Chapter 52 – Taking Chances – Raine's POV

Talia continued to explain softly, "He was a perfect gentleman. We did kiss, but he didn't try to take things any farther."

My eyebrows rose. Her answer surprised me, although truthfully, even though I knew Felaern was an incorrigible flirt, I had no details on his actual sex life. I asked carefully, "Did you want him to take things farther?"

"Yes... No... Maybe, I don't know!" She sputtered.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Alaric's expression grow even darker. He was clearly furious by her response. Talia wasn't facing in his direction, so was unaware of the anger her answers were causing him.

If she and Felaern spent the night together, but not gotten physical, I was curious what they did over that extended period of time, and questioned, "What happened?"

She giggled and said pointedly, "He certainly is charming. We danced several more times during the ball, and when I told him I needed to leave, he offered to return me here, so that we could spend more time together."

I smiled. I had no doubt Felaern was an unending pit of charm.

She gushed, "You should have seen the convoy we rode in! It makes our luxury tour bus look like a Jack-in-the-Box. I still can't believe he had his entire entourage travel seven hours out of their way, just so that we could talk longer."

I suspected that when Felaern wanted something, neither time nor money was of consequence to obtain it. I asked curiously, "What did you talk about?"

"Everything. He told me quite a bit about his kingdom and asked me all about my family, and what I liked and disliked. He is incredibly well-connected, and personally knew several of my extended family members."

"Are you going to see him again?"

She bit her lip and replied, "I don't know. Obviously, he didn't make me any promises, but it wouldn't surprise me if he initiated some future contact."

I contemplated her answer.

She asked, "Do you know him well? He didn't try to conceal his fondness for you whenever you came up in conversation."

"I'm not exactly sure how to answer your question. On one hand, I've spent very little actual time with him. But on the other hand, he feels incredibly familiar to me. Does that sound strange?"

"Maybe," she admitted as she thought about my words.

I tumbled over the mystery in my head and added, "I always just assumed the connection I feel with him is somehow related to Brialle. There is still so much about me that remains unknown. I have a feeling those unanswered questions will remain secrets until my mother can be located," I sighed heavily.

Her eyes tightened with concern as she murmured sympathetically, "I am sorry that you are going through this. I know if you had a choice, you wouldn't pick our world."

I sighed again and admitted, "I honestly don't know what my decision would have been. I had been lost for so long on my own, completely devoid of any family. Not one single relative. That emptiness is gone now. Not because I feel a connection to Armand or Brialle, but deep inside of my bones, I do feel I belong to this world."

She looked at me in surprise. Honestly, I was shocked as hell as well, to find I genuinely felt that way. I murmured, "What hurts me the most isn't the people of this world, but rather my lack of freedom. But none of us gets to choose what family we were born into. Since I cannot change the fact that I am Armand's daughter, I am trying to resolve myself to it. Truly, Alaric has helped me beyond words."

"He is a good man," she said softly. I could clearly hear the love in her voice.

"He is," I agreed simply. I thought I might actually have fallen in love with him, if my heart were not already irrevocably taken. I continued to explain, "You know how most vampire royalty are...But not all," I whispered painfully, acknowledging the one man who had changed my life forever. She knew I was referring to Cage and repeated softly in agreement, "No, not all."

I pulled myself together and continued, "Most are self-entitled jackasses with a cruel streak. Alaric is nothing like that and I am hugely grateful for his patience and understanding with me. I couldn't survive a prearranged union, complete with the joy of public consummation, if it were not for him."

Abruptly, Loki came up behind me and shook his wet body to get the water off, causing me to gasp loudly as he sprayed me with the now cold liquid. Talia laughed. Suddenly, Alaric and Gen. Raed stood behind Loki. I had been so engrossed with my conversation with Talia, I hadn't even realized they got out of the pool. Alaric murmured, "It's time to go."

"Okay." I gave Talia a quick hug, before following Alaric down the stone path with Loki walking by my side. The silence between us was comfortable and I took a few moments to marvel again at the mass expanse of the starry sky.

Alaric broke the quiet and said softly, "I could hear your conversation."

I figured he had. Even when I hadn't seen him, he would have had to be quite a distance away not to. I replied, "I know." 

He stopped and turned me to face him as he asked intently, "Did you mean all that you said?"

I stared up at him and whispered, "Every word."

A smile lit up his face, making him look beautiful in the moonlight. He asked, "This is going to work, isn't it?"

"Yes, I think so," I acknowledged.

He slipped his hand into mine, as he turned and continued to walk down the path.

