Dimitri’s POV I picked an Italian restaurant for us all to eat at, because who doesn’t like pasta.I have been anxious about this evening because I know how much it will mean to Esther and I really hope her, and Samantha will get along. If they don’t it would be one more roadblock in our way. I picked up on parts of their conversation on the way to the restaurant, and so far, they seemed to be getting along just fine. Tonight, I planned to make my divorce official, Gregory had written me a while back asking if it would be possible, seeing as he was hoping to marry Samantha on their one hundredth anniversary. Once we were all seated the waiter poured us all a glass of wine. Once everyone’s glass was full, I raised my glass in the air. “A Toast” everyone at the table raised their glasses as well. “To the dissolution of Samantha and I’s marriage.” “Really?” Samantha squealed in excitement. “Yes, I think four hundred and something years is long enough, don’t you?” “Yes, I wholehear

Esther’s POV “Well, I am sure you are both tired from your travels, would it be possible to borrow the scans, so I can look them over this evening?” I questioned, I really needed to know what the pages said, but I didn’t want to appear to eager, I have protected this secret for far too long to have it exposed now. “Of course, I think you will find them very interesting.” Gregory went over to the bed and rummaged through his suitcase for just a moment before bringing back a paper booklet and handing it to me.“As a matter of fact, you can hold onto it, I have other copies.” He smiled Sometimes I wish I was in the old world again, when things rarely had copies, who knew how many copies of this journal there were now? how many people he had sent this information to? All I could hope was that nothing of note was in the pages. Dimitri and I excused ourselves for the night and went back to our room. Once inside I cast a spell of concealment as I didn’t want anyone to be able to overhear

Esther’s POV The alarm went off and I cracked open my eyes, the room was still pitch black, seeing as there wasn’t any windows to let in light. Sometimes it was very difficult to live underground. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, I did always sleep a lot more when I was underground though, or maybe that was because I had Dimitri to cuddle with. He was still sleeping despite the alarm. I thought about letting him sleep a bit longer, until it hit me what today was, today would be the burial. I really didn’t want to go. In truth, I didn’t mourn the death of Elizabeth, I only mourned the pain it caused Dimitri and others. I knew I should feel differently about the loss of life, but I couldn’t think about Elizabeth without picturing all the people she killed. I too have taken lives but not out of hate. I laid back down next to Dimitri, I gently stroked his handsome face with my fingertips. “It’s time to wake up” I said gently, a small smile spread across his face, but he still didn’t

Esther’s POV My blood ran cold at his words, he was going to tell everyone what he thought was the truth. I did my best to remain calm, I just had to get through this ceremony and then I would tell Dimitri everything, I had been holding back. There was no more time, I needed him on my side, or I needed to know where he stood. It felt like the ceremony would never end, after all the words were said in the Great Hall there was a silent walking procession deep into the catacombs to where Elizabeth would be laid to rest. Once her casket was placed, we all walked silently back to the great hall. I was in misery the whole time, based on what I could see in a reflection off the cross in front of me, I had narrowed it down to three possible vampire lords.I did my best to stay at Dimitri’s side when we got back to the great hall, and keep an eye on all the possible lords. That was until Gregory approached me.“So did you get a chance to read over some of the pages last night?” he questioned

Dimitri’s POV The day had went better than I expected, granted I was receiving plenty of dirty looks from various lords for having Esther by my side, but on the plus side, so far all of them have had the decency to keep their mouths shut about it on this day.When we got back to the Great Hall, Gregory came up to talk to Esther about the journal, and I was distracted by one of my advisors, as he wanted to confirm some details about the upcoming hearing.“So which Judge will be presiding the hearing?” Malcolm asked, Malcolm had been on my advising team for years now, he was amazing at his job, but sometimes he got a little too caught up on the little details. “Judge McComb” I answered“During breaks, do you want glasses or fangers?” “Glasses” “How many fangers do you want us to recruit for the next two weeks?” I always disliked the idea of recruiting people to suck their blood, but if I didn’t provide, things would be much worse, not only would the other vampires revolt against me,