The Beta's Regret (Eden and Eros) novel Chapter 215

(Eden's Pov)

For a moment, there was no movement.

Then Ryker broke the silence. “Who are these?”

Eros gave him a sharp look. “You shouldn't be concerned. This is royal business.”

Ryker frowned but said nothing.

One of the elders stepped forward and faced me. "It's time we make ourselves known to you, I am Elder Crandall. The first.”

He stepped back, and another Elder stepped forward. “I'm Elder Vallarta. The second.”

The third person stepped forward. “And I'm Elder Gallegos the third. We are the three highest elders."

After that, they stopped talking. I assumed others would make themselves known when necessary.

Then Eros stepped forward, and I placed a hand on his arm. I wasn't sure I was ready for this. Eros turned to me and smiled in reassurance.

The elders divided themselves into a group of two, six on both sides.

Behind them, a car waited for us. The back door was opened, and a driver stood beside it, patiently waiting.

“We have to go.” Eros said softly. I nodded. He took my hands in his and began to lead me towards the car.

“Wait!” I pulled us to a stop.

Eros looked at me in confusion. “Is there a problem?”

I shook my head. “No. I just need to say something.”

I turned and faced Ryker. He wore a stony expression. It was obvious he wasn't pleased with what was going on “Please tell my father that I had something I needed to attend to, and I had to leave.”

Ryker rolled his eyes and shrugged.

I contemplated the fact that I could leave without a care if he told Lord Shevek or not, but I wouldn't want my father to come back and fine my absence without a proper explanation.

“Is there something you want to say?” I frowned.

Ryker pursed his lips and looked away.

I sighed, before turning back to Eros and started for the car when Ryker called out.

“I am also the son of King Dimitrois.”

There was a sudden silence. The elders turned to him. Ryker still stood where he was, a smirk on his lips.

“What did you say?” Elder Vallarta asked. He looked Ryker in the face.

“I am a son of King Dimitrois. Eros is my brother.” He said.

I gasped. Why was he doing this?

The elders shared a look before assessing him.

“What do you want?” Elder Gallegos finally asked.

Eros ruffled his hair, and I could tell that he was beginning to lose his temper. Ryker was up to no good, and we knew it.

“I do.” Ryker said firmly. “I want to be considered for the throne too as the son of King Dimitrois.”

“Stop already!” Eros roared.

Ryker smiled. “Lord Shevek comes from the oldest line.”

That was an information I never knew until now.

The oldest vampire blood.

They were considered to be the first vampires to come into existence. Rumors of their heightened powers and abilities were often told, but it was believed to have gone extinct.

I watched Ryker, amazed.

I thought he was desperate to be Lord Shevek's heir. But now I see that it was only a step to what he really wanted. The royal throne.

All of a sudden, I saw what Lord Shevek must have seen in him that made him choose me over Ryker.

Power lust. Ryker was hungry.

Or maybe it could just be because he was the illegitimate son of the king and needed to be acknowledged. Whatever reason it was, Ryker was going way too far to sabotage everything Eros had worked for.

“Who is your mother?” Elder Vallarta asked.

“Lyraea.” He replied.

I heard the elders gasp in surprise. It seemed they were familiar with the name.

Immediately, the elders gathered and had a brief discussion. It only took a few moments before they finished and faced us again.

Elder Crandall started, “We have decided to extend the coronation by a few days due to this new information. The two sons of late King Dimitrois will battle for the throne. The winner will be crowned king. The kingdom needs the strongest son to take over the throne. If Ryker wins, he would have to go through the ritual and become king.” He finished.

Eros growled, clenching his teeth so tight that I feared that it would break.