CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN

The car ride was silent but it was a natural kind of silent, it wasn't tense. Everyone seemed to be in their own world. Dimitri driving, Sara sulking and Dimitri enjoying his time in the crook of Avilla's neck. Avilla was sleeping or trying to sleep but couldn't because she kept replaying the words her aunty said to her. "Your father was in Vladimir's clan" it was really confusing and it could mean that Vladimir could know her father but she didn't know how to bring it up with him. She was going to have to do her own research and find out whatever it is she needed to know about her parents, if they were still alive. And the most important question she kept asking herself was if the same fate of her parents could be the same with hers? She was mated to a vampire which was impossible but it happened and it was a good thing Vladimir wasn't royalty or this would have been really tense. Knowing he had a choice to abandon her or the throne, with the way he was with her, the answer would be the throne which would label them traitors. She couldn't possibly have the same fate with her parents because she had no idea if they were dead or not. "What are you thinking so hard about?" Vladimir asked, tilting her chin up to meet his The sight of his electric blue eyes was enough to send her blood pumping with lust. All the feelings were doubled and intense of all a sudden. She wanted to rip his clothes apart and sink her fang in his neck to have a taste of his blood. What was happening? When did she start having a deep craving for blood? She licked her lips loving the way his eyes zeroed in on it. "Nothing" she said simply. He nodded at her but his eyes were filled with concern, he really was the best mate ever. She rested her head on his chest again determined to ride the craving out till she got there. It was a while before they got to the same town she left a while back, she breathed in the air again and felt the relief in her body. Dimitri stopped the car In front of an ancient building but you would know that this was very strong and can withhold supernatural beings. This was it! She was going to meet their father. She didn't know the exact feeling but it was either nervous or excitement. "Come on! Let me take you to my father" Vladimir said to her, holding out his hand. She took it and together they set off but not before she heard a scoff from the lovely princess Sara. Note the sarcasm. "What's her deal?" she asked Vladimir. "Sara? Don't worry about her" he told her simply. There were a lot of vampires in sight and they turned their heads once they sniffed her, she wasn't one of them. Some snarled, some stared with no expression and others didn't care. "Ignore them, they recognize an enemy in their territory" Vladimir said. They walked briskly to the throne room and the guard pushed it open but not without giving Avilla a suspicious look. She looked around and was in awe of the room, it was beautiful and well decorated. A massive throne sat in the middle but what drew her to it was the man sitting on it. He looked young but you could recognize the weakness I Introduced by age in his features. "Bring her to me" he said. His voice travelled all the way round the room. "Let's go" Vladimir said as he led her forward. She walked with shaky legs but maintained her composure as she walked to him. He stood and climbed down to meet them halfway and when he did, a name fell from his lips. "Ivana?" he asked surprised. She stared at him with confusion and so did Vladimir. "Father, this is Avilla. My mate" he said. The father looked up at her, he was still in shock but he shook his head. "Sorry my dear, you look like someone I know" he said. the words my aunty said to her playing in her head again and Instead she found myself doing the opposite of what she said she would do in the car. "Maybe you can tell me all about her" she said. He looked up at her in surprise but nodded. "Very well" he led her to the chairs in the room and offered her one. Vladimir was still standing there in surprise, his father has never reacted to a stranger like this before. His father cleared his throat, "the story is long but I will just cut it short" he said to her and she nodded, too eager to hear the story. (In italics) "I had a friend who I loved so much, he fell in love with his mate from the very first day that they met and against all odds, he ran away with her ignoring the rules. He was tagged a traitor and I was meant to kill him since I was closest to him. I couldn't do that to my best friend and so I set out to look for him, when I did, he already had a child who he adored so much. I told him all about the plan and we made another plan to allow him disappear with his mate. He handed me the child but I couldn't keep the child. I travelled to drop the child with another friend of mine. I went with Vladimir that day but he was very little. My friend made me promise to protect his child and since then I kept tabs but I lost it suddenly and I don't know where the child is anymore." he said as a drop of tear fell on his cheek. Avilla was crying so hard right now and he looked at me in surprise wondering why my mate was crying. "My dear, I didn't mean to upset you." he apologized. "Why are you crying, love?" Vladimir asked Avilla as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Because I am that child!" she wailed. Both father and son froze from the announcement. Nobody said anything for a long time as they processed the news. "What?" Vladimir asked. She rubbed her eyes to stop the tears from flowing. "My auntie's name is Beatrice" she said simply. And just like that Vladimir remembered where he first met Beatrice, she was with her sister when his father brought little Avilla to them. It was clear as day now in his memory. Avilla was Konstantin's child and if she is his child then that means... Drinking blood. Tinged sight. Mood swings. She is a hybrid!