“Leave us, Kapoc,” I said, not bothering to look at him.
“Sorry to ruin the moment. I'm just surprised, that's all. Can't say I've ever witnessed you shed a tear, Baz. You know our family isn't too fond of the sentimental crap.”
“Until you've been in love, Kapoc, you couldn't possibly understand.”
“God willing I don't, brother. For it's a sad, sad sight to behold,” Kapoc said. “Amusing for me, though.”
I didn't let his words get to me. Instead, I focused on Paige, making her look at me as I spoke carefully. “You need to get on that ship, Paige. Don't do anything to fight it. It's the only way we can make this work. You need to get back to Earth–”
“And then what, Baz? Are you going back on your word?”
I clenched my teeth as Kapoc taunted me.
“No, Kapoc, I'm not.”
“You better not, because Paige is only a few galaxies away, and my people are ruthless, as you well know.”
Paige looked terrified, as if everything we'd talked about earlier came crashing back down, leaving her lower than before. I mouthed to her, “Don't worry about me.”
She looked back at Kapoc, then at me, as if she was trying to determine who was telling the truth. “I'll be okay, Paige. You just need to leave.”
“Time's up, Baz. Guards, grab the human and take her away. We don't have all night.”
“NO!” Paige screamed, fighting as the guards approached.
“Go with them, Paige. Don't fight them. Just go so they don't force you.”
Kapoc's guards grabbed me, restraining my hands as I yelled at Paige to obey. They could hurt her if she fought too much. And I was scared they would.
“Just go with them, Paige.”
One of the guards placed a bag over my head, keeping me from seeing Paige as she boarded the ship. I'd never see my love again. The last memories I had of her were her screaming my name.
“I love you, Paige,” I called out, unsure if she could hear me or not. “I love you more than you'll ever know.”
Chapter Nine
“Update, please.”
“Baz, this is the 5th update in the last 6 minutes, not much has–”
“Anjol, please. Just give me an update already.”
“Fine. The ship is approaching the Earth's atmosphere. Should be landing within the next few minutes, as long as they find a suitable location.”
“They will. I know they will. Thank you, Anjol.”
Minutes. I was mere minutes away from getting confirmation that Paige would be safe and back on Earth. As much as the idea relieved me, I also knew that it meant my time was coming to an end. I'd started to make peace with my own death. Paige would get to live out her life, and that was all that mattered to me.
I heard footsteps, and I knew it was Kapoc coming for me. He was coming to confirm that she had landed and to take me away. There was an event planned with many notable people from our community, all of them unprepared for what was about to happen, surely.
A public execution – one where I willingly surrendered to my brother and conceded he was king – meant that no one would question my brother's rule.
Of course, I'd mentioned the conditions of our agreement that no harm would come to Paige, just as a reminder that civil war was always on the horizon if he ever went back on our promise. It never hurt to keep some insurance. Not that Paige was much use to him once I was gone, but one could never be too careful when dealing with my brother.
Anjol updated me before Kapoc got to my cell.
“Her ship safely landed in the woods near her parents' home in Big Sur, California, Baz. She has left the ship and is on her way back to the house. She's fine, her vitals appear good, and the ship has already departed earth, and is heading back here.”
That's good. That's what I needed to hear.
“I assume you have your update, but in case not–”
“I know she's safe, Kapoc,” I said, standing up. “And I'm ready to keep my promise to you.”
He looked pleased, his grin stretching from ear to ear. “The celebration has already started, so if you'll follow me...”
I did as I was told. My hands were restrained for now, but he'd remove the restraints before entering the public square. More proof that I came willingly.
We were surrounded by people – families, too. I cringed at the idea that children would witness my demise. If only there was a way to warn them, to ask everyone to please leave the area unless they wanted to witness a man's bloody end. But there wasn't.
A few people recognized me right away, though I admit I looked a bit rough and haggard.
“King Bazarok has returned,” someone yelled.
Others joined him, and I could see the pained look on Kapoc's face as people celebrated, excited to see me. Of course, none of them had any idea what was happening, or that their happiness would be short-lived. I tried to smile and appear pleasant, however. They didn't deserve to be part of this. The least I could do was go down smiling. For the people, right?
Kapoc and I walked upon the stage. People kept staring, watching, and waiting to see what their king had to say. I could guarantee that most of them weren't going to like it, though.
“Attention, everyone,” I said, my voice coming out softer than I'd intended. Yet everyone in the area quieted down on command. “As many of you know, I have returned to Optorio. But my presence will be short-lived, I'm afraid. I do apologize for what you're about to witness, but I need you all to hear this. This is my choice.”
A mumble rippled through the crowd. People were growing concerned. There was more and more talking, so much so that the next part of my speech was almost not heard at all.
“Please accept my brother, Kapoc, in my place as king, for I'm not going to be of this world much longer–”
Just as I started my concession speech, the ground beneath our feet shook violently, sending Kapoc to the ground. Members of the crowd were screaming and shouting. The shaking was so violent, I barely managed to stay on my feet.
“What's going on?”
