“Who’s… are you serious? You lot don’t know who Ossias is?” Jason gasps.
I shake my head, “Should we?”
“He’s only the chancellor’s adopted son. The next in line to rule over all supernatural creatures. No, there’s no need to know who he is. It’s not like he’s important or anything.” Jason’s sarcasm is dripping with vitriol as though he’s taken our lack of knowledge of the successor as a personal insult.
“You know we’re hybrids. Shunned and hunted by all other supernaturals, right?” I growl, knowing damn well he knows what we are.
“Yeah, so you of all people should have a more extensive knowledge of who’s in charge of what.” Jason snarks back.
“Fine if she’s so safe, then explain why he’s so important and while you’re at it, explain how you know where she is and why you didn’t bother telling any of us.” I snap.
“She’s with Ossias because I sent him a message to come collect her. She went through the barrier because I let her out. She’s safe because I’m fairly sure he’s her brother and Ossias is the chancellor’s only son, adopted when he was only eight. He’d been wandering the streets with blood around his neck and a scar that looked like he’d had his throat slit. The world believes he’s dead, but then again, they believed Eliza was dead as well.” Jason says stopping any further arguing.
“If you knew all that then why the hell did you put that barrier spell on the house in the first place?” I growl out. I’m barely controlling my temper right now. All I want is to see with my own eyes that Areyna is safe.
“Cause he’s a lying dick who wanted to keep us in here while he played his games.” Richard explains.
“Like you’re one to talk, just who the hell are you anyway?” I shout, getting right up into his face.
“Settle down boy.” He shoves me in the chest causing a ripple effect in the room. Derrin, Remmie and surprisingly Jason all move to stand at my back as I’m pushed back a step.
“Who I am is none of your business.” Richard snarls, taking a step towards me.
“Well, I’m glad to see you all getting along in my absence.” Areyna’s voice is like a bucket of icy water. We all freeze where we are, varying looks of contrition on our faces.
“Little Lamb, did you have a nice visit with your brother?” Richard simpers. I block his path to her but so too does Derrin and Remmie.
“That boy isnotmy brother. I don’t have a brother. Nor am I some lost dragon heir. So get those thoughts out of your head.” She snaps as she walks fully into the room. “I’m tired, I’m hungry and I’m not in the mood for any more games. Tell me who the fuck you are,Richard.” I watch rapt as she crosses her arms under her breasts making them lift up slightly higher. I’m not the only one in the room staring at those soft pillows either.Gods, but we’re all a bunch of perverts staring at her breasts when we should be figuring out exactly what is going on and who is lying.
“Now is not the time.” Richard grabs a chair and pushes it past me, towards Areyna. “Sit down. We need to remove that device.” He nods to her feet and I turn on Jason. “She’s fucking being monitored like a stray dog?” I question on a shout as Areyna sits down and lifts her pant leg, exposing the truth to everyone in the room.
“Well we couldn’t let her roam around without a contingency plan. She is dangerous, you know.” Jason defends.
“Shall I sharpen my sword, ir-Regina tieghi?” My rage is clawing at my flesh, eager to get to the intruder. I look to my left to find that Derrin’s nails have shifted to the claws of his wolf. We can’t afford for him to lose control, so I swallow down my own impulses and place my hand on his shoulder. “Breathe.” I hiss into his ear.
“Seriously Rourke, what do I have to do to convince you to call me Areyna?” The smile Areyna gives the stranger has me tightening my hold on Derrin’s shoulder. I’m half tempted to let him release his wolf. See if it could tear the asshole, who dares to speak to our girl like that, to pieces.
“Nothing will ever convince me of that, ir-Regina tieghi.”
“Stop fucking calling her that.” Derrin growls. His wolf is so close to the surface now that I’m not sure he could reign it in even with my help.
“It means,my queen. The dragon guard has always called her that.” Jason states as though he’s simply telling us about the grey clouds blotting out the sun.
“Dragon guard?” Areyna asks, getting up from the chair and walking away from Richard, but instead of turning her gaze on him or Jason, she turns those beautiful blue orbs on the asshole interloper. I know it’s my jealousy talking, but I really don’t like this Rook-guy or whatever his name is.
EIGHTEEN
Remmie
Rourke is fascinating,he seems to believe Areyna is his Queen. I’m curious if that’s the reason he’s returned her to us or if he’s simply following her for the same reasons we all did.Did she feed from him? She didn’t have anything before she left.
“Why are you here?” I ask him bluntly.
“It is my duty to keep ir-Regina tieghi safe.” He says placing his hand on her lower spine.
The literal translation for ir-Regina tieghi ismy queen,I’m fairly certain this guy is from Malta, however the way this guy says it, it sounds more of an endearment than a title.Am I right, does this man want more from Areyna than to be the guard to a long-forgotten sovereignty?“That doesn’t explain why you are here. What is she to you?” I ask, swallowing roughly at the way my voice comes out. I’m not an emotional person, never have been, but seeing someone who is not one of my friends touching Areyna has my blood boiling. Granted I might be picking up on the other’s emotions right now but considering what Areyna and I almost did in that shed, I’m inclined to say I too am feeling jealous.
“Answer ir-Regina tieghi’s questions and I might answer yours.” He guides Areyna back over to the chair, then stands behind her like a bodyguard with his arms crossed over his chest and a gleam of mischief in his eyes.Oh I see that you’re up to something, but you won’t be starting trouble for us, we’ve got enough to deal with already.I glare at Rourke then at Richard, but don’t say the words out loud.