Crimson Mist

by Rachel Jonas

  “I’d better behave. If Elle spots one thing out of place on you, she’ll kill me,” he teased. Although, I didn’t doubt she would do just that. Tonight was very important, which is why she insisted on nothing short of perfection.

  A set of hurried footsteps could be heard traipsing through the corridor. “Empress Corina, Your Highness,” Elle said with a wide grin, “The car’s here. Shall I fetch the others?”

  Julian offered a nod and, the next second, she disappeared in a flurry of pink fabric—a designer dress Julian surprised her with just for this event.

  I peered up into the doorway when another figure darkened it, but my gaze lowered to match the new visitor’s height. Stooping toward the floor, I held my hands outstretched.

  “Come here, girl!”

  Riot bounded toward me and I held my face out of reach, knowing she’d come in for a kiss if I didn’t. It’d be great fun explaining to Elle why all my makeup had been licked off.

  “I’ll be back before you can even miss me,” I promised when she whimpered. If I thought she’d been attached before leaving the night of the Quincentennial gala, she’d gotten a hundred times clingier since then. But that worked both ways.

  Smoothing my dress, I stood upright, and she scampered off. As if my promise had been understood and somehow pacified her.

  Julian, wearing a broad smile, shook his head at me.

  “If Elle notices your dress is wrinkled, I’m not taking the blame,” he warned playfully.

  “What if I swear to make it worth your while later?” I asked with a wink, but before he’d gotten the chance to respond, Levi, Silas, and Aaric—the man of the hour—stepped into the great room.

  They were all so breathtakingly handsome it was sometimes hard to believe they were all mine. Then, they’d do something amazing to remind me and I’d thank my lucky stars for each of them.

  Aaric met my gaze and I felt his nerves all the way across the room, prompting me to go to him.

  “It’ll be fine. I know you hate having the spotlight on you, but … you deserve this,” I said softly, as he took my waist. “And you have my word that I’ll be by your side the whole time. We all will.”

  Peering over my shoulder, the others stood by, loyal and earnest, reminding me how far we’d come. They’d gone from hating the very air Aaric breathed, to now embracing him as one of their own—a prince of the Lydian Dynasty.

  A brother.

  Tonight, Aaric would finally be recognized as a long-lost son of the Dynasty. A story that, when it first broke, rocked all four quadrants. However, the upset had been a necessary evil, the only alternative to hiding Aaric’s true identity forever. We even concocted an explanation for how he—and not Roman—had boldly stepped up to complete the Claiming. We wove a tale involving Roman having discovered Aaric’s existence in his teen years and secretly keeping contact with him. Then, when the blood bond came into play and Roman was opposed to it, he brought his brother—who had been looking for a way to contribute to the cause—into the fold in his place.

  The confession placed our unit in the hotseat yet again, but the backlash was surprisingly easy to navigate. I suppose that had something to do with the fact that the huge deception, and the subsequent vaccine, had effectively cured the blood sickness. This made the public far more willing to forgive.

  And as for Emperor Fairchild, let’s just say the scandal made the people very anxious for Roman to fill his seat this year. And even more anxious to exile the former emperor from the Dynasty.

  “We should head out now,” Elle announced with more excitement than one person should possess.

  I peered up at Aaric one last time, and when he gave a nod, I knew he was ready.

  The long ride into the Capitol from our home was made mostly in silence. This would be one of the first appearances we dared to make together since The Reckoning. I suppose we’d all had enough of having to pretend, which had been the reason we dodged being in the public eye whenever possible. It had been the reason we happily retreated to our safe-haven—the chateau in the woods designed by me, with the help of a notable architect.

  We arrived to a tremendous amount of fanfare. More than I think any of us were prepared for.

  Flashing cameras.

  A red carpet leading from our limousine to the entrance of the auditorium.

  Paparazzi chomping at the bit to be the first to snap a shot of us exiting the vehicle.

  “Is it always like this?” Aaric asked, peering out his window at the ever-growing media circus.

