Crimson Mist

by Rachel Jonas

  I was … frightened.

  Instinctively—or perhaps for both our comfort—Elle took my hand and squeezed it. I squeezed back, thankful to have a friend at my side.

  “Do you want me to get him under control?” Paige asked loudly, directing the question toward Aaric although her gaze never left Levi.

  My heart raced wildly as I watched Levi’s strength increase.

  “Don’t,” Aaric instructed her, stepping forward now. “Actually, if he feels the need to strike me, or … whatever he has in mind, I wouldn’t stop him. Not considering what I’ve done.”

  “Strike you? I’ll kill you,” Levi promised.

  I swallowed deeply, wondering if this was a bad idea. Granted, it was Aaric who thought we ought to bring the princes to the compound, I questioned whether I should have protested. Perhaps, missing them as badly as I did, my judgment was clouded.

  And now, the worst outcome imaginable was taking place right before my eyes.

  Showing little regard for Julian and Silas at the moment, Levi fought wildly against them, nearly breaking free this time.

  “If he gets loose, I won’t have much choice, Corina,” Paige warned wearily, making it clear she didn’t want to take action, but was more than willing to do so to protect Aaric.

  “Let me try reasoning with him,” I rushed to say, feeling like my heart would leap right out of my throat.

  I released Elle’s hand to move closer to the princes, despite my instincts telling me that was the exact wrong thing to do. In my line of work, when you come across an Ianite in a full rage, you did whatever it took to get as far away as possible, but … Levi was no ordinary Ianite.

  With mere feet between us, he caught me in his sight and, to my surprise, his movements began to slow. It was as though he was keenly aware of not hurting me.

  That was a good sign.

  Within arm’s reach, I took a deep breath and placed my hand on his cheek, feeling how it had heated to feverish heights.

  It wasn’t lost on me how this—seeing Aaric face-to-face—affected him differently than the others. He’d been the one locked in a cell with me at Blackthorn. He’d been the one made to feel powerless when I was taken away. He’d been the one who vowed to avenge me when it was discovered Aaric had claimed me against my will.

  Only, he hadn’t come to learn the things I learned over the last couple days.

  Was Aaric guilty of all those things running through Levi’s thoughts? Absolutely. But the difference was, I now understood what drove him, and it was the same unrelentingly powerful force that drove me. We were two sides of the same coin, and I had no choice but to sympathize with Aaric’s cause.

  My cause.

  “Levi,” I said softly, so softly I wasn’t sure he’d heard me over the commotion he created.

  But then, he quieted down, and I had his attention.

  “I know what you’re feeling,” I shared. “Because, when I first laid eyes on him again, I felt it too. But … there’s so much neither you nor I understood. And if you’ll allow me time to explain it all, I think you’ll eventually feel differently about it as well.”

  He cast a menacing glare toward Aaric. “Corina, whatever he’s convinced you his agenda is, it’s a lie. He’s using the blood bond to manipulate your feelings. He’s not what you think he is.”

  My heart sank, knowing this wouldn’t be so easy to smooth over.

  “The bond has nothing to do with it,” I assured him. “Once you see—”

  “I won’t listen to another minute of this,” Levi cut in, snatching both arms free from the tight grip the other two had on him. He didn’t immediately lunge toward Aaric, but I noted how Paige stepped forward, ready just in case.

  The rims of Levi’s nostrils flared when another swell of rage moved tension through his shoulders. When he tightened both hands into fists, I kept my eyes trained on him.

  “Levi, if you’ll just let me explain things, you’ll start to see more clearly.”

  “What, Corina? What could possibly be said that will make me want to kill this criminal less than I do right this very second.”

  I scrambled when he put me on the spot, stammering a few times before finding words.

  “He’s … one of you,” I forced out, hearing the hoarseness of my own voice. “He’s of noble blood, but he’s not like you think he is.”

  My revelation made all three princes cast a more thoughtful look toward Aaric.

  “He wasn’t raised in privileged households, or with his name opening doors for him, and it shaped his mindset,” I explained. “He’s not interested in the title that’s rightfully his, because he’s more interested in seeing to it that the Resistance keeps momentum so we can eventually win this war.”

  I glanced behind me, to find that Aaric kept his gaze trained toward the tile beneath his feet. His past actions seemed to weigh heavily on him, and it was that deep-rooted conviction that made him worthy of forgiveness in my eyes.

  “I know you hate him, hate what he’s done to me, but … if I can forgive, that doesn’t leave you three much choice,” I asserted, feeling breathless when I finished speaking.

  I watched Levi like a hawk while he paced, uncertain what his next action would be. And it wasn’t until the darkness in his gaze began to fade that I breathed a sigh of relief.

  The look in his eyes when he stared at Aaric could have killed, but at least I didn’t think he was in the frame of mind to actually kill him anymore.

  Well, I believed that to be the case anyway.

  “Do you have any idea what you put her through? The nightmares she endured? Living in fear at the thought of you lurking around every corner?” Levi seethed.

  Aaric met his gaze now, owning his guilt. “There will never be any way I can rectify what I’ve done, and I don’t expect forgiveness.”

