The door opened again and much to Jack's astonishment, Xavier stepped inside. The dark skinned, stocky vampire's black eyes landed upon them immediately. The tribal tattoos and flames licking against his chin and neck made more than a few heads turn in his direction as he walked across the room. "Xavier volunteered to travel through the woods with you?" Jack asked in disbelief.
"He still watches over Aria, even though she doesn't need it as much," Braith answered.
"She always needs it," William retorted.
Aria returned to glaring at him as she folded her arms over her chest. "And just what have you been up to?" she demanded.
"Well that's a long story, sit down and I'll tell you some of it," William offered.
"I still can't believe you were able to get away," Jack said to Braith.
"Like he had a choice once Aria decided that this was what she was going to do," William said.
He was going to sit down when Braith yanked the chair out from under him. William landed on the floor with an inelegant hmmph. The patrons closest to them turned to look, a few of them snickered, and a few others looked like they were ready to jump into what they were certain was about to become a brawl. Jack's attention was brought back to Hannah as she took a step toward them. Jack gave her a reassuring wave though. Her forehead furrowed as she studied the new arrivals and then turned toward William.
"I didn't miss you," Braith told him as he turned the chair around and held it out for Aria to sit down.
"Be nice," she said as she slid onto the seat.
"I am being nice," Braith replied as he eased her chair into the table.
"Just as testy as ever," William muttered. He grabbed hold of the table and pulled himself to his feet. "I only meant that she would have come on her own if you didn't agree to go with her."
Braith continued to shoot daggers at him with his eyes for a minute before turning away. Jack sat in his seat again while Xavier, Daniel, Braith, and William hunted down more chairs and pulled them up to the table. "Timber," Aria greeted. "Long time no see."
"Aria," he said with a tilt of his mug to her. "Glad to see that becoming an undead queen didn't change you much."
She flashed a smile as she pulled the bow and arrows from her back and rested them against the table next to Jack's. Hannah's eyes were questioning as she walked toward the table. Jack held her gaze, uncertain of how she would react to the newest patrons in her bar. She was touchy enough about his royalty status, never mind Braith and Aria's.
"Can I get you something?" she inquired as she stepped next to Braith's side.
Braith shook his head but Daniel ordered some food and Xavier ordered a drink. Jack watched as she glanced back at them before disappearing into the kitchen. "How did you find us?" William asked.
"Asked around and followed your trail through the towns," Aria replied.
"The last town informed us that you had pulled some of the guards that had been stationed there," Braith said.
"What's going on?" Aria demanded.
Jack glanced around the crowded bar and at the group of Calvin's men still sitting at the table nearby. "We can discuss that later. For now, let's just catch up."
Braith's eyes were astute as they met his but he seemed willing to let it go as he settled in his chair and folded his arms over his chest.
***
The sun was beginning to rise as Hannah closed the last shutter over the window and took a step back. She glanced at the large group still gathered around one of the tables. There had been a lot of laughter and cheers from the group over the last few hours, but now the talk had become subdued as night gave way to day. The redheaded woman had curled up within the large man's lap, her hand rested against his chest as her eyelids drooped.
Jack had tried to speak with her a couple of times over the night but the tavern had been busier than usual and she hadn't been able to get away. Plus, she was a little uncertain about the newest arrivals and she was especially uncertain as to where she and Jack stood after the other night. Maybe he had decided that he was wrong about the whole bloodlink thing after all.
Her attention was brought back to the table as William began to tap the handle of his knife on the wooden surface. The new group seemed to know Jack and William extremely well, and if the hair color was any indication she would assume that William and the woman were related. It couldn't be his sister though, it simply couldn't, there was no way the queen would be wearing that outfit and sitting here in her tavern.
Jack glanced up at her and rose. Hannah hesitated as he waved his hand for her to join them. She was hesitant to join the group and even less unsure if she should join him. There was something about them that was a little disconcerting. Straightening her shoulders, she wiped her hands on her apron before walking over to them.
"Hannah," Jack said as she stepped in between him and the handsome blond haired man that had arrived with the group. "I'd like for you to meet my brother Braith, his wife Aria, Aria and William's older brother Daniel, and our friend Xavier."
Hannah hadn't heard much of the introductions as a strange ringing had begun in her ears after he had announced that the large man with black hair, holding the woman in his lap, was the king. He was an exceptionally handsome man and as she looked between him and Jack, she could see the resemblance, but she didn't find him as handsome as Jack. Her mouth was unreasonably dry as Aria, the queen, lifted her head and nodded toward her in greeting. Somehow she managed to remember her manners enough to finally find her voice again.
"Your Majesties," she greeted and attempted to curtsey.