Even if she couldn’t be.

Swallowing heavily Aria slid into the chair. She’d expected some condemnation, some irritation, or some form of protest against her sitting beside Braith, but she saw only curiosity and some sadness as she looked around the table at “The Council” as they had dubbed themselves. They’d officially relinquished the aristocratic titles they’d held in the past in favor of starting fresh and new.

“We are sorry about your father, he was a good fighter.”

This statement from Calista caused another kind of lump to form in her throat. For a moment she struggled against the tears that burned her eyes at the reminder of her father. She was taken aback by the kind words from a woman who had seemed nothing but distant before, and who had ruthlessly slaughtered Braith’s sister. “Thank you,” Aria managed to respond.

She started in surprise when Braith seized hold of her hand. For a moment she tried to tug it free but he held on, his jaw locked as he gazed at her. She knew there was no denying their relationship now, but she was still apprehensive to be so blatant about it. Then, she realized, that she didn’t care. There was no hiding this anymore and she didn’t want to.

Aria watched as ten men and two women were led into the room, they were dirty and disheveled but they didn’t appear overly mistreated. They certainly weren’t as mistreated as she had been. Resentment filled her as she recognized one of the women as the vampire that had owned Max. Which meant the other one, the beautiful doll like brunette staring hatefully back at her, was probably Gwendolyn. Though she knew Braith had never cared for the woman, she couldn’t help the bolt of jealousy that shot through her. Braith held her hand steady as he stared at her, and she realized that jealousy had no place here.

Besides, there was someone in this room reliving far worse memories than her. Max’s chin was raised, his gaze unwavering as he met the other vampire woman’s hostile stare. Aria had to fight the urge to jump up and throttle the hideous woman for everything she had done to Max. She remained unmoving though as everyone around her decided what would become of the women and their cohorts.

A lump formed in her throat as Max’s eyes met hers. She had a better idea now of what had been done to him, for what he had endured while in captivity, but she would never be able to understand the full depth of brutality that woman had put him through.

Aria listened as their fates were discussed by those at the table. These vampires had been the most treacherous and cruel of their kind. They had been the king’s body, had helped him to keep power, and had relished in the decisions the king had made and the sadistic world he’d created. Aria hoped every one of them fried, but it wasn’t her decision to make. Braith also remained silent as he listened to them debate for a few moments before coming to a unanimous decision that they were all to be executed.

“It’s agreed then?” questioned Braith.

“Yes,” Gideon stated.

“Wait! You can’t do this Braith! We were to be married!” Braith’s hand tightened around hers as Gwendolyn’s pleas fell on deaf ears and she was forcefully removed from the room.

Aria’s heart ached at the reminder, but she managed to keep her face impassive as Daniel’s and William’s heads shot toward her. “Bring the soldiers in,” Braith commanded.

Aria braced herself, this was why she’d come. She understood that the aristocrats had to be eliminated, but this was an entirely different matter. All the wind went out of her argument as Jack led Lauren into the room last.

Her mouth dropped open, the breath rushed out of her as she glanced at Braith. He’d told her that she would be here, but Aria hadn’t expected her to be grouped in with the soldiers. His eyes were unrelenting, his jaw locked as he stared back at her. She grasped hold of his thigh and held tight to it as he soothingly massaged the back of her hand with his thumb.

She barely heard the talk going around the table but this discussion was a lot more heated than the last one. Daniel and Ashby were for leniency, Calista, Frank, and Saul were completely against it; Adam, Gideon and Xavier remained mute as they listened to the arguments of the others.

Aria realized she had to speak up when it seemed like Ashby was starting to sway toward Calista, Frank, and Saul. “Can I say something?”

They all turned toward her, their faces twisted in various expressions of displeasure. Though she sensed their annoyance was due more to the fact that they couldn’t arrive at an agreement, than with her interruption. “Please do,” Saul remarked dryly.

Aria felt somewhat uncomfortable as they all focused on her. She glanced briefly at Daniel before taking a deep breath and plunging onward. “I understand the other deaths are necessary, if given a chance they would start a rebellion, and the pattern would never end. However, these men were simply doing what they were ordered to do. For years, death, torture and intimidation ruled here, don’t start this new government out the same way. If you slaughter them all, it will only show the people that nothing has changed, and that mercy is impossible. If these vampires before you swear fealty to you, and perhaps are even monitored for awhile, I don’t think they should be executed.”

She couldn’t believe those words had actually left her mouth. Just a few months ago she would have said kill them all simply because they were vampires. She would have said to kill Braith, and Ashby, Jack, and Melinda too for that matter, but she would have been wrong. They weren’t all monsters, they were simply different, and had different needs, but for the most part they were good and kind, protective and loving. She knew now there were bad apples among both human and vampire alike.

There was a moment of silence and then they burst into conversation again. Xavier entered the debate for the first time on the side of Daniel, while Gideon and Adam continued to watch and listen. Braith finally ended the argument by calling for a vote. Aria was unmoving as she waited breathlessly to see what they would decide. They had established a more civilized and kinder rule in The Barrens, and she hoped that would prevail here.

“I think we agree that if the soldiers are willing to swear fealty to us, and consent to be monitored for whatever period of time we see fit, they may be allowed to live. If not, their lives are forfeit,” Calista declared. Saul and Frank didn’t look overly pleased with this decision, but they didn’t protest it either.

