Chasing Demons (Book 2) Rated R

Chapter 37

The walk back to the throne room through the alcove was a silent one.

My arm was looped through Christian's, the warmth of his body so close, yet inside me I was cold. I suppressed the urge to shiver.

I didn't know what to make of our conversation. I didn't know if to be angry or cry. All I felt was hollowed out, bled dry, with no tears left in my eyes, no tears worth spilling anyway, not for anyone, not anymore. It was hard to steady my breathing because a part of me knew...and part of me thought that this alliance could only mean one thing for my family.

Christian's refusal to sign a blood contract the other night told me most of what I needed to know. And if what he said he felt for me or didn't was a lie...then I shuddered to think what knowledge he had about my family that had led to this treaty.

A cloud of darkness came over me and I mourned, somewhere deep and quiet in my heart.

From this day on, my heart would be a cold, dark tomb. I'd feel nothing for anyone. Love destroyed you, I was certain of it now.

If he intended to make me hate him for this, he'd failed. All I felt was sorry for him. That he thought this was the only way...that he didn't respect me enough to tell me...that he was such a coward.

Oh, what did it matter, anyway. From this moment on, I'd resolved to give him exactly what he wanted which was my indifference, the hatred I had to muster up from somewhere.

I'd survived Luke, I'd barely survived my family's kidnapping, and I would survive this. Still, it was hard to come to terms with everything I'd heard in that room.

Christian's face was all hard lines with a scowl set deep in his brow as we made our way into the throne room. He faced his people, his entire demeanor changing. The crowd quieted until only the sound of shuffling feet and breathing remained.

"As you all know, it's been a dark time for Reader Nation. Many of you have lost loved ones. I offer you my deepest and sincerest condolences. Please know that I feel each of your losses as my own."

"Thank you to all who responded to my call. Even after you've bravely stepped forward, our numbers are small and our forces weak. We have reason to believe a second attack is imminent."

Uneasy mutterings swept through the crowd. I fidgeted with the smooth silk of my dress. It was a beautiful blue that matched Christian's eyes, intentional, I was sure.

"With danger still near, and in an effort to protect our women and children, I have made a difficult decision."

Christian shifted, extending a hand out to me. One heartbeat is all I allowed myself to hesitate. I knew I could not bring myself to make him look weak in the eyes of an already restless nation. A weak King was an easy replaceable king and I'd give no one here any reason to come for his head. Even if he didn't deserve this loyalty I offered him.

I placed my hand in his. The crowd behind him blurred, and I blinked rapidly to clear my eyes. Something wasn't right but now wasn't the time. A wave of dizziness swept over me but I steadied myself by breathing in and out, evenly.

I'd gone somewhere cold deep inside me. None of this felt remotely real. I think it was called shock. It felt a lot like the time Luke had died...

He pulled me to his side, one arm wrapping around my waist. I leaned into him slightly for support, but if he noticed, he didn't react.

"I have decided to take this woman as my wife. This is Amelia De La Rossi. Daughter of the Soulsucker King, Stefan De La Rossi, and heir to Soulsucker Nation."

Mutterings and murmurs, a few cries of outrage ripped through the crowd as people realized what it meant to take me as a wife, the alliance he was declaring.