Rafe was paying close attention now, and for the first time in ages, he wore a softer expression—something that had started happening before we were taken by Uriel. I hadn't seen it since that night though, and despite the fact that it wasn't directed at me, some of the heavy weight on my chest lifted.
"I have a plan then," Mr. Wainwright said. "We've been working on it for a long time, but without the support of the monarchies, it would never have come to fruition."
Felipe nodded. "I'm ready to listen."
Mr. Wainwright looked like he was holding back tears, but he got it together quickly. "We propose that a People's Court be formed beneath each monarchy. It won't overrule the monarchy, but will be part of the council. We have written up a detailed breakdown of how it would work, but in short, it would allow the people’s elected representatives voting rights on a number of issues. The People’s Court would also be able to bring forth their own propositions, which the monarchies will be required to take into consideration.”
He went on for the next few hours laying out the foundation for the plan. It was so much more detailed than I could have ever come up with on my own—surprise, surprise—but I felt like it was a great compromise. It would give some power to the people and take some from the monarchy, but not abolish it completely for a new system of rule.
“With the three superpowers on board, we can make this happen,” Wainwright finished, sounding a little hoarse. He’d been talking nonstop for hours.
“Are you sure about Alex?” I pushed, still unable to believe he would agree to anything of the sort.
Rafe looked at me for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. “From all the reports we’ve received out of the Australasian court, Alex has had a pretty dramatic personality shift since the death of King Steve. His parents were the ones corrupting him, and he’d been on the receiving end of their cruelty enough to not want to ever disappoint them. But with their deaths, he is free to make his own choices and has agreed to a meeting between the Society and the monarchies.”
“Yeah, but the compromise of power being suggested here is quite substantial. I just don’t want you to feel too confident.”
“I’ll convince both Alex and Munroe that this is our best option moving forward without all the unnecessary violence and death,” Felipe interjected. “I also have multiple other monarchies in my ear. I think we can get this foundation put into place.”
Jacinta looked happy by the end result as well, her face relaxed as she waved her hands. "I love this path. It's a good compromise, and I'm not afraid to lose some of our control. If we treat our people right, they won't rebel against us, and that leads us to a brighter future."
She stood suddenly. "And with that, I think it's time for lunch. Violet and Rafe must be exhausted as well. I suggest after lunch you visit Jordan and then take a swim in the springs." Her gaze met Wainwright’s and then Felipe's. "Don't forget they're just young adults. This is not their responsibility to take on."
Felipe got to his feet as well, smiling indulgently at Jacinta. "Yes, love. I won’t forget." He turned to me. "If you'd like, though, I can let you know when the meeting will be called. You might find it interesting to be part of it."
"I'd love to see history in the making," I told him truthfully.
"You're part of history in the making," Jacinta reminded me, linking her arm through mine. "But before that happens, let's eat."
The lunch spread was impressive, but considering it was literally serving a king and queen, it was probably just normal for them. I hadn't even realized how hungry I was until we’d sat down to eat, but when my stomach rumbled loudly, I blushed.
"Sorry," I muttered, feeling like the worst kind of bad-mannered idiot.
The monarchs just laughed, though. Not in an unkind way, either. It allowed us all to settle into a friendly sort of meal where the only tension present came from the intense way Rafe stared at me when he thought I wasn't looking.
In fact, I didn't look at him once during the meal. I was sick to fucking death of his drama, and if he wasn't man enough to just pull me aside and hash it out, then I didn't have any emotional space left to give him.
When I'd eaten my fill, I politely asked to be excused and inquired as to where I might find Jordan. I needed to see him, to know he was okay. Or... that he wasgoingto be okay. And Jacinta's idea to go swimming in the springs was pulling at my mind. It would probably be incredible for his injuries, if his medics allowed him outside.
"I'll take you," Rafe announced, pushing back from the table.
I wanted to tell him where to shove his help, but while Felipe, Jacinta, and Mr. Wainwright were all watching... maybe that wasn't the best idea. So I gave a tight smile and nodded my acceptance.
Rafe stalked out of the dining room without waiting for me… he just expected me to follow on his heels like a good little puppy. It made me all punchy and shit.
My fists balled at my sides as we passed through the corridors, and then my temper caught the best of me and I launched a swift fist into his side. Or I would have if he hadn't spun around with lightning reflexes and grabbed my wrist to halt my punch.
Fucker.
"Now, now, Violence," he teased in a dark voice, "is that how we deal with our relationship issues? Throwing punches without warning?" He twisted me around so that my back was to his front, my arm locked in his grip between our bodies.
"You're lucky I wasn't aiming for your balls," I snarled back. "Fuck knows you deserve it after that bullshit last night."
Rafe let out a low chuckle, his breath stirring my hair. "Oh, you mean when I made you come four times and scream my name? Or when you swallowed my—"
"How about when you fucked me, then dumped me in a bathtub and disappeared in a puff of smoke? What the hell was that even about? Where'd you sleep last night, Rafe?" I was angry as shit, but I was also turned on as hell. Something about the push and pull between us triggered a primal part of my soul that just wanted to roll over and stick her cunt in the air like a cat in heat.
Rafe shifted his grip on me, pushing me against the wall right beside a huge portrait of some long-dead Swiss leader. His hard length ground against my ass, and there was no denying the fact that he was just as aroused as me.
