Chapter 376: Future plans_Part 2
"Nothing will happen to them," Rohan said with a dark calmness. "If the humans of Aragonia decide to go to war against the vampires, then we will leave for the mountains and stay there together with Rav and Evenly. We can expand the cottage into a bigger building and make it our permanent home. You liked it there, didn’t you?"
Rohan had thought through everything before he wrote that report, and he knew the only way to save his family was by letting the two lands fight their war. The vampire king had forced him into signing away his rights, making him swear that he would never have the throne and never have a child. If that king ever discovered that Rohan had not kept to those words he had given on paper, then he would surely come after his family.
Meanwhile, the humans in Aragonia had sent Belle to spy in Nightbrook. If they ever found out what she had truly done instead of spying, they would also punish her. But if the two lands became consumed with war and turned on each other, killing and destroying themselves, then nobody would care where Rohan and Belle had gone. They would finally be free of the clutch of both lands, free to live their lives without being hunted.
The reason he had not remained in that cottage back then was not because he found the life too small or demeaning for him, but because he had needed to leave and search for answers about his wife. Now that he had a clear idea of where to begin in order to free her from everything Isabelle was causing, he could take them back there once everything was settled and she was safe from every threat. If he was going to live away from both lands, he wanted to do it knowing his family would never live in fear of lacking anything or of being hunted down.
He would take every single one of his possessions with him and start afresh there once everything had been cleared out.
It was always best to eliminate a future threat before escaping. And if the two lands chose to fight their war, then it would no longer be his business. The only people he cared about would never be caught in it. The mountains were far away from both lands, untouched and secluded, a safe place to live and raise a family.
He watched as Belle relaxed back into his arms at the mention of the mountains. "I like it there so much," she admitted softly. Though she knew many lives might be lost if a war happened, Rohan was right. The king had known what he would risk by starting such a war, and if he truly chose to ignite it, then it should not be their burden to carry.
Rohan also sighed internally when she did not argue about the lives that would be lost. He realized how much his wife had indeed changed, from trying to save everyone, to now becoming more like him in certain ways. Unless it concerned the people he cared about, it was no longer their business.
"I miss the cottage anyway," Belle went on, her voice carrying a wistful warmth as she spoke. "And if we are to live there permanently, I want the kitchen expanded so Evenly and I can both use it. I could teach her how to cook and bake. We will need a small piano room there so Angel can to learn play. I also want to grow more flowers in the garden. By the way, are there still people caring for the animals we left behind?" she asked, lifting her eager gaze to his face.
"Yes, I sent and paid two men anonymously to work and feed the animals. And I will make sure to send more people to work on expanding the building, just as you want," Rohan promised with a low chuckle as he nuzzled against her neck. "Anything else you would want to add there? We can start planning it beforehand so things could be ready before we move there."
Belle turned fully to him, slipping her hand inside his parted shirt to stroke and caress his bare chest as she thought about what else she wanted there.
Though in the process, she was unintentionally arousing her husband. Her fingers found his firm nipple and teased it idly, causing him to groan low in his throat.
He reached out to clasp her hand, pressing it down to stop the torment while she did her thinking silently, knowing that if she continued to arouse him, it would only lead to torment.
They couldn’t do anything tonight, not with their son here, and not with the fact that she had just come back to him after he had almost lost her.
Rohan realized she didn’t even seem to notice what she was doing, nor that he had stopped her, as her eyes slowly brightened with the light of a thought that must have settled in her mind.
"I know what else I want once we go there," Belle mused, biting her lower lip with a shy but determined expression, knowing her husband might not like what she was about to say.
"Tell me, you can have anything you want," he whispered into her neck, his breath warm against her skin.
"Anything?" she asked uncertainly, and when he gave a firm nod, she moved closer, pressing herself against him as she whispered it into his ear.
"I want us to have more children once we get there and Angel is old enough. I want us to have another baby, to give him a sibling." She rushed on quickly before he could respond, her voice pleading and tender. "I know you once said we wouldn’t have other children, but I want more. I don’t mind the pain, it will be worth it. You said I could have anything, Rohan, so don’t say no. You have to agree now, so once we get there you won’t back out."
Rohan’s eyes narrowed, his arms tightening around her as he looked into her eyes, seeing the raw longing that softened her face. For a moment, he was silent, recalling the pain she had gone through months ago when carrying and giving birth to Angel. The first thought that came to his mind was a big, no more children, but then the look in her eyes stopped him.
He was torn between the fierce protectiveness that had made him promise to never let her suffer again with his child, and the ache of her desire that called to the part of him that wanted to give her everything she dreamed of. Especially when he could feel her desire to expand their family through the weak link of emotions he now shared with her.
Not to mention, there was a part of him that wanted more.
Belle’s hand slid up his chest to rest over his heart, her thumb caressing slowly. "Say something, Rohan," she whispered, her eyes shining with both hope and love. "Say yes. Angel will be lonely with no one to play with once we move there. Let’s give us a bigger family to fill our home with laughter."
Her words broke him, not with weakness but with a surrender he reserved only for her. He cupped her face in his large hand and kissed her forehead softly before murmuring, "You’re relentless, Isa... and you know I can’t deny you when you look at me like this." He gave a low sigh and let his lips brush hers. "Fine. We’ll have more children once we get there, and Angel is old enough."
A smile blossomed on her face, radiant with joy, but he added in a husky whisper, his lips curling with tender amusement, "But only if the next one is a girl. Angel needs a sister to protect not a brother to fight with. And I want a little princess who will be just like her mother."
Belle laughed softly against his mouth, pressing her forehead to his. "Then a princess you shall have, my love," she teased back, sealing her victory with a brief kiss.
For a while, they lay there in the quiet, wrapped in each other’s embrace, until Rohan’s voice broke the silence. "Are you ready for tomorrow’s ball?" he asked gently.
The question made the lingering smile slip from Belle’s face. He had expected it, he knew she had no plans of sleeping tonight, afraid that closing her eyes might draw her back into that other world she had barely escaped hours ago. He didn’t want that either. He had already decided he would stay awake with her, keeping her company until dawn, when he would have to leave briefly to look into where the Dawsons kept their staff records, but then he also knew tomorrow’s challenge couldn’t be escaped.
"Now that you remind me of it, I am anxious," Belle muttered, pressing her lips together. "I never once looked forward to Aragonia’s annual ball in all my years here. And I dread this one even more, knowing I’ll be having a private meeting with the king. I don’t even know how I’ll manage the presenting..." Her words trailed off, her fingers twisting in the fabric of his shirt as her thoughts tumbled into unease at the thought of tomorrow.
Rohan reached up and smoothed her hair with steady fingers, his tone firm and reassuring. "Then practice with me. Since neither of us is sleepy, I’ll act as the king, and you can use me to prepare yourself."
And so, they spent the rest of the night in each other’s company, Rohan taking his act as a king seriously while Belle stumbled with words at his seriousness, corrected herself, and eventually gained confidence with every word after repeating it a few more times. By the time dawn neared, she had perfected her report, words that would determine both their futures now.