Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Lazarus POV

Willow has been in with the council for hours. I am worried about her. I hope they do not upset her. She needs to take it easy until we know for sure if she is pregnant. Maybe that is what they are discussing in there. I am sure mother told them why she needed a later meeting. Mother will not lie to anyone.

I pace the floor outside of the library, waiting. I need to know Willow is okay. I need to calm down. There will be many meetings I will not be allowed to attend. I need to give her the space she needs to rule. I signed up for this, and now I need to accept it.

Finally, the door open. “Lazarus come in, please,” one of the council guards says.

I walk into the room. All of the council, both vampire and fairy, are waiting on me to take my place next to Willow.

“Lazarus, we will hold the ceremony tonight to crown you both. We also understand that Willow could possibly be in a delicate situation, so we want to handle this with care,” Rudan says.

“Crown us both? Why?” I ask.

“Because I am stepping down,” Jackie says.

“The two of you will reign over the combined tribes. However, you both need to undergo the transition,” Rudan says.

“What if she is pregnant?” I say.

I do not want to put our child in danger or her.

“That is quite simple. You will complete yours first and take the reign of the vampire tribes. We have agreed Willow may reign over the fairy tribes. When we confirm pregnancy or not pregnant, then we will set a date for her transition,” Rudan says.

“Normally, we would not care, but Willow was compelling,” Jackie says.

“She can be very convincing, can’t she,” I say.

I take Willow’s hand. I squeeze it. My precious Willow, you are undoubtedly spunky.

“Tonight, we crown the new king and queen of the tribes,” Rudan says.

“Here Here. Long Live the king and queen,” the council members say.

Willow and I stay seated as the council leaves the room.

“You okay?” I ask her.

“I feel a little strange, but I am okay,” Willow says.

“When will we know?” I ask her.

“I have no idea. Your mother said the cycle would not stop until I got pregnant, or it had been forty-eight hours. I had no idea when I went into heat. The entire day was crazy,” Willow says.

“We should ask mother. Maybe we could get the tribal doctor to look at you,” I say.

“You think he could come before the ceremony. That way, we could announce it tonight,” Willow says.

“Can the doctor tell that fast?” I ask.

“I am a fairy; it does not take long to know,” Willow says.

“Then you talk to mother. I will call the fairy tribal doctor for you,” I say.

She smiles the sweetest smile. I hope our child has that smile. I hope our baby is like you, Willow.

I go to the phone in the library to make the call. Willow did not have to go far to find mother. She was waiting in the hall to find out what the council says. Willow calls mother into the library to speak with her.

“Prissy, we have some delicate questions for you yet again,” Willow says.

She sits down in a chair. “I am listening,” she says.

“First off, let me tell you that Jackie is stepping down. Lazarus will be crowned the king of the vampires,” Willow says.

“Good for him,” Prissy says.

“I need to know how I can tell if I am pregnant,” Willow says.

I hang up the phone with the doctor to join the conversation with my mother and Willow.

“The doctor is on his way,” I say.

“Did your yearning stop?” Prissy asks.

“Yes,” I say.

“ Was it longer than forty-eight hours when it stopped?” Prissy asks.

“That is the problem. I am not sure when I went into heat. The day was crazy. I did not stop to think all day. When he touched me, I went crazy,” Willow says.

“If it was less than forty-eight hours, then you are pregnant; if it was longer, then probably not. How did you feel right before it stopped?” Prissy asks.

“I felt like I was on fire. I felt like I was going to explode,” Willow says.

“It is so hard to tell with this being your very first heat cycle. The doctor can examine you and tell you for sure,” Prissy says.

“He will be here soon,” I say.

“Good. I want to know as soon as the two of you know,” Prissy says.

Prissy leaves. Something is off. I know it is because my father is stepping down as king. He took up the king's duties and council duty to have an excuse to be far away from home. Now he will have no reason. She will have to face him.

“Willow, there is something else we need to talk about,” I say.

“I am listening,” she says.

“Luanne and the children were located last night. I did not want to tell you because it was our day, but I have made the arrangements to have everyone brought here. There will be no problems, I can assure you. Luanne will be very cooperative,” I say.

“That makes me so happy,” Willow says.

“You’re not mad that I did not tell you,” I ask.

“No, I understand why you did not. There was no way you could have told me last night,” Willow says.

“Considering you had me tied up all night, I do not think I could have gotten a word in,” I say.

“Hey, I do not remember you fussing about it last night,” Willow says.

“No complaints from me,” I say.

“Come on. I need to get ready for the doctor,” Willow says.

We leave the library. Willow wants to see the doctor upstairs privately when he arrives. That will give me time to ensure her siblings and Luanne will be brought back to the house. I made things very clear to Luanne. She would stay here on the grounds in a home. She and the children will be taken care of by any means necessary. My only condition is she backs off of Willow. I could not believe she agreed. Not the most ideal situation, but it gets the siblings back and looked after. I will have a house built at the far corner of the property for her. Willow and I can keep an eye on her and the children.

Willow goes upstairs to wait. I go back to the library to make my calls. I need to make sure there are no hiccups in this. After I am crowned, I will take care of Lester once and for all. That man will pay for what he did to Abraham. I cannot do anything now, but once crowned, I can order someone directly to bring me his head.

The only way I know for a fact Willow will be safe is if I have Luanne under lock and if Lester is dead. I do not want Willow constantly worrying about Lester coming for her. She needs peace in her life. She is giving up her life to bring peace. I will do everything to give her peace for herself.