{Keenan}

Slightly offended that the other prince didn't accept his offer but still trying to not die of embarrassment, Keenan offered Daemon a practiced and composed smile, "I wish you both a safe journey back to Sylvia."

With that he turned his back on the prince and headed back into the crowd. He was still feeling less than okay but wanted to cling onto the party for a moment longer. That was when Claude asked him to dance. That was unexpected, considering that he had not seen her much in the past week, it was almost like she was avoiding him, until now.

Keenan allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor before saying, "We need to talk about earlier Claude," she held up her hand to shush him before they both launched into the dance.

"We will talk about that, tomorrow perhaps but right now, I want to talk about you," Keenan raised and eyebrow but Claude continued, "I just watched you almost collapse. You are an excellent dancer so I'm not having that you were dizzyed by the spins. What is going on Keenan? You're still shaking slightly, even now."

Keenan sighed, he couldn't lie to Claude, she'd just use it against him later when she found out the truth, "I have been feeling unwell since Daemon arrived. Then all the stuff happened and I feel like death right now," he admit with tense laugh.

{Aleks}

Aleks sighed dramatically, he placed his hand on Faust's shoulder, "That my centuries old friend, is not a healthy way to deal with things. We all have things we would rather forget or not deal with but drinking yourself into oblivion is a one way ticked to an early grave."

He nodded when Faust said he wanted to leave, "of course," he said helping him up and through the halls. He flashed Faust a stupid grin when he suggested they write letters to each other, "It will provide me the opportunity to practice my penmanship," a skill he had only learned since becoming a vampire and he still had not mastered the art of beautiful flowing script.

{Monty}

He actually laughed when she said feeding was the safe route, "I promise you that no one here will bite you unless you consent. The only vampires you really have to worry about are one's that have slipped into a blood rage, haven't fed for a long time, as in weeks, or fledglings. Even fledglings aren't that dangerous, only for the first few years and Aleks is the youngest fledgling here, he's mostly stable." He shrugged.

Freyja really was the perfect princess, apart from the accidental murder thing that she didn't seem to remember. He snorted when Freyja stated she wanted Daemon gone to keep him and Keenan apart, "I have to say that I agree with you. I'm sure Daemon is lovely and all but I don't like the way Keenan is so willing to spend time with him."

He rolled his eyes when she told him to feed or leave. She was very bossy, no wonder she got along with Keenan so well the pair of them were very bossy.

He filled the glass and sipped at it. He truly wasn't hungry. Then she had the nerve to tell him to talk, insufferable fae. So why did he follow her instructions? "Have you been shown around properly? I mean have you seen more than the garden and a few offices? The garden is nice and all but I reckon Keenan likes it because he can subtly use magic without upsetting his father. The training grounds and forest are wonderful and all but the royal library... that's something else. The texts that have been compiled there are fascinating. Everything from mages to vampire history. It's beautiful. If he hasn't shown you, remind me to take you there when we return," he said before he realised what he was actually saying.

{Aleks}

The vampire took a long breath, trying to just ignore Faust, the male was drunk. The comment about him being too young to understand struck a nerve, he just hoped he didn't actually cringe as hard as he felt he did. He sighed softly, "I am well aware of my inexperience as an immortal Faust but thank you for reminding me," he said rolling his eyes.

The comment about Faust's hand writing earned him a small smile from Aleks, "Ah see you have no excuse Mr princeling, I do but also good luck deciphering what I write," he said sheepishly, "Practise leads to improvement though," he said with a shrug. Faust was definitely leaning on him more than he realised, not that Aleks really noticed. That was the most unnerving thing about being a vampire, things that would have sent him crumbling to the floor as a human were now nothing.

Aleks snorted when Faust just stared at the door. Gods the male was out of it. Aleks pushed the door open and just looked at Faust listening to his big goodbye speech. "I can promise that the journals are locked up and not even the king is aware, although I have a feeling that a bigger scandal may come to light anyway but yes to keep your mind at ease I can promise that Freyja won't be turned into a vampire. It's almost impossible for fae to be turned into a vampire, the only vampire that has managed to turn a fae was Keenan and... oh" he said in a small voice realising how it had worked, a high concentration of fae blood would not kill Keenan because he was one of them (well sort of) huh, "But also do you really think any of us can stop her if she sets her mind to something?" he laughed, "Besides no harm will come to her here, regardless of what the king thinks or tries."

{Montague}

Montague snorted, "Look I was just trying to be polite. Even without the whole 'project rosebud' thing, which was totally creepy by the way, Daemon really just gives me the heebie jeebies. Faust I get. The male has seen somethings, hence the drinking and look I get it. More vampires would be like that if the king wasn't so strict. I get the drunk thing though, sometimes forgetting is better," he shrugged, "What I don't understand is why a pretty fae flirts with Keenan and he is a crumpled mess, he barely manages to hold it together. Could you imagine what a disaster it would have been if Keenan had been married to Daemon? At least you care," he said, "Also you mentioned having the option to marry a different Fae prince, if you don't mind me asking, why Keenan? Why a vampire?"

