© All rights reserved for The Heart of a King. The plot and characters are ORIGINAL and all MY OWN WORK. These are the products of my imagination and countless hours spent writing. Please do not copy/ reproduce in any way.

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CHAPTER 29 – A COUNCIL UNITED



Castle Xanthe City of Aphelion, Wolfen Territory

The Realm of Xathos



The grand hall of Castle Xanthe buzzed with anticipation as representatives of the Vampyr, Wolfen, and a few witches gathered for a council meeting that would mark a turning point in their alliance.

The tension in the air was palpable, as the wounds from the past attacks were still fresh. Yet, there was also a glimmer of hope—an opportunity to truly unite against the looming threat of the Cerran.

Dimitrios, seated at the head of the long stone table, cast a sweeping gaze over the council chamber. His sharp blue eyes flicked over each face, taking in the representatives of the three races gathered before him. The council room was illuminated by flickering torchlight, the shadows dancing on the walls as if in tune with the rising unease in the room.

The Wolfen representatives, dressed in their traditional dark leathers, sat with straight backs and alert eyes, ever ready for the next fight. The Vampyr delegation, led by Ailara, were a contrast—clad in elegant robes, their faces calm but their eyes filled with a sense of long-buried weariness. Among them stood Andreas, the Vampyr priest, who had been crucial in saving Ailara's life after the last attack. At the far end of the table were three witches, their aura otherworldly, their presence a reminder of the magical forces that now bound their alliance.

Dimitrios stood, commanding the room's attention without uttering a word. His presence alone was enough to silence the murmurs. His voice, when it came, was deep and authoritative. "We are at a crossroads," he began, his gaze shifting between the factions. "The recent attack by the Cerran forces was unexpected, and it will not be the last. If we do not stand united, we will all fall. The Cerran have already proven that they will stop at nothing to see our lands divided, and our people scattered. But here, in this room, we have the strength to change that."

The Vampyr shifted slightly in their seats, their unease evident. Ailara remained composed, her posture graceful, though the weight of her responsibilities was clear on her features. She sat beside Dimitrios, their proximity a clear symbol of their shared leadership. Her heart, however, pounded in her chest. This meeting was more than a mere formality. It was the future of their people.

Dimitrios' gaze landed on the Vampyr contingent, and he took a deep breath before making his announcement. "As part of this alliance, the Vampyr will no longer live as nomads." His voice echoed off the walls, carrying the gravity of his words. "The forest to the east of Aphelion will be granted to your people."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Ailara's eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in surprise. This had not been discussed with her before the meeting, but Dimitrios continued without pause, his voice unwavering. "There, you will be able to establish your camps and, eventually, build a stronghold of your own. This land will be yours to cultivate and protect, and it will be warded by the witches to ensure your safety."

Gasps of surprise came from the Vampyr delegation, though they were quickly tempered by whispers of approval. Andreas leaned forward, visibly excited by the prospect, and even the most stoic of the Vampyr had to suppress smiles of relief. For too long, the Vampyr had wandered, living in fear of the Cerran and scavenging whatever land they could find. The opportunity to settle and rebuild a home of their own was more than they had dared to hope for.

Ailara stood, her voice strong and clear as she addressed the council. "On behalf of the Vampyr people, I thank you, Dimitrios." Her words carried a depth of gratitude, though there was a subtle tension that accompanied them. She had not known of Dimitrios' plan beforehand, and while she appreciated his gesture, it was unexpected. "This land will allow us to begin anew, to finally have a place to call home. We have lived too long in the shadows, always on the move, but now we can begin to rebuild. And we are eager to uphold our part of the alliance."

She turned her gaze to the other council members. "The Vampyr are committed to defending these lands from the Cerran. We understand the severity of the threat, and we will do everything in our power to protect our people, the Wolfen, and the witches. We will stand together, as one."

The room remained silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of her words. Ailara took her seat once more, feeling a sense of pride swell within her. Despite the tension and unspoken challenges between her and Dimitrios, she knew that her people needed this—needed to believe in the strength of their newfound alliance.

It was Dimitrios who broke the silence, his voice colder now, with a dangerous edge that sent a shiver down the spines of those present. "The attack on Castle Xanthe was not just a random act of aggression." His eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened. "There is a traitor among us. Someone who has been working with the Cerran, feeding them information and weakening our defenses."

Ailara stiffened slightly at his words. She had intended to bring up the matter herself, but Dimitrios had taken the lead. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, wondering how much he knew. His next words left no doubt.

"I don't know who this traitor is," Dimitrios continued, his voice like steel. "But when I find them, there will be no mercy." His gaze swept the room, lingering on the Vampyr delegation for a moment longer than necessary. Ailara felt the weight of his gaze but said nothing. They would discuss this later, in private.

