Blood For Blood

Chapter Six - August 19th, 64 A.D

The small foyer in front of the councilroom door felt increasingly confining as I paced, my irritation and anxiety mounting with every step. The impending meeting with the Council was a source of tension that hung thick in the air. To my chagrin, Roger lounged on the small couch to the right, a casual demeanor that grated against my own unease. Miquela occupied the left couch, her relaxed posture a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me as she laid out across it. Their nonchalant presence only heightened my irritation, a reminder that the Council's decisions held weight not just for me but for the intricate web of alliances and conflicts in our realm. The dimly lit space offered little solace, and as the minutes ticked away, the anticipation of what was to come only fueled the storm within.

"Gods would you stop that incessant pacing, you're making my head spin." Miquela whined, dramatically draping an arm over her eyes.

"Your head spinning is the least of my concerns right now," I retorted, my pacing momentarily halted as I shot Miquela an exasperated look. The tension in the foyer was palpable, and her dramatic complaints only added to the overall frustration.

"Oh, forgive me for not sharing your enthusiasm for impending doom," Miquela replied with a dramatic eye roll, her arm still draped over her eyes, "Besides, pacing won't change the outcome, and Roger seems to have adopted my approach – relaxation in the face of chaos."

She gestured towards Roger, who simply rolled his eyes in response, "You might want to try it, Tara. It could do wonders for your stress levels."

"I'll consider your sage advice when there isn't a war raging," I retorted, my irritation evident in my tone. I continued pacing, unable to shake off the anxiety that loomed over the impending council meeting.

"War," A familiar husky voice boomed from behind me, "Now that is my kind of entertainment."

I didn't have to glance back to recognize the individual; Roger's and Miquela's expressions conveyed it all. Roger straightened up, adopting an intimidating demeanor, while Miquela withdrew her arm from her eyes and gazed at the man with a lustful look.

"Demitrius." I acknowledged, turning slightly to face him.

Demitrius smirked, his voice carrying a playful tone, "Princess, always a pleasure to be on your mind."

"Oh, I assure you, Demitrius, you're more of a lingering nuisance than a pleasure," Tara replied with a dry smirk, finally turning around to face him.

Demitrius chuckled, leaning against the wall with a sly grin, "Well, princess, they do say minds are meant to be changed. Perhaps I'll find a way to make our interactions more... enjoyable."

"I find the prospect of not having any interactions with you to be the most enjoyable, Demitrius. Save your charm for someone who might appreciate it," I snapped back at him, offering him a fake smile.

Demitrius stood there, silent yet commanding, his penetrating gaze fixed on me. Those emerald eyes seemed to delve into the recesses of my mind, unraveling layers of thoughts and emotions. The intensity of his look created an unspoken challenge, hanging in the air between us. I felt the weight of his scrutiny, as if he were trying to uncover the secrets I guarded. In that moment, the room shrank, and it was just the two of us, entangled in an unspoken tension. However, the tension did not distract me from the way his eyes traveled up and down me before staring back into my own. The creaking sound of the council room door opening shattered the intense gaze between Demitrius and I. Miquela swiftly walked inside, her steps purposeful, as if eager to immerse herself in whatever awaited. Roger, on the other hand, held back, allowing me to enter first. There was a deliberate intention in his actions, positioning himself between Demitrius and I, a subtle yet unmistakable gesture of protection.