CHAPTER FORTY SIX

"Have you ever met the Sire King?"

Rory's fork stopped mid air, his eyes darting to mine. He placed down the slice of cucumber, wiping his mouth on the linen napkin before folding his hands under his chin and speaking.

"Unfortunately. Not every vampire has, though."

I twirled the pasta on my own fork, picking the questions I wanted to ask carefully.

"How come?"

"Vegas is a busy city. Vampires are much less personal than werewolves in a pack. We stay sprawled out for the most part. We have our own jobs to do. Where wolves focused on their roles within pack borders, we focused on our own personal escapades."

I contemplated his words. How could the Sire lead at all if he didn't even know all of his subjects?

"How do you know him, then?"

He cringed, likely in remembrance.

"We own one of the most lucrative businesses in the city. He pays us a visit every now and then to make sure we are behaving."

"Sounds more like a parent than a King." I mused, popping a meatball into my mouth.

"I assure you, there is nothing parental about him. More like a dictator, maybe. The man is sickening. Wicked. Manipulative. Cunning. We don't pick our Sires based on lineage, but on who can fight their way into the position."

"Like an election?"

"Like a dirty election, maybe. Where the candidates can kill, cheat, and lie to get the title."

Uneasiness settled deep within me. This man was Sire because he ruthlessly climbed his way there.

"How could he be so evil when all of the vampires I've met have been so nice? You and your dad give millions to charity every year!"

He gave me a sad smile.

"He sees my dad and me as weak. He knows that my dad supported Jasper and Kim, and he knows I'm your royal. That's why we are being extra cautious by keeping you away from him."

Fear struck my very core at his words.

"What if he leaves the city to find me?" I whispered in a shaky voice.

"He wouldn't. His power lies in that city. He has men and money at his disposal there. My dad and I are still trying to figure out how you will be able to defeat him as it stands. All we know is that we plan on waiting until the twins are born for you to act."

My face paled.

"He would hurt babies?"

"In a heartbeat."

I instinctively placed a hand on my belly, rubbing gentle circles around it.

"Don't worry, love. We have time. He's a patient man. He won't strike until he is at the best vantage point to do so. Just focus on growing our babies." His soothing voice called out to me.

I looked into his soft blue orbs, taking a deep sigh.

"How do I know he won't hurt you? You still go into the city."

He shook his head.

"He wouldn't do that. It wouldn't be smart. We pay him a large sum in taxes each year, and he couldn't risk the ARIA going under without its CEOs. It would draw too much attention. Hundreds of humans would lose their jobs. In a strange way, human government and media are protecting me."

I puffed out my cheeks, leaning back into my chair.

"Any more questions, love?" Rory asked respectfully.

"No. You can eat." I smiled at him.

His dad really raised him to be a gentleman. He resumed his dining as I looked out over our terrace. The sun was setting earlier by the day. It was a little chilly, but I insisted we eat outside of our chamber. The dining hall didn't sound appealing to my nerves.

In less than 48 hours, we would be finding out the gender of the twins, and I was a mess. Not that it mattered terribly much; I just preferred to know so I could start assembling the nursery.

I felt a startling grip turning my face.

"Darling, are you ignoring me now?"

"Huh? Oh, hi."

Lysander frowned, leaning against the table and crossing his arms with a pout. "What's the matter, my Queen? You seem upset." He remarked, seeming genuinely concerned.

I glanced over at Rory, who had finished eating and was now watching me with hesitation. Rolling my eyes, I addressed the Lord again.

"Could you just reveal yourself already so I can stop looking crazy in front of my royal?"

"Is it... one of the gods?" Rory whispered, eyeing the direction of my sight skeptically.

Lysander chuckled.

"If I go showing others, you and Jesse won't be as special. Besides, my anonymity is what keeps people intrigued." He winked, leaning forward to take my hand.

"Fine." I grumbled, turning to Rory apologetically. "I apologize. Lord Lysander is a bit pretentious."

His eyes widened, flickering back to the spot I was speaking to. "Aria, are you allowed to say that about a god?"

"Trust me, you would say worse if you could see him." I assured him with a smile, stopping Lysander's other hand from reaching my upper thigh.

The god in question only chuckled, leaning back in the chair and crossing one leg over the other.

"I came for a reason, I promise." Lysander assured me, grinning.

"Give me a moment, please?" I asked Rory.

He nodded, standing to give me a quick peck on the lips before heading inside.

"Alright, spill it. What is so important that you interrupted my dinner?"

As if a switch was flipped, Lysander grew somber; the normal glow in his eyes faded.

"You mustn't go to the city. No matter what."

Wait, what?

"I already hadn't planned on it. Is something going to happen?"

His expression shifted to pity as he cupped my face in his large hands.

"Everyone has a path they must walk. Sometimes, the path is beautiful and full. Other times, it's painful and empty. You mustn't go into the city, Aria. Swear to me."

What was with the ominous warning?

