Children of Blood ✔️

Chapter Twelve

I hold my breath as he approaches. His intense and inevitable gaze picking me apart inch by inch. I remain silent, staring at his set jaw, and collection of wrinkles around his eyes and above his brow. His hair is a charcoal brown, filled with specks a ash white and he is tall with a lean figure. Undoubtedly he is handsome for his age, but doesn't look anything like Alaric.

I glance over his shoulder to witness Alaric sitting promptly on his fathers throne. His father's eyes follow mine back to Alaric. He scoffs before lightly slapping him on his shoulder. "You're a idiot Alaric."

Alaric's eyes widen and he rests a hand over his heart. "Hurtful words father, and I thought you were here to make fun of Jean."

"Make fun of Jean?" Alaric's father smiles and turns back to me. "A beautiful woman of her status should be respected and beloved by all who meets her."

"Are you trying to smooth talk her?" Alaric asks dumbfounded.  "That's my job!"

I crack a smile and Alaric try's to stand up, but his father pushes him back down. Taking a few long strides towards me and bows before taking my hand and kissing the top of it.

"Apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree," I pull my hand away from his and straighten my back. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alaric's father hinges back up and winks, "the pleasure is all mine."

Alaric, fed up with his father scoots between us. "I'd appreciate it if you could keep your hands to yourself Windsor. Jean doesn't like to be touched."

"Touched by you maybe," Alaric's father, leans over to take another look at me. "You have a lot of practice to do before you can swoon this lady."

It's clear to me now, the two may look nothing alike, but Alaric has a learned habit from his father, Windsor. Alaric is definitely  his son.

"Alaric," Windsor takes a step away and a serious, powerful aura fills the room. "Can you give me a moment alone with Jean?"

Alaric glances back to me and I nod. Without any question he slides over to the door and leaves. Windsor's abrupt seriousness took both of us by surprise, but I fake some confidence to put Alaric at ease.

Windsor walks back to his throne and sits. Resting his elbows on his knees and his heart in his hands. Venerability and trust oozes out of him. "My son has spoken highly of you. He trusts you more then he trusts his own army. That means a lot for a man like himself, and it's is a lot of weight to put on you."

"I don't mind it," I stare at him. What is he trying to pry out of me?

"Do you trust Alaric?" Windsor asks tilting his head. "Are you honest with my son?"

He knows something and I have to figure out what it is. Cautiously and I cross my arms and tighten my gaze into a glare. "What are you trying to get at Windsor?"

"I know you came from underneath our feet. You are apart of the Immunis, are you not?"

My heart slips from my chest cavity to my feet. The choice to lie or tell the truth chaining my heart to the ground. I remain silent and stare into his eyes which adjust from my eyes to his hands.

"I won't tell Alaric." Windsor finally snaps the tension. I shut my eyes and let go of the breath I was holding. "But, you have to tell him at one point or another. You need to trust him as much as he does you."

I nod my head and turn my eyes away. "I don't want him to bail on the agreement we've arranged just because I'm apart of the Immunis."

"He won't, unless you remain quite and keep this secret. I understand why you have not told anyone, if I were you I'm not sure I would." Windsor stands up and strolls towards me. "On the other hand everyday you keep this information from him. Everyday day you withdraw yourself further from my son. It hurts him. I do not like to see my son in pain, as any father wouldn't. Honesty and trust come hand in hand."