Fantasy Betrothed (Closed to Aina)

[FursieTheFlixee]

((Oh god that would melt my heart. Everyone ganging up on Emmanuel with the whole "you better not hurt him" speech. That will be so cute and I can see why everyone would be worried. I love it! I bet everyone will figure out Riccardo likes Emmanuel before Riccardo even does. He's so dumb.))

Aiden stopped walking, turning around to look at Sarai. He sighed partially in relief when she said she wasn't angry at him, but his eyes widened a little at her words. He looked down with some discomfort especially when she mentioned Colette. He knew what she was getting at. He'd gotten angry and killed her, but she was already sentenced to death! It was the right thing to do. Though, he wasn't sure anymore.

"I understand," he mumbled. "But... don't go down there by yourself at least, don't get close to him, don't... I just don't want you to get hurt. There's been too much pain and fear this year. I can't take it anymore. I keep feeling telling myself after every big thing that 'this will be the last one, we can relax after this is over' and sometimes we can for a little while, but it's never for long and... I can't keep doing this, Sarai." He pulled her into a hug and leaned his head against hers. "So... Let's just go upstairs, play with Aurora, and relax? I'm still trying to recover from you giving birth and surviving losing all that blood."

--

Seavers had Astraea working tirelessly with him. He felt bad that she always had to jump in and be cool headed with him every time there was an emergency. He knew he needed to find a proper assistant. He had Finella there, now, but she was better at special cases and experiments than the nitty gritty of medical work. The house needed several more people on board, too. He would have to talk to Riccardo after he had recovered some about getting him some help. The infirmary was always being used and he couldn't handle it by himself anymore.

The surgery went smoothly. Seavers gave the job of carefully monitoring Riccardo's vitals as well as the flow of anasthesia and morphine to Astraea as he operated on Riccardo's back and helped the spine into place. The spine was a finicky thing and Seavers started to sweat as he carefully set the bones into place. He had prepared for it, but he was still surprised when he physically saw the damage in front of him. He ended up having to use metal rods to help stabilize the bones.

"Riccardo should be able to walk after he's recovered," he mumbled to Astraea, still entirely focused as he started to close up the opening in Riccardo's back. "But... he's not going to be as durable. He'll have to listen for once and be careful probably for the rest of his life." He sighed heavily. "He's not going to be happy."

It wasn't too long after that he finished stitching Riccardo up and then bandaging the incision as well. Looking at the clock, barely more than an hour had passed. He started to clean up the tools, but paused when he realized someone was waiting at the infirmary doors. He went to the doors and opened them. He wasn't really surprised to see Emmanuel there. "We're done," he said, with a chuckle. "It may be a half an hour or more before he wakes up, but you are welcome to stay of course. He'll be happy to have someone here when he wakes up."

 

[Aina]

Sarai for once wasn't quite sure how to respond to his comment. But she shook her head when he told her not to attempt anything. She would promise that she wouldn't but then she would be lying. She chose not comment against it. She just ignored him and she pressed her face into his chest. She knew he didn't want her to get hurt. She lifted her head finally to look at him. "I'm going to be honest Aiden that I can't promise I won't do anything stupid," she told him, "I hate that man more than anything. I don't want him to take anyone else I care about away from me," she said.

She had to wipe her cheek since she had started crying. "I don't even know if my uncle is alive," she went to say, "Or my father. They both could be dead."

~~

Astraea was content after they finally finished the procedure. She looked up at Seavers in relief. She helped him clean up their tools and she threw away her gloves. She glanced over at the door, surprised to see Emmanuel there and not Sarai.

Emmanuel paced along the hallway waiting to hear news about Riccardo. When the doctor finally opened the door he looked up. He smiled weakly at what he said, he had to look away to hide the blush that appeared on his cheeks. "I felt bad...this probably would not had happened if I didn't leave him alone," he said and he looked inside the infirmary, peeking to see Riccardo still laying on the bed. "I'll wait till he wakes up," he said and he walked into the room. Emmanuel brought up a chair next to the bed so he could wait until Riccardo was awake.

"I'll go tell Sarai," Astraea told Seavers and she went to the nursery.

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Aiden reached a hand up to stroke over Sarai's hair. He looked off thoughtfully as she spoke. "I really wish you would promise," he muttered. He would have preferred she had lied to him. At least, then, he could have pretended she would try her best to be safe. He had no such guarantee now.

"I know," he said. "I know." He held her tighter. "I can't imagine how that must feel, not knowing how they're doing. We have Demetri here, now, though. At least we can find out if he knows how they're doing. We'll figure out what's going on, Sarai." He suddenly didn't want to let her go. "Just promise me that you'll at least think about Aurora before you do anything. She deserves to have her mother in her life."

--

Seavers noticed the blush that came to Emmanuel's cheeks, but he didn't say anything about it. He was already wondering at the nature of their relationship. Riccardo often liked to speak to him and he barely mentioned Emmanuel. Yet, the boy was waiting outside the infirmary for the entire hour long surgery and there almost seemed to be something more going on between them.

He returned to Riccardo's bed and adjusted some of the dials on the IV drip. He took a brief moment to listen to his heartbeat and then took an exact measurement of his temperature as well.

"Everything is still very good," Seavers murmured. He glanced up at Emmanuel. "He's lucky to have such a good friend," he said, trying not to be too obvious about prying.

 

[Aina]

Sarai knew he was right. Aurora needed her. That meant she couldn't do something she'd regret. Still, she wanted to at least give Demetri a piece of her mind. Him having mentioned Aurora made her realize how stupid she was acting. "You're right," she admitted, she still didn't lift her face away from him. "I just want to punch him in the face," she actually laughed when she said that and she looked at him.

Astraea had walked out of the infirmary, surprised to see that Aiden and Sarai were still standing in the hallway. It looked like they were having a moment so she didn't approach them right away. When it looked like they had stopped talking she went up to them.

"We finished the surgery. Riccardo will be able to walk as long as he's careful," she explained to them.

Sarai looked over at Astraea when she went up to them and she frowned at what she said. The anger toward Demetri had come back but she was still worried about Riccardo.

"Emmanuel is in there with him now," Astraea mentioned directly to Sarai.

