Bonds of Light and Fire

48. Stolen in the Night

Vaughan watched through narrowed eyes as Dorian led Luciana over to his mother. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but the look on Dorian's face gave him a few clues. Lorcan appeared beside Vaughan. "Don't do anything rash," he murmured.

"Did Rowan tell you to say that?" Vaughan growled.

"Maybe."

Vaughan closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "I won't, but I am going to listen to what they're saying."

"Fine."

Vaughan set off towards a servant carrying a tray of drinks. He swiped one and took a sip, while pretending to look out the window at the snow covered garden in the courtyard below. He could see Georgina, Dorian, and Luciana from the corner of his eye, and was in perfect hearing distance.

"Mother, I'd like you to meet my friend, Luciana..." Dorian trailed off.

"Tariq," Luciana finished for him.

Good, Vaughan thought. She remembered to use Aeron's last name.

Aeron went by his Human mother's last name instead of his father's, and Luciana had been instructed to do the same when she first joined the Bane. There were many in Terrasen who did not like Brye Alburn, and wouldn't hesitate to harm Luciana and Aeron if they learned of their connection to the War General.

"She arrived with Aelin Galathynius' Court," Dorian continued.

"Oh?" Georgina's voice sounded strained, as though she were displeased by the sudden introduction. "How did you come to join Queen Aelin's Court? I hear she usually prefers to surround herself with Fae men and Human women."

"Queen Aelin prefers the company of those who serve her with loyalty and honesty," Luciana answered. "As any monarch would."

"Quite right," Dorian agreed. It was his turn to sound strained, and Vaughan couldn't muster a single ounce of sympathy. "Anyway, I did not bring Luciana over so you could question her, Mother. I came to ask what you would think if she were to stay with us for a time."

Vaughan stiffened and tightened his hand around his glass. "I..." Georgina began. "Well, I'm not sure. Why, exactly, would she stay with us?"

"So she can learn the workings of my Court, of course. I've half a mind to offer her a position, should she want one. There are many roles in my kingdom that have yet to be filled." Dorian smiled and rested his hand on the small of Luciana's back.

Vaughan clenched his jaw and forced himself to loosen his hold on his drink, but was unable to silence the irritated growl that escaped him. Luciana made no move to rebuke the King, and instead, simply returned his smile. "I'm always eager to find a new role to play in helping mend our world."

"A quality fit for a Queen," Dorian said.

Vaughan turned abruptly and set his glass on a passing servant's tray. He approached the group without a second thought. "Luciana!" He called, plastering a tense smile to his lips. "May I have the next dance, if you're not already promised to someone else?" He shot a dark look at Dorian.

"Of course," Luciana replied. She and the King exchanged amused glances before Luciana drew away and joined him. Vaughan wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her away from the King and his mother.

When the next dance began, they joined the other couples. Vaughan relaxed, but only slightly. Luciana watched him with unmasked delight. "What?" He asked.

"You do care for me," she said.

"I..." Vaughan took in the amused glint in her eyes. "You did that on purpose."