  “Expected or not, it’s been given,” I cut in, earning an incredulous glance from Levi.

  “You can’t be serious right now,” he said harshly. “With all he’s done, you’re willing to just pretend all is well?”

  “But all is well!” I shouted. “Have you forgotten that you weren’t always so enlightened? Before very recently, you held little to no regard for human life, Levi. All of you!” I yelled, shifting my gaze from one prince to the next. “Had you heard of Aaric’s actions only a few short months ago, you wouldn’t have even batted an eye,” I reminded Levi. “Now, here you are behaving like you’ve always been such an upstanding, forerunner for the cause, when truth be told, you’re no more perfect than anyone else standing in this house. Myself included.”

  There was a thick silence in the room, and tension swirled around us as it persisted. My gaze hadn’t left Levi, so I didn’t miss the moment that humility finally settled on his heart. When he peered up at me again, the look was suddenly void of the self-righteousness that had nearly been the cause of everything falling apart.

  “Forgive me,” he said, staring directly into my eyes.

  “There’s no need for forgiveness,” I assured him. “I’m already over it. You only wanted to defend me. A girl can’t be mad at that.” I smiled and he knew the words were sincere.

  I peered up at the others as well.

  “I know this will take some time to settle,” I said to them, “but it’s important to me that you all truly know and understand that we’re all on the same side.”

  I glanced toward Julian and, after a few moments, he gave a stiff nod. He was so strong, used to being in control, used to walking the thin line laid before him by his father, the Dynasty. None of this had been easy for him. So much had changed for us and it seemed that this—me having gone missing for the second time—took more of a toll on Julian than I imagined. Sensing he could use a bit of comfort, I reached for his hand and clung to it.

  “Maybe we should just take a short breather,” I suggested. “Then, we can reconvene once emotions have settled and—”

  “How?” The question fell from Julian’s lips and I peered u
p at him as he stared at Aaric. “She said you’re a monarch. I want to know how.”

  All eyes shifted toward Aaric, and I was admittedly nervous and curious how the three would receive the truth. He stepped further out of the shadows, and like any other time he got close, I felt him even without touching.

  “Well, the short version is that my mother was a handmaid to Empress Fairchild. She was forced to attempt bearing the Emperor a son, but before anyone besides her had a chance to realize she conceived, she fled into the West Quadrant to hide. She raised me there, doing the best she could, until we returned here, where we took up with Roamers when no one else would help.” He shrugged humbly. “Now, here I am.”

  Julian’s chest rose with a deep intake of air. When he released it, I peered up at him again.

  “So, you’re, technically, Roman’s biological brother?” he asked flatly.

  “He’s more than that,” I cut in. “He was born before Roman, which makes him the rightful heir.”

  “But I don’t want or care about that,” Aaric rushed to say. “I know my place in life, and it isn’t to rule over a Dynasty, built on principles I don’t even believe in.”

  He spoke with such conviction I felt every word, soul-deep.

  There was a stare-down between the guys, and I held my breath.

  “You’ll have to allow us a bit of time to process this,” Silas chimed in, ever the voice of reason.

  Aaric nodded. “Absolutely. If you all are still willing to let us host you, rooms were prepared upstairs.”

  When Silas gave a gracious nod in return, Paige led the way with all three princes in tow, some more willing than others. Elle followed closely behind them.

  I stood in the foyer with both hands perched on my hips, finally able to breathe as I watched them ascend. Aaric joined me at my side, peering up the staircase.

  “That could have gone better. I should’ve spoken up from the beginning,” he said.

  Without giving the action much thought, I placed a palm on his bicep. Suddenly aware of the contact, Aaric’s gaze shifted there and I promptly lowered my hand.

  “No, you were right to let me speak up first,” I assured him, shaking off the strange vibe that volleyed between us. “They’ll come around.” Hearing a door slam upstairs, I sighed. “Well … eventually.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Corina

  The house was quiet this morning, just like the one before. Only, this time, I didn’t awaken on a couch with a throw blanket covering me. Instead, I lie in bed, staring at the elaborate, decorative crown molding above, and then the crystalline chandelier dead center. Sheer curtains surrounded me, strung over the rafters of a dark canopy bed.

  Aaric’s canopy bed.

  He’d given it up for me, choosing to rest on the couch since, apparently, the princes had taken the only remaining bedrooms. I still had no clue how many from Aaric’s team lived here at the main house. I’d seen Ianites and humans alike wandering the halls at various hours of the previous day, but there was never much noise. Everyone moved about quietly.

  Not that a little noise would’ve bothered me, seeing as how I didn’t actually sleep. Yes, I lie in bed, trying to rest, but it simply never came. I attributed it to how I’d stressed over the princes’ first meeting with Aaric. But honestly? I simply wasn’t tired. Instead, I tossed and turned, mulling over how odd the remainder of the day had been.

  I visited each of the princes and was glad to find that their nerves had eventually settled after having a bit of time to think. Not that Silas needed that time. He was notoriously level-headed, and I craved that at the moment. With Julian being a bit off kilter, and Levi completely losing his temper, I stuck with Silas the longest just to clear my head and recharge. He was good for me in that way. By night’s end, all seemed to be well.