He'd set the glass of blood down, hardly touched and focused on the conversation with Freyja, he snorted when she said she like the gardens, "Mhmm. I am not convinced. The library is better in my opinion. There is a wealth of knowledge stored there, generations of history transcribed. We even have translations of some old fae texts from when we got along millenia ago, I am not sure how accurate the translations are but fascinating nonetheless." Heat filled his cheeks when he herd her heart flutter, not once but twice, "Perhaps I should take you on a proper tour one day? Since we are having a brief reprieve from war, my duties are much lighter at the moment."

{Keenan}

Claude had dragged him away from the party, much to his displeasure. She had muttered something to the servants after deciding he had a temperature. As much as he wanted to stay, he was feeling rather faint.

They returned to his quarters with blood and a bath waiting. "I do appreciate this Claude, but I could have ordered a bath myself," he said.

"And you can after you cool down," he looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "It's an icebath genius, now strip and get in or I am going to dump you in it, in your pretty suit."

"Turn around then," he squeaked, suddenly feeling self conscious, it's not like she hasn't seen him in worse condition.

Claude obeyed but snorted, "Since when are you self conscious? you really aren't well. We are both gay Keenan, and in opposite directions, you know that. I have seen you like this and worse in my life time."

"It's not my body I am self conscious about. I look fabulous thank you. However I am about to plunge into a freezing bath at your request."

He let out a hiss as he put one foot in and then his whole body followed. He shuddered at the extreme change in temperature but relief flooded through him, "You can turn around now."

Claude smiles, "Is that better though?"

"Yes," he says through gritted teeth, "How did you know it would help?"

"Elena used to make you do it when you were younger and actually training. Something to do with you not shifting properly."

"I miss the days when shifting was as easy as breathing," he said sadly.

Claude sighed, "Then you need to see Elena. We all knew this would happen if you tried to supress it, literally everyone other than your father told you that Keenan."

Keenan groaned as he sunk deeper into the freezing water, helping his temperature drop back to what it should be, "I was just doing what I thought was best, what my father said was best for my kingdom, especially after what happened with Maksim."

Despite everything, he had missed Claude, missed their easy conversations and her friendship.

"I know. However, how much are you willing to lose to obey your father? Aleks? Monty? Freyja? Me? You? He literally starved you, hoping you would go insane after your older brother had tried to murder you for shifting in your own home. Keenan, you are a halfling, you don't get to decide if you are a vampire or fae because you are both," she said gently.

Keenan sighed, Claude was right, hell he'd even nearly lost Claude over a blood oath, "I am sorry about the blood oath thing, I=it's traditional and my father wanted it done," he said sheepishly, "you are right though, I need to learn to say no. As for the halfling thing...I know. Freyja is helping. Being around her helps."

Claude smirked, "See! I knew she would be good for you. Look it's a shame you are both trapped in this marriage but you are good for each other. In the nicest way possible, Kee, you need friends outside of vampires."

{Aleks}

"I feel like you are the worst ambassador for enjoying immortality," he said with a snort, feeling slightly less offended, "But thank you," he said softly.

He was surprisingly going to miss Faust. It was the strangeest thing, they were the most unlikely pair but it worked. The castle was going to seem empty without companionship but at least they could write. He smiled at Faust and gave him a small bow, "Good night Faust," he turned to leave, before he found himself hesitating, "don't forget to write," he said in a small voice before disappearing.

{Montague}

Monty laughed, "I am well aware of the effect Keenan has on people. He is very charismatic." He did listen as she discussed her other possible suitors, "In all honesty, I am surprised this marriage went ahead. I fear the king agreed to plan a war against someone else."

He ran a hand through his short hair. "I have a feeling Pur species have different views on this marriage between you and Keenan. We have been trying to end the war and your people want to win."

{Keenan}

Once Claude was satisfied his temperature had dropped enough, she left and he was able to have a warm bath. Still not hot as he didn't want to risk the extra warmth. The only downside to balls was the effort it took to remove the makeup after.

Keenan opened the door to Freyja, who smelled ever so lightly like Montague, interesting. His blonde hair was wet and plastered to his face and he was wearing trousers and a black silk dressing gown that he had left untied. He'd managed to have a hot bath and remove the makeup since Claude left. He had been feeding when Freyja had knock, he opened the door wider, making space for her to enter, "Come in and tell me this 'something important."

He looked her up and down, squinting before saying, "Something about you has changed. I can smell Monty so I assume you have been with him but it's something else. Something my fae form is reacting to."

He sat down on the couch and gestured for her to join him. "I hope you don't mind me feeding while we talk. I used more energy than I realised causing me to make a fool of myself in front of your brother," a small amount of heat filled his cheeks but he was still freezing from the ice bath. He hadn't warmed up but that was a good thing. As a vampire, he needed to be cold, he was undead in this form and needed to stay in the right conditions.

"So," he said leaning back, "what was this news? And why do you smell like my best friend?" He said asking for the second time.

"Also I think I'm over the Daemon thing. Like its not that I don't find him attractive... I just made a right fool out of myself and I am slightly glad he is leaving because I don't think I could face him again."

