Though Ivan allowed his wife and their guards to remain in the throne room, Rowan felt like they were the only two in the room. Ivan's domineering presence overshadowed the others easily.

"Yes, my lord," Rowan addressed him, lowering his head in respect with a hand against his chest.

"How is Julien's progress in his abilities going?"

Rowan glanced up at Ivan; it hadn't been a question he expected. "A steady pace. He remains an average skill in each, though his coercion skills are improving."

"Good. Anything else to note?"

"No, he is still the same sex-crazed individual as before. Feeds quite often most nights, but not as bloodthirsty as before; his control is improving."

Improving may not have been the best term, but it was true compared to the last time Ivan had asked him. It had been a couple of years since Julien had completely drained a human dry.

Ivan smiled. "I sure hope he's mellowed out for your sake."

"Only slightly."

Ivan let out a guttural laugh. "To think the stoic youngster I hired decades ago had a sense of humor after all."

Rowan lowered his head. "My apologies; I misspoke."

"Nonsense, it is quite refreshing," the lord said, his hand brushing Valentine's arm. "Isn't it, love?"

"Indeed." She smiled. "I do believe my son's rubbing off on you. In the best way."

Rowan didn't need to confirm or deny it; he knew Julian's teasing had tested Rowan's patience more times than he could count, eliciting the quick-witted responses he typically buried away. He hadn't meant to do so in front of the Rosenthal leaders, but it seemed to slip from his mouth whenever Julien was mentioned or involved.

"And you?" Ivan prompted. "Training as usual?"

The guards of the castle were expected to train and practice their skills regularly. Only the finest and well-maintained vampires were allowed to remain as castle guards, even more so for the fletching's bodyguards. Though they were trained with the same rigor, Rowan and Jean needed to be prepared for anything in case something happened to the two youngest.

"Jean and I continue to spar every day, twice a day, three times a week." It was a rough routine Rowan had to get used to in the beginning, but he had found joy in training that he'd go to the training grounds whenever Julien got on his nerves and needed a break. Other days, he'd see himself going there just because he couldn't sleep. He had come a long way from when he first arrived at the Rosenthal's estate, barely able to hold a practice sword. Though Rowan's accuracy with daggers was impeccable, Jean and he were even matched with sword fighting these days. "We spar with the young princes and prince Alexander from time to time."

Ivan nodded in acknowledgment. "Excellent. Though I do hope their progress grows with the threat of the Coalition upon us. Though they should be safe amongst the castle, it is a threat I do not take lightly after what has befallen us in the past."

Valentine visibly shrunk in her seat; Ivan's hand squeezed her wrist in comfort. Rowan had never met their second child, Owain, who had died horrifically before Rowan was even born. Though it hadn't been the Coalition—as they had only been formed a couple of decades ago—the humans behind Owain's death were motivated by the same motto as the Coalition: eradicate the vampires.

The Rosenthal clan had been terribly affected by Owain's death, their oldest children, especially Mikhail and Laurent, still grieving the loss of a beloved brother.

Julian had told Rowan about the three firstborn sons, that despite being the second oldest, Owain was slated to be the heir of the Rosenthal clan. Despite Rowan's curiosity about their dynamic, Julien didn't elaborate past that. Rowan never believed it his business to ask; Mikhail disliked being the firstborn and hated being the heir.

"If extending further training, I will do so," Rowan said.

Ivan gave him a half smile before turning to his wife. "You may rest if you like. I'll join you in just a moment. Lance, you may station at the door."

Valentine nodded, removing herself from the throne as her guard, Constance, moved from her spot behind her. Lance followed after them.

Rowan turned to Valentine with a deep bow. "Milady."

She accepted the parting with a kind smile before heading out to the doors. Lance and Constance opened them in tandem for the lady of the house to part.

"You are an incredibly skilled and trusted guard, Marlowe," he said as the doors shut. "I have never doubted your loyalties."

Rowan bowed his head, though he sensed a but. He didn't believe he had done anything wrong, but it was still an uneasy feeling. "Thank you, my lord."

"Which is why I trust you will not share what I am about to tell you beyond these walls."

"Of course."

"Have you heard of a man by the name of Marlon? Marlon O'Neil."

Rowan raised his head, tilting it ever so slightly to the right. "I can't say that I have."

"He was a guard, much like yourself. A trusted and loyal castle guard."

"Was?"

Ivan nodded. "I suspect these attacks may not be just the Coalition to blame."

"You did not mention his name earlier. Is he to blame?"

"I have no proof, but I suspect his previous affiliations with the Rosenthal name will soon prove a threat. He is a traitor to our clan, and I fear he may seek revenge against our name."

Rowan considered this. "He's betrayed us before?"

