"Peace"

"Peace"
Aribella POV

“What kind of question is that?” I scoff, fury boiling in my veins.

“Are you unable to answer the question?” Mikko taunted, his eyes studying me as though I was the most interesting thing in the world right now.

“His life is valuable because I said it is,” the anger in my veins bubbled over. “He’s a living being with a kind heart. That makes his life just as valuable as a human. I don’t give a damn if he’s a vampire.”

The table was quiet enough to hear a pin drop, and I instantly realized my mistake. I’d played into his little games. He was baiting me, and it worked. I was a fool.

“I personally find all life invaluable,” Mikko glances around the table. “Even those you love hurt you in the end, so why place value in anything other than yourself?”

The air in the dining hall smelled stale as silence consumed us all. As I reeled in my anger, I realized how unfit I was for this position. I was emotionally charged, and always on the defense. Rarely did I react rationally or respond without emotion bleeding into my words.

I didn’t indulge him with a response, knowing damn well I needed to regroup my thoughts and come at the situation with more grace.

The fact that Mikko was even here… sitting in the Queen’s chair didn’t sit right with me. There was something far more sinister going on here, and the king was ensuring we were all left in the dark. They were working in the shadows, and this had to be a ruse.

There was no other explanation for it.

My thoughts ran wild as I faked composure. Why was I allowing these people to get under my skin knowing damn well that’s exactly what they’re trying to do?

Mikko was the one to break the tense silence, his lips pulling into a grin that showed off a sharp smile. It was a sin that he was so attractive. It was the cruel kind of beauty that reeled you in, but beneath that veil was a sinister soul. “We have come here to discuss some form of… resolution between our respectable Kingdoms.”

Even the tone of his voice was like honey, and if I didn’t know better; I’d fall right into his trap.

I wanted to scoff. Respectable Kingdom’s and peace my ass.

Mikko had sent his men to paint our walls in blood only a few days prior.

Johnston’s chuckle reminded me of his presence, “Straight to the point,” he nodded with a treacherous grin. “I think it would be in both of our interests to come to a resolution. But if we are to end this war…”

“Then the truth must be spoken plainly,” Mikko arched a brow, staring directly at Johnston, an unspoken conversation pouring between the two men. “Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Voss?”

My breath caught, though I didn’t dare let it show. It was clear Mikko was trying to rattle me, but I was more prepared now. Toying with the beads on my bracelet reminded me that it’s not just my life on the line.

“The truth, I’ve found, is not something easily by men who spill it with blood.”

Mikko’s grin widened, a flicker of amusement sparkling in his crimson eyes, “And yet, I suspect you prefer it that way.”

He didn’t hide the way his eyes flicked to Kaelar’s across the room, and I didn’t need to turn around to know that he’d stiffened.

But Kaelar was nothing like his brother. Violence may be brimming beneath his skin, but he uses his strength to protect those around him from people like Mikko. He was warmth where Mikko was ice.

Mikko leaned forward, placing his chin against his palm, and tilting his head, “I must say, Aribella, your reputation precedes you. Gideon here can attest to that,” red flicked to vibrant green, “He was such a whiny thing after you stabbed him in the back. It takes a certain type of ferocity to fight a battle you know you’ll never win.”

“And yet he ran away with his tail between his legs.”

“Fair point,” he shrugged, sitting upright. “Though I do wonder how a regular girl raised on a farm found herself intertwined with the future King. I hear it was quite the whirlwind romance.”

My anger was back, brimming just beneath the surface of my skin, “I didn’t realize you made a special trip to the castle to discuss all things pertaining to me. I am just a regular girl, after all.”

Mikko chuckled, though there was this underlying tone that I couldn’t quite decipher. Something cynical in the way his eyes remained locked on mine, “Apologies. I have just been so curious about you, Miss Voss. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance to officially meet you.”

“Darling,” Corabelle finally spoke, placing her hand on Mikko’s forearm. His demeanor shifted entirely, a darkness surrounded him, “Why waste your time on such insignificant pawns?”

This bitch already pissed me off simply by showing her face in Kaelar’s presence, but now, it was personal.

“Were you given permission to speak?” Mikko’s head whipped to the side, and in a flash, Corabelle’s arm was snapped at an unnatural angle.

“N… no si…sir,” she choked out the words, cradling her mangled arm to her chest.

“Apologies,” Mikko returned his gaze. “As delightful as this breakfast has been, I’d prefer to continue our discussions privately,” he directed at Johnston.

“Of course,” Johnston grinned. “We can head off to my office.”