Between the unspoken quietness, Rome slumped back on the couch, consumed in the grief of his mourning for our detained friends back at home.
To ease his distress, I slid one cushion space over and cocooned Rome in the warmth of a comforting hug, hoping to dispel his crummy mood.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, tightening my grasp around him.
Initially hesitant, Rome gradually wrapped his arms over my back and warmly embraced my offer of solace.
"Thank you, Princess," he murmured as his breath faintly kissed my temple.
Sooner than expected, Kai returned, visibly upset from speaking with his father. Behind his closed mouth, his teeth gritted as his furrowed brows distorted his face into one mean-looking expression. Suddenly, he inhaled deeply, calming the last shred of tolerance he had left, when he noticed me hugging Rome. However, his eyes displayed no trace of envy. No more diverse than one's love for a brother, Rome was important and cherished by both of us.
Once Rome let me go, he playfully teased Kai, "I'm guessing that conversation went well?"
Despite Kai's sourness, it was heartening to see that an ordinary friendly hug could perk up Rome's spirits from his somber moodset. "He's demanding I bring Victoria straight home," Kai grumbled, his frustration vibrating deep beneath his vocals.
"I saw that coming," Rome replied, slightly nodding as he intently listened to Kai's venting about his father.
Irritated, Kai rolled his eyes as the veins along his temples pulsated in aggravation. "I don't understand him! He knows too much is at risk without Vlad! I get that we're down too many guardians and advisors because of the battle, but I don't have the time to wait for everyone to recover. We need Vlad now, and my dad doesn't seem to get it! On top of that, he's acting like I can't even protect my mate!" Kai fumed, his fury elevated as he vented about how his father scolded him.
"He's just worried about Victoria, but you know we'll follow you to the end. It's your call," Rome replied, offering Kai a sense of relief by showing his support and loyalty to my husband.
"Who better to protect my wife than me?" Kai roared, flailing his arms around as he paced back and forth.
Whatever words were exchanged between Kai and his father had hurt Kai's ego, especially when Mr. Collin doubted his capability to protect me.
"The Middle East isn't too far from here. Let's just all go," Rome suggested, causing Kai to freeze.
Lost in his thoughts, he stood there, thinking for a minute or longer. "You're right. If anyone can ensure her safety, it's me!" Kai affirmed his solidified decision, making his way towards the door. "I'm going to face my punishment now, so we can leave once Jack and Glenn arrive."
In a flash, he dashed out the door, only to return, pressing a deep kiss to my lips.
"I'll be back in a bit. Rest up for the trip and stay with Rome," he whispered while his breath tickled my lips softer than a feather.
"I'll stay with Rome, waiting for your return," I uttered, receiving another tender kiss from him.
Upon the last kiss, he retreated through the door, prepared to bravely confront the Vampire Covenant for his punishment, which I understood the Headmaster Lights would torture him and Orlando for instigating this two-sided war.
~~~
Early in the morning, right on schedule, Jack and Glenn arrived at the private airport with the plane. More surprisingly, Jack brought his son, Ian, which I didn't expect.
About half an hour later, Kai entered the room. "Are we ready?" he asked as Jack helped me up from the couch to hug him.
"Are you... feeling alright?" My voice quivered with uneasiness as I spoke.
I hardly slept last night. All I could think about was what the Vampire Covenant might have done to punish him.
With a faint chuckle, Kai responded, lightly kissing me. "Their methods of punishment are nothing compared to Vlad's. They only drained my blood and refused to let me feed."
I frowned, expressing my concern as I intently examined him, "That sounds harsh enough because you don't have much control over your hunger."
Strange enough, he appeared remarkably composed. Even his eyes weren't simmering fiery red like I suspected.
"Yeah, they probably won't do that again since I ate most of the human staff they had prepared for the other clans staying here." Kai laughed at the humorous thought that their form of punishment epically backfired.
"Kai!" I shot a baleful glare at him.
"What?" Kai chuckled, grasping my hips to ensure I stayed close to him. "They were dead anyway. Now, let's head out of here."
With nothing else to retort, we left the room. Down the corridors, Kai had me closely beside him, locking his hand with mine for reassurance of my safety. Along the way, as we ventured through the Palace's maze-like layout, we encountered countless vampires whose glares pierced into us like daggers, but our small group paid them no heed as their hostility did not concern Kai.
Inside another lavish lounge, we had to cross along, Orlando and his two advisors who didn't get detained during the war were sitting with Morbius and his advisors. Sensing Orlando's intense gaze lingering on me like a spider lurking to pounce, my hand instinctively tightened within Kai's grasp. Even with all the escalating intensity, Kai kept himself composed and remained unaffected by Orlando or Morbius as he calmly guided us out of there.
Once we reached the lobby to leave, Jack informed us with a grave tone, "I have a bad sense. Are we sure we should leave?"
Jack's first gift possessed a unique detection to sense danger faster than most vampires, but the Palace's confinement made it harder for him to pinpoint the threat amidst the temple of perilous vampires. Once we step beyond the territory of the Imperial Palace, it leaves us vulnerable to any potential threats. Just because the vampires were forbidden to harm me didn't necessarily mean they would abide by that restriction.
Beside me, Jack's hands shook as his arm muscles tensed beneath his jacket. The intensity of the threat compelled him to repeatedly wipe his clammy palms against his black dickies pants.
"Unless they want to make war with me before the Blue Moon, they're forbidden to touch Victoria until after the votes. The Vampire Covenant has pledged their oath that her votes will carry through," Kai sternly declared, keeping my hand gently gripped into his.
"Then... we'll go," Jack stammered as a sense of anxiety wrestled with his internal doubts.
Deep beneath his conscience, Jack's first gift alerted him to halt from exiting. Amid his internal conflict, Jack delivered a sidelong glance at Kai, identifying the determination in his gaze. Already, Jack knew it would be futile to convince Kai to stay and wait out the threats, which dissuaded him from attempting to argue.
"Since you brought Ian, he can practice his first gift by covering my wife's scent from being traced," Kai added, shifting his gaze towards Ian, who stood nearby with his father and Glenn.
"I can do that," Ian chimed in eagerly, ready to practice his first gift to mask my scent from being detected by other vampires during our journey.
"Let's head out," Glenn approved, eager to set out.
With that matter resolved, we exited the Palace and climbed into the limo. Set and ready to leave, with Rome at the wheel, he gradually drove us to the airport.