People were running around, screaming, “There's a bomb! A bomb! Get out of here!”
They were running away from us. Kapoc tried to command them to stay, but another explosion shook us, sending shrapnel within inches of Kapoc's head.
One of his guards rushed over to him. “It's the army, sir. Someone dispatched them, they're setting up bombs at the perimeter and are heading this way.”
The army. My army. The same army I threatened Kapoc with, but had never called upon. And yet, now they were here.
Someone must have been looking out for me.
Kapoc grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the stage where the bulk of the explosions were centered. “Looks like we're going to have to do this fast, then,” he said. He pushed me down and reached for his sword, but I was much faster than him. I dodged the blade, but with no weapon of my own, I had nothing to fight back with.
My men filled the area with fighters, killing off Kapoc's guards one-by-one, cutting them down quicker than I'd ever seen before. My men outnumbered his, but until that moment, I had no idea how much support I truly had.
My brother swung the sword down, missing my head by mere inches. I was playing defense, but I needed a weapon. I was dead in the water without one, and sooner or later, Kapoc was going to get lucky with one of his wild swings.
I saw General Lazarzo, one of my closest allies nearby. I called out to him. “I need a weapon,” I said.
He rushed over to me, risking his life by doing so, and handed over one of his own weapons – a sword.
“Do you need my help, my king? It would be my honor.”
“No, but thank you. I can handle my brother,” I growled, running toward Kapoc at full speed.
My brother was still a swordsman and put up a fight. My blade hit his but never touched him. But at least I had something to defend myself with and to block his blows. Kapoc lost his footing at one point, but he didn't go down
. I swiped to the right, to the left, and to the right again, but he managed to stop every single thrust and swing.
Most of the fighting around us was over. Kapoc's forces, such as they were, had been routed by the army. All that was left was Kapoc and I. We stood in the center of the public courtyard, our blades up, circling one another.
“You made a promise, brother,” Kapoc snarled.
I shrugged and grinned at him. “Looks like things have changed,” I replied. “It doesn't appear that the people want you on the throne.”
He snarled and ran toward me, his sword raised above his head. I blocked the blow and danced to the side. Kapoc was angry. Frustrated. And as gifted with a sword as he was, when he was angry and frustrated, he was prone to mistakes.
He came charging in at me again, sword raised above his head. He brought it down in a murderous arc, but I deflected his blade with my own. As I pinned his sword to the ground with mine, I made my move. Snatching the knife off my belt, I thrust it straight up and into Kapoc's neck.
Blood sprayed from Kapoc's neck, spraying me in the process. His eyes were wide as if he couldn't believe what had happened. He'd gone from king to corpse in a matter of minutes. I twisted the blade and felt it bite deeper into his flesh. He looked at me for a moment and opened his mouth to speak – but all that came out was a large, bloody bubble.
The bubble popped, and the light of life left Kapoc's eyes. I pulled the blade of my knife out and let his body fall to the floor. All around me, silence reigned as we all realized that Kapoc was now dead. We were a people without a king.
But then, applause started somewhere in the room. One person clapping at first. And then one-by-one, everyone else began to join in. Soon enough, the thunderous sound of ecstatic applause filled the air, shaking the hall every bit as much as those explosions had.
I looked down at the corpse of my brother and felt only a grim satisfaction.
But the people were happy, and in the end, that's what mattered.
Chapter Ten
Civil war. I hadn't asked for it, nor had I expected it. But word had gotten around that Kapoc was going to publicly execute me. And as such, my people had come together to save me. My people.
As I stood before them, they were on their knees in a show of deference. Kapoc and his men were dead and gone. There was no more threat to me or Paige.
“King Bazarok,” Lazarzo, one of my most loyal friends spoke, his head down, “we are pleased to have you back where you belong – on the throne once more.”
Yes, with my brother dead and no other heirs in line to take the throne, it was mine. Unquestioned and undisputed. There was no one else who could try and steal it from me. If I wanted, I could be King and live out the rest of my life without fear, travel as I'd like, but always return here. It's a dream for so many people, I was sure. But it wasn't mine.
“Please, Lazarzo, stand. Everyone, stand.” I demanded.
They did as they were told.
“Thank you all for everything you did. For saving my life. I can't thank you enough, honestly. I had no idea things would play out this way, and for that, I am eternally grateful. But–”
There was a collective gasp through the throne room. What could this “but” be about, they had to wonder?
“I do not wish to serve you as your king. I do not believe that I am worthy of this crown.”
“But without you, who will lead our world?” Lazarzo asked.
Honestly, I didn't know the answer to that one. I thought back to how Earth was run. There was something called a democracy, with elections and elected officials. Would something like that work for our world?
“We will vote someone in, someone who will have limited powers and who will pass the control down to the next person voted in after several years in office. We, the people of Optorio, will be free. We will no longer be ruled by a royal family. This is my one and only act as king, to destroy the monarchy once and for all.”
I placed the crown on the throne, leaving it behind as I walked from the dais.
“I trust Lazarzo to make sure this gets implemented, while running things in the meantime.”
“Why? Where are you going?” he asked me.
