Love's Nudging

by Flynn Eire

  “You need to be way clearer than that for me to even consider it,” I drawled before narrowing my eyes at him. “And why me? You’re fucking Bricius. I could see an ancient or Wyrok no one knew or had no standing being interested in me, but you don’t need to raise your station.”

  “No, I like you in spite of the exposure and troubling entanglements you come with,” he agreed.

  “That’s still not an answer as to why,” I reminded him.

  “You’re right, but I’m not sure the answer either,” he admitted after a few moments. “You intrigue me.”

  I didn’t buy it. “Councils have gone after ancients and Wyrok who aren’t on the current roster. If you had me, you could find a place that wouldn’t ever hunt you, that would be completely safe for any of you to relax and stop looking over your shoulder.”

  “That’s a really good point,” one of his friends muttered. “Did you think of that?”

  “No, because he doesn’t want it,” Bricius admitted.

  “Someone needs to fill in the gaps for the others or their heads are going to explode,” another worried, glancing over their shoulders.

  “They can stuff it,” I snapped, not liking people were trying to push me through the maze. “They weren’t interested when I was pissed and upset someone was breaking into my room and drawing on my fucking head, so focused on themselves and their romances, they can shove it.”

  “Not sure that’s fair, Mark,” Nate grumbled. “If it was anyone bad, the other ancients and Wyrok would have told us. We asked.”

  “Well, that’s great that you made the decision and handled it how you wanted,” I shot right back. I met Bricius’s gaze. “Come up with a better plan that doesn’t rely on time for your plan, as that would lead to you delaying.”

  He flinched. “I’m not dishonorable like that.”

  I snorted. “No, you’re just the puppet master who moves people how he thinks he should. Did I run your maze well enough? Blow when you wanted? Told everyone how you wanted? I hope I did and it amused you because it ruined any chance of me seeing you as anything other than an annoyance and not someone I would consider sharing my life with.”

  “Oh, and your way has been working so much better,” he argued, grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him. “Drinking to sleep and no one knowing who you really are? Wearing so many masks that you probably don’t even know which is the real you anymore? Handling all of this on your own which is dangerous?”

  I shook off his arm. “I conceded the point, but that doesn’t forgive what you did. I’m not a child, and you didn’t even have the full truth before you acted in such a bullying manner.” I glanced at Alexander. “Did you still need to speak with me privately?”

  He slowly shook his head, glancing between us. “No, I know your gift, but I do need to know who you really are, Mark.”

  “I am Prince Markham Wittgenstein, and I apologize for erasing part of my names on the forms and papers, but I believe you understand why I did,” I replied after a moment.

  “Yeah, but not the rest,” he sighed, scrubbing his hand over his head. “But grief and pain make us do much others cannot judge if not standing where we were. Why don’t you take the day and I’ll get someone to cover your shift.” He glanced from me to Bricius. “Do we need to have a discussion about drinking?”

  “He has a beer now and again, never gets drunk even when we do,” Zibon defended. “If he has a nightcap or two to sleep, it’s not the best coping mechanism, but clearly he’s not an alcoholic.”

  I nodded, knowing it was more like five or six unless I completely wore myself out, but I appreciated the backup. I glanced back at Bricius.

  “I’ll give you until Valentine’s Day. That’s over a month. I won’t skip work or slack off what we’re doing, but if you can help with the load and protect my staff, set up a place here, I will spend time with you as long as getting physical is not in the deal. You finish by then and I’ll give you another month if you would want it.”

  That sexy smirk spread on his lips again. “You are as clever and cunning as your grandmother. That’s not an easy order, and I’m new to being awake and here, so anyone smart would err on the side of overdoing it as you are clearly unforgiving, but that has me and mine pushing along with acclimating to this camp and community.” His smile grew. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you’re not thinking to help Alexander?”

  I left, unable to argue it. I’d seen Alexander and Dimitri get too beat up with the crazy and changes and layers being pulled back. If the cover had been taken off my can of worms they would be part of, at least I was going to make sure they got the help too.

  I could do at least that much.

  2

  “No lecture, no yelling, no judgement from us, but all of what we just witnessed is not something we’re going to leave you alone after,” Lance said as I reached my room.

  I sighed, feeling my other friends, not shocked they weren’t letting me hide. It made me feel a bit better actually since I’d always been there for them and lately I’d not felt the same. “What do you propose?”

  “To let it settle and maybe a few easy softball questions,” he answered after a moment.

  “Like do you prefer Mark or Markham?” Wally asked gently.

  “Mark.” I unlocked my door and stepped aside. It was almost amusing since I shared with Lance so yeah, he could go in as well, but really it was the gesture I wasn’t shutting them out. I blinked at Dimitri when I realized he was in the group.

  He shrugged. “I’ve never seen you so upset, and I’ve known you for longer than all of these guys. I’m worried. Basilia agreed to take over training since I was already coming to find you.”

  I winced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have blown with them. I got fed up with the whispers and their whining.”

  “No, don’t apologize because you scared the shit out of them because you’re always so calm and constant. The rest of us yell and it’s one more time or maybe a bit harsh, but I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen you yell.”