I followed quietly by his side. My heart was in a chaotic swirl of emotions. I loved Cage so much it hurt, but we had no future...none. Before I left, I refused to go. I told him I would fight Armand, I would do whatever it took for us to be together, but he denied me. I understood his reasoning, but his rejection had cut deep. That was the moment I understood I had no choice.

There would be no escape for me.

My mating to Alaric would happen.

Cage told me he expected me to follow through on my royal duties. If I didn't, thousands would die at the war I caused. What could I say to that?  How did I refute his comments and convince him to be with me?  There was nothing. Nothing I could say to change his mind.

And last night, the joy and euphoria of being in his arms again... 

Alaric and I had already discussed having an open relationship. Alaric wouldn't have been thrilled, but I would have brought it up to him if it meant spending time with Cage in the future. But Cage had shot me down there as well. Again, I understood. I would be in pain if separated from Alaric after our mate bond.  But still, his response just further cemented the truth, and I was going to have to find a way to survive it.

One thing I knew I couldn't survive was having our mating ceremony be the first time Alaric and I had sex. It was going to be bad enough as it was with Cage there. I had to find a way to get at least comfortable with Alaric enough to let him touch me.  We had grown as friends and partners, and I was incredibly thankful to Alaric for his understanding and support. I trusted him.  The next step was necessary.  I had less than three weeks before there was no choice. Alaric and I would have sex regardless of my feelings on the matter.

..........

The days leading up to the Alliance Meeting passed quickly. Alaric was clearly anxious as he finished getting dressed and prepared to go. He held my face with both hands to make sure he had my undivided attention and murmured, "I have to go. I have meetings with my father and the Counsel before this evening. Stay here while I am gone. You need to be careful tonight. Do not leave my side. These men and women are dangerous and cunning. You may be promised to me, but as you already know, your scent and allure is quite tantalizing. They will be drawn to you and I expect a few will want to possess you."

I replied softly, "I will do as you ask."

The lines in his forehead relaxed a little, and he kissed me on the cheek lightly before walking out the door.

Hours passed with no word from Alaric, and I was getting more and more anxious. I had no idea what or who he was having to deal with right now. I paced the floor, feeling claustrophobic, as if the walls were closing in on me. I ran to the nearest window, and yanked open the curtains. My fingers trembled as I quickly unclasped the lock and swung it wide, letting the sunshine and breeze hit my face. I gasped deep breaths, raggedly sucking the air into my lungs.

It wasn't enough.

I just needed a minute of fresh air outside before I had a panic attack.

It was the middle of the day, which meant I would not be in danger of any vampires as long as I stayed in the sunlight. Quickly making up my mind, I grabbed a book and rushed out the door. I wouldn't be gone long, just enough to clear my chaotic head. I drifted through the quiet hallways. Apparently all of the vampires knew the significance of tonight's meeting, because their laughter was noticeably absent, replaced by serious contemplation as they went about their business. None of them paid any attention to me. When I reached the exterior door and slipped outside, I inhaled deeply and continued at a steady pace along the path I had taken so many times to the gardens, my place of refuge during the daylight hours.

Within minutes, I reached my favorite wooden bench near the rose bushes. I collapsed onto it; lying on my back with my knees slightly bent, feeling the heat and warmth from the sun. Immediately, my anxiety lessened.

But not completely.

And I knew why – Cage.

He would be there tonight. I hadn't seen or heard from him since our interlude at the ball. Heat wound out from my core, shimmering along my limbs, as I remembered his touch on my skin, and the way he had felt inside of me. He was the elixir my body craved; filling all of my broken emptiness, and making me whole again. And then a deep sorrow wound its way through my heart, leaving me breathless, as I remembered with sharp clarity all that I had lost – I couldn't have him. I closed my eyes and focused solely on the breaths coming in and out of my lungs, forcing down the panic and hyperventilation. After several minutes, my body calmed, and I let my thoughts drift to nothingness.

..........

I had no idea how long I laid there when abruptly, I heard a branch break. I shot up to a sitting position, all of my senses keened into the world around me. I tried to keep my voice firm, but it came out a little breathily anyway as I demanded, "Who's there?"

Silence.

My heart began to beat faster in my chest. I had assumed none of the vampires could walk in the sunlight. But maybe, I had been wrong. I did not know what skills and talents these vampires held. And they were the most ancient of their lines. I had been stupid for taking such a risk by coming here, I chastised myself harshly.

Suddenly, a man came into view.

I gasped sharply.

It wasn't a vampire that advanced steadily on me...