Any Story LGBTQ+ Paranormal/Supernatural Romance

How did I get myself into this mess? Never in my life would I have agreed to such. Not even for Lord Zarus. especially for Lord Zarus. He took away the loves of my life. It was bad enough I still had the job of hunting down all the bad guys for him. It wasn’t a job that I could give up easily. I had it before he went mad over his lovers and his breakup. The bigger question was, when did he start calling me Sire? That made it even harder to say no to his request. Plus, the guy was sexy as hell, and his eyes pierced me all the way to my soul. Not to mention there was something there in the depts of them.

“He can show you to your room, Sire Charles.” Lord Zarus patted his son on his shoulder. “No matter where you go, Sire Charles will be with you. Tell him your daily schedule each night, so he can make arrangements the night before.” He hugged his son, but Daro’s arms remained at his sides. “Sire Charles is perfect for you. He is professional. He is strong. He is loyal to the family. He is the best killer we have.”

Something about the part loyal to the family seemed to be a different meaning to Prince Daro than it did to Lord Zarus. How though. What did he wish me to do against the family? Could I do it? I was loyal to Lord Zarus’ family, even though he destroyed mine.

“Take him to your wing. Now, let him get settled.”

“Right this way, Sire Charles. Unless you need to get your stuff from another location.”

“It won’t take me but five minutes and I must request you walk with me. My time with you have started. I will not leave you unguarded.” The frown on Prince Daro’s face said it all. My comment hadn’t been what he wished for. It was lucky for me that my ‘go’ back was inside the castle.

“Fine. Where are we going?”

“This way.” I led him out of the war room and down the staff side. It was the first time since I met him that he seemed at ease. “You prefer this area to the rest of the castle, Prince Daro?”

“It is obvious, Sire Charles, and it is just Daro, please.”

“I’m afraid when we are about in the castle, I must address you formally, but you may always address me as Charles. I insist in fact.”

“And this area makes me feel more at home. It gives me a sense of my family and the people I grew up around.”

“How come you decided to join your father after all these years?”

“I always knew I’d have to come here and take over for him. He called, and I came. This was the fourth time he requested me to come. My grandpa and mother told me it was time to leave to take my place granted to me.”

“I’m unsure if I could have sacrificed what you have, Prince Daro.” He halted at a thick, metal door that held a lion knocker. “Here we are.”

“This is much nicer than the rest of the room doors. Is it because of your status? And why does the Sire live among the staff? Should you not live near the Lord?”

“I have many enemies, even among the castle. This door allows for a bit more safety. And the Sire title is . . . You would have to ask Lord Zarus.” He opened the door, waving Prince Daro in. “There is a seat at the desk. It is the best I have to offer. I am sorry about that, Prince Daro.”

“It is more than fine for me. I am not one who wishes for royalty seats at all.”

A fact I’d gathered from our little walk to my room. “Give me a moment to gather my go bag, and we can leave.”

I walked over to the small, rectangular closet and opened it up. Shoved aside two uniforms and knocked on the back of the closet. The back panel slid open, revealing a hidden compartment. I snatched up the camo colored bag that held three uniforms, a pair of regulation boots, three regular sets of clothing, and a pair of tennis shoes. The rest of the items inside were necessities for grooming. If for someone my room were changed to near Prince Daro for good, then I’d ask for my personal belongings to be brought to me, but until then . . .

“I’m ready.”

“What about the rest of this. stuff? Your photos. Your uniforms. Your drawers must have clothing.”

“This bag has all I need at this time.” The open mouth Prince Daro held was comical, but his head moving from side to side told me I would not get by with taking only what was in my bag without a fight. “I have everything I need for formal wear and daily wear. Enough to wash each and wear another. Shoes for each day and grooming items for each day. Once I begin to wear out, there is a store that mails to the castle. There is no need to worry about what I am leaving behind. This room is mine, no matter where I am or how long I am gone.”

“And if you are replaced for good?”

“Then I can have my belongings brought to me. Now, let’s go so you can show me where to place this stuff.”

‘Fine, Charles.” Prince Daro stood and exited the room.

I threw the bag over my shoulder, pleased that the encounter did not go as deep into a fuss as I expected it to. It also worried me a bit. From the way, the Prince battled with Lord Zarus about having gaurds I expected a thirty-minute to an hour-long discussion about how it was improper for me to have to leave behind my belongings just because I was protecting him. It might be, but it was also the rules of being a staff member. If I were still considered one. Who knew what I was? I’d been given the title Sire, so I should be moved as Prince Daro stated.

We walked back through the staff quarters, through the kitchen, and through the staff dining room. Once back into the hallway, Prince Daro’s appearance shifted, and he became a different person. His body took on a taller, straighter appearance, with a fake smile as he greeted each person by name as he made his way to the stairs. He climbed the stairs, leading us up to the top until he got to the golden landing.

“The right side is mine. There is way too many rooms for just me, but Lord Zarus insisted the entire area be mine, alone. It will be nice to have company.”

The two of them walked all the way to the end of the hallway, where there was a huge double golden doorway.

“Your place is just like your father’s,” I said.

“You’ve seen my father’s side?”

“Yes. I’ve been in charge of his guards before.” “Well then you know that there is a room on both sides of my room as you enter the room. You may choose whichever you like. I have one rule: at night, do not enter my room unless I yell for you.”