Electus (Regnum Series Book 1)

by K. M. Link

  “Did you need something to eat? You are probably starving,” he offers, stroking her hair.

  “I am hungry. You can change first, though, if you like. I can wait.”

  Javan peers down at his shirt. “I suppose that would help. I’ll be back, then we can order room service.” He gathers some clothes for himself, then checks to see that she doesn’t need anything else before leaving for the shower.

  Tia makes herself comfortable in Javan’s bed. Javan’s bed, this is awkward. She starts to feel uneasy.

  Did he really kill someone? Tia wonders, as she stares at the ceiling, recalling the conversation with the kidnappers. It seems so unlikely to her, considering how kind he is. He could be deceiving everyone. Another thought crosses Tia’s mind, What is he doing with Mr. Tersus’s brother? Why would he be out right after a family tragedy? Then again, he is visiting his granddaughter, which may be a comfort to him in this sad time.

  Javan enters the room in a white v-neck shirt and black pajama bottoms. He walks over to Tia and sits next to her on the bed. “So, what are you hungry for?”

  “Um, anything, actually. I’m just happy I’m still able to eat at all.” Tia mumbles, nervously.

  “Hmm. I think maybe some tomato soup would be good. I’ll order us soup and sandwiches.”

  “Sounds great,” she answers, relieved it is food that is recognizable.

  Javan calls in the order. Finally, Tia works up the nerve to ask, “Was that man you were eating with today, really Mr. Tersus’s brother?”

  He turns to Tia, hanging up the phone. “Is that what they wanted to know?”

  “They already knew who he was. They wanted to know what I knew about you and him.” Tia avoids his gaze, feeling uneasy about the question now. Maybe this was a bad idea.

  He sits down next to her, on the bed. “Look at me,” he commands softly. Tia’s eyes land on his.

  “There is a collection of people who believe that I killed Mr. Tersus, to gain leadership of Elatus.” Javan comments.

  “Did you kill him?” Tia asks, forgetting her manners.

  Javan appears hurt by her accusation, and turns away. “Mr. Tersus was like family to me. I know that you won’t understand what I’m asking, but I really need your trust. Whatever those men were attempting to convince you...” He trails off, shaking his head, “I just need your complete faith, Tia.”

  Tia nods. She is now totally confused, because she doesn’t really think that was an answer. No wonder he is a politician.

  Javan’s eyes fix on Tia’s arm, where the wound is. He appears twisted with guilt.

  “Why am I the only one you brought to your hotel?” Tia blurts out, again, not filtering her thoughts.

  Javan’s face turns white, as though someone just found out his password to a safe. “You make me do things I would not normally do,” is all he answers.

  Tia leans in towards Javan, her eyes locked on his. Her heart is pounding, and she finds her hand, moving to his cheek. He closes his eyes, and places his hand on hers.

  “Look at me,” she asserts, calmly.

  “So demanding, Miss Trumble.” Javan cannot help but to smile. He opens his eyes and stares at her.

  Her gaze follows his nose, down to his lips. She can’t feel anything but her blood pulsating through her body. He lifts his other hand to her hair and pushes it away from her face. His fingers linger behind her ear, then fall to the crease of her neck.

  “I told you to call me Tia,” she breathes. There is a knock on the door. They both sigh at the sound.

  “I guess that’s the food,” he states, moving his hand from her body. Tia releases his face, as well, as the door knocks a second time. He moves out into the hallway so that they don’t see Tia in the room. She figures he doesn’t want any more problems for her, than there already are.

  They enjoy a hot meal together. The soup is filling and warms Tia’s body. She is calm once more. Javan offers his bed to her for the night and sets up the couch for himself. “Are you comfortable? Need anything else?”

  “I’m good, thank you, again. For everything,” Tia responds.

  “It’s the least I can do, considering why you are here,” he mumbles, his eyes locked on hers.

  “Which isn’t your fault.” She flashes a friendly smile in his direction. He returns the grin, then walks over to turn out the lights.

  “Goodnight, Tia.”

