Vampire Seekers

Chapter Nineteen

Willow had been right.

Velikas and her mothers conversation has devolved into an argument. Her mother did not approve of Velikas choice to wear the red suit which mate does so love. Truth be told Mira did not seem to approve of many decisions which Velika made, not the colour of the tablecloth at the ball, not the flowers she had arranged to decorate the table, not even the selection of beverages.

"What exactly do you want of me mother?" Velika growls out as Eli stands between the two dominant women trying and failing to defuse the situation. "I have organised your stupid ball. I have found an outfit for said ball. And yet still you complain. What. Do. You. Want."

Velika's hand fly up in a what the hell gesture that has her mother scowling in disapproval.

"I want you to consider how your sisters might feel if you use the purple table cloths that only represent you." Mira argues, "White is a colour which belongs to no one and everyone. It is timeless."

"White tablecloths with glasses of blood? I'm sure they will not be visible stains within minutes of the ball beginning. This is my home and my territory." Velika points out, her fists clenched at her side.

"That it is. Your father deemed it a good idea to give you and Helena territory to protect but you are not yet Queen. This country still answers to your Father and I." Mira reminds her, only further infuriating her daughter.

"Get over yourself!" Velika scoffs, "Me and Helena have territory because you and Dad fell apart after Alexander died and we were left picking up the slack!" Velika shouts slamming her palm down against the table. "I am not Alex so stop expecting me to be him!"

Velika grows the nearest files at her side at the wall where her brothers picture, larger than any other on the wall, sits there mocking her. "I know you think the wrong child died that day but I am sick and fucking tired of living in a dead mans shadows."

"Velika! You are out of order!" Mira yells in repsonse.

"No mother. You are are. I was grieving too!" Velika snaps, "And you picked at every mistake, every flaw, every choice I had ever made. You wanted me to be just like him - but he was just as flawed as I was."

"That's not fair, Velika." Mira's voice is no longer strong or laced with disappointment and anger, it is full of emotion. Her voice breaks as though she is about to cry.

"No. What wasn't fair was the pressure you put me under." Velika shakes her head and grabs her blazer jacket.

"Where do you think you are going?" Mira questions, "You can't just leave. We have not finished our coversation."

"But I have." Velika firmly states. "Now I'm going to get changed and then I'm going to the last drop."

"I beg your pardon!" Mira exclaims, "You most certainly are not. We do not go to establishments where you pay for sex."

"Oh and I thought the last drop was a vital service that gives vampires the benefits of being able to drink fresh blood from the source in a safe and controlled environment." Velika counter argues whilst using finger quotation marks and using Mira's own words against her.

"You do not need-"

"Oh for crying out loud mother how can you be so blind." Velika yells and pulls her jacket over her casual outfit. Never mind changing. Velika will go as she is. "Don't wait up."

Eli sucks in a breath and grimaces. Velika slams the dinning room door shut so harshly that all the pictures nailed the wall shake. Mira glares at Eli. "You need to do better at keeping her in check."

"With all due respect you majesty, I am here to advise your daughter not to manipulate her." Eli confidently states despite knowing how foolish it might be. "Velika is a person too. Sometimes she needs to let her frustrations be known - and blow off some steam."