Align Ourselves

by Adrianna Schuh

"Yeah, they are."

  He smiled.

  They sat in silence for a while. Aria figured that he didn't need for her to talk; she hoped that her presence alone was enough to remind him that they were in this together.

  "No matter what I do," he began, "Someone will be pissed. Apart of me just...just wants to kill them all. That would be the easiest option. Get rid of them and be done with it. But I don't think I can... I don't want to be the monster that they think I am."

  "Lex..."

  "I've killed so many people, Aria. What's another hundred?"

  "You don't mean that. That isn't who you are."

  "Yeah? And who am I?"

  "You're...You're a good person, Lex. You are. I've seen it. You've always done what you did to protect your people. Your sister. The ones you care about. That's who you are."

  He sighed, looking back up at the sky.

  "I can't send them back. I can't keep them here. What would you do?" he asked.

  "I don't know," she said. For the first time in her life, she was at a loss.

  "Well, thanks. You've been no help at all," he said, smirking at her.

  She smiled to herself.

  "I think...." he began, "I think I'd like to talk to them. To him."

  "Who?"

  "Warren."

  "What?"

  "I want to talk to him. Before I decide on anything, I'd like to talk to him first."

  "Why?" she asked. Why the hell would he want to talk to Warren?

  "I don't really know, honestly. I just want to."

  She wasn't sure where this was coming from. Why he'd want to do such a thing. Talking to Warren was the very last thing she wanted to do.

  "I'm gonna go," he said, standing up. "Can you tell the others that we'll hold another meeting in a few hours? I just...I need more time to think."

  "Okay," she said.

  He left after that.

  After she told the group to meet back in the throne room in a few hours, she helped out around the palace. There were still a few people that were sick. Some had been injured.

  And the people that had been told to stay in their rooms needed food, water. She and a few others went around and gave out rations, hoping it would keep them from wandering around the palace.

  Eventually, Mara came to tell her that Lex was looking for her.

  She found him in the throne room, all alone, sitting at their table.

  She closed the doors behind her and made her way to him.

  "I know that you think that this is up to me," he said after she sat down, "But as I've said, we're in this together. So I'd like to talk to you before we talk to the others."

  "Okay," she said, feeling a little nervous.

  "I've talked to him, Warren."

  "Yeah, and?"

  "I feel like I should hate him like I should want him dead for what he's done. But weirdly, I feel like I understand him."

  "So what have you decided?"

  "I think that I'll let them stay."

  "What?"

  "Not here, of course. I'll let them and the other people stay. Build a home of their own. Maybe across from the village below us? That way, they're close enough for us to keep an eye on them? And I have a few conditions, of course."

  "What conditions?"

  "No weapons, obviously. All their guns will be kept here and locked away. And we remain their leaders, seeing as I'm the king and you're the queen. But they'd need a leader among them. I believe it should be Hunt. What do you think?"

  "I think...I think that's a good idea, Lex. Really."

  He nodded.

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Of course."

  "Why are you doing this? I mean...you were so angry when we lied to you. When the weapons went missing. What brought this on?"

  "I met a girl," he said, smiling over at her. "And she reminded me of what life could be like if I chose to see the good in people. If I gave them a chance."

  She could feel a slow blush creeping its way up her cheeks.

  "Who knows? Maybe showing them a different way of life will change their minds. Maybe it'll give them the proof they need that we can live together. Live in peace. I'm just...I'm tired of fighting. I've fought for most of my life. I don't want to live that way anymore. And if I send them back, I'll be fighting with the Terra, And if I kill them, I'll be fighting with the ones who will see it as unjust. But if I let them stay, maybe the fighting will end."

  Affection for the man he was, the man he'd become washed over her.

  How the hell did she get so lucky?

  She wasn't sure what she'd done to have such a partner, an equal—someone who would bear the weight of the world with her.

  He was the friend she needed, someone who lit a match inside the darkest parts of her mind and filled her with light, someone who gave her hope, who reminded her of all the good things she'd ever seen in her life.

  And it all started with him bringing them here and giving them a chance, one random act of kindness.

  "I love you."

  "I love you more," he said.

  Aria smiled at him.

  "I'm gonna go talk to Warren and the others first. Give them the offer. I'll be back soon," he said.

  She sat in the throne room alone, thinking about how far they'd come from that first night.

  "I called you back," Lex began, now sitting at the head of the table they'd sat at that same evening. "Because I have come to a decision."

  The room went quiet. All of the eyes in the room were trained on Lex.

  "I'm going to let them stay," Lex said.

  Everyone was silent, letting the news sink in.

  And then, everyone spoke up at once.

  Lex put his hand up, silencing them.

  "I know that this might come as a shock to some of you," he said, "But I have thought about it. And I've talked to almost all of you. And them. I know where everyone stands. But this is my decision, and it's final."

  "But what if they try to revolt? Do you honestly believe they'll listen to you?" Grace asked, "Lex, you know what they think of us. This will never work!"