Sarai raised her eyebrows in shock. "Oh," was all she could say since she wasn't sure how to feel about it. She remembered when Riccardo had grabbed Emmanuel's hand and her lips pursed at that thought. When did the two of them get so buddy buddy? Sarai brushed the thought away.

"He's not awake is he?" she asked and Astraea shook her head.

"But you can still go see him and wait for him to wake up."

~~

Emmanuel was watching Riccardo as he was sleeping. He was still feeling guilt for not having been there. It was Seavers comment that made him look up. "Friend? Ah-what... We aren't," he stammered, "I uh...was the last one to see him before his dad came. I feel responsible. But it's my duty to protect all of you."

He never considered him as Riccardo's friend so it was strange that the doctor would say that. He didn't disapprove of it but he hardly knew Riccardo to consider him a friend. He just felt loyal to him and the entire household. It was his job to make sure they were safe. It felt horrible having failed.

"You're amazing doctor," he wanted to change the subject, "Riccardo is lucky to have you around more so than me. Astraea too."

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

((Seavers ships it. He ships them already.))

Aiden chuckled when she mentioned punching Demetri in the face. "Believe me, I agree." He looked up when Sarai did as Astraea approached. "Careful," Aiden scoffed, knowing that was going to be a fight. He looked at Sarai. She didn't look that happy despite the good news and he wondered if she was thinking of Demetri again. He wished he could send Riccardo's father away somewhere. Surely there was some sort of prison that they could put Demetri at somewhere else. He didn't want the man so close to them.

"We should go check on Aurora while we wait," Aiden said. He squeezed Sarai's hand. "But... whatever you want to do. I feel bad that Rosita's been watching her this whole time." He smiled slightly at her before finally departing and heading up to the nursery. When he got there, Rosita was cradling Aurora, feeding her a bottle and humming softly in the rocking chair. She looked up when he came in and grinned. "She's been an angel."

Aiden chuckled. "That's good." He walked to her and looked down at Aurora. "Are you an angel?" He smiled. "Thank you, Rosita. I can't believe her first night has been so hectic."

Rosita smiled widely. "It's no problem! I love babies! And she's so precious!"

--

Seavers chuckled when Emmanuel stammered. He busies himself, picking up a clipboard and writing down some of his observations and notes he didn't want to forget about the surgery.

"Being a doctor is nothing like being a friend. What good is physical health when you have people around you feel worth living for?" He set the clipboard down and turned to grab the X-ray machine again. He got it in position over Riccardo and set it up to take a picture.

"You were there when he was poisoned," Seavers commented, watching as the machine whirred and the it started working. "It sounds like you're lucky to have around, Emmanuel." He pressed a button on the X-ray. "I've known Riccardo his whole life and I hope you know he wouldn't agree that the two of you weren't friends." He chuckled. "However aloof he may seem at times."

The X-ray fully loaded and Seavers printed off the copy as well as the X-ray taken earlier. The image on the screen showed the metal rods he had used to stabilize the bone. The fracture looked a lot better now that it was aligned and put together.

 

[Aina]

((I noticed!! And I love it. I think Astraea ships them too.))

Sarai was torn. She wanted to check in on Riccardo but she was also worried about Aurora. She was going to follow Aiden up to the nursery but he had already left. She looked at Astraea.

"He'll be okay?" she asked her wearily and Astraea smiled. She understood her worries for Riccardo.

She nodded at her question. "He'll walk again. Seavers was able to mend the break with rods," she explained.

Sarai grimaced, and she nodded slightly. A deep sigh escaped her. "I don't want to bother him. I'll...I'll check in on him later," she finally said. It seemed like someone else was watching over Riccardo anyways.

"Are you sure? He might wake up in half an hour," Astraea mentioned but Sarai shook her head.

"I need to relieve Rosita of babysitting. Riccardo is in good hands...thank you so much Astraea for all you've done for us," Sarai told her and she hugged her.

Astraea was surprised at the hug but she welcomed it with a smile. "You're my friends," she said to her, "I couldn't let anything happen to you. I'll send a servant when he wakes up."

Sarai nodded and she went upstairs. She smiled slightly as she walked in. "I'm sorry Rosita forcing you to watch her all night," she said.

~~

Emmanuel flinched. He had forgotten about that. It didn't feel so lucky. Riccardo seemed like he attracted danger when he was around him. "But I hardly know him," he said, "I hated him before I even knew him." His face darkened, "I was too quick to judge him because of what his father did to my species."

Astraea had walked back into the room. She looked at the xray. It was crazy. If not for him being a vampire, he would have been crippled for life. She was so relieved that that wasn't the case.

"If you don't need me Dr. Seavers I need to round up the guards tell them what's going on. Also make sure Demetri is still secure downstairs."

"What are you going to do him?" Emmanuel questioned.

She sighed, "Nothing. I'd love to burn him to hell but...thats not my call."

((By the way, I'm probably going to go to bed a little earlier tonight.))

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

((Everyone needs to ship this because it's already adorable.))

Rosita looked when Sarai came in next. "I was just telling Aiden I completely don't mind. Aurora is precious. She's been asleep mostly, but she took a bottle just fine." She looked down at Aurora who was close to finishing the bottle full of blood. She didn't seem willing to finish, though as she turned her head suddenly and raised her chin as if to get away from it. Rosita giggled and pulled the bottle away from her face.

She stood up carefully and moved closer to Sarai. "Here. I'm sure you want to hold her again. I would." She passed Aurora gently to her. "I'd be happy to babysit anytime you wanted. It'll give me good practice for whenever Leon and I are ready to have a family." She laughed, knowing Leon would panic if she said anything like that to him now.

She frowned. "I've barely seen him at all tonight, actually," she murmured. She focused back on Aiden and Sarai. "Let me know if you need anything else." She nodded before leaving them to immediately search out Leon. She had no idea if he had confronted Demetri or if he was okay. Now that she was free, she was intent on finding that out. She hated that he and Astraea were always on the front lines of dangerous situations. Her small family always felt close to being torn apart.

Aiden smiled tiredly. "I'm really glad you knew them and they were willing to come here." He moved up closer to Sarai to look down at Aurora. "She was a little angel, apparently." He put a hand on Sarai's shoulder. "We know she's been fed, but have you had anything to drink tonight?"

