Bella Vita (62 page)

Then we won't give them any
reason to use any of these colorful implements.
My smile was bright and sure- something I didn't feel
inside.

When should we head up
there, Em?
Dom didn't know what the best
approach would be, and he wasn't happy being stuck asking me
questions.

I think that if we take the
winding road up, we could leave for there now. What do you think
Leland, since you just scouted?
I knew I
had to keep everyone involved.

Yes, that'd take about
forty-five minutes.
He nodded his
head.

Excellent. Emma,
mia bella
, I think that
we should stand with them surrounding us.
It was a statement.

Yes, Dom.
I smiled and gestured for him to set up our
little party.

By the time we set out, Leland was in the
front, Derrick was in the back, and Harold and Georgie sandwiched
Dom and I together.

Dominic, what's
wrong?
I couldn't have him being in a bad
mood when I needed his top game.

I feel like I don't know
you anymore,
mia bella
. You're not the girl from our childhood, or the young woman
I reconnected with.
His lips
pouted.

Well, of course not!
I laughed.

I feel like you have so
many secrets from me.
His eyes were a dark
green and brooding.

My love, you're the one to
talk. I'm not the girl or woman I once was because the person I
need to be these days is a queen... therefore I'm a queen. Anything
that you don't know isn't necessarily a lie, but could merely be a
result of your lack of attentiveness. Dom, I married you, I love
you, I'll rule beside you, but I will not have you question any
decision I make as a ruler, or question my loyalty. You know of my
feelings toward Michael... that hasn't changed, nor ever will
it.
I could feel my temper rising, Leland
looked back at me with concerned eyes.

I don't question your
choices or your loyalty.
His words were
defensive.

I watched Leland hop up onto a fallen tree
and offer me his hand to help me over.

Dom, if you didn't you
wouldn't be wondering if I'm sleeping with your best friend.
I closed my mind off to him and was greatly
satisfied by the look of sheer shock on his face.

I took Leland's hand and waited for the rest
of the party to scramble over the tree. We walked in silence. I
debated about telling Leland of Dom's worries, but it wasn't a
serious concern at the moment. Dom reached out and took my arm.

I'm sorry,
mia bella
. You're right,
again.
His head hung in shame.

Now isn't the time for such
petty worries, we need to survive all this and then we can clear
the table.
I broke free of his hold and
stepped ahead of him.

When we reached the top, we were all strung
with tension. It was colder, and a breeze had picked up. We walked
up to the steps. A man came forward and greeted us.

“
Welcome, Yer Majesties. If
ye and yer party will follow me.” His hair was clipped short, but
his smile was kind- I briefly wondered if he was one of our wolf
donators.

“
Yes, of course.” I said
and nodded for my people to follow me- Leland fell back slightly to
allow Dom and I to step forward, but he wasn't far enough behind us
to be out of my sight.

The man droned on as we walked through
several halls. He spoke of their history and heritage, as if that
would matter at this moment. When we came to two very large wooden
doors, he stopped.

“
One moment, Yer Majesties,
and I'll announce yer party.” He slipped into the room ahead of
us.

Everyone keep your wits and
calm. Show no reaction.
I cautioned them,
as the doors opened.

“
The King and Queen of the
vampires, and their party.” The words filled the room as we stepped
inside.

It was the leftover from the ruins of a
throne room. There was a long red carpet that led up to the
thrones- yes, there were real golden thrones atop three steps. The
room was lit by candles and had several high stained glass windows.
It was a chilly, drift-filled room because it was all worn stones.
I didn't want to be in it.

Dom and I stepped forward, Derrick and
Leland filed in after us, then Harold and Georgie. We would present
ourselves in order of our rank- highest first. We didn't make a
sound as we glided down the walkway. I watched the mood change in
the room as several of the wolves didn't like how quiet we were.
They would find out we could be silent and deadly, if the need
arose.

Acacia and Mike rose from their thrones as
we approached. Dominic and I bowed our heads in tribute, but the
Boys all took a knee.

“
Merry Met, Queen Emma and
King Dominic.” Acacia came and embraced us.

“
Merry Met, Your Majesty.”
I wasn't sure of her official title yet.

“
Oh, not yet. But soon
enough.” She smiled at us.

“
Merry Met, Em and Dom.”
Mike shook hands with Dom and gave me a huge hug and a kiss on my
cheek.

“
Merry Met, Mike.” We said
in unison.

“
Please rise, your men are
well trained.” Acacia gestured for them to get up.

“
Thank you.” Dom said
stiffly.

“
Normally we would invite
you to a feast or something in honor of your arrival. However,
because of the circumstances, we'll proceed to the tribunal room.”
Acacia said.

“
Would it be possible to
see our sister, before this trial?” I asked Mike, I wouldn't use
Acacia as the go-between.

“
That request would usually
be denied. However, we'll grant a brief audience for you and
Dominic.” Mike rose. “Your men will have to stay here
though.”

Leland and Derrick stepped forward, Harold
and Georgie tensed. I shook my head slightly.

“
Will you ensure their
safety?” I asked Acacia.

“
Of course.” Her smile was
honest enough.

I'll stay in contact with
you.
I sent the Boys.

“
Please follow me.” Mike
led the way.

The passage was dark and dank. I didn't want
to step further into the oppressive atmosphere. I swallowed back my
comments and followed Mike down.

“
Has she been well cared
for?” I doubted it.

“
She has been as cared for
as we could, under the circumstances.” His voice pleaded for us to
understand.

