“I brought the food.”
Aria eyed Jack warily as she circled around him to the tray of food he’d placed near the window. Keegan lifted his head to watch her for a moment before yawning and dropping his head back to his paws. “Thank you,” she muttered.
Braith was reminded of the fact that he’d suspected something off between them before she’d been abducted. He hadn’t had time to think of it after, but the tension between them was obvious as they stared at each other. His brother wasn’t so foolish as to think he could take her from this palace again without Braith destroying him, or was he?
“Why are you here Jack?” Braith inquired brusquely.
“They would like to have a meeting tonight to decide what will be done with the remaining soldiers.”
Aria placed the piece of bread she had been picking at down. “What do you mean what is to be done with them?” she inquired.
“They worked for the king Aria,” Braith reminded her.
She shook her head as she glanced between the two of them. “I know that, but are you going to kill them because of that?”
“That is not my decision to make.”
“I know you expect to establish this democracy type of government, but to start with this type of slaughter is to create a government founded in blood. I know that it started with a war, but what happens from here on out will shape the future.”
“There are times when blood is necessary,” Jack said.
There was a fire in her gaze that hadn’t been there for the past few days as she glared at his brother. “Death is not the answer here.”
“Then what would you suggest?” Jack demanded. “We turn them loose to gather a rebellion against us? There are men loyal to my father who could easily instigate another war. Is that what you would like, even more death?”
The color drained from Aria’s face, her hands fell limply into her lap. Braith took a step toward his brother as Jack threw up his hands and leapt to his feet. He cautiously edged away from Braith and toward the door. “I didn’t… I wasn’t thinking; I’m sorry Aria. You know how much your father meant to me too.”
“Get out Jack,” Braith grated.
Jack was just as pale as Aria as he managed a quick nod. “Wait.” Aria pushed aside the tray as she rose to her feet. “I know you didn’t mean anything Jack, and more death is the last thing I want, but there must be another option. The soldiers were just following orders; some of them must be worth saving.”
“I’m sure some of them are,” Jack agreed as his gaze shot warily to Braith. “But there are others that must be destroyed, you have to understand that Aria.”
“Does my opinion even matter?”
“Your opinion has always mattered to me and there are many who admire and respect it also,” Braith informed her. Her brow furrowed as she stared at him. “You helped to take down not only an aged, powerful vampire, but also a king.”
Her jaw clenched as she glanced away. “I don’t like to be admired for death, no matter how awful Caleb was.”
“I know that Aria, but you’re also admired for your bravery.”
Her face colored, she looked uncomfortable with the notion as she shifted uneasily. “I understand that the men and women most loyal to your father have to be put down. I know the way of the world, and the repercussions of war, but some of those guards had no other choice. Some of them were simply doing their jobs in order to take care of their families, in order to survive. We’ve all done things we didn’t want to do in order to stay alive; you can’t punish them for doing the same.”
“Would you like to come to the meeting to state your opinion?” Braith inquired.
“I would.”
Jack’s eyes darted worriedly toward him. “There is something else you must know first.” She quirked an eyebrow as she studied him. Braith didn’t really want to tell her this, but he couldn’t hide it from her and he wasn’t about to lie to her. “Gwendolyn is one of the prisoners.”
For a moment confusion marred her features and then her eyes widened as her mouth dropped. “Your fiancée?” she blurted.
“Ex,” he growled.
She blinked as she shook her head. “Yes, ex, whatever. What is she doing there? Here?”
“She was an aristocrat Aria; she resided within the town and was amongst those captured. Lauren will be there also.” Her nose wrinkled as her lip curled. Keegan rose and pressed against her legs as he sought to offer her comfort. “I would still like for you to attend.”
Aria was quiet for a moment. Braith thought she might refuse, that she might retreat back into the world of despair that had clamped its teeth into her. Instead, she turned toward him and nodded firmly. “So would I.”
He couldn’t help but smile at her as relief filled him, his Aria had never retreated from anything.
CHAPTER 16
On the way down Aria had been terrified that the meeting would be held in the throne room. It was the king’s room after all and the largest room in the palace. Braith’s room now, she reminded herself, still marveling over the fact that they had won, and that the man walking so proudly at her side now presided over them. He was the man that would lead them into a new time, a new rule, a new form of government, and if anyone could make it work it would be Braith, she was certain of that.
She was relieved when Braith guided her in the opposite direction of the throne room though, and into a private solar off the main hall. Thankfully not the one her father had been kept in either. It was nowhere near as big, or as elaborate as the throne room, but it was more than enough for what they required, and didn’t house anything threatening or cruel. It fit Braith far better than his father’s monstrosity of a throne room would have.
Everyone had already gathered in the room, they rose as Braith entered, but she was well aware of the fact that their eyes tracked her as she moved through the room. Daniel stood at the side of the table with William and Max behind him. They all smiled at her, but she sensed their surprise over her presence. William was still on crutches, his impaired leg propped out before him as he gave her a thumbs up.
