Aria’s paralysis broke. She grabbed hold of the bow as she stepped in front of Max. “What is going on?” he demanded, never breaking eye contact with Max. Even without the bow he was a threat.
“We’re just taking target practice,” she answered.
“You shouldn’t be with him.”
“He’s my friend, Braith.”
“He nearly killed you the last time you saw him.”
“It was an accident. A mistake, we’ve talked about it.”
“And that makes it better!?” he barked.
Her hands twisted on the bow. He became aware of the fact that she might also like to take a shot at him. “Yes,” she grated through clenched teeth. “It does.”
Max shifted nervously behind her. “I should probably go.”
“Yes,” Braith informed him at the same time that Aria snapped, “No.”
Frustration filled him. As he reached for her, she smacked his hand away. “Aria…”
“He is my friend Braith and that’s not going to change, no matter how much you disapprove.” He didn’t get a chance to argue further as she slammed her bow into his chest and stormed off. Jack stepped swiftly out of her way as she stalked past him, shooting him a dark look as she went.
Max stood uncertainly, looking torn between wanting to bolt, and wanting to laugh out loud. Braith glared at him. “If you hurt her again, it will be the last time.”
Max nodded, an infuriating smile played at the corners of his mouth. Braith fought the urge to punch him but the boy hadn’t done anything wrong, at least not yet. He didn’t trust him though, not for one minute. In fact he thought the best thing would be for Max to leave and never return, but unless Max made that choice himself, or unless he did something to Aria again, it looked like that wouldn’t happen anytime soon. Max was important in the cause, and for some unfathomable reason, Aria cared for him.
Braith turned away from him and moved swiftly into the house. She was in the room they had shared last night. She looked exhausted and worn, far more so than the encounter outside should have made her. He was bewildered by the distressed look on her face, the dark circles that marred her beautiful blue eyes.
“Did he do or say something to upset you?”
“No,” she answered tiredly. “He apologized, and then he tried to help mend our friendship. I miss him Braith, I know what happened before but we were once good friends. I wouldn’t have survived after I left the palace if it wasn’t for Max. I was heartbroken and he helped to ease some of that.”
Braith didn’t like to think about that time, it hadn’t been easy for either of them. “He’s in love with you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Maybe then, but he’s accepted that I don’t feel the same way about him, and he’s trying to move on. He may not approve but he knows that I love you.”
“I don’t approve of him either.”
“I wish you would learn to get along. Max was an important part of my life, and I would like to have him back in it. I’m not foolish enough to believe it can ever be the same, but I’d like to at least see the two of you come to some sort of understanding with each other.”
“And if he hurts you again?”
“He won’t.”
“But if he does?”
A single tear slid free. “I’ll stay away from him then.”
“He almost killed you last time.”
“Braith stop! It was an accident, a mistake. I will never know what happened to him in that palace. I was lucky that you stepped forward to take me from that other vampire.” Braith’s hands fisted, his muscles locked as he recalled the bastard that had almost owned her. “I can only guess at what was done to Max. You especially should know it couldn’t have been easy or pleasant.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Nothing is fair!” She practically screamed the words at him. He was startled by the ferocity of her reaction, the devastation that radiated from her; the tears that suddenly burst free and streamed down her face. He’d seen her cry before but he’d never seen this level of emotion over something he hadn’t even realized was bothering her so much. She was almost irrational, something that she never was.
“I didn’t realize this was upsetting you so much.” He told her as she dropped her head into her hands. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed quietly. Her cries only increased when he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. Desperation radiated from her as her fingers dug into his back. “Arianna…”
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”
He was unbelievably confused. He’d been around irrational women before, not for long because he usually left them behind if it happened, but this was Aria. His unbelievably proud and fierce Aria was sobbing uncontrollably for some reason that he couldn’t even begin to fathom. Her exhaustion must be getting to her, a fact that was evident in her pale face and shadowed eyes.
“For what?” he demanded, frightened and uncertain of what her answer would be.
She shook her head, seemingly unable to speak through her tears. He grabbed hold of her cheeks, pulling her face from his chest. “What are you sorry for?”
“I just…” she broke off, swallowing heavily as she tried to suppress her tears. “I just know how much you don’t trust him, and I know I frightened you today. I didn’t mean to.”
It was true, but it didn’t warrant this. “Don’t cry Arianna, it’s ok.”
Absurdly, she began to cry more. He pulled her back against him, rocking her as she buried her face in his chest again. A large sob escaped her; she bit on her lip hard enough to draw blood which he scented in the air almost immediately.
“Braith?” Jack’s voice interrupted.
Closing his eyes, he suppressed a groan as he turned her, making sure she was hidden from the doorway, and Jack. “Go away.”
“Braith, it’s time to redo the vote.”
“Can’t it wait?” he demanded.