“Home. I'm going home.” I said with a smile forming on my lips.
Never before had I felt like I had one, solid home. But with Paige waiting for me on Earth, there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
Chapter Eleven: Paige
Every plane, every helicopter, hell – every bird – caused me to turn and look anxiously up at the sky, hopeful for an alien spaceship carrying Baz. But as the days went by, I started to realize that maybe he wasn't coming after all.
I sat at my parent's house, drinking some iced tea on their front porch, letting the days go by. I'd return to Mahogany Tavern once I'd had a chance to grieve. But for now, being there made me think of him. Stepping foot into that place was damn near impossible, because I'd break down in tears as soon as I'd walk in the door.
Never again would I see him there. It killed me to accept that. It wasn't that long ago when I'd sworn off men and hadn't looked at one twice. But then Baz came into my world and turned it all upside down. And now he was gone.
Josie was running things for me at the Tavern, but her calls and texts were even more urgent as the days went by. She wanted to know what was going on, but how could I tell her that I lost the man I loved because his alien brother wanted to kill him? How could I tell her about my time on another planet. It didn't even feel real to me, and if I told anyone about it, I'd be sent to a mental hospital.
And yet, I needed to talk to someone. The only person I could talk to was Baz, of course, but he was gone. Likely forever.
I took a sip of my chamomile tea, hoping it would bring me some semblance of peace. I might not ever feel peace again, I thought, but I needed to try. I needed to try and relax some, to potentially get some sleep.
I felt my eyes growing heavy, so I allowed myself to slip off to sleep outside. Because I hadn't slept for days, any amount of sleep – even on the front porch – was better than none. I was exhausted both mentally and physically, so I fell asleep, feeling like just being out underneath the night sky, I was somehow closer to him.
“Paige.”
Even in my sleep, I heard his voice. I felt his lips against my forehead and it hurt so fucking badly. I'd never feel his touch again, and I felt the tears stinging my eyes.
“Wake up, darling,” he said to me.
His voice sounded so real, too – so real that I felt like if I opened my eyes, I'd be able to see him standing there. So I did. I opened my eyes, expecting the dream to come to an abrupt end.
But it didn't.
“Baz?” My voice was shaky as I sat up. “Is that you? Is that really you?”
“It is,” he said.
He kissed my lips, and that's when I knew it was real.
He was alive. He'd come back to me.
“You're alive,” I sobbed. “You're alive. I thought he was going to kill you. I assumed you'd lied to me.”
“I did lie, Paige, and I'm sorry about that. I know how much you hate lying and I hope you can forgive me.”
I kissed him long and hard before telling him, “There's nothing to forgive. You kept your promise. You're here, and you're alive.”
“And I'm yours,” he said.
“And you're mine,” I said, feeling like my heart could literally burst. “And I'm yours.”
“I love you, Paige.”
“I love you too, Baz.”
And I meant it. I really did. There was no one in this world I wanted to be with more than the man beside me. Or rather, the alien beside me.
But that could be our little secret.
THE END
Optorio Chronicles Box Set II – Optorio Civil War
Book 1 – Homecoming
Chapter One
Tarkonil
Finally back on my home planet, beneath the beautiful twin moons, you'd think I'd find some
measure of peace once and for all. After spending time on Earth, well away from home and all I was familiar with, I was happy to return. It was a bit of a rough period on Optorio after Baz abdicated the throne. It had taken a little time for the Regent Council he'd ordered to rule in his place to really step up and take charge.
But eventually, with a little time, things began to turn around. Life on my home world began to smooth out, and I assumed things would really start looking up. The people and our world would flourish. Especially with Baz's brother, Kapoc, dead and gone, there would be no more threat of war, no more battles for control of Optorio. We could focus on making our world prosperous for all.
And for the most part, that was the case. On the surface anyway. Though the Regent Council and some of the wealthier class of Optorio grew fatter and richer, that prosperity and good fortune – the very things the Council was established to ensure for the people – wasn't shared by all.
I walked the streets of Tochasea, our capitol city, unable to meet the eyes of most of those I passed. Many were begging for food, money – scraps of anything that would help keep them going another day. And I'd already given what I had. I'd given everything I was able to give to try and ease the suffering and deprivation I saw all around me. I'd given almost all, but there were so many, and I had precious little left for myself.
But I too, needed to eat and having given away as much as I had, I was struggling to make that happen.
A pretty woman with exotic features stepped in front of me, making me stop in my tracks. She wore next to nothing, flaunting her full breasts and toned tight body. The woman grinned salaciously, running a hand through a thick mane of white-blonde hair as she stared at me.
“You look lonely,” she purred, running a finger down the length of my chest. “Maybe I can keep you company for a bit?”
“No, I'm fine,” I said and tried to walk past her. “But thank you.”
The woman grabbed me by the arm, stopping me from leaving. Like most Optorion women, she was far stronger than she appeared. But I was not in the mood for company, and even if I were, I would not utilize the services of a prostitute. It was exploitative and wrong – to say the least.
Fawks (Dragons of Kratak Book 4) Page 27