The massive chair at the head of the table was obviously Braith’s, but as he strode toward it he snagged another chair with one hand. He shoved the larger chair to the side and placed the smaller one next to it. He held it out for her, a look of defiance on his face as he raked the table with his steely gaze.
It was only then that she realized he hadn’t worn his glasses in awhile. She studied his magnificent profile, and the short black hair that fell about his forehead in waves. Holding his gaze, she had to fight back the tears of love and pride that filled her eyes. He’d been born for this, he excelled at it, and he desired for her to be at his side.
Even if she couldn’t be.
Swallowing heavily Aria slid into the chair. She’d expected some condemnation, some irritation, or some form of protest against her sitting beside Braith, but she saw only curiosity and some sadness as she looked around the table at “The Council” as they had dubbed themselves. They’d officially relinquished the aristocratic titles they’d held in the past in favor of starting fresh and new.
“We are sorry about your father, he was a good fighter.”
This statement from Calista caused another kind of lump to form in her throat. For a moment she struggled against the tears that burned her eyes at the reminder of her father. She was taken aback by the kind words from a woman who had seemed nothing but distant before, and who had ruthlessly slaughtered Braith’s sister. “Thank you,” Aria managed to respond.
She started in surprise when Braith seized hold of her hand. For a moment she tried to tug it free but he held on, his jaw locked as he gazed at her. She knew there was no denying their relationship now, but she was still apprehensive to be so blatant about it. Then, she realized, that she didn’t care. There was no hiding this anymore and she didn’t want to.
Aria watched as ten men and two women were led into the room, they were dirty and disheveled b
ut they didn’t appear overly mistreated. They certainly weren’t as mistreated as she had been. Resentment filled her as she recognized one of the women as the vampire that had owned Max. Which meant the other one, the beautiful doll like brunette staring hatefully back at her, was probably Gwendolyn. Though she knew Braith had never cared for the woman, she couldn’t help the bolt of jealousy that shot through her. Braith held her hand steady as he stared at her, and she realized that jealousy had no place here.
Besides, there was someone in this room reliving far worse memories than her. Max’s chin was raised, his gaze unwavering as he met the other vampire woman’s hostile stare. Aria had to fight the urge to jump up and throttle the hideous woman for everything she had done to Max. She remained unmoving though as everyone around her decided what would become of the women and their cohorts.
A lump formed in her throat as Max’s eyes met hers. She had a better idea now of what had been done to him, for what he had endured while in captivity, but she would never be able to understand the full depth of brutality that woman had put him through.
Aria listened as their fates were discussed by those at the table. These vampires had been the most treacherous and cruel of their kind. They had been the king’s body, had helped him to keep power, and had relished in the decisions the king had made and the sadistic world he’d created. Aria hoped every one of them fried, but it wasn’t her decision to make. Braith also remained silent as he listened to them debate for a few moments before coming to a unanimous decision that they were all to be executed.
“It’s agreed then?” questioned Braith.
“Yes,” Gideon stated.
“Wait! You can’t do this Braith! We were to be married!” Braith’s hand tightened around hers as Gwendolyn’s pleas fell on deaf ears and she was forcefully removed from the room.
Aria’s heart ached at the reminder, but she managed to keep her face impassive as Daniel’s and William’s heads shot toward her. “Bring the soldiers in,” Braith commanded.
Aria braced herself, this was why she’d come. She understood that the aristocrats had to be eliminated, but this was an entirely different matter. All the wind went out of her argument as Jack led Lauren into the room last.
Her mouth dropped open, the breath rushed out of her as she glanced at Braith. He’d told her that she would be here, but Aria hadn’t expected her to be grouped in with the soldiers. His eyes were unrelenting, his jaw locked as he stared back at her. She grasped hold of his thigh and held tight to it as he soothingly massaged the back of her hand with his thumb.
She barely heard the talk going around the table but this discussion was a lot more heated than the last one. Daniel and Ashby were for leniency, Calista, Frank, and Saul were completely against it; Adam, Gideon and Xavier remained mute as they listened to the arguments of the others.
Aria realized she had to speak up when it seemed like Ashby was starting to sway toward Calista, Frank, and Saul. “Can I say something?”
They all turned toward her, their faces twisted in various expressions of displeasure. Though she sensed their annoyance was due more to the fact that they couldn’t arrive at an agreement, than with her interruption. “Please do,” Saul remarked dryly.
Aria felt somewhat uncomfortable as they all focused on her. She glanced briefly at Daniel before taking a deep breath and plunging onward. “I understand the other deaths are necessary, if given a chance they would start a rebellion, and the pattern would never end. However, these men were simply doing what they were ordered to do. For years, death, torture and intimidation ruled here, don’t start this new government out the same way. If you slaughter them all, it will only show the people that nothing has changed, and that mercy is impossible. If these vampires before you swear fealty to you, and perhaps are even monitored for awhile, I don’t think they should be executed.”
