Regius

by Nastasia Peters

  "Sire!" She didn't turn her head to see his face and possibly read the expression to make sense out of the situation. His other arm came around her waist, trapping her so she couldn’t move her arms. She was Regius, thus stronger than a regular female. But stronger than Xania? Very far from. He was a pure blood, straight from the royal line.

  "Prove you are Regius." Xania's voice was right beside Maya's ear, and her heart nearly stopped beating at his words. Would her life truly depend on Mallow? Did Xania care so little to use her to make the Seer bow down to him? Chances of Mallow caring what happened to Maya were slim. They'd never met, never been close, never truly talked. More importantly, unless one could read minds, to the world Maya seemed to be Xania's most trustworthy servant.

  The Seer's teeth visibly gritted but no words were spoken and Maya squeezed her eyes shut as she braced herself for death at the hands of the Steward. Although not afraid, the betrayal she felt towards Xania was so overwhelming tears stung the contours of her eyes. Remembering how she'd once had a purpose in life, she couldn't seem to figure out how things had gone so awry and off course.

  "Wait!" Maya’s eyes sprung open as Mallow’s voice rung through the air, her golden eyes pleading as she looked at Xania. “Don’t.” She whispered.

  Maya could see the Seer peek up, eyes fearful as she carefully watched the Steward’s reaction. Gulping herself, her gaze never detached from Mallow, even when Xania removed the knife from her neck and took a step away from her.

  "I-" Inhaling shakily, the Seer reluctantly knelt down to the ground, pressing her forehead onto the ballroom platform. "My loyalty and allegiance are to you now, my lord. I pledge obedience."

  Dumbfounded with the sudden turn of events, Maya couldn't seem to reach the anger she felt towards Xania, nor did she manage to gather her wits to ask the Seer why. Instead, she focused on the golden liquid that streamed out of Mallow's eyes, and she stepped forward and knelt down, her hand resting on the Seer's shoulder in a sympathetic gesture. Before anyone could stop her, Mallow looked into Maya's eyes.

  "Galax will never become king now that he's lost his queen."

  Maya smothered the gasp that wanted to escape her, hoping the Steward hadn’t seen the slight stiffness that had settled in her shoulders.

  "You will stay within the castle and from now on, you will keep me updated on whatever may happen in the future." Xania pulled Maya away from Mallow. "Maya, go now and take a moment to compose yourself. I shall join you in my bedroom as soon as I am done here." Eyes never detaching from the Seer, Maya nodded her head absently and started to walk towards the ballroom's exit, feeling pained as she was forced to rip her gaze from Mallow's.

  After stepping back out into the hallway, Maya took a moment to lean against ballroom door, breathing in steadily, her eyes closed as she repeated Mallow's words in her head. Of course the Seer would know who Maya was. With the right thoughts and words, she could receive a vision on any subject.

  Feeling fright trying to squirm its way into her system, Maya managed to block those feelings out, remembering the look of determination on Mallow's face. Latching onto the Seer's courage, she tried to seek out some kind of bravery laying dormant within. If she found it, Maya wasn't quite sure, but she was going to listen to what the Seer had told her to do.

  Instead of walking straight forward into the hallway and back to the Harem's foyer, she made her way down the stairs, to the dungeon. She was leaving this castle, abandoning the harem and running away from Xania.

  Maya had believed her purpose had died along with the Queen. Mallow had just told her it hadn't.

  As she opened the large wooden door that led inside the dungeon, she realized that the dungeon itself wasn’t what would be most terrifying.

  * * * *

  Chapter 25

  Solenum Everhart

  "Cali." I sent a dull stare his way. Although I was not completely aware how long it had been since I'd gotten out of the dungeon and back by Cali's side, we had slept in this forest twice. Having been forced to run in fear from getting caught by one of the Regius soldiers, trackers or assassins, we hadn't really taken a moment to enjoy being back in each other’s presence. In the end, I realized that we didn't need it since we seemed to just click back into our regular old ways.

  He sighed dramatically. "Yes, Solenum?"

