The following week, amidst school work, training and preparing for the next competition, Areli and Yats started to assemble their team. Finn was easy to convince, as he was completely taken with Areli. She knew just doing a favor for her gave him time to be with her, to study her, to hopefully find out her favorite flower or snack. She felt a pang of guilt when his eyes would look at her, seeing Yats hands were in hers. She felt his sorrow, his forlorn heart. It was how she felt when Talon . . . now, apparently lied to her. To what? To protect him? To protect her? Look how that turned out. She’s with Yats, and now he’s alone. As she spent more time around Finn, she also saw something else. His eyes, his ears, all his senses were taking in everything that was her. Its pull was powerful and overwhelming. Someone who looked at her like that, it mirrored the eyes of both Yats and Talon, those eyes that declared to the stars they have beheld the only person they ever care and wish to see ever again.
Brynn Huff was also easy to convince to join them. He was tired of the Empire, of the Emperor, and most of all, of Haskel and Sofi. He and Areli had to settle their differences, though. He took it too personally when she rejected him. However, after their first meeting as a group, he proved to be invaluable as he held vital information, and most importantly . . . the potential whereabouts of Sofi.
“I’ve been studying those two ever since I was granted access into the politics class,” said Brynn, who gratefully hated them more than he disliked Areli, “I know how they operate . . . they live off the power of information, and they use it to destroy, control, and create lives. If you’re looking to try and destroy them . . . then you have come to the right place.”
Beyond their investigation, Areli went to bed with sore hands and her floor covered in marble chips as she was way behind on Fides present. Luckily, however, with the help of both her parents, Amira, Yats, and even Finn (Brynn couldn’t be bothered); they were able to finish the statue in time for Fides Seventeenth birthday party which was held at Estate Number One. It was a larger party than Areli had expected. Friends of Edsels. People swathed in such luxurious clothes that Areli and her parents in their more modest finery, felt out of place. But Fides wouldn’t let them feel like small fish in a foreign sea. She clung to Areli and her parents, forcing the party to almost seem like it revolved around them. Areli was introduced to more people than she could possibly remember. At one point, it seemed like the whole night was a collage of faces and exotic colors of blues, reds, and pinks.
Areli almost vomited when she saw the Emperor walk into the back garden. She watched as Edsel and him laughed and talked as if they were good friends. Areli wanted to sneer every time the Emperor looked her way, but she buried her hatred for him deep within herself.
She didn’t know how Edsel did it. Tricked the Emperor as he did. It brought a smile to her face, knowing that the man the Emperor appeared to be on such good terms with, was actually his most hated enemy. Areli wondered if she could do that. I already am, she thought. She had to look away then, as a dark pit started to carve a hole in her stomach. Fides should know, she thought. She hated keeping this secret. She hated having anything between them. But Areli knew it was for the best. Fides shouldn’t have to deal with this. I’ll deal with this, she thought, this is my burden. I will never let anything happen to Fides. EVER!
Fides presents were vast and luxurious. She received everything from precious stoned necklaces and bracelets, to gold earrings and diamond covered heels. But Areli’s gift was the only one that made her cry. Chiseled out of a solid block of red marble, was Fides and Areli, sitting next to one another with their dragons on one of the Pillars of Abhi, overlooking a waterfall. It had taken her more time to sculpt it then she had originally planned, and it was her mother’s hand that put on the finishing details. Areli was proud of it. And she hoped that Fides would appreciate it as well.
“I LOVE IT!” said Fides, pulling Areli next to her.
“The one you made me was better,” said Areli trying to sound sullen.
“That’s a bunch of dragon sass,” said Fides, “it’s . . . gorgeous. And it will be true Areli. I can already see it. It’s perfect.” Areli watched as Fides tried to shove the tears back into her eyes. It will be true, thought Areli, I promise.
The next day, Fides was aggravated again, as Areli already had plans set in place for the week.
“You’re lucky I have Amer,” said Fides, “or I would not hesitate to interrupt your plans.” Areli would give a laugh, as if merriment could chase away the tension.
“We’re still on for dress shopping next week though,” said Fides, “right?”
“Oh, next week?”
“The Spring Dance!” said Fides, “I’ve told you about this . . . there are posters everywhere. Remember? I wanted to go dress shopping like two weeks ago, but you were busy. I wanted to go last week . . . busy. Areli, the dance is next week. All the best dresses have probably already been taken. You cannot poop out on me again. I’m sure Yats can spare you one night to spend with me.” Areli nodded.
“Of course, next week,” said Areli, “I’m free next week.” Fides held up her index finger.
“Areli,” said Fides, “I’m not leaving until you promise.”
“I promise,” said Areli, “I promise. I promise. I promise.” Fides smiled a smile as beautiful as the sun and brought Areli into her chest, wrapping her arms around her. Talon all of a sudden danced into Areli’s thoughts. She wondered if he was okay. If Fides still saw him around the house. Areli had to shake his hold on her. She was with Yats . . . Talon was nothing to her now. But then why did his words still circulate around her head, cleaning her ears with their syllables. ‘I love you.’
