by Emerson Fray
Chapter 11
Ren knew the Monarchy was having trouble controlling Maks, if not by the way Maks’s shoulders were unusually slumped, but in the way Garret’s eyebrow twitched whenever he was with Maks. She wanted to get more involved, but every time she raised her voice Garret immediately shut her down with the possibility of a suitor coming to visit. So Ren decided to stay out of the way if it meant she would have to deal with Garret just a little less. Ren assumed that was why Sheridan always looked down her nose at Ren; she refused to face the problem. But her father could easily handle the pressures of a kingdom; he’d dealt with much worse in space.
Talking to Garret had rattled her today and reminded her that not everyone on Novae was as happy as Abetha and others in the capital. Going to the festival had made her forget a bit about the rebels, even though they’d made an attempt on her life. Maybe some of the smiles she’d seen weren’t real. She’d never really had to deal with so many strangers.
“Maks,” she said, finding him in his new office. He looked both out of place and perfectly in place behind the huge mahogany desk surrounded by papers and plans. “Can we talk?”
She asked Sheridan to wait outside, and for once Garret wasn’t there to get in the way. She shut the door to the office and sat down across from Maks, digging her fingernails into the leather cushions.
“Your things are on their way,” Maks told her. “Should only be a few days before they Fall, now.”
“That’s not it,” Ren said. She could see the bags under Maks’s eyes, and just how tired he really was. She’d never seen him tired before. “I wanted to see how things were going—with the people.”
Maks looked up from whatever document he was going over and gave her a hard look. “You mean the rebels.”
“Rebels are people too,” Ren mentioned. “And they’re people that want you dead.”
“They want you dead,” he replied. Ren didn’t flinch, already anticipating that would be his answer. She wasn’t about to let this go.
“Have you talked with the rebel from before?” Ren asked. “The one that—”
“Tried to kill you. Yes.” Maks leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath as his eyes closed. When they reopened he said, “Novaeans are tough. These people only believe in the Beginning, and apparently their Beginning says the Monarchy is the enemy.”
Ren thought a moment. “But why would so many follow us then? Abetha believes in the Beginning, and so does Kian.”
Maks leaned his elbows on the desk, shuffling the papers. “That’s what I’m working on. I can’t have rebels and assassins running all over the planet.”
“What about the cloaking?” Ren asked. “Have the Monarchy found out anything about that?”
Maks’s silence was enough of an answer for Ren. It had been a month since they arrived, and there was still no new information on how Novae had stayed hidden. Ren was getting frustrated, and didn’t trust most of what she was told; especially if that information came from Garret. Sometimes she wasn’t even sure she trusted what Abetha said. And Elian was somehow staying completely out of her life since they’d arrived. Ren stood. “What about the Absolution? Surely someone has found something there.”
Maks eyed her. “You know where it is?”
“What do you mean?” Ren asked. “You don’t?”
“Answer the question.” Maks stood, hands flat on the desk.
“I don’t,” Ren said, “I just thought—I thought the Monarchy knew. Abetha said some of the books in the library were from the ship.”
Maks sighed and sat back down. It was the first time he was first to do so. “The Absolution was lost years ago. We’ve been scanning the planet but nothing’s been found yet.” He rubbed his hands over his face, weary. It reminded Ren that he was getting older.
Ren wet her lips. “Why are you being so forthcoming?”
Maks folded his hands together, and the position coupled with his silver suns, and black coat draped over the back of the chair made him look like a true Monarch. “Novae is a place of second chances.”
Ren sucked in a breath, catching it in her throat. “I’m going to look into the books from the Absolution,” she declared, anything to get her out of the room. She hurried to the door, and as she stepped out she turned back and said, “You better find the assassins already.” He nodded. “I don’t want—I don’t want anything to happen to you…Dad.”
She slammed the door shut behind her.
Sheridan didn’t say a word, and Ren was too caught up in her own words to notice if she followed or not. She started towards the library, unsure if she was even heading in the right direction.
“How long has it been?” Sheridan asked, needing nothing more than her voice to stop Ren. Ren froze on the marble, hand shaking as she covered her mouth. How long had she been doing that?
Each drop of rain that hit the window reverberated through Ren’s body, and matched with the harsh wind slamming into the sides of the manor she thought the glass might shatter. Lightning streaked the sky, lighting up half of Sheridan’s face and casting shadows down the rest of her body as Ren turned. “What?” she asked.
“How long has it been since you called him Dad?” Sheridan asked. How did she even know that’s what was upsetting Ren? She was elated and devastated that she’d called Maks that…and Sheridan knew.
She lowered her hand to her side, turning them to fists in hopes of stopping the shaking. It helped, but only barely. She shook her head. “A few years,” Ren admitted. “The last time I called him that—I don’t even know. The first time I called him Maks though…that was when he didn’t show up for my high school graduation.” She shrugged. “I was fifteen.”
