Refugee (The Captive #3)(19)
“That is love Braith. I’m seventeen and even I know that. Maybe you should learn.”
She jerked her arm free of his slackened grasp and didn’t look back as she stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door. She gasped in a breath as she leaned against the door; all of her pleasure from earlier had evaporated. He was such an infuriating ass sometimes.
She realized only too late that there were no clothes in here for her. Crap, she thought as she released an aggravated breath. She had just blown up on him, and now she was going to have to go back out there to ask him for clothes. It was humiliating.
She remained leaning against the door, reluctant to face him again. A low knock reminded her that it was impossible to hide. She opened the door to find his large and imposing frame standing before her holding a dress which looked tiny in his hands.
“I thought you might require some clothing.”
She scrunched her nose as she nodded. “I do.”
“Gideon had it sent up while you were sleeping.” She eyed the dress warily as he stepped into the room. She hadn’t worn one of these horrible garments since her time in the palace, and had hoped to never have to wear one again. She took the dress from him, barely meeting his gaze as she draped it over her arm. “I’ll button it for you after you slide it on.”
He turned away as she dropped the towel and slipped the dress over her head. His fingers were gentle as he buttoned the back with surprising ease. Pulling her hair over her shoulders, he covered the fresh marks upon her neck with it as he turned her around to face him.
“I need you to know I’m not a complete monster.”
She started in surprise, that’s what this was about. “I know that Braith, I never thought you were.” She sought to give him comfort as her fingers wrapped around his wrists. “The past can’t be undone, but it doesn’t define you. It’s our future actions that will show who we really are, what we’ll become.”
“I hope so.”
“They will,” she promised him. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
He smiled wanly. “I deserved it.” She wasn’t going to argue with that. He kissed her forehead soothingly. “I never had anyone to teach me about love before.”
Her hands constricted on his forearms, tears burned her eyes. He was stronger than her, faster and more powerful, his life had been one of pleasure and luxury, hers one of struggle and starvation, yet she realized now that she had gotten the better deal. She knew what it was like to have people that loved her. His siblings, at least Melinda and Jack, seemed to care for each other, but they weren’t anywhere near as close as she was with William and Daniel. Yes, her mother had been killed, but she had died for her children. Her father had never hidden the fact that he loved his kids, even if he had never been overly affectionate with them, and even when the rebellion had too often come first. Her entire life had been about love, his had been about cruelty. It was amazing he had turned out as wonderful as he had.
“I’ll teach you,” she vowed.
“You already have.” Tears spilled down her cheeks as he lifted her face and kissed her tenderly. She embraced him, reluctant to have the moment end, but knowing that it must. It was time to return to reality. “We have to go downstairs.”
“I know.”
He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks before taking hold of her hand, and following the sounds of voices back to Gideon’s study. Ashby looked up from his place by the window where he had been staring outside, a drink in his hand as he spoke quietly with Gideon. He grew silent the minute they entered the room. Gideon was sitting behind the desk, his feet propped on top and his hands folded on his stomach.
“Where’s my brother?” Aria demanded.
“Relax Aria, he’s fine,” Ashby assured her.
“Where is he Ashby?”
“Dara took him on a tour of the town.”
A cold chill crept down her spine, she nearly sputtered in disbelief. “You let him go alone?”
“There’s no need to fear anything here, your brother is safe.”
Gideon’s smug tone irritated her as she turned her glare on him. “I don’t fear anything,” she retorted sharply.
Gideon quirked an eyebrow as Braith shook his head. “She’s a feisty one.”
“She is,” Ashby agreed. Though Ashby was smiling, and Gideon seemed somewhat amused, they were both studying her with an intensity that was a little unnerving. “I wouldn’t let him go anywhere if I thought he was at risk, I promise. Besides, he’s with a human.”
Aria refrained from saying that didn’t mean much, especially not in a vamp ruled world. She didn’t think William should be wandering around alone; she tried to control her panic at the mere thought of it. “I’d like to find him,” she said softly.
“Of course,” Gideon purred. “I can have someone take you to him. We have some things to discuss anyway, don’t we Braith?”
Braith shook his head. “Aria will be here for that discussion. We’ll find her brother first.”
Gideon contemplated this before he dropped his feet down and rose with an easy grace. “Why not?” he asked nonchalantly. “I’d like to show you around anyway. I think there is much you’d like to see here.”
A small chill of apprehension raced down her spine, she wasn’t sure she cared to see much of what this town had to offer, but her need to find William outweighed her trepidation. Gideon handed Braith a cloak, this one the same deep blue color as her dress. “It gets cold at night around here,” Gideon explained as she studied it. “The color doesn’t denote any certain position. Not in these lands.”