Entwined

by A. J. Rosen

  Officer Warwick put me down on the bed. “I’ll wait outside,” he said with a nod.

  In addition to the physical checkup, the doctor also asked me how I was feeling. In all honesty, I was in shock. It was not every day a woman spewed nonsense at me before trying to kill me. Yet, if I was honest with the doctor, the examination would take much longer. It was funny how just yesterday I had been so desperate to leave my cell that I had been willing to have a visit from my parents. Now, all I wanted was to get back to my cell so I could be alone. After convincing her that there was nothing wrong with me, I was given permission to leave. I thanked her before getting up to go.

  Officer Warwick, who had been leaning against the wall adjacent to the door, took two long strides to meet me. “Commander Hudson would like to have a word with you.”

  When would this endless cycle end? We got to the end of the hall and Officer Warwick swung open the door to Commander Hudson’s office. I stepped into the dated office. Commander Hudson was waiting for me behind his desk. “Ms. Montgomery, please have a seat.”

  He spent the next twenty minutes quizzing me about everything the strange woman had said to me. Once he ran out of questions, his all-business façade dropped. He looked at me with genuine compassion and said, “I am so sorry, Avery, that you went through that.”

  My eyes widened a little. It was the first time he had used my first name, and from his voice, it seemed that he was actually genuine.

  “She shouldn’t have been able to get in here.” His brow furrowed. “I’m going to get to work on your release papers right away. Then you’ll be free to go.”

  Apparently almost getting strangled to death is a get-out-of-jail-free card, and I wasn’t about to argue with that.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had only been two days since I’d sat in the waiting room with Vlad and Adrian waiting to hear about my punishment. But now I was getting out, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I was still shaken from this afternoon’s events but the freedom that I longed for was within my grasp—just as soon as Commander Hudson finished dealing with the documentation needed for my release.

  Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, and I looked up from my trembling hands to see Hudson appear from the hall. “Ms. Montgomery.”

  He knew that I didn’t want any trouble that might delay my release. “Commander Hudson.”

  “There are a few conditions of your release,” he said succinctly, brows ascending. “Upon signing this,”—he passed me an official-looking document, complete with a Court seal—“you are not allowed to discuss what has happened here today with anyone.”

  A nondisclosure agreement. As I skimmed through the page, he handed me a pen, then I quickly signed my name at the bottom.

  “Am I good to go now?” I asked.

  “Not quite. There’s one further condition.” Seeming to find amusement in his sentence, he chuckled, and for the first time since I had met him, he did not seem so stiff.

  “What is it?” I asked warily.

  “You aren’t allowed to join any activities of the Gathering until further notice, and you have to avoid any confrontation, verbal and physical, with Lord Domenico Aegeus Ferraro.”

  Relief flooded over me. I could have hugged him—Hudson had just given me exactly what I needed the most: a reason to stay away from Carlo’s twin brother. And an excuse not to participate in any Court-sanctioned activities. Domenico and Carlo were identical. It would be difficult to see Kris and Domenico together and not think about Carlo.

  At last, Commander Hudson said the words I had been dying to hear: “You may go.” He handed my phone and other possessions to me. “You should probably call someone to come pick you up.”

  There was no way I was calling my parents to come get me, so I texted Kris instead. I only had to wait ten minutes before I spied her coming through the glass door of the Court Guard Headquarters. She signed the administrative paper and I was good to go. I thanked Hudson, reached for the front door, then broke into a run toward freedom as soon as we stepped outside.

  Kris folded her arms around me. “Ave! I’m so glad you’re out!”

  I squeezed her back and, smelling the sweet floral scent of her hair, I realized I must be pretty rank after my time in jail.

  “That place is horrible. Never get arrested, okay?”

  “That’s an easy promise to keep. Listen.” Kris’s eyes glassed over as they filled with tears. “I’m so sorry about Carlo. And about the whole mix-up with Domenico—”

  “It’s okay, Kris.” I interrupted her. “Neither of us could have known. Is he—did you click with Domenico?” I already knew the answer in my heart, but I needed to hear her say it.