  She is out before she has a chance to respond. Falling asleep to the scent of his cologne on the pillow.

  Day 4: Brains

  Chapter 10

  A man in a mask grabs Tia. He drags her into darkness, she kicks and tries to scream. She is mute, even though there is no gag. He pries her clothes off and climbs on top of her, forcing himself inside her. She struggles against him, but he continues. Soon there are two more men, then four more men. They stare faceless at her, with knives in their hands. They circle around her. She cries out as they all go to strike at once.

  Tia awakes with a scream. “What’s wrong?” Javan calls from the couch. “Tia, are you alright?” Without hesitation, he stands up and walks over to the bed. It’s still dark in the room. She remembers where she is at, and sweat covers her forehead.

  “Bad dream,” she admits, slightly embarrassed and remorseful that she woke him up in the middle of the night.

  “Do you want me to stay with you for a while?” he offers, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Tia is thrown off, she assumed that’s what he is doing already since they are in the same room.

  “Maybe a little while?” she responds, hoping he isn’t thinking she is bizarre.

  Javan crawls into the other side of the bed. They both lay there, staring at the ceiling for a while, unsure of what to do. Maybe this was a bad idea, she thinks, her heart beating faster. Then, she figures it wouldn’t be awkward if she just makes conversation.

  “Javan,” she speaks, testing his alertness.

  “Yeah?” he answers, immediately.

  She turns to face him, wincing at the pain of her one arm. “Don’t let this affect your bidding.”

  “What do you mean?” he asks, flashing her a puzzled glance. He turns to face her as well, his head propped up on hand, and his elbow on the pillow.

  “I mean, don’t let it impair your judging, because you feel bad about what happened,” she sighs, hoping he will finally understand what she is saying.

  “I wouldn’t do that, Tia. I’m very professional. If I bid on you, it’s because of your skills in the Electus, not because of how I feel about you,” he responds, softly.

  “Feel about me?” she interjects. He is quiet for a moment. All Tia can hear is his steady breathing. He shuffles his head down to the pillow.

  “I mean to say, the sympathy from what happened, among other things,” he breathes. Tia lays quiet for a moment. Not sure if she wants to dissect that bit of information right now.

  “I was so frightened when I got that call,” he continues. “All I could think about was the fact that you could be dead because of me.”

  Her heart goes out to Javan. Tia slides closer to him and wraps her arm around his torso, patting his back. He places his hand on her waist, making sure not to graze her wounds. Their faces are inches apart. Tia is uncertain of what she is doing. All she knows is that, more than anything, this is where she wants to be right now.

  “I didn’t ask your permission to join me this evening. Are you comfortable with being here?” he inquires, staring down at her mouth. She nods. Javan moves his jaw upward and gently kisses her forehead, breathing in the scent of her hair.

  Tia closes her eyes, absorbing his touch. Her pulse echoes through her body, as she pulls him closer. His jaw moves down and she looks up into his eyes. Frightened, she slides her head down to his chest. He squeezes her tightly, stroking her hair. Neither of them wanting to let go.

  **********

  It was a rainy afternoon, during the summer of Tia’s thirteenth birthday.
Her father was still at work and Edwin had the afternoon off. She sat somberly on the couch, annoyed that Mr. Avery kept her father from spending time with her on her birthday. Also, she was annoyed that the rain kept her from an afternoon of rock climbing.

  “Do you want some dinner soon?” Edwin asked, peering above his book.

  “Sure,” she answered, not really hungry.

  Edwin sighed, “What can I get you? Pizza? Chicken? Smack along side the head?”

  Tia cracked a smile, “Pizza sounds good.”

  “Alright, sweetie.” Her uncle headed for the kitchen, as Tia watched out the window. The rain came down heavier than usual.

  She heard a knock at the door.

  “Could you get that?” Edwin called from the kitchen.

  She answered the door to find a young man that Tia could only guess was around eighteen. He was slender and soaked from head to toe. His blue eyes glimmered at the sight of Tia. She found herself speechless.

  “Hi,” he finally said, breathless. His white t-shirt stuck to his chest.

