Electus (Regnum Series Book 1)

by K. M. Link

  "Why don't you get him to join the party,” Fera suggests, gesturing his direction. Tia nods and walks up to Javan.

  "Don't you own any normal clothes?” she pries, glancing at Javan's dress pants.

  "Like what?" he asks.

  "Jeans, t-shirts, anything that doesn’t require cuff links.” He just shrugs. "Come on, I bet we have something in the house that will do.” Tia grabs his hand, its warmth radiates against her skin. They enter the house and head up the stairs to Edwin's bedroom.

  "You should be around the same build,” she mumbles, releasing his hand. Tia pulls out a pair of jeans from his dresser and a t-shirt. "Will these fit?" she questions, holding them up to Javan's waist. He stares down at her.

  "That will work,” Javan finally responds. Tia senses there is something something he wishes to discuss.

  “Everything alright?” Tia probes, hoping he will open up.

  “The night you were drunk, and I told you that I had a meeting, I was here,” he responds.

  “In Edwin’s room?”

  “No,” he smirks, “My meeting was with your father. He wanted to see me. He was concerned about you. Osborn made me promise to protect you. Last night, when they grabbed me, I thought I let him down. Not only did I take his life, I put his daughter in harms way and broke my promise.”

  “It was my idea to go there last night, I don’t blame you,” Tia replies, a little hurt that Javan’s reason for being near her was because her father sought him out.

  “Either way, I haven’t done a great job,” he replies.

  “I think you did just fine,” Tia offers, hoping it will make Javan cheer up some. Javan gently touches her fingers with his. He glides his fingers over her arms. Tia absorbs his touch, closing her eyes.

  "Look at me,” Javan commands softly.

  She opens her eyes, peering into his. They still seem worn and broken. Javan removes his hands from her arms and grabs the jeans.

  "Thank you,” he remarks, exiting the room and leaving Tia speechless, as usual. She heads out to rejoin the party. Nathan and Delilah are cuddling on a log. She sees Tia and flashes her a smile. Fera is chatting with Edwin, and Daniel is enjoying a hot dog. Allison and Jacob are both sipping their beer. Quade is two beers down already.

  Tia sits down in a chair next to Quade and Daniel. "Want one?" Daniel offers Tia a hot dog.

  "No thanks,” she replies, her body absorbing the flames. It’s a warm relief to a chilly evening.

  "Where's Javan?" Quade pries, sitting back in his chair.

  "I lent him some of Edwin's clothes so he could be more comfortable,” she answers, folding her arms.

  "Did you help him dress, too?" he jokes. Tia turns and glares at him before answering, "No, Quade."

  He doesn't respond, just stares at the fire. Javan enters the back yard with Edwin's jeans and a red t-shirt on. Tia can't take her eyes off of him. She has never seen him in any other pallet than black and white.

  He moves over to sit in the empty seat beside her.

  "You look more comfortable,” she comments.

  "Yeah, this isn't so bad. It's been ages since I wore jeans, actually."

  "Do you want anything to eat? Daniel is making everyone hot dogs,” Tia offers, hoping the tension between them can finally break.

  "How about a beer?" Quade buts in. Javan glances at him. "Actually, both sound good,” he responds, pleasantly.

  "Good idea, another beer does sound good.” Quade grabs them both one and hands Javan his. Something in his eyes frightens Tia. This is how he was the night she had dinner with Javan, the night Quade almost took advantage of her.

  "Thank you, Quade,” Javan replies, his eyes locked on Quade’s, as though he senses it, too.

  "Your hot dog should be ready in a moment, Mr. Leporem." Daniel advises, holding it over the fire.

  Javan turns to Tia, leaning into her ear, “What is he doing with my hot dog?" Tia is taken aback. “You don't know? Have you ever been to a bonfire?"

  "No,” he responds.

  “They are a human tradition,” she replies, confused.

  "My stepfather never allowed us to have them. He believed they were considered low class.”

  “Oh,” Tia replies, “well, we will make sure you have a good time tonight, then.”

  “Here’s your hot dog, Mr. Leporem,” Daniel offers him the dog on a bun. “Thank you, Mr. Cloud,” Javan replies, accepting it. He is about to eat it and Tia stares at him.

