Prince Justus and the Rogue

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I need to talk with Gracia about the news that we discovered concerning her father and then I need to talk with Jeremy to find out his side of the story. It's breakfast and Gracia meets me in the garden looking beautiful. She's wearing a purple dress with a chiffon skirt, a lace applique for the arms and back, and the bodice is made up of a thick lace material with three silver flowers between the bodice and the skirt. She looks elegant and beautiful. She appears to float across the grass and comes to sit next to me at one of the garden tables. I had to arrange this breakfast carefully to ensure that Jeremy could take care of Cecily while I had a private meal with Gracia.

"Gracia, it's so nice to spend some private time together." I said as she gracefully sat down in front of me.

"Yes, since coming to the castle things have been quite hectic. I believe this is our first private meal we have shared together." She said, smiling at me.

"Well, there is something that I've been meaning to discuss with you." I figure it's better to just jump in and rip the bandaid off quickly rather than beating around the bush.

"Oh, and what is it?" She asks as she sips at her morning coffee.

"Well, it has to do with your father." I can see her neck and back stiffen. "He's been meeting regularly with a vampire. We caught the vampire and he willingly talked with us about why he had been meeting with your father." I pause momentarily to see if she has anything to say but she remains stoic and quiet. "The vampire said that Achard's coven paid for your father's travel expenses to come here in exchange for information about castle security, the key, even the possibility of kidnapping you or Cecily in exchange for the key. I have yet to talk to Jeremy because I wanted to talk with you first. Do you have anything to say?" I ask her hesitantly. I notice that she went from smiling to stoic to closed off and silent.

"I guess I don't know what to say. How much do you trust this vampire to tell the truth? Did father actually feed them any information?" She asks after a long silent pause.

"Well, that is interesting that you ask that. According to the vampire your father played stupid a lot, would dodge questions, and never divulged any secrets. According to the vampire he was starting to believe that Jeremy was just using the coven to get him here and never had any intentions of sharing information. What do you think we should do with your father knowing all of this?" I'm curious what her thoughts will be.

"Well, I'm not sure. He consorted with the enemy and used them to his advantage but he never gave them anything useful in return so is he really all that bad? I'm not sure. I think he had good intentions, just bad delivery." She shakes her head with a frown on her face. She looks really sad. I feel so bad for her so I pull her into my lap and hold her for a few minutes.

"Would you like to be there when we question your father?" I ask her as I think she has a right to be there.

"Yes, I think I would like that. I know some of the questioning might get a little hard but I think I can handle it." She replies nodding her head. "What are you thinking of doing with him? Will you punish him or put him in the dungeon?" "I honestly don't know at this point. I'm waiting to see how he answers the questions. I'll be looking for his motive and rationale. Then I will confer with Emil, Jackin, and Mack. Most likely while we talk he'll be placed in handcuffs and led outside of my office. He'll wait in the hallway while we discuss the situation. I'll allow you to stay with us, if you like, for the discussion." I answered her. I wish I could give her a better answer, one that gave more of a solid decision but I truly hadn't made one yet.

"There is something that I've been meaning to talk with you about." She said, glancing down at her shoes. I could tell whatever the topic is she was unsure how I would react to her bringing it up. "Oh? What is that?" I ask curiously.

She takes a deep breath before she says anything. "What has happened to your mother? I haven't heard anything of her since your father passed away."

"Wow. Wasn't expecting to have this conversation today. She stays by herself in her room in the west wing and from my understanding she hasn't spoken or even tried to speak to anyone since the day my father died. Maids come into her room to help her bathe and dress then they bring her food. She is able to eat on her own but other than that she just stares out the window in her room." I explained to her sorrowfully. I may not have had the best relationship with my parents but it still breaks my heart to know that my mother is in such a condition.

"I would like permission to visit her. I believe she just needs someone to show her some kindness." She tells me with a hopeful look on her face.

"You are such a good queen. I love you so much, Gracia and I'm so thankful to have you by my side. If you would like to visit my mother by all means please do so. I would love to see her back to her old self again." I give Gracia a large smile. Her question makes my heart melt.

We finish our meal with general small talk about where Cecily is at in school and Gracia thinks about redecorating the castle. When we are done we start making our way back towards my office. I tell one of my guards to bring Emil, Mack and Jackin and I tell another to bring Jeremy.

When everyone has arrived in my office I begin the meeting. "Emil, Jackin, and Mack have any of you found a cure for the vampire or are we too late?"

"Amice was able to contact the White Witch Queen Fiona using a spell and received instructions for an antidote in time to administer it before Achard's coven realized he had been captured. He is currently resting in the infirmary where he is being watched for any changes." Mack answered.

"Very good. Thank you for that Mack. The reason for this meeting is to discuss the new knowledge that we have gained concerning Jeremy meeting with a vampire from Achard's coven." I pause momentarily to let my words sink in and everyone can start gathering their thoughts.

Jeremy was the first to jump in. "So, you've been following me?"

"Yes, we were. I wanted to ensure that your intentions were true, that you had actually quit drinking, and that you weren't lying to Gracia. I wanted to protect Gracia and Cecily. Gracia did not know that you were being followed." I told him as I leaned over my desk.

"Well, I wasn't doing anything that would hurt Gracia or Cecily." Jeremy replied defensively.

"We'll see about that. The vampire told a slightly different story. He said my half brother's coven paid for your travel expenses in exchange for you giving them information on castle security, the Key to the Gates of Guinee, even the idea of kidnapping Gracia or Cecily in exchange for the key. What do you have to say for yourself?" I ask to get to the point quickly.

"Yes, they paid for my travel expenses and yes it was supposed to be in exchange for information but I never gave them any information. I didn't even try digging around the castle to look for information. Whenever I met with the vampire I just played dumb and tried to skirt around the questions. I never had any intentions of giving them any information. I came here with every honorable intention of making things right with my daughters and building new relationships with them." He said, straightening his back and holding his head up high.

"Guards take Jeremy in the hallway and keep him there until we reach a decision." I nodded to the guards as they stood Jeremy up and placed him in handcuffs to lead him out in the hallway. I heard Gracia gasp and let out a small cry when they placed him in handcuffs. I had to close my eyes as I could feel her pain through our mate bond but she knew what was going to happen when she came here.

I turned to the people left in my office and raised my head as I looked around. "What are your thoughts?"

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Also check out my other books Dragon Brothers - Completed

Cyprian and the Slave

Her Demon His Angel

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