She couldn’t believe those words had actually left her mouth. Just a few months ago she would have said kill them all simply because they were vampires. She would have said to kill Braith, and Ashby, Jack, and Melinda too for that matter, but she would have been wrong. They weren’t all monsters, they were simply different, and had different needs, but for the most part they were good and kind, protective and loving. She knew now there were bad apples among both human and vampire alike.
There was a moment of silence and then they burst into conversation again. Xavier entered the debate for the first time on the side of Daniel, while Gideon and Adam continued to watch and listen. Braith finally ended the argument by calling for a vote. Aria was unmoving as she waited breathlessly to see what they would decide. They had established a more civilized and kinder rule in The Barrens, and she hoped that would prevail here.
“I think we agree that if the soldiers are willing to swear fealty to us, and consent to be monitored for whatever period of time we see fit, they may be allowed to live. If not, their lives are forfeit,” Calista declared. Saul and Frank didn’t look overly pleased with this decision, but they didn’t protest it either.
The shoulders of most of the soldiers slumped, some nodded enthusiastically, but there were a few that didn’t look at all pleased. Aria wondered if they would choose death over their new regime. If so, that was their choice to make, and she wouldn’t interfere with it.
“And the girl?” Aria turned at Ashby’s question.
“I think that should be Arianna’s decision.” She sensed some kind of test behind Gideon’s words as she met his gaze. “It is you that has been harmed by her the most.”
Aria focused on Lauren, but the girl wouldn’t meet her gaze as she stared at the wall behind Braith’s head. Braith’s thumb stroked over the back of her hand. Whatever she decided he would abide by it, they all would. Resentment twisted through her, she would like for Lauren to just look at her, to give her some sign that she regretted even a little of what she’d done. There was nothing.
“Let her go.” As much as she wanted to she couldn’t exact revenge upon Lauren. Though there had been a time after her first capture that her father had wrongfully wanted revenge for her, for the most part he hadn’t believed in it and had insisted that everything they did was not for revenge, but to try and create a better world. She couldn’t throw that aside now, she couldn’t let her father down because of her desire to punish Lauren. A small smile tugged at Gideon’s mouth as he gave a brief bow of his head and sat back. She realized that he’d been trying to discern if she would ask for leniency for others, but punish those that had wronged her. “She isn’t a threat to us.”
Aria hadn’t expected to see relief nor had she expected to see gratitude, so she wasn’t surprised by the hatred that continued to blaze from Lauren’s eyes. Braith’s jaw clenched, Aria was certain he would have preferred Lauren dead, and he would have been the one to do it. “You may leave, but you’re not to stay within these palace walls, the bailey, or the town beyond. I don’t care where you go, but if I see you again I can promise that you will not be spared next time. If I were you I would get as far from here as you possibly can, as fast as you can,” he grated and for the first time fright trickled over Lauren’s features. “Max, would you please escort her to the palace gates.”
“With pleasure,” Max responded with a tight smile as he strode toward the doors and pulled one open. He made a sweeping bow to Lauren who remained pale and slack mouthed as she stared at him.
“That isn’t the choice I would have made,” Braith said so quietly that only Aria could hear him.
“I know.”
“If I see her again, I will kill her, and I will enjoy it.”
She turned toward him, not at all intimidated by the darkness simmering beneath his smooth exterior. “I know. She won’t come back again Braith, but if she does I won’t interfere.”
He shook his head as he leaned closer to her. Stubble shadowed his square jaw; he hadn’t had time to shave in the past few days between the new demands placed upon him, and staying by her side every free moment he had. Love sw
elled within her heart, there was such darkness inside of him, and yet such good and understanding. He released her hand, his arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to his side.
“Sometimes you are too forgiving,” he whispered against her ear.
“And sometimes you’re that same stubborn prince I first met; only now you’re a king.”
Something flickered in his gaze as sadness filtered across his features. He didn’t have to tell her, she already knew that he would stay king. It wasn’t what he would have chosen, he’d done nothing but fight against it, but he’d finally come to realize that this was where he was supposed to be. The only problem was, she didn’t know what would become of her, and neither did he.
“I’m tired, if you don’t mind I’d like to return to the room.”
His fingers gently stroked over her cheek. “I’ll take you.”
“Stay. I know my way back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Though she still felt strange being so open about their relationship, she leaned forward and pressed a feathery kiss upon his hard mouth. She had meant for it to be quick, but she lost herself to the pleasure and taste of his lips. For a brief moment there was no despair, there was no war or uncertainty. There was only the two of them as the warmth of his lips heated her all the way to the tips of her toes.
She forced herself to pull away and smiled as she met his dazed gaze. “Get going,” he said gruffly.
She pecked his cheek before rising to her feet. “Excuse me everyone.” She gave a brief bow of her head before she hurried from the room.
Stepping into the hall she was relieved to find it deserted. She hurried toward the stairs, but before she began her ascent she found her gaze inescapably drawn to the closed doors of the throne room. She stood, her hand resting on the newel post as she studied the doors with a mixture of dread and morbid curiosity.