2#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Flower) by Charlene Hartnady Page B

and ridiculed her. The things that
male, Zafar, had said to Esral were a reflection of what everyone in Pulamor
thought about her.
    Yet
Xavier had not expected this from Keto. The male was a colossal dick but he was
also Esral’s brother. Surely he should see things differently and stand up for his
sister, his own flesh and blood. He should want to stand by her and to protect
her from the terrible rumors that were making their rounds. In a sick twisted way,
it did seem that the male was trying to make this right. It was a great pity
that he was going about it all wrong though.
    “I’m
not sure where you got your information from but I assure you that your sister
was well taken care of.”
    Keto
choked out a laugh that made Xavier want to pummel him. “There’s no doubt in my
mind that she was taken care of.” He smirked. “But a vampire’s idea of taking
care of a female and mine are very different.”
    “No
one laid a hand on her. I can personally attest to that.”
    “You?”
The arrogant motherfucker dared look him up and down. “Why would I take your
word? Who the fuck are you to her anyway? If you are the male that spent so
much time with her, then it was probably you that broke her thorn.”
    Xavier
stepped forward. “Why would you take my word?” He couldn’t help but to growl. “Because
if your father dies, and let’s face it, at this point it’s a definite reality.
I am possibly the only male that stands between you and an army of vampires. I
can clearly see that you are not the type to think things through though, are
you? You are irrational and make dumb decisions. Who the fuck do you think you are? When you end up making one dumb fucking decision too many and a
shit storm rains down on you and your people, I am the male that will flatten
you. I will make it my personal aim to bring you down myself. Unless we somehow
find common ground while I am here. It would also be in your best interest to
remember your place, elf.” Xavier paused, never taking his eyes off of the
male.
    Zane
and Brant had given this male far too much slack. First because they felt
guilty about Esral and then later because of Katar’s failing health. They
didn’t want a war but this level of insolence was fucking unacceptable. It was
the male’s treatment of his own sister that angered him the most. “I’m telling
you that Princess Esral was well guarded and well protected and that none of
which you are talking about is true. I highly respect Esral. She has stuck true
to your elven ways and has not put a foot wrong.”
    The
male was taken aback. He visibly paled. It took several long minutes before he
finally spoke. “I apologize for any disrespect shown.” His neck was corded and
his eyes narrowed. It was funny because, although the male had shown fear, he
didn’t look like he felt one bit of remorse. “With my father ill and Esral…” He
let the sentence die. “I do not wish to argue with you. The last thing I want
for my people is a war. It is not one we could win.”
    Why
did it feel like he was leaving the words right now out in that
sentence?
    “I
have it on good authority that my sister was rutted without being claimed.
Regardless of whether that is true or not, she is seen as defective. None of
the elven males will have her now.”
    “The
vampires will keep her,” Xavier growled. He wanted to claim her right now but
knew that it would be for the wrong reasons. If Esral ever suspected that he
had claimed her for any reason other than love it might always hang over them.
    “It’s
not enough. I’m worried about my father and what word of my sister’s ill reputation
would do to him if he were to find out. He will blame himself.” He shook his
head. His shoulders slumped and for a second fear flashed in his eyes. Then he
set his jaw. “Please try and understand the reasons for my acting the way I
have. I want this rectified as a matter of extreme urgency. I don’t want a war
between our species.” Only