The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Queen of the Vladonovs

Valentina and Christian abruptly got up from their seat under the heavy glare of a very angry Vladonov. Even when Valentina was by Lucius’ side, he remained glaring at Christian, while the blonde vampire smirked and bowed. “My lord…I don’t exactly remember inviting you to my party”, Christian said with deep arrogance and barely concealed disdain. “Are you lost?”

“No, I was looking for my new volunteer for my torturing device…and I guess I’ve found him”, Lucius answered in an equally arrogant voice. After that, the two vampires glared at each other; daring the other to blink first.

Hoping to not cause a scene, Valentina tugged on Lucius’ arm and said, “Come, my love, we should go…”

“My queen”, interrupted Christian, respectfully. “I shall call a car for you and security…one should never be too careful with a Vladonov.” And with that, Christian left and Valentina pulled Lucius, who was about to retort back to the front of the mansion to wait. As they pass the main area, Vera spotted them and she knew that if Lucius was here then Dante was too. She rolled her eyes in annoyance and went in search of her boyfriend and the others.

The ride to Valentina’s manor was quiet and awkward. Lucius was obviously brooding and Valentina knew she was in the wrong; not telling him about Christian was wrong.

“It’s not what it looks like”, she finally said, turning to him, searching his face. He was glaring out of the window; refusing to look at her. Her heart quaked at the rejection and she started fiddling with her hands.

“Not even a phone call from you?” he asked silently, hurt.

“I…I find it hard to lie to you”, she confessed, looking down at her hands. “If you knew…you would hate me.” When Lucius didn’t say anything, Valentina panicked, “Oh God, I’ve hurt you, haven’t I? Oh, Lucius…please understand that it was all business. Nothing more…please.”

Lucius didn’t say anything but removed his jacket to cover his fiancée, who was dressed in a revealing number. Valentina blushed and thanked him. His silence was unnerving. Valentina could deal with his anger but never his silence…silence was bad. “Please say something”, she begged quietly.

After a while, he said, “Sorry for interrupting your hens’ night.”

Immediately, she turned to him and circled her arms around his neck. Lucius smiled slightly and pulled her close. “No…I’m glad you are here”, she confessed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Will you forgive me?”

“I will if you promise to include me on all your trips”, he bargained. She nodded immediately and kissed her fiancée, who welcomed the gesture with vigour.

“How was your bucks’ night?” she asked as she laid her head on his shoulder and her legs over his lap. Lucius held her tightly but let out a heavy and annoyed sigh.

With contempt, he recalled his night to Valentina’s amusement. “So, all-in-all…it was another worst night of my life”, Lucius concluded.

“I can’t believe you paid a stripper to go away”, laughed Valentina.

“Well…she wasn’t you.” Valentina smirked at his response but then schooled her expression into seriousness when Lucius gave her a calculative look. “So…how was YOUR hens’ night? Do tell, my love…after all we have all night.”

When they arrived at her coastal manor, they went straight to Valentina’s room, where she sat Lucius down before her confession. He sat so still and straight that it worried Valentina as she recounted her holiday. She couldn’t even look at him in the eye, so while Valentina confessed, she focused on the darkened sea.