His hands were upon her face, turning it towards him. She blinked at him as she focused on the beautiful, caring eyes before her. "Arianna, are you ok?"
She managed to nod; she even managed a wan smile. "I'm just… I'm not… It's just too fast. It's all too fast."
His eyes scanned questioningly over her face. Then, much to her dismay, a dawning realization seemed to come over him. His brow smoothed out, his eyes were far more understanding as they came back to her. "Arianna, are you a virgin?" Her face flooded with color and her eyes darted rapidly away from him. She couldn't meet his gaze again, she was too mortified. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She bit on her bottom lip, shaking her head as she strived to keep the fierce heat from her face. "You should have told me, I would have gone slower, I would have…"
"Stop," she whispered, too embarrassed to hear anymore.
He bent his head to press his forehead against hers. His lips were swollen from their kisses as they hovered over hers; seeming to breathe her in even though he didn't require air. His fingers played with her hair. "Ok," he said, pressing a quick peck to her nose.
He rolled off of her, pulling her against his side, his arm wrapped around her waist as he held her against him. Aria was enthralled by the easiness with which he embraced her, and the fact that he had taken her abrupt stop so calmly. His fingers were as soft as down against her wounded ribs, the light pressure actually felt good.
"I don't understand any of this," she whispered.
He brushed the hair back from her face and tilted her chin up to him. "Neither do I, but you must keep this to yourself Arianna. No one else can know about my eyesight."
"Not even your family?"
"They see my blindness as a weakness, and there are many people that would like to keep me weak. If they realize that I have my vision back, and that it's because of you, they will kill you to keep me weak. They may not know why I can only see around you, and they won't care. You can't let anyone know."
"I won't," she promised.
He smiled at her as he pressed affectionate kisses across her cheeks. She was amazed by him, overjoyed by the tenderness he showed her, staggered by the fact that he had so easily accepted being denied something she knew he craved. He was a vampire, and yet she knew now that though he could be volatile, he was not a monster. He never would be, not to her anyway. She knew it with every fiber of her being.
"What are you going to do with me?" She hated to ask, the answer wouldn't be good, but she had to know.
His quick smile was stunning, robbing her of her breath. His eyes twinkled brightly as a small dimple briefly flashed in his right cheek. "Whatever you would like me to do." Aria couldn't help but smile back at him as she traced the ridge of his jaw. "I know you covet your freedom Arianna, and I understand that, but I can't give it back to you. I will keep you protected for as long as I can, but although I am a prince, there are still those with more power than I. It may take a little while, but I will work through this, somehow. I won't let them kill you."
Aria nodded, warmed by his words, but not at all comforted by them. There would be little either of them could do if it were decided that she was a threat that must be eliminated. "You look exhausted."
"I am," she admitted.
"Sleep, we can talk later."
She didn't feel like sleeping, she enjoyed lying there and feeling him against her. She wanted to lay there and enjoy the simple awe of her strange and tenuous situation. Although she fought against it, sleep was swift and deep when it finally claimed her.
- CHAPTER 12 -
Braith watched the light play off of Arianna's vibrant hair. Her head was bent, her legs drawn up beneath her as she sat curled within the window seat. She had moved on from Ivanhoe and now held, Of Mice and Men, before her. Her instincts were quick and well honed, she had actually managed to slap him after all, but she hadn't yet noticed his arrival. He was actually able to observe her while she was enthralled by the thin novel.
She may not be the most elegant or refined woman, but the longer he stood and stared at her, the more he realized that to him, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and always would be. He felt a strange surge of emotion as he watched her; it was an emotion he had never felt before, and one that he couldn't figure out right now.
She finally realized that he was there as she lifted her head and blinked at him in surprise. A small smile spread over her face, it lit her delicate features and sparkled in her sapphire eyes. She swung her feet down and placed the book beside her as she rose. Her wrist and fingers were still bandaged; the white cotton was a stark contrast against the golden hue of her skin.
She was mouthwatering, alluring without meaning to be, beautiful without even trying, and she was his. The possessive feeling was so strong it almost consumed him. In that moment, he knew it was true, he knew that she was his, and he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
"Hello." Her gaze darted shyly away as her cheeks flooded with color. He had left her sleeping this morning, unwilling to wake her after the events of yesterday. Now her uncertainty raced to the forefront as she fiddled with the bandages and shifted nervously.
"Arianna," he greeted, smiling as he placed his cane next to the door. It was astonishing to be able to see once again, but the best thing was being able to see her. Keegan padded into the room, and settled by her feet. Braith had not missed the fact that even the wolf seemed infatuated with her. "Did you eat?"
She nodded; her smile was tremulous as she looked at the tray of food. He could almost see the wheels spinning within her mind, as more than thoughts of food crossed her mind. Her expression cleared as she met his gaze again. He could sense the questions lingering just beneath her calm exterior. He was surprised when she held her tongue, realizing that was a first since he had met her.
"Arianna?"
She smiled brightly at him, but it was a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "This book is very good."
