“I’m sorry.” She said. “This is awkward to talk about.”
“Of course I want to know.” I told her truthfully. “But I wasn’t going to ask.”
“It’s complicated—sort of. He talks and I do the worst possible thing; I listen.”
Now it all became clear. It had to do with me. Perhaps the reason she stayed away so long. He made her believe I wasn’t coming and I could see she regretted every second of it.
“None of it matters.”
I took her in my arms and she relaxed in them. “I know that but he’s going to pay.”
“From what I hear, that will be hard to do.”
She pulled away and met my eyes. “Someone has to and I’m the only one that can.”
“Really?”
We both looked and Zayden was looking very curious with his arms folded like somehow he didn’t think it was possible and I was about to think the same.
“You’ll just have to trust me. I’ll handle it.”
“Be careful.” I warned, already fearing something happening to her if she tried.
“You don’t have to worry about me but I should probably get going. They’re close.”
“Okay.”
She put her arms around me tightly but only hugged me for a brief moment. “Just worry about keeping yourself safe and I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
I nodded and just like that she was gone and we were left alone.
“Great to see you again.” Darius said.
I laughed only for the humor I found in seeing her for what seemed like a mere minute. “It was.”
“You know what he told her?”
“Isn’t it obvious? That I wasn’t coming.”
“Well, I don’t think it matters.” Zayden said. “The point is they know we’re here and I’m sure they don’t like it.”
“Let them come.” Darius replied. “Something tells me they already planned for this.”
The room was silent and I was thinking of all the possible outcomes. If they really planned this, they were the ones to know what would happen next. All we could do now was wait for it to happen.
Chapter 12
Adele
“So, what’s our look?” Kole asked. “Happy?”
My eyes rolled. I didn’t want to be here and him joking about it didn’t help. “If you can act like it. I’ll be fighting to put on my mask.”
He laughed. “All right. Pleasant to be here, it is.”
We approached the ballroom and Ruby got to slip in a more private way like the lucky girl she is while I had to suffer through this public entrance. There were tons of people here tonight, talking with food and drink. Noise level was high and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Everyone but me.
“I know.” Kole said. “It’s awful but we can make it. Here. I have your actual mask.”
He held his hand out to me and an elegant black mask appeared in his hand with black feathers to match, well—us.
“Thanks.” I took it and put it on. “Why did I agree to this?”
Kole laughed, finding amusement in my misery. “I doubt you did and I have something else.”
“What?”
“So your father can recognize you. He said you’d know what it is.”
He pulled a pouch from his pocket and handed it to me. Curious, I opened it and pulled out a silver chain that had a large tear drop stone hung on it. It sparkled many colors from the light. I could see myself in it and he was right. I did know what it was.
“This was my mother’s.”
He looked down at it like he was seeing it for the first time and paused there while examining it. “Really? This stone—”
“It’s very rare.” I said, snatching it from him. “There are only two known in the world.”
“No. Let me see it.” I held it out but made sure it stayed in my hand. “I’ve seen this before.”
“Couldn’t have. My father locked it away when my mother died.”
“No. It wasn’t like this. It was this shape but it was smaller.”
My eyes widened. “You’ve seen the other one? When? Where?”
He paused, maybe thinking if he was going to tell me at all. “Never mind. Forget it. Maybe it was this one.”
Now I didn’t know if he was telling the truth or trying to hide it from me.
“We should just go. The sooner you get in there, the sooner you can leave.”
“All right.” I took a long breath while putting the necklace on and we stepped in, me holding Kole’s arm for appearances.
People instantly started to notice. It was like everyone stopped just so they could look. It was one of the worst things about doing this. Small pleasant greetings were made as we walked through the ballroom but I felt like all eyes were on me; judging through their masks.
I was grateful when I spotted my father standing with the other military leaders, holding a glass of wine. He wasn’t too unnoticeable. It was a military outfit that only the General could wear.
We approached him from behind and everyone else around him saw us coming. They stopped talking just to look.
“What?” My father looked back as well and saw me making my way to him. He smiled and became overwhelmed to see me like he was glad I actually came. “You made it and wore it.”
“Father.” I replied respectfully while stepping away from Kole. My hands were placed on his forearms and we leaned into each other, kissing cheeks.
“Thank you for the escort, Kole.”
“Of course, General. Whenever you need me to bring her home—let me know.”
“Thank you. That’ll do.”
Kole nodded his head and disappeared among the crowd. I wanted to go after him and keep him in my sights at all times but I couldn’t pull away.
“So—”
“You look beautiful, my daughter. I’m glad you came.”
“Of course, father. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Come.” He took my arm and started leading me through the people. “The Queen has been waiting for you.”
I sighed deeply in my head but did well not to show displeasure for it on my face.
