Love Before Blood

Chapter 13

Queen Rosario’s POV

It has been a month since Avalon was married off, and it has been real quiet and boring. The only thing that has been thrilling within the past few days is the letters from my informant. He told me that there will be an opportunity to strike soon.

And as promised, King Locke was sent a letter about trading options between our land and the Drakes. However, we could not trade in their capital, we were only allowed to trade at the town that was just across the border. How exciting! 

I immediately told one of my maids to send a message to my most trusted councilman. He was human, of course, but he was greedy. Which humans were easy to take advantage of where greed is involved. He was also our senator, and just like any senator, he has a way with words. 

King Locke called for a council meeting the very next morning. The council was made up of humans, vampires, and werewolves. “I believe it is a great idea to open trade routes with them,” our werewolf treasurer said. “This way, we can help bring our economy back up.”

Most of the council agreed with him. “I believe it is a good idea as well, but why only on their grounds? We should offer them to come over to our lands for trade. This way, we may be able to open more opportunities for them to trade with us in other parts of our land.”

Some of the council were swayed by this as well. I internally smiled at the sight of this. “I see your point, Senator,” King Locke said,” but we just got out of a war that could’ve killed us all. I think it is only fair that we go along with what they suggest.”

“I understand that you want to go along with their terms, however, we cannot afford to send people into their lands. Our people are starving, have little to no money, and do not have the strength to make that journey. Last I heard, the trade routes are filled with bandits.”

More councilmen started to think in the Senator’s direction. King Locke looked at him with a look. “What are you trying to point out, Senator?”

“I’m trying to say that they should come into our lands first. They are thriving where we are not. They are stronger than us, faster, and able to fly. And if they run into the bandits, they can kill them for us, rather than us using our resources to take care of it.”

Soon everyone in the council was nodding their heads. “I see your point,” King Locke said,” But may I ask you this? Where on our lands would we hold trade with them? At least without endangering them?”

Our Senator could not answer this question. “Can anyone answer?”

I stood up,” May I speak, my King?” He nodded slightly, giving me a look of caution. He always gives me that look whenever I volunteer to speak at a council meeting. “Why not have them come here to our capital to trade. Most of the people of our land live here anyway. We can also provide security and housing for them.”

He gave me a look of surprise and agreed with my idea. “And what will we trade with them when this treaty has been signed? We’re not exactly high on resources.”

Everyone sat in silence. “Well,” the vampire representative said,” we could trade human slaves. Of course, with a little punch to their veins.”

The King gave the ambassador a look of disgust. I gave him a look of surprise. Why couldn’t I think of that? “And why would we trade our people to them?” King Locke asked with a deadly tone in his voice.

“It is just as you say,” he said with a smug look,” We’re not abundant in many resources.”

“We’ve already made our people suffer enough with the draft!” King Locke nearly shouted,” Many of our men died on that battlefield and left their wives as widows and single mothers. We agreed to this treaty so that we can thrive once again.”

“Forgive me, my King,” he said with a low voice,” I was only voicing out an idea.”

“Well, it was terrible,” the King said,” And the next person who speaks better have a half decent idea, or I swear I will chop off their head”

Everyone sat in silence once again, thinking carefully before speaking. I gave our Senator a nod,” We could have our merchants sell whatever they have left that is good. Livestock, spices, and maybe silks. From what I heard, we are very abundant in those.”

I decided to speak up for a bit as well,” I could also ask my connections for some goods to trade as well. We do have an abundance of herbs and some jewels that may be of some value.”

Our ambassador also spoke up and said,” I could also look into seeing what they would be interested in trading.”

“That’s good enough for me,” King Locke said with a sigh. “That’ll be enough for today. We will come up with better ideas when we meet again.”

After the meeting was over, I started making preparations for rooms for our guests. And of course, having vampire and werewolf merchants sent to the Land of Drakes. One more step closer to what I’m truly wanting.

