bust open then a snarl as a boy walked in, heading straight for a door with a pissed look, his black hair with blue tips flowing down his back. He paused and looked towards me as he caught my scent then narrowed his eyes, his golden eyes looking me over. I ran back into the study and slammed the door shut and locked it, my heart racing in my chest. I ran for Alfred and got behind him for protection. Aurelio crossed his legs and adjusted himself in his seat, not paying our danger any attention. The male watched me with amusement before he glared at Alfred.

"What is it doing in my little coin's home?" He growled at Alfred.

"This is Kingsley Void. He's Tomas's nephew. He's inherited this place along with the crown from Tomas." Alfred said calmly and pulled me out from behind him. "This is K.V. the one from the letters."

"I'm Aurelio," Aurelio told him with a calm smile. "I'm his escort." The male walked into the room and looked me over, puffing out some smoke as he scoffed.

"He's not inheriting this place," he said dominately, growling at Alfred. "No one is taking my precious King's place."

"He is inheriting this place," I heard my aunt say as she walked into the room and gave me a soft expression. She was dressed in a black dress that actually framed her old hips and curves well. "This is my darling nephew Kingsley. He's like a son to me and Tomas so treat him well," Aunt Seraphine ordered. I remembered when I was younger she liked it when I called her Sera. She brought me into a hug quickly. The male frowned and looked at her but didn't growl at her.

"He's still not my king," the dragon hissed. "He can stay but only because you want him here and my favorite precious coin loved you."

"He doesn't have to be your king, but he will be here for now on learning from me." Aunt Sera told him and gave him a small smile. "So please get along with him and his friend." The male looked at her then at me cautiously before he glanced at Aurelio and widened his eyes.

"Why is there a wizard?!" He hissed in anger, backing up quickly.

"Aurelio is a friend of mine," I whispered. Aurelio looked towards the dragon calmly.

"What's the matter? You think I'll tame you?" He teased. The dragon blushed but glared at him.

"I won't let you touch me," he hissed defensively.

"Fine with me, I only want to touch one person in this room." His eyes landed on me.

"So has Alfred explained what's going on tonight?" My aunt asked me. I nodded towards her. "Good, let's go get you into that suit, it's done." The dragon hissed at the aunt then.

"He can't have the throne," he told her firmly.

"Sweetie, it's in the will." My aunt walked up to the document. "Your precious coin wanted this." The dragon frowned and walked up to her and the document then looked at it. He frowned and then looked at me before he looked at my aunt and hugged her.

"Please don't do this," he begged her. "If we give him the throne, you'll forget about him," he whined. "He's not allowed to be dead."

"Honey, I'll never forget about my husband. That would be impossible... but he wanted Kingsley to have his throne and you need to accept that Kingsley was very treasured by him to the point at which he was mentioned in the will. You'll have to allow Kingsley his inheritance." The dragon frowned and looked at me before he looked me over one more time then looked at the will.

"F-fine... but only because he wanted it," he mumbled and then walked up to me. He looked me over and then frowned. "You better not bring in another dragon," he hissed softly before he started to fix my hair with his fingers and groomed me a bit. "I'll eat it."

"It's a good thing I don't have a dragon," I whispered.

"Come now Kingsley, I need to get you fitted in your suit and go over with you how the process will be of your crowning." My aunt snuck up and grabbed my hand. The dragon looked at her and then let me go, following after us slowly. He watched me carefully like he was trying to figure out if I was good or bad. I tensed up as Aurelio decided to stay behind with Alfred, I could hear them discussing my things being brought here. I followed my Aunt to a room where a few tailors were making a suit for me and I caught the sight of one of my servants holding a book open and saying my measurements to the ones that requested them. I blushed a bright shade of red. That's private! The dragon looked at the servants and purred, turning into his dragon form- a much smaller version than the one I saw outside and more like the size of a house cat. He snuck up to one in particular and pounced playfully at her shoes. I noticed he had small little horns on the side of his head near his pointy ears. He mostly was blue except for the horns which were black and the few spikes on his tail that matched his horns. His eyes stayed a pretty golden color while his scales resembled the color of the sea.

"Hey.... what type of dragon is he?" I asked my aunt as the servants rushed me into taking my clothes off and putting me in the new suit they designed. The dragon looked towards me as he watched them putting the suit on me closely.

