Anger filled me, the vampire’s words lingering in my brain. It was at that moment I decided not to tell Rhael. Not because I thought he did not deserve to know, but because she was right. I could have power in a situation where I had none.
I had spent years fighting against the use of men, refusing to bow, making myself stronger. Rhael had weakened each part of that, and the idea that I had let my walls down so easily for someone who would use me as something so disposable, made me feelweaker than I had felt in years.
“You have no need for her. There is no reason for this.” Rhael argued, but the words didn't seem to seep through my brain, too busy lost in my own self pitying thoughts.
“Oh, but there is. If she was merely a human guest I would have lost interest. If she were a weapon, she would bore me. But since she is yours, she is precisely what I want. You took from me my people all those years ago, now it is time I return the favour.” Aasim replied, his smile growing wider as dread settled in my stomach. The game had begun, battle lines drawn and negotiations bartered back and forth.
I knew how this would play out. Rhael would put on a good show, make himself seem strong, not to have his possessions taken from him in his own home.
From what I had seen of Aasim he would not back down. I was a slave, and Rhael needed his support to win the war he was preparing to wager for his people. A human slave would be a small price to pay to get what he needed. Once again my owner's hands would be traded, my chains placed into the grip of another King.
It was as if I was back at that slave market, held on display for all to see. Only instead of Fion holding the chains that bound me, now it was Rhael. A man who had held me through nights, pleasured my body, but who possibly cared less for me than Fion ever had.
“What if I offered myself instead?” A voice rang out through the crowd,and I turned my eyes wide, as I saw Olesia moving through the body of people.
The Fae Princess wore a sweetheart neckline dress which fell around her in draped layers of black fabric, lined with silver runes to match Rhael’s. The silver, miniature, tiara on her head marked her as the princess. Although her posture and grace did more for that title than a crown ever could. I watched as she climbed up onto the dais placing herself between the two kings, her hands clasped calmly before her.
“Absolutely not,” Rhael snapped, his fingers digging into my waist as the anger in his tone reached a new level.
I felt my mouth drop into a gasp, my eyes fixed on the princess as she looked between the two kings. This I had not expected, and a selfish part of me felt relief that perhaps I would not be the one being traded today.
“This is not your decision alone.” Olesia told him, her posture the complete opposite to her brothers. Where he was rigid she was soft, her calm mirrored his anger. She was composure whilst he was destruction.
“It is when it concerns you. You are not a bargaining piece," he snapped his eyes focusing solely on his sister. Even though his hands remained on my body, I was sure he had forgotten I was there. No longer an important piece in the game.
“Rhael, this is not something you can deny me. Let me help you. Help our people, my people.” Olesia responded as sheturned to face him, her expression matching one I had seen Rhael wear multiple times.
“I will not trade my sister like cattle,” he growled, his voice dangerously low. Now I was scared of him.
This was not the smooth controlled Rhael I was used to. It was something different, wild and unrestrained. His teeth pulled at the lip ring pierced through his flesh. A habit I had grown used to but in his current mood almost seemed more dangerous. Like he could rip it from himself and not even flinch.
“And I will not sit by and allow our kind to bleed. You of all people have given up so much. Allow me to do this.” She pleaded with him as I watched in silence. Unsure if I was even still supposed to be there but unable to move from Rhael’s iron grip.
“You are beautiful and from Rhael’s reaction, you would make a worthy bride,” Aasim smirked and I wanted to turn to him and tell him to shut up. That this stupid game he was playing was too far, that he was too much. Whatever issue he and Rhael had between each other could be sorted as men, not using people as toys.
“No. I will not allow this!” Rhael yelled trying to surge forward. I pressed my hand into his chest. Trying to keep him still, and I felt my hand tremble as his eyes found mine once more. Blazing, as if I had dared to stop him.
“Rhael,” I warned, my voice quiet. Trying to explain so many things in one word. If he attacked first the alliance would be broken and the dragons wouldsee this as not only an attack, but a reason to wage war on the Fae for themselves.
If Rhael wanted to beat the vampires he needed the land kings of Alasgad to be united, not punching each other in a crowded ballroom.
“Then it is agreed.” Aasim smirked, his smile widening as he looked over Rhael's angry, wild expression as he tried to push against my shoulder once more. He could have pushed past me if he had wanted to, but he didn't. He let me hold him back.
“It is not,” Rhael argued, his voice had lowered back to a normal speaking volume but still dripped with anger and venom.
“I will go... Willingly.” Olesia announced, the emphasis placed on the last word not lost on me as I stood there, frozen. Rhael no longer fought against me, although I could still feel his muscles tensing and relaxing beneath my hands.
“Olesia,” Rhael whispered, almost a plea. Begging his sister not to do this.
“Brother, we will talk about this later.” Olesia replied, reaching out her hand to touch his arm before letting it fall to her side. I admired the strength of the princess.
She was willing to leave her home, her comfort, to protect her people. But I also knew Rhael would never see it this way. To him this was a betrayal, a defiance I was not sure he would ever forgive.
“Excellent. Then it is settled. The young princess will come with me and my people when we leave in two days' time.” Aasim clapped his handstogether and I turned my eyes to him, narrowing as I looked him up and down. It was a brave move, one Rhael would have warned me not to make, but at that point I did not care.
In my eyes, the Dragon King was nothing more than a coward, he had chosen to antagonise rather than strengthen. His old grudge with Rhael clouding his judgement. This alliance would fall apart, even I could see that, unless they could find common ground.
“Over my dead body.” Rhael growled low, almost under his breath.