--

"You hardly know him and yet here you are. You hated him and yet here you are." Seavers shrugged. Before he could say anything else, Astraea walked in. He listened quietly as Emmanuel questioned her.

He smiled when they finished speaking. "I think I have everything under control in here. Thank you Astraea. I know how hard it can be to handle the stress of the emergencies you've assisted me with. Especially when you're so close to the patients." He glanced down at Riccardo, some of the burden of it creeping into his own eyes. But he smiled again and looked up at her. "Have a cup of tea and take some time to relax. Please. Doctor's orders."

--

It was maybe twenty minutes later when Riccardo woke up. Seavers had left to his office to give Emmanuel some peace and quiet as he waited patiently in his chair. Riccardo barely moved at first when he started to become conscious. His head hurt, he was aware and he felt sore and his face twitched a little in discomfort. Slowly, he opened his eyes and tried to blink away the blurriness. He couldn't quite tell who was sitting beside him at first, but he squinted until his vision cleared.

"Emmanuel?" He furrowed his brow. "Have you been here long?"

((Alrighty. Just let me know when you're going to hit the sack.))

 

[Aina]

((Now I just imagine Rosita and Leon having cute babies awwwwww.))

Sarai took Aurora from her cautiously. She smiled down at her little face. Her eyes widened when Rosita mentioned her and Leon having a family. She had forgotten that they were going to get married. So much tragedy and there was no time to be happy over Aurora's birth or Rosita and Leon's union. Sarai sighed, she went to stand near the window.

She nodded her head, but she frowned. "I drank a bit when I woke up. I haven't been feeling right since giving birth to Aurora,"she sighed again but her face brightened as she looked down at Aurora. "Its the hormones," she went to sit down in the chair. "I wonder what Seraphine'a been up to. I thought she would be the first person to see Aurora."

~~

Astraea had left the two of them to get back to her duties. She needed to relax, yes but there were important matters at hand. Making sure Demetri was in his cell being one of them.

~~

Emmanuel was pondering what Seavers had told him. Why did he stay by Riccardo's side? Sure, he was loyal to the kingdom but he didn't owe Riccardo anything. Still, he felt guilty for not staying. So now, that's what he wanted to do. Stay by his side until he woke up.

Twenty minutes later and Riccardo finally woke up. Emmanuel looked up startled. He shook his head, "I-I haven't been here long," he sat up straight in his chair.

"How are you feeling?" He asked but regretted it as he should have known Riccardo would be in pain. He laughed nervously, "I mean besides your back. I was scared...youd be paralyzed." He looked away, "I shouldn't have left you."

((Probably at 4:30.))

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

((She loves children. She and Leon would have the cutest little child. I imagine them with a son for some reason. Well, Rosita would have a big family to be honest. So many.))

Aiden frowned. "Of course you haven't been feeling right! You had a traumatic birthing experience and labor seems really painful anyways!" He shook his head, letting his hand drop as she moved to sit in the chair.

He shrugged, looking up in thought when she mentioned Seraphine. "I wonder if my mom has been keeping her busy. I think she's enjoying having a full house and especially Seraphine to interact with." He smiled. Things still felt awkward with his mom there, but he didn't want her living by herself anymore. After the poisoning, he was scared of losing her. He didn't believe she was really any safer with he and Sarai, but at least she wasn't alone.

Aiden moved and knelt by the chair. "I can't believe the roller coaster we keep going on." He shook his head. "I dont know how I haven't gone insane yet. And you..." He reached for her hand. "This has been rough."

--

Demetri was chained tightly in a cell. His hands were cuffed behind his back and thick, metal chains wrapped around his body. His ankles also had steel cuffs and chains attaching them. He sat in the middle of the cell, staring down quietly at the floor. The guards standing nearby didn't speak to him but they felt uneasy in the silence.

When he heard Astraea stepping down towards his cell, he didn't move a muscle except to smile. "How interesting that you demons are actually playing a role in our politics."

--

Riccardo smiled bitterly at Emmanuel's question, but didn't get the chance to answer. He listened quietly and immediately frowned when he expressed his regret. "Emmanuel, I told you to leave me. I told you I'd be fine." He sighed. "I shouldn't have done that." He furrowed his brow and got quiet. However, a spark lit in his eyes and he looked back up at Emmanuel.

"What did you say? Am I not... I'm not paralyzed?"

"You likely won't be," Seavers said, stepping into the room having realized Riccardo was awake. "I'm sorry for interrupting, but we need to talk seriously about your recovery." Seavers grabbed a chair to join them. He already held the pictures of the X-rays in his hands and Riccardo looked on them curiously.

"Riccardo, I know the last thing you like to hear is that you need to take it easy and rest, but this time it is very important." He lifted the post-surgery X-ray and immediately pointed to the fractured area and the metal he had had to implement to strengthen the area. "Your spine is never going to be the same. You will have metal structures here possibly for the rest of your life. I am confident that you will be able to walk again, but not for a while. And when you do..." He jabbed at the picture pointedly. "The reason vampires are able to maintain the speed and durability that we do is because our bones are lightweight, sturdy, and our skeletons are extremely flexible. You have rigid, heavy metal in a key area of movement and support now."

Riccardo let out a soft sigh, but let Seavers continue.

"I am so sorry, my boy," Seavers said, suddenly. "I did what I could, but you will have limitations for a very long time if not the rest of your life."

"It's fine," Riccardo muttered. "What limitations, though?"

Seavers got factual again. "Depending on how your healing goes, I wouldn't let you carry anything more than up to 75 lbs. You may never be able to run as fast as you could before, jumping from anything higher than 8 feet could pose a risk to you, and... horseback riding... You... may never be able to do that again."

Riccardo's face fell and he looked away. "Oh..." He swallowed roughly. "And fighting? Am I completely useless in a fight, now? I..." His finger started tapping on the bed as he looked up and away from both Emmanuel and Seavers. "Fucking asshole," he mumbled. "Just had to leave me with one last scar, didn't he?"

 

[Aina]

((Leon is iffy about them. But, them having a little boy would be the cutest. After this post for sure I'm going to head to bed.))

