Electus (Regnum Series Book 1)

by K. M. Link

  "I see we are both a mess, today,” Tia mumbles, trying to calm herself. The last thing she needs is for the leaders to see her eyes glowing. That is a factor that can highly impact her points.

  “I am beyond proud to say you are my daughter. I know your mother would be as well. She was the bravest woman I ever met.”

  Tia stares at her father, amazed at his mention of her mother in such a nostalgic manner.

  “Did you love her?” she interrogates, as she fidgets with the necklace.

  “She is loved,” is all he utters, before he leaves Tia alone in the bathroom, still clasping onto the pendant from her dreams.

  All Regnumian candidates need to arrive at the platform, by two, on the first day of the Electus, to be considered for selection. Those candidates that do not arrive on time, are eliminated and sentenced to work at Letum, the land in which all prisoners are retained. Each year the leaders choose a new capitol to hold the Electus. This year they selected Urbi.

  Tia’s father and uncle drop her off at the arena by one-thirty. She says her fair wells with hugs and kisses on the cheek. Fera left early to assist in the set up of the stage in the arena, so she already said goodbye before they left. Tia wonders if this is the last time she will see her family. Still holding on to hope, she pushes the thought out of her mind.

  “We’ll be watching you this whole week from home,” her father remarks with a half smile.

  “Remember to trip the prettiest one there. It will raise your chances,” her uncle suggests. Tia rolls her eyes.

  “I suppose this is it,” she replies with a sigh. “I love you both so much. Thank you for everything.” Without another word, she forces herself to walk toward the doors to the back room, where other candidates await their next step.

  In the room she is at, there are fourteen other Regnumian candidates from Vetus. Seven of which are full-blooded Pruden. Three of which are full-blooded Mediocris. Two, who are mixed descent, including Tia, and two others are full-blooded Humilis descent. Most of the candidates Tia does not know. Only two of the Pruden descents were from her neighborhood, Mina and Quade.

  Mina was Tia’s first friend. As children, they shared every waking moment together. On weekends they had sleepovers, and each day at school, they swapped foods they didn’t like in their lunches.

  It wasn’t until junior high that Mina and Tia grew apart. While Mina dressed up in her mother’s clothes and painted her face with make up, Tia prepared her body for the Electus. She climbed rock walls on the out skirts of her village, sprinted down the trails everyday to a pond, which she used to clean off her sweat with a vigorous swim.

  “Hello, Tia,” Mina salutes, as she approaches her. Mina has a plum, silk dress on with high heeled shoes, and her hair is pinned up elegantly in a bun. Her parents spared no expense on her outfit, as always. On her neck, she sports fine jewels that match her earrings.

  Mina and her sister, for Prudens, live lavishly. Mina’s father ranked high in the Electus when he was eighteen, and Mr. Avery offered him a prestigious position. Unlike most other families from their neighborhood, Mina’s parents fixed up their home and bought their children beautiful gifts on special occasions. This also drew a wedge in their friendship.

  “How are you, Mina?” Tia responds, attempting not to gag, as her name leaves her mouth. Mina’s body is curvier than Tia’s, and her skin is a natural carmel color. She always carries her head high, never lacking in confidence.

  “Bored. My father made us arrive two hours early to assist Mr. Avery, and now these heels are killing me. You are so lucky, you can’t afford anything but flat hand-me-downs. These are such a bitch.”

  Tia imagines what it would be like to bludgeon Mina in the head with one of her high-heeled shoes. “Aww, that’s a shame. Why don’t you just sit and rest your feet or take them off for a while?”

  She looks at Tia, as though she suggest that she cut off a limb. “This floor is way too filthy for that,” Mina exclaims. “Who knows what people drag in here on their feet.”

  While Mina continues to blather on about parasites, carried in on the bottom of shoes, Quade sneaks up behind Mina and silently mocks her. Tia stifles a laugh, nodding in response to Mina’s inflections.

  “Oh! Did you hear about that new head of Novo’s capitol in Elatus? Apparently they had to replace the old leader after they found Mr. Tersus’s body outside of his house.”