  Grinning, I poked his side with a tree branch, leading him to flip over onto his stomach, yellow eyes glaring into my own. "What?!" He barked, clearly reminding me of the fact he was not a morning person.

  "I'm so hungry." I rubbed my belly and smacked my dry lips.

  "Would you shut up and just go hunt a bunny already?" I had missed him terribly.

  "You do it."

  "Why?"

  "You're the man."

  "That is your thinnest argument yet. Try something else."

  Rolling my eyes, I decided to just let that go for now and concentrate on something else. I was glad I wasn't alone in this. When I'd jumped off the island to enter the black pit, I hadn't really thought about having to go home. I'd concentrated on getting out of the dungeon, not so much of what would lay ahead. Now, being stuck in this forest and having no idea what was the right way to go, having Calycanthus by my side was certainly made things less hard.

  Galax was always present in my mind and although I'd tried for a moment to push him to the back, it hadn't worked and I knew it never would. Cali had told me he'd met him, that they'd talked. It was strange to get my best friend's opinion on my boyfriend. As we'd been apart when I'd met Galax, I never had thought about what it would be like when they’d meet. I hadn't been too surprised to hear that Galax had lashed out. Although I had stayed clear of the idea as much as I could, when Cali talked of Galax's instability, I realized I'd been right to worry. What made me feel better is that my best friend had once again used his extreme kindness to help someone. I'm sure Galax was grateful for it as well.

  Then came the issue of Datura Lovelace. After all I'd heard about him, I'd been able to guess he and Cali had gotten in contact, possible become best friends again. But lovers? I didn't frown at the idea, I was just really, really, proud that Cali had managed to get to that point on his own without me needing to nudge him. He had finally figured out how to deal with his emotions all by himself.

  A lot had happened and although we'd both silently been upset about not being present when the changes had occurred, it wasn't stronger than the happiness we felt at being back by each other’s sides. Unfortunately, now we were apart from our respective boyfriends and we were forced to face the fact that we weren't enough for one another anymore.

  "We should keep moving."

  Nodding at Cali's statement, I reluctantly got back up onto my feet, slowly following him to...wherever. We had no destination and because neither of us had the patience to just sit and wait for whoever was to come find us, we decided to keep moving around. Mallow hadn’t given an exact location, which, even if she had, we were in Immortalis Silva and we’d never have found it.

  While not completely recovered from all the trials I'd had to go through in the dungeon, I'd certainly managed to catch up on a good amount of sleep and my body was starting to feel better and better. And Cali had reminded me of the flower Mallow had given me. I'd used it to heal my hands as they'd been the worst and would only continue to get damaged since I had to always use them. The rest could heal at its own speed. Except maybe the haunting atmosphere of that place. It would never truly leave me. And the worry for Robinia was huge.

  "Had I listened to Jaja's blabbering a bit more attentively, I could know what plants we could eat." Cali muttered, kicking some forest dirt with his foot, his Extraxie in hand as he swung it back and forth.

  The boy was never unarmed. I understood; I was missing the presence of Icendia in my hand right now. I wondered if it still lay in the same spot on the Pallium training ground where I'd last left it before Digitalis had gotten his hands on me. Had Galax moved it into our quarters? Maybe he'd broug
ht it with him when he'd gone to the Coliseum. I guess I wouldn't find out for a long while.

  "Jaja is the one named Jatrop Jansen who's married to Dandelion, right? The researcher?"

  "Yeah."

  I caught a glimpse of a small grin playing on Cali's lips. Once I'd have been jealous if he'd made other friends without me, but while he'd made friends in the Coliseum, I had done the same thing during my stay in the Pallium garage. The separation had sucked, but I could see the good it had done. It had helped us both realize that it was okay to become close to other people.

  "Can you believe how different things are?" Cali interrupted my thoughts, leading me to raise an eyebrow. "Only a couple of months ago we were poking each other with wooden swords and now we're your regular student Altor soldiers, wielding sharp and dangerous tools."

  Smiling a tad, I nodded. "I had a hard time grasping it when I was in Cobalt City. I don't think I realized the extent of our new futures and truths until I stepped out of that hole only two days ago."

