"Seeing as Nik certainly isn't behind you, I'm willing to bet your efforts to bring him home have produced a resounding failure," Ariel, the youngest of the Asgeirsson brothers, said as Lucas entered the courtyard of their manor.
He held a glass of wine in his hand, which he passed to his brother. "Bordeaux. I'm trying out new things," he explained in response to Lucas' raised eyebrow.
Both of them knew the true meaning behind those words.
"Brother, how long do you think Nik's going to stay like this? Sooner or later, he's going to come round to his senses and come back to his family. You can't dictate to him how he should live his life," Ariel said.
Lucas took a sip of the wine and sighed.
"I know, but can we also let him destroy himself like this?"
Ariel patted his shoulder.
"Whenever there's been a problem, Nik's always risen to the occasion, even after he got into this state. That should tell you he's never too far gone. I trust in our brother and believe he'll come out of this."
Ariel walked away towards the stairs, but was stopped by an enthusiastic voice calling from the foyer, "Brother! Don't leave so soon!"
Nik's figure blurred and mere seconds later, he had entered the courtyard.
"Happy birthday, little brother," he said with a beaming smile as he embraced Ariel.
"Thank you, Nik."
When they left each other, Nik gave Lucas a glance, offering him a charmingly naughty smile, eyebrows slightly raised.
And Lucas immediately felt his heart palpitate.
"I had already intended to come home after finishing a little errand, but our dear Lucas simply could not wait!" Nik explained to Ariel, who responded with a smile of his own and replied, "When has our brother ever been patient with any of us?"
Nik beamed. "Indeed! But, Ariel, I've come to notice the absence of celebratory attire, guests, music, and most importantly, the food!"
Lucas shuddered, knowing what would come next.
"So, I met Michael just outside and he helped me cover at least one of the missing requirements," Nik finished off, as the last brother walked in trailed by eleven women.
"I've got to hand it to you, Nik, you have incredible taste," Michael commented.
Nik replied, "A king has to have as much, don't you think?" He operated the gramophone near the stairs, and as music began to emanate from the device, his figure appeared beside Ariel.
"You know, Lucas didn't bother mentioning today was your birthday when he came to fetch me. I suppose he didn't say anything to you either. But, as my gift to you, I'll let you feed first. Take your pick."
Ariel had already been eyeing one of them, and as such did not need a second probing.
Michael joined in, and Nik smiled at Lucas before he himself got busy.
Lucas did not.
Instead, he was analyzing what happened.
Nik knew how much Lucas had done to teach the two younger brothers control, and he also knew the difficulty of restraint.
And so, hidden behind a gesture of kindness, Nik nullified all the progress of the last five years, all to spite his brother.
And with such a large supply at hand, it would be close to a year before Lucas would be able to teach them again, if they had not run off with Nik by then.
"Won't you join us, brother?" Nik asked, his face besmirched in red.
Lucas shook his head. "I would hate to deny you the chance to be satisfied."
"Don't be a spoilsport on our youngest brother's birthday. We would hate to see you starve on our account," Nik insisted, his smile growing wider.
Lucas' eyes turned slightly red as his control loosened.
Ultimately, he turned and left faster than the human eye could track.
Nik wiped his face and watched his siblings, clearly enjoying himself in Lucas' discomfort.
....
It was barely past two in the morning, and the streets were virtually empty, but Lucas didn't care as he strode down a dirt road and stopped at an old house.
He knocked and waited.
The door opened to reveal a beautiful woman standing there, and Lucas held his breath, smitten.
It didn't matter how many times he saw Claire Render, he always felt the same way.
She smiled at him and said, "What brings a Fallen Prince to my doorstep this time of night?"
He replied, "I seek the pleasure of your company, among other things."
She did not answer, but instead opened the door wider, and he felt the barrier faintly as he crossed the threshold.
Claire brought him a glass of water, but he did not touch it.
"What is the matter?" She asked, sitting next to him.
Lucas replied, "He's trying to turn our brothers against me."
He did not have to say his name for her to know he meant Nikolas, who among the Supernaturals of Caldera was also called a Fallen Prince, to spite his former status as King of Argent.
She hesitated before saying, "There might be a way for you to be rid of your evil brother's shadow. I don't mean death," she explained at the sight of Lucas' gaze turning murderous, "I mean something to temporarily mend the Prince's as you find a way to fix him."
His gaze neutralized, and he asked how.
"Meet me on the Full Moon, with silver, sandalwood, and your blood," she said. "I will handle it from there."
.....
Lucas got home to see the eleven women sprawled on the floor, lifeless.
"I assumed that since you desired not to join us, that your intention was to clean up after us," Nik's voice said from the balcony.
Lucas looked up at him and asked, "What is your goal here, brother?"
"I'm trying to make a point, young one," Nik answered tiredly. "Trying to force us to do something doesn't change who we are. We aren't meant to be controlled, we're vampires. Not just any, for that matter. Leave nobility for those with the dignity to maintain it, not us fallen royals."
He vanished.
Lucas knew his brother was right. He did really want to follow him.
But Nik was too far gone to lead, and the only place he would take them to was a war they could not win. Not yet.
"We have the same goal, Nik," he whispered, walking up the stairs.
"But if we are to succeed, I need you unable to stop me."