He pulled away and held her as he wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Don't cry, Arianna."
She couldn't stifle the tears or the emotions streaming from her. She ran her hands over his beloved face, trying to memorize every detail of him before they separated again, this time for good.
He pulled back from her and bit into his wrist. She couldn't tear her gaze away as blood flowed from him. Unlike the last time, she would remember this exchange.
She should be repulsed by the idea of drinking his blood. The vampires were her enemies, they always had been, but she didn't feel disgusted as he held his wrist out to her. The need in his eyes was glaringly obvious, and she wasn't going to turn him down. She would never hurt him in such a way.
She watched him as she brought his wrist to her mouth. His eyes sparked with desire and love. His blood was sweet as it flowed into her and powerful as it seeped into her cells. He kissed her forehead before nuzzling her neck.
"I love you too, Arianna," he breathed, his mouth hot against her ear.
His words only caused more tears to flow.
Aria woke to the smell of something delicious cooking. She smiled contentedly and stretched out on the comfortable bed as her stomach rumbled. She didn't know what he was cooking for her now, but it smelled fantastic.
Upon crawling out of bed, she discovered the bathroom and the shower. Drawn by the lure of hot water, she was unable to resist climbing into the tub. She found a robe on the back of the bathroom door after forcefully removing herself from the dwindling heat of the water.
The robe smelled of him, which made it more irresistible to slip on. The velvety material felt fantastic against her bare skin. She hesitated a moment, self-conscious about going bare beneath the robe, but she wasn't ready to put her clothes back on. They weren't filthy, but they weren't as clean as the robe, and she was going to enjoy her brief reprieve for a little while longer. She didn't think Braith would mind.
She slipped from the room, following her nose as she padded down the hall. "Something smells amazing, and I've decided the shower is the best invention ever," she said.
She turned the corner, holding the knot on the front of her robe as Braith came into view. He stood in the kitchen doorway with his back to her. She frowned, uncertain as to what he was doing there.
His head turned toward her; his gaze dark and stormy as he spotted her. She hesitated, confused by his obvious distress. They'd been fine when they fell asleep, better than fine even. She'd never felt so content and happy in her life; never felt so close to someone else.
And now it seemed as if the sight of her was enough to send him into a rage. Aria’s hands trembled on the knot of the robe. What was going on?
His eyes narrowed severely, and then his hand slammed into the doorway with enough force to splinter it. Aria jumped as the wood cracked loudly and bits of it scattered to the floor. Her heart leapt in surprise, but she still didn't feel any fear, not of him anyway. He wouldn't harm her, she knew, but she didn't understand what was wrong with him.
He turned away from her; his back ramrod straight and his muscles quivering beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. Aria looked away from his stiff back. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped when she spotted Jack on the other side of the room. He stood by the outside door, staring at her. There was shock on his features, but there was also confusion and a resonating sadness that shook her.
Their wonderful world of bliss had been forever shattered once more.
"Aria," Jack greeted.
She itched to reach out to Braith, but her hand remained frozen on her robe. She didn't know what to say or do. She was practically naked, standing in their family house, with her hair wet straggling around her.
She knew what it looked like, and she didn't care. What she cared about was the fact Jack had found them. He had come here to ruin their brief time together... again. Irritation shot through her, she and Braith had so little time together as it was, especially as equals, and now it was over.
She glared at him. Jack quirked an eyebrow as he studied her.
"I'm assuming you didn't force her here," Jack stated flatly.
"No," Aria responded when Braith didn't.
"What are you doing, Braith?" Jack muttered.
Braith's body remained rigid, but the hand slammed into the wall shook as his knuckles turned white. Aria knew it was more than just Jack being here shaking him, but also the fact their time together was over. They both knew Jack was here to take her back, and there was nothing either of them could do to stop it. She had to go back to her world, and Braith had to return to his.
"That's none of your business," Braith grumbled.
Jack's eyes flashed with annoyance. "It is my business. She's a young girl; you have no right—"
"I'm not a child!" Aria interrupted sharply. "And you are not my father, or my brother, Jack."
Jack's gaze was remorseless. "No, your father and brothers would have come in here looking to kill; they would have been appalled to find you like this."
Aria recoiled from his harsh words; she felt as if he'd slapped her.
"Don't," Braith snarled. "Don't talk to her like that."
"You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself messed up with here, Aria," Jack continued as if Braith hadn’t spoken. "And yes, you are a child. Especially when compared to us. You are a small blink in our lifespan. You should know better, Braith, I thought better of you than to do this with a young girl, a human girl no less! What are you doing?"
Braith bristled at the reprimand, and the muscles in his back rippled. "As I said before, that's none of your business."
Jack's upper lip curled as his eye made some twitching motion that would have been amusing if this wasn't so awful.
"How did you even find her?” Jack demanded. “What are you even doing outside of the palace?"
Neither Braith nor Aria answered him. Jack glanced rapidly between them, then his shoulders slumped, and his gaze landed on her.
"You lied to me," he said in a dejected tone that tugged at her heart.
Aria shook her head. "I didn't lie to you."