The tension in the room thickened, and even the witches exchanged uneasy glances. The idea of a traitor in their midst was a threat to everyone, and it added another layer of mistrust that needed to be addressed.

"The Cerran have made their move, but we are not weak," Dimitrios continued, his voice now filled with grim determination. "We will strike back. And we will strike harder."

With that, the council came to a close. As the room began to empty, representatives discussing the next steps among themselves, Dimitrios turned to Ailara. His expression was unreadable, but there was a strange intensity in his eyes. He stood and offered her his hand, and without a word, she accepted it.

Together, they left the council chamber, walking in silence down the winding corridors of Castle Xanthe. The atmosphere was charged between them, a mix of tension, gratitude, and something deeper. When they finally reached their bedroom, Dimitrios stopped and turned to face her.

"It's time to feed," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. There was no anger in his tone, only resolve.

Ailara met his gaze, understanding the deeper meaning behind his words. Feeding had always been intimate between them, a way to renew their connection despite the distance they sometimes kept. It was also a reminder of the life and bond they now shared.

"Are you sure you have enough to spare?" she asked, her lips curving into a teasing smile, though there was a hint of vulnerability beneath it.

Dimitrios' expression softened, and for the first time that evening, the tension between them eased. He gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "Always," he replied.

With that, they entered their chambers, the weight of the day's events still heavy on their shoulders, but the bond between them stronger than before. As Ailara sank her fangs into Dimitrios' wrist, she could feel not just the physical strength of his blood but the unspoken trust that was slowly growing between them, like the land they would soon build together.







The Vampyr Camp Jeiran Forest The Realm of Xathos

The next day, Ailara stepped through the gates of the newly built Vampyr camp, the faint smell of freshly cut wood and rich earth filling the air. It was a stark contrast to the old days of running, hiding, and surviving. Now, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was hope. The walls of the camp stood tall, protecting the future they were trying to build. Already, the camp was a flurry of activity. Vampyr and Wolfen worked side by side, constructing homes, fortifying walls, and establishing the foundation of what could become a lasting legacy.

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the camp as the Vampyr began to take over the work the Wolfen had done throughout the day. Ailara observed the scene with quiet pride, her heart swelling at the sight of her people finally having a place to call home.

Gideon, ever stoic, approached her with a nod of acknowledgment. "Your Highness," he greeted, his tone respectful yet warm.

"Gideon," Ailara responded, her eyes scanning the buildings being constructed, some already housing Vampyr families. "It's coming along faster than I expected."

Gideon smiled, though it was more of a subtle twitch of his lips. "The Wolfen have been diligent in helping us rebuild. Their strength and stamina are unmatched during the day, and we continue through the night. It's been an efficient process."

Ailara felt a wave of appreciation for Dimitrios' people. Despite their past conflicts, they were now united in their goal to fortify the city and provide the Vampyr with a stable future. "I see that. It's hard to believe this is real."

Gideon gestured for her to walk with him through the camp. As they moved, Ailara noticed how the walls surrounding the camp were being reinforced, and watchtowers were starting to rise at strategic points. The witches had placed subtle wards around the perimeter, shimmering with barely noticeable energy.

"The witches have been working hard as well," Gideon remarked, as if reading her thoughts. "Their wards now cover not only the camp but parts of the city and the nearby towns. We're becoming stronger by the day."

Ailara nodded, impressed. "And our people? How are they adjusting?"

"They're settling in well," Gideon replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I've sent scouts to find our scattered people and bring them back. We've already begun re-establishing our military. Soon, we'll have our own forces to contribute to the defense of Aphelion."

That news filled Ailara with hope. The Vampyr, once hunted and broken, were now rebuilding both their homes and their strength. "And what of our culture?" she asked.

"The elders have already begun the process of reinstating our traditions. They've started documenting our history, preserving it for future generations. We're even discussing a place to build a library or perhaps a temple to honor our past."

Hearing this brought a warmth to Ailara's heart she hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time, it truly seemed like her people had a future. A future worth fighting for.

"I'm happy, Gideon," Ailara said, her voice soft but sincere. "For the first time in a long time, I'm happy."

Gideon raised an eyebrow, a rare moment of surprise flickering across his usually impassive face. "And how are you? Personally?"

Ailara paused for a moment, considering the question. "I've never been better," she admitted, her smile growing. It was true—her people were flourishing, and despite the complicated relationship with Dimitrios, things had improved. They were civil now, holding conversations that didn't end in conflict. In some ways, it was the most peace she had known in years.

