Protect My Love ~ Book 4 ~ The Royal Blood Collection

Chapter 16

After the meeting with the high priestess, Toness was brought into the main hut for a conversation. It was odd to talk to him through Gus but I accepted that it was all that I had and was grateful that we could communicate.

I learned that he was heartbroken that Rahya was missing and that he had no idea that she'd given birth to their child. He assumed that I was dead with my mother, somewhere in the jungle. They'd searched for her and found nothing and when he learned that she was buried in our family graveyard at our property, Toness was relieved. I told him that I visited her every day to talk to her, he smiled at me with tear filled eyes. Gus said that the Kronthelm believed in a spiritual afterlife in the sense that they believed in spirits.

So, when he translated that my father said she would like the gesture, I had to believe that it was the truth. Toness believed that my mother would be near her grave, watching me talk to her every day. I said that he could visit whenever he wanted, Toness smiled.

"Captain Beaumont, the offer is very kind however you should know that it is unlikely that he will visit the grave."

"Why not? Does it upset them?"

"Not in the sense you're thinking. Aside from the distance that he would have to travel and the jobs that would not get done in his absence, Toness actually has a partner and several children. I think that his partner would be highly offended if he took off to visit the grave of his former partner."

"Wait, I have siblings?"

"Yes, five to be precise. Would you like to meet them?"

"Duh, of course I would."

Gus looked at me with a strange smile. When the suggestion was made, Toness frowned for a moment and then nodded. I watched as he stood and walked out of the hut.

"What was that about?"

"It would seem that I was not aware of all the facts. Apparently, you are the creation of an affair and his partner was not a happy woman."

"Oh, maybe I shouldn't meet them if that's the case."

The flap lifted again and Toness reappeared, quickly moving back to the cushion. As he sat down, he said something to Gus.

"Goodness me," Gus murmured. "Your father has asked that you pretend there is no association as his wife still harbors a deep resentment about the past. He has told them that you are a vampire from the other side of the ridge that has come here to discuss an alliance with the tribe."

My half-siblings moved into the hut, ranging from toddler age to fully grown adults. The last into the hut was a woman, her eyes connected to mine and I knew that the lies my father was spreading would not work.

"Tell me something gentlemen," I began. "Does that look like a woman that would attack her partner's pregnant mistress?"

Because she stared at me with a burning hatred.

"Yeah, I think so." Merrick offered.

"It would explain why she was in the jungle to birth you," Gus added. "If she feared for her life then she would not want to be in the village when she was in labor."

"Petersen, we're leaving tonight."

The captain turned to Merrick with a grim nod.

"I agree. We are not remaining here when it is obvious that something will happen."

"She must never be alone with Nava."

"That is hard to control."

"This is a development that I do not like. Gus would you kindly thank Toness for introducing us to his family and make up some nonsense about how grateful that we are that he guided us to the village. Make her think that's the reason that we wanted to meet them."

He nodded and started saying something. My father looked worried at first and then relief filled his face. When the woman ushered the children out of the hut Gus turned back.

"I said that he did a grand duty to his people by bringing the vampires to the village and that we are on the verge of a great era of unity with them. By appearances, it would seem that she has accepted it but I would not believe it. Better to be safe than sorry, I always say."

As we stood, Toness started speaking rapidly, Gus frowned as he listened. Toness took my hands, almost like he was pleading with me.

"Toness apologizes, he said that he always loved your mother but his parents arranged the marriage to Hemla so he had no choice. He also added that he can see the realization in your eyes and wishes that it wasn't so but he fears that Hemla did attack your mother. Your father also fears that she might do the same to you."

"Great," I muttered.

Toness said something else, pain in his eyes with a smile forced through it.

"He said that you have your mother's beauty and that you look just like her. It is the reason that he believes that Hemla has made the connection. Toness despairs at the thought but he thinks that your life is in danger and has suggested that you do not return to the village."

"Well, won't that make life interesting when Nava and Imren marry. Wonder what she'll say then?"

Gus listened to more words from Toness, then grimaced.

"He also adds that he regularly scouts the gorge and Hemla stays in the village so if you want, the two of you can see each other at the bridge."

Great. Secret visitations with my father.

"Gus, please tell him that I'd like that but I do not live nearby. I can visit regularly but it won't be every day."

Toness smiled when Gus told him what I'd said. He squeezed my hand just a little harder and nodded. I returned the smile and hoped that it conveyed a vision of a happy daughter, not one that was now even more broken.