The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Just two months...that's all

Once back in the safety and comfort of their hotel suite, Valentina dropped back onto the plush sofa and sighed heavily. What they found out in the manor was going to change Valentina and Darim’s plans. Initially they had 30 targets and they were going to take them out in one go, but it seems like a few important players will be missing. Valentina knew that if they take out the ones who attend the game, the remaining like scurry back to their hiding hole and Valentina would have to start hurting them down from scratch.

“We need some kind of bait”, Darim stated what she had been thinking about during the run back to the hotel. He sat himself down on the other end of the sofa by lifting Valentina’s legs and placing them on his lap. Intimately, he removed her boots and began massaging her feet while in deep thought. Valentina moaned and relaxed much to Darim’s pleasure and he gave himself a mental pat on the back for his quick thinking.

“Any ideas where we could get a decent enough bait to present to them tomorrow night?” Valentina asked quietly.

“It has to be something outstanding”, commented Darim.

“How about something from the Vladonov’s treasury?” suggested a baritone voice behind them. Even though Valentina could recognise that voice anywhere, she was caught off guard and immediately jumped up with her stake in her hand. Darim did the same.

She found Lucius leaning against the wall with an arrogant smirk on his face. She nearly gushed at his handsome face and really wanted to rush over to him; happy that he had recover from the fight. She scowled at herself for acting like a schoolgirl and reminded her that she had ended their engagement. Going over to hug him was not going to help her get over Lucius.

“What are you doing here Lucius?” she asked neutrally once she put away her stake; though deep down she was wondering whether her hair was decent looking. For a second she thought she saw pain in his eyes and felt bad about it. Remember you don’t care about him, she reminded herself. In fact, you’re happy to not be attached to him. However, Lucius only smirked and looked away to acknowledge Darim.

He shook Darim’s hand and said pleasantly, “Sorry, we haven’t been properly introduced…I am Lucius Vladonov and you must be Darim. I have heard only praises for you.” Valentina’s jaw dropped at Lucius’ out-of-nowhere friendliness and to rub salt in her already bleeding wound, he said, “Oh…I should congratulate you on your impending coronation and marriage to Valentina. I do hope you two have a happy existence together and produce many heirs.”

Was he bloody serious? Not so long ago, Lucius was murderous that Valentina was with Darim in the romantic city of Roma and now, he was happy to see her finally with Darim. Valentina sadden to witness that Lucius had gotten over her that quickly when she was just starting to heal.

Darim was also confused and looked sideways to Valentina, with raised eyebrows. Is he…right in the head? Darim’s facial expression seemed to be asking her. She shrugged and looked back towards Lucius, who was outrageously still smirking as he observed the couple in front of him.

Still in disbelief, Darim asked, “What about your marriage?”

“Oh, I came to the realisation that I’m still too young to marry. I’ll think about it when I’m 75”, Lucius replied and then enthusiastically said, “After all, there are many fishes out there to sample…I’m just not ready yet.” Valentina felt tears building up at this statement. The fact that he thought that she was insignificant to him really hurt. Regrettably, she still loved him and she found it hard to believe that their times spent together didn’t mean anything to him.

“Well, thank you Lucius”, said Darim as he put an arm over Valentina’s shoulders. Valentina looked at Lucius to see his reaction to this gesture but all she found was happiness for her and Darim. He then looked down at her and smiled happily at her, which caused Valentina to look away.