CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO-LYSANDER

Lysander's POV

I arrived at her chamber within seconds.

Thankfully, she was already asleep, along with her two chosen ones.

How did she not get heat stroke with Bastion practically lying on top of her every night? Rory seemed to be sleeping a little further away than normal, practically hugging the edge of the bed. That was weird.

Oh well, I wanted to watch her for a bit, so it worked.

I crawled onto the bed, laying atop the covers so as not to disturb anybody.

I fit nicely on her right, fortunately the direction she was facing. The slight part of her lips tempted me, but I wasn't some creep who would kiss her while she slept.

Plus, as soon as my saliva hit her tongue, she would know I had been there, and it wasn't like I could satisfy her myself.

I used my fingers to delicately remove the loose strands of hair sticking to her mouth. She was gorgeous, even when sleeping.

"You really have no idea what you do to me, do you?" I whispered as I twirled her long hair in my fingers. "I wonder what you'd say if you knew the truth. If you knew how often I thought about you. If you knew how often I dreamt about you. If you knew how much I desired you." My eyes flickered to her considerable cleavage that was on display thanks to her low-cut satin nightie.

I swallowed at the sight. Fuck.

"Lysander?" Her saying my name made me jump out of my skin. Her eyes were wide open, glancing around as her brow furrowed in confusion. "I swore I heard him speaking to me," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

How did she hear me speaking when I was cloaking myself? She shouldn't have even known I was there.

"Well, I understand if you don't want to come out," she said, falling back to her pillow with a soft thud. "Still, I wish you wouldn't keep running away from me." She yawned, her eyes immediately drifting closed.

Maybe she was dreaming about me. No way... She didn't even like me. And what did she mean by running away? I just liked to give her privacy when she was with other people. She deserved that much.

I ran my fingers south, gripping her exposed hand beside me. After interlacing our fingers, I let out a content sigh.

I wished I could understand my feelings towards her, not that they mattered in the end.

"Fuck, she had two men already, and I sure as hell didn't wish to join the party. If I had Aria, I wouldn't share her with anybody. She would be all mine."

Yeah, a big 'if' indeed. As in never.

But this would be enough. Having her beside me. Her hands tightened around mine, making me jump again.

"Ly-san-der..." she mumbled. Holy shit, she really was dreaming about me. It was times like these that I wished I had Luna's ability to enter dreams or read minds.

"What's happening in that mind of yours, Aria?" I whispered.

"Ah-ha! I knew you were here."

Son of a bitch.

I let out a deep chuckle, biting my lip in amusement before lifting my cloak. Her smirk was contagious. She was so proud of herself.

"Impressive. Tricking a god. Not everyone would be so bold, darling," I teased, tugging at a lock of her hair.

"I wouldn't have to trick you if you just showed yourself when you were around me." I met her twinkling eyes with admiration.

"I don't think you would want me to do that."

"Why not?"

"I would just distract you," I assured her, raising a brow.

"I don't know, I like your company," she mumbled, hiding her smile in her pillow. She did?

"I thought I was obnoxious, pretentious, and, let's see, what did you say to the guys? Ah, yes, unlikable." She let out a muffled giggle, making me laugh along with her.

"Opinions change, I guess. You're not so bad. Sometimes." I rolled my eyes, biting my cheek.

"Wow, thanks. You're so very charming, dear Queen," I said sarcastically, winking at her and making her cheeks flush. That's when I heard it. Her blood wasn't just rushing to her face.

Fuck.

I shut my eyes, hoping to control their color. I had to get her mind off of our flirting. That's what we were doing, right? Shit, I didn't know. Maybe she was thinking about her Kings, and that's why her body responded that way. Where the hell is Luna?

"Lysan-?"

"Have you seen King Lorec's message?" I rushed out, watching as her smile faded and eyes grew wide in panic.

"W-what message?"

At that moment, a loud knock sounded on the chamber door, making all three of them sit up in startled fear. Before I could cloak myself again, Aria grabbed firmly onto my forearm.

"Stay," she commanded, looking into my eyes with intensity.

I nodded, trying to hide my hopeful smile.

"I will. I promise. But is it okay if I stand over there?" I motioned towards the sofa, and she gave me an apologetic grin.

"Mhmm." Then she released me.

"Come in," Rory mumbled sleepily as Bastion latched onto Aria's waist, pulling her against his chest in protection.