We walked through the people, this time them being more focused on my father which I was glad for but then I saw the Queen and the gladness suddenly left me. I wanted this to be over before it started.
We both stopped and bowed our heads. “Your majesty.”
I lifted my mask after my bow and she smiled this fake smile. “Ah, Adele—Aleksander. Welcome.”
How dare she use my father’s name? It sounded like poison coming from her lips but I kept everything as my father would have wanted. I was kind and showed no ounce of disloyalty. “Thank you.”
“I was hoping you’d come. Kill two birds with one stone kind of thing.”
“What do you need?”
“I have another assignment for you actually. It just aroused within the hours.”
Thank you! Best news ever! I’d be more than happy to leave. “Of course. Where to?”
“I have reasons to believe that someone by the name of Chan Doe has been forming a secret organization to overthrow the capitol. I need you and your team to travel to the south seas of Maaki to find him and do what you do best.”
I nodded, already looking forward to the long trip away from her but spoke in a loyal melody. “Of course, your majesty. As you wish. I will inform them at once.”
“You can depart as soon as you feel ready. For now, you are relieved to enjoy the night.” We bowed our heads again and turned to leave. “Ah, Adele? One more thing.”
No. No. No. I wanted to just leave. I looked up at my father but he just shrugged his shoulders for having no idea what it was about and I turned back. “Certainly, your majesty.”
“You are relieved, General. This is women talk.”
“As you wish.” He bowed his head and left.
Please don’t leave me alone with her!
It was too late. He was lost in the crowd and Arianna was still f
ocused on me. “Come. Sit.” I walked over and sat in the chair to the Queen’s right very carefully. “I wanted to talk to you about your father, Adele, if I may?”
Curiosity rose and I became a little interested in staying. “What about him, your majesty?”
“Please, call me Arianna.”
“What about my father, your majesty?” I replied, letting the Queen know I would not become friendly and call her by her name without having to actually say it though it sounded more out of loyalty than what I really meant.
“Very well. You know what a big influence he is on this country. There isn’t a subject of mine that doesn’t respect him and so I’d like to make him my King.”
My eyes opened a little wider and my stomach churned. “You mean marry him?” No! I already hated the idea. The last thing I wanted to do was call the Queen, mother. She was no mother. She was barely even a Queen.
“Of course.”
This wasn’t happening. What else was there to say but the truth? “My father is indeed an honorable man to serve as King, your majesty but if he was to marry you, that honor would be stricken from him and I won’t let that happen.”
That’s what I was surely thinking the truth was but I didn’t actually think that I would have it in me to say it out loud but I did. It happened and the Queen’s expression changed. She was displeased. “You detest against me but I see you have not the choice. I was not asking you. I was telling you. Your father and I will wed and there is nothing you can do to stop it. If you try, I will take care of you myself as I have tried and failed just recently. I didn’t expect to see you back here.”
I knew it! She truly expected us not to return from venturing into Seni and it only made my hate for her grow. “Then you clearly underestimated us.”
“Yes, I did but no harm done. I take it as a sign of Fate for I need you on this new mission now. No one could get it done better than you, I regret to say.”
“We only live to serve you, your majesty but don’t think that this will get me out of the way.” I stood right up and started walking away without another word.
My heart was pounding in my chest. By now it had to be clear to Arianna about how I really felt about her and I just hoped that it would never get around to my father. He would surely have something to say or be punished for creating such an unruly child. If I could only show her how unruly I could really be, I’d be glad to.
Chapter 13
Ryon
No, I can’t but yes, I should. No, she would just have a reason to hate me more but yes, I’d be in worse trouble if they find out I knew and didn’t say anything.
I was in conflict with myself but I had to tell them. I went back to the palace and walked around until I stumbled into someone of importance. I saw the General first. He had just sent Ruby and Jaylyn off probably to find Adele and was now standing alone. It was perfect.
“Ah, Ryon. Didn’t expect to see you back here.” I stood stiff, my face tense. I didn’t want to tell but I did if that made any kind of sense at all. “What happened?” He instantly seemed to know something did and pulled me closer, turning us so we could talk as privately as we could. “Tell me everything. What did you see?”
“They’re here.”
“Just entering the city?”
“No. I saw them in real time at the manor. They were already with the girls.”
“Damn it! We were supposed to get to them first. Why didn’t you come to us?”
“It happened too fast. I saw them outside the northern wall then they just stopped and Adele was laying at the top.”
He lowered his head and sighed, thankfully not angry at me for not getting to him sooner. “And I was right there too. Shit.”
“We wouldn’t have been able to get there in time. What do you want us to do?”
“Find Trever. The plan starts now. Time to see how much longer my daughter’s lie will hold.”
I didn’t even like to think about it but I nodded and parted from the General to find Trever. It wasn’t hard. I made my way through the people cluttering all spaces of the ballroom and spotted him clearly up ahead. “The General says the plan starts now.”