  “Yes! And it’s as intense and wonderful as everyone said it is.” The excitement abruptly washed off her face. “But I could also feel his pain. Even though Domenico and Carlo barely saw each other after their parents split, they had a strong connection. You know, being twins and all. I felt all of his grief as soon as he found out about Carlo’s accident and—oh, Avery!” She stopped short and hugged me again as she saw the tears falling from my eyes.

  I held on to her, feeling slightly light-headed as an emotional storm passed through me. Every part of me went completely still while my thoughts tried to catch up. I stood there, feeling my breath, inhaling and exhaling, as she held on to me. When I finally regained my composure, I pulled out of her embrace and said, “I’m okay.”

  Domenico walked toward us. He had one black eye—proof of what I’d done to him—and I couldn’t help but cringe. With my temper getting the better of me, I had punched him without giving either of them time to explain.

  “Ave.” Kris reached out and grabbed Domenico’s hand, her other holding mine. “I’d like to introduce you to Domenico properly.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what I was apologizing for—him losing Carlo or me leaving him with a black eye. To my surprise, Domenico hugged me. For a moment I let myself imagine I was hugging Carlo—a moment to say good-bye. We pulled apart, and I could see it written on Kris’s face how much it meant to her for Domenico and me to be at peace.

  “I hate to cut this short, but Kris, we really have to get going. My family is waiting.” Domenico’s voice was so similar to Carlo’s it broke my heart again to hear it. “There’s a kind of makeshift service for Carlo; you’re welcome to come, of course.”

  My brain stuttered for a moment. It was as if hearing this piece of information had knocked every wisp of air from my lungs, and I stood there, struggling to breathe. My tongue was tied.

  “Do you want to come with us to the service?” asked Domenico. By now, Kris had probably told him how close his brother and I had been. If he hadn’t been able to read it in her thoughts, that was.

  “No!” Dang. That came out too harsh. I faked a cough, rubbing my still-tender neck with one hand. “I mean, no, thank you. I don’t think I could handle . . . I think I’m just going to go home and sleep for the rest of the day. It’s been a rough couple of days.”

  Kris stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Domenico and his family need you.”

  Kris gave me a sympathetic nod. “Okay, but call me if you need anything.”

  The world’s most perfect couple walked away together. My eyes lingered on them for a while before I forced myself to turn and head back home. The Court Guard Headquarters, where I had been held, was quite near the Hyped, so it only took me ten minutes to walk back.

  There were times when I needed to be left alone, when I didn’t want anyone to witness how miserable I was feeling. It was a miracle that I found the strength to get back to the Hyped and up to my floor. My whole body felt exhausted, as if I’d been running a marathon for days, and I was numb.

  My grief was like the ocean: it came in waves—o
verwhelming me, crashing into me. I didn’t shed another tear but not because I wasn’t sad. I was too sad. The ache in my chest held a greater power. My legs buckled and I sank to my knees once I was inside my room and all alone.

  Carlo. A shiver bolted down my spine. All I could think about was how he had been so excited about this Gathering. How he had promised me that he would see me as soon as he arrived. I had been deeply hurt when I had thought he’d pretended not to know me, completely deceived when Domenico cozied up to Kris. But those feelings were nothing compared to what I was feeling right now.

  I don’t know how long I sat sagged on the floor, nor did I care. My mind drove me into despair as it kept on swimming through what-ifs. Two amazing guys had been robbed from me because of stupid car accidents: Bryan and now Carlo. I wasn’t just crying over Carlo but for Bryan too. I hadn’t gotten much sleep while in my jail cell, and it finally all caught up to me. My eyesight blurred and everything became fuzzy. Still, I couldn’t be bothered to get into bed or change. The darkness took hold of me as I succumbed to a deep slumber. Right before my last string of consciousness was taken away, I heard someone yelling, “Holy Zeus, Montgomery!”

