Page 52 of When Day Breaks

But I hadn't really thought about what I will do with her if I ever see her again, wherever she may be. Whatever my thoughts would have been, I know I'm going to take Troy's words a little bit heavier this time. I know she deserves a chance to find out who her mother really is for herself.

I drop my shoulders and release the breath I was holding before palming the wall and throwing back all three vials of the crimson liquid. I feel the thick satisfaction hit the back of my tongue as I swallow down the blood, letting it soothe me and work my mind into a clearer state.

I don't feel a raging need to rip into someone's neck anymore as I focus on Troian's words and think about what she said.

I know you're strong enough to have both and I know you will come out of this alive.

Something about that statement reminds me of my mother and I smile at the notion, tossing the vials into the recycling bin and heading off toward my wife.

"Everything good?" she asks as I reach the doors. I'm a little late due to my detour but she didn't leave me, which gives me a slight appreciation for her trust in me.

She's stunning. Everything about her is a mystery yet I can read her so clearly. She's wrapped in a deep red fur coat and her wintery hair gently floats about against the wind; snowflakes melt into the silky strands as her iridescent eyes glisten like that of a frozen lake, watching me as I exit the large double doors to the castle.

A staggering devastation,my wife.

Before I speak to her, I reach for her hand and lift it to my lips, bowing my head and pressing my mouth against her soft skin. I kiss her gently, before releasing her hand and finding her eyes. She's stunned at my gesture. I can see how her eyes search frantically in mine.

She'll never know the respect she deserves just by simply being our queen, but it starts here and I will have her know her worth in and out this kingdom. She was brave for me today in the Great Hall and she didn't shy from the confrontations and the revelations that were all unveiled. She wanted in; she wanted to do her part.

I commend her for that. She might not ever forgive me for what I've done to cause her grief and her doubt in me, but I will not stop showing her how much I need her and how much I cherish her.

"Rivian?" Her lips stay parted slightly after she whispers my name, her eyes wide with wonder and her cheeks red from the cold.

"You did so good today, little one," I praise her before reaching for her hand once more to guide her away from the castle and through the path in the forest that leads to Hollow Echo Drive.

She doesn't respond as she allows me to lead her, finding that snowfall hasn't covered the path under the blanket of the trees just yet. But flurries feather down in gentle caresses as the sun hides behind light gray clouds.

"What did you need to talk to Kacian about?" she finally asks after about three minutes of silence, another six minutes before our walk through Hollows Trace is complete and we make it to the road. "I haven't seen him since…" she trails off, likely not wanting to remind herself of what she's done.

I squeeze her hand to assure her that I'm here, no matter what.

"He's fine," I assure her. "I just had to fill him in on everything."

"And what exactly iseverything?" she questions, suspecting that there's more to the story seeing as I secluded our conversation from that of the Great Hall.

"Well, it started a long time ago when I was still a teen and Kacian was still my father's Factotum. Without giving too much of his story away, something happened between a few of us here in Hollows Trace and the witches. It led to a line needing to be drawn in the so-to-speak sand that demanded for a separation between us and them."

"Did you saywitches?" she gasps, and I forget that even with everything going on, she's still not quite accustomed to all of this yet.

I nod as we work our way closer to the gate.

"Specifically, the Lunarnyx coven of witches. Usually, vampires stay out of witch business and vice versa. It goes wayback in history, when the stories are told, that there were wars between our kind and eventually, a truce was called and peace prospered. It wasn't easy, but we got there," I explain to her, giving her the information that I know.

I haven't truly been alive long enough to know all there is to know about witches.

"So, what happened this time?"

I don't really know how to answer that question, though I do kind of know the answer. It's just not mine to tell, though I did play a part in it. So I decide to keep it short and cryptic. "One of us just couldn't help ourselves."

"Kacian?" I'm impressed with how quickly her assumption comes. I know they spent some time together seeing as I contracted him to be her sole guard, but I know he doesn't say much to anyone. He's been closed off since it all happened.

"There were stipulations put into place along with a boundary that we agreed to enforce. But with all magic usually comes a price to pay and a way to terminate the truce." I look down at her as she watches her own feet, likely taking in what I'm explaining to her.

I wonder if it's too much, wonder if she can handle more supernatural drama while still battling her own. But I don't doubt that she wouldn't ask if she didn't want to know.

"Like what?" she asks as we approach the gate.

I nod at the two guards hidden there in the alcoves dug into the wide brick pillars. They need a dark place to stand while they keep watch as long as the sun is out.

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