2. VARS 1

Avalyn

"Wait! Mistress!" Tessa stopped me.

I turned around and looked at her in question. That's when I saw that she was dressed up too—or maybe dressed down.

She was wearing a see through, barely there red lace bra and matching panties. She was wearing sky high heels I couldn't even imagine standing in.

Her hair was braided stylishly and two loose tendrils framed the side of her face. And for a change, she had applied makeup too. And again, what shocked me was that she was wearing gold ornaments but they looked more like chains. A thin gold chain went around her neck, one went around the small of her waist and both of them were connected by another chain that passed from between her breasts. She had chains around her wrists and ankles too.

"What is this?" I asked her.

"Today is your first ever Royal Summit, Mistress. All the Kings and Queens will be attending and with them will be their slaves. I have learned that having a perfect slave with you is very helpful and is a status symbol for the elites. With your permission, I would like to come with you. I promise I will be a perfect slave and make you proud." She replied with a hopeful look in her eyes and a anticipatory smile.

"You don't need to do this, you are more than just a status symbol, Tess." I shook my head. I know how much she doesn't like people ogling her. And though the clothes she had worn were more than what a normal slave would wear, it was still far too less than her usual clothing which was a normal top and shorts except when it got cold.

Nikolai wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed my back against his chest. He kissed the shell of my ear. "She's going to be fine. Let her do this for you."

"You knew about this?" I asked him.

"Yes." He replied. "Open that box." And then motioned towards the jewellery box that laid on the bedside table.

I picked it up and opened it. Inside, rested a thin collar entirely made out of diamonds and the middle, a blood red ruby stones encrusted in the shape of the crown which were bordered with gold. A delicate but strong gold chain leash was attached to it too. It was beautiful.

I picked the collar up with gentle hands and placed the box aside. "You had this made for her?" I was utterly shocked.

"She's served you fairly well."

"Thank you." I smiled with gratitude before I looked at Tessa. Her eyes were lowered. "Look at this, Tess!"

Tessa looked up at my words and her eyes widened when she looked at the collar in my hand. "Is this for me?" She whispered in awe.

"Yes." I grinned at the shocked girl. "Nik had it made for you. And now you won't have to worry about anyone else touching you too."

Tessa bowed down deeply in Nik's direction. "Thank you, King Nikolai."

"You're welcome." He nodded and she rose.

"Take your hair aside." I ordered gently and she collected her hair to the side and quickly turned around.

I put the collar around her neck and used the key to lock it from behind her neck.

I also noticed that the panty she had worn was actually a thong. I felt a little bad but then I let it go.

I handed the key back to her. She looked confused as to why I did that.

"I don't expect you to wear it all day. It's your collar, your life, your choice." I caressed her cheek.

She leaned in my touch. "Thank you Mistress."

"You're very welcome." I smiled.

She bowed and then kneeled down next to me.

"You don't need to crawl, you can walk." I told Tess.

"No." Nikolai shook his head. "A slave crawls next to her Mistress, Ava. Especially in formal settings."

"But we can made our own rules now, Nik." I told him. We were the King and Queen, we could surely do that.

"We are already pushing it by taking only one slave. Please, just trust me, okay?" He pecked my lips.

"Okay." I kissed him back. If this would have been earlier, I would have argued with him about it. But now, I knew that he knew something I didn't and he was worried about me. I remember what he said back in his office but it can't be too bad, can it?

"Have I told you that you look beautiful?" Nikolai whispered against my temple.

"You can say it again." I smiled. He had been a little distracted ever since we arrived but I jotted it down to nerves. It was our first official outing as the rulers of Soare-Luna after all.

"You look beautiful, Moya Lyubov. You are the most beautiful woman in the entire universe." His voice was soft and full of love when he said that.

"Thank you." I pecked his lips. I had worn a deep red strapless satin dress that flared from my waist. The upper bodice had intricate gold designs in it. I had specifically told the designer to make it like that of the designs on the walls that was made out of my and Nik's blood. My hair were curled but I had kept my long locks open.

