Chapter Text
“I can't believe it's already been a month” Rhiannon notes in-between mouthfuls of scrambled egg.
A month since my mother died, sacrificing herself for her children. A month since we all nearly died, a month since Sawyer had two legs and a month since Xaden turned into a-.
“Vi, you alright” Rhi asks her eyebrows knitted together in concern. I look up from my untouched plate of eggs to see every eye at our table on me.
“What oh ya” I start “I'm just thinking about how it's already been a month like you said, and the fact that we haven't seen any wyvern or anything since then”.
“Ya I guess it is strange” Rhiannon sighs “but it gives us time to focus on this whole Navarre situation” she pauses “do you think they'll agree to help us now since we rose the wards?”. “Please, Melgren will never help anyone unless it directly concerns him, let alone Tauri”. Imogen states getting up from the table, “now who's on for sparring” she says with a smirk.
On the way to the sparring gym I notice a squad of infantry marching towards the big brown gates of Riorson House. “What the hell are they doing here” Ridoc says angrily “this seems a bit far for Basgiath infantry” Sawyer remarks leaning on his crutch. “Not just Basgiath infantry” I start, dread growing in my gut “its the royal guard”. “King Tauri is here” Rhiannon says with a look of bewilderment on her face. “I doubt it, he probably sent-” the infantry part down the middle revealing a tall, chiselled looking man striding with confidence towards the gates, a stray strand of his perfectly styled brown hair blowing in the wind, a look of sheer determination plastered across his handsome all too familiar face -”Halden”.
By the time we made it outside, Halden and his obnoxiously large escort were inside the gates. He appears to be in a heated discussion with Xaden. This isn't going to end well I think as we make our way towards them. Halden sees me before Xaden and tears his focus away from their argument to meet my eyes. He has the nerve to smile. “Violet Sorrengail, long time no see” he starts, looking me up and down with a
mischievous glint in his eyes “I've missed you”. Xaden shifts his body so he's blocking me from Halden, he meets my eyes “what's his deal” he asks through our bond “Don't worry he's harmless” I reply sensing his jealousy.
I force a smile and meet his emerald green eyes “I guess it has been a while Halden, though I can't say the same”. “Of course you had other things to worry about like dying” he responds with ease, his eyes drifting to Xaden’s hand that rests protectively on my thigh then back up again to meet my eyes “and I guess you were'' he pauses trying to find the right word “preoccupied”. “Anyways I was just discussing the proposition of a truce with Riorson over here, before you graced us with your presence”. “The King wants a truce” I ask incredulously. It's hard to believe King Tauri would ever sense.“Oh I'm surprised Cam did not tell you” he replies. “My father is dead. I'm the king now”. He pauses letting the new information sink in and then turns to his guards “follow Riorson inside, I'm sure this fine establishment has a place to talk business, I'll follow you in, I want to talk to Violet first”. He turns to me with a smile then looks at Xaden. “Is that ok with you Lieutenant?” he says moving closer to me. Xaden tightens his grip on my hand and looks at Halden like he might kill him. “He probably just wants to catch up” I say through our bond “did you sleep with him” he says and a flash of anger, hurt and jealousy flashes through our bond. I take a deep breath before replying “it was a long time ago, I was young and stupid, it meant nothing, he's just trying to get under your skin. He's used to having all the power”
“by the looks of it my skin isn't the only thing he's trying to get under” he all but growls never taking his eyes off Halden. “I don't see the need to talk to Violet, why don't we just talk business like you said, so you can get going.”
