#6 Chosen by the Vampire Kings: BBW Romance (Part 6: New Moon) by Charlene Hartnady

language.
    As
a sign of respect, Brant and Zane returned the greeting using elven tongue.
Xavier stepped in beside them and did the same.
    Keto
remained silent. His eyes were hard, his jaw tense. What was the male’s
problem? Zane had mentioned that the king had aged greatly, yet Brant was
still shocked by his lined face and greying hair.
    A
look of confusion crossed Katar’s face for a brief moment. “Where is your mate?
I had hoped that my daughter would be here to greet me. I take it that all is
well with Esral?” The old man smiled.
    “Esral
is well,” Zane answered. “Your daughter is slowly becoming accustomed to the
ways of our people.”
    “Have
you found her to be a good mate? She is in many ways much like her mother and
will serve you well.”
    Zane
cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable.
    Brant
stepped forward. “Let’s be seated. Can I offer you some refreshments?” He
gestured to the table which was laden with fruits and pastries. After talking
with Esral, Stephany had advised him that elves had a sweet tooth. “Would you
like a glass of juice? Wine perhaps?” He motioned to a pitcher of deep red
liquid.
    “I
shouldn’t, but why not? It is a celebration after all. The union of our
species.” Katar looked thoughtful for a second before smiling.
    This
was going to be more difficult than they’d thought.
    Brant
poured a glass and reached for a second. “Keto?”
    The
elven prince narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “I am fine”—he ground his
teeth—“Thank you.” He said the words like they were a curse.
    Katar
took a long drink from his glass.
    “This
is Prince Xavier, my brother,” Brant stated.
    Katar
inclined his head while maintaining eye contact with Xavier.
    Brant
tried not to shift in his seat. “I am glad that you called this meeting today—”
    “Meeting?”
Katar shook his head. “Think of it more as a family get together.”
    It
was time to suck it up. The longer they dragged this out, the worse it would be
in the end. “Zane did not mate your daughter.” Brant had to work hard to keep
himself from cringing. He definitely could’ve worded that better.
    Katar’s
brow knitted. “That means that my daughter has mated with you, Brant son of
Taine. It was my understanding that you had taken a mate already.”
    “Your
information was correct. I have not mated your daughter either.”
    Katar
exploded in a spray of wine scented spittle. “What is the meaning of this? I
put my beloved daughter’s life and reputation in your hands and you disrespect
me like this?” He took a deep breath. “When do you plan on mating her?” he
turned to address Zane.
    “I
too am already promised to another, and tomorrow we fulfil the mating come the new
moon.”
    Keto
bashed the table with a closed fist, his blond hair flew about his face. “The
honor of my sister is at stake. Filthy—”
    “Silence!”
Katar shouted, his face was bright red. His nostrils flared and his knuckles had
turned white on the glass. Brant was worried that it would shatter under the
pressure. If the old man cut his hand open on the shards it would flame his
anger.  Katar didn’t seem to realize that he was still holding it.
    “By
slighting my Esral, you have slighted me. My people.” He swallowed hard. “My
daughter”—his eyes grew glassy. Katar shook his head, his lips a thin white
line—“my beloved Esral will be seen as defective, forced to live a life of
solitude. My beautiful, innocent, sun filled child. So full of potential.” His
shoulders had sagged while he spoke, his eyes drifted to the table.
    “We
have welcomed her to live among us as one of our own,” Brant said hoping that
Katar would be appeased.
    “What?”
Keto snorted. “So that her innocence can be taken by any commoner? Rutted in
some back alley like a piece of trash?” His eyes were blazing, his face set in
a deep scowl. With a loud scrape, Keto pushed his chair back but did not make
to stand. “Fucking