"I am a type of elemental dragon- a water dragon," he told me simply. "If you want to be more specific then that, I'm a sea dragon," he hummed out and then rolled over onto his back, looking at his claws. "We specialize in controlling water and some forms of weather, and we're useful when fires start because of us. We can easily put out what we started if we desire. My coin named me Ross when I hatched, and since then, he's been mine and Sera's. Sera is mine as well." He flipped back onto his stomach and then got to his feet, stalking up to me. "If I like you... I might accept you and let you become part of my treasure hoard," he purred at me. I blushed as they slipped a dark blue suit on me trimmed in gold lace. Probably so I'd match the gold crown I'll receive. They even put me in matching shoes with small heels on them. My aunt Sera walked around me, looking me over. The dragon purred in approval, crawling up me till he was on my shoulder. "Blue looks good on you," he purred in amusement. He looked at the gold lace and purred loudly. "Gold suits you too~ You'll make a great addition to my treasure hoard," he told me and then nipped at my ear. "You're going to be my jewel." I blushed and looked towards him.

"I never owned a dragon before...." I whispered.

"Look at it more this way.... you don't own me... but you're going to be happy because I'll pamper you like I did my coin and his love," he told me and gave me a confident look. "I am your only dragon though, and having a dragon and owning a dragon are two different things. You'd have to enslave me to own me, but to have me, you only need to be apart of my treasure hoard and make me happy and ask me for favors."

"Oh.... okay..." I whispered. I caught a glimpse of my Aunt Sera's face shown of sorrow for a minute before she perked up and looked at Ross.

"Ross, I have an idea, why don't we pierce his ear for you? We could made him wear a hoop earing for you to annoy him with." Ross perked up quickly at that then looked at my ear.

"Pierce it! Pierce!" He said in excitement then tackled my ear. "We'll pierce it and make it all pretty! I want the hoop to have a sapphire on it at the bottom! It's my favorite gem! My favorite gem for my precious jewel! Pierce him!" He started to gnaw on my ear and then growled a bit, starting to grab my ear and then went to pierce it with his talons. "My jewel is going to love it! I think I have a hoop with a sapphire on it in my hoard!" I widened my eyes in panic and fell over, hiding my head on the ground.

"Alright darling, we'll pierce it." I heard my aunt say. I saw a servant walk over with a needle, getting it ready by holding it over a lighter. "Hurry and go find that ear ring," my aunt told him. The dragon jumped off me and raced for the door quickly in excitement, racing out of the room and down the hall.

"I've never been pierced before!" I shrieked. My aunt held me down with her foot.

"You'll barely feel a thing and it'll please him so quit whining." She told me. The maid hovered over me then and suddenly I felt the needle pierce me quickly. I yelped as it stung me, my ear beginning to heal up as she kept the needle in to not allow it. Ross was back in mere minutes, a small golden hoop in his mouth with a small sapphire sparkling at the bottom of it. He raced up to us and then tackled my body, starting to crawl towards my ear with it. The maid took it from him and exchanged the needle for the ring, clipping it in and backed away with the needle. Ross looked at it in joy and started to tug on it lightly, testing it before he curled up on my neck and purred happily.

"My sweet jewel~" He purred against me. "My sweet, sweet, precious jewel~ All mine." I blushed a bright red as my aunt tugged me to my feet and the servants dusted me off. They placed me in a matching bow tie before leaving my side.

"It's almost time darling," my aunt told me. "Stay here, I have to be somewhere. I'll come get you when you're needed- or I'll send for you. Don't leave this room. Ross will you make sure he stays in here?"

"Yes," he told her lovingly, looking towards her. "I will make sure he doesn't leave Sera," he promised and then tugged on my new earring, pulling me towards a chair with it. I groaned as I followed the tugging and sat down quickly. They left us to get on with the preparations. Ross moved into my lap and then started to look around the room protectively then looked at me before he started to pick at the suit with his teeth, adjusting it gently on me as he made sure not to make any holes on it. He looked towards my hand and started for it before he tackled it and started to play with my fingers, changing into a smaller form so that he could go in between them and started to go through them, looping his body around them as he went back and forth. I looked his small form over and lifted my hand, watching him slither around my fingers in awe. His scales rubbed against my skin a little as he slithered between them and when he got back to my pinky, he playfully gnawed on it, curling his entire body around it. I watched him before I snuck my hand up to my earing and went to take it out while he was distracted. He noticed quickly and snarled, biting down on my finger possessively. "Don't you dare," he hissed.