  “Hi,” she responded. Edwin walked over.

  “Who’s at the door?” He stopped in his tracks, then replied, “Tia, will you excuse us for a moment?” She wouldn’t budge. Edwin grabbed the young man’s arm and pulled him outside.

  Tia watched the boy smirk at her. The door closed and Tia was alone in the living room, wondering what just happened.

  **********

  Tia’s neck is stiff as she wakes up the following morning. Her head is still resting under Javan’s chin, and his arm cups her waist. The sun pours into the window of the hotel room. He stirs and Tia glances up at him. They both smile, embarrassed.

  “Looks like a little while turned into all night,” he jokes, his eyes barely opened.

  “Apparently so,” Tia agrees, blushing. Tia can’t believe they fell asleep like this. She wonders what Javan thinks of her, using him as a giant teddy bear for the night. Tia pulls away and climbs out of bed. She has to hold the pants up as she walks across the hotel room.

  “Where are you going?” he questions, watching her move.

  “The bathroom,” she answers, closing the door behind her. Tia examines her body, which is mostly free of pain. She can tell the bruising reduced dramatically over night.

  While washing her hands in the sink, Tia peeks at all Javan’s toiletries, spread across the counter. He has a razor, toothbrush, floss, combs, and some form of cologne.

  Tia grabs the bottle and takes a small whiff of his cologne, allowing the scent to penetrate her nose. She sets the bottle down, then notices his wallet laying on the counter, beside a set of keys. Tia realizes he must have set it there during his shower the night before. Curious, she opens up his wallet.

  Inside, she finds a drivers identification. His photo is rather plain, yet Tia thinks he is still handsome. She sees a packet of wallet sized photographs. The front picture is of two boys, one is around seventeen, maybe eighteen. Tia senses she knows the man, but can’t quite place him. In his arms is a toddler. She assumes they must be family members of Javan.

  Tia moves on to the next photograph. It’s a woman with beautiful dark hair and fair skin. She has hints of grey in the hair around her face, and she is laughing. Tia can tell right away this woman is Javan’s mother.

  The picture behind it is of, what Tia can guess to be, a younger Javan. His back is turned towards the camera with his arms wrapped around a girl, who Tia believes is the same age. Tia assumes they are no older than sixteen in this photograph.

  “Tia?” Javan calls through the door. Startled, she places the wallet back where it originally lay on the counter. She opens the door. He is standing, leaning on the door frame. His hair, for the first time since Tia met him, is unkempt.

  “I just wanted to see if you were alright, and I need to use the facility,” he grins, then yawns

  “Of course, I was just finishing up,” she exits the bathroom, allowing him to pass. Tia decides to make the bed, and straighten up any mess she made last night. She collects the towels used to cleanse her wounds, now soaked in blood, and places them in a hamper. Tia worries what the cleaning staff will think when they find this. Javan exits the bathroom, and smiles at Tia.

  “What are you doing, silly?” he questions her, rubbing his eyes.

  “I don’t want to make things harder for the maids,” she replies, straightening the bedspread.

  “Well, we have a busy schedule ahead of us. Allison should arrive in a few minutes. Then, I have a meeting at ten-thirty with the other leaders. Also, you probably want to get back to your hotel. I wonder how I can get you there without anyone finding out you stayed here. I’m sure we could arrange a car to pick you up out the back entrance.”

  “I could just take the bus,” Tia offers, wishing not to inconvenience him.

  “Non-sense. It’s safer for you to be escorted by my assistants. No one will know they work for me if they take you in a plain vehicle. In fact,” Javan thinks for a moment, “I’m concerned about you being alone in your hotel room.”

  “I should be fine,” Tia attempts to re-assure him. “I only have two more nights there.”

  There is a knock on the door. “That should be Allison,” Javan remarks. He welcomes her into the room. She is dressed plainly, just as the previous evening. Tia smiles at the sight of her and greets her, “Hello, doctor.”

  “Call me Allison.” She returns the grin. “Please sit on the couch and I will examine your wounds. How are you feeling this morning?”