“It’s fine.” Aria pulled away from him, she wiped at her eyes as she took a step back. She wouldn’t meet his gaze, or Jack’s, as she focused on the far wall.
“Aria…”
“I’m fine Braith. I’m just worn out, it’s been a grueling road to get here and it’s catching up with me now. I’ll be fine after a good night of sleep.” He was torn. He didn’t want to leave her, not while she seemed so overcome with emotion. “Go. Go on. Give me a minute to wash up and I’ll be down.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?”
She smiled tremulously. “Fine.”
Reluctantly, he left her behind as he joined his brother in the doorway. Jack’s jaw was locked, his gaze worried as he looked to Aria. She didn’t look at either of them as she turned to the pitcher on the old nightstand and poured some water into a bowl.
***
Aria slipped one of the gray cloaks around her shoulders pulling the hood up before sneaking silently out of the house. She knew she wouldn’t make it far before Braith realized she wasn’t there, but luckily Gideon had taken up residence only two doors away. She was shaking, trembling with trepidation as she moved swiftly through the shadows.
This was the path she had always thought she would take, the path that would lead to an early death. She had not chosen this path but rather, it had chosen her. She hoped that Jack was right, that they could somehow dilute Braith’s blood in her system. It would not be a happy life without him, but as miserable as she would be, and even if she wasn’t with him, she was also excited to see how everything would turn out. She was eager to see what Braith would do as a leader, the changes he would make. She knew they would be good changes and it would be a good world for those under his leadership.
All she needed to do was focus on the people whose lives would be saved as a result of her choices. Lives that would be far better than anything she had experienced. Braith would be good, he would be kind, and he would be fair. She was willing to do everything she could to see this terrible situation through, including going to Gideon now. Hopefully Bra
ith would eventually find a way to forgive her and move on. The possibility that he never would nearly broke her.
If Jack was wrong about being able to dilute Braith’s blood with another vampire’s, than there was only one solution, and she was certain Jack would never be willing to carry it out. Jack would not allow her to be harmed, and he most certainly would not be the one to do it.
Gideon would understand though, and though he wasn’t a bad man, she felt he would have no qualms about being the one to end her life in order to ensure peace. Swallowing heavily, gathering her waning courage, Aria took a deep breath, twisted the knob and slid silently into Gideon’s temporary house. He was in the study, the shadows and planes of his face were highlighted by the candle before him. He looked up at her as she entered.
He didn’t seem surprised to see her as she slid the hood of her cloak back. “I spoke with Jack and Ashby.”
Gideon froze for a moment, his hand curled around the pen he was holding. “I see.”
She was silent as she gathered her courage to speak. Once she uttered these words she would never be able to take them back. “I understand what needs to be done.”
Gideon placed his pen down. “You do?”
For a brief moment tears shimmered in her eyes before she blinked them back, thrust out her chin and nodded firmly. “I do.”
“He cannot know about this.”
“He never will.”
Gideon appeared lost in thought for a moment. “Your relationship cannot progress.”
She flinched; did everyone know their business? For a moment she thought her composure would crumble. “It won’t” she whispered.
Aria remained silent, watchful as the flame flickered over Gideon’s features. What was she doing here? The right thing or at least that’s what she told herself. But was it really the right thing? She was betraying Braith; she was going behind his back and plotting something that would devastate him. This was right on so many levels, but it was wrong on so many others. Guilt tugged at her heart, perhaps if she went to Braith…
She broke the thought off. He would never agree to let her go. He would never listen to reason. Jack was right, if she went to Braith and told him everything, he would take her and leave here tonight. There were so many things she loved about him; his determination, his stubbornness, and his love for her were among the things she loved most. Unfortunately, those three things completely worked against all of them right now. This was wrong, she would hate herself forever because of it, but she could live with that as long as this all worked out and Braith was able to establish the world she knew he could.
She turned away from Gideon, but her step was not so sure or as silent as she made her way to the door. “You know what this may mean for you?”
She stopped in the doorway, her head turned back as she studied him over her shoulder. “If we are unable to dilute his blood in me my death may be the only solution to separating us for good.”
“And you accept this?”
“It’s what I came to you for,” she breathed half fearful he would tell her no; half fearful he would refuse to be the one to do it. She’d taken a risk coming to him for this; it could all backfire on her.
“No one else can know about this.” There it was then, the deal had been struck. If another vampire’s blood, and distance, did not break Braith’s ability to track her they both understood what would have to happen.
She would die, and Gideon would be the one to do it.
“They won’t,” she vowed.
CHAPTER 17
“Would you like to take a walk?”
Aria turned away from the window she had been staring out. She was doing everything she could to keep up a brave front, to keep smiling, and to act normal. But it was so hard, harder than anything she’d ever done in her life. They were leaving tomorrow; she was actually looking forward to plunging back into those hideous swamps. At least it would help keep her mind off of everything and it meant they would be getting closer to the war, a war she desperately wanted over.