There was a lump in her throat, and tears brimmed her eyelashes. She sucked in a breath and managed not to cry. Even with the advancements on Earth, graduating high school at fifteen was still a feat. But Maks chose to jet off to some unknown location in the universe rather than see her walk across the stage. She’d matured enough now to know it wasn’t his choice, there was a battle going on, but it still hurt. Ren’s feet wouldn’t move, and she was stuck to the floor, every inch of her being forcing herself not to think too hard about it. Maks would never approve if she cried over something so trivial as a word.
Sheridan stepped forward and placed a hand on Ren’s shoulder. There was enough pressure there to remind her of the warrior that stood before her, but a gentleness that was so comforting Ren had wondered how long it had been since she’d felt so…calm. Sheridan looked Ren in the eye, lowering her head until she was eye-level with Ren. Ren took a deep breath and nodded, signaling she was fine. Or that she would be, at least. Sheridan dropped her hand as she said, “It’ll get easier.” Her eyes went to the window. “And you have your brother to lean on.”
“Yeah,” Ren agreed. Even when she didn’t have her mother, and Maks was on some far off mission fighting for the Monarchy, Ren always had Elian. There was a sudden shock of thunder that made her jump.
“Besides,” Sheridan went on, “there are worse relationships out there.”
“Like?” Ren prodded.
“I haven’t spoken with my father in years.”
“Really?”
Sheridan stepped to the window and Ren followed, placing her fingertips on the sill. The cold from the other side was seeping through easily.
Sheridan nodded, her eyes falling low out the window. Ren tried to follow her gaze but she couldn’t find what the Sotarian might have been looking at. It was then that she realized Sheridan was simply avoiding meeting her eyes. “Really,” Sheridan said, a slight sigh coming through. “I was eight when I decided to train to be a Sotarian, and that went against what my father thought a lady should do. His views on life are not unlike the Monarchy. After my father ceased all communication my brother was the only one in the family to continue talking to me. Although it wasn’t much.”
“
You have a brother?” Ren asked. She’d imagined Sheridan as an only child, and couldn’t see her sitting at a table having a meal with anyone. Now that she thought about it, Ren hadn’t seen Sheridan eat anything ever.
“I do,” Sheridan said.
Ren was starting to understand why Sheridan was the way she was. With a father that disowned her at eight, and a family that agreed with him it must be hard to show any kind of real emotion. Ren knew a bit about what that was like.
Carefully Ren reached her shaky hand up and placed it on Sheridan’s shoulder, just as Sheridan had done for her. There was a moment of silence before Ren was about to let go, but stopped when Sheridan lifted her own hand and placed it over Ren’s. After a quick squeeze she let go and dropped her hands by her sides, taking a step back.
“What—” Ren began.
“My Lady,” Abetha called from down the hallway. “There is a caller—oh! My apologies, I did not mean to interrupt.” Her eyes flicked between the women, as if sensing the moment they’d just shared. Maybe it was how close they were standing, or that Ren took another quick step back that made it obvious. Ren thought she saw a sort of cleverness behind Abetha’s eyes just then, but it quickly vanished.
“It’s fine,” Ren said. She shook her head, trying to regain her thoughts. “What did you need?”
“There is a caller for you,” Abetha explained. “It is Kian.”
“Kian?” Ren repeated. “What is he here for?”
“I called him here,” Garret explained, popping out from around the corner. His eyes slid from Ren to Sheridan, as if he had been the one to find them bonding. Maybe he knew she’d called Maks “Dad” and was devising a plan to make that stop. “He is one of the most well-bred men of Novae—I thought it was time you gave him a true chance.”
“A true chance?” Ren asked. “I’ve spoken with him plenty of times, I don’t think I need to give him more of a chance than he already had. So if you don’t mind, I don’t really feel like entertaining at the moment.”
“That’s not important,” Garret replied, a tight smile stretching over his lips. He knew he was going to get his way, even if it meant dragging Ren to Kian himself. “Believe it or not Kian is very busy with his father in Mahendra; now is the only time he had free to see you. He’s being very generous in coming all the way here.”
Ren ground her teeth. “Now isn’t—”
“It would be a shame should the scow carrying your things suddenly be called elsewhere,” Garret went on, completely ignoring Ren’s words. “They travel for days to get here; all Kian needs is an hour.”
Her jaw tight, Ren understood Garret’s way of thinking. “Fine.”
“Th-This way, my Lady,” Abetha said, holding her arm out towards the front of the manor. Ren started walking, her footsteps quick and heavy.
Sheridan was behind Ren the entire time, her eyes watchful. Just as she was about to pass Garret she heard him whisper, “Remember, nobility belongs with nobility. Whether they are friends or something more.”