  Tia’s attention turns back to Mina. “What? When did that happen?”

  “Last week, his wife walked out the door to water her Polly Blossom plant. Next thing she knows her husband is lying in the yard with a note reading, ‘Tranquility dies amongst the hearts of the insurgent.'”

  “Isn’t that a line from the peace treaty?” Tia poses.

  “Yep. So, all of last week, the Elatus Capitol was frantic searching for a new leader,” Mina replies, matter-of-factly.

  “Who did they pick?” Quade chimes in, abandoning his mocking of Mina, since he lost Tia’s interest.

  “Supposedly, they offered it to a young man named Javan Leporem. Who is, from what rumor has it, the youngest leader Regnum has ever had, and the most eligible bachelor on the East end.” Mina practically salivates on the last sentence.

  “Looks like you finally have something to aim for in the Electus, Mina,” Quade retorts. He glances at Tia and smiles.

  **********

  Quade and Tia became friends two years prior, when she caught him staring at her in the hallway at school. Tia walked past Quade, heading for her locker, at the end of the day. It was the beginning of spring so she grabbed her jacket. He just stood across the hallway, watching her every move. Tia began to feel uncomfortable. She closed her locker and glanced at him. He turned away, quickly, running into a girl, causing her to drop her books.

  He apologized, repeatedly, then him and Tia assisted the girl in collecting her fallen belongings. His hand touched Tia’s finger, as they both reached for the same book.

  “I’m sorry,” he responded to Tia, who pulled away.

  “Thank you, guys,” the girl replied, as Quade handed her the last book. Tia nodded and walked on. Quade caught up with her outside of the school.

  “Hey, how about company on the way home?” Quade asked, following her.

  “I don’t need promenading, thank you,” she responded, turning her back to him. However, that was not enough to stop Quade.

  “Can I help you?” Tia inquired, keeping her steady pace. She knew it was at least three miles to her house, and she figured he gave up already.

  “How did you know I was still here?”

  “I could hear your breathing a mile away. What is that? Asthma?” she asked, not moving her attention away from the road ahead.

  “No, I’m just out of shape and you are really fast,” he exhaled.

  “My speed tends to increase when someone I don’t know is trailing me,” she mumbled, feeling nervous.

  “Well, you would know me if you had better manners and actually talked to me.” Tia turned around to respond and noticed how fast his chest rose and fell. Her attention quickly turned to how much he might need to train.

  “I’m Tia, and you weren’t kidding. You are out of shape.”

  As he caught his breath, all he could respond was, “Quade.”

  “You want help with that, Quade?” Tia pointed to his hand, latched onto his side.

  Not long after that, he joined Tia in her daily routine of climbing, running, and swimming. Though she thought he was annoying at first, she soon found comfort in having company during her training.

  “Just remember to breathe as you run,” she explained to him on their first day of exercising together.

  “I’m trying to,” he retorted after catching his breath. It was a hot afternoon and Tia worked Quade pretty hard. What seemed like a simple jog to her, felt like a marathon to him.

  “Well,” she began, “it’s easier to breathe in through your nose and out
your mouth. We will take a break and then try rock climbing.”

  “Rock climbing?” he questioned, his face, beading with sweat.

  “Oh yeah! You need to strengthen your arms, too,” she replied, grabbing his bicep. From the look on his face, Tia can tell, he enjoyed that a little too much.

  “If you say so,” he answered with a curled lip. Tia liberated his arm and sprinted.

  “Come on, the rock wall is only about two miles,” she called, already ten feet ahead of him.

  “Two miles?” he repeated, running after her.

  Finally, Tia found a true friend to joke with and share her concerns about the future. He rapidly became another reason for her to stay in Urbi. He was the first person, outside of her family, that she told about the strange dreams she had. Quade was always a patient and loyal listener. She found real comfort in his personality.