Sarai flinched. The labor was traumatic indeed. She had nightmares about it while she had been asleep. Even now she tried not to think too much about it.

She would have been weary of Seraphine being with his mother but she was grateful that her sister was being preoccupied. She felt guilty for not giving her any attention. The smile on her face wavered. "There has been so much sadness," she looked down at Aurora who was sleeping peacefully. "She has no idea and I never want her to," her hand gripped his tightly. "I just want nothing but happiness for her," her voice became soft, "For all of us."

She stood up slowly and went to set Aurora in her crib. "I'm really tired...I should try and rest," she sighed heavily and turned to him, frowned but she grabbed his hand, "I'm sorry again honey. For getting angry at you."

~~

Astraea frowned immediately as she stepped into that dark place. She glared at Demetri when she saw him. She ignored what he said. "Look at you," she chuckled, "In chains like an animal. I'm don't know what Sarai will do with you...but I hope she chooses torture."

She stared at him, her eyes bright. "Perhaps I could burn you alive? Feel every part of your body burning. Nothing but agony."

~~

Emmanuel retorted, "And I shouldn't have listened to you."

He looked up as the doctor walked in. He frowned at the picture of Riccardo's spine. His frown only deepened as Dr. Seavers explained to Riccardo all of the limitations that he would have for the rest of his life. He wasn't quite sure what to say to Riccardo. He wanted to say sorry but that meant nothing.

He sighed, "Riccardo...you can still walk." He was tempted to grab his hand but Emmanuel thought against it. "What will we do about your father? He has to pay for what he did to you," a growl escaped him when he said it.

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Aiden felt sad at Sarai's words. It was likely Audora would grow up with all the chaos around them. he hoped it didn't affect her too bad because he really doubted they'd be able to shelter her from it. There was always something going wrong, always someone hurt, always fear and stress... She didn't deserve to live in a world like that, but Aiden hoped it made her strong.

He watched as Sarai went to put Aurora in her crib. He almost wanted to stop her, but she turned and grabbed his hand.

He shook his head. "Darling, it's fine." He reached up with his other hand and brushed it over her cheek and into her hairline. "Demetri deserves the worst. I understand your passion for that. I let my fear cloud my judgement, though. We should have talked about it calmly instead of me trying to control you like that." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"He will pay," he promised Sarai. "He will pay for what he did to our family."

--

Demetri chuckled. "Do you think you can scare me?" He looked up suddenly, eerily calm besides the slight smile on his face. "I am hundreds of years old and I have suffered worse than your tiny brain could ever imagine. There is nothing you could say or do that will scare me." The smile slipped from his face and he looked down again. "Will Riccardo recover?"

--

Emmanuel's words weren't comforting. Yes, he could still walk, but what good was it? He was still going to be useless. He felt his heart clench at the thought of all the times he had put himself between those he loved and danger. How many hits had he taken and given protecting Sarai? What good was he if he couldn't protect the people he cared about? And the timing! With Aurora in the mix, he needed to be at the top of his game, not some weakling who couldn't do anything for fear of his spine snapping!

His finger stopped tapping as his hand balled into a fist. "I don't know," he murmured. He looked at Emmanuel, but he could only see his father in his mind's eye. His back twinged with the shadow of pains and the reminder of what he was condemned to because of Demetri.

"He'll answer for all the crimes he's commited. The deaths and pain he's brought upon all of us." He grit his teeth. "He deserves to be tormented. A life of pain and... and fear and not a moment of peace or quiet. He can know what it feels like to be treated like an object." Angry tears started to sting at Riccardo's eyes. "Just something to entertain us, take our frustrations out on. He's not allowed to be treated like a living thing. He -"

Seavers reached out and put a hand on Riccardo, stopping the angry tirade. He looked back at Seavers, somewhat startled by the contact. "I don't think you'll find peace in this situation taking your anger out on him. I want you to think about what will truly make you happy. I don't want you to feel worse."

"How could I feel worse making him pay for what he's done," Riccardo huffed defiantly.

Seavers withdrew his hand and shook his head. "Just think about it, Riccardo." He stood up, taking up the X-ray pictures with him. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll be in the office."

Riccardo watched with some confusion as Seavers left them and then he looked at Emmanuel. "It's not out of line to want that monster to pay for all the pain and torment he's inflicted on me and others, right?" He sighed, his eyes flickering to the office door.

 

[Aina]

Sarai frowned. She wished he wouldn't have forgiven her so easily. She closed her eyes when he kissed her forehead. She hoped that he wouldn't do anything that he might regret. But she doubted Aiden would be so rash as to take care of Demetri himself.

"Maybe I should go check on Riccardo," she mentioned before she yawned softly. She looked at Aurora and a smile came on her face. "She's such a perfect little baby. Seraphine told me the dream she had about her. She said that Aurora was swimming the ocean giggling," Sarai started to laugh, "I didn't believe Sera at first because she told me Aurora was a mermaid in her dream and she was much older. That little girl has such an imagination."

~~

Astraea shook her head and she ignored his first statement. It was when he mentioned Riccardo did her eyes flare up red. "What does it matter to you? You don't care about him."

She turned to leave. "I'll let you rot in there all night until morning. No one speaks or looks at him, understand."

~~

Emmanuel saw the angry tears in Riccardo's eyes. It was a familiar expression. His father once looked like that. He sighed heavily, as Riccardo went on his rant. He understood exactly how he felt. Demetri took away half his family. An enormous amount of werewolves had been murdered because of him.

He looked at Riccardo when he spoke again. He didn't agree with Seavers. Demetri deserved to feel pain like they did. Like the people he inflicted it upon. "He deserves everything Riccardo," he looked down at his palm and he frowned. Eventually he looked up at him. "Your father is pure evil Riccardo," his eyes darkened, "I don't have to tell you how I feel about the man. I will support you in whatever you want to do to him."

He stood up from the chair and he smiled wearily. "I'm glad you're alright," he said and he had to look away. He scratched the back of his neck. "Of you want...I'll go get the queen for you. I waited to make sure you were okay. But I don't want to keep you up, you're probably in alot of pain."

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Aiden ran his hand over her hair and smiled wider at what Seraphine had told her. "Seraphine definitely has a huge imagination, but she was right about Aurora being a girl. Who knows?" He chuckled. "Maybe Aurora will grow up and grow a tail."

