Gasping, Danica took a step back into Phi who only circled her shoulders gently.
“It’s a blight,” he murmured. “Nasty creatures with a penchant for poisoning and spying.” Blood started to drip down the wall where Arden had impaled the small pixie-like creature with his blade. “If allowed to escape, we’d all be dead by morning.”
“So, your father is serious about wanting the two of you dead,” she whispered, still staring at the blood dripping. “I couldn’t imagine my dad ever being like that.”
“You’re thinking of my father with your humanity.” Phi released her and walked up to the creature. He jerked the knife out and the lifeless form dropped into his hand. Without hesitation, he threw its body in the fireplace where the fire turned it to ash. “My father is not human and has never been. Any sense of humanity has been gone for centuries. I’m not a son. I’m a threat to the crown.”
“But you’re not like that,” Danica pointed out.
“Because I chose not to be and fought becoming that. Most don’t fight it. There’s a coldness that comes from being alive for so long, Danica. The goal is to keep from becoming that.”
Danica studied the prince who didn’t seem to want to be a prince, but he was willing to take the mantle of king to make the world a little better. There was no greater cause for something like that, and she suddenly understood the difference between someone like the King and someone like Phi. “If anyone can do that, I think it would be you,” she admitted with a small smile. “You’re too stubborn not to and you care. Those qualities alone will make it happen.”
Phi smiled back at her. “Yes, well, first, we must win this race. Then we’ll talk of crowns and living as a stubborn, caring fool.”
The knock on the door was so sudden, Danica flinched, but neither Arden nor Phi seemed concerned with the new arrival. Phi moved over immediately to the door and threw it open, allowing an older woman to step inside. Though she had the slight signs of aging, her face was still achingly beautiful. It was as if the signs of age made her even more beautiful, like a fine wine.
“Sire, I’ve brought everything you requested,” the woman began as Phi closed the door and locked it behind her. Her eyes went to Danica, brightening before she smiled warmly. “Hello, dear. I’ve heard so much about you. My name is Leia. I’m going to help you dress for this slaughter.”
Danica glanced at Phi in hesitation, and he smiled. “Leia is trustworthy and an old friend. She’s been with me for a long time, and I trust her completely.”
Leia snorted. “A long time? He means I’ve been with him since he was in diapers and this one since he was made,” she gestured toward Arden who grinned at her. “They’re both as much my boys as my own son is.”
At her words, Arden tensed. “Is Clark—”
“I did as you said,” Leia interrupted. “He’s in a safe house that only I know the location of. Until this is all over, he’s there with Kayla.”
“You’ll go there directly after you finish with us,” Phi ordered.
“I’m not leaving,” Leia huffed.
Danica watched their exchange carefully, picking out the clues of comfort around each other. Leia seemed like a doting mother more than anything, but it was clear she was also powerful. When she talked, Danica saw a flash of teeth. She wondered how old Leia had to be to be showing such signs of age as a vampire.
“Please,” Phi asked again, taking Leia’s hand. “He’ll go after anyone I care about, and you know it. You’re on that list.”
Leia’s face twisted but after long seconds of hesitation, she nodded her head. “Fine, but you better make sure you three win that race. We need a king who actually cares about us and wouldn’t murder his own son for power. It’s blasphemous.” She turned toward Danica again. “Come along, dear. Let’s get your hair and makeup done before I show you this lovely dress Phi picked out.”
Without waiting for a reply, Leia grabbed Danica’s arm and dragged her into the bathroom, leaving two grown vampires staring after them fondly.