Prince Azriel’s POV

The treaty for trade was very hard to debate against. I didn’t think my brother would be able to come up with such an idea. I was also very surprised by the amount of support he was able to rally behind the trade offer. I really didn’t want to move forward with this, especially since we haven’t confirmed if there is truly an ulterior motive behind the marriage alliance. And it was already hard enough to prove in the first place since we never let any vampires into our lands, at least to my knowledge.

I couldn’t really stop the plan, and quite honestly I didn’t really want to. He made a point that we can’t proceed with the alliance if trade isn’t involved. My father was all for it. That part I wasn’t too surprised about, since he probably felt disappointed that I was unable to prove anything.

After we sent the treaty to the Land of Humans, my mom came up to me and said,” I noticed you looked a little exhausted in the meeting. Maybe you should take the day off and take Avalon on a date. An actual date.”

I know she has been working hard for the past month training and reading. She was also probably tired of having nearly nothing to do throughout the day. At night, we exchange thoughts to each other, as promised. And to this day, I still owe her three thoughts. A change of scenery and activities was definitely calling.

I agreed with my mom and she looked very excited about this. She tried to give me tips on good places to go for a date, but I knew exactly where I wanted to take her. And she made sure no one would bother us all day, but with minimum security around, which is like two or three soldiers watching us from a safe distance. I was thinking it might be Cassian and Bryce, seeing that they’re our bodyguards, but since I’m giving Avalon a day off, I should give them one too.

Mom gave me this look when I asked her for a specific change of clothes. She looked a little disappointed I didn’t ask for anything promiscuous. I rolled my eyes and went to change into ripped black skinny jeans, white shoes, a navy blue t-shirt, and a leather jacket. 

I purposely waited after her training was over to approach her in the field. Avalon ran to me and gave me the usual look of “I’m hungry” or “I want to take a bath.” She was glistening with sweat, and there is more color and muscle tone to her body. Her black hair in a messy ponytail was waving in the breeze. I smiled down at her and said,” How would you like to go on a date after your bath?”

“A...date?” she asked through pants. And then she realized what I asked,“ Wait, where to?”

“Mostly just flying around, but for the most part I would like to take you to one of the most beautiful places our land has to offer.”

She said,” I would love to go.” I happily scooped her into my arms and quickly flew her to the bath area. One of my mother’s maids was waiting for her with a change of clothes in her arms.

While she was taking her bath, Bryce came by. His hair was still wet from taking a short shower. I could still smell the sweat on him. He probably stood in the shower for like thirty seconds and rushed over here. I didn’t get a good look at him before, but he is honestly a good looking guy. “Your Highness,” he said after bowing to me,” I overheard your conversation with Princess Avalon in the training field, and I was wondering if I could come along as part of the security.”

I looked at him and said,” I don’t mind at all, but I think you should take the day off, just for today.” He gave me an incredulous look, and I said,” I don’t doubt your abilities as her bodyguard, but I’ve noticed that every moment of the day you’re with her and hardly by yourself.”

“I don’t mind that at all, sir,” he said standing up,” It is my duty to watch over her in her mother’s place. Plus, I am one of her only friends she is able to talk to.”

I can see the sincerity in his eyes, but I can also see there’s a little more than just sincerity. Now, I don’t feel any jealousy for his sincere feelings. “I understand your concern,” masking the rising jealousy in my voice,” but a bodyguard needs his rest, even Cassian.”

Bryce gave me a blank expression. It was a little creepy in a sense. “You don’t need to worry about her security. I can promise you that she will be safe with me, and I won’t let her out of my sight.”

He hesitated at this and reluctantly agreed. “I leave her in your hands--for today.”

I wonder what he meant by the last few words. I was going to ask him, but I heard the doors to the bath area open and Avalon came out. 

The thoughts I had before were gone when I saw her. She was wearing a light purple, long sleeved, cold shoulder sweater, skinny jeans, and white boots. Her hair is in a long braid hanging over her shoulder. She wore dangling pearl earrings and a matching necklace. The maid behind her was carrying a grey coat and a matching magic bag that could carry anything, despite its size. “You look exquisite,” I said breathlessly.

She blushed and said,” Thank you." Avalon puts the coat on and the purse around her shoulder.  "So, what will be our first stop, Prince Azriel?”