"Then what do you call it?" he exploded. "I asked you if he shared his blood with you and you told me no!"
"I'm not going to tell you again to watch how you talk to her!" Braith bellowed.
Aria grasped his arm as she sensed his rapidly unraveling control; he was nearing a volatile snapping point. She wasn't going to let them fight, not only were they brothers, but she had a feeling they would destroy this house, and each other, if they did. She wasn't about to let that happen because of her.
"It's okay, Braith," she soothed him.
He relaxed somewhat, but a tremor remained in his muscles, and she wasn't fooled into thinking he wouldn't attack at a moment's notice.
"I didn't remember, Jack; I thought it was a dream. I didn't lie to you on purpose, it was..." She didn't know what it was. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to him," Braith told her.
"You put us all in jeopardy," Jack scolded.
Aria stepped closer to Braith, needing his touch to ease her raw nerves. He glanced at her, his eyes softening as he took her in. She stared at him as she tried to calm her racing heart. He finally released his hold on the wall to pull her against him; he moved her behind him a little to block her from Jack's scrutiny.
Aria rested her forehead against Braith's chest as she took a deep breath. Braith wrapped his hand around the back of her head as he bent his head to hers.
"Why don't you go get dressed, Arianna," he whispered in her ear.
She shook her head, and her gaze darted back toward Jack. "No, I'm not leaving you."
"It will be fine," he assured her. "I'd much prefer you in clothes though, okay?"
She felt vulnerable at the moment and would love clothes, but she was unwilling to leave the two of them alone together. "No."
He grunted impatiently, she could sense his frustration with her, but she wasn’t leaving here if there were even the s
mallest chance they would attack each other.
"Go, Aria," Jack told her.
"Jack, we may be friends, but you have to stop treating me like a child." Jack's brows lifted in surprise. "Both of you," she added, turning her attention back to Braith. "I'm not as old as you, but I've seen and experienced a lot. So no, I’m not leaving here until I’m certain you won’t kill each other."
Braith's jaw clenched in annoyance; Jack's mouth quirked in sardonic amusement.
"Apparently, she disobeys everyone, even the mighty future king," Jack drawled.
Braith shot him a ferocious look.
"Are you going to be his queen, Aria? Oh, but you could never be the queen there's already somebody set up to produce heirs for him. Will you be the mistress then, the kept woman?" Jack inquired.
She flinched at the sharp reminder she couldn't be his queen. Her fingers dug tighter into Braith, and she labored to breathe through the anguish constricting her chest.
"That's enough!" Braith bellowed. "You say one more word, and I'll tear your tongue out, Jericho, do you understand me?"
"One more word of the truth?" Jack demanded.
Aria held on to Braith as he tried to pull away and lunge at his brother.
"Stop, Braith, please. Just stop, both of you, stop!" she shouted.
Braith tried to shake her free, but she somehow managed to insert herself in between the two of them.
"Stop!" she yelled.
Aria was terrified she was about to witness two brothers kill each other. She didn't realize the sleeve of her robe had fallen to expose her shoulder until Braith grabbed her. Pulling her back, he yanked the sleeve up to cover her skin and the dark mark on it.
It was too late though; Jack hadn't missed the fresh bite on her. He stared at her covered shoulder before finally lifting his startled gaze to hers.
"I told you, I am here willingly," Aria informed him.
Chapter Six
Braith clasped the robe around her, surprised to realize she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. He had at least expected the thin nightgown he set out for her, but perhaps she hadn't noticed it or just chosen not to put it on.
Either way, she was not wearing clothes. He didn't know if he was more excited by this prospect or infuriated by it. Though, if his brother hadn't been standing there, Braith knew what the resounding answer to that question would have been.
Arianna seemed oblivious to his surprise over this new development as she continued to glare defiantly at Jack. Braith's gaze turned back to his brother.
"I came here willingly, and I know there is no future for us, Jack,” Arianna said. “You don't have to continuously remind me of something that I am painfully aware of. I wanted this. I needed this."
Though her voice was firm, Braith could see the tears in her eyes.
"Aria," Jack said morosely, looking lost and dumbfounded.
Her fingers curled around Braith's arms. "I know everything," she told him. "I know it all, and I accept it for what it is, Jack."
"Do you know about the blood slaves?" Jack demanded. "The many he has kept in the past few months? Do you know what he has done to them, with them, Aria? You are not special!"
Though Braith still thought of him as his brother, he was beginning to realize more and more this man was not the Jericho he’d known but was more the Jack Arianna knew him as. This was not the same brother who left the palace six years ago; it was not the same Jericho Braith had grown up with and been close to.
This man was a stranger who seemed determined to tear Arianna away from him. He didn't think it was because Jericho had romantic feelings for her, but he had come to consider her like a sister, or a good friend.
One he was trying to protect.
Unfortunately, Jericho was trying to protect her from him. Jericho also seemed determined to hurt her in his attempt to get her away from him. Jericho just didn't realize he was trying to keep her safe from someone who would die to make sure she stayed that way also.