“I'm in no rush and I'm sure Violet can decide for herself, you don't own her” Halden says with an amused smirk. Xaden takes a step towards him, fist clenched but before he does anything stupid I put myself in between the two men “Now let's be civil I thought you want a truce” I announce looking at the Xaden then Halden “if the king wants to talk to me then he can, ok” I meet Xaden’s eyes “I can handle myself the last thing we need is to anger the King of Navarre” Xaden begrudgingly agrees and slowly releases my hand. “The conference room is this way” he announces to Halden's guard without breaking the death stare he has releveled on Halden. He doesn't start moving until Imogen nudges him with her elbow and whispers “go, she'll be fine”. Rhiannon shoots me a look of shock and surprise with a little smirk and mouths talk later as she passes, dragging Ridoc behind her who's grinning from ear to ear while shaking his head. Sawyer just nods at me and looks Halden up and down before hobbling away on his crutches.
Once everyone is out of earshot Halden looks at me and opens his arms like he wants a hug. Before he can move any closer I put my hand up “I don't think that's very professional” I say with irritation. He's still the same narcissistic man who thinks he can get whatever he wants. He takes a step back and holds his hands up defensively. “Whatever you want, Vi, I don't want to get on your bad side” he lowers his voice “I heard about that lightning of yours” he shakes his head, a knowing look on his face. “I always knew you were special,” he says, placing his hand on my shoulder. “I should have done more to keep you” I shake my head and look at him incredulously “trust me Halden” I start, lifting his hand off my shoulder and pushing it back to his chest “you never had me, not in any way that matters”.
Halden looks at me with a smirk and let's out a chuckle. “God's you've changed, in a good way” he adds “I like this new feisty version of you” he says looking me up and down “a lot actually”. “For gods’ sake Halden is this all you wanted to talk about because you know this will never happen, now can we please go inside and discuss this truce you apparently want” I say before turning around and begin to walk towards the conference room. “I'm very serious about this truce Violet, once I found out about the venin situation and then of course the battle last month, I knew you would need all of Navarre’s resources to win this war” he says trying to keep up with fast pace “what use would it be if we were fighting when the real enemy is the venin”. We reach the door and as I push it open he reaches for me and says “I promise that wasn't the only reason I wanted to talk to you Violet, I'm not that shallow”. I turn my head to see everyone staring at us, including Xaden. He starts to walk towards us but before he can I let out an irritated sigh and settle myself in the free chair between Rhiannon and Imogen. “What was that about” Rhiannon asks with a concerned look on her face “what did he want?” “What do you think” I say nodding at Halden who was staring at me like I was a five star meal his private chef prepared. “Seriously, what a dick” Rhiannon whispered, a mixture of outrage and disgust in her voice. Imogen leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Dam Sorrengail what's the deal with you and King Horndog over there, he's practically fucking you with his eyes, I'm surprised Xaden hasn't slit his throat already”. It was true even when he was speaking Halden didn't take his eyes off me. I had to keep reminding myself that it was worth it for the extra back up we will get when the revolution leaders all sign the treaty; but it was taking a while for everyone to agree to it. So far only Felix, Brennan and Xaden signed it (though it think that was more to do with getting Halden out of here). I spent most of the treaty discussions trying to convince Xaden not to, like Imogen said ‘slit his throat’. It helped when I reached under the table to grab his hand. He was sitting directly across from me so hopefully it wasn't too obvious to onlookers eyes.
After a couple of hours the treaty was finally signed and Halden asked if he could stay the night so battle strategies could be discussed the next day. Brennan, unaware of his history with me, agreed. I guess I'm thankful Brennan doesn't know because who knows what he would do if he found out. Xaden wasn't too happy about this decision and made it well known “I don't see the need for the king to stay, is battle strategy not more of a Melgrem problem?” he wondered clearly, trying and failing to keep his anger in check. “It is Melgrem's jurisdiction yes but he's a bit busy putting out fires around Navarre that my father started so I figured I'll help him out” he said it like he was doing his altruistic deed for the day like the selfless person he wants people to think he is. It made my blood boil. He flashed a smile around the room, daring anyone to question him.
“That's great” Brennan started after a few seconds “you’re already a better king than your father. I'll have someone prepare a room, but for now make yourself at home, right Xaden?” he said, nudging him with his elbow. “Right,” Xaden replied through gritted teeth
"Make yourself at home".