"Come on Papa, we're gonna be late!" Damien whined as he continues to pull on my sleeve.

"Damien we are the leaders of this coven, whether we are late or not is no one's concern."

"Yes, but being late is rude." Idris said from a few steps ahead of us, Matt's hand tucked into his.

"Ye Papa, come on."

"Okay okay, but no pulling, you've stretched enough of my shirts."

Idris and I were taking the boys to their first training session, a promise we had been putting off for some time now. Other members of our coven as well as Carden and Ren were also going to be present, to ensure the others stayed in line.

It wasn't common for Vampires to start training under the age of 18, usually we'd start them on basic fist fights and dashing hunts where they'd chase each other to their limits till the early hours of the morning. A couple months leading up to their start in the academy was when proper training would begin, where they'd continue their training throughout.

Our little boys on the other hand wouldn't stop pestering us until we called for one. They were as eager as anything, this arrangement might just be the only thing that'll stop them from bruising each other.

Perhaps it'll put them off for the next few years, shock them into waiting for the academy? Idris linked me.

Maybe, though knowing our little devils, I doubt a taster will fill their hunger for long. Even Carden has been trying to convince me to put a stop to it.

Is it to do with his past?

Even through the centuries that Idris and Carden had gotten to know each other, there were still some things about himself that he needn't share with anyone, even I, his best friend, was only informed of what he chose to tell.

Carden had a hard life before his family joined our coven, I believe his father had him start early in life. Not always the best outcome in a person.

I looked over to see the slight worry in my mates eyes, I could sense he was close to suggesting we turn back now. I'd rather not have to deal with two crying boys this early into the day, the sun's annoying heat was already giving me a headache.

They will be alright, baby, I promise. They may decide to back out, but even if things take a turn we will put a stop to it before it happens. Don't worry.

He hesitated, biting his tongue to stop the argument that wanted to slip through, then eventually nodding, offering me a still nervous but gentle smile. My cold heart skips a beat.

"We're here we're here, come on Papa." As we walked through the entrance to the academy their eyes lit up in curiosity. It was their first time seeing the inside, having only ever looked at the outside when we'd walk past it. "Wow!"

"Is it like how you expected it to be Damien?" Idris asked, I could see he was trying not to hold back a smirk at our youngest reaction.

"Better Papa, but it smells a bit old."

My feet halted in their place as I doubled over, laughter pouring out of my mouth. Damien was always one to say outrageous and bold things, and this was no different. When I looked over to Idris he had his hand on his mouth, but it failed to conceal the giggles that were rippling out.

"What? What's so funny?" he sounded so innocent, the little minx.

"Are you saying your daddy and papa are old?" I questioned once my laughter dissipated.

His little eyes go wide in worry as he hurriedly shakes his head, his bottom lip began to quiver as he reached up for me. I lifted him up as he buried his face into my neck.

"No no papa, you're not old. I don't mean to hurt papa." his sweet voice whimpers out, breaking me completely.

"Oh sweetheart, it's okay. I'm only teasing. Don't be upset Damien."

After a few minutes he removed his head from my neck and watery eyes looked into mine. "Dry your eyes Damien, aren't you still looking forward to training?" I wiped the stray tears from his cheeks as he tried to stop them from falling.

"Yes papa."

"Can I be offered a smile?" I was granted a big cheeky smile, one that showed off his gummy mouth with his adult fangs still yet to make an appearance.

"Alright let's go, we shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."

I set Damien back down on his feet before taking his hand again as we walked through the long candle lit hallways. The sounds of pants and grunts echoing through the walls as we got closer to the Grand Hall.

"Sir Vladimir, Sir Idris, we are very grateful to have you here with us today." came a deep voice from inside the hall. The academy's most trusted teacher Mr Williams made his way towards us with a bright smile, not like the tight lip he usually bared in front of his pupils.

"We are glad to be here Mr Williams, I trust you have met our sons, Matt and Damien?" I said gesturing towards the twins who suddenly became shy.

"Well of course, it is an honour to greet you both properly."

Mr Williams first extended his hand to Damien who kindly shook it. Matt however was weary, when Mr Williams extended his hand to him he stared at it. I could see the quarrel in his eyes, wanting to shake his hand out of fear of being rude but at the same time he was not sure. Matt wasn't the best around new people.

