“Oh, a shower!”
With those excited words, she was gone, vanishing through the doorway in a flash. He couldn’t help but smile as the sound of running water filled the room. He admired the delight she found in things that he had taken for granted. He remained by the door as she moved around the bathroom gathering soaps and shampoos in her arms with an eagerness that caused him to laugh softly.
His laughter vanished in an instant as she shed the bindings from her arms and dropped them to the floor. The smell of her blood assaulted him. She disappeared from sight again, the water flow changed as she stepped beneath the shower head. He hurt. It was a physical ache so intense that he couldn’t focus on anything else. She was humming in the shower, a melodious sound that drew him forward a step, and then another, and another. He was trembling, trying so hard to stop moving that his muscles throbbed from the restraint he tried, and failed, to exert over himself.
The water turned off. She was wrapping a towel around herself when he stepped into the bathroom doorway. He didn’t know what he was doing, didn’t know what it was he intended as she finished tucking the towel into place. Her back was to him, her head bowed as her dark hair tumbled about her shoulders in curly wet waves. He could hear the beat of her heart and smell her blood in the cloying steam that filled the air.
She grabbed a brush then wiped the mirror with the palm of her hand. Her eyes widened, she jumped in surprise as she spotted him in the reflective surface. There was a brief moment where her surprise turned into a small smile, which swiftly faded away. Her hands grasped the towel as she turned slowly toward him, her heartbeat accelerating.
He should leave, but instead he found himself drawn toward her like a moth to a flame. He found himself standing before her when he’d had every intention of turning away and leaving the room. He should get as far from her as possible until he was well fed and stable enough to trust himself in her presence again. His hand trembled as he brushed the hair back from her very fragile, very delicate neck. Her pulse leapt wildly, a subtle breath escaped her as his fingers pressed against the previous marks he’d left upon her.
His fangs sprang forward; his vision was clouded by the hunger pulsing through him. “Yes,” she breathed.
“Too soon.” They were the only two words he was able to choke out.
“It’s been almost a day, I’m fine. Your blood strengthened me.” She pulled his hand away, tilting her neck so that he had a better view of his marks on her.
He wanted to fight, wanted to tell her no. But it didn’t matter, he was no longer in control of himself, no longer sensible enough to tell her no, to tell himself no. He was tempted to lurch forward and drive his fangs into her as he bit deep, finally easing the fire that had almost consumed him. He somehow found the strength not to give into that urge; he couldn’t injure her in such a way. She shuddered as he pulled her against him; darkened by desire her eyes were fearless as her arms entwined around his neck.
She clung to him, so trusting and giving, so unknowing of the ferocious thirst clamoring through him as she offered her vein to him. He was braced against her as he struggled to find the strength to pull away, to walk out of this room and find someone else. But there was no one else, there was only her.
The scent of her blood engulfed him; her heartbeat invaded his body and took over his senses. As he bit deep, her sweet life giving blood surged into his mouth, flowed through his body and filled his dehydrated cells. Instantly the clamoring that had encased him began to ease. A groan of ecstasy escaped him as he became lost in her.
CHAPTER 5
It was sometime later before Aria stirred. She was drowsy, her muscles felt weak, but the strange sensation of being sated clung to her. Her fingers curled, she had expected to find the unyielding bite of the ground but instead she felt the solid muscle of Braith’s chest, and the yielding give of a mattress. She was momentarily confused, she barely recalled the last time she’d been in a bed, or the last time she had awoken with Braith still beside her.
But he was beneath her now.
She allowed herself to simply drift in the pleasure of that realization and managed to doze off once more. He was still with her when she woke again feeling more refreshed and a little livelier. She lifted her head slowly, blinking down at him as she found him staring back at her. The glasses, thankfully, were not in place.
Though his eyes were filled with concern, the lines around his lips and eyes had nearly vanished. The strain he had been exhibiting, the nearly mechanical movements he had been going through were gone as he gazed at her. Her blood had revitalized him, his body had been nourished. She stretched and pressed closer to him as she was swamped with the realization that she had been the one to give him what he so desperately needed.
“How do you feel?”
“A little tired,” she admitted. “How long have I been out?”
“A while.”
Uneasiness filled her. “We were supposed to only be an hour Braith.”
“It’s fine.”
“But Gideon is waiting for us and he doesn’t seem all that patient. William…”
“I took care of it Aria, and William is with Ashby, you don’t have to worry.”
Of course she had to worry, her brother was stuck in this place and she was curled up sleeping with Braith. “We should go.”
She went to climb out of the bed but he grabbed hold of her, pulling her back. “Braith…”
“Wait Arianna, just wait.” His left hand entwined in her hair, she became acutely aware of the fact that she was only wearing a towel as it dropped a little. “It shouldn’t have happened like that. I was out of control.”
“You can’t keep denying yourself, and I’m fine.”
His fingers brushed nimbly along the top of the towel. Her heart lurched as excitement pulsed through her and her mouth went dry. Her skin tingled and heated everywhere he touched. “You’re fine this time, but next time…”
“Next time I will be fine too because you are going to start feeding better. If you insist on not using other humans as much, fine.” That was just fine and dandy with her also, but she couldn’t stand to see him suffering anymore. “But you’re going to have to use them more when animals aren’t readily available.”