  Several times, Tia caught him watching her, out of the corner of her eye. She pretended not to notice, unsure of if it was all in her head. It wasn’t until three weeks prior to the Electus, when the air was warm enough to swim again, that her feelings were confirmed.

  That afternoon, as Tia stripped down to her undershirt and panties, like she usually did when she swam, Quade noticed a difference in her body. She had curves that were not present before, and her breasts were firmer. Tia grew into a woman, and it was difficult not to stare. She turned to glance at him as he stood there, gawking.

  “Are you going to swim or not?” she questioned him, letting her hair down.

  “Ch’yeah, I just wasn’t sure if it was still too cold to take my shirt off.”

  Tia raised her eyebrow as she ganderred his way. “It’s the warmest day we’ve seen this year, and we’ve been sweating for an hour.” She walked toward him and smacked his stomach. “Still afraid you are not in as good of shape as a girl three months younger than you?” she teased.

  Quade lifted his shirt, not taking his eyes off of hers, revealing his chest and stomach. His body was more toned than Tia remembered. He had a small set of abs that were covered with drops of sweat. Suddenly, she felt her pulse in her throat and her mouth was dry. Quade proceeded to drop his pants, until he was down to his boxers. Tia noticed the muscles in his upper thighs and his calves. He was more than just her sidekick, suddenly.

  Tia’s smile slowly faded, her mouth agape. Without giving her a chance to speak, he picked her up, flung her over his shoulder, and ran into the pond.

  “Quade!” Tia half screamed, half laughed. With a splash, they submerged and parted. She closed her eyes, as she swam in the shallow pond. The water felt cool and refreshing against her hot, sun kissed skin. Tia slowly rose from the water after Quade. They laughed for a few seconds, catching their breath. A knot began to form in Tia’s stomach. She never felt this exposed to Quade before, this nervous. The air between them changed in such a short amount of time.

  He gently swam toward her, until their faces almost touched. For the first time, Tia felt his breath against her skin. Quickly, he splashed her with water, catching her off guard. She laughed and proceeded to do the same to him. They continued swimming for a while, not saying much to each other.

  Tia’s mind wrestled with the thought of running her hands through his hair. She swam close to him, then chickened out and swam back to the other end of the pond. Attempting to not appear like a fool, she circled around the pond a few laps.

  Finally, Quade decided to sneak up under her from below the water. He grabbed her legs with his arms and knocked her off balance. She wrestled free, and he swam up right in front of her. Their faces, again, inches away from each other. Quade decided to be brave and make a move.

  He reached out and placed his hand under her chin, to lift her face towards his. She felt her heart beat in every limb of her body. Quade softly pressed his lips to hers, both of them unsure of what to do next. She followed the motion of his mouth, her hands wrapped around his neck. Every muscle in her body tense and uncertain, Tia pulled away.

  Quade, catching his breath, looked at her with his eyes glowing bright red. Tia knew it could only be a sign of lust, unless the kiss upset him. In which case, she swore to never kiss a man again if it had that kind of reaction.

  “You’re eyes are glowing pink,” he uttered. Tia was so caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t feel her eyes change like usual.

  “I’m half human, remember,” she declared. “It’s a common trait of half humans to have a lighter color.”

  He placed his hand on her cheek and leaned in again for another kiss. Tia felt heat rise in her body, as she allowed him to press his lips on hers a second time. His tongue invaded her mouth. It was foreign but delicious, causing her to tremble. Their bodies traveled towards each other, and Tia felt something hard, from Quade’s body, press against her hip.

  Suddenly, reality hit Tia, and she released him from their embrace.

  “What’s wrong?” Quade responded.

  “Nothing,” she laughed, nervously, swimming towards the edge of the pond. “This was just... it’s a bad idea for us to get close, like this. We are weeks away from the Electus and may never see each other again.” She climbed out of the pond, and pulled her shorts back up.

  “Why can’t we just enjoy our time now?” he asked, grabbing his shorts as well. “We can still at least make out. There is nothing saying we have to act on anything.”