  “What am I doing wrong now?” he questions her, raising his eyebrow.

  “Come on, we have toppings over here,” she stands and he follows her over to a small table with condiments lined up on it. Disregarding if Javan wants it or not, Tia dresses his hot dog with a variety of toppings.

  “Let’s see, ketchup, mustard, relish, oh onions, chili, and cheese is always good.” She holds it out for him, grinning.

  “It looks rather flamboyant for food,” he replies.

  “Trust me, you’ll like it,” she responds, nodding her head. He takes a bite and his eyes light up. “Mmm.”

  “Told you,” she smirks, “you are actually making me hungry for one. Hey Daniel, burn one for me will ya.”

  “Coming right up,” he answers.

  “Your hot dog might have to wait, Tia!” Fera hollers as she turns the music up. Her favorite song is on the radio and she pulls Daniel up to dance. Soon, Delilah and Nathan are following. Tia turns her attention back to Javan, whose hot dog is completely demolished.

  “I’m guessing you enjoyed it?” she teases. Javan nods and takes a swig of beer to wash it down.

  “Tia, let’s dance,” Quade pulls her away from Javan, out to the grass with everyone else. She peers back at Javan, but doesn’t want to be rude to Quade, and admits that she likes the song.

  They dance for a while and another song begins, it’s one of Tia’s favorites, so her and Quade continue to move. Tia feels herself let loose a little and remembers why she enjoys spending time with Quade. He does know how to have fun, she admits to herself.

  Javan taps Quade on the shoulder, “May I cut in?” Quade glances at Tia and mockingly bows to Javan, before turning away. Quade sits down and opens his fourth beer for the evening. They finish out the song.

  “Looks as though you know how to do something other than the waltz,” she laughs.

  “Apparently so,” he smirks.

  The song drops down to an end as a slow moving tune sounds from the stereo.

  Javan is hesitant at first, but he places his hands on her waist. She moves her arms and loops them around his neck, growing closer to him, her face inches from his. Tia feels bold this evening and wants to be near him. Neither of them speak, just slowly move to the beat of the song. He stares at her eyes that sparkle in the fire light. Tia watches him lean down, resting his forehead on hers. Her heart pounds faster, her fingers running through his dark, thick hair.

  He releases her, rather suddenly, “I’m sorry, Tia. I shouldn’t have...” he doesn’t finish his thought, just takes off toward the house. Quade follows him, grabbing his shoulder.

  “What the fuck, bro?” Quade asks him, as he turns around.

  “Excuse me?” Javan replies.

  “Quit messing with Tia!”

  “I don’t have time to discuss this, Mr. Tendo. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed,” Javan answers, turning, once more, in the other direction.

  “No, I think now is the time to talk about this. You just walk in here and screw up everyone’s life. You killed Tia’s father last night, right in front of her. Then, you continue to work with Mr. Avery to put our lives in danger.” Javan faces Quade, once more. “On top of it, you coaxed this girl into being your mistress,” Quade slurs as he speaks, but most of it comes across clearly.

  "Maybe it's time to slow it down on the drinks, bud,” Daniel comments, approaching him.

  “I advise you never speak to me like that again, Quade,”
Javan asserts, not taking his eyes off of him.

  “Why? Because the truth hurts? Don’t you want everyone to know what has been going on between you and Tia?” Quade stumbles closer to him.

  “I warned you, already. You are making a scene here. If you care anything for Tia, you might want to...”

  “If I care about her? Look who’s talking. She was a candidate! The poor girl was gone almost every night this week, staying in your hotel room. Was it even consensual? Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Tia, you earned the highest points in the Electus.” He turns around to glance at her. “Tell me, was it five points for each time you made him cum?”

  Javan loses control of his temper and swings at Quade, who turns back around, his fist meeting Quade’s nose. He grabs his face, blood dripping down. Quade doesn’t waste time, just strikes Javan in the jaw. Soon, they are going at each other. Both of them taking shots, until Quade knocks Javan to the ground.

  “Stop it!” Tia yells, her eyes welting up. They ignore her cry and continue to wrestle in the grass. Quade is beating Javan heavily, yammering, “Not so tough now are you? Dealing with someone your own size!”