He put his arm around Sarai. "I don't want to leave her," he murmured, glancing at the crib and at Aurora's sleeping form. "That little baby is never going to know what it's like to be alone. I just can't do it." He shrugged. "So whatever you want to do, I'll be here probably or taking Aurora along."

--

Riccardo felt only mildly better when Emmanuel agreed that his father deserved to suffer. However, he couldn't shake his doubts. He trusted Seavers with every bone in his body and, even when he was being insufferably stubborn, Seavers' advice was often just what he needed. The fact that he was refusing to listen to his council made him feel like he was just being hardheaded. Didn't he deserve to get his revenge on his father? All the years of torment and he was supposed to not take the opportunity to hurt him back?

He looked to Emmanuel when he stood up, but he realized that it was much too late for the werewolf. He had caught him earlier when he was headed to his bedroom to lay down with the rest of his family. Still, he hated to see him go.

Riccardo smiled weakly. "Not in too much pain. I think the doctor still has morphine pumping into me because it's not that bad. More annoying than uncomfortable. Don't worry about fetching Sarai for me. I'm sure you are very tired." He hesitated a moment, looking down briefly in thought before his eyes shot back up to Emmanuel's face. "Thank you for keeping me company. Both before and after this. I've been spending much too much time alone. If you can ever spare a moment, I'd consider it a personal favor worth paying you back for if you'd tag along to help me and give me your company again." He nodded just a bit, finding any movement hard being flat on his stomach with his cheek pressed against the bed. "But I really ought to let you go get some sleep."

 

[Aina]

Sarai snorted, "Anything is possible."

She looked down at Aurora again and she grinned. She reached down to pick her up, she whined softly having been moved but Sarai shushed her. "It's alright princess," she said softly in her ear. She laid her carefully on her shoulder and held her head with her hand. "He'll be happy to see her," she closed her eyes, kissed the side of her head, and she whispered, "Let's go see your father." She turned to Aiden grabbed his hand and left downstairs to the infirmary.

~~

Emmanuel had to look away to hide the blush on his cheeks. He shrugged his shoulders, "It was nothing." He didn't understand why he had such a difficult time talking to him. "I'd love to keep you company," he said to him and he smiled widely. His face had gotten even more red.

Sarai walked into the infirmary and she stopped in her tracks. She was surprised to find that Emmanuel was still in there. She heard the last thing he said, and her eyes flickered to Riccardo. "Excuse me," she said softly as if she had been interrupting them.

Emmanuel bowed in front of them. "No worries your highness. I was leaving," he waved awkwardly toward Riccardo, "I'll see you later Riccardo." He quickly left the room so as not to have to stay in there any longer.

Sarai noticed the redness in Emmanuel's face and she wondered what that was all about. She didn't question it, and chose to ignore it. She walked over toward Riccardo's bedside.

"Look who I brought to see you," she told him with a slight smile.

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Aiden felt some sort of discomfort when Sarai told Aurora they were going to see her father. He'd already lost himself in the lie; nearly convinced himself already that their situation didn't exist. It felt so comfortable, slipping into the position of father. He knew the years ahead were going to be filled with this uncomfortable tension every time the truth of the matter came up. He was not looking forward to it.

He let Sarai drag him to the infirmary anyways, but immediately felt the awkwardness at having intruded on Emmanuel and Riccardo. It was a good thing the two of them weren't at each other's throats like when the werewolves had first arrived, but Aiden wondered how they'd gotten so close.

Riccardo looked up at Sarai when she interrupted. His eyes fell on the bundle in his arms and a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. He glanced at Emmanuel when he went to leave, however. "Sleep well." He wondered, too, why Emmanuel's cheeks had flushed red.

He turned his attention to Sarai as she got closer. "How is our little princess doing tonight?" He could see the baby's closed eyes and smiled warmly. "Poor, tired, thing. I wish I could hold her right now."

Aiden took a seat on the closest bed and propped himself up on one hand. He looked briefly around the infirmary. "Did the doctor already tell you how the surgery went? If you're... if you're going to heal?"

Riccardo sighed at Aiden's question, bummed again at what Seavers had told him. He looked to Sarai even though it was Aiden who was the one to ask. "I'll be able to walk, but... not without a lot of limitations." He sighed bitterly. "I'll be practically useless as a vampire. Barely better than any human." He looked at Aurora in her arms and immediately looked sad. "I won't be able to protect her."

 

[Aina]

"She sleeps and sleeps," Sarai told him. She sat in the chair that Emmanuel had been sitting in. She leaned a little forward so that Riccardo could see her better. Aurora's head moved from side to side and she smacked her lips together but she lulled back to sleep.

She looked up at him when he explained his condition. She feared the worse. He could walk! She smiled somewhat at that relief but it turned to a frown immediately. She shook her head and she reached out to touch his shoulder. "Riccardo, don't worry about protecting her. She's surrounded by people who will protect her. I'm so relieved that I wasn't worse," she let out a sigh and she thought about Demetri then. This was his fault.

She didn't want to mention it but they needed to talk about what they were going to do with him. She decided not to bring it up. She knew he was upset about his condition and she knew her words wouldn't comfort him. "You've done so much for her already," she told him softly and she looked down at the infant.

She gulped after a moment and she looked at him again. She was hesitant to say anything. "Riccardo?" she started, "What...what do you want to do with your father?"

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

"I have to protect her," Riccardo protested. "No one else will do a good enough job." He chose to ignore her expression of relief that it wasn't worse. How was no one else as upset as he was? How did it matter if he could walk if he was still gonig to be useless to them all? Didn't they realize how much depended on their ability to fight? Taking away some of his durability felt like a death sentence in their world. If it came down to it, he would risk his life for Aurora or Sarai, but he wouldn't even be able to offer much of a fight.

His face hardened when she asked what he wanted to do about his father. His hand curled into a fist again, his anger returned in full. It didn't matter what Seavers had said. He wanted to hurt his father.

"I want him to suffer," he said. "I don't know how, yet, but as soon as I can get out of this bed, he's going to feel the pain of everyone he has hurt over his miserable existence."

Aiden frowned. "I think we should seriously discuss skipping the whole torture thing and just executing him."

