Chapter 27

Rowan POV

Again I stand in front of this door, blood thick in the air. The door slides open, and I step in, looking around, the blood seems to be cleaned up, and the room actually shining, but the scent of blood remains. Stepping to the end of the table that stands in between Camilla and me, I give a bow.

"Hello, dear Matriarch," I address her, politely.

"A charmer still, I see," She muses from her throne, head resting on her right hand. "Come close, youngblood."

I stand from my bow, walking to her, keeping my eyes on her. I stand three steps from her throne, close enough to barely kiss her crossed feet. Kneeling, I lower my head. Although I've never been in the presense of royalty like this, this feels right. Maybe something I picked up from the contract between my soulmates or just Immortal manners that is self-taught through the transformation. Regardless, it doesn't bother me to be a bit more polite to someone stronger than me, especially if the person we're talking about is a beautiful woman.

"Closer," She instructs, a smile dancing on her lips.

With confusion, I still shuffle closer, kneeling in front of her, off to the left side. Eyes closed, body relaxed, I wait for her words, but they don't come. Instead, a thin soft hand, comb my hair, making my messy bun come down. She hand scratches my head, giving me a massage.

". . .You don't despise me, do you," she spills, abrutely, hands never stilling.

"No, Matriarch," I give honestly.

"Why is that," Her hand combing through my hair, like a mother would their daughter.

"You have tough decisions to make, to be fair in order to keep the peace of the Immortal society. I can't fault you for doing what you think is best," I start. " Your punishment for me does not change how I feel, nor how I will act should the time arise for such an event to take place between Augustine and me."

". . .You would dare break the law again?"

"If it's to protect those around me, yes," I confess. "Without hesistation."

"You are a bold one, youngblood," She chuckles. "Whose to say, I don't kill you now, and tell my granddaught and her soulmates that you ran away?"

"I don't know," I shrug softly. "I just trust that my life doesn't end here."

". . .What do you fear," She grabs me by the chin, pulling my face up. "Any other Immortal in my presence would reek of fear, who shiver at the meer mention of me. Why not you?"

"Nothing to fear when life had no meaning," I answer. "My only fear now is for it to revert back to having no meaning, now that I have something to give my life to."

Her eyes hold mine, looking deep into my soul. My eyes remain unwavering.

". . .My granddaughter sure has caught a good one," she muse, guiding my head to lay on her lap, going back to combing my hair. "I'm trusting you to protect her."

"I never planned not to. All of them, until my last breathe," I vow, softly.

"Then you'll have to get stronger."

"And I will. I will not let anything stop me from crushing those in front of me."

". . .Not even your past race?"

"Humans. . .They hold no value in my heart. Nothing more, nothing less. To kill them is no different that my next meal."

". . .Cruel. Cruel, indeed. "

"That's how the world works, dear Matriarch," I remark.

Silence travels through the room, heavy, but comfortable. I don't know what to expect, and I don't mind. There's frankly nothing I can do, if she where to snap my neck. Fortunately, she doesn't, just humming, stroking my hair. Somewhere along the way, she guided me to a more comfortable position, with me facing the door, sitting in between her legs, with my hair sprayed all along her lap. Letting her do her thing, I close my eyes.

Drifting to my inner world, a few strings reach out, taking the form of shadowy animals, each purring against my walls. I reach out to them, patting their heads.

'What's going on?' Katherine panicks, voice quick.

'Yeah, are you alright?" Liam voice trembles a little.

Lots of worried feeling are sent down the bond,

'I'm fine. She's just combing my hair,' I explain.

'Combing?" Katherine pressed.

"Yea, I was confused at first," I admit. 'But it seems she maybe just wants some company.'

'. . .She's taking an interest in you,' Lilith comments. 'Tell us exactly what happen.'

I recap everything, showing them what happened through my eyes. Shock can be felt through the bonds, KAtherine speaking first.

'She could be testing you,' She begins. 'To add you to the family that is.'

"Huh? How can you get that from a simple combing of the hair?!"

