“I would like to confer with my people, but I believe they will agree to help.” Saul folded his hands into the sleeves of his cloak, his head was bowed. He had always been tranquil, reserved, with an air of dignity that was enhanced by his seemingly vast years, even though he was almost two hundred years younger than Braith. “We’ve built a good home here, but we are well aware of the fact that it is tentative at best. The king still randomly sends search parties after us, there is no guarantee we will not be uncovered and ousted at some point. War offers no promises, no peace or stability, but the hope of a future filled with security will probably sway them, as will the chance to leave The Barrens and return to a home that most of us still miss.”
“I was in even before we went after those creatures,” Calista said. “I want my homeland back. We’ve established a nice system here, but I’m sick of dust and heat and sand. I assume that those of us who join with you will also be rewarded.”
“Your wealth will be returned to you. The Council will be established as the ruling body again, you will be returned to your seats upon it, you will have equal say within it and the majority will rule,” Braith assured them.
“Even the humans?” Frank inquired.
Braith nodded. “What you have established here will be the model that the new rule will be based upon. Humans will rule with us, vampires and humans that do not follow the rules will be punished accordingly.”
“And blood slaves?” Frank pressed.
Despite himself Braith felt his gaze flicker to Aria as she shifted uneasily. Though few people in this room knew she had once been his blood slave, it was still a touchy subject with her. “If we are successful, no human will ever be forced to be a blood slave again.”
It was only the slight tremor of Aria’s chin that hinted at any sign of distress from her. He couldn’t take those days away from her, even if he could, he wouldn’t. If she’d never been captured, if she’d never been brought to the palace as a slave, he never would have met her. He wouldn’t be standing here right now and neither would she. She was in danger now, but her life up to this point had been nothing but danger. He hated it but for the first time he saw things from her perspective, for the first time he understood her total lack of fear toward anything.
She feared nothing because she had lived with the constant threat of death every day of her life, it remained the same now, but there was finally hope for her. Finally there was a light at the end of a tunnel that before had only been dark. She would do anything for that light, anything. She had been trying to tell him this, trying to make him understand that this was a battle she embraced wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and with a determination that may even exceed his own, but he had been too stubborn to listen. He needed to give her more freedom or he would crush the beautiful spirit he had fallen in love with in the first place.
The thought of losing her was almost enough to drive him to his knees, but he realized he’d rather see her dead than destroyed by his inability to let her be who she was.
He almost took her hand, but thankfully he came to his senses before he did something careless. Her life may not be any more precarious now than it was before, but if he revealed his feelings for her any further, it would be.
He turned forcefully away from her as he focused on Frank once more. “You and David will have a say in how things are run afterward. You will both have seats on The Council to represent your people. If there are other human leaders amongst the rebels I’m sure David will bring them to my attention.”
“There aren’t any others,” William informed him.
“The humans will have the same say as vampires?” Frank persisted.
“Yes, humans will have an equal say,” Braith assured him.
“And a leader will also need to be appointed.” Gideon’s hazel eyes were turbulent as they met his.
“There isn’t truly a need for a leader.” Braith stared at Gideon, silently warning him to back off.
“There is always a need for a leader. A leader will have to carry out the results of any vote, and they will have to squash any inner squabbling. A leader will be needed to make sure that justice, fair justice is carried out. And everyone, people and vampire alike, will need someone to follow. There is a need for a leader, a strong one that can rule and see over what will be a difficult time of transition for everyone involved. They will be required to put an abrupt end to the uprisings I am sure will follow this overthrow, and to make sure that all traitorous persons are hunted down and dealt with appropriately.
“There is a need for a leader if what you envision, what we all envision, is to be successful. We will need the strongest among us to carry out this vision. Someone who is just and not simply seeking power, someone who knows how government and politics works, someone that is recognizable to everyone, as there are many of us that would not be known among the humans anymore. ”
Braith was silent, astounded by the fervor of Gideon’s speech, frightened by the sway he felt in those words. Aria gazed at Gideon for a long moment before turning slowly to Braith. It was the pride gleaming from the bright depths of her beautiful eyes that caused his gut to clench. He knew what she expected of him, but if he rose to power she would never be accepted, never be welcomed at his side.
He would give up anything for this cause, except for her.
Beside her, William looked just as amazed as she did. His gaze moved slowly from Gideon to Braith and then finally to his sister. An almost painful look crossed his face before he turned away.