“I see.” Though she was fascinated by what he was telling her, she was barely paying attention to the conversation anymore as his hands clasped hold of her face and he kissed her lightly.
CHAPTER 9
Braith stood silently, his arms folded over his chest as he watched Aria move about the room with subtle grace. She didn’t know he was there as she studied the bindings of the books with interest. Her hands were folded behind her back as she leaned back on her heels before tilting forward again. There was a wistful smile on her face that enchanted him.
He didn’t think he would ever get over the powerful effect she had on him. The sway she had over his deadened heart. She leaned back on her heels again. “Are you going to stand there all day?” she asked.
“I didn’t realize you knew I was here.”
The sunlight lit her features as she tilted her head to study him. “I’d know you anywhere.” For a moment he was robbed of all sense of reason. His fingers ached with the need to touch her, to hold her. Standing on her tiptoes she pulled a book from the shelf. “Would you like to read with me?”
He would like nothing more than to curl up and read with her, but that was not why he’d come here. She seemed to sense that as her smile slipped away and she tucked the book under her arm. “What is it?”
“They’re going to vote on whether or not they’re willing to join us. I thought you would like to be there.”
“I would,” she agreed. Her hand slid into his extended one. He held her for a moment, simply savoring in her as she watched him. “What do you think they’ll vote?”
Braith shook his head. “I don’t know. Those creatures have been taken care of, there may be a few left out there, but they’re not much of a threat. I think I passed their test. I think I proved that though I was blinded, I am still deadly enough to lead.”
“Do you think they suspect you can see when I’m near?”
He shrugged. “I don’t think so, though Xavier saw far more of our relationship than I intended for him to. I don’t think he will say anything. For now he prefers to watch, listen and learn.”
“What does he want to learn?”
“Everything and anything. Xavier’s bloodline has always been the record keepers; he knows more of our history than anyone. His leaving was a huge blow to my father. Xavier sees far more than most, he processes things differently. He’ll keep what he saw to himself until he can figure out what to do about it.”
“Do you think he’ll do something bad with it?”
“Not if he wants to live. Xavier, though his original loyalty was to my father, is a man of thought and learning, not one of action and violence. He is logical and fair. He will come to me when he is ready to confront me about you, before he goes to them. He’ll look for answers first.”
“I think you’re right, he seems very curious about us.” She rocked back on her heels again. “They will agree to help us.”
“And what makes you so certain?”
“Because it’s impossible not to follow you.”
He chuckled as he folded her arm within his. “I’m glad you believe so.”
She tugged on his arm for a moment, causing him to stop in the doorway of the library. Her hand tightened around his arm, her eyes were filled with determination. “I don’t believe so Braith, I know so. They’ll follow you because they know strength when they see it, because they’ll believe in you, and you’ll win.” He was awed and humbled by the amount of faith she had in him. She grinned at him, a smile that lit her face and caused her eyes to sparkle as she playfully bumped his hip. “Just don’t let it go to your head when you become king.”
He couldn’t find the words to remind her that he had no intention of becoming king; he was too stunned. She turned away from him, her gaze darting toward the dining room that they had been meeting in. She squeezed his hand before reluctantly releasing it and nervously tucking the book under her arm. “You can do this Braith,” she whispered.
He was pretty sure he could do just about anything if she was standing at his side. He wanted to reach for her again, wanted to pull her back against him, wanted to walk proudly into that room with her, but he knew he had already allowed too much to slip in front of Xavier.
Aria entered the room first and walked to her brother’s side. William studied her before nodding to Braith. The others had already gathered around the table, the chair at the head was empty as it waited expectantly for him. Braith rested his fingers on the top of the table as he faced the powerful people whose help he desperately needed if they were going to have any shot of winning this war.
“You’ve all made your decisions?” he inquired.
“We have,” Xavier confirmed as his dark eyes flickered briefly to Aria. Frustration filled Braith; his momentary loss of control in the hallway earlier had placed Aria in even greater peril. She met Xavier’s inquisitive glance with a lift of her brows that somehow managed to make her appear even more innocent and unknowing. But Braith could see that Xavier didn’t buy it, not for an instant.
“I’ll fight with you,” Xavier confirmed. “You’ve proven that you are capable enough to earn my allegiance, and I have never agreed with your father’s policies. I believe yours will be more just.” His eyes flickered briefly to Aria again.
Braith had to force himself not to look at her. “They will be,” he assured him.
“I will also fight with you,” Barnaby confirmed. Braith felt a momentary tug of apprehension, he still didn’t know how to feel about Barnaby, but at least this time he was actually taking a stand instead of cowardly waiting until the end. Perhaps the past hundred years had actually changed him. Ashby made a slight face but remained silent. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time.”