"OWE!" I backed my hand away quickly. "Okay, okay!" I'll have to take it out later before I got to bed for the day. He loosened up his bite on my finger and then licked it before he slowly went back to slithering between my fingers, inspecting them as he passed them. He looked towards me before he started to go up my hand to my wrist and then edged his way under the cuff of my suit. "Get out of my suit!" I told him and went to pull him out. He let me and then curled around my fingers that had grabbed him. He started to suck on one of them gently to sooth me. I blushed as I almost let a moan slip. "Stop doing that," I begged. He looked towards me and then slithered between my fingers, curling up at the base of my ring finger and wrapped his body around it. Oh dear.... my uncle really had his secrets.... dirty ones. I adjusted myself in the chair, nervous about the whole evening. The dragon gently gnawed at my finger, his little teeth scraping against my skin before he started to crawl up my arm and came back up to my neck where he played with the earring. I yanked my head away quickly. He stopped and looked towards me.

"What's the matter jewel?" He asked me softly.

"It stings," I mumbled.

"The ear stings?" He asked softly and then licked it. I could feel it becoming soothed and he pulled away as it stopped stinging. I closed my eyes and relaxed, I could hear footsteps rushing down the halls as they were getting prepared.

"I'm sorry about my uncle," I whispered to him. "He shouldn't have left you so quickly." Ross looked at me and then tensed up.

"No... My little coin was supposed to live forever," he whispered sadly. "I killed those who got him though.... I won't let anyone else die. He was the one who was there when I hatched, my first person, the one who raised me. He loved me and he loved Sera. I wanted him to be safe for eternity in my treasure hoard," he mumbled. "I didn't want him to die.... I didn't think he would ever die."

"Neither did I," I muttered. "He was a great king from what I was told. I didn't visit him enough...." I trailed off and rubbed my blue pants. Ross watched my hands and then looked at me.

"I think he might've mentioned you a few times," he whispered to me and then curled up against my neck. "You're not that bad either.... I think he picked you because of how much he liked you and because he wanted someone he knew I might be able to accept...." He nuzzled his head against my neck then, his little horns scratching me. "He picked wisely. My little coin was smart."

"Well he didn't have children with Sera and there isn't any other nephews he knows about. It's just me. My parents are dead too... It was just us three..." Until I found Lyle.

"He still could've let his throne fall to someone else... like not making a will," he told me and then started to tug gently on the hoop, curling up to my ear as he crawled onto it and gripped my ear. "He could've abandoned us all. You'll be okay as my jewel though... and you'll make a decent king in his place. If you don't live up to him, I will be angry," he warned.

"I'll live up to him," I promised. "I'm going to have to. They're going to be surprised to see me." He nodded and licked my ear before he started to crawl on top of my head. I heard a small noise of delight from him as he got in my hair and I felt him playing around in it. I laughed softly as he had fun in my nest of hair. The door opened and a servant walked in.

"It's time," she told us. She held out an outfit for Ross. "You need to get dressed Ross." Ross looked towards her from my head and then jumped down into my lap and then into the floor, changing into his human form for her.

"Okay," he told her and walked up to her calmly, not shying away. She helped him get dressed in a gold colored suit. When Ross was dressed I stood up and walked over to them, slipping past them and went out into the hall, going for where all the comotion had been fleeing to. Ross followed after me, glancing around cautiously as he walked behind me and then got up to my side. "Are you nervous?" He asked as he put his hands in his pockets.

"Not as nervous as I'll be when the council finds out about me," I mumbled.

"I'll eat them for you," he purred towards me. "I never much cared for them. I've heard all about them. You shouldn't care what they think."

"No it's just..." I sighed. "I have an older brother that's been on the council before under a different household name... My face will raise suspicion."

"Oh... you still shouldn't care what they think. Cradle robbing happens all the time," he hummed out. "What do you think happened to me? I was stolen from my nest and sold to your uncle and I'm living a very happy life." He laughed. "If they have a problem with your older brother being cradle robbed and you becoming a king, they can all forget about having a peace of mind. I'll terrorize them for you. It's not that hard for a dragon to scare others. We're very big and powerful when we want to be."

