Niko's POV
Slave vetting!!
Not just any Slaves. But the most beautiful exotic male slaves of Elisaria. And why slaves? Because Vampires needed pets and we needed to feed from humans to stay alive. The coven made us go through this boring and annoying process to get slaves that would serve us in the inner court of the Sith Castle at the Glassy Sith Mountains.
Below the mountains, was the human city of Elisara, the human slaves resided. Centuries ago, the human village elder signed a pack with the Vampire coven named the Paktum pact. A barter trade between the Humans and the Coven that made us live peacefully by trading Gold for Blood.
" Brother, how about you make use of your handsome face and reduce the frown so that we can have this done in a matter of minutes" Silas spoke up.
" He is not going to budge. The minute he smiles or shows concern, the coven beast will descend and blood will be shed" Talon teased.
Silas, Talon, and I were triplets. Born one thousand years ago our parents were the Queen of Sith Leona, and King Raul Sith. I was the eldest of the two and, ofcourse the leader of the Sith Castle and Sith Vampire Coven. We took over the throne at the age of eleven when our parent's life ended. Silas was shorter than me and Talon but still stood at six feet. His bulky body and shoulders were built for the military but his handsome face and cheeky smile made it worthwhile. Talon's good looks made one would mistake him for a male model. He had a boyish look that fooled everyone but his temper ruled his mind and he rarely smiled.
Silas and Talon flagged me on each side as we waited for the Vampire Guardian to bring over the fresh bunch of slaves. Present in the Inner court was Royal Prince Ciaran Sith. He was our Aunty Thana's son and part of the royal family and stood on the left side below the little dias where we sat. Ciaran had blonde hair and his brown eyes, stood out as his bulky shoulders and tall legs were one of the key features that made women swoon. Old man Kieran Sith, the head of the coven, stood by Ciaran's side, with gray hair, and was holding the Sith spear in his right hand.
On the right side, Vampire Royalty Blackwin Noire the coven advisor stood with his daughter Highness Gisela, and his son Highness Fergus. They were a spitting image of the Noire gene of black eyes, red curly hair, and freckles on their face. Blackwin and Fergus kept the curly mane short but Gisela's hair overflowed with curls at her back.
" Brother, do you think today we shall be lucky to get the most ethereal slave?" Silas drawled
" I doubt. It will have the same old looks. The Elisaria clan men look all the same "Talon chuckled.
" What do you think, Niko?" Silas turned to me.
A bored huff was the only answer I gave as I never wanted to be part of this vetting but it was necessary since we would choose the slaves that would serve us in the inner castle court for the next five years. The clinking of heels over the floors of the castle alerted us that the vampire guardian was on her way to our court. Silas chuckled and they bumped fists with Talon and I knew they had bet against something as usual.
"Doesn't she have other kinds of shoes? Must she announce her presence like this?" I complained.
" That is the only way the slave's masters and slaves will fear her and stay out of the inner court " Talon spoke up.
In minutes, she arrived at the center of the room with the slaves and bowed " The Guardian greets your majesties. "
" Rise, dear Guardian" Silas piped while Talon leaned back on the chair and crossed one leg over the other.
" Lenora you never age one bit " I teased her and she blushed. No one dared call her by her name but I had gotten into her good books and she allowed me to address her by her name. However, she had no choice as this was the perk of being the leader of the Vampire coven and ruler of Sith Glassy castle and mountains.
" You flatter me, your highness, " She responded. She was flagged by Warin Alaric the head enforcer and royal guard, Claudio Cleo Warin's deputy, and Everal Grim the head of the human slave.
" Greetings your majesties " Warin, Claudio, and Everald pipped.
" Rise " Talon is the one who spoke up. " Let us get over this matter and not waste any more of Niko's time. He is not in a good mood today"
" As you command your majesties" Guardian Lenora responded as they stepped aside for the slaves to walk over to us. One by one they bowed and introduced themselves as I maintained the cold bored look on my face until the scent of ambrosia reached my nostrils. I sat up straight and noted the same reaction from Silas and Talon.
A slave stepped forward, he was handsome but his mouth was pulled into a thin line of displeasure as he introduced himself. " Greetings your majesties, my name is Fabian Alater"
" Lower your gaze slave " Guardian Lenora commanded and then the man huffed and lowered his gaze.
" Brother, am I going crazy or is there a scent of ambrosia blood in the room?" Silas pushed the words through our mind link that connected the three of us.
" You are right Silas. There is no mistaking it" Talon responded through the mind link.
And then the last male slave stepped forward, eyes glowing and cheeks flushed and bowed before us. When he raised his head, his face was filled with arrogance, that made my beast stir in hunger no other, ravenous in its pursuit surprising both my body and mind.
" What the fuck ?" Silas muttered cause was audible enough to be heard in the room and I saw the piqued interest and widened eyes of the coven court members.
" Greetings your majesties, my name is Cedric Charon" He took his time before he bowed or lowered his eyes in obedience.
His skin was smooth and golden, warm in tone with a slight but noticeable luster; his movements were languid - easygoing, and unthreatening. He was a startlingly beautiful specimen with all muscle and perfect edges, but the eyes were the most startling thing about him. They were molten gold and like the boy's skin, they seemed to shine in the sunlight. I felt my whole existence questioned by the slave and I pushed my power to smell him and for sure the scent of ambrosia came from him.
" Brother" I heard Silas mutter through gritted teeth and knew he was seconds away from losing control and pouncing on the slave.
" Lenora, how many slaves do we need in the inner court ?" I finally found my voice.
" Two, your majesty," she answered.
" The last two it is then " Talon hurriedly announced, and I noticed the intake of breath from the Blackwin family and the two slaves themselves.
" Your majesty, can I offer a word of advice?" Warin interjected immediately.
" Speak, " Silas answered impatiently.
" I would not advise you to pick these two. They are not slaves who would be obedient at once. Hence It would be best to hand them over to me and let us ensure they are instructed well before they are placed in the inner court " He advised. We all knew that Warin was loyal to the Blackwin family and his goal was to ensure any interest we had with the slaves he would find a way to cut it off.
" Your advice is noted. You are all dismissed" I spoke up and raised my hand in gesture.
I could hear the gritted teeth and murmurs of displeasure but only Lenora walked away with a smile on her face. Once everyone left and the door closed, Silas heaved a large sigh while Talon sounded out of breath.
" Brother, am I dreaming or is that human slave blood calling to us? A human slave!!!" Silas gasped.
"My beast wanted to rush to him and sink my fangs into him. He is a human slave for fucking sake" Talon whispered.
" Mate," I spoke up. " That is what my beast roared and declared." Sith and Talon's eyes widened and they both looked at me with utter shock, dread and disbelief.