  So well in fact, they agreed to endure an informal breakfast this morning. One where Aaric would be attending, and my guys promised me they’d play nice.

  We’d see about that.

  With a heavy sigh, I tossed the cover back and let my feet rest on the plush rug beneath them. It was consistent with the décor in this space—swirled with black, white, and gold woven into its pattern. Black like the comforter I’d just thrown off. White like the bed linen and the sheers draped across the canopy. Gold like the chandelier, candleholders, and other embellishments throughout the room.

  The colors were somehow bolder than I remembered when I first saw the space the day before, somehow sharper to the eye.

  Must have been the lighting.

  With the aroma of what I guessed to be bacon and pancakes wafting up to the second floor, I needed to hurry. It would be best if I were already in the dining room when the guys got there. You know, to create a buffer should they need one.

  God, please don’t let them need one.

  I quickly found an outfit in the dresser—items Elle had brought and put away when she first arrived. After slipping into jeans and a top that was way too cutesy for my style, I moved over to the vanity where my comb and brush had been laid out as well. She was always so thoughtful. So on top of things.

  After one stroke of the comb, I paused, staring into the mirror as my heart began beating double-time. With what I saw, I had to lean in closer, hoping I was imagining things.

  But I wasn’t.

  Staring back at me was me, but … my eyes.

  “Oh no…” I whispered, right before a soft knock at the door startled me.

  Quickly leaning away from the vanity, I wiped the few tears that fell. Then, after first clearing my throat, I continued combing as if nothing had changed.

  As if I hadn’t just been gutted by a sinking discovery within my own reflection, the glaring reminder that, soon, I would no longer be human.

  “Come in,” I answered, pretending all was well. Meanwhile, on the inside, I resisted the impulse to fall apart.

  The door crept open and I swallowed the lump in my throat. It formed at the exact moment my heart began to race.

  Stop crying, Corina. You’ll upset Elle, and then you’ll have to explain why your—

  “Am I disturbing you?”

  That voice did not belong to Elle. It was too deep, rasping over the words spoken. Turning, I met Aaric’s gaze and was not prepared for how he did me in. My heart was already overloaded, and now this.

  I faced the mirror again, pretending not to be affected, occupying time by brushing my hair.

  “Just getting ready for today,” I answered.

  In my peripheral, I noted how he hadn’t attempted to enter the room, but instead stayed posted in the doorway.

  “I had an idea I thought it’d be wise to run by you,” he began.

  His tone—gentle, hopeful—piqued my interest.

  “I have a meeting after breakfast, and I’d like for you to attend it with me.” My stomach swirled at the idea of taking in more information, but it wasn’t in my nature to turn down such an opportunity.

  “Of course,” I answered with little hesitation.

  Aaric didn’t immediately respond and I was aware of his stiff posture several yards away.

  “Then, the next half of my question is whether you think it would be too soon to request that the princes join us?”

  This time, my stomach sank completely. Already, I felt like I was on eggshells with two of the three. Now, Aaric wanted me to push the envelope even more.

  “I think attending will clear up a lot of their questions,” he added, “rid them of at least some of their skepticism. About me. About the … connection between you and I that must seem rather odd to them.”

  I knew he wasn’t speaking of the blood bond. That connection they would recognize. What he referenced was the inexplicable understanding that existed between he and I. It was because the heart of our cause beat within both our chests. Only someone who felt passionately for the movement would get it.

  Like Aaric did.

  “I’ll speak with them,” I finally answered.

&nbs
p; This time when I turned to meet Aaric’s gaze, his expression turned curious. It was then that I guessed he noticed the traces of distress still lingering from before he knocked. I had tried desperately to hide it, but feared I’d given myself away with that simple glance.

  Exposing puffy, red-rimmed eyes, flushed cheeks.

  “Is everything all right?” The question was spoken quickly, telling of his sudden concern. He latched the door quietly behind him. “Did something happen?”

  I was already shaking my head, long before he finished. “Nope,” I lied. “Everything’s fine. Just one of those mornings.”

  I tried making light of my devastation, but I’d never been good at that.

  Aaric didn’t speak. He only stepped deeper into the room, shoving both hands into the pockets of dark jeans. The distance between us disappeared a bit more and I made the mistake of meeting his gaze. I say it was a mistake because, the instant he was close enough to witness what had shaken me only moments before, compassion filled his expression.

  “They’re changing,” he noted. “Your eyes.”

  My gaze shifted down and, for some reason, shame washed over me. I didn’t want this, never wanted this, and now I felt it even more than ever.

  I’d become the enemy.

  Aaric reached toward me, bringing his hand to my chin, forcing me to meet his stare once again.

  “I know what you’re thinking.”

  I smirked a bit, but there was no humor behind it. “How could you possibly?” I scoffed. I wanted to snatch from his grasp, but something within wouldn’t allow it. The same ‘something’ that actually liked the feel of his skin against mine.

  “I know because, as much as you probably hate to admit it, you and I are one in the same.” A faint smile ghosted on his lips. “This mission is more important to our survival than the blood that courses through our veins. As vital as breathing.”