"It's alright sweetheart, shake Mr Williams hand." Idris earged gently.

It took another few seconds before Matt extended his own hand and placed it into the teachers' much larger ones.

"Now, are the young prince's here to take part or would they like to see a demonstration?"

"Well they did say they wanted to start their first training session, do you boys still want a go?"

I watched carefully as the twins observed the other Vampires, all in pairs fighting and wrestling each other. Some covered in healing cuts and bruises, others in little pools of blood.

Matt took a few steps back behind Idris, suddenly not that keen on starting early. Idris noticed too and quickly picked him up into his arms.

"Damien? What do you want to do buddy?"

He was frozen for a few moments, still watching the others with uncertainty. He was always more stubborn than his brother. I could tell he was frightened by what he saw but he didn't want to admit it.

"Damien, there's no shame in saying no. They are a lot bigger than you."

He thought for a few moments until he eventually shook his head and reached up to me.

Thank goddess!

"Good boy." I said as I scooped him up into my arms. "I think we'll watch for today."

Mr Williams smiled and nodded in understanding, himself seeming relieved. "Of course sir, I look forward to training you boys when you grow. You will make fine Vampires one day."

The twins' little faces lit up in huge smiles as we took our seats on the benches in the corner.

"Ready for some action?" I said as the young fighters lined up in front of one another, ready to pounce on their opponent.

"Yes papa." they say in unison, eyes fixated on the men.

Let's get this over with.

—-------

"That was so awesome daddy, did you see?" Damien asked for what must've been the tenth time this past hour.

"Yes sweetheart I saw, they were very strong weren't they?" Idris mused Damien's rambles as the little boy continued on and on about the fights and how awesome they looked.

We decided to go for a walk through the grounds as the sun began to set, the nice cool night soon to be upon us.

"I think I'm as glad as you are that they didn't want to fight, I couldn't bear to see any of the young men hurt them." Carden said quietly as we walked, carrying a sleeping Matt in his arms.

"As am I, I had a feeling they would've backed out but knowing Damien I thought he would've put up more of a fight."

"Same. I'm surprised Matt slept through most of it, is he always this tired?"

"Not usually, he's been experiencing some nightmares recently though. I know it's normal for young Vampires but his little cries when he wakes up just break my heart."

Matt was the unfortunate out of himself and Damien to develop sleep terrors, it was common for Vampires but some were able to avoid it. Poor Mathew however wasn't so lucky.

"I know what you mean, Ren still wakes up with them from time to time. It's like his whole world stops when it happens." I look over at my friend with a sad smile, him and Ren have been through a lot together.

"And does he manage with them?"

"Better than he used to. Before, if he woke up from one he wouldn't sleep for two days, he just wouldn't be himself."

"Yeah, I understand."

Carden's sorrow as usual didn't last long, since his and Ren's mating he's built himself a wall, not one to show his emotions like he used to.

"Anyway, do you guys fancy coming back to ours for some grub. I'm sure we can pull together a spare room for the twins to sleep."

I thought for a moment, some food would be nice considering I've only been consuming blood for the past few weeks. And as I look over at my beautiful mate, I see that he's struggling to drag a now very tired Damien down the path.

"Yeah that sounds nice, and that spare room looks like it'll definitely be needed." I said with a chuckle, I doubt Damien will even make it till we get to theirs.

I'm definitely up for that, Ren's cooking is to die for. Idris linked us.

You'd die again for his cooking, what about mine?

Your cooking is worthy of a coma babe, not so much death. Idris choked on a laugh as I gaped at Idris, his smirk out in the open for all to see.

"Oh goddess I needed that, these past few days have been so dull." Carden chuckled next to me, trying his best not to wake Matt up.

The rest of the walk went by quietly with the sun finally disappearing and two very sleepy boys tucked into bed. As much as I hate to admit it, Ren's cooking would always outshine mine, even outshine Idris', though he'd slap me for saying that.

"It was a good day today." Idris said, giving me a gentle kiss on the lips as we tucked ourselves into the second guest bedroom, our bellies now full and our bodies intertwined together as we drifted off together.

"I agree, I love you."

"I love you too."

Yes, today was definitely a good day.

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