"Well yeah... but I never met his brother that's on the throne now... Lyle was waiting for a good time to introduce us... and I'm not sure if he even wants us to meet."

"Hmmm.... it'll be fine," he told me. "You can't stay hidden for eternity. I'll have your back if you desire my help," he promised. "You also have that wizard. They're very powerful too... and he seems to like you, so you have that as well. You could have the council thrown at your feet with either of us if you wanted it and asked for it." He smirked a bit. "If they're worth their riches though, they'll keep their mouth shut."

"I'm a king now Ross," I told him. "I'm going to try to keep my appearance good to them... I'll just suck it up and face them Ross. There's nothing else I can do. It's about time they find out." He looked at me and nodded.

"Okay," he whispered and then looked towards the earring on me. "You won't take that out, will you?" He asked softly. "I know your body will probably heal it up until it becomes an open scar." He gently reached for it and rubbed it between his fingers. "I really like it there... and it shows that you're mine. The sapphire gem is the gem of my kind of dragon." I blushed.

"Fine," I grumbled. "I'll keep it in." His eyes lit up in delight and hugged me.

"You'll barely notice it in a few years~!" He promised me and kissed my cheek happily.

"It makes me look gay," I grumbled.

"It makes you look like the treasured vampire of a wealthy dragon~" He purred at me and then nipped at the earring on my ear with a playful growl. "You are my treasured jewel after all!"

"You do realize Aurelio isn't going to like you doing that," I told him.

"Why not? You're my jewel, not his," he told me firmly. "He can be your lover if he pleases me." I blushed.

"Whoa," I told him. "Stay out of my lover life." He laughed slightly.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then that's fine," he told me and then tugged gently on the earring. "But you are still my jewel- apart of my treasure hoard. The minute you walked in here and my coin put you down to take his place on the throne, you became apart of my hoard," he told me firmly.

"Just as long as you understand I'm my own person," I told him firmly.

"Don't worry too much. You can't ever replace my coin. He was the first one I saw when I hatched. That's something special that even death can't break, a treasure and his dragon. You can become part of the hoard, but you can't ever take that special spot completely," he whispered and then pulled away. "You'll enjoy being apart of my hoard. I'm nicer with my treasures than other dragons- more of the kind that pampers the treasure than forces the treasure to pamper me. I've heard of other dragons that make their treasure spoil them and make their treasure practically slaves and hoard them away from others."

"Well when you're young and alone with another species raising you...." I trailed off. "I can't imagine what a dragon will do to make sure he still gets what a dragon is supposed to have." Ross smirked.

"They'll do a lot," he told me and laughed. "I get what I want by doing other things... but the most common thing for dragons to do is become extremely possessive. I almost became real bad about it but I had to learn to share my coin with Sera which helped, and I liked pleasing my coin more than seeing him angry with me, so I became the kind to pamper others instead of demand what I want... which worked out for me. They loved me and were delighted with me, so they gave me everything I could've ever wanted. I'll still eat any dragon you try to bring home though," he warned me. "I don't tolerate dragons in my nest... not unless I'm looking for a mate which I haven't done in over a century."

"What if it's not my dragon and I have a friend visiting with one?" I asked him curiously. "Because Lyle has a friend who has a baby dragon..." I trailed off. Ross looked thoughtful.

"As long as the baby dragon doesn't try to steal what's mine and as long as you aren't keeping it," he told me firmly. "I won't eat it if it is just visiting and the dragon stays with it's person." I nodded towards him.

"I'm sure he wouldn't try to take things from you," I purred. I came across the double doors then and heard people inside chatting. My aunt stood outside waiting for me. Ross looked at her in delight and ran up to her, purring immediately as he tackled her into a hug.

"Sera~" He purred happily.