  Waking up, I smelled something burning. My eyes fluttered open and I could see the last of the sunset through the window.

  How had I gotten into bed? And what was that smell?

  I took the fact that there was no smoke surrounding me as a good sign.

  Carlo. I pushed up into a sitting position as I took a deep breath before grief overtook me again.

  “You’re finally awake.” A voice scattered my thoughts. Vlad was sitting on a dark-purple velvet couch in the corner of the quiet room. There was compassion mixed with worry in his expression. I wondered if he knew what had happened to Carlo.

  “Wide awake. Do I have you to thank for getting me from there”—I pointed at the spot near the door—“to here?”

  “Adrian carried you to bed,” Vlad said, yet his voice didn’t sound happy.

  “Adrian? Wait, why are you guys even here?”

  “Kris called. She doesn’t want you to be alone.”

  Something was clearly wrong with me. I kept passing out and then there was this constant nausea. Maybe I should go to the Court Hospital to get checked out. A loud voice interrupted my train of thought.

  “Sleeping Beauty’s awake!”

  Adrian stood in my bedroom doorway with a tray in his hands.

  “Geez, Zeus!” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing: Adrian Ambrosia was wearing an apron! My mom’s pink apron to be precise. She always wore it around the house and evidently, had even brought it to Court.

  “You’re the one burning down the kitchen.”

  Adrian put the tray on the bed. “There was just a small incident, that’s all.” He pinched his thumb and index finger to show me how small.

  “And these are the results from your incident?”

  “Perfectly cooked bacon, toast from heaven, two splendidly hard-boiled eggs, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Specially made by Chef Adrian Ambrosia.” He kissed the tips of his fingers before releasing them in the air.

  “All right, all right, let me try it before I change my mind.”

  The toast seemed like the safest option. I inspected it—to be honest, it looked okay, but it wasn’t in my nature to miss out on a chance to tease Adrian. I took a tiny bite using my front teeth, causing him to groan in frustration. “Oh come on, Montgomery! Give it a good bite.”

  Seemingly wanting to prove that his food was edible, Adrian grabbed the other piece of toast and took a huge bite. “See, yummy.”

  I finally gave into starvation and gobbled down the rest of the toast before grabbing one of the “splendidly boiled” eggs. I broke the shell and liquid poured out all over my hands. “Ew! I thought you said it was hard boiled!”

  Adrian nervously scratched his neck. He pointed at the egg in my hand and stated the obvious: “That’s not supposed to happen.”

  “Clearly.” I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, not willing to have gooey egg all over my hand for another second.

  My reflection in the mirror revealed puffy eyes and a bright red nose. My hair looked like I was Dorothy and a tornado had just hit me. The boys were talking on the other side of the door.

  “—so sad, it’s heartbreaking seeing her like that,” Adrian said.

  “Don’t worry,” replied Vlad. “She’ll get through this.”

  “I know, man, but I wish there was something I could do. I feel useless.” Adrian sounded helpless and desperate.

  “She’s been through something like this before. She’ll heal with time, I promise.”

  I never expected I’d be leaning on Adrian and Vlad of all people, but they were proving to be better guys than I’d ever given either of them credit for being. I looked at myself in the mirror again, grabbed a hair elastic, and pulled my curls up into a messy top bun. I counted to three before coming back into the room.

  “I’m not sure that bacon is edible,” I said. Adrian raised his hands in defeat. “But I’m famished. Do you guys know any good places to eat?”

  Adrian and Vlad exchanged a knowing glance. Vlad nodded and stood. “We know a place that will blow your mind.”

  “Lead the way, General.”

  He sighed upon hearing the nickname but obliged anyway.

  Chapter Twelve

  We arrived at a restaurant called Verona Ti Amo, which was nestled in the little maze of streets filled with shops and restaurants tucked away on the other side of the main Court buildings, a place I hadn’t realized even existed.