"Betray is a strong word, Marlowe. But, in short, yes. He betrayed his duty and followed his heart. He let his emotions get the better of him, and he fell in love. Except with someone already taken."

Rowan looked past Ivan at the seat Valentine had been in earlier. This must have been why he asked her to leave the room; why Julien wasn't allowed here. "Marlon is Julien's father."

Ivan's smirk grew. "Your deduction skills are as superior as your other talents, Marlowe. Yes, he is. And I fear that with Julien's coming of age, Marlon will be willing to enact his revenge before Julien's powers are fully controlled. With two immature vampires within our ranks here, the Coalition on our heels, I fear we will be waiting ducks to Marlon."

"To kill Julien?"

"Or recruit him into whatever clan he's found refuge in. If his heart still lies in Valentine, then I fear she too will be at risk."

"Why tell me? Not the rest of your children and the guards."

Ivan crossed his arms. "They have other matters to focus on in their territory. The Coalition has far permeated our territories beyond what we originally had thought. To recall them from their territories and focus on matters here puts our subjects at risk." Ivan looked through Rowan with a steel gaze. "We must keep the news of Marlon's potential involvement under wraps if we may have been wrong about his intentions."

Ivan glanced to his wife's throne before adding, "as much as having the children here would provide us strength, we'd be a fool to let one individual create such havoc. I must trust you and the other guards are capable of handling this on their own."

"We've all made our oath to your family."

Ivan pursed his lips. "Yes, you have."

"And I have sworn to protect prince Julien," Rowan added. "Just as Jean has with prince Felix."

"Yes, though, Julien does not know his birth father's origins or his name. I trust you will not divulge this information to him. It's in his best interest that Julien remains ignorant of Marlon, lest Marlon has something to use against Julien."

Rowan nodded through the unsettling lump in his throat. His father's name burned in the back of his mind. He only wished he had never remembered it and was ignorant of his father's existence. It was wrong to envy Julien for it, but he knew Julien would not rest if he were aware of his father's name. Julien was naturally curious and daring, often getting himself into precarious situations, and Rowan knew Ivan was right in his judgment in leaving Julien in the dark.

And yet, Rowan wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep any more secrets from the tenth prince.

"I know I have asked much of you over the years," Ivan said. "In regards to Julien and the others. But your loyalties have never wavered, no matter how much of a handful my children have become. Because of your loyalty, I trust you will do well in keeping them safe, regardless of who's to blame for the raised threats."

Rowan blinked, remembering to bow his head. "Of course, my lord."

"Good, now I believe it best to relieve Jean from watching Julien, lest he gets into trouble." The corner of Ivan's mouth raised.

"That would be wise," Rowan replied. "I'll take my leave."

Rowan didn't meet his gaze, keeping his eyes down for a moment before turning to the doors behind him.

"And Marlowe?" Rowan turned around just as Ivan's tone darkened. "Do remember to inform me of anything suspicious."

Though Ivan had said those words earlier, Rowan couldn't help but read it as a warning. He chalked it up to Ivan's concern for Valentine and his children and let it pass, placing his hand against his chest and bowing to him once more before turning to the double doors without a word.

Rowan could sense Ivan's pinned stare at his back even after he closed the doors behind him. His words echoed as he searched for the tenth prince, hoping he hadn't gotten into too much trouble in such a short time.

He spotted Jean down the hall, his taller stature easy to spot compared to Felix and Julien, who stood beside him against one of the walls.

Jean looked relieved to see him. "I feared he'd murder you in there. "

"How'd it go?" Julien quipped. "He complained about me again?"

"No," Rowan said before adding, "surprisingly. He insists on more training."

Julien groaned. "More? If he wanted soldiers, he could've just hired them. Why must I learn to fight when I have you as a guard?"

Felix crossed his arms. "The Coalition could be everywhere, including maids and guards. It's best to be prepared for anything."

"It's for your own good," Jean tacked on. "If we aren't around, you can't be completely defenseless. Once you turn 120, you won't have us around you—"

Julien waved a hand in the air. "And have to rule a territory all on my own, most likely, I know, which is dumb, by the way. A few years doesn't magically make me capable of ruling a territory."

"It won't," Rowan replied bluntly. "But with enough training, physically, you will be."

Julien rolled his eyes. "Or I can just make you my personal guard for eternity; then you'll be stuck with my annoying ass."

Rowan didn't argue; he didn't want to think about what would happen once Julien came of age, never allowed to let himself think about his future when he had first become a guard nor when he became Julien's bodyguard.

Because every time he had before, Rowan didn't know if he'd even survive. Believing in a future always led to failure, and Rowan couldn't allow that now, not when he found a semblance of normalcy for once in his life in the Rosenthal clan. 

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If you like other paranormal creatures, feel free to check out In a Heartbeat, a fully complete werewolf story <3 Links in bio!