A low growl escaped Ren’s throat, and she was just as surprised as Garret at the sudden noise. He was careful to keep still as Ren said, “Who I decide to be friends with is none of your business. If I want to be friends with Abetha or Sheridan,”—she thrust her finger towards the two—“then so be it! And who I want to date is my business, not yours or the Monarchy. If I want to get to know Kian, I’ll get to know him. And if I don’t, then I won’t!” Her finger jutted towards Garret. “You’ll have no say in it!”
She lowered her finger with a huff, her heart thumping hard against her ribs. Garret was motionless, ensuring he didn’t grin or grimace at her outburst. Ren couldn’t read if it was something he was going to use against her or something that might make him back off. Beside her she noticed Sheridan biting the inside of her cheek as she resisted a smile.
“Good afternoon, my Princess,” Kian greeted in the lobby. Ren was brought back to reality, her face paling as she saw Kian only a few feet away. How much had he heard? “I apologize for such short notice; I did not realize that you were unaware I was coming.”
“It isn’t your fault that Garret’s a jerk,” Ren said. Kian furrowed his brow and did the same as Sheridan as he tried not to smile at Ren’s blatant disrespect. But again, Garret didn’t falter; maybe he was used to this kind of treatment. Instead of doing anything to show Ren just how much power he had, he gave her a small simple bow and walked away. She and Sheridan both watched him go with a glare.
“I’m sure he means the best,” Kian replied.
Ren scoffed. “Yeah, for him and the Monarchy.” She crossed her arms. “I’m not in a very good mood; I’d understand if you cancelled.”
“Ah, I cannot,” he revealed. “I’ll be quite busy with my father in the coming weeks, and the new changes His Grace his making.” He winked at her, and she could only blink back. Kian had never seemed like the winking type. “I’m sure I can lighten your mood. If you’ll come with me, I can show you a magnificent view that I’m sure you haven’t found in the manor.”
Ren took a deep breath. Kian continued, “You will see the sky; Abetha mentioned at the festival that you are fond of the weather changes here on Novae.”
Trying not to glare at her Guide, Ren agreed. She ignored Kian’s arm as he held it to her, and told him to lead the way. He never faltered and headed up the stairs.
When they reached the top Ren turned to Abetha and said, “You don’t need to follow us around; why don’t you go spend time with Elian and Ross? Make sure they aren’t cloaking anything else.” Kian narrowed his eyes, but never asked what she meant.
Abetha perked up and nodded. “Thank you my Lady!” She hurried back down the steps, not wasting any time as she left the manor.
“How kind,” Kian said.
“I’m a kind person,” Ren retorted. She was getting annoyed by how often people were surprised by her kindness, but she thought most of her current anger had to do with Garret and his need for her to date. She knew there was more to this than what he claimed.
Kian led Ren to the west wing, creaking open an old door that led to a dark staircase. These ones were made of stone rather than marble, and some were crumbling down the steps. “It might look dangerous, but I assure you it’s safe.”
“How do you know about this?” Ren asked, following Kian up the steps.
“This used to be my home,” Kian revealed, “I know every inch of it.”
Ren paused, making Kian stop ahead of her. He said, “I harbour no ill will.” His eyes drifted to Sheridan behind her and something in them changed. His brow furrowed, but he quickly recovered, returning to his same false smile. “It’s not too much further.”
With a glance over her shoulder Ren noticed that Sheridan was slowly reaching for her kamas. It wasn’t a swift movement, it was barely noticeable, actually. But it made Ren nervous. Was Sheridan expecting an attack? Did she sense something Ren didn’t? Before she could follow Kian, Ren couldn’t help but hesitate. Only when he called to her again did she start walking, the familiar tightness of worry growing in her chest.
When they reached the top Kian pushed open a broken wooden door, and revealed a dusty room. A single unused bed sat on the far left, a drape similar to Ren’s covering the top. Across from it sat a dresser, the drawers falling out and coated with cobwebs.
“This room is rarely used,” Kian said, “or it was, I mean. But here…” He stepped over to the glass doors, moving close enough to create a fog on the surface. Kian never opened the doors, and instead watched the rain fall against the stone balcony. Ren moved beside him, looking at the dead plant life that sat outside.
When she moved her eyes to the sky, it was just like when she’d first transported down. The grey sky was lit up with electricity, but this time rain smashed against the window. They overlooked the forest, and from there Ren could see that it went all the way to the horizon, mayb
e never ending until it wrapped around the world and came back to Mahendra.
“Do you know why she looks at me like that?” Kian asked, turning to face her.
“Pardon?” she asked.
“Sheridan,” Kian replied, facing her Sotarian. “Have you not wondered why she has a constant glare when I’m around?” He chuckled.