Nik liked them open better.

My makeup was done by Tessa who had obviously done it to perfection with a bold red lip. I had worn my Queen's mantel, the belt at my waist held the scabbard and my red ring matched my outfit. I had ditched the sceptre but Nik had taken his.

And of course, my crown.

And then I whispered against his lips, "you look handsome, Mi Alma."

He did.

He had worn a full sleeved black tunic with red and gold embroidery that matched mine along with black pants. He looked every inch of the King he is with the crown that sat on top of his head, the robe, the sword at his hip, the ring that matched mine in his finger and the sceptre.

"Thank you." He kissed my cheek. "I see you've been working on your Spanish?"

I nodded, "Papa is teaching me during our daily runs through the trails. He says that we shouldn't forget our roots. And it means 'My Soul'." I smiled but scrunched my nose.

"He's absolutely right. What is it?"

"Doesn't sound quite right. I think I should keep looking." I explained.

"You can call me whatever you want." He tucked my lock behind my ear with a smile.

"I love 'Moya Lyubov'. Nothing can top that." I pouted.

"How about 'Mi Amor'?" He suggested and my eyes lit up. It meant 'My Love', which was the same as 'Moya Lyubov'.

"It's perfect!" I grinned, nodding happily.

"Let's go then." He extended his arm and I took it. I tugged Tessa's leash and she got on her fours and then we all walked out in to living room where we had decided to meet.

Everyone was already here, except Vladimir and Sofiya, and each one of them had a slave too. It made me uncomfortable but I didn't say anything.

I wished our family was here too but they weren't related to Mozog so they couldn't come to VARS. Only Dimitri came because he was Sofiya's brother. Our Kingdom included vampires too but Nik had said that according to the High Council, we were a werewolf pack. So would be attending WARS instead, which stood for Werewolf Annual Royal Summit. He said that this would be the first year we would be invited because we were now a 'true pack' and not just an 'unofficial rogue pack'.

"I'm ready!" Sofiya came in the living room along with Vladimir.

We smiled at her. "You look amazing." Her bump was enhanced since her pale pink dress which was form fitting. She had the healthy pregnancy glow and it suited her well.

"Thank you." She smiled and looped her hand through Vladimir and towed him out of the apartment quarter.

Nik extended his arm towards me and I took it.

I saw Vladimir stop Sofiya at the door and made way for us to go first.

Oliver was helping us to get to the Council room and Tessa was doing a good job of keeping up with us but I made sure our pace was a little slower. The rest followed after us.

'Ready?' Nik asked me.

'Yes.' I replied. I had drilled it in my head to ignore everything other than the discussion and keep my emotions in check.

'Good girl.' He replied. I gave him a smile.

When we reached the Council Room, the guards opened the door for us and we entered. The council room was a circular room and the thrones were placed in such a way that every single person could see everyone else. Elder Orlando sat on the highest level which was across the room and right in front of the doors. A level lower than that was for the Royals and floor level was for the Lords and Ladies. A deep purple mat ran straight down from the door to Elder Orlando's throne and another mat ran in a circle around the room, along thrones.

Just like the entrance, the council room also had a glass wall in front of the normal stone wall, in between which slaves covered entirely with purple body glitter were engaged in sex. Some in pairs of two, some were having threesomes and foursomes. I bit my lip. What was it with supernaturals and PDA?

We were the second group of Royals here. We passed multiple Lords and Ladies and walked towards the front. Our Kingdom's Lord and Ladies settled in that section as well. A little further down the aisle, Vladimir and Sofiya took their thrones too. Nik and I continued walking ahead. According to what Nik said, the seating arrangements were according to the hierarchy. Oliver gestured us to our conjoined throne.

"Elder Orlando," Nik said formally before Nik we sat side by side. I tugged Tessa's leash and she kneeled beside my throne, half facing me. Her head was straight but her eyes were lowered. Her knees were spread apart and her hands were on her thighs. Perfect slave position.