But as she walked through the camp, a subtle tension gripped her. She couldn't ignore the fact that she had been feeding on Dimitrios' blood every day, binding her closer to him than she ever intended. The thought lingered in her mind as Gideon continued talking, a reminder that her life had become entangled with his in ways she couldn't fully control.

"Good to hear," Gideon said. "We need strong leadership now more than ever."

Ailara nodded, pulling herself from her thoughts. "We're on the right path."

As the night wore on, Ailara made her way back to Castle Xanthe. The once-crumbling stronghold was now alive with purpose, the city of Aphelion bustling with activity. Wolfen patrolled the streets during the day, and Vampyr took over at night, their alliance growing stronger with each passing day. There was still much work to be done, but for the first time, it felt achievable.

When she arrived back at the castle, she found Dimitrios already waiting for her. His posture was relaxed, but there was a subtle intensity in his gaze. "You're moving into our rooms from this day forward. I've told the servants to bring dinner to our rooms. Your things will be moved tomorrow," he said, his tone casual but firm.

Ailara blinked in surprise. "Our rooms?"

He nodded. "It's the first time we'll be dining together. I thought it was... overdue."

There was an awkward silence between them as they walked side by side toward their chambers. Though they had become more civil in their interactions, there was still an underlying tension, something unspoken yet palpable. As they entered the room, Ailara couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

Dimitrios' room was huge. There was a door that led to a bath with a small pool. The walls were made of stone and decorated with various leathers. Weapons also lined one side of the wall while the other was filled with trunks of every shape and size. Another door led to what looked like storage where there were more chests.

But the most notable item in the room was the large bed in the middle. It looked like it could fit 5 of Dimitrios sleeping side by side. It also looked very comfortable as it was covered with furs.

"You are free to change anything you want," Dimitrios told her. She only nodded as she didn't know what else to say.

The servants arrived shortly after, placing plates of food on the table. Dimitrios glanced at her. "Do Vampyr eat meat?"

"Yes," Ailara replied, her voice soft. "And vegetables too. It's mostly for taste, though. There's no real nutritional value."

The conversation was stilted as they began their meal, both unsure of what to say. Ailara focused on the food in front of her, trying to ignore the tension that hung in the air.

She couldn't help but wonder what their lives would have been like if things had been different. If she hadn't fallen under Heilen's control, if the blood hadn't been switched... Would they have sat here like this? Sharing dinner as partners? Ruling the Vampyr and Wolfen as equals?

Her thoughts wandered as she stared down at her plate. What could have been? Could they have been more than this—more than a marriage forged out of necessity and duty?

When the servants came to clear the plates, Dimitrios didn't move from his seat. He watched her closely, his expression unreadable. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"You'll sleep here tonight," he said, his voice low but commanding. "And tomorrow, the servants will move your things,"

"I can go grab them now. I don't have much and I can move it myself," Ailara said.

Dimitrios' eyes flashed with something like anger and pain. "You are now queen of the Vampyr and the Wolfen. You'll have new dresses, shoes, jewelry. Anything your heart desires, I will provide for you," he told her.

Ailara's heart skipped a beat at his words. There was no room for debate in his tone. It wasn't a request, it was a command. Her words must've triggered his instinct as Wolfen to protect and provide. By telling him she did not have much physical possessions, she hurt his pride.

She nodded, knowing better than to argue. "Of course," she replied quietly.

Dimitrios stood and walked over to the window, staring out into the darkness for a moment before turning back to her. "We are... making progress," he said, almost as if he were talking to himself.

Ailara said nothing, simply nodding in agreement. Progress was a delicate word for what they were building between them.

Later that night, as Ailara prepared for bed, she couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of emotions—relief, uncertainty, and something deeper she couldn't quite name. She slid under the covers, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. She felt hot, which was weird, and removed the blanket right away. For some reason, the furs also felt very sensitive against her skin. She tossed and turned for a while, not at all feeling comfortable.

Was she feeling like this because this was Dimitrios' room?

Glancing over at Dimitrios, she saw that he was already fast asleep, his breathing even and deep.

For a long moment, she lay there, staring up at the ceiling. She tried to think of other things to occupy her mind and help her eventually fall asleep.

The alliance between their people was growing stronger, and so too was the bond between them, whether she wanted to admit it or not. But with each passing day, she felt herself becoming more and more bound to him, in ways that went beyond their blood. The thought both comforted and unsettled her.

Finally, with a soft sigh, Ailara closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

Tomorrow would bring more challenges, more uncertainties, but for now, she would allow herself this moment of peace.



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Next 3 chapters are going to be super intense and spicy! Still thinking whether I'd place those here on Wattpad (under the Mature Scenes book) or keep them still as free but on my other platforms...

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