"Hi sweetie," Sera said sweetly. "Go inside and find a spot to sit down at, maybe by Aurelio?" She looked at me. "The council is waiting inside, there is supposed to be a meeting afterwards to discuss about the rogue problem and what happened last night and of course celebrate your crowning." I froze up, wide eyed. The council.... is inside? Ross kissed Sera's cheek before he went inside and headed for Aurelio, sitting down beside him cautiously. My aunt went over how I'd approach alone before she went inside with a fanfair playing for her. I rubbed my wrist and almost scratched at it as I became scared of going inside and being judged. I looked towards the butlers by the doors who were motioning for me to breathe in and then back out. I followed their breathing as it helped me calm down. They opened the doors for me as another fanfair played and I started my way in and towards my Aunt Sera. I saw Ross giving me a reassuring smile and a small thumbs up as he watched me closely then looked towards Sera with a loving look. He looked at Aurelio and then nudged him slightly, giving him a friendly smile. Aurelio's eyes glared down the earring before looking towards Ross. I blushed and my eyes searched for any eyes that might be that of Silas's eyes that Lyle told me about. I spotted a white haired male sitting towards the front, tugging at his suit in annoyance as his blue eyes scanned the suit. He tsked and then leaned his head back against the seat before he noticed me and widened his eyes, sitting up as he looked at me with shock as he looked me over. Fuck. I avoided eye contact with him and made it to my aunt quickly. My heart started to race. What the hell will I tell him? Maybe he'll wait until he gets to Lyle and asks him what the fuck. I hardly noticed my aunt was already annoncing the death of my uncle and that I was left his throne. My eyes ran across the crowd, trying not to stare directly at Silas. I could feel his eyes on me though as he watched me with a curious look. He didn't dare look away from me and I could see him shifting nervously in his seat a bit as he managed to tear his eyes away from me and look at the rest of the council worriedly before he looked back at me. I realized then he was the last person to worry about as my eyes landed on the shocked faces of the council. My aunt kept her cool though as suddenly I felt weight on my head. I was startled a little until I realized she had crowned me. I felt her nudge me and suddenly I realized I had to say something..... Oh man she didn't tell me what to say! I felt my heart race like a dear in the headlights. I didn't prepare for this while I was waiting! I'm such a fool. I gave a smile, feeling nervous. I chuckled a little before speaking up.

"I'll make sure to be a great leader," I promised. I felt my Aunt glaring me down suddenly and stomping into my foot, making me hold in a yelp. "T-thank you for the throne?" I asked. She sighed.

"I have a lot of work to do on you," she grumbled. I saw Silas giving me a kind smile and he held back a small laugh as Ross tensed up and put a hand over his mouth, looking amused. I watched as the others starting to laugh at me then in amusement. I felt my aunt rub my back before she motioned for everyone to stand. "Let us go say our goodbyes to Tomas and head into the ball room for blood and Kingsley's first dance." I heard some of the young looking girls in the room squeal with delight. I froze up. NO. NO WAY! I never agreed to dancing!

"You broke my toe," I claimed and faked a limp. "Sorry, I can't dance," I whispered to my aunt. She hit me on the back before escorting me towards the side room to visit my uncle's coffin of ashes. I saw Ross walking up to the coffin slowly, clenching his fists as he looked at it and then bit his bottom lip. He grabbed Sera's other hand quickly and squeezed it, burying his face into her neck with a small whimper. I looked into the coffin and frowned, poor man. I glanced off and let my aunt and Ross mourn over their loss. I didn't loose.... I gained. I saw Silas talking to Aurelio with a smile, a hand in his pocket as he stood with him casually. He glanced in my direction when he caught me looking away from the coffin and then looked back at Aurelio. Time to suck it up. I walked towards him, leaving the distracted behind. I walked up and held out my hand towards Silas.

"You must be Silas Rosario," I purred, knowing for fact it was him. He looked at my hand with interest then took it firmly, shaking it.

"I am," he purred back. "You must be the K.V. I've heard about." He gave me a friendly smile, but I could see the questions in his eyes. "I'm sorry about your uncle," he told me politely. "He must've really liked you to leave the crown to you."

"Honestly I barely knew him," I whispered. "I was raised my last few years here though when my parents died, but when I was eighteen I moved back home. I didn't even know he had a dragon I was so locked up in one room and protected...." I muttered. I looked at Aurelio before I looked at Silas. "Tell Lyle he's got to tell you." I told him calmly. He nodded.

"I wasn't going to ask you. You have a lot more to deal with," he hummed out. "I already knew my brother was adopted though," he whispered to me and then smiled at me kindly. "I just didn't know where he came from exactly... and that he had a brother. You're so similiar to him."