Ren looked to Sheridan, but she couldn’t place what was wrong. Sheridan’s fingers flexed, prepared to grab her kamas and slice at something, but Ren didn’t know what. There was obvious tension between Kian and Sheridan, but Ren had thought it was like that with everyone. Kian didn’t exactly act like everyone else on Novae. He was nobility. Or at least he thought he was.
“Why?” she asked, humouring Kian.
Sheridan stepped forward, as if anticipating an attack. Kian answered, “Because I’m the only one that could ever best her in battle.”
Faster than Ren could comprehend, Kian pulled a weapon from beneath his cape. It looked like the ancient weapons on Earth, a pistol of sorts. But as Kian pulled the trigger and fired at Sheridan, a bullet didn’t come out; a shock of electricity did just like the latest weaponry. Ren shouted as Sheridan crumpled to the floor.
“What are you doing?” she cried.
Remembering her classes from Earth, Ren knocked the gun from Kian’s hand, catching him by surprise. Her left hand thrust up to break his nose but her easily caught it and twisted. Pain shot up her arm and she fell to her knees, trying to claw out of his grasp.
Kian sighed and then growled. “I’m taking back my kingdom. And I feel the best way to do that is to use you. I tried to be nice about it and go along with the Monarchy’s plans to have me marry into the family but you just didn’t seem interested, and I’m very impatient.” Kian leaned over and picked up Ren, throwing her over his shoulder. Her arm felt like it had been broken, but she beat against his back regardless. Before he straightened he made sure to pick up the gun.
“Sheridan,” Ren screamed, “Sheridan!” It was no use; Sheridan was unconscious on the floor, and looked to be barely breathing. “Put me down!”
Kian threw open the doors, letting the rain inside. Thunder boomed, louder than anything Ren had ever heard as it shook the manor. “I can’t do that, my Princess,” Kian said with a laugh. “Our plans have been delayed for too long!”
Kian rushed into the rain and leapt from the balcony. Ren shrieked again, preparing for the impact with the ground. They were at least four stories up and Kian just jumped off. Ren covered her eyes, adrenaline pumping hard through her veins.
She felt them land on something within seconds, a metal clunk making her uncover her eyes. Looking around she saw Kian was flying in the air, the wind rocking them to and fro.
“A scow?” she questioned. “Where did you get this?”
The small scow uncloaked itself, blinking into view as it lost some of its power. The EM field that coated its surface was too weak to hold up, especially against the storm. Ren heard Kian make a disapproving click with his tongue as he carried her inside. Water dripped from the ends of her fingertips as Kian set her down, his hair plastered to his face and shoulder. She tried to attack him again but as her fist came up he easily grabbed it and spun her around, pinning her to his chest. “I told you Princess, I’m more skilled a fighter than Sheridan. You’ve no chance against me. Enn, get out of here already before we’re seen.”
A woman came from the driver’s seat, her hair cropped so short Ren could barely tell what colour it was. She inspected Ren, leaning in close. “This is her?” Enn asked.
“Get driving,” Kian ordered. “Sheridan won’t be out long.”
Taking her chance Ren jumped up and kicked Enn straight in the nose. The woman swore in Novaean, a string of words the Ren didn’t recognize but easily understood. “That little—”
“Drive!” Kian yelled. Enn glared at Ren, but returned to her post. She started the scow and raced over the trees while Kian threw Ren onto a chair and pointed the gun at her chest. Ren kept her head up, waiting for him to pull the trigger.
Kian grinned. “I’m not afraid to kill you, my Princess.” The way he addressed her made her think differently, so did the slight tremble in his words. Ruthless killers tended not to let their words shake—that much she knew.
She stared him down, and watched as his facade crumbled for just a fraction of a second. Somehow, she had managed to see a weakness in him; she just didn’t know how to use it against him yet.
He holstered his gun to his belt, and Ren wondered how long he’d had it there. She hadn’t noticed it in the manor until he wanted her to see it, so how did it seem so obvious now? Even Sheridan had missed it.
Blindly reaching beside him he grabbed a pair of handcuffs, something that hadn’t changed for hundreds of years. As he approached Ren she gripped the metal bench and kicked at Kian, but again it was no good. He grabbed onto her ankle and pulled her off the bench, causing her to crack her head on the way down.
With her vision blurred, Kian easily moved her hands together and clasped the cuffs around her wrists. “You don’t seem to understand what ‘better’ means.”
Ren blinked, trying to focus on Kian’s eyes through his hair. She shook her head, hoping to get rid of the sudden fatigue from the hit, but found she was descending into a black haze.
When her eyes closed again, they wouldn’t open. Enn shouted, “What’s going on back there?”
“Just taking care of the Princess,” Kian replied. Ren felt him get up, but after that she couldn’t see or hear anything, only the occasional bump from the scow flying into the forest.
Her last thoughts were hoping Sheridan was all right, and that the gun Kian had wasn’t about to be turned on her again.