  “My side is still sore to the touch. Other than that, I feel fine,” Tia responds, sitting down on the couch, next to Allison.

  “That’s to be expected; let me check your stitches.” First, she examines both arms, which appear to be almost fully healed. Then, she lifts the t-shirt, slightly, to view Tia’s stomach. “All of them can be removed, I will need to apply some more medication to your stomach, though, just for precaution.” Allison goes to work removing stitches and applying a cream to the area on Tia’s stomach. She is amazed at how fast Regnumian meds work.

  “Remember, no strenuous activity until the event this afternoon. I would prefer to check up on you tomorrow before the meetings, just to ensure you are fully recovered.”

  “If you are sure. I don’t want to inconvenience you,” Tia comments, afraid she is putting Allison out of her way.

  “It’s no trouble at all,” she assures her. “I will stop by your hotel room tomorrow morning. Mr. Leporem told me which room it’s in.” Allison stands, collecting her bag.

  “Thank you, again,” Tia replies. Allison just nods.

  Javan escorts Allison to the door, shaking her hand as she exits.

  “I am guessing you would like to take a shower,” he remarks, walking over to her.

  “I can shower at my hotel, it’s fine,” she offers. Tia doesn’t want to leave, however, she knows Javan is pressed for time. He peers down at her pants, which she is holding up with her other hand due to her petite size.

  “You need an outfit anyway. I will call one in for you, have my assistant pick something up. Go ahead and clean up, you can use my robe until the clothes arrive. You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish, Tia. I will arrange for a car to pick you up whenever you are ready.” Javan grabs the phone, without letting Tia respond.

  She decides a shower is probably best to soften the suspicion of last night’s kidnapping. Last thing she needs is for anyone to suspect she was anywhere but sleeping in her room, the night before. Disrobing, she sees the bruises she has left are mainly where her clothes will cover. With all those eyes watching her today, she does not wish to have anything odd appearing on her body.

  After her shower, she uses his robe, just as Javan advised, and wraps her hair in a towel. Her cheeks are red at the thought of Javan being in the same room as her with nothing on but a bathrobe. Nevertheless, she enters the room to find him on the phone, still. His back is turned away from the bat
hroom, and Tia over hears his conversation.

  “Well, I thought you should know what happened. Have you thought about telling her what is going on?”

  “Yes, I understand the problem.” Javan doesn’t realize Tia is behind him; he has not moved an inch since she came out of the shower.

  “She has to know, and if anyone tells her, I think it should be you, sir. No offense. I don’t mean to step out of line here, but it appears obvious to me that she has no clue...”

  He is now quiet, listening to the person on the other end of the call. Tia is curious as to why a leader of a capitol would be referring to anyone as “sir”. Tia goes unnoticed, she attempts to stay still, listening intently.

  “Don’t you believe she deserves to know the truth?” Javan’s voice rising. “Yes, I understand, it’s not my decision. I don’t know her that well, but I feel a closeness to her...”

  “I see. I respect your wishes, sir. However, I must advise against it,” Javan’s voice is somber. He places his head in his hand.

  “We will discuss this another time, then,” he remarks with a sigh. Tia panics, she doesn’t want Javan to think she heard him the whole time. She gently closes the door and waits a few more moments before entering, again. This time, Javan is off the phone and sitting on the couch. His back is hunched over, and he appears tense. Tia decides it might be best to break the silence.

  “Thank you, again, for letting me shower here,” she mentions, grabbing his attention. Javan turns and faces Tia. “Of course, anytime.” He stands up and approaches her. His face is still sullen, as though the weight of the world is balancing on his shoulders.

  “Everything alright?” Tia pries.

  “Just great.” He composes himself into a calm demeanor. His eyes peer down at her face, then along the line of her neck. It is as though a light bulb goes off in his head. “Tia, where is your necklace?”

  “In my hotel room, why?” she inquires, puzzled.

  “When did you see it last?” His eyes are wide.

  “I don’t remember exactly, I think it was on my night stand yesterday morning.” Tia wonders what Javan is so concerned about.