by Eliza Tilton
Chapter Nine
Lucino
I awoke on the floor, unaware of how long I had been unconscious. The wound on my stomach sealed, but pain radiated all along my side. Placing a hand on my side, I rose to my feet. Sweat slid down my neck and face; the desire to lay and sleep pulled at my bones. I shuffled out of Romulus’ lab and headed to the teleporter in the corridor. Blood covered my hands and left fingerprints across the pad. I pressed the rune for the throne room and leaned against the metal wall as red light descended around me.
Lightness filled my head, making me stumble on my feet as I exited the teleporter.
“Prince Lucino?” A guard stopped, mouth agape at my presence. “But I thought—”
“My father… where is he?” I held a hand to my wound, trying to ease the pain as I walked.
“The throne room, meeting with a few council members. I’ll take you to him.”
I nodded and followed the guard. More of my people passed, and stared and whispered at my presence. I still was unsure how Romulus could return me to Mirth. If he honed such magic, why would he not return himself to help find the gate or send my parents here?
The guard pushed open the throne room doors. Inside, my father and mother sat on their black red thrones, arguing with two councilmen.
“Your majesty,” the guard interrupted, “the prince has returned.”
My father stood, eyes wide. His long white hair was pulled back behind his head and he wore his black armor. I walked forward, and he left his seat to meet me.
“Clear the room!” He ordered.
“My king—” One of the council members gazed at me, but my father cut off his words.
“Leave, now.”
The two robed men turned and walked past me, eyeing me with intense curiosity. Yes, my presence would need much explanation.
Mother glided across the floor reaching me before my father. She touched a hand to my shoulder. “How?”
“Romulus,” I said, leaning to one side.
“You’re hurt.” She took my arm and guided me to my throne, next to my father’s.
“Bring the medic,” my father said, and the guard who escorted me ran out.
Once seated, I leaned my head back against the cool crystal back of the chair.
“What did Romulus do? Why would he send you here? Who attacked?” My father’s questions rattled my mind and the exhaustion fighting for control of my body made it hard to answer.
“The simulacrum was in Daath. We fought, and when I was wounded, Romulus cast a spell to send me here.”
“A foolish choice,” my father growled.
“No. Romulus has saved our prince.” My mother leaned over and lifted my shirt, inspecting the wound. “If Romulus sent you here, it was the only way to save you.”
“But how?” I stared into my mother’s eyes, hoping she could explain what I could not.
“Romulus has many tricks, but his purpose has always been to protect and serve the royal lineage.” She gently traced the outline of the cut. “This is a grievous wound, but one our technology can heal.”
“I need to go with Derrick to find the gate. I have to return.”
“You are in no state to travel,” my father said, “and the human has already left.”
“How long ago? I must go now.” Nausea made my mouth water as I lifted myself off the throne. My mother placed a hand on my arm and shook her head.
“Rest,” she said.
“I can’t! My clone will bind with Jeslyn and destroy all I have built. He cannot be allowed to control our people!”
The medic entered the throne room. The red robe he wore matched the color of the dried blood on my shirt. My mother moved aside to let him inspect me.
“I will contact Lucy and tell her to go to Daath. She will keep an eye on your clone and report back to me.” My father paused as if he thought greatly on his next words. “In your condition, you will not make the journey to the human world. One day you will rest, then I will give you my speeder to reach them. Whether you are able to find Derrick will be up to you.”
One day. I couldn’t wait that long. “The wound is sealed. I am fine to travel.”
“You will obey my orders or I will have the guards confine you.”
I held my father’s intense gaze. While I had disobeyed him before, I understood the dire situation we were in. He would lock down the entire palace if he thought I would disobey. “Very well, but I leave tomorrow morning, no later.”
He nodded and motioned for the guards. “Take the prince to his quarters. He is not to leave until I come for him. Do not let anyone other than the medic, queen or I enter.”
“Yes, your majesty.” The guards stood on opposite sides of me, while the medic reviewed my condition with my mother.
Eager to leave, I shuffled toward the doors.
“And have a guard posted at the other exit of his quarters.”
I turned back to regard my father’s request.
“There will be no sneaking away, this time.” His brow crinkled as we stared at one another.
He would keep me a prisoner tonight, but when the suns rose, I would be gone, and no one was stopping me.
Chapter Ten
Jeslyn
Sunlight came through the windows, reminding me how long I had stayed in my room pacing, worrying, and debating on whether or not I should tell someone about the husks.
How many lives were lost so the shapeshifters could live in our world? Maybe Avikar was right. Maybe they had all been right, and I allowed love to blind me.
He must have an explanation. He has to.
If my people accepted his, there would be no need to shapeshift. I refused to believe we had no other options.