"I'm just a little younger actually," I mumbled. "My parents worked fast to have another son to replace him..." I looked down at my feet. He stayed silent for a few seconds before he grabbed me and pulled me closer.

"When it comes time for your first dance, I suggest that you don't dance with any of the other young girls. They're like sharks in the water," he whispered in my ear. "Trust me. They all want to become queen and they will do anything to get it. Be careful. I'd suggest dancing with someone you already know and someone you're okay with. Don't hesitate on the dance floor either or else they'll try to snatch you up." I blushed and nodded towards him, taking his advice to heart. I don't think I would dance with any of the girls that squealed anyways. That's just annoying. "I'd dance either with Mr. Aurelio here... your aunt, or me," he suggested. "Those are the safest bets for you. Any other council member will try to question you if you dance with them. They're all nosy."

"Thanks for the advice," I told him and looked around, catching the girls drooling as they watched us. Silas glanced at them with a playful smirk then, giving them a teasing look.

"It's fun to tease them though," he whispered to me when he returned his attention to me. "Just don't get too close."

"No way, I'd never dream of that..." I trailed off.

"I don't think you've ever danced...." Aurelio whispered to me. "This might be interesting.... I certanly don't recall you ever asking someone to dance..." Silas tensed up.

"Dance with a guy," he told me quickly. "If you can't dance, don't ask your aunt," he warned. "She's already looking like a strict type. She won't be happy if she learns you can't, so pick a guy that can and let him lead the entire time," he warned. "Fake it."

"Oh I defintely want to record this..." Aurelio smirked and dug around in his pocket to check his phone's battery.

"I don't think you will be able to record it," Silas told him with a smirk. "He'll pick you to dance more than likely Mr. Aurelio. He barely knows me."

"Oh that's why I'm making you record," Aurelio smirked. "He can't choose anyone but me. Kingsley's butt has my name written all over it, comprende Silas?"

"Why the hell would I want my name written all over his butt?" Silas asked and wrinkled up my nose. "He looks way too much like Lyle for me to even consider it."

"I don't know, you're a fruity type!" We suddenly got glanced at by everyone and I hid my face quickly. "I know you've got a past with Lyle," Aurelio whispered. "You two used to be close. Now you're looking at his younger brother and you're totally available."

"Ewwwww," Silas groaned. "No way- nuh-uh. I wouldn't look at Kingsley like that. I never thought of Lyle that way, and I can't even think that way about Kingsley either. No offence Kingsley. You just look way too much like Lyle, and you're his brother and Lyle is my adopted brother which kind of makes you a bit like an adopted brother too? I don't know. I'm very confused by this, but I do know that I am not interested in his butt at all Aurelio. Besides, I'm not looking for a partner," he told Aurelio firmly. "I don't need a queen or king at my side."

"Good," Aurelio smirked. "Because he's mine."

"Aurelio please stop telling people I'm yours. I told you I want to wait on my mate," I grumbled and shook my head. "I'll dance with Silas just to make you understand we're not like that." Silas shrugged.

"If you want to dance with me," he hummed out. "I danced with Lyle for my first dance as king," he teased. I blushed. He did? I bit my bottom lip. Maybe I need to pick Ross.... Can Ross dance? Silas looked towards Aurelio then. "When are you going to visit? I think I heard Milo asking Lyle about it earlier. He sounded like he missed having you around to talk to."

"Well I have a lot of moving to do durring the day with the servants," Aurelio told him. "When I have time I will visit." He nodded and then looked at Ross curiously then tilted his head but then returned his attention to me.

"Kingsley, I'm not upset," he told me firmly. "If you're worried about that.... The council will be, but I can calm them down for you a bit. They've gotten used to me."

"Well the thing is.... Lyle was wanting to explain us on his own time...." I whispered so softly it was hard to hear. I heard my aunt clapping her hands for attention.

"Let's go to the ball room and cheer up. Tomas wouldn't want us so unhappy. KINGSLEY! BALL ROOM! NOW!" I heard her yell for me. Silas shivered.

"Dude, I'd run," he told me and patted my shoulder. "I never had to deal with someone like her. The closest I ever got to that was my siblings, but I was too scary for some of them," he whispered. "Well, maybe not scary... but you know...." He shrugged. "You're going to have a rough time till you please her and find a queen or someone."