{Keenan}

He was grateful for Freyja's company even if he had been planning to nap. He need to feed first anyway, otherwise he would be hungry and sore in the morning. The ice bath was necessary to drop his temperature but man did his muscles protest. He shivered slightly and loosely did up his silk dressing gown before pouring himself yet another glass of blood.

He sipped as Freyja told him her news. Her heart almost skipped a beat when she mentioned Monty. Hmm, so slight that it was only just noticeable. He leaned forward squinting at her. "You didn't answer my question. Your scent has changed, not a perfume either. Also what made you change your mind on Monty?"

He cringed when she mentioned that it was a good thing that her brothers were leaving, "I enjoy looking at Daemon. I really do. Find me one like him that doesn't make my magic do weird things and doesn't involve himself in strange experiments. And I almost fainted into his arms. So one of the most embarrassing moments of my life'" he shuddered. The memory made him want to vomit.

He grinned when she asked about Montague:, "I have known Montague for as long as I can remember. He's like a brother to me, hell, I think I spent more time with him than my actual brother so perhaps we are closer than brothers... I don't have a great reference point," he said with a laugh, "but I grew up here in the palace. My father wanted me to have a vampire friend in the hope that it would encourage me to stay in this form. As I was the second born, I was supposed to lead the life if the prince general. In all honesty, my upbringing probably wasn't all that different to Faust's although my father insisted that I be good at politics as well as swordplay. Now by my side at every step was Monty. He had my back in the war when we were stationed together and now he is the captain of my father's army."

Keenan sipped at the blood while she asked about Claude, "Ah yes Claude. We made up. More she went full mother hen on me and dragged me away from the party to plonk me in an icebath. She was worried after I almost fainted onto Daemon. She has been busy though, mostly avoiding me I think," he said honestly.

He enjoyed talking to Freyja, she made him feel safe even when he said the stupidest things. He brushed a strand of wet hair out of his face, "how are you feeling about the tour? We will head to my cousins on the coast and then heading to Monty's estate. We may stop at another village or two on the way."

He hadn't packed much if anything. In all honesty, he wasn't sure what to bring. He knew he was tired but he could have sworn Freyja was acting weird. There was no way she just forgave Monty and they both decided to get along without some sort of divine intervention. She acted strangely every time he said his name and she smelled different. What caused the fae to change scent? He really didn't know enough about their his culture.

{Keenan}

Keenan squinted at Freyja and rubbed his eyes, "I'm tired and a bit fuzzy from exhaustion but my senses still work and instincts," he sighed, "although instincts aren't great right now. Fae instincts are limited to 'oo I'm attracted to that male' and then boom I want to shift. It makes me itch," he said with a laugh. Imagine explaining that to Daemon, his presence not only causes Keenan pain but makes him itchy.

She acted strange while Keenan told her about growing up with Monty, tense almost as if she was holding something in. He raised an eyebrow at her but was distracted when she mentioned his argument with Claude. He snorted, "Why am I not surprised. My hand was forced and its not like I was going to force her to give up her autonomy. I'm not a monster all the time... sometimes yes but that comes with being a vampire and a prince," he shrugged. He did what he had to do at the time. "As for the Cassian and you thing, I overreacted. For that I am sorry. I may or may not have been in denial about being a halfling and projected my self hatred on to you. It wasn't fair and I certainly didn't help make you feel welcome," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

He grinned when Freyja said she loved Claude, "I'm glad you found another ally here. As for the caretaking, she mostly calls me an idiot and then spends her time stopping me from accidentally killing myself," he laughed, "there js a reason she is supposed to be my future right hand. Monty often gives terrible advice whereas she at least thinks things through."

He nodded when she talked about packing packing for the tour, he nodded to a medium sized crate in the corner of his immaculate room, "my belongs are packed already. Oh and I forgot to tell you, there will be two human guards accompanying us. Loyal to me rather than my father. I needed someone to watch us while we rest at night. Only thing it will impact is that Aleks cannot be left alone with them as a just incase thing," he shrugged, "but I can arrange for you and Claude to share. Monty can ride with Aleks and I'll sit in the carriage with the human guards and watch while they rest," he snorted, "I'm sure Monty will enjoy babysitting."

That would probably be the least awkward way to do it. Him riding the first leg of his journey with his ex was likely to be very awkward. It was easier to sit with the humans and he could just sit and read. Although his best friend and his ex being stuck together could possibly be a disaster but he hoped that there wouldn't be any awkward grudges.

He wished Freyja goodnight, finished his blood and collapsed into his bed, completely exhausted and sore.

###

Keenan woke early, he groaned as he sat up, his body screaming in protest. After dressing himself in travelling leathers and trying his hair in a messy bun, he ordered breakfast for himself and Freyja. Walking across the hall, he knocked the door, "Good morning my dearest wife," there was a hint of amusement in his tone. He still hadn't gotten used to the idea that he (the very clearly not straight vampire) would have a wife.

A servant barged past him with her breakfast, he smiled, "We will be leaving soon. The servants have begun packing the carriages as we speak. We aim to reach Montague estate before dawn," he said leaning against the door frame. Even though he was better than the night before, he was still exhausted.