  “Break it up!” Edwin pulls Quade off of Javan. “That’s enough of this girl fight.”

  Quade struggles against Edwin, at first, but he soon runs out of steam. Everyone is staring at them, now. Tia feels her face turn red. Javan stands up, catching his breath. He glares at Quade.

  “Doesn’t matter, anyway. We both know who she chose,” Javan responds, then glances at Tia. His eyes filled with heartache. He wipes blood off his lip and limps toward the house. Tia sits down in her chair, wondering what in the world Javan Leporem is talking about.

  Day 7: Home Sweet Home

  Chapter 23

  Tia tosses and turns a majority of the night on a cot set up in the living room. She offered her bed to Allison, who Tia had to practically beg to accept. Javan remains passed out on the couch when she wakes up. His face is slightly bruised, but the medicine Allison gave him and Quade reduced the swelling. After the brawl last night, the party died down and Tia stayed out late cleaning up the mess so as to avoid Javan and Quade.

  She hears voices coming from the direction of the kitchen, as the scent of coffee tickles her nose. Tia pretends not to be aroused, so that she can over hear their conversation. From the sounds of it, it’s Edwin and Javan’s assistant chatting.

  “You should consider moving to Elatus, now that you don’t have anything keeping you here. You could reconnect with your brother and would see Tia,” the man, whose name Tia still does not know, suggests to Edwin.

  “I’m not sure, there are so many memories here of Osborn, and I have Fera for company if I become lonely. Then again, I would miss Tia very much. I mean, I watched her grow up, raised her as my own. It’s going to be a tough transition being completely alone,” Edwin responds.

  Tia realizes how self-centered she’s been the past week. She was so wrapped up in her own grief, she didn’t see what pain Edwin would endure. Not only did he lose the love of his life, he doesn’t even have Tia around to keep him company. Maybe I can make things easier for him, she thinks.

  She crawls out of her cot and enters the kitchen, then gives him a hug.

  “Well, someone is affectionate this morning,” Edwin remarks, embracing her, as well. Tia peers up at him.

  “You should come with us. I don’t want you being alone here in this house. It’s falling apart and dad’s gone. Besides, you hate your job at the grocery store, we both know that,” she requests, giving him puppy dog eyes.

  “Alright. Only because I will miss you. Besides, I think Mr. Avery will kick me out of here since I’m not of Regnumian descent,” he responds, smiling at her. “Though, I can’t do it today, you guys are leaving in a few hours. I will try to make it there as soon as I make arrangements.” He kisses the top of her head.

  Tia is relieved at his response. She pours herself some coffee, as a few of the other people in the house stir and amble into the kitchen. Fera felt it was best to have Quade separated from Javan for the evening and invited him to stay at her home. Daniel joined them to keep an eye on Quade. Delilah and Nathan followed along. The rest stayed at Edwin’s house.

  “Thank you for letting me use your bed, Tia,” Allison mentions, yawning, as she enters the kitchen.

  “Of course,” Tia replies, handing her a cup of coffee. Javan shuffles into the kitchen. His eyes are barely open.

  “Good morning, Mike Tyson, want some coffee?” Edwin greets Javan.

  “No, thank you,” he sits down at the counter, without acknowledging Tia.

  “I should go ahead and dress, we need to leave soon,” she remarks, exiting the kitchen. Javan is the last person she wants to speak to. Well, second to last, Quade is dead last. He started all this.

  It’s a six hour flight from Urbi to Elatus. All the required parties arrive at the airport at half past ten. Quade avoids everyone’s gaze, keeping to himself. Tia is rather quiet, just listening to Nathan talk about Elatus. It is starting to sound like an exciting place to live, Tia thinks. She wonders if Quade was right and her parents will be on the search for her. Part of her wants to meet them, but she feels like she is cheating on Osborn and Edwin, wondering about them.

  Javan hands everyone their tickets, and they board the plane. Tia sits next to Allison during the flight to avoid any sort of drama erupting. Besides, Allison is someone Tia is curious about. She seems to have such an interesting life for a Regnumian.

  “How are you doing since last night’s brawl?” Allison questions Tia.