“Now? All right. This is going to happen fast. Head to the manor and sustain them. All I have to do is find Jay and make my scene. She’ll be so worried, they’ll be running back and we can finally deal with this head on.”
“Okay.” I turned to leave the palace but had a slightly different plan in store for the Great Seni Fighters. They’re actions shouldn’t be taken lightly and I would do what I’ve been waiting for. He had to pay for taking Adele from me. If death wasn’t an option, I’d have to execute the next best thing. Let’s see how they like being prisoners.
Chapter 14
Trever
Ryon was quickly out of sight and I was ready to make my scene. My poor sister was not going to find joy in hearing about this but she would nevertheless and I already knew exactly what she would do.
She was easily recognizable by a table of food around Adele, Red and Aleks and I interrupted their conversation about the Queen. “Excuse me. Can I borrow you for a moment?” I took Jay by the arm and pulled her to me like a demand.
“That depends.”
“It’ll only take a second.”
“Go ahead, Jaylyn.” Aleks said, already knowing my intended plans of her. “We’ll be here waiting for you.”
Jay sighed louder this time and walked off with her arm still being held in my grasp. “Would you just please tell me what you want?”
“Shh!” I whispered, acting unusually worried just to make her curious and want to come with me. “Farther away.”
I brought her all the way out of the ballroom to a private area where there was no one around. “Can you tell me now?” She pulled her arm away and turned towards me.
“Just thought you should know that your boyfriend is here.”
“Kole is not my boyfriend and I already know he was to bring Adele here.”
“No. Not him.” I took a quick glance back towards the ballroom to make sure no one was coming but it only heightened her curiosity. “Your—other one.”
She played it well like she didn’t know. “My other one?”
I tried to be calm about this because she had to know that I knew by now but she was playing it like I didn’t and I already had enough. “Damn it, Jay! Quit fucking around! Troy’s here!”
She gasped. “Did Ryon find you?”
“You think I needed him to? Them coming here means more work for us so you can keep your head.”
“I didn’t plan this but you knew the whole time, didn’t you? Even when we first got back?”
“I don’t think any of that matters now. You should already know what I think about this, Jay.”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter to me.”
“I’ve noticed but have you realized that you’ve completely lost it this time? I should forbid this.”
“Forbid it?” Jay started showing her own signs of rage. “You’re not my father, you know. I don’t need your permission to do anything. When are you going to get that?”
“Maybe when you grow up and start making better choices for yourself!”
“My choices are fine! You’re the one that always disapproves!”
I laughed. Her stubbornness began to amuse me. “You just don’t get it do you? Have you forgotten who he is?”
“That doesn’t matter to me. This war is stupid and you know it! It’s not even really a war anymore. It’s more like a feud where two sides don’t communicate.”
“Stupid or not, a war is still what it is and enemies will always be enemies. You don’t fully know him enough to trust him like you think you do and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Troy would never hurt me. You’re the one that does.”
“I’m looking out for you! What would father think if he could see you now? If he wasn’t already dead, he’d want to be.”
Jay’s eyes started to water w
ith mention of it and she turned them away from me. “Thanks a lot.”
“Well, you know it’s true. You’re betraying everything he stood for by being with him.”
“Stop trying to get me to feel bad for that. I’m not changing it now. You can say whatever you want but it won’t work.”
“I know, Jay. You love him.”
She turned her head back with a soft voice but her eyes were still watered. “I want to believe that you’re going to leave this alone but I know you won’t.”
“Well, I can’t give him my approval just like that if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I never expect you to.”
“And if I ever did, would that just completely shock you?”
“You’d have to be drunk.”
“Really? Why would you say that?”
“It’s the only way you would do it but I don’t need you to because I’m going to be with him whether you like it or not. He’s staying with me.”
“Is that so?”
Jay lightly gasped and raised her tone with me. “If you even think of hurting him, I swear—” She paused and watched my uninterested expression. “You’re already planning to, aren’t you?”
“And what would make you think that?”
“We shouldn’t have left them alone.” Jay uttered the words to herself and quickly turned to get back into the ballroom.
“Easily convinced sister—check. Now it’s your move.” It was maybe too easy. Whether I meant anything I just said to her, she would do exactly what I wanted because of it. Everything was working out—perfectly.
Chapter 15
Zayden
Time sometimes alludes me. It feels as though I just got here and just got to see Adele again but she was gone just as quickly and now that she is, time has almost stopped. We waited in her room for one of two things; her to come back or Ryon to come back. I wanted to keep myself prepared in case he did first but boredom had begun to set in. Troy was sitting in a chair by the desk, I was pacing in front of the balcony door just to keep my blood pumping and Darius, well, he was being Darius.
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