“
Understood.” Dom's voice
was icy.

“
We've bent many rules and
traditions. But once she was here, she was safe from harm. I've had
my most trusted men guarding her.” I could feel his despair of the
situation.

“
Was she hurt
before
she got to you,
Michael?” I hoped to never hear Dominic turn so cold
again.

“
Yes.” The air seemed to
charge.

“
Is she alright?” I sent a
small prayer up to protect us all.

“
She's healing. She's had
blood. Her spirits are very low.” His head was downcast.

I couldn't think of anything that would fix
this.

“
Did Kelly make it up
here?” Maybe a change of subject would help the mood.

“
Yep. She's down in the
tribunal room. She wanted to go there as soon as she got here. She
seemed really twitchy.” Mike shook his head.

“
Well, at least she's
here.” I forced a smile.

We stopped at a wooden door. Mike knocked on
it, and a piece slid back. A pair of eyes peered out. Then the wood
creaked as it was opened for us.

“
How is she?” Mike asked as
soon as we were through.

“
She's scared. She wouldn't
take blood today. Who are they?” The man was gruff.

“
The vampire King and
Queen. Show your respect.” Mike's tone was harsh.

“
Beggin' yer pardons, Yer
Majesties.” He bowed slightly.

“
You're the one keeping
Issy safe?” I poured my thoughts at him, and looked into his
thoughts.

“
Yes, ma'am.” I knew he
truly was.

“
Then we're in your debt.”
I bowed down to him.

“
If there is anything that
the vampires can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.” Dom added with
his bow.

“
When this is all said and
done... I would like to be added to the vampire guards, Yer
Majesties.” His thoughts showed me he was tired of the werewolves
and their crap traditions, he wanted to protect people and do the
right thing.

“
It shall be done, if
Michael doesn't object.” Dom looked at Mike.

“
It's his choice. Several
of my men would like to join up with you guys, actually.” He
lowered his voice.

“
We'll discuss this later
than.” I smiled at him.

“
Come, she's over here.”
Mike took an ancient key off the wall.

The door was something out of a castle
dungeon.

“
Issy?” I called out as
Mike was unlocking it.

“
Emma?! You came?” Her
voice warbled.

“
Of course we came,
sweetheart.” I said as the door swung open.

“
Isabella.” Dom embraced
his sister gently.

Her beautiful blonde hair was pulled back.
There were bruises all over her. Her left eye was swollen. She had
a nasty gash on her lip.

“
My goodness! Michael
O'Shanold! What the hell did they do to her?” My rage ripped
through me.

“
Quite a bit. We've tried
healing it, but she won't take the blood and our doctors aren't
very good at healing vampires.” His cheeks shaded red.

“
You idiot!” I snarled at
him and shoved Dom out of the way.

“
Oh, Em!” Tears coursed
down her cheeks, I saw all the images of the day she had been taken
in very graphic detail- she had been abused inside and
out.

“
Lay back, honey. I can
heal the outside, and internal bruises. But the scars on the inside
we'll work through together, sweetheart.” I looked meaningfully at
Dom as I said 'internal bruises' and hoped he
understood.

I knelt at her side, closed my eyes and took
her hand. I coursed through her body healing any injury I could
find. I knew that this would only take away the physical pain and
she'd be haunted for years, if not the rest of her existence. I
opened my eyes. When I stood my knees popped.

“
Michael, we'll have words
about this. This will not go without punishment. Whether it's dealt
by you or us- it'll be done. I know the people responsible.” I
hissed the words at him.

“
Yes.” He cringed
back.

“
Let her rest until she
needs to be taken to the tribunal.” I said as we left Issy resting
on her cot.

“
Yes.” The gruff man
said.

“
We love you, Issy. And
this'll all be over soon.” I whispered at her.

When we entered the room, Leland was
separated from the rest of the group and had a wickedly sharp sword
pointed at him.

Good grief. What
now?
I knew I had to stay calm.

“
Why is one of our men
being restrained in such a manner?” I let Dom ask the
question.

“
He tried to
insist
on going to where
his queen was,” was the answer Acacia provided.

“
Release him.” Mike's voice
boomed.

Leland, are you
okay?
I asked.

Yes, I could feel your
distress and anger... and for what they did to her.
His anger rolled off him in waves.

You control yourself,
Leland, or I'll send you back home.
My
words were firm.

Yes, Milady.
He bowed his head and walked back over to the
others.

“
It's time we go now.”
Acacia rose from her throne and came and stood next to Mike. As
beautiful a couple they were, I knew that Acacia had a darkness
inside of her- and it made me want to hurt her.

We followed them to the caverns below the
school. I was tempted to try and let Leland wander around and find
those alternate routes, but his emotions were too raw- too much
could go wrong.

The room was a giant rock cavern. There were
marble supports put in, but other than that it was very primitive.
It was also freezing- even to my vampire blood. As we stepped
further into the room, we were searched for weapons. Both Dom and I
had nothing taken. The Boys had their surface weapons taken. I was
very curious about where they still had weapons.

In the middle of the room- which was already
full of people- was a large wooden platform. Two tables and a
smaller raised area with a chair on it were also part of it. I saw
Kelly standing with the people pushed against the platform. She
smiled kindly at me.

Dominic and I were told to sit at the head
of one table, our men were to stand behind us. I didn't like the
openness of the position. Acacia sat at the head of the other
table, Mike sat in the seat closest to us. Several more wolves came
and sat at both tables.