Authors: Sarah Brocious
The tension was palpable in the room as the two men glared at each other.
Raina dared not even take in a breath. She stared down at her lap and felt Nolan's fingers contracting over her own. She had seen him angry before but he was barely contained right now. She willed him to calm down.
"No one will deny that she's yours," Jonathan said in a soft voice. "David can’t even argue that." The dark eyes turned on David.
David winced away. Jonathan’s gift was rather inconvenient for him at the moment.
"Stop acting like an ass,” Jonathan continued, “I was there the day you signed the contract giving up every right to her. You can't come in here and try to play this game just because you can see now the mistake you made."
David frowned. "Well I'd say it remains to be seen if the contract was actually valid."
"I wrote it myself so I know it was." Jonathan was not in the least intimidated by David. “What remains to be seen?”
“Raina knows now…that rather invalidates it.”
Nolan growled deep in his chest.
“It doesn’t change that it happened.” Isaac’s gentle voice spoke up. He looked from Nolan to David.
“What if I said I made a mistake?” David again looked to Raina. “A big…big mistake?”
“The contract says tough luck,” Jonathan growled.
Nolan had gone deathly quiet, and Raina was scared to even look at him.
“I was wrong Raina,” David whispered.
Raina shook her head against the effect of those familiar yet unfamiliar blue eyes. "David, don't. Please, don’t even go there.” She swallowed hard now. “If it was an invalid contract and I somehow was still your wife and you still had some sort of right to me… it wouldn't matter. It's gone. What we had is gone. Please don't try to make this something."
David's jaw clenched and he again stared at the table before him.
"Let's change the subject," Titus said gently.
Richard, who had been silent this whole time, nodded his head in agreement. "We will have plenty of time for discussions tomorrow. Tonight, we should all have a good time. We don't know what tomorrow holds." He looked nervously to Our Sovereignty. It seemed he was trying to brown nose those who would be sentencing him.
Raina blinked away tears that were forming, and bit back any further words she had wanted to say. She turned to Nolan and gave him a smile. Her hand lifted to his cheek to run her fingers against the scruff of his jaw. “You’re frowning my love,” she whispered.
Nolan drew in a breath to calm himself. His anger was defusing under her touch. “You need to eat, Aelan,”
She wanted to protest, but she instead turned her attention to the food before her. Under different circumstances she would be chowing down and enjoying every morsel. But as it stood, her stomach just wouldn't have it.
She watched as others returned to their meal. She appreciated the way that the immortals were together. They could be together in mutual respect even if the following days held sentencing and possible punishment. But despite the respectful atmosphere, she felt a nearness of danger.
Richard had said some severe words in Joseph's office. Had any of his plans change since the long meeting he had attended with the others? All of his threatening bravado of earlier was gone it seemed. The appearance of Thanatos had changed things she was sure. Also, an entourage of other immortals were to make an appearance later. His well made plans must not feel so well made now. Was he biding his time in planning? Or was he completely giving up? Her eyes lifted to the dark eyes…much like the gorgeous opaque of the other Rivers eyes, but so different. They were not wise like Josephs, or gentle like Jonathans, or even inviting like Elenoras. They were cold, hard and snake like. A shiver ran through her now.
No, he hadn’t given up his plans. He may be unable to go through with them at the very moment, but he hadn’t given up.
She pushed aside her wine. Tonight she wanted to have a clear head.
Nolan push the glass closer to her. "Have some. Relax a little. I will not be leaving your side." He lowered his lips to her ear. He grinned when she shivered a little. "None that matter will be leaving your side."
She pulled her eyes away from the snakes glare. They now turned to Titus…Isaac…Joseph…Jonathan and her Thanatos. She shouldn’t be feeling so fearful, not with so many on her side.
“Yes, relax little one,” Joseph agreed. “No one would be stupid enough to harm you here in this home.” He nodded to the door, and Raina lifted her gaze, where she saw Maxim shadow the door way. Turk sat at his feet obediently when the imposing immortal whispered for him to do so. Yes, Maxim also brought her a great feeling of safety. He gave her a nod and a small smile.
Richard audibly cleared his throat.
Raina reached for her glass. She’d enjoy herself a bit, but her guard would not go down…not with Richard so near. No, she’d remain focused.
She was even more relieved when at the end of the meal a guard was summoned to lead Richard to his room. There would be no chance of freedom tonight. The niceties were over with dinner.
Raina allowed herself another glass of wine to celebrate.
Her fear was much reduced an hour later, lying in bed with her immortal. Turk rolled over on his back, beckoning Nolan’s attention.
“Attention hog,” she accused, cuddling closer to Nolan. She frowned at the pillow he had wedged between them.
He sighed and reached over to play with her hair. “I’m not leaving your side…but I am steering away from temptation. You should think about sleeping,” he whispered.
Raina pouted. “How can I do that with you so close?” She reached for him, and was thwarted, as he wound his fingers in hers.
“Raina Foster, behave,” he chuckled.
She sighed. “I can’t help it.”
“Aelan,” he growled when she gave him that look. “Maybe that wine was a mistake?”
She blushed.
A knock sounded at the door, and in waltzed Thanatos.
He grinned at the sight of them. “Hmmm, break it up you two!”
“Ah, our chaperone,” Nolan laughed. “Come, join us.”
Raina pouted even more, but moved her feet so that the green eyed devil could lounge across the bottom of the bed. He allowed Turk to join him. “No funny business,” he growled at Raina. “You can’t kick me out…and you can’t distract Nolan. We are your guards tonight! Along with Mr. Tree trunks for arms outside!”