  "I agree with Grace," Adrian said. "These aren't the kind of people that will just...give up."

  "I'm not asking them to give up," Lex said, "And I've talked to them. To Warren. He knows it's over. That this is my kingdom. And he-"

  "Are you seriously defending him?" Grace yelled, glaring at her brother.

  "No, of course not. But it's not-" Lex began.

  "They killed a bunch of people, man," Martinez yelled. "You can't trust them."

  "I agree," Peter said. "I think-"

  Aria slammed her hands down on the table and rose from her chair.

  "Everyone shut up," she yelled, effectively silencing the voices. "Shut up! He's the king! And you aren't even allowing him to explain himself. So shut the fuck up and listen."

  With that, she sat back down next to Lex and gave him an encouraging nod.

  He smirked at her, admiration, and maybe something like lust in his eyes.

  "Thank you," he said, biting down on his lip.

  Aria had to remind herself that everyone was watching them.

  "I am letting them stay. I've talked to Warren and his people. They've agreed to my conditions. They will be staying, along with the rest of your people. I will allow you to build your own village, your own settlement on the land across the village below us. That way, the queen and I will be able to watch over you."

  Katy and Hunt exchanged a glance. This was the last thing they'd expected to hear if the looks on their faces were anything to go by.

  "Lex....what about the dead?" Grace asked.

  "They are just as dead as the men I killed to get to where I am, Grace," Lex said. "I am aware that this whole...situation...arose from fear. I understand that the hate rooted in some of these people came from their experiences since leaving their home. But I am willing to try. I want to show them a different way, a better way. The things I've done are no bette
r than the things they've done. And Hunt, I would like you to be their leader. My word will be law, but you will act as my second among your people. Will you accept my offer?"

  Hunt looked a little surprised. He looked over at Katy.

  She smiled at him and gave him an encouraging nod.

  "It would be my honor," Hunt said.

  "Then it's settled. All of you will stay. The palace can't hold you all, so we will begin building your settlement soon. My people will help. We will provide assistance, supplies, and other necessities until you can do so on your own."

  "When will you send for the others?" Katy asked. "They aren't safe on Terra lands. They've been waiting for us for too long."

  "We leave tonight. I will go, as will a few of my people. Adrian? Martinez?"

  The two boys nodded in agreement. It made Aria smile when she realized they were the two he'd referred to as his.

  "Hunt? Katy? Will you join us?" Lex asked.

  "Of course," Katy said. Hunt nodded.

  "Alright. Pack your things and meet me back here in one hour. The rest of you give our people orders to keep the remainder of the others in their rooms. The palace is secured. I'll send for the people that were forced out. Let them back in. Fill them in on our plans."

  After that, he got up and asked to speak to Grace in private.

  Hunt, Katy, Martinez, and Adrian left to pack for the trip.

  Aria wasn't really sure about what she was supposed to do. She wanted to talk to Lex before he left, but she knew he and Grace had things to discuss. She waited patiently in the throne room, and half an hour later, the two of them came back.

  "Hey," Grace said, looking at Mara. "I have a few orders to carry out. Wanna join?"

  "Yeah, sure," Mara said, getting up.

  Aria watched the two girls leave the room, smiling as she saw Mara give Grace a little push on their way out.

  "So, I've got a few people preparing some things for the trip. I have a little time, do you want to-" Lex began.

  "Can I come with you?" Aria asked, cutting him off.

  "What?"

  "Can I come?"

  "You want to?"

  "Yeah," she said.

  "Of course. But they're almost ready, so just go pack what you want and-"

  But Aria didn't wait for him to finish. She rose from her seat and ran out of the room, feeling a little ridiculous.

  Chapter 51

  She went to their quarters and found an old traveling bag. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to pack, exactly, so she looked around the room for a few minutes. She grabbed her journal and went to her dresser, looking for a change of clothes to bring on the trip.

  She packed the clothes and her journal into the bag.

  She figured she should also pack something to sleep in, so with that in mind, she opened one of the drawers at the bottom of her dresser and looked through it for something comfortable.

  She had just picked up a pair of soft cotton pants when her eyes landed on a piece of black lace sticking out from the very bottom of the pile. She reached forward and took the garment out.

  Should I?

  She remembered the look in his eye when she yelled at everyone. The way he looked at her when they took the palace back.

  She stuffed the nightgown into her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

  To get to the others, this time, they had to cross the water. Her people had come to Pembra from a different direction than she and her friends.

  On the way there, Lex explained that he had actually sent his guards on ships to search for them. And Aria’s mother confirmed that they had reached Pembra by stealing one of those ships. She had the good grace to look embarrassed by this.

  Despite the cold, the hike to the ship kept her warm.

  They walked in the darkness with the moon as their only source of light.

  "What happened to the guards?" Martinez asked once the ship was in view.

  "I sent two men to call the guards off," Hunt said. "They're in the dungeon now."

  The hike was arduous enough to keep them all quiet. They hadn't really discussed what they would tell the people. They hadn't really talked at all.

