Katmere, College, Now What?

Chapter 1

_|Grace|_

I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. I have survived prison, battles, and human sacrifices, but finals will be the death of me. And if they don't, the way Hudson seems to tiptoe around me like I'll snap certainly will. Honestly, I'm not sure what's wrong with the guy. 

At one point in time, I'm certain I thought everything would be perfect with us. Running a court while simultaneously going through college wouldn't be too bad, I'd thought, as long as I had Hudson's help. But I forgot he'd be busy getting his teaching degree and figuring out what the hell he'd do about the vampire court. Jaxon wasn't exactly excited about ruling it, and Hudson couldn't as long as he was with me so the court was currently falling apart until they figured things out. I was starting to think that the only way would be for Hudson to rule it, it seemed a safer option than passing the title to some random powerful family. We wanted to be certain we wouldn't have a Cyrus 2.0 on our hands after all. But the only way for him to do that would be to leave me, inter-species relationships were common sure, but rulers of different factions being together? No way. And I couldn't say I disagreed with that law, but God knows it would kill me if he left. 

Maybe that's why he looks like he's afraid I'll stab him right now; he's planning on confirming my suspicions. That fear is only solidified when he says the four words that never end well for anyone.

"We need to talk," and in that moment I decide to make it easier on both of us. Hearing him say what I know he'll say would be too much for me. So no matter how much it hurts, I'm going to let him go, encourage it even. No matter how much it hurts.

_|Hudson|_

Grace looks about ready to rip my throat out, she does that a lot lately. Maybe it's just stress, Finals are this week after all, but I'm not so sure. Our relationship seemed so sure until recently, Mekhi, Macy, Flint, and even Jaxon have told me that we are "basically married," and think I should just ask her already, but when she looks at me like this, I'm not sure I'll survive long enough. And if she decides to leave me, well, I'm certain I won't survive that. 

On top of my relationship with Grace feeling rather delicate, I have to figure things out with the Vamp court since dear old mum and dad and currently locked up in an ice cave for all eternity, and Jaxon wants nothing to do with ruling it. I couldn't rule, even if I wanted to, leaving Grace would be too much for me to handle I think, no not think, I know it would be too much. I have no intention of leaving this girl until she orders me away. So that leaves us with one big problem. Who the hell will get the throne?

"We need to talk." I start, instantly regretting my word choices when her eyes narrow in apprehension. 

"What about?" She starts and I gesture to the couch on the far end of the apartment we share. She grabs her coffee mug off the counter and follows me. I sit, waiting for her to join me, but instead of curling up next to me where I could hold her, she takes a seat at the far end, leaving a foot between us. Okay then, the daggers she was glaring at my way earlier were real, and sharp apparently.  

"I was thinking more about the vampire court. Since I can't exactly take the throne-" She cuts me off and the next words out of her mouth feel like acid. 

"I think you should go," She spits the words like they taste bad, but I can't see even a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, only loneliness. 

"You do?" I ask, trying not to let any emotion into my words but they come out harsh with my shock. 

"I do," The words I've dreamt of her saying in all the wrong context, "the sooner the better, before the entire court falls to pieces." She won't look at me but her message is clear. She doesn't want me here. I knew something was wrong for weeks now, but I'd never dreamt it would be this. I want to kick myself for hoping I could make her happy forever. I don't have any defense for myself. I'll be the first to admit I need her so much more than she's ever needed me. 

"Grace?" I ask, cautiously, hiding my emotions like I used to, like I haven't done with Grace since the early days in her head.

"Just go Hudson," She says, barely a whisper, and my heart drops into my stomach and shatters on impact. I get up from the couch and fade to our room. I pack my things, all my clothes and a few books. I through everything in my bag. Fading back to the living room, I look to see if Grace might've changed her mind. She hasn't, if the steely set of her jaw and the fire in her eyes is anything to go off. So I just nod at her and slam the door on my way out.

I don't own any of the characters, no matter how much I wish otherwise :(

I have two other stories 

The Hidden Lands and Katmere AU. You can find both on my Wattpad profile. I am waiting to continue them until I am certain I have people interested in actually reading them so comments are appreciated. THX for reading- Lex