  "You're so brave, Sol." Cali suddenly murmured, his gaze soft and caring as it landed on me. "You've been through so much and I can see it on you physically, but also in your demeanor. It feels like it’s been years. We were kids before our separation."

  "We still are." I laughed softly, reminding him of our tender eighteen years.

  "Yeah." Grinning, he shrugged. "But you know, I don't feel like a kid anymore." The smile vanished from my face as I listened to his following words. "I got dragged out of my home and had to come to terms that I'd been lied to my entire life as quickly as possible as my newfound enemy didn't exactly leave me time to grasp the whole thing. Not only that, I'd lost my best friend and had to figure out who I am far sooner than I'd expected. I am who I am, but it was hard to get there.”

  A soft chuckle escaped him. “I put Datura through a lot of mood swings. Now, as I think back on it, I wonder why I couldn't just be okay with it and say I'm gay." Wrinkling his nose, obviously not at the statement but more the situation he'd gone through, he sighed heavily. "I didn't even get the chance to tell him I love him."

  "Cali..."

  "Eh, I lost my point completely, didn't I?" He smiled weakly. "What I'm saying is; we're part of a war now and being kids is no longer a privilege we have."

  "You're just as brave as me, you know?" Wishing to lighten the mood, I stepped over to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and grinning. "You've grown taller, definitely still shorter than me, but you're staring at my nose rather than my mouth now. Quite an achievement." I laughed as he pushed me away, sending me a hurt look.

  "It's not my fault!" He protested. "I blame it on my genes."

  "I still can't believe we're cousins."

  "Right?" Cali laughed. "And the Seer side of things both clarified a bunch of stuff but also made things a whole lot more complicated."

  "I'm glad. Without it, Vervaine wouldn't have been able to remove that barrier and give you back your memories. Although I don't envy Mallow's insanity."

  Cali stopped in his tracks, raising an eyebrow in my direction. "Right, because you're so sane for dating the prince of all respective doom? Honestly, Sol, I've met the guy. It's agreed that he's definitely not cruel and I'll allow that he's the tamest Regius on Zinc, but he's the heir. Of all people, and I'm sure there were plenty of hot Pallium boys with potential in that garage, did you have to go for the one with blue hair and the mark on the forehead that to all Altors and Palliums screams danger? Not that I agree with them, but did you have to go with the most complicated target?"

  Pressing my lips tightly together, I reached out and pulled the second blade off his back so I could clash it against the one he was wielding.

  "Sapphire. His hair is the color of sapphire." I corrected. "And when it comes to whacked out picks concerning boyfriends, are you sure you're one to talk? Because-" Blocking a blow he sent my way, I sidestepped him and grinned as he halted the slam of the sword I'd been about to throw at his back. "Although I’ve never met Datura." I continued. "I've heard a lot about the guy and I figure now is the moment I point out that being able to communicate with ghosts and souls isn't one of the most normal things a person can harbor as an ability." Cali had gotten strong!

  "You fight like a Pallium." My glare had him add. "That wasn't an insult!"

  "You fight like an Altor." Wanting to wipe the proud grin off his face, I added, "That was an insult."

  "So you have the knowledge to wire a car and make it bullet proof. Big whoop. Palliums are far too arrogant."

  Snorting, I launched myself forward, rolling over the ground and blocking his blade once I lay on my back, using my feet to knock him up and over my head. Standing back up, I chuckled as he blinked in surprise to find himself lying on the forest floor.

  "I think both species suffer from the same delusion, Cali." I offered him my hand, wanting to help him up.

  I barely had the time to register the evil grin on his face before I found myself flying backwards. I rolled across the forest ground when my flight ended. Breathless and beyond confused, I finally halted.

  "What the hell was that?" I looked over at Cali and then frowned deeply when I couldn't see him anymore.

  "Oh." He said airily. "I just acquired this ability. It's no big deal." He appeared out of nowhere.

  "Seer barriers?!" I growled as I stood. "While I was being chased by dogs, blades and fire, you were tapping into powers Vervaine gave you?"