Raina laughed, and threw him a pillow. “Don’t make fun of Maxim…I happen to already like him!”
Thanatos nodded in agreement. “He’s okay.”
She shook her head. “Even Turk likes him!”
The green eyes twinkled. “Okay, okay, he’s alright by me!”
Raina turned to Nolan and snatched the pillow between them away. “Our chaperone is here, and I plan on being as comfortable as possible!”
Nolan groaned.
“You have enough self-control to cuddle with your girl?”
He sighed, and pulled her into his arms. “Only if all that is on her mind is sleep!” He kissed the top of her head and laughed.
“With green eyes down there…you bet.”
Thanatos got up and flipped the light off. He shoved Turk over and stole the top layer of blankets. “Good night, beautiful,” he growled.
“Good night,” she whispered against the front of Nolan’s shirt.
“I love you, Aelan,” Nolan breathed against her hair. “I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Just don’t tell me to wake up too soon,” she giggled.
“How about I break that habit and command you to go to sleep?”
There was no response from Raina, as she instantly obeyed.
“Damn,” Thanatos growled. “God I want that gift!!”
Nolan grinned and kicked him with his foot. He cuddled Raina closer now that she wasn’t all hands and wriggling softness. He was nervous as hell of the danger, but with Raina in his arms, and his best friend a breath away, he felt safe.
For the moment they were.
Chapter 16 David
The comforting thump under Raina's ear nearly prevented her from waking. She remained still not wanting to wake Nolan up.
She mulled over the dream she had just been having.
Last night she had gone to sleep so easily under Nolan’s voice, but the thoughts before-hand had been anything but peaceful. Her fear had been for her immortals. What had Richard planned? Why was Emmanuel being so quiet…and why had David seemingly softened in mere hours? Did he have his doubts now? Now that he saw how it was for her? Did he still have a small amount of compassion for her?
She doubted he held any of the love that was once there, but he had to still have some affection for the life they had together. Maybe he wanted to see her happy! Maybe he now saw Nolan was happiness for her! It wasn’t enough to stop their diabolical plan…but maybe enough to give him a moment of doubt.
In her dream she had seen a calmer more loving shadow of who David was. He had listened to her. But she could not remember what they had spoken of.
Raina knew she had to chance it…speaking to David. They were like sitting ducks in this home.
She knew she had little to no chance of sneaking out of the room with two attentive immortals there and another one just outside the door. Nolan and Thanatos would be as protective as ever.
She smiled, burying her face into Nolan’s shirt and breathing deeply of his scent. She loved, and at times hated his protective nature. He couldn’t see past his own nose when it came to shielding her.
No, there would be no walking out of this room without a bit of a fight. One mortal against two immortals would never be a fair fight. She decided that maybe instead of sneaking she may be able to talk her way out and hope that her persuasion would tip the scales.
Raina gently shook Nolan. The only indication that he noted the movement was the change in his deep breathing. She tapped his chest lightly and he cuddled her closer into his side still sleeping. She growled in frustration. It wasn't that she minded being pulled further into his arms it was that she now had a mission to accomplish.
"Nolan," she whispered.
"Hmm?" It was barely a rumble in his chest.
"I need to get up," she said softly. "And I'm rather stuck." She laughed softly when his arm flexed around her. "Come on," she pleaded. She kissed the stubble on the underside of his jaw.
He sighed out a breath but did not make any motion to move.
"I need to get up," she repeated.
"Why?" He murmured, sounding very much like he was still in dreamland.
“I have to have a reason for waking?”
“Yes,” he sighed.
"I have things to do." She was starting to get frustrated with him.
His hand at her hip squeezed gently. "You have sleeping to do." He adjusted his pillow and turned his face from her.
She grunted and poked him in the ribs. "I want to take Turk out," she raised her voice a little louder.
“Maxim can take him!”
“I want to take him…I’ve missed him!” She bit her lip.
"I'm sure," Nolan growled.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Raina tried to raise up on her elbow but the strong arm around her kept her in place. "Gregor? I asked you a question."
"You know what it means, Aelan. It means I know you're lying. You're not very good at it." Nolan drew in a deep breath and seemed to fall very easily back into a slumber.
Raina’s anger mounted. "I do want to take him out." She poked him in the ribs again to no avail. Crazy immortal strength! She sighed and laid her head back on his shoulder. Any other day she'd be happy to stay just where she was! But today, after a night full of strange dreams, she knew that there were certain things she needed to do.
How do you wake a sleeping immortal, especially one that really didn't want to listen to you? Sleeping was Nolan's defense.
Raina knew though, that she was a weakness to him…in a good way. She was Nolan’s greatest temptation.
“Nolan?” she whispered softly.
“Yes?”
“Please, can I get up?” She asked with a gentle sigh.
“Hmm,” he sighed back.
“Please?” She set a kiss just at his collar.
He cleared his throat. His fingers flexed reflexively at her hip again.
She smiled and snuggled closer into his side. Her fingers played gently along the front of his shirt. She pulled up the buttons and let her hand escape in to move against the warm skin beneath. “Just for a few minutes? I will be back soon.”
Nolan shifted and did not answer.
She tilted her head back and again kissed the underside of his jaw. “Nolan?” She grew bolder, exploring the muscles of his chest. She was affecting herself by her actions because he was just perfection.
She felt his heart thud heavily under her hand. This gave her courage, especially when his breaths deepened. Her fingers continued to play against his ribs, his stomach, and the ragged indent of his scar. She wanted to laugh at the sharp intake of his breath.