Royal Pain (Rewritten)

Chapter 48

The funeral was the very next day. It was not often that a vampire King dies so the event was extremely theatrical and massive. The streets of the kingdom were crowded with people who respected him and on several occasions feared him. Even the kings from the other regions came to give their regards.

The ceremony was scheduled at night. People held up candles as a path was made for the royal family to descend and make their way through the city. The four brothers were the head of the line carrying the casket.

It was only a two mile walk to the grave site yet it felt like an eternity was weighing them down. The casket was placed inside a large stone chamber tomb, beautifully crafted with marble.

Many gathered as words were spoken. A vague explanation was given about his untimely and practically impossible death. They decided to tell the public he was killed during an attack on the castle. His betrayal and attempt at murdering the future queen would be taken with him to the grave.

Deva hadn't spoken to Darius since the incident. She wasn't sure what to say or do. She knew he was in pain and doing a very good job at covering it up.

Darius stood tall and emotionless as he listened to his mother fondle over loving memories.

Her hand subconsciously slipped out of Adamarius' grasp. Adamarius instantly stared down to see what was bothering her.

'He needs someone.' She whispered helplessly.

Adamarius didn't need her to explain who she was talking about.

'He needs you' Adamarius whispered back.

She knew he'd understand and turned to walk the direction Darius was standing. Darius didn't look at her but she knew he felt her presence.

She held tight to his hand. He needed her and at the moment she really needed him. She needed to know he was going to be okay with what he had done.

After the ceremony Deva still wouldn't let him go. Adamarius didn't even try to stop her or come find her after the disbursing of the crowd.

The dreaded steps to his room were compressing some sort of pressure against her chest. Was walking into Darius' room alone a good idea? Every form of warning signs was flashing in front of her.

Inside the solace of his room Darius detached himself from her and walked over to his balcony. With his jaw clinched he blankly stared out into the dark starry night.

"Darius?" He made no effort to answer. "Darius..."

He finally turned and his haunted eyes made her freeze in place.

Then the words just poured out. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Darius."

"No, don't." He didn't want her apology. "I don't regret what I did."

"You don't have to lie to me." She wanted him to feel comfortable enough to open up to her.

"He wasn't much of a father to me anyway."

She detected a slight rattling in his tone. She couldn't let him bottle up his feelings.

"What was he then?"

"A sick son a bitch." He exhausted a sigh. "When I was seven, my phenomenal father threw me into one of the darkest cells in the dungeon to teach me a lesson on fear because I was afraid of the dark."

Deva enduringly touched his arm but he evaded her warming sentiment.

"When I was twenty-one we were attacked by rebels. I was captured. Father didn't want to pay the ransom. He watched, impassively as they burned me in a pit for hours. I don't recall him even flinching."