The Spirit Walker

AUTHOR’S POV

DIONY EMPIRE

Heavy silence reigned in the large hall; everyone on the seat had a worried expression except Nektarios, who had a blank, unreadable face. Despite the ominous feeling in the air, he didn't seem bothered. The empire's blind spiritual leader, mainly referred to as the Spirit Walker, a vampire from the Dominican witch's clan, barely shows herself unless trouble looms. The last time Nektarios had noticed her around the palace was when his father, Atlas, was still alive before tragedy struck them. He wasn't sure what sort of warning she brought now.

Her silver hair, which seemed running out of volume, flapped behind her as she approached the middle of the hall. She turned her head around, ensuring not to miss any elders seated; one would think she could see them. She eventually settled her face on Nektarios, her lips parting slowly to speak.

"Your majesty, I come today bearing news from the spirits. Permit me to deliver the message."

Nektarios cleared his throat and mused. "Go on."

At his go-ahead, her pupils switched to a dark, scary color. "The eclipse of shadow has emerged, bringing chaos and loss for the entire kingdom, and it will go into full effect on the day of the moon celebration. To avoid this looming catastrophe, the moon celebration has to be postponed until the land has been fortified."

A bout of murmurs broke out among the elders. They all kept mute at Nektarios's sniff. "Shouldn't the moon celebration enable us the opportunity to seek the gods' protection?"

The spirit walker held up a devilish smirk. "It is a moment of vulnerability. The darkness is not something the gods can turn off just because you sent a plea. To avoid the disaster that will unfold, you are expected to postpone the moon celebration."

"I don't think I want to," Nektarios stated stubbornly. He still hasn't gotten over what he considers a betrayal from the gods, whom he had prayed to for years to give him a mate that would help ease the pain and loneliness he has had to endure for centuries. Despite all his sacrifices, a human was the best they could give. "Arrangements have been made for months to make this celebration happen. So, are we supposed to toss it aside because the gods have refused to fulfill their obligations? What would become of all the preparations?"

Her eyes had returned to their normal state. She no longer held up a smirk, but there was an apparent disagreement on her face regarding Nektarios' words. "Your majesty, lives are more important than your vanity preparations. No citizen would want to put their lives on the line for a mere celebration. The moon celebration honors the gods, who have warned you to protect yourselves. No werewolf or vampire should be found roaming around at midnight until all rituals and healing ceremonies are done. The celebration has to be brought to a halt. All rituals will take at least two months to complete. I have said my piece as I was directed. Lord Damon, I will need you to see me out." She said in a voice that didn't seem like she was sending him a plea.

Damon blinked in surprise. Her sudden call for him was unexpected. But he didn't argue as he stepped out from behind Nektarios and hurried towards the Spirit Walker. Holding onto her hand, he guided her towards the exit. As soon as they entered the hallway, she yanked her hand out of his hold while leaning firmly on her walking stick.

"Is everything okay?" He asked in concern.

"Nothing will be okay if the Alpha king has chosen to remain adamant to the warnings of the spirits. His mate, Atariah, has to be protected at all costs. For the sake of the empire and the Alpha King's safety and prosperity, she has to remain in the empire and fulfill her role as his mate and Luna Queen. If not, destruction looms."

"But, King Nektarios…."

"Is being headstrong." She completed the sentence on his behalf before holding up a sneaky smile that made her appear scarier. "His life is in danger; only she can protect him."

Damon couldn't resist the snicker that escaped his lips. "Sorry if I sound disregardful, but his present mate is a human. A mere human. If anyone should be doing any protection, it should be the Alpha king."

"You all are so naively stupid. His father was given a prophetic warning centuries ago not to indulge in a fancy and large wedding for Nektarios. But he acted on his terms and wasted the lives of so many, including himself. Better protect and accept her if you all want to keep living your desired life."

"But why are you telling me all this and not the Alpha king?"

The spirit walker straightened her shoulder, "he won't listen, as you know. However, you are sworn to be his guard for life. Which means you should protect his life in any way you can. Not to forget, you are the only one he seems to respond to. Let it be known that the life of the Alpha king and the Diony empire's future is yours. Make do with the information as you please." With that, she turned towards the hallway exit and walked to it like she could see her pathway clearly while stomping her cane on the hard floor.

Damon rubbed at the back of his neck, his wolf feeling restless as much as he and Nektarios have a bond tighter than that of brothers. He constantly reminds himself of his place. Being a mere bodyguard, sitting at the same table dining with someone as great as Nektarios, is more of a privilege. However, he wouldn't be able to live with himself, knowing that Nektarios's life could be in danger because he doesn't want to offend him. How bad can offending him be when it is a means to save his life?

