certain?"
"Because it's impossible not to follow you."
He chuckled as he folded her arm within his. "I'm glad you believe so."
She tugged on his arm for a moment, causing him to stop in the doorway of the library. Her hand tightened around his arm, her eyes were filled with determination. "I don't believe so Braith, I know so. They'll follow you because they know strength when they see it, because they'll believe in you, and you'll win." He was awed and humbled by the amount of faith she had in him. She grinned at him, a smile that lit her face and caused her eyes to sparkle as she playfully bumped his hip. "Just don't let it go to your head when you become king."
He couldn't find the words to remind her that he had no intention of becoming king; he was too stunned. She turned away from him, her gaze darting toward the dining room that they had been meeting in. She squeezed his hand before reluctantly releasing it and nervously tucking the book under her arm. "You can do this Braith," she whispered.
He was pretty sure he could do just about anything if she was standing at his side. He wanted to reach for her again, wanted to pull her back against him, wanted to walk proudly into that room with her, but he knew he had already allowed too much to slip in front of Xavier.
Aria entered the room first and walked to her brother's side. William studied her before nodding to Braith. The others had already gathered around the table, the chair at the head was empty as it waited expectantly for him. Braith rested his fingers on the top of the table as he faced the powerful people whose help he desperately needed if they were going to have any shot of winning this war.
"You've all made your decisions?" he inquired.
"We have," Xavier confirmed as his dark eyes flickered briefly to Aria. Frustration filled Braith; his momentary loss of control in the hallway earlier had placed Aria in even greater peril. She met Xavier's inquisitive glance with a lift of her brows that somehow managed to make her appear even more innocent and unknowing. But Braith could see that Xavier didn't buy it, not for an instant.
"I'll fight with you," Xavier confirmed. "You've proven that you are capable enough to earn my allegiance, and I have never agreed with your father's policies. I believe yours will be more just." His eyes flickered briefly to Aria again.
Braith had to force himself not to look at her. "They will be," he assured him.
"I will also fight with you," Barnaby confirmed. Braith felt a momentary tug of apprehension, he still didn't know how to feel about Barnaby, but at least this time he was actually taking a stand instead of cowardly waiting until the end. Perhaps the past hundred years had actually changed him. Ashby made a slight face but remained silent. "I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
"I would like to confer with my people, but I believe they will agree to help." Saul folded his hands into the sleeves of his cloak, his head was bowed. He had always been tranquil, reserved, with an air of dignity that was enhanced by his seemingly vast years, even though he was almost two hundred years younger than Braith. "We've built a good home here, but we are well aware of the fact that it is tentative at best. The king still randomly sends search parties after us, there is no guarantee we will not be uncovered and ousted at some point. War offers no promises, no peace or stability, but the hope of a future filled with security will probably sway them, as will the chance to leave The Barrens and return to a home that most of us still miss."
"I was in even before we went after those creatures," Calista said. "I want my homeland back. We've established a nice system here, but I'm sick of dust and heat and sand. I assume that those of us who join with you will also be rewarded."
"Your wealth will be returned to you. The Council will be established as the ruling body again, you will be returned to your seats upon it, you will have equal say within it and the majority will rule," Braith assured them.
"Even the humans?" Frank inquired.
Braith nodded. "What you have established here will be the model that the new rule will