  "If it makes you feel better, I'm rather sure she didn't mean to give me them." He ducked a rock I threw at him, laughing.

  "And you used them on me?!"

  "If I'd meant to hurt you, the Seer part in me wouldn't have allowed it, remember?" He stepped closer, plucking leaves out of my jacket and patting my hair to straighten it.

  Shaking my head in amusement, I looped my arm through his. "We should bout more often."

  "Agreed." He nodded. "How long do you think we'll have to stay here?" He asked as we continued on our way.

  I shrugged. "No clue. But I'm thinking long enough for us to have time to figure out how to catch, kill and grill a bunny."

  * * * *

  Chapter 26

  Delph Riddle

  While people I'd once been close to saw Brass as a bad influence, I couldn't help but disagree. And not because I was just that stubborn. Was Brass the most righteous guy on Zinc? Far from, but I knew he wasn't the worst guy. There were sides to him that not everybody was allowed to see, but those he chose to show, were different because of it. Brass was the type of person that once you knew him, he had such an effect about the way you viewed everything you used to know.

  I'd never been a wuss, but he was the one that told me it was okay to voice my wants I hadn't dared speak aloud. One of had been to get out of LV. If I'd told Helix, he wouldn't have understood. Brass though, he didn't close off. He listened without judging, gave me objective and positive opinions without letting his personal feelings meddle into it. I didn't know a lot of people like that and it’s what made it easy to forget all the fights we'd once had.

  He thirsted for adventure as I did, willing to see a side of Zinc that seemed frightening when you'd lived your entire life in this remote and secluded village. Brass’ motives weren’t completely pure or good. It needed to be pointed out that his main reason for wanting to get out of LV was because he'd 'nailed all the pretty girls in this hell hole, so it was time to get out and see what other fish he could land'. Not exactly close to my motives for wanting to get out, but I chose to ignore Brass' high level of hormones and figured that all I needed to focus on was that I wasn't alone anymore. Turns out it's sorta important not to be alone when moving to the big city.

  Cobalt City was definitely very different from Lithium Village. One of the main key differences was this thing called 'rent'.

  "Stuff doesn't work the same here as it did in LV." Brass agreed with my thoughts. We were trying to make our way through Cobalt City's busy main street, which was proving to be difficult
. Whereas both of us had earned a level of respect in LV, we really did not have the reputation here. Basically, this meant the streets didn't clear to let us pass. It would take some getting used to.

  "For crying out loud!" Brass shoved a boy of about our age to the side, clearly frustrated with the fact that it was impossible to walk without getting stopped every five seconds. Sighing, I grabbed his arm and gave him a stern look. His now longish, brown curly hair bounced as his head swiveled my way and the look he gave me was one that said 'no, don't make me.'

  "Brass." I warned.

  "Ugh, fine." Shrugging out of my hold, he muttered an apology at the dude, turned back to look at me and when my expression told him he was good, he smiled and grabbed my wrist as we continued onwards. He still had some issues grasping the whole 'non bully' behavior thing, but he was getting much better.

  "Anyway, as I was saying." Brass continued, trying not to lash out at the people who bumped into us. "Cobalt is so much bigger than LV, it's logical the living system doesn’t work the same, you know?" Yes, I knew. We'd been sleeping in an alley for the past three nights. It wasn't pleasant. "Thinking about it, I think I figured it out." He announced proudly, tugging me to the side of the busy street so we could take a small break from the whole worming our way through.

  "So you can use your brain?"

  "Don't be ass, Delph. Here's the result." Smothering a smirk, I waved a hand in his direction, gesturing for him to go on. "LV's population has always been regularly the same, give or take a couple every year or so. Point being, houses and jobs are passed on from one generation to the next."

  "I still can't believe things are so different here though." I muttered, my gaze trying to take in the hugeness that was this place. Sounds were different, the weather was different, clothes people wore were different. Although we'd had a garage in LV, there had never been a proper road for cars to drive on. Here though? They were everywhere. Shops, schools, offices, supermarkets, hairdressers. Everything was in such large numbers.