Chapter Six – Rollon
After Tindra had run away, Thor hadn't said a word, merely shaking his head and leaving the training rooms himself. Rollon could have kicked himself for how he behaved. He was treating her like he thought he was better than she was, which simply wasn't true. Humans and vampires were different, but that didn't mean one was better than the other. The whole situation just fell out of control.
Part of him hoped that Thor would send her away. Thor was stubborn, though. He didn't do what he didn't want to do. Much like his father.
Several hours later, Rollon was looking over requests for increased military spending when his son strode through the door, ignoring the protests from Rollon's secretary. The king dismissed her and set aside his papers. He always had time for his son.
"You're upset," he started.
"You bet I'm upset. What is it with you?" Thor paced in a circle and shook his head. "Why do you always have to be so damned stubborn? You were getting along fine with Tindra and then you go and accuse her of having no self-control? That was rude and unnecessary."
Rollon couldn't help but smile a little at that. "And here you are, chastising me. The tables have certainly turned. I remember when you were a toddler running around, giving Ingrid heck because you refused to leave your diaper on."
"Dad!" Thor let out a huff. "We're not talking about my old habits. Tindra is important and you keep pushing her away. Can't you just try to give her a chance?"
"It's your birthday soon."
Thor narrowed his eyes. "Why are you changing the topic?"
"I will be more comfortable with the human once she's bonded to you," Rollon said stiffly. "Now. About your birthday—"
"I don't care about my birthday."
Rollon nodded. Thor was always a bit peculiar about his birthday. Maybe it was because birthdays were never celebrated in the palace. It had been his mother who pushed to celebrate it. And after what happened, Thor simply stopped talking about it. But it had been a long time since they had done anything to celebrate, and with all that was happening with Tindra, Rollon wanted to have some time to spend with his son without any outside pressures.
"I think we should do something special for your birthday this year. I don't have any ideas right now, but I will—"
"I have an idea."
Thor's gaze didn't waver, but there was an uncertain look in his eye. Rollon tried to stay relaxed, although he recognized that look. His son had a plan in mind, but he was certain that Rollon wasn't going to like it. And Thor was usually right about those sorts of things. Still, Rollon waited quietly. It was clearly important, so he would listen. And he would give it a good amount of thought before he answered.
"Dad, I need you to stay calm, okay?"
Rollon's brows rose. Unexpected . . .
"For my birthday, I want you to go see Mom."
It was like a blow to the stomach. Rollon turned away at once, reaching for the papers he had set aside. That was out of the question. It simply was not going to happen. Never. His hand shook and he balled it into a fist.
"Dad, I know how you feel about it. But it's been years. I need you to be happy again and you're not going to do that while you're holding onto your guilt."
And seeing the woman whose life he stole was going to help with that?
"Dad, please."
"How do you think I'm not happy?" he tried.
Thor frowned. "If you're going to say no, just say no."
He couldn’t, and that was the problem. Reluctantly, he nodded. "I will go and see her with you. But the question still stands. Why do you think I'm not happy? Would seeing your mother make me happier? Is it supposed to alleviate my guilt?"
"I don't know. Honestly, Dad, I don't know. But I just want to see you try. Maybe seeing her will help you because it will show you that even bad things can have good things come out of it. I mean, don't you want to have more kids? Sometimes I really wish I wasn't a single child."
Rollon considered for a moment, then shook his head. "You are my greatest joy. More children would only bring more joy, I know. But I don't have room in my life for a woman, and I'm not going to have a broodmare. I don't want what was between your mother and me to be the norm. Besides, I have no prospects. "
Thor leaned forward. "As for your prospects, there are thousands of women out there that would cut off their legs for a chance to be with you. Hell, when I walk down the street I'm mobbed. And you're the king."
"This is opposite. I should be counseling you to find a companion, not the other way around."
Thor grinned. "You've been after me to find myself a mate for fifty years. Where do you think I picked up all my skills?"
"I always did say you took after me."
Rollon sighed. Was it time for him to take a companion? There were a few trusted females that he went to when he was desperate, but for the most part, he had put thoughts of companionship from his mind. The truth of the matter was, he filled his schedule because it gave him a convenient excuse as to why he couldn't take on a lover. He had a lot of councilors who could be working harder than they did now. The kingdom did need constant defense, but he wasn't the only one who could wield a sword.
His mind turned to Tindra. "Even if I was so inclined to have a companion, the woman I may be interested in isn't available."
Thor’s eyes lit up and he leaned forward eagerly. "What woman would that be, Dad? Do I know her? Maybe she is someone you met recently?"
His tone tipped something off in Rollon’s brain. "Why so interested?"
"I’m not allowed to be interested in the woman who might be my new mother?"
He widened his eyes innocently, which only proved that he was up to something. Rollon stiffened as he considered everything that had happened. Thor had not seemed surprised nor concerned when he found Rollon and Tindra sparring. He was awfully eager to see them get along. And now, right after bringing her into the palace, he was talking about Rollon letting go the past and moving on . . .
"Out with it," the king said, eyes narrowed. "What are you plotting?"
"Plotting? What makes you think I’m plotting anything?"
"Don't make me have you thrown in the dungeons."
Thor laughed. "Dad, threatening to ground me hasn't worked in decades. Besides, I’ve got that press conference—"
Rollon held up a hand. "Just tell me what you think you are doing."
"Okay. I’m worried about you."
"So you said. It tells me nothing about this game you are playing."
"It’s not a game. I really think that—"
The piercing shriek of an alarm filled the air. Rollo and Thor both jumped to their feet and reached for the knives that sat proudly on Rollon’s desk. A snarl ripped its way through the king’s throat as he raced for the door. These alarms hadn't been used for twenty years . . .
It could mean only one thing. The palace was under attack.
Zander quickly found the king and prince. Not bothering to bow, the security guard handed Rollon a sword.
"Shifters are attacking our walls. There are reports of a dark-haired woman leading them."
Eva. He'd been wondering when she would return. "All the humans and non-warriors are to be put in the safe rooms. Thor, you are responsible for their safety."
Thor nodded. He snatched a blade from a guard and ordered two others to follow him. Rollon's stomach twisted as he watched him go, but he was a strong warrior and would do as he was commanded. He turned on his heel and gestured for the rest of the guard to follow him. It was time to put his sister in the ground.