After waiting a few minutes, Derrick ordered the doctors and nurses out of the room, “Leave us”.
When they were alone, Vera turned to Valentina and asked, “What’s going on? There is no such promise and when have you started playing poker…the game bores you”.
“We have a mission to address but…”
“But Lucius will not approve”, finished Vera. “Why not take him along?”
Valentina turned red and Derrick coughed before answering, “Because it is a joint mission between two rulers who have been allied to each other for a long time…basically Crown Prince Darim will be there”.
“Oooohhhhhh”, said Vera and then nodded, “yeah…I don’t think Lucius should know about that…or him”.
Valentina sighed with relief that her best friend agreed with her but deep down she felt guilty for not telling Lucius about her history as an assassin. Vladius had always drilled into her that a ruler who couldn’t fight was automatically a dead ruler and she could fight…and punish. This was all done with the help of Darim’s father, who is leader of a secret society of assassins. She made a vow to keep the secrecy and she will honour it.
“What do you need me to do?” Vera interrupted her thoughts.
Smiling at Vera, Valentina said, “I need to you keep Lucius from getting suspicious and stop him from following me”.
“Ok…I will just say that it was a cousins’ thing etc”, said Vera. “I’ll notify you as soon as possible if something happen”.
“Thank you Vera”, Valentina beamed at Vera and hugged her friend.
“Tell Zach…if you see him that I said ‘hi’” added Vera, which made her blush.
#######
Standing in front of her mirror, Valentina grimaced from her pain as she put on her silk slip and nearly doubled over from the irritated wound. She quickly took off the slip and put on a bra. “This will have to do, I guess”, muttered Valentina to herself.
She could feel the wound stitching up fast and clothing irritated the healing process. For the Dragomir males, they sleep topless and Derrick once confessed to sleeping completely naked after he was heavily injured. But modesty caused Valentina to sleep clothed and irritated. Besides, she couldn’t stand the sight of herself naked…it was too confronting.
“Great…I look like a porn star”, she sighed at herself in the mirror. God, she was a holy show and cringed at the seductiveness of the lacy bra and underwear. “Definitely, not going to let Aunt Anastasia buy my clothes any more…imagine what Lucius might say”. Remembering Lucius’ promise to stay with her at night, she quickly ran out of her bathroom and locked the door and windows. She couldn’t have Lucius watching her struggle in her healing and seeing his desire rise up at the state that she was in now.
She let out a sigh of relief when she realised that it was still 9pm and Lucius Vladonov is not the type to sleep early. After lighting up the fire in the fireplace and extinguishing all the candles, she decided that she should send a text message to tell Lucius not to come over. She pondered deeply for a more valid excuse and finally texted:
My Love…I’m going to sleep to heal. It will be a sleepless night for you so there’s no need to come over. Vera and I are having a sleepover anyways. She has volunteered to nurse me to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweetest of dreams. Love you.
She walked to her bed, pulling the cover aside and readying herself for a long and painful night. As she placed her phone on the bedside table, she noticed a jug of iced water and a pot of minty slave. The servants perhaps, she thought. Then her phone vibrated, indicating a new message from Lucius.

YOU ARE READING
The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)
RomanceThe Dragomir Kingdom has been without a vampire ruler for 17 years and King Lucius Vladonov of the neighboring vampire kingdom grows restless for the return of the heir and his betrothed. Once married, together Lucius and his bride will be indestru...