I didn't know why she wanted me to stay when she didn't need me. She had everything she would ever need with those two.

Still, I kept my promise and sat back, watching the scenes unfolding before me.

The entire fucking court burst through the door, rushing to their rulers with panic overtaking them. Anthony led the group with a tablet in hand, pressing play on a saved recording of my father's video.

As soon as it finished, Aria's eyes darted to me. I wished I could comfort her somehow, but I couldn't. I was just a bystander.

Rory turned to her with worry, cupping her face in his hands as he assured her of the peace to come.

"The gods are in control," he said, making me scoff. Yeah. Control.

I glanced down to the bearskin rug on the floor.

If she knew the truth, would she still trust in me? Would she still feel comfort in my presence? I wasn't eager to find out, but I had a feeling that her questions had only just begun. Soon, I would have to tell her. She would want to know who we really are.

They wisely decided to obey the King for now, continuing about their daily routine until the time was right, but Aria wasn't completely satisfied with that plan.

"I want to speak to the gods. I think they might have more information for us," she insisted, glancing over at me.

Rory's eyes followed her gaze, landing directly on me and making me wonder if he could see me, too. But no, he seemed to be looking through me with furrowed brows.

I offered the Queen a half-smile at her suggestion. Now that everything has gone to hell, why not tell her what I knew?

Well, most of it anyway.

I couldn't tell her all of the foretellings we'd seen. She would die of a broken heart before the battle even started.

"Please, wait to inform the Kingdom until morning. We don't need everyone panicking at—" She glanced at the clock to her right. "Three in the morning. If you face any trouble, please offer any comfort you can. We don't need people freaking out. We are far enough away from Vegas that they shouldn't bother us here."

They all looked around at each other, eventually nodding and sighing in acceptance.

Once they had filtered out, Bastion buried his face in her neck, taking a deep breath of her scent.

"Baby, you're also going back to bed, right?" She swallowed, looking into Rory's tense eyes.

"Not yet, Bas. I have to speak with someone first," she mumbled nervously. Rory's gaze darkened, flickering back to where I stood.

"It's him, isn't it? You're going to go see the Lord? Is he here now?" he hissed.

"No, he's not," she lied, pulling on his arm until he met her eyes. "Please, Rory, I need you to trust me. I'll be back by morning, okay? I just have a few questions." She leaned forward, Bastion still attached, to press her lips to his. He relaxed at the touch, placing his forehead against hers.

I hated watching this shit.

I crossed to the bar, reading the various labels, searching for my long-desired drink to settle my nerves. Surprisingly enough, he did have a bottle of brandy: 1858 Cognac Croizet Cuvée Léonie.

Shit, did the guy g****e the most luxurious bottles of alcohol and buy them? And she called me pretentious.

I skipped the glass, teleporting the bottle directly to my hand so as not to grab their attention.

As I waited for them to finish their handsy goodbyes, I removed the cork, downing a gulp with a pleased groan. It was heavenly. I couldn't wait for Aria to try some.

I bet she would like it far more than the scotch.

Plus, I wasn't joking when I said I preferred her drunk. She didn't keep herself as guarded. She let me hold her, even if for a moment.

"Lysander?"

I jumped, glancing up to see her gone and both men lying still in their bed. Was she praying to me?

I followed the connection to the front porch of the house, teleporting there in a heartbeat.

"Thank goodness. I was hoping you would be able to hear me." She beamed, hugging her coat around herself. At least it wasn't snowing anymore.

"You could've spoken to me directly, you know?" I reminded her, cocking my head even though I already knew why she didn't.

"Then Rory would know—"

"That you lied about me being there?" I finished, a smirk gracing my lips. She flushed in shame and embarrassment.

"I just didn't want him to stress about it. He gets so protective of me when you're concerned."

"I think the word you're thinking of is possessive. Maybe obsessed?" She poked me hard in the ribs, making me flinch and laugh.

"Stop being an ass; we have things to discuss," she scolded.

"Fine, but we can't talk outside. You'll get a cold." She pursed her lips, her mind running with ideas.

"I don't think we can go anywhere in the mansion where we won't be heard by any local vampires."

"Do you trust me?" The sensual nature of my voice made her swallow.

Still, her eyes grew wide with just a hint of excitement.

"Yes...?" she answered hesitantly, making my grin widen. I opened my arms wide for her to step into, which she did, gripping my shirt as if she would fall. "Where are we going?"

"I know a place no one will interrupt us."