"She just got a lot thrown at her though, she's just stressing because nothing is perfect tonight." I explained as I went as ordered to follow my aunt to the ball room, I made my way to Ross, and grabbed a hold of him.

"Ross you can dance right?" I asked him softly in his ear. Ross looked towards me and then nodded.

"I know how to dance. My coin made me learn for his parties because he didn't want me to hide in my hoard during them," he told me softly. "Are you wanting me to dance with you?"

"Please?" I asked softly. "I don't know how to..." I trailed off. He nodded and gave me a sweet smile.

"I'll dance with you then. I'm very good at it too," he purred happily. "Sera will be pleased I think. She'll be happy to see that we're getting along."

"Thank you," I whispered. We reached the ball room and my aunt looked towards me.

"You dance first darling so pick someone and be in the middle of the dance floor." She told me. I nodded towards her. Ross looked at me and watched me curiously, waiting for me to ask him officially. I looked at him and gave a nervous smile before I held out my hand to him. I heard my aunt let out a small groan. "Why can't you pick a girl you don't know?" She grumbled. Ross gave her an amused look and took my hand.

"Because he's my jewel~" He purred at her and started to lead me to the dance floor. I followed after him and squeezed his hand tightly. He looked at me and then smiled. "Relax," he whispered. "You're going to do fine. You only have to dance at least once tonight, and you picked one of the best dancers here," he told me and then placed his hand on my hip and intertwined his fingers with mine. "Your hand goes on my shoulder since how you are taking the place of a lady," he whispered in my ear. I nodded and placed my hand on his shoulder. I looked him in the eyes nervously, feeling eyes on me. I've never had so much attention before. "Shhh, I can hear your heart beating too quickly. You'll stumble if you can't calm down," he murmured towards me and then looked towards the orchestra waiting and nodded, starting to lead me in a waltz as they began to play for us. He purred in amusement as he led me, hinting at what I needed to do with his movements and with the hand on the small of my back, gently tugging me along with him but doing it to where I wouldn't stumble easily. He held me firmly as he led me in a graceful dance around the ballroom, whirling me around it as the girls stared us down with jealousy. I made sure not to look down at my feet, knowing my aunt would strongly disapprove. I kept my eyes on him, begging for the dance to end so I could high tail it off to a wall. He purred at me soothingly and rubbed my back gently, hiding the motion from the others. "You're fine," he promised me. "You're doing alright. You're not that bad for not knowing how to dance. I don't think your aunt can tell."

"I think she's disapproving of my position in the dance though," I mumbled. "I think she expected me to lead."

"She did," he whispered. "She's a little disappointed, but she will only complain for a few nights. I'll tell her that you want dance lessons which will appease her. If you want to learn and be cooperative, she will calm down," he told me and then spun me before he pulled me back into his arms. "You should also learn to tango. That's a fun dance," he purred with amusement. "I can teach you later if you want, my jewel." I nodded towards him before I glanced away from him and around us to see Aurelio giving a jealous look as he recorded us. The dragon gave an amused look towards Aurelio as he noticed and then lead us a little closer towards Aurelio to tease him. I looked away from Aurelio as we danced nearby him. Man he's testing Aurelio. I heard Ross give a playful growl towards Aurelio as we got really close and then he started to lead me away from him in a swift movement. I felt a little dizzy, praying for the darn dance to end. After about a few more minutes of dancing with Ross, the song ended and he gently held my hand, leading me off the dance floor to a seat that lined the walls and sat me down on it. "You okay? You look a bit dizzy," he mumbled worriedly, tilting my head so that he could look me in the eyes. I nodded and pulled my crown off and sat it in my lap, pulling my head away.

"I just feel dizzy... I never done that before...." Dancing and all eyes on me... He nodded.

"I'll get you something," he told me and started for the table of blood nearby. He looked them over, examining them before he hesitantly picked one up and smelled it. He growled and sat it back down before he picked up another and did the same but approved this time. He walked towards me with it and smiled. I blushed and reached out for it, begging to have a sip. That's a wonderful idea. Blood will do me some good. He handed it to me and then sat down by me, looking at the girls who were watching us with jealous looks. He gave them a smirk and then looked towards Aurelio and my aunt. My aunt was talking to a group near her that looked to be giving their regards to her or something. Aurelio was coming for us though with a firm look. I sucked down my blood before he got to me though.