Riccardo shot Aiden a glare. "Killing him would be a mercy. He doesn't deserve such a quick an easy out after all the pain he's put all of us through. Us and countless others. He needs to pay!"

Aiden rubbed the back of his neck, shooting Sarai a glance, knowing she was probably on board with Riccardo. "I understand that. I do. I hate the man as much as you two, but... He's kind of an evil genius, isn't he? Is it really wise to keep him alive below our home? He probably has people nearby ready to strike? I mean, look at how he took down Roland! We can't ignore that for some god forsaken reason he has a huge following and I just think they'd be pissed that we have him in the first place. If he's alive, I feel like that puts us more at risk."

Riccardo grit his teeth. He couldn't deny Aiden had a point, but he wanted his father to suffer more than anything. "Then we take extra precautions! I don't want to kill him. Maybe we can let him choke on his own blood one day, but he doesn't get to just be executed!" His eyes widened when he realized his voice was raising. He glanced at Aurora. "Sorry, princess," he murmured, immediately lowering his volume again. "He caused a mass genocide on the werewolves," Riccardo said, looking back at Aiden, "He back-stabbed his way to kinghood. He killed Sarai's sisters. He did who knows what with Roland. He took every opportunity to torture me for my entire life."

He grit his teeth, lip curling into a bit of a snarl. "Maybe I'm too close to the situation, but I'm never going to be normal in any way, shape, or form because of him."

Aiden sighed, but looked at Sarai. "Do you still want to torture him, too?"

 

[Aina]

Sarai looked at Aiden, eyes wide when he suggested that they execute Demetri. That was too easy. He deserved far worse than that. A death sentence was justice. Riccardo seemed to feel the same as her. She nodded in agreement with what he said.

Aurora started to whine as Riccardo raised his voice. She started to rock her in her arms gently to soothe her back to sleep.

Her focus went back to Aiden however. He had a point. What if his followers wanted revenge and they attacked their kingdom. That would everyone in danger. Sarai's face paled at that thought. She hadn't thought of that. Now she was torn.

Her eyes seemed to glaze over at the memory of her sisters being murdered. The anger boiled within her again, it was Aurora's whining that shook her out of her trance. Sarai wanted Demetri to suffer immense pain if he could. It was the idea that having him there in their home, that worried her still.

"T-torture," she stammered, "Yes. He deserves it. He deserves to suffer. Riccardo, your father doesn't deserve anything less than that."

((Sorry it's short. I'm going to head to bed now. Goodnight!))

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

((It's okay! Good night! Talk to you tomorrow! I hope you don't mind that I skipped in this.))

Aiden could see he had shaken Sarai's opinion at least a little, but it was obvious he wasn't going to win this one. Demetri would be kept alive, under their home so that they could torture him for revenge. He didn't like it, but this one didn't feel like his place to make any sort of decision. Riccardo and Sarai deserved to find closure however they saw fit.

Riccardo felt some relief when Sarai agreed with him. "Thank you." He heard a very soft sigh, though and his eyes darted to the open door to Seavers' office. He still felt torn, wondering exactly why Seavers didn't agree with him on this.

--

A full week passed before Riccardo was able to leave his bed. As much as he hated it, he didn't want to risk complications in the healing with his spine in a delicate state. For once, he listened whole-heartedly to Seavers and stayed in bed. Then, the first day he was allowed to sit up, he took it slow. His body didn't want to cooperate at first. He was weak and his back hurt, but he could move every limb and he tried to see the blessing in that. He had to have something to hold onto.

Though he was bed ridden, Riccardo still performed his duties the best he could. He asked Wendy to come talk to him at the end of every night to keep tabs on needed supplies and any other concerns with the servants. He also kept up with Astraea, discussing guard schedules and how she felt that was working out.

Every night he tried to find some reason to ask for Emmanuel as well. 'Is your family getting enough to eat?' 'Are you still comfortable here?' 'How was this most recent full moon?' It was nice to have found a new friend. Though, he hoped he was not starting to annoy Emmanuel.

"Take it slowly," Seavers was coaching Riccardo. He had a hand out, hovering in front of Riccardo, ready for the worst.

Riccardo was on the edge of his bed, feet on the floor. He held a cane in his hand, also placed on the floor. Seavers had anticipated he may need the extra support walking for a little while. it was frustrating and he was ready to be done with this whole business, but it would still be a whlie yet before his spine was strong enough to take his full weight.

He carefully put pressure on the cane as he got himself up to his feet. He stumbled a little and Seavers quickly helped steady him. "Careful. There you go. How do you feel?"

"There's only a bit of pain," Riccardo said. "But... I do feel shaky." He looked down at Seavers. "The cane definitely helps." He experimentally took a step.

"Careful," Seavers said again. He took a small step back, but still hovered just in case.

"My legs feel kind of funny," Riccardo muttered, taking another small step, hobbling with a lot of his weight on the cane.

"How," Seavers asked.

Riccardo frowned. "I can move them obviously and... my nerves seem to be working otherwise, but there's just this feeling of... disconnect somehow." He sighed. "I don't know. I can walk, though! That's the important thing!"

Seavers looked worried, but he tried to give Riccardo a reassuring smile. "Yes. It is."

"Can I leave the infirmary tonight," Riccardo asked, immediately. "You don't have to babysit me. I promise I won't try to rush into anything, Arthur. I kind of want this injury to heal correctly."

Seavers deliberated for a moment, but sighed when he decided to relent. "Don't do too much standing and walking tonight, but I think I feel comfortable letting you leave my sight. If you have any concerns at all, I want you to take a seat immediately and have someone come get me. Do you understand?"

Riccardo smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes. I understand. I promise not to ignore any pain I have. I'll take care of myself."

Seavers nodded. "Okay, then. You can go."

Riccardo chuckled. "Thank you, Arthur. You really are a brilliant doctor. I'll put out word to get you some extra help in here. You've looked so tired lately."

--

Aiden took on the duties Riccardo had picked up while they were worrying over the pregnancy. He opened the doors to their subjects a few times during that week to listen to their concerns. It was rough having some of them yell at him over the most trivial things, but he was able to help many people and that felt good. He also met with the new council member Riccardo had hired and was pleased to find he liked the guy. He was informative and was finding information on Cornelius that Lord Leighton hadn't been.