'Immortals normally don't let others of lower status unless they are of a clan house to be so close to them,' Grant explains. 'It's like how the Matriarch sits in her throne high above everyone, so she can be in control of everything, seeing all.'

"I'm not getting it.'

'You showed her something she hardly gets being surrounded by her subjects who only fear her. You don't care, although stupid of you," Grant sighs. 'I bet it's been a few years other than the times we met her, that she hasn't had anyone show her any fear.'

'So not showing her any fear, makes her want to make me a part of the family?'

'In a nut shell yes,' Katherine remarks. 'But it's more to it.'

". . .Like?'

' You'll have to meet my parents, all of our parents. The ritual you'll have to go through if you accept the role, will be painful. There's even a possible chance that you'll die. for just a little bit of power,' She reveals. 'And knowing my grandmother, she'll call for you more and more often.'

'Why me though?'

". . .Even her family fears her deep in their heart,' Theo whispers. 'In history, humans learn the destruction of a major city, or a nuclear bomb going off, but it's actually Katherine's grandmother. She is a force to be reckoned with.'

'but why fear her?'

'For the better of the Immortal world, she'll burn her family, but for her family, she burn this whole world to the ground,' Katherine steps in. 'It's complicated to explain. . . My grandmother sees what she sees, and can be fair and unfair in a matter of seconds. '

'. . .She has the responsiblity of a whole society on her shoulder, there's going to have to be decisions to be made," I begin. ' I'm not saying that, that would be something I would do, but that just means she has more resolve to do what she thinks need to be done... But to fear her...Never fear someone who would burn the world to ashes for you.'

Everyone is quiet, listening to me.

'She isn't perfect. Nobody is--in fact-- perfect. But she tries. Take the meeting for example. She didn't have to punish Augustine, because by Immortal laws the biggest crime then was me harming a future clan head. Defanging him as well. But she let the roles be switched letting me also dish out a punishment for him as well.'

'True,' Liam mutters.

'Right now, she could have my head, but she doesn't. She could kill everyone here, but doesn't. Why worry about the what ifs and walking on eggshell? Just respect the power that she's worked to have. Respect it, not fear it.'

"Thank you," the Matriarch whispers, lowly, her breath close to my ear. It doesn't surprise me that she can hear the internal conversation happening.

"It's true," I assert. "Without a strong leader, Immortals would run amonk, killing humans left and right, going to war. Instead you've made this society with laws, and you have to make that call to dish out the punishment."

"You are right, but doesn't that make you wish for a way out?"

". . .I would rather have power, all the power that my body can take to control my life as I see fit, and live my life how I want," I admit. "I would never want to be under someone's thumb for them to crush, or push away when I'm no longer needed."

Matriarch leans back, sighing.

"You are special," she whispers. "A shame that you're taken."

I don't know how to respond, actually shocked for the first time since stepping into this room.

'. . .I-i I don't know the rules about that, but you already know that I'm in a relationship with your granddaughter."

"Oh, already trying to move to the big guns," She muses, teasing me.

I turn to her, a blush on my cheeks.

"Oi! Don't joke like that," I pout a bit. "If I die because of you, I'll haunt you for the rest of time."

"That wouldn't be so bad," she quips back.

"Then...I won't let you comb my here."

"!!!"

She straightens up quick, a look of horror on her face. As if realizing what just happened, we freeze. A laugh burst from my lips.

"You should've saw your face!"

She giggles as well. We laugh and laugh, just letting go. I can't be sure why anyone would fear this woman. It's a shame she sits around people who only know how to coward behind someone else.

After we calm down, she voices," You can leave, but if you need something, come to me."

"If you need anything, you only need to ask, dear Matriarch," I tease.

". . .Camilla."

"Hmm?"

"Call me Camilla," She smirks.

"...Well then Camilla, have sweet dreams tonight," I stand, leaning over and pecking her forehead softly. "If no one else, I'll come. You need only say the word."

Turning on my heels, I leave a stunned Camilla sitting on her throne.