  “It’s not allowed in my family,” I grumbled, heading in and pulling out a few bottles of booze.

  “How were you getting booze?” Nate asked. “We got some through Matteo, and Kevin was expensive if he went on the supply runs.”

  “Sam,” Wally muttered. “Roarke suggested him as he was easier and nicer, but Sam said something once that he already thought he had been. He was getting it for you?”

  I shrugged as I poured several glasses. “Now and again. I rotated pretty well. Plus, we can’t get Amazon, but we can get care packages. I would arrange one now and again.” I sighed, taking my full glass and sitting down near the window. “The estate manager of my parents’ castle was my father’s aide, I think they’re called now. Right hand. Head butler sort of once maybe.”

  “He sent it?” Zibon pushed when I went quiet.

  “Yes. I apologize. I was thinking I needed to contact him. If Grandmother truly did not know where I was, then he has been shielding me in a way I did not intend.”

  “Dude, your speech is more formal since he outed you,” Nate muttered nervously. “Um, so like split personalities?” The sound of several smacks echoed in the room. “Ouch, sorry, just, it’s weird.”

  I shrugged as I sipped my drink. “More like the default setting. I saw Jayme do it too, act formally when nervous. People know now, and it would be talked about if I didn’t act or behave a certain way.”

  “You gotta tell us who you are or I’ve gotta look you up,” Verge blurted. I hadn’t even seen him there at first, but then I saw Lance by the door and realized he’d slipped in. “And people are covering our shifts and stuff. There’s no way any of us are focusing on work.”

  “I apologize for that,” I sighed, realizing if the situation were reversed I would feel the same. “My grandmother is queen of Denmark.”

  A fly farting could have been heard in the room. It was so quiet a cricket making noise would have made us flinch. They sat with that se
veral seconds.

  “Like queen, queen?” Verge whispered.

  “Or like Yuri’s mate where he’s ruler of the France vampires?” Dimitri added.

  I chuckled. “No, the royal family of Denmark are actually vampires. A few others. They used to be in France. History tends to bury or change why certain monarchies were overthrown, but a few were because they bit humans.”

  “Holy crap,” Lance whispered. “So, like, you have a succession number or something?”

  “Something like that,” I snickered, almost getting my drink up my nose.

  “Hey, no more deflecting,” Zibon snapped. “You’re not ready to tell us or can’t handle it, then we’ll switch topics or grab food, but you don’t let us deflect, so please stop it with us.”

  That was fair, and I sighed again as I scrubbed my hand over my head. “Fine, but last question for now at least.” I waited until they all agreed. “Grandmother had five children. My father is her third child.”

  “He said your eldest uncle had died, so did he have kids? That leaves you and the other whomever, right?” Nate asked, his voice sounding a bit panicked. “Do they have a prime minister? Are you like going to be king or something? Holy fuck, do I have to bow to you?”

  I glanced over just in time to see two of my friends bop him on the head to get him to stop freaking out. “Yes, Denmark has an elected prime minister while the ruling royal is in charge of all the covens and camps and every vampire. My eldest uncle did not have children, which is shocking as he was always ‘entertaining’ consorts that never caught on they wouldn’t get a crown.”

  “You’re the crowned prince now, aren’t you?” Dimitri asked gently when I couldn’t find my voice.

  I cleared my throat. “Shortly after I arrived at boarding school in England, my father’s elder sister died in childbirth, the baby as well. It made huge headlines as she was beloved and people hoped she would become the next ruler instead of my uncle. Her passing made me third in line. I was pulled out of boarding school when my younger brother was born to help my parents.

  “I stopped being hidden then as I was under a false name at school, and I resented that and having to return to the spotlight while they traveled all over. They made it sound like they had another son for me so I wouldn’t feel so lonely. Not sure how that worked, but then they died and I was second in line, though it was made clear I should remove myself from the spotlight and succession.

  “So don’t get too excited. I’m still out.” I cleared my throat again. “I went back to boarding school under the assumed name, switched to another one for college, and spent my time studying until it was time to come to a camp. This one was far away and known for not caring for politics so it seemed the perfect one.”

  “You’re out because you’re gay?” Nate asked, anger in his voice.

  “No, they don’t actually know that,” I chuckled bitterly. “I was born a warrior. I was going to stand out in a family photo and not in a good way that wouldn’t cause whispers to hints of scandal.”

  “That’s not your fault,” Zibon bitched. “And they didn’t even wait until your transition to decide that?”

  “You said you had a call to make, right?” Dimitri interjected. “How about we go get some food and you make that call?”

  “Right, yeah, you said to wrap up the questions,” Nate agreed. “Just—is your gift stable? Are you safe?”

  “Yes. I’m like Ellison where it won’t hurt me but others if something goes wrong,” I admitted. “It came and I figured it out early when it started. Helios’s gift hit me harder than Wally. Same with that bitch trying to nab Ashton. My gift was trying to deflect, but it was amplifying almost. Right after it started reflecting properly, I noticed I was blending.”

  They accepted that was the end of the conversation and headed out for food. I grabbed my laptop and opened Skype to make a call.

