Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Gabriel pov

Rhea is beautiful, why haven’t I told her that?

I should tell her, though perhaps she has heard it a thousand times before. It may mean absolutely nothing coming from me, it may even startle her.

After we went and got ice cream, my little she wolf got tired, and so I took her to bed, but instead of leaving the moment she was asleep, I found myself staying behind to watch over her. It’s not something I’ve done before, and it ignites something oddly warm in my chest.

She’s laid with her head not too far from my chest, her soft snores like music to my ears as I read the book I started earlier. Rhea fell asleep quite easily, the battle must have really tired her out, and I suspect that maybe whatever or wherever her strange power came from, it took a lot of energy to use.

And she used it for a long time.

She killed around the same amount of vampires as I did, maybe more that I hadn’t noticed. She was brave, braver than any she wolf I’ve ever met before. And I have met my fair share of women who think they know what they want.

I place the book down on my lap, unable to concentrate on the words scribbled across the page, I promised her freedom in exchange for a child, but I’m not sure I’ll have to strength to let her go.

I want the child of course, but I want her more. A life of exile wouldn’t be so bad if Rhea was by my side. I might even enjoy it.

The lack of responsibility out in the countryside sounded almost tempting, and with her by my side, I’d never grow bored.

The only problem is that without my army, I’d struggle to protect her. The rebels won’t stop coming for her, even if I lose my place as king.

She and her power are a threat to them, and they don’t take kindly to that. I wouldn’t have either, a few months ago, but now I know her, it’s different. I’d do anything to keep her safe.

And right now, that meant getting her pregnant with my child. But even though she agreed to give me a baby, she didn’t agree to have sex with me, and I wasn’t going to take it until she was ready to give it.

She stirs, stretching as she yawns, but a moment later, she is snoring again, back in a deep sleep that even I am jealous of.

As a vampire, I don’t need sleep to function, it’s a nice pastime, but I don’t need it. Rhea however does, she needs it for her body to function normally.

In fact, mortals that go without sleep for a prolonged period of time face more than just aching bodies, they slowly lose their mind. Until there is nothing let of the person they were.

Rayan enters the room without knocking, his eyes skimming over Rhea before landing on me beside her. “There you are Gabriel.” He says quietly, purposely keeping his voice low. “I’ve got some news of the traitors.”

I slowly slip out of the bed and place the book back onto the nightstand, my eyes lingering of Rhea for longer than I should have let them in the company of my second in command. He thinks I’m going soft, and maybe I am. But only with her.

I follow Rayan out of the room, closing the door with a soft click before I am completely comfortable to be louder again.

“What news do you bring me?” I ask him, unable to help myself from still listening to the soft snores coming from the bedroom. “Have the traitors been captured?”

She’s fine. She’s safe. Nothing can hurt her, there are extra guards stationed all around the castle, no one will get in undetected.

Rayan nods, noticing that I was only half listening, “would you rather we take this conversation to your office?”

I shake my head. “You can speak here, and do it quickly.”

“Yes, my king.” He bows slightly, “I have captured all but one of the traitors and dealt with them according to our laws.”

“They’re dead?” I ask, needing verbal confirmation. “What about the one you still cannot find?”

These traitors nearly cost me Rhea’s life, and they cost the lives of many of my soldiers. Good soldiers who were loyal to me.

“I believe he has escaped, there is no sign of him anywhere around the castle grounds, and he wasn’t where he was stationed.” Rayan explains, a little nervously. “And yes, the others have all been killed, but not before I got the information about the next attack that’s coming.”

“There is another attack coming?” My eyes go wide with rage, my hands clenching into fists. “When?”

“In three days time.” Rayan says, his eyes as hard as my own. “I have already called upon all our reserves, when they come, we will be ready for them.”

“Good.” I say, approving. “But you need to find this last traitor, increase the search parameters and make rumours of an award for his capture.”

Rayan looks at me strangely. “You’ll give an award?”

“Yes.” I nod slowly, “to anyone who captures or kills this traitor.” I growl a little, “I want his head Rayan, and I want it done quickly, before this next attack.”

Rayan clears his throat, but still  nods, “and what should I say that the reward is?”

“Gold.” I tell him sternly, still keeping my voice low. “thirty pieces of gold to anyone who brings him to me, dead or alive.”

I jump a little when the bedroom door opens, Rhea stood just behind it, rubbing her eyes, “is it morning already?” She asks innocently.

Rayan’s energy becomes hostile almost Immediately. He hates her, he hates that we need her. He doesn’t think I should make an heir with her.

Does he know about her power? Has word spread yet? It’s just another reason for him to despise her.

But he will NOT hurt her, he is loyal to me, and if I say I want her kept safe, he’ll do it. Not for her, but for me.

I shake my head, guiding her back into the bedroom, “not yet, my dear Queen.” I tell her before turning to rayan, “come back in a couple of hours, I want results. Or better yet, I want his head.”

Rayan bows, leaving without another word, his eyes lingering on Rhea a little too long for my liking.

I’ll have to speak with him about his aggression to wards her, he can’t make this any harder on me, and right now, he is.

Unless she feels safe within these walls, she will not open up to me and learn to trust me.

“Let’s get you back to bed.” I say softly, helping her climb up. “You’re still tired.”

She nods and yawns softly, “I could sleep for a year.” She whispers.

“You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it.” I laugh, covering her with the blanket.

She smiles and closes her eyes, “you won’t  leave whilst

Im asleep?”

I shake my head. “No, I won’t..” I tell her, “You Have my word.”

She closes her eyes, not letting go of my hand.

She’s beautiful, and she’s mine.

But only until she gives me a child.