In This Life And The Next
Chapter Thirty-Four

Hazel and Aurora exchanged a look and the amusement was clear on her face even if she was able to suppress her smile.

The silence continued for a moment longer and Roman looked to John.

John cleared his throat.

Alec held up a finger and Liam continued on.

It was another moment before Liam concluded whatever it was he was saying and Alec laughed and Liam smiled.

Finally, they turned to Roman and John.

Aurora took a moment to admire the brothers. While Hazel and Caspian and Laura kept themselves sitting up straight and looking attentive, Alec’s sprawl was lazy and arrogant. One leg was stretched out in front of him while the other was propped up. His arms were on the the armrests loose and easy, as though he were greeting old friends and companions instead of the man who tortured him for weeks on end and the man that was threatening to to kidnap and rape his only sister.

Liam looked down at them from their raised position as though he were looking at particularly amusing, if slow, children. He had a small smirk on his mouth but his eyes were narrowed at the two of them in front him and Alec. His posture was much the same as Alec’s: cocky, arrogant, because even if he was second to the throne, he was still the one looking down on the men from high. The look on his face was telling. Liam was smarter than both men and he knew it and he wanted the other two to know it as well.

“Your Highness.” Roman said and bowed his head.

John murmured something similar and bowed his head as well.

“Hm.” Alec hummed, neither offering a greeting or addressing them by their titles. For Alec, a man known to be kind to those that were supposedly of a lower station than himself, this was the worst kind of insult. He cleared his throat. “What is it you want?”

“We desire a private audience with Your Highness.” Roman said.

“No.” Liam replied flatly.

John’s eyes flickered over to Liam before settling on Alec once more.

“I believe that I was addressing His Majesty.” Roman hissed and there was an undercurrent of anger in his words.

Liam leaned back in his chair and smiled broadly. “I believe I don’t care.”

“If this is how guests are treated in your court, I will gladly take it from you.” Roman growled.

The escort around Liam and Alec shifted but Alec raised a hand and the men stilled.

“Surely you know that your forces, both of them, will be ground beneath my heel.” Alec attested.

“We also know of your particular weakness for your men, for your country.” John spoke up and his eyes flickered over to Aurora.

“Is there a reason you keep looking to my family?” Liam demanded.

“I am looking for my own.” John deflected and turned back with a tragic sigh. “General Grace took my only brother from me. You might know him. Michael.”

No one moved.

“So you do.” John surmised. “I won’t bother to ask him if he lives. The Prince and his pet are known throughout the country.”

Alec didn’t reply but Aurora understood suddenly why Michael was so desperate to go to war against John.

There was a history there that no one seemed to know.

“I am done with your games. Tell me what you wanted to say so that I can send you away.” Alec said and looked away. “Both of you sicken me.”

“And miss the introduction of your family?” John asked, feigning hurt.

“Oh but we all know the royal family.” Roman said and a gentle smile spread on his face. “But the others-”

“Are none of your concern.” Liam snapped.

Alec put a hand on Liam’s arm. Liam sat back in his chair.

“Such a romantic story. The Crown Prince of the country picking up a commoner, taking her in, nursing her back to health-” Roman murmured, his eyes on Aurora.

“None but the best bards of our time could think of such a story.” John declared. He made a step in Aurora’s direction and Ben was there before Aurora could blink.

John kept his eyes on Aurora. “Amazing. A common woman raised to such a standing in such a short time.”

“You will address me by title.” Aurora said. “Marchioness of Audra, defender of the southern border, daughter of General Grace, promised to the future king.” She paused and looked down at John. “I will give you the luxury of choosing one.”

“Is that so?” Roman asked.

Aurora didn’t bother to reply.

“Nonetheless,” John plowed on, “A woman who has never been to court, who knows nothing of governing, who hid away all her life to escape her responsibilities until she was forced to face them, was able to trap the Prince? Tell me, how well do you suck cock?”

There was a ripple of unease throughout the people gathered and Sam drew his sword. Hazel stopped him with a softly spoken word but he did not put his weapon away.

“Do you not speak?” John demanded.

Aurora held his eyes and did not look away. Such things were not uncommon for Aurora to hear, flung from the mouth of her supposed loved ones.

“Have you nothing to say, whore ?”

“Let us speak of whores, if that is your wish.” Aurora murmured and her bored voice echoed through the hall. “There are rumors that you do not call upon any because there is no price high enough for a person to touch your deformed member.” Aurora looked down at John and leaned forward. John’s face flushed. “That there is so little to work with, that even paying a woman is a waste of her time. The rumors say that you haven’t pleased a single person in your life. That you are... unable to.” Aurora paused and smiled. “Perhaps you should address your own problems before you accuse others of having what you are simply unable to take. Do that and then you may address me.” Aurora finished and kept her eyes on John. “Until then, I have no time for someone so simple as yourself.”

“When you are mine-”

“I won’t be.” Aurora huffed, flatly.

“-you will not replace me so simple.”

Aurora turned her head to Jessica and yawned. “Oh, forgive me, Lady.” She said. “These things are so tedious.”

“And boring .” Jessica called out.

“We have come with an offer.” Roman interjected and John kept his eyes on Jessica and Aurora. Jessica shuddered and Aurora offered her her hand. She took it and turned her face into her shoulder. John sneered.

“What is it?” Alec asked, sounding tired of this circus in front of him.

“Single combat.” Roman replied.

Aurora turned to Alec and Alec leaned forward, finally interested in something. “Go on.” Alec urged.

“Winner takes all, loser’s army and forces and-” Roman looked over to Hazel, “Spoils are handed over.”

“And who will be the combatants?” Laura demanded and Roman looked to her for the first time. If Aurora read his face correctly, Hazel wasn’t the only one he wanted to get his hands on.

“Naturally I would not expect the Crown Prince to fight, just like I assume he would show me the same respect.”

Aurora and Caspian snorted.

“I would ask for his second, as John will stand in for me.” Roman finished.

Alec looked from one to the other. “Leave. I will send word.”

Alec stood, along with the rest of the room and went to Aurora’s side. He took her hand and led her out of the room. Liam and Jessica were right behind them with Caspian escorting his mother and his sister. The escort followed them and closed the doors behind them.

“Can I kill them?” Liam whispered from behind Alec .

“Not yet.” Alec murmured back.