  “Prince Markham, is everything alright? I was not expecting to hear from you today,” Henrik asked after the call connected. “Though I am glad as there is a matter we need to discuss.”

  “I heard about Uncle,” I told him. “First, are you well?”

  “Yes, always, thank you for asking.” He cleared his throat when I shot him a look that I wasn’t buying it. “The news has not broken yet, but we are hounded like always with people looking for you. Your grandmother has—”

  “She did not know where I was. Truly. Apparently someone hid the information from her.”

  He didn’t reply a moment. “Oh dear, she is going to be quite angry with me, and her wrath is legendary.” He sighed. “I thought her requests a ploy for… I wasn’t sure. The request never came from her directly and… Did she handle the situation?”

  “Yes. More than that, I do not know besides she is apparently regretting how she treated me.”

  His normally hard eyes softened. “I cannot excuse nor forgive what she did, but I knew she never meant it. To lose two children so close, two grandchildren as well—there aren’t words for that sort of grief.”

  “Yes, well, it’s not like I didn’t experience it too,” I grumbled, taking another sip of my drink. “People know who I am here now. Someone outed me. There is more going on, but it is not safe for anyone at the castle. More than reporters will come looking for me and soon.”

  “We can weather the—”

  “No, not this time,” I argued. “This is not for debate. Start closing up the castle and prepare to move. I ask you bring a copy of my parents’ research and fly out as soon as you can. There is more you need to know, some developments the past few months. If people wish to leave my service, I understand, but if they want to stay for a loved one, bring them with. Bring whoever with.”

  “Move our lives? All of us?”

  “For now, Henrik, not forever,” I promised. “There is some structure here that can help, and problems will come directly to you soon. I want you to see and hear what is being done here, and maybe we can propose the same to Grandmother to help. Denmark won’t be the biggest target to hit, but it is a target, and this time I do not think our family being in the public eye will be a shield.”

  “Understood,” he muttered. “I will start work immediately and fly to you. May I ask why you need their research?”

  “There is a doctor here that has been researching transitions and survivability. Jordan Gilliam is also here and has started working with them, as his apprentices also have his gift from spending so much time around him. It helps ground them. I know this doctor well, as he helped me survive my own transition. I believe there is no one else better to entrust this information to.”

  He nodded. “Thank you for explaining. I apologize for asking but this is—”

  “I know, Henrik. It’s fine.” I gave him the best smile I could muster. “The little boy you raised became a man who does not follow tradition and has blurred all the lines on you. Your counsel and advice is always welcome, and I ask you continue to speak freely as now more than ever we need you.”

  “For someone with a flawless American accent, your Danish is also flawless, which always shocks me,” he praised.

  “Well, I can’t always be a disappointment,” I chuckled darkly, waving off whatever response to that he might have had. That was the point of the call. “This is going to bring some headaches and trouble to the good people who have taken such care of me, protected me.” Another thought hit me. “And an array of labels for someone here that might be a good partner to us.”

  “I will gladly arrange something fitting. Is there anything else you wish me to bring or handle, Prince Markham?”

  I snorted. “I think that’s more than enough, thank you. I apologize for once again giving you more than I should.”

  “I would be bored otherwise.” He cleared his throat when I didn’t reply. “Many will be happy to see you even if the situation isn’t the best. Everyone asks after you constantly.”

  “Please thank them for their thoughts,” I replied out of habit, not really thinking any
of them felt as he said. It would make sense most would prefer the master of the castle not be around. I never looked over their shoulders or nitpicked, so really they had some of the best jobs and were well provided for. “Be safe, Henrik.”

  “Thank you. Rest well, Prince Markham.”

  I ended the call and swallowed the urge to throw the laptop out the window. I hated that I had to be Markham again. I hated Bricius for telling people. It wasn’t like I was ever going to take over or it mattered since Denmark had a prime minister, but everyone here would care. It would be an issue as it always was and more whispers I couldn’t stand.

  Fuck.

  My friends came back with tons of food that was my favorite, reminding me it was Taco Tuesday so I couldn’t be upset. It made tears burn in my eyes. Yeah, nothing would be the same again. I could never just be Mark again.

  And all I felt at that was grief. I was grieving the loss of who I’d had a chance to be instead of always Prince Markham.

  “How do I clear a guest?” I asked Dimitri. “Is there some sort of procedure or form I have to sign?”

  “Are they flying in?” He waited until I nodded. “I can clear them. I just need to know who, about when they’re coming, and the plane’s tail number since they’re landing on our private airstrip.”

  “I only know the first besides I told him to come soon,” I admitted. “I can give you the list of tail numbers of my planes.”

  “You have more than one?” Zibon checked, blinking at me.

  “Yes, I have money separate from Grandmother’s and… It’s complicated,” I admitted. “Grandmother has actually ruled twice, the second time as her own daughter, and that was when she had her children to the public. It’s harder now with all the cameras and press, but it’s tradition to take a few turns.” I waved off their questions. “I’m saying my parents weren’t as young as people thought.”

  “Is there anything you want to talk about?” Nate asked when I went back to eating.