The shoulders of most of the soldiers slumped, some nodded enthusiastically, but there were a few that didn’t look at all pleased. Aria wondered if they would choose death over their new regime. If so, that was their choice to make, and she wouldn’t interfere with it.

“And the girl?” Aria turned at Ashby’s question.

“I think that should be Arianna’s decision.” She sensed some kind of test behind Gideon’s words as she met his gaze. “It is you that has been harmed by her the most.”

Aria focused on Lauren, but the girl wouldn’t meet her gaze as she stared at the wall behind Braith’s head. Braith’s thumb stroked over the back of her hand. Whatever she decided he would abide by it, they all would. Resentment twisted through her, she would like for Lauren to just look at her, to give her some sign that she regretted even a little of what she’d done. There was nothing.

“Let her go.” As much as she wanted to she couldn’t exact revenge upon Lauren. Though there had been a time after her first capture that her father had wrongfully wanted revenge for her, for the most part he hadn’t believed in it and had insisted that everything they did was not for revenge, but to try and create a better world. She couldn’t throw that aside now, she couldn’t let her father down because of her desire to punish Lauren. A small smile tugged at Gideon’s mouth as he gave a brief bow of his head and sat back. She realized that he’d been trying to discern if she would ask for leniency for others, but punish those that had wronged her. “She isn’t a threat to us.”

Aria hadn’t expected to see relief nor had she expected to see gratitude, so she wasn’t surprised by the hatred that continued to blaze from Lauren’s eyes. Braith’s jaw clenched, Aria was certain he would have preferred Lauren dead, and he would have been the one to do it. “You may leave, but you’re not to stay within these palace walls, the bailey, or the town beyond. I don’t care where you go, but if I see you again I can promise that you will not be spared next time. If I were you I would get as far from here as you possibly can, as fast as you can,” he grated and for the first time fright trickled over Lauren’s features. “Max, would you please escort her to the palace gates.”

“With pleasure,” Max responded with a tight smile as he strode toward the doors and pulled one open. He made a sweeping bow to Lauren who remained pale and slack mouthed as she stared at him.

“That isn’t the choice I would have made,” Braith said so quietly that only Aria could hear him.

“I know.”

“If I see her again, I will kill her, and I will enjoy it.”

She turned toward him, not at all intimidated by the darkness simmering beneath his smooth exterior. “I know. She won’t come back again Braith, but if she does I won’t interfere.”

He shook his head as he leaned closer to her. Stubble shadowed his square jaw; he hadn’t had time to shave in the past few days between the new demands placed upon him, and staying by her side every free moment he had. Love swelled within her heart, there was such darkness inside of him, and yet such good and understanding. He released her hand, his arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to his side.

“Sometimes you are too forgiving,” he whispered against her ear.

“And sometimes you’re that same stubborn prince I first met; only now you’re a king.”

Something flickered in his gaze as sadness filtered across his features. He didn’t have to tell her, she already knew that he would stay king. It wasn’t what he would have chosen, he’d done nothing but fight against it, but he’d finally come to realize that this was where he was supposed to be. The only problem was, she didn’t know what would become of her, and neither did he.

“I’m tired, if you don’t mind I’d like to return to the room.”

His fingers gently stroked over her cheek. “I’ll take you.”

“Stay. I know my way back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Though she still felt strange being so open about their relationship, she leaned forward and pressed a feathery kiss upon his hard mouth. She had meant for it to be quick, but she lost herself to the pleasure and taste of his lips. For a brief moment there was no despair, there was no war or uncertainty. There was only the two of them as the warmth of his lips heated her all the way to the tips of her toes.

She forced herself to pull away and smiled as she met his dazed gaze. “Get going,” he said gruffly.

She pecked his cheek before rising to her feet. “Excuse me everyone.” She gave a brief bow of her head before she hurried from the room.

Stepping into the hall she was relieved to find it deserted. She hurried toward the stairs, but before she began her ascent she found her gaze inescapably drawn to the closed doors of the throne room. She stood, her hand resting on the newel post as she studied the doors with a mixture of dread and morbid curiosity.

Moving away from the staircase she slowly approached the room. Her hand shook as she turned the handle and pushed one of the doors open. She braced herself, steeling her courage for what she knew lay within. She peered inside as the door swung open but she hadn’t been expecting what was inside. Everything was spotless and bare, the massive table, chairs, and throne were gone. Even the hideous trophies of people and vampires the king had so proudly displayed had been removed. The blood had been scrubbed clean and the gray marble floors gleamed in the light filtering through the upper windows.

Her gaze ran over the beautiful fixtures that graced the room as she stepped in further. The room was stunning but it would never be anything but cold and hideous to her. Her eyes lingered on the beam she had been perched upon and finally the spot where her father’s body had laid. There was nothing to mark the place, but she knew exactly where it was.

Tears burned her eyes; she hastily wiped them away as she felt the presence of someone else in the room. She knew it wasn’t Braith even before Jack stepped beside her. “I wish I could have done more to save him.”

“I know.” She was unable to stop the tear that slid down her face. “But there was nothing more you could have done Jack. We all entered this battle knowing there would be losses.” The words were true, but they didn’t give her any comfort. She rubbed her chest but it did nothing to ease the knot in her heart.

He rested his hand on her shoulder. “It doesn’t make it better.”