26. On a Stormy Night #2
“The great prince gave no stipulation on how you were to be brought here, my darling,” she cackled and sloppily chugged the wine.
Fintan ground his teeth loud enough for all of them to hear as he watched Idalia drain the pink liquid. Most of it dripped down her chin and into her clothes. She wasted no time tearing into the food as well.
Kaiden’s gaze returned to Aradia who stood in fear. Her eyes found his face even as he sat with most of it in the shadows. She turned back to Cahira’s leaning frame. Her gaze was like daggers.
“Congratulations, princess,” Aradia breathed, taking a small step forward. “Looks like you got what you wanted.”
Fintan stepped in front of Cahira. “Why don’t you sit and I’ll take care of your wrist.”
Aradia glanced at Kaiden but slowly made her way to the table. She hesitated when Jasper stood, making his presence known. She sat at an angle so she could see her surroundings and probably run for the entrance if things turned south.
Smart. Even if she has no chance of outrunning anyone in this tent.
“Hungry?” Cahira piled food on her plate and placed it in front of her.
“I’m not and don’t pretend you’re in any way my friend.”
Cahira’s nostrils flared. “I am, Aradia.”
Aradia scoffed and pushed the plate away at the same time her stomach grumbled at the rejection of food.
A small cackle came out of Idalia’s dry lips before she slipped next to Rhydar with an outstretched iron hand.
With a snort of disgust, he retrieved a small pouch of gold coins and dropped them into her waiting hand. Everything came with a price when dealing with Idalia.
She smiled, shaking the pouch greedily, and turned a sightless head toward the table.
“Some advice for you, sweet Aradia,” Idalia rasped. “Trust only the people your power trusts.”
Aradia’s head turned slowly. “What do you mean?”
A small chuckle lit Idalia’s face as she turned near the entrance.
“I’ve been watching you for quite some time, girl. The fates chose well … even if your heart disagrees. Remember, history always repeats itself. In one way, shape, or form. That, you can be sure of.”
Idalia’s voice was like a snake, coiled around Kaiden’s body and sending shivers down his spine. He had no doubt those words were meant for all of them even if Idalia only looked toward Aradia. They watched quietly as she slipped out into the darkness and vanished.
Fintan cleared his throat awkwardly. He took a seat on the opposite side of Aradia.
“Don’t mind Idalia,” he mumbled. “May I?”
He slowly reached for her cut wrist, but stopped halfway, allowing Aradia to choose to trust him. She nodded, allowing Fintan to clean the cut.
“This is the part where you tell me why I’m here,” Aradia said, breaking the tense silence.
“I know,” Kaiden said, gaining everyone’s attention, “Cahira has expressed our desire and goals. You were traveling east, correct? There’s nothing there but the Dark Isles, the city of Randale, and the Veil.”
Aradia’s head angled angrily. “Even if it was my destination, it is of no concern to any of you.”
“Oh, but it is.” Kaiden dropped his voice, the fire lowered with it, casting a flickering shadow across the tent.
Aradia raised her chin in defiance and glared down her button nose at him. He willed his face not to smile even as a part of him thrilled at a challenge. There was something unchecked and raw about her which begged to be brought to light.
“I would never trust you,” she said, “No matter what lies you spew in front of the thousands you’ve conquered.”
Rhydar chuckled under his breath.
Kaiden would have believed her words had it not been for the small tick in her jaw and quick glance around her. He leaned forward, his face now visible in the firelight. His heartbeat skipped as his open gaze met hers.
Aradia squinted with uncertainty, but her glare traveled across the planes of his face, drinking in his features, and matching it to the version she probably imagined.
“I’ve been told by a reliable source our meeting was fated from the start,” Kaiden said. He cocked his head slightly and mentally kicked himself at the movement; too much like his father.
Aradia shrugged one shoulder. “What of it?”
“As a priestess shouldn’t it mean something to you?” Kaiden said.
“What means something to me is getting as far away from you and your circle of killers.” She tossed a pointed look at Cahira.
Kaiden stood quietly, making his way to the table. Aradia’s body tensed as he drew near. Nodding his head to the others they silently turned and left. Cahira cast a “be cautious” glance at him. The fire orbs he had cast around them for warmth had ceased crackling, freezing the moment between them.
He circled the chair Aradia sat in before leaning down behind her, his head a whisper away from her ear. The slight scent of her drifted between them. A sensual lily mixed with the aroma of vanilla oil. It struck him as a bold scent, one of a kind, just like her.