  Tia pondered it for a moment, staring at his body as her eyes traveled down his chest to the front of his shorts. “Let’s just focus on preparing for the erectus...I mean the Electus.” Her face turned red. “We will just act as though nothing happened. When the time comes, if we both end up in the same capitol, we can move forward with whatever just happened, in there.” She stared down at the ground, waiting for him to respond.

  He gently kissed her forehead. “I think I can handle that,” he mumbled. They walked home in silence, neither one knowing how to handle a friendship after it’s been questioned by sexual intentions.

  They stopped at Tia’s house. Quade waved goodbye and Tia nodded. That was the last time Tia saw him, until the Electus.

  **********

  “Tia!” Mina wakes her from a trance. “It’s time to go. They expect us to be on the platform in five minutes.”

  “Oh yeah, coming.” She starts to run. The stage of the arena is all the way at the other end of the building. The first day is usually the easiest of the Electus. It is just an announcement of the candidates and the leaders. Still, Tia knows she cannot be late. Her pins begin to fall as she runs. I hope Fera’s work is not in vain, she thinks, as she reaches the other candidates, waiting backstage.

  “Two minutes, everyone!” some woman, dressed in a grey suit and stiletto heels, calls from the stage. Each candidate decides to cram in front of the mirrors available to them in the back. Tia gently pulls out the pin and fixes it in the corner of the one mirror, where three girls from Novo stand. They are adjusting their hair and applying more blush. Tia is amazed how long Fera’s lipstick lasts on her. Aside from appearing a little flushed, she is just as beautiful as she was this morning.

  The woman hollers, “Everyone in your place! There will be a marking with your name where you will stand! I suggest you look now!”

  Tia walks over to the platform. There are fifty candidates this year. She finds her spot carved into the linoleum platform, in gold it reads Conscientia Trumble. Tia stands in place, watching other candidates file in around her. Mina is the first to find her spot and stand proudly down in the front row. Of course Tia figured Mina would be in front, since they go alphabetically by last name, and Mina’s family name is Bellus. She is fourth in line.

  Tia knows Mina is the perfect type of person to stand up front. Her confidence is unwavering, unlike Tia’s. Out of all the stages, this one frightens Tia the most, because it is about grace and poise. Those are two things she is not bred for.

  “One minute!” the woman bellows.

  It does not take l
ong for every space to fill up, except the one to her left. She gazes at the name carved in gold, Quade Tendo. She lifts her head, just in time, to catch Quade inching in around the other candidates. Tia just now notices his attire. It’s a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath, finished with a red tie. He leaves his jacket unbuttoned and stands next to her with his hand in one pocket. Her eyes move to his face, where she notices his clean shaven chin and combed hair, that is usually tousled.

  “Tia,” he greets, cooly and stares out at the curtain. For the first time in two years, he appears calm and collected.

  “Quade. Didn’t realize no other Regnumian child of eighteen years would have a family name that fits between us,” she remarks, with a taste of distain in her voice.

  “Small planet, eh?” he smirks and his hazel eyes fall on her, and she feels exposed again. Tia is close enough to smell him. It is the scent of summer air, and suddenly, the memories of their times together floods her mind.

  “Thirty seconds and counting!” The woman startles Tia, and she turns her attention ahead, focusing on anything but Quade.

  A girl in a green silk dress stands to his left. She is tall and tan with a mature body and long blond hair.

  “Hi, I’m Quade from Vetus,” he greets the girl, extending his hand.

  “Kira.” She smiles and shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m from Otium, myself. Are you nervous at all?” Her eyes follow him up and down. Tia feels a twinge of anger rise inside of her.

  “Not really. I know today is not a huge deal. It’s all for show,” he yammers.

  Tia begins to feel faint. Why do I care? she asks herself, trying to regain composure.

  “Ten seconds!” the woman yells again.

  “Maybe I can show you around the town a little once we are done here. I know Urbi pretty well,” Quade offers to Kira.

  “I’d love that,” she replies with a polite smile, her eyes doing all the flirting.

  “Five seconds!” The woman is now staring at her watch.