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away before he couldn't. He listened as the rest of her clothes fell away before she slid into the tub with a groan of pleasure. It was excruciating torture. His teeth grated, he stepped into the doorway, leaning against it as he fought the urge to turn around and go back in there.

His body was so taught with strain from not looking that he didn't know she had approached until he felt her fingers slip between his own. He relished the supple feel of her skin against his as he pulled her against his chest and held her close.

Chapter 14

She was sound asleep in his lap, her hand curled against his chest, her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder as she breathed slowly in and out. As she slept, the tension of the day faded from her features making her appear even younger, more vulnerable, which only made him worry for her more. Max hadn't appeared again since he'd rebuked her earlier and Braith hoped that he never did.

Daniel was talking quietly, pointing at some of the designs and drawings he had created. "These are all of your cave systems?" Gideon inquired.

"Not all of them," David answered. "These are the ones closest to the palace. We had others, but some have been lost to cave-ins, and others are too far from the palace to be of any use."

"Are there often people within them?" Ashby inquired, glancing nervously at Braith.

"What do you mean?"

"The cave system where the troops are hiding had a man inside of it."

"That's not unusual, many know about the caves and the food supply," David told him.

"It looked like he'd been there for awhile."

"I suppose some may stay below hoping to avoid the king's troops. It's why we retreated into the swamplands. The king's raids have become more frequent and aggressive since you left the palace." Braith held David's steady gaze. "The man in the cave, what did he do?"

"He attacked Aria," Braith growled.

David's eyes widened, he leaned forward on the table. Braith lowered his head and inhaled her sweet scent. The soap she'd been given smelled of honey. Beneath it he could smell the faint hint of his blood as it flowed through her veins. She was the most enticing thing he'd ever smelled, and he needed her soothing effect right now.

"Why would he do that?" David inquired.

Ashby glanced nervously at Braith, but seemed satisfied that he would remain calm while holding Aria. "Apparently he hadn't seen a woman in awhile."

"Did he harm her?" Daniel demanded.

"He tried, but she's fine."

"And what of the man?" David inquired.

"Dead," Braith said unremorsefully. "Anyone that injures her will meet the same fate."

David sat back as he studied them. "What exactly is it that you intend for my daughter? What do you think you can give her?"

"Anything she desires."

Gideon and Ashby shifted nervously, well aware that this conversation was drifting into treacherous waters. Xavier leaned forward, his dark eyes eager as he absorbed the discussion. "I can see that she loves you, and though it's baffling and astonishing to me, I think you love her too. But I don't see how any of this can work. Will your people accept her? Do you have plans to make her a vampire?" David nearly choked on the word vampire but somehow managed to get it out. It was apparent the man found the thought abhorrent.

"Most do not survive the change; I have no intention of inflicting that upon her." Gideon, Jack and Ashby winced, Xavier quirked an eyebrow as he gazed at Aria.

David's frustration was nearly palpable. "Then what do you intend? To watch her grow old and die? To have her be an outcast among your people? Tell me Braith, what will you do when she dies?"

"I'll find a way to die also," he said simply.

Gideon groaned as he shook his head, dropping it into his hands. Ashby closed his eyes as Jack folded his arms over his chest and sat back in his chair. Xavier remained unmoving, he'd known there was a bond between them but he hadn't known the extent of that bond until now.

"But you have been voted the leader; your people will follow you..."

"Or Jack," he interrupted sharply. Despite his every intention not to, he found himself leaning forward as he met David's incredulous gaze, and Jack's completely aghast one. "I will lead them into battle, I will lead you all into battle, but I have not hidden the fact that I do not intend to