He glanced at the novel resting upon the seat. He pulled his coat off and rolled his tense shoulders as he tossed it over the coat rack by the door. He could guess at what troubled her, but if she didn't choose to speak about it, then he wasn't going to force her to. It wasn't something that he really cared to discuss anyway. He wasn't going to make her do anything that she wasn't willing to do, but he still had to feed. Even if he found the women he took blood from undesirable now, even if it was really her blood that he craved. He still had to sate his thirst elsewhere otherwise he might injure her without meaning to. "It is one of my favorites."
She watched him as he silently moved toward her. He was itching to touch her again, to feel her once more. Her head tilted back as she stared up at him and her breath came more rapidly. He could hear the increased beat of her heart; smell her increased passion. He smiled at her, pleased to know that he affected her as much as she affected him.
He caressed her face, his hand twining into her thick hair. Her eyes were bright as she looked up at him. She truly was the most breathtaking thing he had ever seen. He bent over her as he pressed a soft kiss to her full lips. His arm encircled her waist; he lifted her against him, holding her tight as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
She melted against him, nestling easily into his body. He was amazed by how incredible she felt, how right all of this was. Like the missing piece of a puzzle, she blended seamlessly against him, melding to him in all the right places. How on earth had it come to this? That he, of all vampires, had managed to find himself in this situation, ensnared by the allure of a human. A rebel human, it was unthinkable and at the moment he found himself not caring as he lost himself to the feel of her mouth and body against his.
He was so lost to her that he didn't hear the knock on the door until it was too late. It was Keegan's low growl that alerted him to someone's presence. Braith froze, his hands stilled on Arianna as he pulled slightly away from her. Dazed passion still darkened her eyes as a blush colored her face. Though Braith could
n't see his brother, he knew that it was Caleb that had entered. He could feel the force of Caleb's gaze boring into his back.
"Don't let me interrupt you brother," Caleb purred as he closed the door behind him. "You know I don't mind."
Apprehension shot through Arianna's eyes, her appalled gaze darted toward Caleb, but Braith held her still as he kept her sheltered from Caleb's scrutiny. A scrutiny he knew would be cruel, and far more leering than Braith would like to expose her to. He held her for a moment more before sliding her feet gradually back to the ground. How had he missed Caleb's approach? He usually sensed his brother the moment he hit the hallway. Caleb carried a wave of cruel depravity with him that was impossible to miss.
"You have to go to my room," he instructed her.
"By all means continue," Caleb drawled. "I'll wait. I'd even enjoy watching."
Horror bloomed in Arianna's gaze, she tried again to look at Caleb, but Braith held the back of her head. "Arianna," Braith growled. Her attention came back to him, her lips, still swollen from his kiss, began to tremble. He could sense her revulsion. He wished that he could shelter her from his brother, but it was too late for that. Caleb was amongst them now, and he was one of the nastiest sons of a bitch's that Braith had ever known. He didn't like him anywhere near Arianna. "Go."
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. He released her, taking a step back as she squared her shoulders and locked her jaw. She turned away from him, keeping her chin raised as she strode across the room, not looking at Caleb as she moved. "Wait!" Braith bristled, stepping forward as Caleb barked out the harsh command. He didn't want anyone ordering her around, least of all his little brother, but he couldn't do much without possibly exposing his growing feelings for her. Arianna stopped, her head turned toward Caleb. She didn't waver, didn't hesitate as she kept her shoulders proudly back. Caleb lifted an eyebrow, amusement flitted over his face, but Braith saw the depravity in his brother's gaze as it raked sharply over Arianna.
"She's not really your type Braith, not that you can see that, but she's not. I, on the other hand, always liked a redhead. I really think you should give me a turn at her."
Disgust flashed across Arianna's face, her gaze darted frantically toward Braith. He hated that she was being exposed to this, hated his brother for doing it to her, but he couldn't stop it, if he did, her life would surely be forfeit. "I don't share."
Caleb shrugged absently, folding his arms over his chest as his gaze leisurely raked Arianna from head to toe again. "Anymore," Caleb purred. "Things were different just a month ago."
"Go!" Braith snarled at her, fighting the urge to punch his brother in the face. Amusement flickered over Caleb's handsome features, but he didn't try to stop Arianna again as she hurried from the room. Though she hid it well, Braith could still sense her confusion and fear over Caleb's statements. Braith kept his attention on his brother. He had to grapple to keep his temper under control and his face impassive. He wasn't sure he succeeded though as Caleb was staring at him questioningly. A gaze he didn't realize that Braith could now see.
"What are you doing here Caleb?" he inquired when he heard the faint click of the door closing behind Arianna. Though his vision darkened without her beside him, he was still able to dimly make out his brother. Caleb shrugged as he moved into the room, settling himself leisurely upon one of the sofas. Braith bristled, but didn't show any reaction to his brother's cavalier attitude.
"Father has decided to hold a banquet tonight."
"Why?"
Caleb draped his arm over the back of the couch as he stretched his long legs before him. "Jericho has returned." Braith stiffened, Keegan padded over to him, brushing up against his legs as he sensed Braith's sudden turmoil. "And do you know what it means if little brother has returned?"