I changed out of the purple gown from last night and into a light-blue linen dress. Peeking in the mirror, I checked to make sure my eyes weren’t red and I looked somewhat rested. With a few pats of powder and a dab of honey on my lips, I left my room and hurried downstairs to find Jezebel. She would help me find a solution to this disaster. I needed to talk to someone.
Voices carried up the stairs as I headed to the foyer.
Mother!
I grabbed the sides of my dress, lifted them up, and ran the rest of the way. By the front door, with three cases of brown luggage, stood my mother and Calli. Mother’s long auburn-brown hair twisted in one big braid around her head. She patted Calli’s shoulder as Calli bounced on her heels.
“Mother!” I waved from the stairs then rushed to her.
“My baby girl.” She lifted her fingers to her lips, her eyes watering. I last saw my mother almost a year ago.
“Jeslyn!” Calli slammed into me and I wrapped my arms around her.
“It’s so good to see you,” I said, hugging her tight.
“I missed you.” Calli dug her face into my dress. Her head reached the middle of my chest now. How could she have grown so much?
“You’re so big,” I said, playing with her blonde locks. “You must be, what, sixteen now?”
“Seven!” She pulled back and gave me a big frown. “You missed my birthday.”
“I know. I promise to make it up to you.”
And I would. Since the day I had invited them, I thought of the most magical thing I could show Calli. Knowing how much she loved animals, I knew exactly who to introduce her to: Hadda.
Willis ordered two servants to carry their luggage.
“I’m sure you must be tired from traveling,” I said. “Go wash up and I’ll give you a tour.”
Mother hugged me, and in her arms, I knew everything would be all right. “I’m so happy to see you. You look beautiful.” She kissed my cheek. “Avikar?”
Calli chased the servant who carried her luggage, jumping on the stairs two feet at a time. She didn’t hear Mother’s question.
�
�Nothing,” I whispered.
She nodded, her gaze wandering off.
“Rest, Mother. There’s so much to discuss.” I squeezed her hands.
She patted my chest, and walked around me to scold Calli for running on the stairs. I stood in the foyer, watching them walk the grand staircase until they disappeared down the hall.
“Did I miss them?” Gwen huffed and rested her hands on her thighs as if she ran all the way here.
“Yes. Did you run here?”
She nodded. “I was helping Jezebel in the garden. She’s ordered the gardeners to shape the large shrubs into hearts for the wedding.”
My chest tightened as I thought about last night. I wanted to tell them both what I saw, but what would Lucino do if he found out? Would their lives be in danger? I didn’t dare risk either of them.
No, this was my problem, and one I had to solve on my own.
“Have you seen Lucino this morning?” I asked.
Gwen pointed past the stairs. “He was in his study making a ton of noise.”
“I’ll meet you later. Make sure my mother and sister are looked after. I want to give them a tour.”
“Of course… is everything okay?”
“No, but it will be.” Before Gwen could ask anymore, I charged toward Lucino’s study. My heart raced, but I wouldn’t be afraid. I couldn’t. Too many lives were at stake. Not just my people, but Lucino’s.
I thought of the young Reptilian girl lost in a strange world. It wasn’t her fault her planet was dying, and the world she lived in now wouldn’t accept her.
Someone had to protect them. All of them.
I knocked on the study door and it pushed open. “Lucino?”
He rummaged through papers on his desk, his hair hanging in a mess, and still wearing the clothes from last night. Shadows surrounded his bright eyes.
“Did you sleep?” I closed the door behind me.
“No,” he said, without glancing my way. He tugged open a drawer and rifled through more papers.
“What are you looking for?”
“Nothing important.” He slammed the drawer shut and slumped in the chair.
I sat across from him and folded my sweaty hands in my lap. “Can we talk about last night?”
Leaning back, he rubbed his chin, watching me with such an intense gaze I wondered if he was upset or something else. “Speak.”
Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. “I know we come from different worlds, and I understand the pressure you’re under, especially with the gate being destroyed, but we have to find a way to co-exist without your people killing mine.”
“What do you propose?”
The question startled me. “I….”
He folded his arms as his lip turned up in a smirk. “You must have at least one suggestion. No?”
Taking my time to choose my words carefully, I remembered one of the ideas I had last night. “No more killings. We will introduce your people at the wedding.”
“Are you ready for your night to end in bloodshed?”
My heart beat faster. “We can make a peace agreement with the emissary before we show him anything. If you… if you marry me as a Reptilian, people might not be so afraid. We’ve done good things here.”
“Hmmm.” He tapped his chin again, either thinking of a reason to say no, or actually considering my suggestion. Standing, he smiled. “Agreed.”
“You’ll do it? No more killing?”
He held out his arms. “If that is what you want.”
I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his waist, and gently leaning against his chest. “I knew you would understand.”
Whatever doubts I had last night began to disappear. Maybe Lucino acted a bit harsh in the tunnels, but agreeing to work towards peace… that was the man I loved.
When I pulled back, he stared down at me.