  “Seems to get crazier every time we step out the front door,” Levi crooned with a smile as he fixed a red cufflink. He pretended not to love this, but we all knew the truth.

  “You get used to it,” Silas chimed in, offering some reassurance.

  The chauffeur rounded the rear of the limo and I squeezed Aaric’s hand. “Just smile and head straight for the entrance.”

  One deep breath later, the door is opened for us and, one by one, we file out onto the red carpet—poised, graceful, the Dynasty’s most loved and, secretly, their most traitorous.

  Oh, the irony.

  “Aaric! Over here!”

  “Have time for a quick interview?”

  “What’s life like for you five at the chateau?”

  Questions flew from every direction, but Aaric followed my advice. We quickly made it inside, to where a path had been marked off for our security detail to guide us to our seats.

  “I love you, Empress Corina!” someone shouted off to my right.

  While I’d mostly ignored the screams and clamoring of the crowd, this particular voice stood out from the rest. Turning, I laid eyes on a young girl, no older than twelve or thirteen. Long brown hair stretched to her waist, and her golden eyes were another effect of the Reckoning, making it impossible to tell what she’d been before to the naked eye—human or Ianite. The only detail that gave her away was that she had a family, two parents and a boy about half her age linked to her arm. Her brother, I assumed. Together, the pair smiled and bounced with excitement, and it wasn’t until that exact moment that it hit me. The full magnitude of what we had accomplished.

  We changed the world, made it better. For them and everyone.

  Ignoring strict instruction from our security, I broke formation and went to her. When she realized she’d gotten my attention, I didn’t miss the sense of pure elation in her eyes. It came seconds before she darted away from her parents and I broke all the rules to embrace her tightly.

  “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe you actually noticed me!” she gushed amidst a sudden wave of sobs. “My friends are never gonna believe I met you. You’re, like, seriously, our hero.”

  The words made me squeeze tighter. “Then, why don’t we take a picture?” I offered.

  By now, the crowd had quieted some, watching the interaction. It had the attention of my guys as well, and I was grateful they didn’t side with security in thinking this harmless little girl was a risk.

  With shaky hands and a huge grin, she pulled out her phone and we smiled big.

  “Thank you so much! I’ll keep this forever!” she promised after snapping the photo.

  I hugged her one last time before returning to the princes, knowing we’d done it all for her, for the new generation we hoped wouldn’t bear the scars of the past.

  With my thoughts still on the young girl, we were taken backstage and seated in a posh lounge decked out with a lavish buffet-style spread, fit for an emperor. Well … three emperors, and a fourth entitled to a crown by blood. From this space, we enjoyed the festivities onscreen—elaborate performances by some of the Dynasty’s most well-known performers. Singers, classical orchestras, everyone who’s anyone. Seats in the audience were occupied by the most powerful among all the quadrantes—Dukes and duchesses, Lords and Ladies.

  Eventually, a soft knock rattled the door. We all stood, and Silas answered to find Elle waiting to escort us from our temporary dwelling to the stage. We arrived just as a lar
ge, black curtain was lowered and stagehands carried a glass podium front and center.

  Beside me, Aaric drew in a deep breath and kept his eyes trained on that spot, where he’d stand and face the world soon. Just beyond the curtain, noise from the audience told of its enormity. It’d been one thing seeing it on a screen, but another knowing he’d have to face them soon. As a self-professed recluse, I understood his reluctance.

  A dainty hand rested on my shoulder and I turned to meet the gaze of Empress Westower. Or rather, the Dowager Empress, seeing as how I’d taken on her former role since Julian had been seated on the throne.

  She met my gaze with a smile as warm as her greeting. “Good evening, Empress.”

  I moved from Aaric’s side only long enough to curtsy and then embrace her, the woman with whom I once believed to be just as monstrous as her husband. He hadn’t changed much, but she was nothing like I first believed. It had been her efforts that kept the former emperor restrained following The Reckoning. Suspicious about mine and Julian’s involvement in what took place, he’d gone on the warpath for several months, but at every turn, the Dowager Empress thwarted his plans and threw him off our scent.