There is no telling how much hatred he has for his human mate. So bad that Nektarios doesn't know her name and refuses to acknowledge her existence. His wolf is suffering from his persistence, but Nektarios has lived based on his own rules. At the same time, the Spirit Walker has no reason to lie. There is a reason she is the oldest living vampire witch. From her lips to the gods, nothing should be taken for granted when it comes to her. However, Nektarios' rage cannot even be tuned down by the gods. A vampire and werewolf in one. Damon knows he would die in a heartbeat if the Alpha King decides to pour out his rage.

"Something has to be done, whether it soothes you or not." His wolf cajoled.

"The Alpha king is scary," Damon admitted.

"And you have spent all your life fighting next to the scary king and protecting him. This shouldn't be the reason you would stop now." He insisted.

Ruffling his hair countlessly within a few seconds, he stood thinking. Damon eventually got a grip on himself. He took a deep breath and returned to the meeting room. He wasn't quite surprised to see that the elders had panic written all over their faces as they tried to cajole Nektarios, whose expression remained stoic and unbothered by the state of the room. As always, Damon didn't say anything and returned to his position. It wasn't in his place to speak. He took the time to process his thoughts and sort out a means to play neutral.

From the look of things, Nektarios was insistent on his response to the seer. He has no interest in playing into the hands of the gods. A decision that was beginning to make the elders pale.

Elder Harold, who hardly shared his thoughts, cleared his throat to address the situation. "Your majesty, we all know the spirit walker is the least likely person to deliver a message without a deep meaning. Suppose she came all the way to give a warning for the moon celebration to be halted when she could have sent someone to deliver the message. It implies that we have a serious situation on our hands. We all did the work; no one will mind halting it at once to save themselves."

"And we are not saying this in any disregard. If there is anyone to trust in our lives, it should be the spirit walker." Elder Thane chipped in.

After everything he has done for the citizens, Nektarios felt fury work itself up the sleeve of his heart. Risking his life to buy them freedom, they have the guts to say to his face that the spirit walker, a minion of the gods, can save them. He wanted to curse at them and have them thrashed in the square for being such cowards. At the same time, he didn't become the Alpha King, protecting the lives of his followers and building the Diony empire with so much dedication to have them be plagued with chaos and darkness because he feuded with the gods.

He has also been having strange nightmares in the last few days. An infrequent occurrence. Probably, that was the message that was being passed all along.

He inhaled deeply and shut his eyes briefly before responding to them. "We shall have the moon celebration in two months after all the rituals have been done."

Everyone let out breaths of relief that they probably didn't realize they were holding. The tension in the room suddenly went with the wind. It didn't take long for the meeting to be dispersed. Nektarios couldn't hide his irritation as he kept growling under his breath when they got to the study.

Damon hesitated a bit to say what was on his mind. He is also not a fan of humans; however, accepting one means saving Nektarios and everyone else. Then it's worth the risk. He had thought of the best way to keep Nektarios' mate around, but he couldn't be point-blank. However, he wasn't sure how much time he had, so he took a chance, hoping his death wasn't near.

"So, since the moon celebration has been extended, we can take the chance to help the lady. Your mate, learn the ropes of being Luna queen by calling on the pack matrons to assist her in our ways. After so many years, they would finally be glad to have something to do." He said, trying not to show his anxiety.

Nektarios turned a dark glare at him. His lips quirked in what seemed like a dreadful gesture. "Do you have a death wish, Damon?"

He bowed slightly before holding his gaze, unwilling to back down. "Would you like to kill her? If so, she does not need to live in your home or our land for this long. If she were to be left alive and guarded by our people, she should also get to learn our ways."

The Alpha king clenched his fist, fuming. He didn't have a straight answer to his assertions, which irks him. "Get out of my face, Damon." He said, refusing to get involved with what he considers a rowdy discussion.

Damon held up a knowing smirk. "I guess that is a yes. Thanks for always trusting me, your majesty."

Nektarios flared his nose, speaking amidst clenched teeth. "I am going to have your bones broken to pieces if you don't get the hell out of my sight right this minute."

He dipped his head so low that one further move, and he might fall on his face. "Thank you, your highness." Damon raised his head, grinning. “I will do my best."

"Go to hell!" He growled.

Damon didn't wait for him to have a solid change of mind before scurrying off. This seems to have started well. All he can hope for is not to shoot himself in the leg.