His jaw clenched and unclenched as he studied her. “How are you so accepting of all of this, of me? I hurt you.”
She tilted her head to study him. “You didn’t hurt me.”
He pushed himself up, launching to his feet as he stalked across the room. She watched him, sensing something more beneath the tension radiating from him. “Not just today Aria, but the first time I took your blood, in the woods, the fact that I was previously engaged. The other blood slaves.”
She recoiled at the reminder of all of those things. She felt the blood drain from her face but somehow managed to keep her chin up as she glared at him. “And I left you in that palace Braith. My pride wounded us both when I left with Jack. I didn’t believe in you, and because of that I drove you to those slaves; I drove you to your lowest depths of depravation. How do you forgive me for that?”
“You didn’t almost kill me.”
“I shot an arrow at you!” she snapped.
His head tilted to the side, his dark hair spilled across his forehead. “That hardly counts.”
Irritation flared through her, she clasped the towel to her as she knelt on the bed to face him. “Then give me another one and this time I’ll make it count!” His grin infuriated her. Huffing a little she clutched the towel as she shimmied her way inelegantly off the bed.
He grasped hold of her arm before she disappeared into the bathroom; he held it tenderly as she glared angrily up at him. “Aria…”
“Love isn’t about perfection Braith! It’s about understanding and forgiveness, it’s about giving and taking in equal measure. I gave my blood to you. I forgave you for things that you are struggling to forgive yourself for, because I love you. I know that you have done some awful things, and
you have hurt me, just as I have hurt you. You gave up a life of opulence, grace, and a vast supply of blood for a life of deserts and fighting and starvation for me. I willingly gave you my blood because I would do anything for you also.
“That is love Braith. I’m seventeen and even I know that. Maybe you should learn.”
She jerked her arm free of his slackened grasp and didn’t look back as she stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door. She gasped in a breath as she leaned against the door; all of her pleasure from earlier had evaporated. He was such an infuriating ass sometimes.
She realized only too late that there were no clothes in here for her. Crap, she thought as she released an aggravated breath. She had just blown up on him, and now she was going to have to go back out there to ask him for clothes. It was humiliating.
She remained leaning against the door, reluctant to face him again. A low knock reminded her that it was impossible to hide. She opened the door to find his large and imposing frame standing before her holding a dress which looked tiny in his hands.
“I thought you might require some clothing.”
She scrunched her nose as she nodded. “I do.”
“Gideon had it sent up while you were sleeping.” She eyed the dress warily as he stepped into the room. She hadn’t worn one of these horrible garments since her time in the palace, and had hoped to never have to wear one again. She took the dress from him, barely meeting his gaze as she draped it over her arm. “I’ll button it for you after you slide it on.”
He turned away as she dropped the towel and slipped the dress over her head. His fingers were gentle as he buttoned the back with surprising ease. Pulling her hair over her shoulders, he covered the fresh marks upon her neck with it as he turned her around to face him.
“I need you to know I’m not a complete monster.”
She started in surprise, that’s what this was about. “I know that Braith, I never thought you were.” She sought to give him comfort as her fingers wrapped around his wrists. “The past can’t be undone, but it doesn’t define you. It’s our future actions that will show who we really are, what we’ll become.”
“I hope so.”
“They will,” she promised him. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
He smiled wanly. “I deserved it.” She wasn’t going to argue with that. He kissed her forehead soothingly. “I never had anyone to teach me about love before.”
Her hands constricted on his forearms, tears burned her eyes. He was stronger than her, faster and more powerful, his life had been one of pleasure and luxury, hers one of struggle and starvation, yet she realized now that she had gotten the better deal. She knew what it was like to have people that loved her. His siblings, at least Melinda and Jack, seemed to care for each other, but they weren’t anywhere near as close as she was with William and Daniel. Yes, her mother had been killed, but she had died for her children. Her father had never hidden the fact that he loved his kids, even if he had never been overly affectionate with them, and even when the rebellion had too often come first. Her entire life had been about love, his had been about cruelty. It was amazing he had turned out as wonderful as he had.
“I’ll teach you,” she vowed.
“You already have.” Tears spilled down her cheeks as he lifted her face and kissed her tenderly. She embraced him, reluctant to have the moment end, but knowing that it must. It was time to return to reality. “We have to go downstairs.”
“I know.”
He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks before taking hold of her hand, and following the sounds of voices back to Gideon’s study. Ashby looked up from his place by the window where he had been staring outside, a drink in his hand as he spoke quietly with Gideon. He grew silent the minute they entered the room. Gideon was sitting behind the desk, his feet propped on top and his hands folded on his stomach.
“Where’s my brother?” Aria demanded.
“Relax Aria, he’s fine,” Ashby assured her.
“Where is he Ashby?”
“Dara took him on a tour of the town.”
A cold chill crept down her spine, she nearly sputtered in disbelief. “You let him go alone?”
