Chapter 6

Miriam

I don't know why I was surprised to find myself led to a room next to the one I had shared breakfast with Aro in. He has said he was moving me to an adjoining suite to consolidate the guards, increasing security for us both. Still, I had expected to be returned to my original suite when we left the cells. I flung myself face down on the king-sized bed before me. The hollowness in my chest had decided to rear its head, leaving me with a painful emptiness.

I wish you were here so I could talk to you Mikah. I thought to myself, knowing full well that I wouldn't be in this situation if my brother hadn't been murdered. I pushed my thoughts out, reaching for my twin, wanting a response I knew wouldn't come. Tears soaked the pillow I had buried my face in, and sobs racked my body.

I hadn't been given anything to occupy my time when I was left in the room alone. There was nothing to keep the pangs of loss away. I sobbed until my eyes felt dry and there were no more tears to cry. My head was screaming at me, the pain of the previous night's blow wrapping around me like a vice thanks to my grief. I rolled onto my back and threw my arm across my eyes, willing the pain in my head to subside.

I sat up with a jerk, the room was filled with electricity. Glancing around I noticed it was dark, but I was alone. Shit! I must have fallen asleep. At least the pain in my head seemed to be gone. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, trying to figure out how I could be alone if the electricity I felt whenever I was near Aro filled the room. A knock on one of the doors answered my questions.

"Miriam," came his voice from the other side of the door, "The guards informed me that Kira found you sleeping when she brought your lunch. I thought you might want to wake up and eat since it's past dinner time now."

I could hear a hint of concern in his voice, but I refused to move to open the door. Just because I had control over myself at breakfast didn't mean I was willing to test it again. I heard him sigh and felt a twinge of regret.

"It's ok if you don't want to answer me. I understand." He paused, and I could hear him inhale as if preparing for what he needed to say. "I know the rumors about me, but I'm not a cruel man." His voice was barely audible, but I could hear the sadness in his words. "I will have Kira bring you dinner, please eat. I am just through this door if you need anything."

I heard his footsteps move away and the sounds of another door opening from his side. Moments later, Kira entered with a serving tray full of delicious smelling food. My stomach growled. I was again surprised that grief was not suppressing my appetite anymore, though it only seemed to subside with I was in proximity to him.

"Your highness, His Majesty wishes you to eat. He is really worried about you. I've never seen him so concerned over anyone before." Kira blurted out before quickly covering her mouth in surprise.

"Please, call me Miriam. I promise I won't tell him about your little slip just now. I don't want you being beaten on my behalf." I stated, concern evident in my voice.

"Beaten?" Kira laughed, "His Majesty isn't going to beat me!"

My jaw dropped. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Kira was laughing at the idea of the Prince beating her. Was I still dreaming? No way the Prince wasn't as cruel as the stories.

Seeing my expression Kira laughed again. "Those nasty rumors really do get around. His father was the cruel one. Prince Aro protected us as best he could, taking most of the beatings himself."

I couldn't comprehend what Kira was saying, but that didn't stop her from continuing.

"Prince Aro is kind, I promise. My mother said the late King was kind before the death of his wife drove him mad. They were fated mates doncha know."

"Fated mates?" I interrupted.

'Oh yeah. Loads of people think fated mates are a myth for our kind, but they aren't. It happens so rarely anymore, most started to believe we came up with it because of the way Lycans mate. They were really common before the kingdoms split. I think our clans not intermingling anymore is why it doesn't happen very often now." She said, wrinkling her nose.

"I think you're confusing stories with reality." I stated flatly.

Oh no, there are plenty of fated mates talked about in our history books here. There's even a law in each kingdom releasing people from their marriages if they find their fated mate." That caught my attention, "You really think we would have a law about it if it were only a story? It's not a law that's unique to Fire clan either, each clan has it."

I wondered why I hadn't ever heard of the law in my own kingdom, but something in her statement rang true. "Kira, is there a way to get access the laws of my own kingdom from here?" I asked.

"Oh sure. I know we don't really mess with human technology unless were in the human kingdoms, but Prince Aro is obsessed with it. He has a computer with access to all the archived laws from every kingdom. I can take you there tomorrow, I'm sure he won't mind. He said to give you anything you asked for." Her eyes twinkled with mischief. I had a feeling she knew that I had felt the fated mating pull towards the Prince.

"Oh shoot, here I am chattering away, and your food is getting cold" Kira exclaimed. "I should leave you alone so you can eat."

"Do you mind, actually, to stay and eat with me?"

"Sure thing your high, I mean Miriam."

Kira sat and chattered on about anything her mind came up with as I ate. She was quite amusing and a great distraction from the electricity that crept into the room here and there. I was really starting to like her. We could have been great friends if she had been water clan. I knew when I returned home, I was going to miss her.

I hadn't realized I was starting to nod off until Kira stood up and spoke suddenly.

"Goodness, it's so late, you must be exhausted poor thing. I should go and let you sleep! The dresser has been stocked with everything you will need so I'll go and let you get some rest."

I stood up and stretched as she left the room. I quickly made my way to the dresser she had pointed out for me and changed before sliding into the bed. I fell asleep before I could worry whether or not I would be able to.