The Primus Daughter

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

She watched her father’s eyes turn to slits and then he shocked her when all he said was, “Go on.”

She frowned but quickly replaced her expression with a blank one. “I was wondering if you would like to attend this meeting or if it is fine if just me and Mr. Bennett handled it?” She asked nonchalantly but she was really curious about his reply.

“Hmm,” he said slowly. “You are my daughter and also my personal assistant, it should go far to tell you how much I value your opinion. I am sure my presence isn't needed. I trust you to be able to handle it.” He kept his eyes glued to her face all the while he spoke, she could tell he was studying her especially her expression.

Selene rolled her eyes, whatever her father’s game was, she was not buying it. “That is basically the most important. I have taken care of the rest, the only thing I needed aside if you wanted to attend the meeting was your signature on a couple of documents but I also took care of that. Anyway, I will take my leave now and probably inform Mr. Bennett on my way home he and I would be in charge of the meeting. They also requested that we choose the venue. I haven't decided where yet but I figured Mr. Bennett would take care of that. It would probably be lunch or dinner. I should probably ask which they are most comfortable with…” Selene paused awkwardly as she suddenly realized she was blabbing. She frowned and flipped her hair backward.

She could feel her anxiousness and it bothered her that her father wasn't changing his mind and he seemed completely fine with destroying her life simply because it was the right thing to do even though she could not see anything right about this. There was also the fact that nobody thought to consult her even though her words held as much power as did any of the Nobles. Though no matter the situation the Primus had the final say except an Oathic was called and then the majority had the upper hand.

The majority meant all, that is if all the Nobles were in agreement it didn’t matter if the Primus was against it. The worst part was that the said reason of the Oathic must be carried out no matter what. Their hands were tied but her father did not seem to be fighting this so a part of her could not help but fear that he truly thought this was a good idea.

She took a deep breath and continued, “I will let you know whenever and wherever we decide to set up the meeting.” She immediately turned on her heels as soon as she spoke and began to head out.

“Selene,” her father called again, stopping her in her tracks. She did not turn, just stopped walking. “Would you at least let me explain?”

She sighed before she spoke, “Would that change your mind and the decision already made?” she asked with a stiff back and her head held up straight.

“You know that is not possible and definitely not with the Oathic,” Kova tried to explain, his words shook a little because he knew he was talking to a brick wall.

She turned slowly and did stop until her eyes held with her father, “You know a part of me strongly feels YOU suggested the Oathic so I would not be able to say no.” Something passed across her father’s face, she wouldn't have seen it if she had not been looking for it. She smirked, “I knew it.” She did not wait, she was out the door before another word could come out of her father’s mouth.

This time she closed the door as hard as she could, so hard that all Kova was left with was deafening silence and his thoughts. He did not like to lie to his daughter but today was one of those days he wished he had. He could not help but fear he just made things worse without even being able to explain why he was doing this.

She probably thought he had been possessed by some evil spirit and she had every right to think that. He just basically asked her to marry the people that murdered her mother but telling her more would mean exposing her to all the evils that existed in her world and he badly wanted to shield her from all that just like he had not been able to shield his wife them he was determined to keep Selene out of harm's way even if it turned her against him.

He was sad when he had enforced the Oathic but this way she was obligated and even though she wouldn’t his words as the Primus and her father, he trusted her enough to know she would not dare go against their customs as a vampire. As modern as she tried to be, he knew she valued the old ways, especially the ones that did good and prevented evil.

However, he hoped that was the case as he was not entirely sure for all he knew his daughter might consider the Blackwoods to be evil and their union a decision only the devil would make. He could only hope that things turned alright in the end but one thing was sure, the longer they put off the union the faster danger was sure to approach.

Of course, he was not going to wait for her to see reason, she could see reason after he was sure she was not in any danger but for now, he was going to act in her best interest even if she would hate him for that. He could live with her hatred far easier than knowing something had happened to her and he could have prevented it.

He picked up his book and quickly found the line he stopped in, without missing a beat he immediately began to read, and soon rough he was engrossed, his worries forgotten.