On the throne in besides us, sat a couple. The lady had mahogany coloured skin tone. Her ears, neck, wrists, waist and legs had jewellery all over them— all of them delicate and more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. Her vivid green eyes popped out and they were focused on us. The man who sat beside her had a skin colour darker than her's, his long dreads were half tied at the back of his head and he too had green eyes. The couple were a sight to behold.

'That's King Ciro and Queen Rhapsody of Kingdom Krajini.' Nik mind linked me. 'The Kingdom with affinity with Earth.'

They nodded at us in sync. A sign that they have been together for a long, long time. "King Nikolai, Queen Avalyn. Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you too, King Ciro and Queen Rhapsody." Nik said and I smiled at them warmly. They seemed really nice and I liked them. Queen Rhapsody's eyes softened at me a bit and she inclined her head at me.

"King Josias of Kingdom Voda incoming." The guard at the door announced before the doors opened.

'Kingdom with affinity with Water.' Nik told me.

Nat had once told Sof and I that a Lord from Voda kingdom had cursed her because he didn't do anything for her down there. It surely won't be the King or else we would have known but I'm curious to know who it will be.

Inside came... Papa?

What?

Why does he look exactly like Papa? A deep pit started forming in my belly.

Nik stiffened.

He walked down the aisle and sat on the throne in front of King Ciro and Queen Rhapsody's. It was made for a single person, which meant he didn't have a mate.

"Elder Orlando," he inclined his head before taking his seat. His head snapped to us. "Avalyn," King Josias said, his voice cold and his ocean blue eyes held a glint of recognition in them. He wasn't Papa. I know that.

He is Papa's twin.

Papa has a twin?

Why didn't I know this before?

He looked like he hated me. But why?

I have so many questions.

"Queen Zakyra of Kingdom Poziarne incoming."

"It's the kingdom with affinity with fire.' Nik informed me.

The doors opened I bit my tongue at what I saw.

Eight slaves walked in, carrying a palanquin made out of gold over their shoulders. Four were on each side as they carried the palanquin to the middle of the aisle. The palanquin It's was so large that it should have been a carriage instead. Plus it was made out of gold so it must be heavy, way too heavy for humans to carry, especially with a person inside.

Another slave appeared from the back and went down on his hands and knees besides the palanquin. The door of the palanquin opened and Queen Zakyra stepped on the slave like he was a step, wearing pointy heels, and then stepped on the floor.

She had thick red hair and had only worn a red lacy bra that hid nothing and a translucent skirt with a veil over half of her lower face— much like what belly dancers wear. She gracefully strode ahead, "Elder Orlando," inclined her head and sat on the throne next to King Josias' throne.

Her yellow eyes that were thickly lined with kol snapped towards Nik and a sultry smile formed on her lips. "King Nikolai," and then her eyes flickered to me with disinterest, "Queen Avalyn", and then slid back to Nik, "a pleasure." She purred.

I stiffened.

It was hate at first sight.

"King Xillian of Kingdom Ovzdusia incoming."

'The Kingdoms with affinity with air.' Nik said, his voice dripping with disdain. I wasn't sure why.

The doors opened and King Xillian stepped in. Unlike every man in the room, King Xillian was shirtless and only wore black leather pants and had adorned the normal kingly accessories like the mantel, the belt with the sword and the sceptre. The entirety of his thick arms were covered with black tattoos. But what bothered me was that the air in the room shifted. It became... darker.

I immediately understood that King Xillian was a man everyone feared and was not to be taken lightly. He leisurely walked over to the front. "Elder Orlando." With a nod, he took his seat on the throne next to Queen Zakyra's.

He took in a deep breath, as if he was breathing in all the scents and then his...silver, almost translucent eyes snapped to me and he smiled a deadly smile. "Pleasure." His eyes raked over me and darkened.

I felt Nik's boiling anger but he masked it very skilfully.

Elder Orlando stood up and looked at all the people gathered. "I, Elder Orlando, the Vampire Head of the Supernatural High Council declare The Vampire Annual Royal Summit inaugurated," his gravelly but strong voice echoed in the council room.