Braith was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. His dark hair was disheveled and there was actually an amused gleam in his eyes as he lazily perused her. Heat flooded her body, her toes curled as that look seemed to sear right through her clothes and straight into her flesh. It took everything she had to focus her attention on his words again.
She frowned in confusion at the book clasped carelessly in his elegant fingers. Then she recalled that she’d been the one to take it from Gideon’s home. She’d forgotten that she even had it, but he must have found it in her bag.
It was Ivanhoe; she knew that without having to see the title. It was the first book they had read together, the one that he had taught her how to read with. She had vowed that she wouldn’t cry anymore, she’d chosen her path, but even so she battled against the tears that threatened to break free at the sight of that book and the memories it elicited.
“Jack tells me there’s a lake close by.”
“There is,” she confirmed.
He smiled. “Then let’s go explore it.”
They had so little time left; she was not going to spend it moping. She was going to cherish every moment, not cry and ruin everything from here on out. “I’d love to.”
Her legs trembled as she stood, she’d been sitting for awhile, but she recovered quickly and was smiling at him as she took his hand. “I never knew you were a thief.”
She laughed as he waved the pilfered book in front of her face. “I forgot I even had it,” she admitted.
“I’m sure.”
They didn’t talk as they moved through the woods, they didn’t have to. Aria inhaled the scents of the forest, relishing in them. Beneath the leaves, dirt, and musty animals, she could also pick up the hint of fresh water and fish. It was wonderful.
The lake emerged from the woods, shimmering in the early morning sunlight. She wanted nothing more than to jump into it, swim to the middle and float there for hours. She longed to feel joy over something so simple. Joy she was frightened she would lose when all of this was over.
Braith sat with his back against a tree; the dark glasses remained blessedly removed from his magnificent face. His smile was one of the most wonderful things she’d ever seen. It was indolent at the moment and focused solely upon her as he held his hand out. He pulled her smoothly into his lap, settling her securely against him as he rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.
“I thought you could use a break.”
“I could,” she admitted. “But you could also.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes as she reveled in the solid, reassuring feel of his body. He was beautiful. This entire moment was beautiful. She wanted to pretend that it was one of many, that there were endless days before them to sit together, read together, and simply enjoy the company of each other. To pretend that there wasn’t a clock ticking steadily away at their remaining time.
She kept her eyes closed as her fingers curled against him. He opened the book and began to read to her. She loved the sound of his voice, the deep timbre of it, the rich tones and subtle nuances he inflected into the story. She knew this story almost by heart but she still loved to hear him reading it. Listening to his voice had become her favorite pastime while in the palace.
His voice became tired after awhile, she opened her eyes, sitting up as she took the book from him and continued reading. She was about halfway through the book when she realized that he had worked the braid from her hair. His attention was riveted on it as he spread it across her shoulders and played idly with the ends.
Her throat went dry as she lifted her gaze to his. The book in her lap was forgotten as she focused upon those beautiful gray eyes with the bright blue band encircling the pupil. Though they were over a hundred years old, the faint white scars around his eyes were still visible.
Her fingers trembled as she traced the jagged
edges of the marks that had left him blind until she had come along.
He took hold of her hand and pressed a tender kiss against her fingertips. Her body tingled with excitement. She was suddenly breathless, suddenly aching and vulnerable as his mouth moved steadily lower, across her palm to press gently against her wrist. She couldn’t move. She was caught by the love he stirred in her. She watched in fascination while he pushed her sleeves back and continued further up her arm.
His eyes never left hers as his lips nestled in the crook of her elbow. Though she knew she should tell him to stop she couldn’t break the eye contact, the intimacy of the moment. This was one of the things that she wasn’t supposed to let happen but even as she thought that, her body screamed for more. They both deserved this time alone and she was going to enjoy it for just a few minutes more.
He lifted his head from her elbow, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck as he pulled her closer. He held her against him, his lips just barely brushing hers. She was frightened her heart might explode in her chest as it quickened in anticipation. And then, just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, when she thought she was going to scream in frustration, he kissed her.
Solace swept through her, her fingers entwined in the hair at the nape of his neck, she pressed closer to him as the suffering within her finally eased. Every nerve ending she had lit with fire, she was consumed by the flames he ignited in her. He moved her, shifting her in his lap so that she was straddling him, her legs wrapped around his waist. His hand moved steadily up her back, maneuvering under her shirt to press flat against her skin. She moaned at the glorious wonder of him.
She hadn’t realized how much she needed this, how much she missed his touch. How starved her body had been until now. And now he was feeding her starved soul as his tongue became more demanding. Aria lost herself to his urgency. She recognized the fervent, almost desperate need within him. She desired him, but she realized now that her own craving was nowhere near as intense or acute as his. He would completely devour her and at the moment she didn’t care if he did.