"What invitations?" Louis asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down.
Jael ignored him and kept his gaze on the desk, wondering where he would start. It would definitely take a long ti, but he would try to only invite the important Lords. The rest could sort themselves out; he truly didn't care about—
"You can't say sothing like that and leave hanging," Louis said, interrupting Jael's line of thought.
"Don't be so dramatic," Jael replied. "Go away, I have work to do."
"Yes, you do, but what brought about this change? I thought you were completely against it."
Jael lifted his head from his desk and t Louis's eyes. He was still angry with Louis about a lot of things that concerned Mauve, which ant that he particularly hated that he had to agree with Louis and Danag in this situation.
True, he didn't owe the Lords any explanation, but not announcing and celebrating his mate would only increase the disrespect Mauve was getting. His gaze darkened as he recalled the rudeness she had to endure. Human or not, she was his mate now—the Primus's mate. They had to treat her accordingly, but if he didn't properly commorate this, he might as well be giving the Lords the option to not accept her.
"I don't answer to you. You're being a nuisance, leave."
Louis narrowed his eyes. "You're no fun, but I am glad you are doing this. This is definitely the right approach, not just—"
"I don't want to hear whatever it is you might want to add," Jael said, keeping his eyes glued to the desk.
"Yes, Sire," Louis said with a small smile on his face. He stood up but didn't leave.
"What?" Jael asked, clearly annoyed.
"I know you are angry about what I suggested, but know that I didn't an it because—"
"I really don't want to hear this right now."
"Just listen. I still stand by the fact that the pregnancy is dangerous for Mauve. However, I won't speak about trying to get rid of it anymore, and I apologize for even bringing that up in the first place."
Jael leaned back. "Apology not accepted. Now leave, you're interrupting." The danger was still hanging over them and Louis bringing it up wasn't helping.
Louis held Jael's gaze for a second, then bowed. He walked out of the study, and not long after, Erick walked through the doors.
Jael didn't leave the study until it was nearly ti for the last al. He was exhausted, his neck and back hurt from hunching over, and more importantly, he was famished. He opened the connecting door, and Mauve jumped at him.
"You're late," she mumbled.
"Yeah, I was a little tied up," he replied, and Mauve's forehead creased as she looked up at him. "No need to look worried, it was nothing troubleso."
"Are you sure? I didn't expect the conversation with Lord Levaton to take that long," she replied and Jael fought the urge to smooth out the creases that refused to disappear and instead turned to Mill.
"Mill, I need you to speak to Erick after the last al. He should give you a few orders. I am sure I can count on you," Jael said.
Mill had a puzzled look on her face, but she quickly recovered and bowed low. "Yes, Sire."
"What orders?" Mauve asked, looking from Jael to Mill.
"Don't worry about it," he said, grabbing her arm. "We're already late."
"Jael," she cried and tried to pull back, but of course, she didn't succeed. "I'm not going until you tell ." But Jael was already pulling her out the door of her room.
"Too late," he said with an amused tone as he led her out of her bedroom.
"Jael," she cried, but there wasn't any anger in her voice.
Mauve followed Jael's lead to the dining hall. The first thing she noticed was that Jevera was nowhere to be found, but her father was in the room and was currently on his feet as Jael walked in.
As soon as they sat down, Lord Levaton opened his mouth to speak. "I am sorry, Sire, but my daughter will be unable to join us for the last al. The trip here took quite a toll on her, and she has retired early."
Jael was tempted to ask if it was really the trip or the fact that she found out there was nothing she could do about Mauve being his mate. However, Jael didn't reply. It was Louis who spoke instead.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I shall make sure the servants get her everything she needs."
Lord Levaton gave a curt smile while Jael barely looked at him. Mauve concentrated on her al while conversation about the day flowed through the table.
Mauve finished her al and saw Jael looking at her. She smiled at him, wondering if he was ready to go, as he had also finished his al. But Jael didn't stretch out his hand to her. He smiled and then turned his attention to the entire table.
Everyone stopped what they were doing imdiately as if sensing Jael's stare. He then cleared his throat and started to speak.
"As you all know, I have chosen my mate, and precisely one week from today, there will be a party to properly announce this."
One could hear a pin drop in the room at the end of Jael's words. Mauve froze as she looked at Jael. She could scarcely believe the words he was saying, and she was clearly not the only one shocked by the announcent. Louis and Erick didn't have the sa surprised look on their faces as the rest of the vampires at the table.
Mauve couldn't help but wonder if this was the reason Jael asked Mill to speak to Erick at the end of the last al. When did he decide this? Why didn't he tell her? Wouldn't this get him in trouble with the Lords? She had so many questions but she would be lying if she said it didn't make her very happy.
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