  One by one, they made their way onto the ship. Lex had invited three more of his men to join them. They gave the others directions and orders on preparing the sails, and before they knew it, they were off.

  They decided to take turns sleeping, and since she wasn't tired, Aria decided to stay up with the first group. She'd hoped to get some time alone with Lex, but Hunt had called him off to discuss something or other.

  Aria stood on one of the elevated decks and watched the horizon, feeling small and maybe a little insignificant compared to the sea's open vastness.

  Eventually, her mother joined her.

  "I've got to admit," Katy said, "Of all the things I'd imagined that would happen up here...this wasn't one of them."

  Aria smiled at her mother. "Me neither," she said.

  They stood in silence for a little while, a comfortable silence.

  "Aria...I'm sorry," Katy said.

  "For what?"

  "For everything."

  "Mom, it's-"

  "I'm sorry for what happened here."

  Aria looked over at her mother. She had been so angry when her mother had first arrived.

  But she was tired of feeling angry.

  Sometimes, people make mistakes that spiral into something worse than they had intended. Sometimes, people lie to protect their relationships, their loved ones. And sometimes, they tell the truth for the same reasons.

  "It's okay, mom. I know why you did it," she said, placing her hand on top of her mother's.

  "Well, I think I'm gonna go get some sleep. You should do the same," Katy said.

  "I will."

  She gave her mother a kiss goodnight but stayed on the deck. Watching the sea. Thinking about the place she used to call home.

  "What are you doing out here? Why aren't you asleep?" Lex asked, walking up to join her on the deck.

  "I wasn't really sure which room was mine."

  "You're the queen. You can have any room you want," he said.

  Aria smiled at him, shaking her head a little. She was glad that despite everything that had happened, things seemed normal between them. They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the water as Aria thought about how much she had missed the easy flow of their relationship; the teasing.

  "When are you going to bed?" she asked.

  "Now, I guess. Are you ready?"

  "Is that an invitation?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  His eyes dropped to her lips for a second before he looked away.

  "Yeah," he said, "It is."

  All traces of the playfulness with which they'd begun the conversation disappeared.

  She swallowed thickly before nodding.

  She grabbed her backpack and followed him. He led the way down the stairs, taking her to the far side of the ship.

  They walked until they reached a door at the end of the hall. He opened it and stepped inside, holding it open for her.

  She walked in and glanced around the room; it wasn't very big. There was a bed in one corner, one wall lined with shelves. She noticed his pack by the base of the bed.

  An old lantern stood on the middle shelf, lighting the room with a dim glow.

  "Is this your room?" she asked.

  "Yeah," he said from behind her.

  She felt a little nervous. The air felt a little thick. She couldn't recall the last time they'd been alone in such a small space.

  She heard him getting ready for bed, taking his shoes off, and undoing his jacket.

  Grabbing her bag, she stood there a little awkwardly as she thought about what she should do. The confidence she'd felt in the room when she packed the nightgown had dwindled. She wasn't sure how to go about the situation. They hadn't really had much time alone since everything had happened.

  "Why are you just standing there?" he asked, pulling her f
rom her thoughts.

  She looked up and realized that he had already gotten in bed. He was staring at her, standing in the middle of the room, clutching her bag.

  "Oh..um.," she said, shaking her head. "Can you turn around?"

  Whatever she was going to do, she was sure that she didn't want him to watch her struggle with herself.

  "Oh, yeah. Sorry," he said, turning so that his back was to her.

  She stared at his back, his broad shoulders, and the little freckles sprinkled all over his tan skin.

  She put the bag down and took the nightgown out; her hands shook a little. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.

  Once she'd taken her clothes off, she put the nightgown on.

  She'd forgotten just how revealing it was.

  It was short and black, stopping halfway down her thighs. The material was light and silky, patches of lace exposing her skin. The neckline plunged so far she could almost see her navel. And it was a lot tighter than she thought it'd be, sticking to her skin, which looked a little sallow in this light, bits of it exposed due to the lace.

  She stood in the center of the room, unsure about what to do next.

  "What the hell is taking you so-" he started, turning around. But whatever he was going to say after that died in his throat as he saw her standing there.

  She watched as he swallowed the words down, looking at her from top to bottom, eyes lingering on her breasts and her naked legs.

  Her heart hammered in her chest. Oh god.

  She watched him watching her, growing hotter and hotter by the second.

  "Come here," he said, moving so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

  Chapter 52

  The authority in his voice sent a chill down her spine. She took a few short steps towards him, stopping when she stood between his legs.

  He placed his hands on her hips, running his eyes up and down her body again.

  He pulled her closer and licked his lips.

  Aria bit down on her bottom lip, the anticipation making her heart was beating so fast she was sure that he could hear it hammering in her chest.

  He placed his lips on the exposed skin in the plunge of her nightgown, kissing up and up her sternum until he reached the top of her left breast. His hands traveled from her hips to her ass, grabbing it and pulling her body closer to his until she was pressed against him.