  “I’m okay, just glad we are finally ending this week,” she answers, pulling a blanket over her legs.

  “It has been quite a doosey,” Allison exhales, then asks the flight attendant for a drink. “This early in the morning?” Tia pries.

  “I don’t enjoy flying, a drink is the only thing that eases my nerves,” she responds, taking a deep breath. Tia never flew before, therefore she has no idea if she is afraid or not. Most things don’t frighten Tia, at least not physical fears. Social anxiety is high on her list.

  “Well, maybe it won’t be so bad this time,” Tia assures Allison.

  Once they lift off and are in the air, Tia lays back and sleeps.

  Javan and Quade are fighting on a roped bridge, above a river. They knock each other off, causing Tia to scream and reach out for both of them. Suddenly, she arrives in Elatus and it’s a prison. Tia glances down to discover shackles tied to her limbs. Javan has a whip, and is using it on every other Regnumian there, but her. Next, she is in the hospital. Tia peers at her stomach and realizes she is pregnant. Quade is beside her, holding her hand, telling her to push, out comes a baby that looks like Javan. Quade becomes enraged and strikes her.

  Tia wakes up in sweat, and her is heart pounding. Allison turns to her, removing her ear piece.

  “You alright, my dear?” she inquires. Suddenly, Tia feels queazy and runs to the airplane lavatory. She is lucky it is unoccupied, because she throws up rather quickly. Tia rinses out her mouth, then opens the door to the restroom. Javan goes to enter, causing them to bump into one another.

  “Sorry,” she mumbles, trying to sneak past him.

  “It’s alright. Allison said you weren’t feeling well. Is there anything I can do?” Javan offers her. She avoids his eyes.

  “I’m fine, thank you.” Tia heads for her seat, sitting next to Allison, once more.

  “Here,” she offers Tia some pills. “These will help ease your stomach.”

  “Thank you,” Tia accepts them, then stares out the window. For the first time, she has a chance to see the ocean. It calms her mind, just thinking about nature, and she closes her eyes to rest, once more. She doesn’t dream this time but wakes up to Allison shaking her shoulder.

  “Tia,” she whispers, “we’re home.” Tia opens her eyes, peering out the window. They have yet to land, all she can detect is vast fields of green, followed by
a dense urban setting. Tia’s heart leaps in excitement. This is Elatus.

  Javan has his crew take all of his candidates to their new dwellings. He has several important matters to attend to since he is back home a day late. Tia and Delilah enter their tiny house, assigned to them by the capitol. It’s a simple home, just slightly larger than the one Tia had in Urbi. However, it has some updates in structure. The walls are freshly painted, the roof isn’t sinking in, and they each have a room complete with dresser and full sized beds.

  “This is nice,” Tia remarks, and Delilah nods in agreement. Quade and Daniel have a place next door, and Nathan has the option of moving in or residing with his family. He choses to move in with Quade and Daniel, seeing as there is an extra room, and it will be so much closer to Delilah.

  They spend most of day unpacking. Tia did not bring much with her, but Delilah’s parents already shipped most of her possessions to the new address. Tia helps her with boxes of clothes and books, while listening to Delilah talk about Nathan. She can discern by Delilah’s broad smile that they really hit it off.

  Tia is relieved that Delilah and her can become close. She is going to going to miss Fera and their time together, but at least Tia now has Delilah for another female companion.

  “It sounds like you two are really happy together,” Tia notes, cheerfully.

  “Can I ask you about something?” Delilah pries.

  “Sure, I don’t see why not,” Tia responds, thinking it is an opinion or advice that Delilah is searching for.

  “Why did you try to drown yourself the other night?”

  Tia hesitates, absorbing the shock of her question. “I wasn’t thinking clearly,” she exhales. “I watched my father die, just moments before and this past week was less than pleasant. I didn’t get to thank you for helping Mr. Leporem in getting to me in time. If it wasn’t for you both...”

  “Don’t mention it. Just so you know, I don’t believe what Quade was saying last night. You know, about you sleeping your way to the top. It didn’t look like you and Mr. Leporem had that kind of arrangement. I mean, I don’t know if you two slept together, and it’s not my business. From what I saw, he cares for you in a lot deeper way than how Quade made it sound.”