Protecting Our Own

AYA

I didn’t linger on the sight of Jahan’s lifeless body. Even though I was taken aback when Alexander decapitated him, I felt no remorse over his death. If the human he had raised was any indication, I could only imagine how monstrous the thousand-year-old vampire must have been.

The night was eerily quiet as we watched his body crumple to the ground, the sickening squelch of his severed head as it rolled into a henchman’s waiting hands. The henchman grimaced as he picked up the head, his eyes meeting Alexander’s.

“Deliver him to his family. I don’t care if you tell them it was me, but make sure they understand I won’t hesitate to do the same if they dare to approach us,” Alexander growled.

The henchman’s lips tightened, his face a mask of torment. But I couldn’t muster any sympathy for him, considering he had just tried to tear my head off moments ago.

He gave a single nod, then turned and fled with the remaining henchmen.

Alexander’s arm was securely around my waist, pulling me close to him. I nestled my face into his chest, losing myself in his scent, in the comforting sensation of his large body enveloping mine.

The world seemed to stand still as I listened to his heartbeat slow until it ceased, his steady breathing, and the retreating footsteps of the Shahalia henchmen.

Alexander watched them leave, his lips pressed against the top of my head as he held me close. He was covered in blood—his own and others’—but I could tell he had already healed.

I wondered if I had healed, too. I felt drained. I leaned into his sturdy frame, never wanting to be separated from him again.

I could feel his hand gently stroking my back, one moving to cup my cheek. I quickly turned my head to kiss his palm, then looked up to meet his intense crimson gaze.

“Are you hurt, little bird?” he asked softly, scrutinizing my face. He wiped the blood off my cheek.

I leaned into his touch. “I’m okay.”

He seemed unsure, sniffing me as if searching for an open wound.

He pulled me back into his chest, resting his chin on the top of my head, and I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist.

“We should leave,” he murmured. “Do you need to feed?”

“I’m okay,” I assured him, still nestled in his chest. His hands gently caressed my back.

“They won’t let this go,” Anthony’s voice warned, reminding me of his presence.

Alexander growled in annoyance, his arms tightening around me.

I twisted slightly to look at Anthony. He was covered in blood, cleaning his sword on a dead henchman’s body.

“They’ll have to if they don’t want me coming after them,” Alexander threatened.

Anthony looked skeptical, glancing at me, which made Alexander hiss, positioning his body protectively in front of mine and tucking me into his side.

I had never seen him so possessive before, but I found I didn’t mind. I clung to him, leaning against him.

“The Shahalia clan never forgets an insult,” Anthony continued, and I felt the growl rumbling in Alexander’s chest. “They’ll want revenge.”

I placed my hand on Alexander’s chest, quickly stepping between the two men before Alexander could tear Anthony’s head off.

“Let them come,” Alexander hissed.

“Jahan needed to be stopped,” I interjected.

“His crimes should have been reported to the queen,” Anthony insisted. His rigid sense of justice was going to get him killed.

“Anthony!” I admonished, stepping out of Alexander’s arms and moving toward him. “You can go to the queen and tell her about the crime, tell her what they had planned for me, for Alexander.”

His green eyes met mine, and he gave me a small smile. “It’s good to see you, Aya. I’ve missed you.”

“I haven’t missed your sense of justice,” I teased.

“I see you gave him a second chance then.” Anthony nodded toward Alexander.

Alexander growled, a deep, terrifying sound that made me jump.

It was a noise I had rarely heard him make. “I remember you now,” he snarled.

In an instant, he was pushing me behind him, his hand gripping Anthony’s throat as he hoisted him into the air.

Even Anthony seemed taken aback.

“Alex!” I gasped. “Put him down! He’s a friend!”

“He was my grandfather’s personal guard,” Alexander spat out, his voice filled with venom. “He nearly tore you apart.”

I knew exactly who he was referring to. Anthony was one of the guards who had helped capture me during that horrific night in Cairo. He had almost ripped me apart on the orders of Alexander’s grandfather—a moment I knew Alexander would have given anything to prevent.

I reached out, placing my hand on Alexander’s bicep, drawing his attention to me. I could see his hand tightening around Anthony’s throat, Anthony’s eyes turning a bright crimson as he struggled to pry Alexander’s arm away.

“Alexander, he’s my friend now. A good friend. I trust him,” I said softly. “Please, let him go.”

Reluctantly, Alexander released his grip on Anthony and stepped back, pulling me into his arms.

Anthony coughed, shooting Alexander a glare as he rubbed his reddened throat. “I was sworn to protect you and your siblings, not Aya,” he retorted.

“What?” Alexander growled.

“I still am,” Anthony continued. “Which is why your sister is safe with me.”

“You have Caroline?” I gasped, taken aback.

