David’s jaw dropped. Aria’s lashes flickered against his neck as she opened her eyes, he could feel the heat of her skin against his neck. He bit back a groan, he didn’t understand these human customs, or perhaps they were simply family customs, but he was becoming increasingly frustrated with them.
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” he grated, hoping that would help to ease some of the tension that filled the room. He swore that once this whole mess was over he was going to build her a house that no one else would ever be invited to.
“Third room on the right, there’s a small cot in there,” David responded in a choked voice.
“I’ll get you some blankets,” Daniel volunteered.
“You can put me down Braith.”
He held her for a moment longer before lowering her feet to the floor. She hurried to her father, pecked him on the cheek and gave him a hug. Braith was fascinated by the look of love on David’s face as she spoke with him. He sure as hell had never seen it on his own father’s face. David patted her arm reassuringly as she kissed him again and rejoined Braith.
“I would like to retire also.” Xavier rose to his feet, his fingers rested briefly on the table as he surveyed the room. “I am aware of the baffling vampire bond referred to as a bloodlink. I assume that is what Ashby will speak of as I am well aware of his relationship with Braith’s sister, and not the one he married.”
Apprehension flashed briefly across Aria’s face, but she remained immobile at Braith’s side. She didn’t trust Xavier, not yet. Braith wasn’t even certain he completely trusted him yet. “How do you know about that?” Ashby demanded, his carefree demeanor vanishing at the mention of Melinda.
Xavier moved away from the table. “My job in the palace was to pay attention, to record the histories, to take note of things and see the things that no one else saw. I’m not blind Ashby, the two of you tried to hide it and you succeeded with most.” His gaze was pointed on Braith. “But not me.”
Ashby looked wary. His eyes were hooded as he studied Xavier with annoyance and distrust. “Ease up Ashby, I never told anyone that you were having an affair with the youngest daughter while still married to the oldest.”
“Watch what you say Xavier,” Ashby’s tone was low, deadly.
Xavier didn’t look the least bit phased by Ashby. Braith pulled Aria back a step as Xavier stopped beside her. “But a human.” He shook his head, something flickered in his eyes as he studied her. “That is unheard of.” Aria’s eyes narrowed, her chin tilted defiantly. Xavier smiled at her in amusement. “Quite a conundrum.”
“I’m not Ashby. War or no war, followers or no followers, I will kill you if you touch her. Remember that Xavier, I am a real threat to you.”
“I am well aware of that fact Braith. I have no ill intentions toward her.”
Braith was not appeased by the words. He pulled Aria further back as Xavier stepped closer to her. “Don’t,” he snarled thrusting himself in between them.
Xavier held his hands up as he took a step back. “Easy Braith, I said that I would not hurt her, and I meant it. I’ve seen what you are capable of when it comes to her, and I have a feeling that cave was only the tip of the iceberg. We need her if we are to win this war.”
“And after?”
“After will be up to you, and her. Now, where are those blankets, I’m exhausted.”
Aria pressed closer to Braith’s side, he stood for a moment, trembling with suppressed anger and uncertainty. Xavier had always been a little odd, or at least he had always seemed that way as he stood in the shadows calmly watching everything. He suspected Xavier knew more than he was letting on as he stared curiously at Aria, but exactly what his secrets were, Braith couldn’t even begin to guess at.
“Uh, this way,” Daniel awkwardly interrupted.
He stepped back as Xavier moved past him to the stairwell. “Are these things going to hold me?” Xavier pondered as he eyed the stairs.
“Yes.”
Daniel led them upstairs, handed out blankets and hugged his sister goodnight. Braith wasn’t pleased to see that the room really did hold just a tiny cot shoved against the wall. He wasn’t even certain Aria would fit on it as he spread the blanket out.
“Xavier is strange.”
Braith sat on the edge of the cot and pulled her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his waist as she rested her head against his chest. “He is,” Braith agreed, lightly rubbing her back.
“He’s baffling but I don’t think he would harm me. I think he’s just as confused by me as I am by him.”
He was glad she thought so, but Braith wasn’t convinced that Xavier wouldn’t do something. Xavier had never been power hungry before, but there was no way to know what was going on inside of his head, or any of the others they had aligned with.
“I’m glad you’re not scared of him.”
He felt her smile against his neck. “I’m not scared of anyone,” she said laughingly.
He would have laughed too if it wasn’t so true. For someone so frighteningly mortal, she was strangely unafraid of anyone or anything. It was terrifying. “I know.”
“Don’t get all bristly.” She sought to calm him as she caressed him. “You must be hungry.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“As are you.”
She was grinning as she tilted her head back to look at him. “Yes, but it’s been awhile, I’ll be fine Braith.”