57

Czar moved with an icy gait into his room, his hands fisted beside him. His mind was a mess, and as he lowered himself on the bed, Mace took a long stare at his face.

"I cannot believe this," he scoffed. "This is a very big problem, my prince. What do you plan to do about it?"

Czar said nothing. He just clasped his palms and gazed into space.

"There are so many excuses you could have made," Mace went on. "So many lies. Why did it have to be that? A lie so complicated?"

"That was the fastest lie I could think of," Czar answered, his voice a little rough. "I had no idea my father would never believe me."

He rose from the bed, moving to confront the window.

"Father sounded too sure. I have a feeling he might have been spying on me," Czar added, his piercing eyes gazing out the window.

"Perhaps. Or maybe he's just very sure that you are not so free with the vampire yet. You know, you make it quite obvious." Mace shrugged.

"For now, you just need to think of a way to get over this situatio