94

94

Ian’s POV

As soon as I stepped into the council chamber, the tension crackling in the room hit me like a wave. The council’s eyes, cold and scrutinizing, locked onto me and Sophia the moment we entered. Even as the king of the vampires, I could feel their displeasure about everything. They respected my authority, but they weren’t afraid to challenge it.

Sophia walked beside me, stiff and nervous. She was trying to hide it, but I could see the way her fingers twitched, the way she bit the inside of her cheek. Even though she was doing her best to stand tall, I could see right through her and I started to regret ever bringing her here in the first place.

I had decided to bring her here after she had insisted that she wanted to meet them, and despite my power, they would test her. Push her. They would see how far she could bend before breaking.

“Are you sure about this?” she whispered, glancing up at me. I wanted to remind her that she was the one who wanted to come here, to meet them, but then that would just be harsh.

So I nodded instead. “It’ll be fine. I’m here.”

She gave me a tight smile, but I could still see the worry in her eyes. I didn’t blame her. The council was ruthless, even with me in the room. They didn’t like outsiders, and they liked fledglings even less. But this was necessary. If she was going to be part of this world, they needed to see her, test her… and I needed them to accept her.

The doors shut behind us with a heavy thud, and Viktor, the head of the council, stood. His white hair gleamed under the dim light, his eyes sharp as they swept over us.

“Ian,” Viktor greeted, his voice low and formal. “It’s been some time since you’ve graced us with your presence.”

“I’ve been busy,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “As you know.”

“Indeed,” he said, his gaze shifting to Sophia. “And I see you’ve finally decided to bring your fledgling.”

I felt Sophia stiffen beside me. I placed a hand on the small of her back, hoping to calm her.

“This is Sophia,” I introduced, keeping my voice authoritative. “She’s with me.”

Viktor’s eyes narrowed, studying her like she was something foreign. “With you, yes. But that does not automatically guarantee her a place here.”

“I decide who belongs in this realm,” I reminded him, my voice firm. “Not the council.”

Morgana, who sat to Viktor’s right, leaned forward. Her dark eyes glimmered with disdain as they flicked from me to Sophia. “Even kings must answer to the laws of our world, Ian. You know that better than anyone.”

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. Morgana had always been difficult. She thrived on defiance and rarely missed an opportunity to challenge me.

“She’s right,” Viktor said, though his tone was more careful. “Sophia’s presence here raises questions. As the king, you may have brought her into this world, but she is not exempt from scrutiny.”

Sophia shifted beside me, her unease palpable. I knew this would be hard, but it was necessary. If the council rejected her, there would be whispers. Doubts about my decision, and worse, about my judgment as king. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

“I’m aware of the laws,” I said, my tone sharp. “But let me remind you that I’ve already made my decision. Sophia is part of this realm, and she will stay.”

Morgana’s lips twisted into a cold smile. “Your decision doesn’t erase the fact that she’s human-born. That makes her a liability.”

Sophia flinched at the word, and I immediately stepped forward. “She is no liability.”

The council members exchanged glances. Lillian, who had been silent until now, folded her hands in her lap and gave Sophia a cool look. “Then let her speak for herself.”

Sophia’s breath hitched. I glanced down at her, giving her a reassuring nod. “You don’t have to prove anything to them.”

But she shook her head, stepping forward. She was nervous, but I saw the determination in her eyes. She wasn’t going to back down. Of course she wasn’t. It was Sophia after all.

“I know I’m not like you,” Sophia began, her voice a little shaky but growing stronger. “I wasn’t born into this world, but I didn’t ask for this. It happened, and now I’m trying to figure it all out. I want to be a part of this realm, and I want to learn. I know I have a lot to prove, but I’m not here to disrupt anything.”

Viktor regarded her in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. “And do you understand the risks you bring with you, Sophia? A fledgling, human-born, carries many dangers. You are a threat until proven otherwise.”

Sophia’s hands trembled slightly, but she lifted her chin. “I understand the risks. But I’m not here to cause harm. I’m here because I want to belong.”

Morgana scoffed, leaning back in her chair. “Belonging doesn’t come easily, especially not for someone like you.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. “That’s enough,” I said, my voice cold. “Sophia is with me, and as king, I expect you to respect that.”

Viktor’s gaze slid to mine, and the room went silent. I knew they had their doubts about her but I wasn’t going to let them tear her down.

“You may be the king, Ian,” Morgana said, her voice dripping with stubbornness, “but even you cannot change what she is.”

“I’m not trying to change what she is,” I replied, my voice hard. “I’m telling you that she belongs here. You will treat her with the respect she deserves.”

Viktor finally spoke again, his tone measured. “Ian, no one questions your authority. But you understand the consequences if she proves to be a danger to our realm.”

“She won’t,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Viktor leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. “Then let her prove herself. The council will observe her closely. If she falters, we will take action.”

Sophia looked at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. I gave her a reassuring nod, though inside, I felt the weight of the council’s gaze pressing down on both of us.

“You won’t need to,” I said firmly. “She won’t falter.”

Morgana’s smirk returned, but she didn’t say anything more. The council members exchanged glances again, then Viktor nodded.

“Very well,” he said. “Sophia may come to the realm anytime she wants… for now. But understand this, Ian — your protection only goes so far. If she proves to be a liability, we will act.”

“I understand,” I said, my voice cool.

The council meeting was adjourned, and as soon as we stepped outside the chamber, Sophia let out a long breath. “That… was awful.”

I turned to her, my expression softening. “You handled it well.”

She shook her head, clearly still shaken. “I don’t know. I feel like they hated me.”

“They don’t know you yet,” I said, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “But they will. And when they do, they’ll see what I see.”

Sophia smiled faintly, leaning into me. “Thanks. I just… I don’t want to mess this up for you.”

“You won’t,” I said, my voice firm. “I’m the king. They may challenge me, but in the end, it’s my decision that stands.”

She nodded, though the nervousness hadn’t entirely left her. “I just hope I can live up to it.”

“You already are,” I assured her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

I kissed her forehead, letting my lips linger there for a while. I knew the council would be watching her closely. But no matter what happens, I wouldn’t let them take her from me. I was the king, and I had made my decision. And no one, not even the council, would stand in the way of that.

“Come, let’s go to my room,” I murmured, taking her head and leading her to my room.

“Why can’t I sleep in your room though?” She asked. Since we got here, I hadn’t allowed her to stay in my room. Mostly because I knew that I’d disrupt her rest with all the work I had to catch up with. Plus I feared for her life here. Anyone could attack her. Especially if she was in my room. So I moved her rooms every night. She wouldn’t be sleeping in the room she slept in last night.

“It’s messy,” I murmured.

“It wasn’t when I came to pick up some of my stuff this morning, though,” she pointed out.

“It’s not safe,” I said at last, sighing.

“How so? I’ll be with you,” she replied, tilting her head slightly at she stared up at me.

“It’s still not safe,” I murmured. I could see that she wanted to argue, but then she let it drop, nodding instead.