"Okay. I promise, I won't go into the city. I still don't get why, though. Why did you come here to tell me that now?"

For the first time since meeting the obnoxious vampire deity, he looked apologetic.

"Now that, I really can't tell you. Call on me, my dear, should you need me. I'll always be there." He used his grip on my face to pull me in, planting a delicate peck on my lips.

I flushed at the gesture, flinching away, but he was already gone.

My fingers moved subconsciously to my lips. He was acting strange. Like he actually cared. He had always been handsy, sure, but this time was different. Like he was trying to comfort me.

That's when I knew that whatever was coming, it was going to be hell.

Were my loves safe?

Paranoia took me and I dashed into the room, looking around for Rory. He was exiting the bathroom with a towel around his waist, running a hand through his towel-dried hair.

"Where's Bastion?" I asked, obviously panicked.

His eyes softened in concern and he crossed to me, taking my hands in his.

"Love, you're trembling. Are you okay? What did our Lord say?"

"Bastion!" I growled, ignoring his questions. I wasn't trying to be rude; I only wanted to know my kings were safe.

"He's in the gym, Aria. You knew that. He goes at the same time every day. Why didn't you mind-link him if you were so worried?"

Right. Why was I acting so impulsive and reckless? I wasn't thinking straight.

"Why don't you get some rest, love? Let's sit for a minute."

Rory guided me to the sectional in front of the fireplace, then started gathering the extra pillows from the bed and arranging them on the rug before me.

After retrieving a toasty fleece blanket from the cupboard, he helped me up and lowered me to the ground cautiously. The pillows were like clouds, and I found myself curling into them, latching onto Rory as soon as he joined me. He struggled to cover us with the blanket because of my steel grip, but he didn't complain.

Once we were set, he wrapped me in his warm arms.

"Do you want to talk about it, love?" He cooed into my hair.

Tears began to fall without consent, and I desperately tried to cover them. I had no reason to cry. It must've been my hormones.

Instead of panicking at my emotional display like Bastion would have, Rory just waited for me to speak, stroking his fingers through my hair.

"I'm scared," I finally admitted.

"About what?" He asked in his deep, soothing voice that just made me want to melt.

"Something major is coming. I can feel it. It's going to hurt. What if I can't handle it? What if I lose more people I love?"

His fingers stopped, moving to my head to lift it so he could look me in the eyes.

"Aria, I won't let that happen. No one else will die. I couldn't bear seeing you so broken last time. It was hell. I won't let that happen again," he swore, determined for it to be so.

He had never spoken about how my suffering had affected him before, and it hurt to know that he was so tortured by it. Then again, seeing Bastion falling apart was hell for me, too.

When I didn't answer, he continued. "It won't help anyone if you stress about it, love. If you ever feel scared or helpless, find me. I'll hold you just like this until all of it fades away. I love you."

His words warmed me as much as his touch, and I was lost in both.

"Thank you. I love you," I mumbled, burying my face in his chest, savoring the fire that came from our bond.

But this time, we didn't need sex to satisfy it. We were sated on a deeper level. I was safe with him. I loved him. All I needed was to feel him cherishing me.

Suddenly, his voice rang out around me. It took me a minute to put together what was happening, but when I did, my tears started again, but this time they were joyous. He was singing a lullaby, and Goddess, it was beautiful.

The words, the melody, and mostly his voice.

Even though he sang quietly, his tune carried, blanketing me in awe and comfort.

"The moon and stars align for you, they dance for you, they sing for you. Every hour is made for you, and through the years, you'll shine..."

I wanted to ask where he'd heard such a beautiful song, but I couldn't speak. I didn't want to interrupt. His voice was perfectly on pitch, deep and smooth in a way that bordered on sensual, but also laced with love and admiration.

As soon as it ended, I found myself wanting more. But he immediately blushed, turning his head away in embarrassment.

"Sorry."

"Why would you be sorry? That was beautiful. Where did you learn how to sing so well?"

He shrugged, moving to bury his head in my neck, his long blonde hair tickling my cheek.

"I haven't been trained or anything. I just like music. I used to sing along when I played the piano. It was fun to make up lyrics that fit the tune of the piece. It's weird, I know."

I pulled back in amazement. "Weird? That's amazing. You wrote that yourself?" He nodded bashfully.

"I thought it might make you feel a little better."

I loved seeing him this way. He rarely showed the vulnerable and nervous man Dylan described to me, but when he did, he was so adorable and wholesome.

I moved my hand to run through his hair and he leaned into my touch.

"It did. So much so."

He glanced up with doey blue eyes alight with the red light of the fire.

"It did?"

I nodded, smiling and smitten with him. "Of course. It made them happy, too." I placed a hand on my belly where the twins were rolling around, seemingly dancing to their dad's song. "Could you... sing it again?" I asked, a little embarrassed myself.

He nodded, giving me a tender kiss before leaning my head on his chest and picking the song back up from the beginning, and with his soulful melody, I drifted off to sleep.