"Just in time," I handed him the empty glass as he reached me. "Can you sit that somewhere else?" I asked him. He sat it down on the table and leaned down into my face.

"Do I have to make myself clear that your butt has my name all over it?" He asked me and let out a growl. "You owe me a dance now." Ross purred in amusement and put an arm around my shoulder, teasing Aurelio as he pulled me to him.

"He's dizzy," he told Aurelio.

"And what is this?" Aurelio asked and went for the ear ring finally and yanked it out of my ear. "You don't get piercing without my say," he told me. Ross started to look angry then and snatched the earring back from him.

"Don't touch it," he hissed and then slipped it back into my ear before it could heal up. "It's cute...." I yelped a little as it stung my ear.

"Hey, that's not right! That's his ear and I don't approve of that," Aurelio hissed at the dragon. "That's not your temple to ruin with charms. That's mine, my name is on him." Is it really? I rubbed my butt then to see if something stung down there. The dragon watched him calmly and then puffed some smoke at Aurelio.

"The earring stays, but you may dance with my jewel later when he isn't quite so dizzy. If he likes you, I'll let you mate with him when he wants, but the earring stays," the dragon told him firmly.

"You're not piercing him," Aurelio hissed in defiance. "He's not yours to pierce. He's not yours. Who the heck gave you the idea it was okay?" Ross looked at him.

"He's okay with it, aren't you my jewel?" He purred at me and looked at me. I looked at him and nodded slowly, knowing he threatened me earlier if I took it out. Ross frowned a bit. "You don't like it... do you?" He whispered.

"No I do.... I just think it should have been more of my choice is all...." I trailed off.

"Do you want it out?" Ross asked softly.

"I don't mind if it's here or not but I would have liked it if I had been asked first instead of it forced upon me..." I mumbled. Ross nodded then kissed my cheek before he looked at Aurelio.

"It stays," he told him firmly then smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not taking him from you if that's what you're worried about wizard. He will pick his mate though in the end. I just want him as part of my hoard and that's it. You can be apart of my hoard too if you want," he suggested.

"I am not apart of a hoard," Aurelio said firmly. "So don't you dare give me a pet name." He sat down next to us then.

"Awww, I thought that you'd like to be my diamond," he hummed out to Aurelio.

"You'll be a snake to me if you dare," Aurelio told him. Ross laughed.

"I won't force you to be apart of my hoard. You're a wizard after all," he told him and then tugged on his suit.

"You should meet Toma, he's a new baby dragon over at the Rosario manor.... I think you'd like him." Aurelio purred playfully. "I think I'll invite him and his treasure over for a playdate." Ross tensed up.

"What?" He asked worriedly and I could feel him start to panic a little.

"Oh yeah~ He's only four- just around that age and he's really posessive of his treasure. He's been on DT all his life though." Ross started to sink down into his seat.

"N-no... not one that little," he whimpered.

"What's wrong with little ones?" Aurelio asked in amusement.

"They're hateful towards others," he whined. "He'll try to take my things too!"

"Your things?" Aurelio asked. "What things?"

"My hoard downstairs," Ross whispered. "He'll go after it...."

"That's not bad if you two have a fun playdate in the treasure hoard," Aurelio said and smirked. "I'm going to talk to Dmitri about bringing him over some time." Ross whined.

"You're only doing this because of jewel!" He accused, looking at Aurelio.

"Darn right I am. You'll learn not to mess with me," Aurelio growled under his breath.

"That's so unfair," Ross mumbled. "Don't invite them!"

"Oh I will," Aurelio purred. "I'm going to when you least expect it."

"SERA! The wizard is bullying me!" He whined, rushing to my aunt for her help against Aurelio. "He's threatening to invite another dragon over!" I heard my aunt start to soothe him. I shrunk in my seat and looked at Aurelio.

"So I discussed with Alfred that we're going to move your things durring the day here while you're asleep in your new room. Your house will be made a vacation house while this one will be your forever home. Your aunt is going to live here and tutor you." I nodded towards him and held out my hand for his.

"I'm ready to disappear from the ball room," I told him. He nodded and helped me to my feet and started to lead us out of the room and into the dark halls.