"Yes, I do. Thank you. For everything," Lex said, reaching over to hold her hand.
"You're welcome," she said. It felt a little ridiculous. He was only in this situation because of her, her people. It was only right that she fixed it. "And thank you."
"For what?"
"Everything," she said, looking over at him
Again, she forgot that they were in a crowded room. That it wasn't only the two of them.
She shook her head a little, composing herself before standing. "Those of you who will not accept our offer, please rise," she said.
Four people stood up. She waited, but the rest stayed in their seats.
"Anyone else?"
No one else stood.
"Please escort these four people to the dungeon," she said, nodding to the people from her own group who had taken over as guards. "Don't worry, you won't stay there long. Just until we figure out what we're going to do."
The four people that stood were escorted out, the door to the throne room shut behind them.
"As for the rest of you," she began, "Go back to your rooms. We're not sure what will happen next. That's something we need to think about. But as long as you abide by our rules, you will be safe. I hope you understand that the way you came here was wrong and that it can't be like that. If you had come in peace, all of this could have been avoided. But I know that some of you came because you had no choice. Or because you were just hoping to find us. I know that. That's why we're letting you stay. Please don't make me regret this. And please know that if you step out of line, you will be dealt with."
Aria looked to the side where her friends and family stood, and they all gave her nods and smiles of approval.
She smiled back at them before sitting down.
Eventually, the room cleared again.
"What now?" Peter asked.
"Now," Lex said, standing up, "we sleep. Everything else can wait until the morning."
Chapter 49
He offered his hand to Aria, and she took it without hesitation. They left the throne room together, walking to their quarters hand in hand.
Once inside, Aria closed the door behind them.
"I've missed this bed," Lex said, taking his clothes off.
"You were in the dungeon for four days, Lex," Aria said, rolling her eyes. She started a fire in the fireplace before getting ready for bed.
"Yes, but it's freezing down there," he said, crawling in.
"I remember," she said, getting in bed after him. "You made us stay there that first night."
"Sorry about that," he said, laying on his back.
She smiled at him before laying down next to him.
"What a crazy day," she said, looking up at the ceiling. She couldn't really process all that had happened in the past few hours.
"You'll have to tell me about it. I want to know everything."
"I will," she said, turning on her side. "Tomorrow."
He nodded.
"Tomorrow it is."
He turned on his side, facing her.
"What did you mean? When you said that you wished you would have met me sooner," she whispered.
It was dark in their room, the only light source coming from the fire in the fireplace. She hadn't had an opportunity to light the candles and replace the ones that had gone out.
"I meant I wished I would have met you sooner," he said.
"Why?"
"Because," he said, reaching over to run a hand down her back. "Because despite everything that's happened....I've never been happier. And I wasn't sure what was going to happen at the time if they'd drag me off and kill me before I got the chance to see you again. All I could think was that I wished I'd met you sooner. That I'd gotten more time with you."
She smiled, feeling like her heart skipped a beat at his words.
"I love you too," she whispered.
"What?"
"You told me you loved me, and I didn't say it back. But I do, Lex. I love you too," she said. She didn't wait for his response. She shifted until she was close enough to kiss him.
And then she did.
The hand on her back pulled her closer.
Eventually, she pulled away and turned until her back was pressed to his front. He wrapped his arm around her, and she placed her hand on top of his.
It was then that all her exhaustion caught up to her, and she drifted off, all thoughts of what would happen tomorrow disappearing from her mind.
Despite everything that happened, the feeling of his arm around her made her feel safe again.
He was there, guarding her against the night and all the things that resided in the darkness.
The sun was setting by the time she woke up.
She opened her eyes, relishing in the warmth. She pushed the thoughts of the night before, the thoughts of what lay ahead away and let herself feel happy for a few minutes.
She was safe; her family and her friends were safe. Lex was there.
She could feel the rise and fall of his chest—the warmth of his skin.
And then there was a knock on the door. She sighed.
After waking Lex, she rose to open it.
"Sorry to wake you," Katy said, standing on the other side. She glanced at Lex, a weary look in her eye. "But it's getting pretty late. We need to hold a meeting."
Aria nodded.
She noticed her mother glance between her and Lex before leaving.
"She doesn't like me," Lex said while getting dressed.
"She doesn't even know you," Aria replied, changing out of her sleep clothes. "Once she gets to know you, I'm sure she will."
"Well, I don't know about that. Not everyone likes a 'smirking, asshole king,' I believe you said?"
"Shut up," Aria said, rolling her eyes. But she couldn't stop herself from smiling at the memory.
Once she was ready, she waited for him by the door.
"What are we going to do, Lex?" she asked. She had felt at ease when she had woken up, thankful that their