"The war will resume," Braith answered as his gaze darted toward the closed door. He didn't want Arianna to know about this, not yet anyway.
"Yes," Caleb agreed. "I wonder what he has learned."
Braith didn't respond; there was no use in trying to guess at what Jericho had learned during his time away. He hadn't agreed with Jericho being sent out to try and assimilate with the rebels in the first place. Jericho was young, and reckless. Braith felt it was too risky to send a prince into enemy territory but Jericho had insisted upon going, insisted upon doing something for their cause, and had meant to prove that he was something more than the youngest son. Their father had been all too happy to send him, eager to see what Jericho might learn about the rebel faction, and not really caring if he lost his youngest. He had two other sons after all.
Jericho was the only member of their family that Braith had even remotely been close to, and he hadn't wanted to lose him. However, his protests that if Jericho was captured he could be used as a weapon against them had fallen on deaf ears. His father had made it very clear that he would not rescue Jericho if something went wrong.
Now Jericho was back, and if he was back that meant he had discovered a way to bring down the rebel faction and destroy their enemies. Braith wasn't entirely sure he wanted to hear what it was.
***
Braith stood in his father's chambers, his hands folded over the head of his cane as he held it before him. It had been years since Braith had been in his father's private living area. He couldn't see them now, but he knew that over the years his father had acquired more things, and amassed his fortune within these private walls. Keegan pressed against his leg as he sat at his side. The wolf hated being around the king as much as Braith did.
"Your brother has returned."
"So I've been told."
Braith didn't have to see his father to know that he was a large and imposing figure. He was also sadistic. His father ruled with an iron fist, no one stepped out of line, and anyone that disobeyed was killed outright or placed within his father's trophy room. Death did not come quickly to those offenders; they were tortured or destroyed in the most brutal ways possible as a way to deter others who might try to bring the king down. He ruled by fear and he had led them to victory in the war. The vampires respected and obeyed him for those reasons alone.
Braith felt he should respect him too, he was his father, and he had succeeded where many had failed, but Braith felt nothing for the man except an intense loathing. Beatings had been a mandatory rule upon growing up, being the first born Braith had received the blunt force of them, and being the youngest boy Jericho had also been heavily focused upon. Caleb had mainly managed to slip through unscathed. Caleb also had a malicious way about him that his father recognized, and admired.
By the time Jericho had been born, Braith had been nearly grown and almost untouchable, and his father had eagerly turned his attention to a new target. It was why Braith had always felt closer to Jericho, had always looked out for his little brother, and hadn't liked it when he was sent straight into the lion's den. His father had been more than eager to throw Jericho in there though, easily willing to toss him aside.
Braith had been surprised when his father hadn't destroyed him after he'd lost his vision; it had only been the fact that he'd adapted so well to being blind that he'd been allowed to continue living. He'd honed his other senses to the point that he could still fight as well as he had when he'd been able to see his attackers, and he was still as ruthless as he'd ever been. He was not like his father and Caleb though; he was not vicious for the pleasure of merely being vicious and cruel. He was simply a murderer when it was essential, and nothing more. He didn't relish in cruelty and he didn't relish in torturing people, especially not children like his father and brother did.
"He has some interesting information for us."
"Does he now?"
"Yes, I have called him and Caleb here."
"This is not a celebration announcement for the banquet then?"
"The banquet is not a celebration."
Braith kept his face impassive; he didn't want his father to see that his curiosity was peeked. He turned at the sound of the door opening
; he listened to the rapid footsteps that thudded on the marble floor. He recognized Caleb's footsteps leading the way, and behind him were Jericho's lighter steps. Caleb moved past him, but Jericho stopped before him. His hand clasped hold of Braith's, as his other hand squeezed his arm. Braith accepted his outstretched hand, squeezing it affectionately within his own. When Jericho had left, his hands had been those of a boy. Now his callused hands were firm and strong. His grip was like a steel vice.
"You have grown," Braith said.
Braith could almost feel his smile; almost feel the cheerful demeanor that Jericho radiated. He had always been the easiest going of them all, the least affected by their world, and it seemed as if he was still the same. But beneath it all, Braith could sense a tension and maturity in his brother that hadn't been there when he'd left six years ago. They held each other's hands for a lengthy moment. Braith tried to size up the man before him, he had a feeling that there were a lot of things he no longer knew about his little brother, and may never know.
"I finally reached maturity."
Braith chuckled, but there was no humor in it. There had always been a joke between them that Jericho would never grow up, that he would be a thousand and still acting like a seventeen year old. Braith had always thought it would be true, but he realized now just how wrong they had both been. Whatever had happened to Jericho in the last six years, it had changed him deeply. Braith was surprisingly saddened by this realization. He had missed his brother's easy camaraderie over the past years, he realized now that he would not be getting it back.
"I can tell."
Jericho squeezed his hand again before releasing it. "Tell your brothers what you have told me," their father commanded.
Jericho took a few steps away from Braith. "After a year of living in the woods, fighting amongst the rebels, hiding my true nature, and struggling to earn their trust, I was finally able to break through part of their tight knit, tight lipped, group."