"It's good to finally get some information on this guy," Aiden murmured to Sarai one night, looking at some of the reports they now had. "None of this is really that useful, though. At least we know he's down south. You know, on paper, he doesn't seem that bad, either? He mostly thinks the monarch system is corrupt and he's trying to change our government. Except... you know, he's turning vampires rogue and stuff... which isn't good," his voice trailed off.

"What's not good," Riccardo asked, entering the study. He felt a little embarrassed, hobbling with the use of a cane, but he grinned at Sarai, glad to finally be out of the infirmary.

 

[Aina]

Emmanuel would make an effort to see Riccardo in the infirmary as much as possible. His father would tell him to leave him alone, that the prince needed to rest up and heal but Emmanuel just wanted to make sure that he was okay. Usually he would visit him after queen Sarai would seeing as it was a little weird that he kept seeing him. Emmanuel thought Riccardo was his friend and he tried to explain that to his father. He doubted sometimes that Riccardo thought of him in the same way. But it was Riccardo's constant questions on his and his packs well being that shook those doubts away. Perhaps he did think of him as a friend?

He kept to his nightly duties. He helped Leon and Astraea whenever they needed him. Now that everyone had their own shifts, it was nice since everyone got their sleep and ate when properly. Also, it was just nice to have some calm after so much chaos.

~~

Sarai would also visit when she could. She'd take Aurora with her on occasion so he would be able to interact with her. It was difficult to see Riccardo the way he was, especially since he wasn't able to hold the baby at first. She was worried that Riccardo wouldn't recover but Astraea reassured her that he'd be walking on his own soon.

Most of her time was spent in the nursery and in bed. She went to see Dr. Seavers often as well since he needed to make sure her stitches healed properly. Sarai tried not to walk too much or spend too much time standing up since it was painful. She felt guilty as Aiden took on some of Riccardo's duties and she hadn't really helped him with any. She knew it was difficult for him especially having to hear their subjects insult him constantly. She wasn't there to take any of the blow for him.

By the end of the week, she had gotten a little bit of her strength and she was helping him in the study. If she were honest, it was boring reading reports. She hadn't meant to but she yawned when Aiden had been speaking.

She got up from her chair and she went to sit in his lap. "Can't we call it a night honey?" she sighed, "My eyes are about to go cross eyed from staring at these papers."

She wasn't sure how much more information they needed in this Cornelius guy. He was a calculated mastermind who had been able to poison a large amount of people. As well as kidnap and turn citizens into rogue vampires. She was going to say that Cornelius was someone they obviously didn't need to be messing with when the door opened.

Her face brightened when she saw Riccardo. She grinned as she got up from Aiden's lap and she went over to him, grabbed his hand gently. "How are you feeling?" she asked him. She noticed the cane and she didn't want to make it obvious that it worried her.

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Riccardo felt a little apprehensive as Sarai approached him, worried she'd try to hug him or do something that would throw him off balance. He felt relief when all she did was take his free hand and he grinned at her.

"I feel great," he told Sarai. "Seavers still has me on some pain medication, though." He squeezed her hand, disappointed in realizing Aurora was not in the room. "Where's our little princess at," he asked, eyes scanning the room as if they were hiding her.

"Rosita's watching her," Aiden piped in. He set the papers he'd been looking at aside. He rubbed his eyes. "She adores Aurora, which is good since Sarai and I have had a lot of things to do."

Riccardo looked disappointed, but he turned back to Sarai. "I don't think I can manage stairs yet, but you'll bring her to me before you sleep, right?"

Riccardo felt like his days with Aurora were numbered. As soon as she was able to walk and talk, he'd have to step back. It was already foolish that he requested to see her so much. Though, he'd been wondering if they really needed to keep it a secret since his father was put away.

Ultimately, Riccardo thought it was better Aurora and the kingdom believed Aiden was her father. If word got out otherwise, she'd lose everything. She'd never be able to claim the throne, especially if Sarai and Aiden ever had a second child. Aurora's heritage would be a broken crown and the dust of a fallen kingdom. Riccardo didn't want that for her. Especially as there were those who would hurt her just for being related to Demetri.

He felt his blood boil, but Demetri was his to hurt as he pleased, now. He would pay. As soon as Riccardo could, he'd descend upon him and make him suffer.

"Oh! I'm going to find some help for Seavers, by the way. He's overworked in there. We're not the only ones around here who get hurt and sick and I feel awful that he's taken all of this on without complaint. Hell, I might send him away to have a vacation." Riccardo chuckled. "But... um... what were you two doing in here?"

 

[Aina]

Sarai was immediately relieved of course that he was feeling great. She wanted to hug him but she refrained since she didn't want to hurt him in the process. She was not surprised when he asked about Aurora. She was going to say that she was with Rosita when Aiden beat her to it.

She nodded at his question, "Of course I'll bring her by." She smiled faintly and she guided him to the chair she had been sitting in. "You should sit," she told him softly.

"I think that's a great idea. We'll look into getting some more doctors here," with a shake of her head she said, "I don't think Astraea can be in the infirmary and be chief guard at the same time."

She went over to Aiden's side, she looked down at the paper be had been reading to her. "We were looking at this report from your new higher," she told Riccardo, "He's given the whereabouts of Cornelius and some information we already know. It's scary not knowing what this man looks like. He wants to wipe out our government entirely. He's turning people into rogues which we still don't know how. If there were a way that we could capture one, do some tests."

She frowned, looked down at the desk. That had been what her uncle was doing with her father. Trying to figure out what had caused the turn and how. "All we know is that Colette did it by giving my father something orally. But that isn't enough to figure out what triggers it,"she pressed her hand against her forehead," And all of these people who haven't come home in months. We suspect that they've been turned too."

She finally looked at Riccardo," What we really need is more information on Cornelius. I'm scared that he might try to attack us again."

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

((Aiden's been wanting to do this for a while. This thing he's had planned. LOL))

Riccardo let Sarai lead him to her chair, for once not willing to fight anyone on coddling him. He sunk down in the chair and felt relief as he leaned back, taking the weight off his back.