  She had, perhaps, been one of our most valuable assets in this mission.

  One by one, the princes all embraced the Dowager Empress, complimenting the elaborate custom gown that swept the floor in her usual grandiose fashion.

  Glenn approached next, and it warmed my heart that the first one he acknowledged was Julian, squeezing him lightly around the shoulders with a one-armed hug. Then, he offered a polite nod toward the other princes, before bowing to me.

  “Empress,” he said with a cheeky wink that warranted a smile.

  “Glenn,” I tease back, curtsying for decorum’s sake. It was the only reason any of us bothered with the formalities, actually.

  “Did I miss anything good?” he asked next.

  Silas shrugged while answering. “There were several great performances, but they’re just now setting up for the main event.”

  “Good. I hate all that singing and carrying on that’s kept up at these pointless events,” Glenn grumbled.

  “Oh, Father. Lay off,” the Dowager Empress snapped playfully. “We can change many things about this world, but the lavish lifestyle to which most Ianites have become accustomed will likely never be one of them.”

  I agreed with that and imagined that such luxuries would begin to trickle down into the lives of former humans as the dust continued to settle. A truly level playing field meant the sky was the limit for humans now.

  The curtain lifted again and the host for the night—an A-lister who seemed honored to be invited to carry out such an important task—offered a gracious bow before he took the stage again. Our gazes followed him out to his post, listening as he began to speak. However, a set of quiet footsteps approached from behind, stealing our attention.

  Julian’s expression softened the moment he laid eyes on Roman—a look that contrasted the tumultuous road to salvaging their relationship. That day I emerged from the Butcher’s funhouse, the relief of seeing me alive wore off quickly, as the princes hadn’t forgotten that Roman was ultimately responsible for my disappearance. What followed was a bloody brawl in which Roman became the target of Julian’s and Levi’s wrath. I don’t know that he would’ve survived had it not been for Silas and Aaric intervening.

  The months that followed were hit or miss where forgiveness was concerned, until about six months ago. I suppose time truly does heal all wounds, but I strongly believed Aaric was the bridge that brought my mates and Roman back together. There was likely still a long road ahead of us all, but at least we had taken the first steps.

  Roman came closer to join us, only somewhat reluctantly. Like the others, he looked quite dapper tonight. Donning an expensive suit and thin tie, he’d slicked back his dark hair. Even his beard had been tamed.

  This was a far cry from the Roman I first met what felt like a lifetime ago. That man had been cruel and unhinged, but the one standing before me today was none of those things. This journey had seemingly humbled him to a degree, or at least brought about a bit of self-reflection. In the time since the nightmare ended, I’d seen him be surprisingly generous, compassionate even. It wasn’t lost on me that he’d come back for me at the Butcher’s funhouse, amidst the flames, amidst Dr. Percival’s hungry beasts that prowled around after having devoured their creator.

  It was Silas who first suggested that we make gentle attempts to bring Roman around. Then, later, Aaric introduced the idea of helping him see things our way. I can admit to being the biggest skeptic when it came to that endeavor, but as it turned out, we had a willing ally. One eager to help with the task of reforming and redeeming the South’s new emperor.

  And that ally was Regina.

  Still exiled for her own safety, and the safety of her team, we had made contact on several occasions. Roman, on the other hand, had made visiting the island part of his regular routine. It seemed that every time he returned from these monthly excursions, he came back a tiny bit more … humane. However, even with the measured progress where his views on humanity stood, having Regina back had drawn the darkness out of him, nearly eradicating it altogether.

  In short, despite some obvious setbacks, I had hope the relationship between my mates and Roman would be fully restored one day.

  “Good to see you, Emperor Fairchild,” Levi said cheekily, embracing Roman just after Julian had done so.