  The warm interior made me feel like I was inside a fairy-tale castle. A dazzling chandelier hung above our heads. The tables and chairs no doubt were antiques. Vases bursting with roses, the symbol of royalty, were placed in the middle of each table.

  “This is Vlad’s favorite place. Sometimes I wonder if he is the reincarnation of a duke or countess, with his love for antiques and all this”—Adrian gestured at the surroundings—“old, fancy stuff.”

  It was possible. As Hellenicus we were reincarnated over and over again, taking different vessels and genders. One thing would remain the same for me, though: I would always be born a Regular. A Regular could never be reincarnated as someone with royal blood. The Royals and Pure Royals, however, could be born as anyone. It depended on what they had done in their previous lives.

  If a Royal had done good deeds in their former life, they could come back as a Pure Royal. Similarly, a Pure Royal who had done terrible things might become a Royal, or even a Regular, in their next life. This was one of the reasons why royal bloods kept their distance from the Regulars. It was almost impossible to track the original lineage of a Regular, so they couldn’t trust that we hadn’t been terrible people in our past lives.

  There was quite a large number of Regulars, since the Great Massacre—one of the most gruesome events in our history. Our textbooks told us that some Royals had used Apollo’s arrow to cease the Stavroses’ existence, destroying their souls. The remaining Stavroses then met the same fate throughout the generations until there were none left. The murderers received one of the worst punishments for a Hellenicus: they were doomed to be Regulars forever.

  “Avy, are you okay?” Vlad asked. “You were seriously lost in thought.”

  “Sure, General.”

  “I wish you would give the nickname a rest, Avy.”

  “If you want me to stop, maybe you should stop calling me Avy.”

  The hostess led us to a table. Adrian nodded toward a towering display of cakes and desserts. “Montgomery, you are going to be stuffing in the calories.”

  “We’ll see. I’m not easily satisfied,” I said, always ready for a challenge when it came to sweets.

  Maybe this was exactly what I needed to help lessen the pain.

  The grim
reality of Carlo’s death was fading from my mind because I was enjoying the company of Adrian and Vlad. We’d never hung out like this before. They were my seniors by four and six years, so I guess it wasn’t cool for them to hang out with me when we were younger. But we were older now, and Vlad was proving to be more tolerable to be around. Adrian had no shame in recounting his own past misbehaviors, and I’d learned a lot more about them while we sat there talking over copious amounts of dessert.

  “Goodness, Montgomery,” muttered Adrian as he ran his eyes over the piles of empty plates on the table. “I never thought of you as a glutton.”

  “Hey! No fair. I was starving.” I reached for the panna cotta and paused. “This was Carlo’s favorite dessert. He said he used to help his grandma . . .” I trailed off.

  Adrian looked like he was about to try to comfort me, but Vlad leaned forward. There was a playfulness in his expression that I wasn’t used to seeing in him. I used to think he only had two manners: stern and smug. But he was proving me wrong. “So, do you prefer the term gourmand, Avy?”

  It was like he knew I didn’t want to get upset again, not here in the restaurant while we were otherwise having a good time.

  “Gour-what?” Adrian said. I was as clueless as him, but there was no way I would let them know that, so I kept my poker face on.

  “Gourmand. Someone who eats too much,” Vlad answered.

  I gulped nervously. Why did he have to look that good? I was secretly hoping they didn’t notice my silence. The god of luck shone upon me as Adrian kept talking. “Wait, I thought that’s a glutton?”

  Finally averting his gaze from me, Vlad turned to Adrian. “A glutton is someone who eats more than what they need.”

  I was finally able to form a sentence and blurted out, “A walking dictionary is what you are.”

  I shook my head and reached for my cup of precious hot chocolate. Holding it with two hands, I raised the mug and took a sip. We’d ordered two slices of cheesecake, one tiramisu, two panna cottas, three cannoli, one pavlova, and two slices of pie. The boys only ate one cannolo each, and then Adrian grabbed two pieces of the panna cotta while Vlad took one slice of apple pie. I had eaten the rest.