Aris Reigns (34 page)

Aris paced the floor as he waited to be shown into the audience chamber. Time and again since he joined the Immortals, he had been called before the Queen. Each time he felt sorrow at having disappointed her. He felt it once again. Whatever punishment she dealt him would be accepted, yet he knew he did the only thing his honor would allow.

He, too, had lived as a rogue before his enlightenment so very long ago. He was flooded with memories of that distant time; memories of the field in Spain when he was a commander for Charles I, memories of his first glimpse of another like himself. He recalled his delight at meeting Richard and Gabriela when they told him there was another way, when he learned of the Catacombs. He remembered the peace he felt when he joined their society. It was the first time in his life, human or vampire, he had lived in harmony with others.

Yet despite the solace offered by his new existence, he had once again become a rogue. He broke the Blood Oath when he killed out of hatred first Cardinal Wolsey and then Katherine, first wife of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn had used and tricked him, but the blame still was his for betraying the Immortals. He had been forgiven, yet he never forgot what it was to be driven to use all the powers he had to do evil once again. He planned to vow to the Queen he would watch over the three new members to their society, scrutinizing their every move.

“Come, my friend.” Sebastian entered the chamber, holding the door for Aris to stand before the Queen. Aris shuddered as the door closed behind him.

Kneeling before Akira, Aris lowered his head in contrition.

“Stand. You have once again disobeyed my orders.” He rose to his feet. “Why do you cast your eyes away? Look at me.” When he looked into her face, he was shocked to see she was smiling.

“I have called you here to chastise you, yet the entire Council has begged for mercy for you.” She shook her head as if at a child who
had been disobedient. “You allowed those three to live because they swore they wanted a better life. I do not agree with your decision, but you have proved to me that you truly do have compassion. You have proved by your actions that you are sincerely contrite for your transgressions to the Law that happened so long ago. I am now sure I made the right decision to acquit you for your crimes.”

“My Queen.” He knelt before her once again, bowing his head in gratitude.

“Rise. You need not humble yourself before me, Aris. I know that without you, our society would have been extinguished. You were the salvation of us all.” She raised herself from her throne to step close enough to him to place her long fingers on his cheek.

“I have never known human love, but I believe that may be the very thing I sense within myself for you. I have no understanding of emotion, yet emotion must be this sensation I feel when I contemplate you as a child of mine.” She returned to her throne. She sat for a moment before making the request that had been her reason to call him before her.

“Aris, King Khansu has retired from public life. He no longer wishes to reign as Sovereign over the Immortals, yet our society has never been without a King. I have conferred with the Council and the Master Keeper of Records. We are all in accord. We wish you to continue to lead your people as you did in Spain. We wish you to become co-regent to rule beside me as King of the Immortals.” Frozen in shock at her words, he neither moved nor spoke. “Aris, what say you to that?”

“My Queen.” His voice was a stunned whisper, “I am not prepared to take such a step. I am not worthy of what you offer.”

“You are more than worthy, yet I understand your hesitation. Go. You must speak with your mate. You must give it great thought. I await your decision.” She rose and quietly left the room.

“I don't understand what all this means.” Sarah sat next to Aris on their enormous bed. “King of the Immortals? What does that make me?”

“You remain my mate, the one who advises me and walks by my side.”

“But, does that mean you can never leave the Catacombs? What about your life above ground as an artist? What will become of that?”

“I spoke with Bartholomew for hours questioning exactly what my duties would entail. Queen Akira will be the true monarch. Mine will be a title conferred upon me as an honor for all I did to save our Immortal society. I will be no more than another advisor to Her Majesty.”

“But your art? What of our life above ground, my life above ground?”

“I will continue painting and showing in galleries. We will continue on above ground until you no longer can be seen by your human friends. At that time, we will withdraw from mortal society for as long as we so desire. You understood before your changing that one day you must do just that as your human friends age and you do not. Nothing will change for us until that time.” He held her in his arms, whispering softly. “We are Immortal, my love. We have eternity together. Pretending to live your earthly life will be just a moment in time. Have no fear. I am with you always.”

“Our flight arrives on Friday.” Sarah spoke into her cell phone as Aris paid the taxi driver. “We're on the way to meet the art gallery owner right now to make sure everything is taken care of while we're in the states.”

“What time will your plane get in?” The excitement in Colleen's voice made Sarah smile.

“Don't worry. We'll take a taxi to my apartment.”

“Oh no you won't. Bob and I are coming to the airport. I can't wait to see you. It seems like it's been forever. Will I even recognize you?”

Sarah winked at Aris as she replied. “Well, I'm glowing so I may look just a little different.”

“I can't wait to see you. We've arranged a quiet ceremony at our house on Sunday afternoon. Your mother and grandmother are coming and John Marshall is arriving on Saturday so he can be there as well. Bonnie and Jack and Maggie and her guy are coming. That's all so don't worry, only really close friends. Everyone is so happy for the two of you. So what time does your plane arrive?”

“Okay C, okay. We land at two thirty in the afternoon. I'll call you when we're on the ground so you don't have to wait around for us.”

“No way, we'll be in baggage claim. I can't wait.”

“Neither can I. See you then. Love you.”

“Here comes the bride.” Colleen was laughing as she broke the connection.

“I hope you're up for all of this.” Sarah held Aris' hand as they walked toward the door of the gallery.

“I actually am looking forward to it, but I think we may need to rewrite the vows a bit. There will be no sickness or health, no better or worse and most of all, no death to part us for all eternity.” Then right there on the London street he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, drawing her close, feeling her Immortal body meld into his for all time.

THE END