Braith knew the man across from him was not Jericho, but the man he’d rebuilt himself into. He was now this man called Jack, and Arianna knew him far better than Braith did.
Arianna glanced at him and bit her bottom lip as her eyes swam with tears. Anger surged through Braith; she’d been jerked around enough. He couldn't stand that she had to experience more of it. He cradled her face in his hands, savoring the feel of her silken skin.
"I know about them too," she said quietly.
Braith rested his forehead against hers; taking a small moment to enjoy the peace she brought to his hectic world. The last thing he'd ever wanted was to reveal to her what a monster he'd been these past couple of months, but Braith was immensely glad he'd done it before Jack.
"You are special," he assured her.
"Shit," Jack whispered. He pulled a chair out from the table and slid onto it. "What have you done, Braith? What have the two of you done?"
Braith kissed her lingeringly before pulling back. "I put some clothes out for you; they're on the chest in my room. Please go get dressed, Arianna."
She glanced at Jack, her forehead furrowing in consternation.
"We'll be fine," Braith assured her.
She hesitated before finally nodding her consent. He watched as she hastily moved down the hall, warily glancing back at them before slipping around the corner and disappearing.
Braith turned back to his brother; he folded his arms firmly over his chest as he studied him. Jack didn't know Braith could see the incredulous look on his face, didn't realize he was watching his brother's every move.
"What is this between you, Braith?" Jack inquired.
"I don't know," he answered honestly.
Jack frowned at him, and his hands curled on the table. "She may think she can handle this, but she can't. She's strong, Braith, she's seen a lot, but she's also very innocent to the ways of the world. You didn't see her after I took her away from there. You don't know her the way I know her—"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Braith demanded.
Jack sighed as he leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands before him on the table. "I've been in the woods for six years, Braith. I've seen firsthand what these people suffer through, what our kind forced them to suffer through. I've known Aria for over four years now; she's proud, wild, and has one of the kindest hearts I've ever known. She's been broken ever since I pulled her out of the palace and took her from you. Aria may think she can handle this; she may even feel prepared for it, but compared to us she is just a child, and it's obvious she's in love with you."
Braith shifted as he glanced behind him to see if she was returning. He was bristling, resentful of his brother's words and the fact Jack seemed to think he knew so much more about her.
"She is more than a child," he grated.
"She is seventeen years old! You are to be king; you are to be married—"
"I don't need you constantly reminding me, or her, of that fact!" Braith snarled. "I was not lucky enough to be born the middle, or the youngest son. I was not lucky enough to get the chance to leave that place, and all my responsibilities, behind. I was not lucky enough to escape father's brutality!"
Jack pondered his words before finally replying. "I know that, Braith, probably more than anyone. It was why I left in the first place. Though, at first, I'd thought to win father's favor by doing something daring. I aimed to earn his respect, and I was going to make him realize I was more than a punching bag. Once I was free though, I realized what a monster he is by living amongst the people he mistreated worse than us. Aria's family, and Aria herself, are the biggest contributors to this realization, and I care for them. You're my brother, I love you, but I'll never return home, and we no longer share the same goals. These are my people now; I will protect them."
"And you think I won't protect her?"
There was a hopeless air around Jack as he studied Braith. "I think you will try, but there is only so much you can do. You hate father as much as I, but
you have always been big on responsibility and duty. You will not turn your back on that which is why I didn't tell you I was going to take her. I knew you would stop me simply because it would weigh heavily on your conscience to be involved with such treason."
"You have been gone for a while, Jack; you don't have a clue what you're talking about," Braith growled.
Jack's hands sprawled on top of the table as he half rose from the chair. "And why is that?" he demanded.
Braith glanced back down the hall. Arianna was still out of sight, but she would be back soon. He turned back to his brother, Jack had become a man in the time he’d been gone, but Braith still saw the little boy in him.
"You're to be married, Braith, you are to take over for father. That is your world; this is not—"
"She is my world," Braith interrupted sharply.
Jack's gaze slid past him, but Braith's hand extended toward Arianna before she arrived at his side. She took his hand, squeezing it between both of hers as she held it before her. Jack studied the two of them before sliding back into his chair.
"Dear God, Braith, this is a mess," he breathed. "Your father is worried about you, Aria."
"I'm sorry for that,” she said.
Jack ran his hands through his shaggy hair, nodding as he played with the fork Braith had placed on the table.
"How did you know I was here?" she asked.
"I didn't. I knew Braith might be here."
Arianna glanced up at him, frowning in consternation.
"I didn't think he would look for me," Braith admitted. "I didn't think he would expect the two of us to be together, and even if he did, I didn't think he would come here."
"I see," she murmured.
"I only hoped you had brought her here and not returned her to the palace. I only hoped it wasn’t someone else who took her," Jack explained further.
"Now you trust me with her?" Braith grated.
Jack quirked an eyebrow as he tilted his head. "No matter what I've heard about you recently, I still believed father hadn’t succeeded in destroying all of your humanity as he has with Caleb. I knew you would be infuriated when I took her from you; I half expected you might try to find her again to soothe your pride, but I didn't think you would punish her for something I’d done."
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