"I just can't believe how many people we have and they're still spread so thin," Riccardo said. Even with the added help of Emmanuel and his family..." He shook his head. "I never realized how many servants and guards and overall staff I had around me growing up, but... I think about it now, and I didn't even know all of their names. As Aurora grows up, we'll have to find tutors as well! I bet I could get in contact with some of my old teachers..." He looked off thoughtfully.

Aiden got up when Sarai moved to look over his shoulder at the report. "Here, sit," he said, knowing she was still recovering from Aurora's birth. He leaned against the chair, propping up on one elbow. He was looking hard at the letter in his hand. There was the word 'light' out of place, as if it were a type meant to be the word 'little'. In fact, the whole letter had a few strange words like that and he swore it meant something. If he could just figure out what it was.

Riccardo listened to Sarai, looking down at the floor as his brow furrowed. What was Cornelius' plan? He wanted to take over, but he was destroying the very people he wanted to rule. It ddn't make any sense. Even his father tried to do everything for the sake of the vampire species and the man had no empathy.

He looked up when Sarai mentioned being afraid of another attack. He felt the same way. "I've taken every precaution I can, Sarai," he said. "We have two people feeding us information. Though, it doesn't look like Lord Leighton is doing his job very well. Besides that, we have an emergency cellar of blood, more guards... If we needed to lay low, I also have a place and means of travel at the ready if we ever needed a quick escape." He sighed heavily. "Do we have a list of people who've gone missing? I wonder if there's anything they have in common.

Aiden looked up suddenly. "Yeah... I had it earlier..." He walked to the table and grabbed a small stack of papers before handing them to Riccardo. He went back to stand besides Sarai's chair and reached out, taking her hand in his. "We'll be okay," he told her. "We've made it through a lot. No one's going to take us down." He smiled comfortingly at her and squeezed her hand.

"Your majesties," a voice suddenly said, and the boys both turned to see one of the servants standing timidly in the doorway. "I was told to tell King Aiden that a Mister Dennet Bozier is here to see him... er..." He looked directly at Aiden. "You."

Aiden suddenly grinned. "Finally!" He looked down at Sarai. "Can you go get Seraphine? Please? Meet me in the entrance hall! I have a surprise for her." He smiled impishly. "See you, babe!" He left before Sarai could ask any questions, the speed at which he darted from the room only confirmed he didn't want to answer anything about whatever he had planned.

Riccardo raised his brows and glanced at Sarai. "Tell me what that's about later. I'm going to stay here and look at this stuff."

 

[Aina]

((Ooo I wonder what it is.))

Sarai wasn't so keen on the idea of tutors. She knew that Aurora needed them. Maybe it was because she didn't like them growing up that she felt that way. She wondered how Aurora would do as she grew up. Would she be as interested in books as her and Riccardo were? She smiled slightly at the thought of what their daughter was going to be like as she grew up.

Sarai sat when Aiden offered his chair. "Thank you hon," she muttered. She looked at Riccardo when he mentioned the precautions. She didn't doubt his ability at all. She was just worried about the next few weeks. Cornelius was unpredictable and since Demetri was in their custody they didn't have to worry about him. Still, Cornelius was a threat to them.

"Maybe we should hire more staff? If Leighton isn't doing his duties, then we should let him go," she sighed and looked down at the paper, "Hire a new trusted council perhaps?"

Sarai looked up sadly when Aiden reassured her. She wished she was more optimistic. It hardly was in her nature to be a pessimist but lately, because of all the tragedy, she felt hopeless. Now that Aurora was born, her worries for her safety only increased.

"The people are of different ages and gender. Who's ever kidnapping them doesn't discriminate," she looked up suddenly when the servant walked up to the door.

Her first reaction was to look at Aiden with narrowed eyes. Her eyes widened when he shouted to get Seraphine and left the room entirely before she could even ask what it was all about. She looked at Riccardo, clearly confused and she got up from the chair. "I hope it's nothing crazy," she said and she walked up to him, smiled, kissed his forehead, "I'm glad you're doing better."

She turned to leave and go find her sister. Seraphine was in her room, coloring at her desk. She grinned when she saw Sarai and she got from her table. "Hey bunny, Aiden has a surprise for you downstairs," she said.

Seraphine dropped her crayons and ran to the door. She didn't wait for Sarai to follow her. She ran down the stairs but stopped for Sarai to catch up to her since she didn't know where to go. The two of them made it to the entrance, Seraphine bouncing on her feet whereas Sarai didn't look to excited. She was a little worried what her husband was planning.

 

[FursieTheFlixee]

Riccardo's eyes closed when Sarai kissed his forehead, the gesture comforting somehow. He relaxed more into his chair and watched as she left. When she was out the door, he looked down at the list and frowned. Some demographics had been written on the page and what Sarai had said was true. He frowned as he saw there seemed to be nothing in common with any of the vampires who'd been taken.

But there had to be something. Cornelius surely wasn't randomly plucking people from their beds without some kind of purpose. If he was, he was nothing more than a deranged lunatic. The things he'd heard about the man, his political prowess and the fact that he had so many willing followers... Riccardo doubted he did things out of insanity.

"There's something here," he murmured, scanning the pages he held in his hands.

--

Aiden was standing with a tall, thick man with wiry black hair and a forked beard. He looked stern and tough, a stark contrast to Aiden's blonde-haired self especially with the lopsided grin on his face.

"How old is she," he asked the man, who could only be assumed as Dennet Bozier.

"5 years," the man said, peering at the large room. "She's been in training since she was 3."

Aiden started to ask something else when Sarai and Seraphine entered the room. "Seraphine!" He went up to her and scooped her up before spinning her around. "Little moonbeam. I have a huge surprise for you." He turned to Dennet, mostly still avoiding Sarai's gaze. He had gone about this without her permission and he could only hope she was happy and not mad. "We're ready to see her." Dennet nodded before turning and leading them out onto the front part of the property.

There, like something out of a fairy tale, a white horse stood calmly with her handler, head down and relaxed. Her mane and tail were long and flowing. She had a petite and elegant body rippled with muscle. She perked up when she saw people approaching her, but did little more than twitch her ears as her eyes lit up.

"What do you think of her, Seraphine," Aiden asked, hardly able to contain his grin.