Forbidden Love

The High Council

THE HIGH COUNCIL

Nico

They slept until the afternoon, holding each other. Nico awoke to a knock at the door. Nico got dressed and stepped outside, not wanting to disturb Lyla's slumber.

The man outside was his friend, Armon, from the High Council. "Good morning Armon, how is everything?"

"Lord Nico, You're particularly chipper this morning. I was going to ask you if you found your Companion yet, but it seems obvious you did," said Armon.

"Yes, she is resting. And, she is so incredibly beautiful and I am utterly in love with her," Nico said.

"I hate to bring you news to bring you down, but you must meet with the High Council. They have been requesting your presence. They are gathered in the meeting room."

"Ugh, I hate to leave lying in bed with my girl in my arms to meat with those wet sacks. Okay, I'll be right there." Nico went back in, put on his dress coat and wrote Lyla a note.

My Love,

I had to run out. I will return soon. I will be back with breakfast in bed for you, my Treasure. I love you.

Nico

He then left to go see what the High Council wanted now. In vampire Covens, the High Council rules beside a leader that has been Nico for over two hundred years. Nico didn't always agree with their archaic decisions so he did not like meeting with them.

When he arrived he said, "This better be important," as he sat at the head of the table.

"I'm afraid it is. We understand you found your Companion...and she's a werewolf," one of them said.

"Yes, and?" Nico impatiently replied.

"I understand she is your Companion, but she is a werewolf. Its forbidden," another said.

"It is not forbidden unless I say it's forbidden. I understand we have had conflicts with the wolves before, but now we haven't for a long time with their new ruler. And, she is my Companion so that is irrelevant!" he said slamming his fist on the table.

He then went to the kitchen where the cooks were busy making dinner for the castles residents. The Hih Council members lived in one wing, the opposite wing belonged to Nico. Nico then began making breakfast for Lyla. He made Belgian waffles with strawberries on top and whip cream, an omelet stuffed with cheese, ham, and sausage, and breakfast potatoes and toast with strawberry jam. He placed a vase on it and went out to the castle gardens to retrieve a single rose. He placed the rose in the vase and brought it to her, smiling at the prospect of seeing her again.

He brought her breakfast in bed and said, "Enjoy your breakfast. I will return my love. I just have some business to take cre of. Then, we will go for a boat ride. It is a beautiful part of the forest over here.

Lord Nico went to see his second in command, Lord Maynor. He was his Uncle and closest friend. After Nico's father was turned he requested of the Coven that his brother be changed as well. His uncle was a paternal figurehead in the absence of Nico's father, since he died. The position of ruler over the Coven was between Nico and his uncle. But, since Nico was a direct descendant of his father, he was chosen for the position. Now Lord Maynor and Armon are his closest friends.

"Lord Nico," Lord Maynor called out to him, "I must speak with you. You can't disregard the Council like that."

"If you are telling me to deny my Companion, forget it! I am in love with her. And, you know how sacred and rare a Companion is," said Lord Nico.

"I'm not saying that. I would not say that. But, there is a way to deal with the High Council and it must be done with delicacy," Lord Maynor replied.

"I know, I know. You are right. Call the council back together this afternoon and I will explain that she is staying with a bit more finesse," Lord Nico said.

He returned to his office, had his assistant clear his early afternoon and schedule in the High Council meeting later in the afternoon. Lord Nico then returned to his room and his smile just shined at seeing his Beloved. She had finished eating, showered and was just getting out and slipping a robe on. She turned and showed him a shy smile as she proceeded to dress. "We have made love. I have seen you without clothes on. Why are you shy?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body up against his and answered, "I don't know. I guess I was just feeling shy."

Her pressing up close to him excited him and was too much for him to resist. He laid her in their bed and brought her explosions of ecstasy again and again. They never made the boat ride.

In a very good mood, he went to the High Council meeting while she rested. He entered the room and addressed the room as he sat at the head of the table, "I apologize for my outburst before, but you must understand, she is my Companion and this is a subject I am adamant about. She will remain. That is without question. Whether I change her, I will leave that decision up to her. I hope she will. I would rather spend eternity with her rather than only one lifetime. But, ultimately, she decides."

"But, my Lord, if you change her he would be a hybrid. That is forbidden, er, frowned upon," said one of the members.

"NONSENSE! It is forbidden. Hybrids are forbidden. Werewolves being a part of the Coven is forbidden...." snapped an older High Council member named Count Reynaldo.

"Maybe the High Council should be forbidden!" Nico yelled slapping both hands on the table. He then regained his composure and said, "Keep contradicting me on this matter and I may revoke your membership on this Council, Count Reynaldo. You learn your place. I am in charge here and Lyla stays. We are changing that law. Werewolves will no longer be forbidden from officially joining the Coven and Hybrids are no longer put to death. The practice is archaic and has no place in intelligent society. It is done."