Their Unforeseen Love

Chapter 4: Rob

“So, you have a wife and daughter waiting for you at home?” I ask Aeron.

"How did you know?" He asks me.

We are currently in the back of the black SUV that is taking us to the vampire lands. 

"Well, I can tell by the wedding ring on your left hand that you are married. Which is weird because dragons don't seem to wear wedding rings? And I am guessing you have a daughter because there is still some blue nail polish on your pinky that didn't come off completely when you tried washing it off. One thing my niece enjoys doing with me is playing nail salon and she paints my nails," I explained my observations, that brought me to the conclusion I said to him.

Aeron covers his pinky with his other hand and then chuckles. 

"You're very observant, Rob. Yes, I am married.  My wife Clarissa, tends to follow many human traditions, hence the wedding bands. My daughter Eva, is four years old and loves to be a beauty queen. She also loves practicing her skills on her father and I would never disappoint her by refusing." Aaron answers. 

"You're a good father," I say to him. "Many males don't like playing with their children. They say it softens them and they shouldn't be soft to survive in this cruel world we live in." I repeat what my father would always say to us. 

"That's horseshit!" He laughed.

His expression kind of took me by surprise. 

"Excuse me?" I ask, kind of dumbfounded. 

“I am calling horseshit on that comment. I think it’s stupid. If we don’t play with our children, how will they learn about interacting with others in society? If we do not teach them love and kindness, how will they know to treat others the same? It’s stereotypical and biased for males to act like macho men and think that playing with children is sissy-like. We need to role-model for our children. We need to love them. At least that is what my old man taught me. Has nothing to do with being a good father, it has to do with contributing and worrying about our posterity,” he concludes. 

I think of the words he has just said. They have sound reasons and I try to put them to memory for the next time I have a conversation with my father.

“Thank you for that. I’ll make sure to remember all that when I speak to my father. He could use some enlightenment.” I say with a smile.

“Yeah, I was raised by my mother only. Never knew my father, he died in war. So, I know what it's like to live without one. I know what I missed out on.  I never want anything like that for my own offspring. So anytime, my Eva wants to play dress up, don’t be surprised to see me in a tutu,” he laughs out loud.

I laugh with him.

“Now picturing a big strong guy like yourself in a tutu, that I would pay to see,” I say to him.

“I’ll make sure my wife takes a picture next time,” he says to me with a wink.

Yep. I definitely like this guy. 

“So, where do you think we are going to start on this cure-seeking adventure?” he asks me.

“Well, first I think we should see what the vampires think first.  I want to see Jasper with my own eyes and see if it's as bad as what we have heard,” I say to him.

“I agree. I only remember seeing Jasper a couple of times in the castle and of course, I saw him fight at the invasion that night of Prince Viktor’s engagement party.  He was a good fighter and ally,” Aeron says.

“Yes, he was. After we see him, I would like to take a sample of his blood and take it to the Magical Ministry. I think they could lead us to a witch that could test it and help us come up with a solution.” I say to him.

“I conquer. Hopefully, this Derrick guy is on board with the plan,” Aeron says with a doubtful look.

I nod in agreement.

Even though inside I am all up in knots because I am going to see that fine specimen of male again.

Last time I saw him, it wasn’t just his looks that called me, but his voice too.  It sounded like the most beautiful cord of an intricate symphony. 

I can’t wait to hear it again.

Yes, I have thought the same as you.

Could the feeling I get when I hear his voice mean he could be my mate?  

I can only pray to the sweet Song Goddess that it's true.  My biggest fear has always been that she would pair me up with a female. 

I don’t think I could ever make a female happy. I wouldn’t know-how. 

The rest of the ride, we ride in silence.

We reach the vampire borders and are stopped by members of the Elite Guard who are patrolling the borders and when told who we are we are allowed to pass.  

We have been told to go to the Elder’s Castle. We are expected to meet Derrick there and have a meeting with the Elders of the Elder Council.

This will be a first for me and I am excited to be able to study them anthropologically. Being the researcher that I am, learning how other species live and act is fulfilling for me. It awakens the scholar inside me. 

For my father, I was kind of a disappointment.  He wanted me to be more like my older brothers.  Being the youngest of seven brothers, I was expected to follow in their footsteps.  This gave me the option of being a carpenter, farmer, soldier, or blacksmith.  The only option that I saw that would allow me to travel, meet new people, and explore the magical world around me.  

My father always thought of me as a weakling because I used the muscle in my brain more than using the muscles in my arm.  Mother agreed with Father.  Which left me no other option and I joined the queen’s guard

When I heard about the Ambassador Program, I jumped on the opportunity.  The role fit exactly for me.  But working for Mads appears to be just as fun and enticing. Thanks to her I will get to see if vampire Derrick is my mate.

One can only hope. 

The car stops outside what looks like a village.

Aeron and I are told that we must walk from here, for there is no way for a car to go in.  

The village is not large. Its buildings and houses are made of wood and stone.  There is a square in the middle of the village where a fountain is a centerpiece.  

The vampire guard leads us to a large building with tall, stained glass windows.  A rather phenomenal architectural creation. 

“You ready?” Aeron asks me.

“You know it,” I answer with a smirk.

Aeron shakes his head and smiles. 

Then we walk through the tall double doors.