“Take us to her. Now!” Alexander demanded.

Anthony bristled at the command, clearly not pleased with taking orders from Alexander, but Alexander’s anger was still palpable.

Anthony shot Alexander a glare, raised an eyebrow at me, and motioned for us to follow.

With Alexander’s arm securely around my waist, lifting me slightly off the ground, we ran. Anthony led the way, guiding us westward.

We sprinted through quiet, small towns, over hills, and deep into a lush, dark forest. All the while, Alexander never loosened his grip on me.

We came to a halt in front of a quaint stone cottage, heavily draped in blooming vines.

“This is lovely,” I murmured, admiring the painted window frames.

“Thank you!” Anthony beamed. “I bought it twenty years ago. I wanted to invite you, Aya, but I didn’t know where you were.”

“Berlin,” I replied as Alexander growled again.

Anthony winked at me, clearly amused by Alexander’s jealousy, and held the door open for us.

We stepped into a cozy kitchen, complete with blackout curtains and an air conditioner.

“Honey, I’m home!” Anthony called out.

“I don’t know who you think your ~honey~ is, but it’s certainly not me!” a familiar feminine voice retorted from another room.

I paused, recognizing the voice, memories of years spent cleaning her chambers flooding back.

Then Caroline appeared, impeccably dressed, her long hair neatly combed and braided, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Alexa—”

She didn’t get to finish her sentence before Alexander lunged at her. Even I was taken aback.

Alexander was shaking her, already scolding her. “You stupid, selfish little brat!” he snarled. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been? How scared you’ve made Jessica? Mother? How dangerous your ridiculous plan is? Stupid!”

Anthony’s growl, deep and resonating, surprised me.

I glanced at him. He was leaning against his small oven, his gaze fixed on the royal siblings.

His growl seemed to surprise Caroline too, her eyes wide. But Alexander was unfazed, continuing his tirade.

“Do you understand the consequences of your little mission? What it’s cost us? What it could cost us? We might be punished even more because of your stupid pride!”

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Anthony interjected, surprising both Caroline and me.

Alexander growled again.

“I didn’t ask you to come after me,” Caroline retorted, having regained her composure and now glaring at her older brother. “You could have stayed behind.”

“If you think I could let you run into danger alone, then I’ve been a far worse brother than I ever imagined,” he murmured.

Caroline squirmed, so he released her and stepped back. His arm moved slightly back, and I knew what he wanted.

I took his arm, and he immediately pulled me against him. It seemed to be the first time Caroline noticed me.

“You?”

“Aya,” Alexander and Anthony both corrected her simultaneously.

Caroline scowled at me.

“You all stink, and you’re filthy,” she declared.

“We just fought off the Shahalias, who were hunting us because of you,” Alexander retorted.

She seemed unfazed by his words.

Anthony stepped forward, and she moved away from him, wrinkling her nose. He just seemed amused.

“Let’s head to the back and tidy up. There are two rooms available. I’m sure Caroline won’t mind bunking with me, so you can have your own space,” he suggested.

“What?” she retorted sharply.

“All right,” Alexander conceded, his eyes meeting Anthony’s in a silent threat. It was as if he were warning him of the consequences if he dared to harm his sister, despite his current frustration with her.

“Alex,” Caroline protested.

“Quiet,” Alexander retorted, shooting his sister a stern look.

She simply returned his glare.

“Follow me,” Anthony instructed, pushing a door open. We entered a small corridor. “Last door on the right.”

Alexander gave a nod of understanding. Taking my hand, he led me toward the bathroom door. It was a compact room, dominated by a large bathtub positioned in front of a broad window. The moonlight streamed in, casting a cool, soothing glow.

I reached out to turn on the faucet, and hot water began to fill the tub.

Alexander secured the door behind us, and I immediately felt his arms envelop me once more. I tried to turn to face him, but his grip tightened, holding me in place.

“Just let me hold you for a moment,” he murmured, his face nestled in the crook of my neck.

I leaned back into him, allowing him to support most of my weight. He let out a soft groan. I could feel his long fingers spread across my stomach, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to my throat.

“They’ll likely come after me for killing him,” he mumbled. “I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

I couldn’t help but let a small smile play on my lips. “Probably not.”

He groaned again, burying his face deeper into my shoulder. “I just couldn’t bear the thought of him walking free, escaping justice because of my current situation.”

I turned in his arms, and this time he allowed it. His arms tightened around my waist, pulling me close against him. I reached up to caress his cheek. His skin was smeared with dried blood, his icy blue eyes locked with mine.

“I know. I understand.”

“I love you,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss me. I felt my heart begin to race. A small smile played on his lips as he listened to the sound of my heart pounding.

“I love you,” I echoed.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, and then we can rest. I feel like I could sleep for a hundred years,” he grumbled.