BLOODBOUND

CHAPTER TWO

The ringing in her ear planted hope in Siobhan that she had misheard her father's words. For a moment, she sat there with a spaced-out look. "No." Jonathan's shoulders rose slightly, something he always did to command authority. "Siobhan, this is not up for discussion." His voice was firm and even. He sounded every bit the king he was. "No." Her tone was stern, the volume of her words louder than any decibel she had even used to speak to her father. "You said we didn't have to move until I finished college." It was true. When the Emricks first moved to Massachusetts, Lilia had just been born. They looked like a regular, happy family, but soon, Siobhan was born, and when she was old enough, her parents told her about the downside to living amongst humans. They'd given her a time frame. It seemed like an entire lifetime, especially to someone who aged slowly, but now...

"You were the one who chose to take a gap year, Dear." Her mother spoke up. "Twice." Siobhan stood, her chair scraping harshly on the floor. "This isnt fair! I just decided on a college I like, and you're saying we have to leave? I- I can't..." She paced the floor, arms tucked against her chest. Nick would wonder why her family decided to pack up and leave. He was the best thing in her life. How could she leave the only place she's known? "This is not in our control," Her father defended. Her head snapped around to face the weary faces of her parents. "What are you talking about?" They exchanged glances at each other, and Siobhan tapped her foot impatiently. "The council called a meeting while you were on your tour." The Council of Vampires operated similarly to the parliament of the English monarchy. They oversaw the wants and needs of the vampiric community and regularly kept in touch with the royal family. 

The Emrick's were traditionally meant to stay in the castle nestled somewhere in London while the council resided in Transylvania. Siobhan had never seen either building and realized she never wanted to. "Why did they call?" Voice softer and her dark hazel eyes looking more like irises instead of molten chocolate, she regarded her parents more calmly. "They no longer think your sister is a wise choice." Siobhan could see the disappointment gleaming in his eyes. Lilia was always first in line for the throne, and Siobhan had no qualms about that. It afforded her more freedom as a princess. It allowed her Nick. "So, what, you just rule forever? Do they have a backup?" Silence stretches between them. "They have been watching you," said her mother softly. "How you treat your peers and your family. The council believes you fit for the throne, dear." A resounding crash could be heard from across the hall. Lilia had no doubt been listening. Her sister's words when she first arrived now made sense. Siobhan suddenly felt frazzled. Her. Queen. The thought was impossible. "I don't want to be queen." She said airily, feeling like her soul had left her body as she processed the news more deeply. "I don't want the throne. I renounce–" 

Jonathan's overpowering voice silenced her before she could finish. "Do not finish that sentence." Ice formed around the ridges of each letter until they were covered in a thick layer. Siobhan had never seen this side of her father. Her mouth snapped shut, and her brows furrowed in an angry pout. "You'll have to drag me." Her voice was so low that no human would have heard her, but her parents' trained ears did, yet they made no effort to follow her out of the dining room. She needed to get away and clear her head. She needed to think about anything else. She dialed one of the only numbers she knew by heart. The line clicked on the first ring. "Hey, I'm free. Let's meet at our spot."

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The lake glistened under the setting sun. Siobhan had left the house as soon as she got off the phone with Nick. She had been sitting on the dock farthest from the main shore, where people normally congregate during the day. Her feet dangled off the edge, inches away from the water. Nick's footsteps sounded behind her, getting closer and closer. In the next second, he was sat next to her. "What did your parents want?" Siobhan fought back the cringe that threatened to spread across her features. "I don't want to talk about it." They both looked out at the water; so many unspoken words needed to be released between them.