“Would you have gone willingly if you knew who my sister was from the start?” he asked.
Aradia turned ever so slightly. She was close enough he could see the tiny flecks of brown shimmering in her eyes. He didn’t dare lean forward or even breathe too loudly.
“Knocking me out wasn’t much of a choice.”
Kaiden crinkled his brows in a frown. He stood up, walking around the table.
“Cahira is many things, but trust me when I say, if she hadn’t reached you first you would be dead,” he said.
“Do not underestimate me, I’m not as easy to kill as one might think.”
“I never underestimate an opponent.”
“You’re lying.” Aradia crossed her arms.
“That I underestimate you?”
“You believe I’m weak and I can’t protect myself from those who would wish me harm.”
Her accusation prickled at him.
“I can promise it’s not you who holds my disbelief. I simply know who desires your death.” He poured a glass of wine and held it out in invitation. “And you’re no match for him.”
She glanced down at the cup and stared back, an obvious no.
Once, a long time ago, a look like that would have pricked his ego.
A smile played on his lips as he took a long drink from the cup he offered.
Perhaps she thought it was poisoned. He leaned against the table in front of her.
A careless gesture and not at all portraying the nerves knotting in his stomach.
“Your promise means nothing to me and your words are like poison in my ear.” Aradia gripped the arms of her chair.
He scoffed and placed the wine down. In one stride he closed the distance between them, fully aware of the small catch in her breath as his gaze leveled with hers. His hands covered her wrists, locking them against the arms of her chair.
“Would you prefer sweet whispers of grandeur, Aradia?” Her name sounded smooth rolling off his tongue, intimate.
She swallowed. “I’d prefer you didn’t speak at all.” She jerked against him and Kaiden let her pretend the movement was strong enough to break his hold. “After all who’s to say you weren’t behind the first mercenary sent to kill me.”
Ah, that part.
Cahira had informed him of Aradia’s first attack before she had arrived. He stepped back and threw a knowing grin at her.
“Why would I do that?” he asked.
“What’s one assassin against a demir witch?”
Kaiden chuckled darkly. “One is sent to retrieve you, the other is sent to end you. Your death does nothing to benefit me.”
She shifted uncomfortably underneath his gaze.
“What happened to this assassin I sent?”
Aradia threw her shoulders back proudly. “He’s dead.”
Interesting.
“And you call me a killer?” Kaiden said, sipping more of his wine.
If looks could kill Aradia certainly had stabbed him at least three times already. His eyes traveled down her face, her neck, and to the blouse underneath her cloak. He raked his gaze back up and met her simmering scowl.
“I’m not all that bad, you know?” he said.
“You’re wasting your breath if you think I care what you say,” she hissed.
A cold, short chuckle escaped him as he watched Aradia over the brim of his cup. He had expected this.
“And you’re wasting time we don’t have.” He placed his cup down with a soft thud. “I’m not your enemy here. I’d much rather work together but I’ll do what I must to protect my family from my father.”
“What a typical thing for a Valencia to say.” She stared defiantly into his eyes. “Hiding your true ambition and dangerous actions behind valiant and just words.” Her lips pursed into a pout and Kaiden blinked the distraction away. “You must feel so proud.”
Kaiden’s fire flickered around them as his temper rose at the jaunt. If she thought so little of him, he would show her how much he was his father’s son. He let himself grow colder, more inhuman.
“I’m okay with being your villain, if that’s what you have to tell yourself,” Kaiden’s voice dropped to a dangerous level.
His anger was fire, but his words were like ice.
Aradia leaned back, smart enough to fear him.
“I’ve done terrible things in my life and I would do them again if it meant protecting what is mine.
You're here because you’ll help me do exactly that. ”
“Why would I ever help you?” She whispered.
“I believe we want the same things.”
“How presumptuous of you to assume you would know anything about what I want.”
“My mistake, I thought you and I were alike. Did I misunderstand your own hatred for the King of Arkan?” Kaiden smiled, this time knowing he was a perfect image of his father.
Aradia froze.
“You might have the biggest reason for revenge than any of us here.”
“Don’t.” Aradia’s words were a whisper of rage
“Did he not leave you orphaned?”
“Stop.”
“Left you to survive on your own?”
“I’m warning you.”
“He murdered your mother in cold blood. Some say you watched, then ran away.”
“Shut up!” Aradia jerked out of her chair, bringing the small knife by her plate up and lunged across the table, aiming for Kaiden’s throat.