  “You as well, Emperor Buchanan,” Roman answered with a broad grin.

  His gaze shifted to Aaric next and I witnessed something in Roman’s eyes I once thought him incapable of feeling.

  Actual affection.

  The two had taken to one another surprisingly quickly, despite their differing views on this new world. Their shared hatred for their father hadn’t hurt, but watching them bond over the past months had taught me something about Roman. Despite his past treachery, he clearly placed family above all else. This intense devotion to those he held dear had been what fueled so much of his dark behavior, so much of what fed his rage. I understood the concept of one’s willingness to go to great lengths for family.

  In this way, we weren’t so different.

  The host read a scripted joke from the teleprompter and Roman adjusted the jacket of his suit.

  “Guess that’s my cue,” he said with an easy smile.

  Then, we watched him take the stage amidst a flurry of applause, trailed by the ladies of the Black Key Society who filed out right behind him. Poised, brave, and beautiful in an array of deep-purple ballgowns, they created a regal backdrop to Roman’s forthcoming speech.

  Aaric’s hand warmed in mine and I leaned on his shoulder, hoping to calm him some.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of myself and my Dynasty Brothers, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. As well as the tenacious and charming Empress Corina—whom we’ve all embraced despite some … initial reluctance.”

  The statement was honest and came with a glance in my direction, a look I’d become familiar with over the months. It was one filled with remorse, but most of all, hope.

  “It is a great honor that you have all joined us here tonight,” he continued. “As many of you know,” he continued, “this past year has brought about significant change for many of us within the Dynasty, including us monarchs. Whatever your stance on The Reckoning may be, none can argue that these modifications to our former lives have all been bad. One change, for me in particular, has certainly been quite welcomed.”

  With those words, Roman glanced toward Aaric.

  “Many of you have heard the story of a brave young man, raised on the fringes after some questionable actions taken by my father. And while that scandal has not made me proud to bear the Fairchild name, I am proud to call this man my brother,” Roman shared, gesturing for Aaric to join him onstage.

  Reluctant, Aaric’s fingers slipped from mine and, with an overwhelmingly war
m reception from the crowd, he joined Roman behind the podium.

  “It is with great honor that I declare my brother, a Fairchild by blood, honorary co-emperor of the South Quadrant’s throne.”

  Roman’s announcement received a standing ovation from the crowd, and he waited until the audience settled to continue.

  “As he’s made abundantly clear, Prince Aaric has no desire to rule, but I could not allow his birthright to be stolen from him because of my father’s deplorable actions. Therefore, the man who stands beside me today is due all the honor and respect of a true monarch because … that’s exactly what he is.”

  The two embraced and I swiped a tear from my eye before applauding. Roman was right. Aaric never wanted this, but that was all the more reason he deserved it. Recognition and accolades meant nothing to him, but rather the wellbeing of the people.

  And, to me, those were the traits of a true leader.

  ***

  The moment we stepped foot inside the Chateau, we were met by the aroma of whatever the cook had prepared for tonight’s festivities. It made me even more aware of how time had gotten away from us.

  “I’m running up to change,” I announced, trying to contain my excitement. Only, I’m sure I failed with how quickly I traipsed up the steps.

  “You know where to find me if you need any help up there, love,” Levi—ever the merciless flirt—offered.

  “I think I’ve got it,” I called out over my shoulder. “We’re already behind schedule as it is.”

  And we were. Any minute my team would be pulling up and I still had on this evening’s costume. Even after all these months, the fancy clothes and jewels still felt like a farse. Smoke and mirrors.

  Making quick work of clearing my face of the bold makeup I’d worn to the ceremony, I brushed through my curls to loosen them. It was a dinner party, yes, but not the fancy kind one might expect of monarchs. We—the new wave of royals—only kept up appearances in public, but not with family. Which is exactly what my team had become to us all.

  The sound of tires slowing across the circular drive had me rushing toward the window to peer down. Sure enough, a fleet of expensive sports cars filed in, one after the other.