“There is a chance this plan will not work. The people will not only know of my true nature, but might be terrified by it.”
“That’s a chance we have to take.” I stood on my toes, bringing my mouth to his, and ending the discussion with a long, passionate kiss.
Chapter Eleven
Lucino
Two empty spaces sat where my jagged short swords used to. The simulacrum had taken them, and somehow made it through the gate before it was destroyed.
He had been watching me, waiting, planning—and like a fool, I never saw him coming.
Going into the wastelands, I would need my best weapons, and my golden sword had fallen during the fight. Here I stood, staring at a weapons case holding a glaive, sais, and a staff.
The sais were easy enough to carry. The three-quarter staff would be more useful than the glaive. Strapping the weapons to my side and back, I took one last look around me then headed to my father’s chambers.
“Eager to be on your way?” My father marched down the hall toward me, guards flanking his sides.
I nodded.
“Follow me.” He walked past. I wondered how his mood had changed. Yesterday, he didn’t seem eager to let me go.
“Have you spoken to Lucy?” I asked.
“She heads to Daath now.”
While my sister and I did not always agree on certain politics, she would protect our family, even Jeslyn, against my clone.
I tried not to think about Jeslyn. If I stopped and pondered what she would be doing, or how my clone would try at every opportunity to sink in his lies, and betray everything I had accomplished, the rage would consume me. Would she notice something different? Or think I reverted back to the cold nature of my kind.
Part of me hoped, a feeling I was not accustomed to, she would sense the change, and know it was not me. I could not bear the thought of his hands on her.
Did I dream too much? Did I hope when none was available?
Dread tainted my steps and thoughts. Everything depended on me finding Derrick, and Derrick finding the gate. If we failed… no, I would not fail.
We would succeed.
The guards opened the door to the hangar where all our speeders sat.
“You will take mine.” Father pointed to the shining black ship. Sleek on all sides and resembling a dagger ready to rip through the acid torn skies.
“Terra and the human—”
“Terra?” I cut my father off, surprised at the mention of the thievish girl. “You sent Terra?”
“Her ability to sense magic will lead them to the other gate. Only she can find it.”
Her sensory ability also caused a war between our cities. She had discovered our gate, gained our trust, then reported back to the other major cities. If I hadn’t charmed the girl into explaining why she came to visit the Royal City, things could have gone very badly.
“She may attack when she sees me. We didn’t end things amicably.” I sighed and shook out the frustration. I had feigned interest in her in order to discover her intentions. When I learned she came to spy, I threw her in prison.
“Her freedom depends on her cooperation,” Father said, casting all doubt aside. “She would be a fool to attack her prince.”
Terra held loyalty to no one, especially her prince. “Very well.” I pushed the button on the speeder and the door slid open.
“The coordinates have already been programmed into the navigation system. You should reach them in one day’s time.” Father handed me a black satchel. “Supplies for the journey.”
I grabbed the bag before heading in. “I will report in as soon as I make contact.”
His brow tightened. “Remember the end game.”
A slight warning, but one I did not need to be reminded of. Our people would not be left to die here.
Father hit the lock on the inside, and the door slid closed, he and his guards stood by watching. I dropped the satchel beside the seat and let the automatic be
lts wrap across my chest. The speeder hummed as it turned on and rose above the ground. Large bay doors opened in front of me, letting the sunlight pour in. Squinting, I grabbed the wheel and accelerated forward, zipping out of the safety of the palace and into the wild lands beyond the dome.
Lights blinked across the dashboard, and a hologram of the terrain appeared above it. A yellow dotted path travelled through hills and mountains, the blue dot representing me, moving along it.
One day’s time… not fast enough.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Two red dots blinked on the map, straight ahead. I shook the sleep off my eyes, and slowed the speeder. Dust and wind billowed through dead trees. With the suns descending for the day, dusk sprayed the dusty area with hues of red and yellow, making it difficult to see.
A tan tent large enough to hold two people flapped against the harsh wind. The map showed the two red dots directly below me. That must be them.
I grabbed the wheel and extended the landing gear, and brought the speeder to the surface. Before I touched down, two figures emerged from the tent. Though their hoods and clothes covered everything, strands of bright orange hair peeked out from one of the figures’ cloaks.
Terra.
Both had their weapons drawn as I exited the speeder.
“Is that anyway to greet your prince?” I grinned.
Terra’s violet eyes widened in rage. “Argh!” She screamed and charged forward with her black stilettos pointed at my chest.
I dodged to the right, narrowly missing the sharp thrust of her left hand weapon.
“Come now. You’re not still mad at me, are you?”
Snarling, she spun and stabbed at my side, her rage clear in the growling screams leaving her lips at each attack. “You betrayed me!”
I parried her next move with my staff, pushing her back across the sand. “You betrayed me first.”
Her nostrils flared and her chest heaved as we stood in gridlock, staring at one another.