“There’s no need to fear anything here, your brother is safe.”
Gideon’s smug tone irritated her as she turned her glare on him. “I don’t fear anything,” she retorted sharply.
Gideon quirked an eyebrow as Braith shook his head. “She’s a feisty one.”
“She is,” Ashby agreed. Though Ashby was smiling, and Gideon seemed somewhat amused, they were both studying her with an intensity that was a little unnerving. “I wouldn’t let him go anywhere if I thought he was at risk, I promise. Besides, he’s with a human.”
Aria refrained from saying that didn’t mean much, especially not in a vamp ruled world. She didn’t think William should be wandering around alone; she tried to control her panic at the mere thought of it. “I’d like to find him,” she said softly.
“Of course,” Gideon purred. “I can have someone take you to him. We have some things to discuss anyway, don’t we Braith?”
Braith shook his head. “Aria will be here for that discussion. We’ll find her brother first.”
Gideon contemplated this before he dropped his feet down and rose with an easy grace. “Why not?” he asked nonchalantly. “I’d like to show you around anyway. I think there is much you’d like to see here.”
A small chill of apprehension raced down her spine, she wasn’t sure she cared to see much of what this town had to offer, but her need to find William outweighed her trepidation. Gideon handed Braith a cloak, this one the same deep blue color as her dress. “It gets cold at night around here,” Gideon explained as she studied it. “The color doesn’t denote any certain position. Not in these lands.”
She nodded slowly and slipped it around her shoulders. Braith tied it for her and pulled the hood up. She was grateful the cloak hid the fresh bandages on her arms, and even more grateful for its warmth as they stepped outside. After the intense heat of the past week, the sudden chill was shocking to her burnt skin. Goosebumps instantly broke out on her flesh, her teeth chattered as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“The water in the area causes the nights to be colder here,” Gideon explained.
Braith slid his arm around her waist, pulling her firmly against his side in an attempt to offer her some warmth. It did little good as the icy air licked at her. “Moving will help,” he told her, seemingly unfazed by the sudden chill.
They made their way through the cobbled streets of the loud and boisterous town. People and vampires littered the crowded streets. They passed by bars and a theatre, and a dimly lit brothel that caused Aria to blush as one of the women called out to them.
Then they were moving out of what seemed to be the party area of the town, and into an area of subdued streets and dimly lit homes. Though the houses were small, they were all in well repair, and it seemed as if the owners took pride in them. She had been unnerved by the seedier parts of the town, but she was surprisingly charmed and a little fascinated by this area. Did humans and vampires actually live side by side in these homes?
“Let’s rest here for a bit.” Aria frowned at the building Gideon had stopped in front of. Large windows in the front revealed the people sitting inside talking as they ate in a cozy, candlelit ambiance she found intriguing. Gideon held the door open, allowing the gentle aroma of food to waft out as he waited expectantly for them to follow him.
Braith kindly nudged her forward into the entrance of the building. People glanced up at them, momentarily riveted as Gideon led them easily through the crowd of tables. Aria’s stomach rumbled far more loudly than she would have liked. Gideon spoke softly with a woman. Aria found it impossible to decide if the woman was human or vampire as she flashed him a smile and nodded.
“This way.” They followed the woman through the room to a booth hidden within the dark shadows at the back.
“We should fi
nd William first,” Aria said, trying to ignore the increasing rumble of her stomach as she studied the plate of crackers already on the table.
“Relax young human,” Gideon chided. “I can hear your stomach rumbling from a mile away. Besides, if we are going to fight a war together than at least some level of trust should be formed, don’t you think?”
There did have to be trust and her hunger was making her lightheaded, but she was worried about William.
“I’ll find him Aria, sit and eat,” Ashby assured her.
Relief and gratitude filled her as she nodded. “Thank you Ashby.”
He grinned at her before disappearing into the crowd. Aria slid into the booth, she almost grabbed the plate of crackers and pulled it over to her, but managed to restrain herself from acting like a complete ruffian as she eagerly ate one.
“What is this place?” she inquired as she studied the people, or vampires, gathered in the booths surrounding them. Some were eating, some were leisurely sipping wine. There was a faint melody playing in the background that lulled her, and to her surprise she found herself swaying along with the music.
“It’s a restaurant,” Gideon told her.
Aria blinked out of her strange reverie. “It’s where people gather to eat,” Braith explained further.
“They just feed you here?” she asked in surprise.
“For a price,” Gideon explained. She frowned fiercely at him. She could well imagine what that price might be. Gideon held up a hand, chuckling as he shook his head. “The only price here is our form of currency.”
“I see.” Aria’s gaze drifted slowly over the strange place again. It was such an oddly wonderful thing. Braith handed her a piece of paper, her stomach lurched as she read over the list of food.
“Choose what you want.”
She wanted everything. It all looked so wonderful. A young woman appeared at the booth; Gideon spoke to her before they all turned their attention to Aria. Her hands were trembling, her stomach was rumbling so loudly that mortification was starting to take hold of her. Braith leaned over her shoulder to study the paper in her hand. He leaned away, talked briefly with the woman, who nodded and disappeared.