After training, Areli would make an excuse that she was going to go out to eat with Yats. Her parents would allow her to go, and she would go along with Yats to the locations Brynn had walked them by earlier, gesturing with his head towards the buildings known to have frequent visits by Sofi.
“Why would Sofi ever come here?” asked Areli as they walked through a community of townhouses in Abhi. “It makes no sense.”
“If you see the reasons Sofi goes in,” said Brynn, “and if you know Sofi, the place is perfect for her.”
The first night Areli and Yats came by one of the places, they stood outside the entire night and came away with nothing. The second night gave them the same results. But the third night was different. Areli and Yats were walking down one of the raised side-streets, when Yats pulled her out of the way.
“What?” asked Areli, “what is it?” Yats had pulled her behind a covering of pillars leading into a building.
“I know that person,” said Yats, “she’s in my array. Daughter of a senator. She has no reason to be here, especially at this time of night.” Areli was allowed a quick look from beyond the pillar. Yats next to her, his breathe like a warm summer’s breeze flirting with her hair. Thoughts of Talon came rushing back to her. Knock it off, Areli, she thought, please, you’re with Yats. You love him. You would do anything for him. You love him, Areli. You love, Yats. The night was dark, but the wonderful random display of lanterns cast plenty light on the girl. Areli used the girl as a distraction, an escape from her thoughts. She had dark brown hair, was thin as a twig, and was watching the same building they were.
Areli looked at her and then at the building.
“What do you think she’s doing?” asked Areli.
“I think she’s doing the same thing as us,” answered Yats, his lips next to her ear. She had to focus.
“But . . .” Areli stopped herself there. She had a glimpse as to why. It was either Sofi’s informants wanted to get a hold of her . . . or Haskel. Or maybe she just happened to piss off somebody else.
The door to the townhouse opened and Areli’s heart started to flutter with wings of adrenaline. If Yats hand wasn’t wrapped around her, she was sure she would have walked out into the street, maybe even finishing what Fides had started.
Sofi wasn’t alone as she exited th
e door. The man she came out with was beyond beautiful, not even close to Yats in her mind, or Talon for that matter, but more than the average male walking the halls of her school. Which was saying something. In the shimmer of light, the man looked older than Sofi. He held her as if they were lovers. And then they kissed. A long, lingering kiss, that made Areli want to vomit. The thought of someone loving Sofi was almost unbearable.
A carriage came to life a block away. Areli and Yats lowered themselves into the shadows and watched Sofi and her supposed boyfriend choke each other with their tongues. As Sofi parted from him and then came back for one more kiss, Areli felt a pang in her heart as she noticed Sofi’s face was as beautiful as ever, which made her insides burn, as she wished the stories of her uncle beating her were true.
She entered into the carriage and was off. Areli would have chased after her right then and there, but Yats controlled her.
“No!” said Yats in a frustrated whisper. He motioned silently with his head towards the girl in his class who was waving down her own carriage and was off after Sofi’s. “If she’s following Sofi . . . then all we need to do is follow her.”
When the girl’s carriage started moving forward, Yats whistled for his driver. He told him to follow the carriage that had just left. Areli could feel her heart beating with excitement as the wheels started to turn. She almost wished she was riding in front so she could make sure the driver was following the right carriage.
They weaved through limestone streets, through one elegant community after another. Yats gave his driver specific directions to drive past the trailer they were following and then turn down the nearest side street. He told Areli that they would double back from where the driver parked and try to figure out where Sofi had gone.
They continued through the streets. Areli’s heart pounded so hard that it hurt. She kept moving from window to window. If Yats wasn’t there to keep her calm, she would have certainly exited out of the carriage and ran after Sofi and the trailing brown-haired girl.
“Wait!” said Yats harshly, quietly, “wait.” He grabbed Areli’s arm and pulled her into the seat next to him.
“What?” asked Areli, frustrated.
“We just passed the girl’s trailer.”
“Are you sure?” asked Areli, trying to look behind her, “how can you be sure? It looks . . .” Yats pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her.
“We can’t draw any unnecessary attention to us,” said Yats, “we need to appear as if we are just passing through, not concerned with anything. There, look over there.” He loosened his grip just a little so Areli could adjust her head to look out the window. It was Sofi’s trailer. In front of another house. Another open door. Another man.
“That is what all these places are for?” said Areli bitterly, “can’t they ever just be satisfied with one?” Yats gave a gentle laugh. She looked back at him and found it hard to keep from laughing as well. She looked Yats in the eyes. He was her one. He had to be. The first time she confronted Talon, he left her broken and alone. Yats was there to reassemble the pieces. And he did it while fully sweeping her off her feet. She could never love Talon. Not like before. Never more than she loved Yats.
When their carriage came to a halt, they moved in the shadows. When they peered around the corner, they saw the girl in Yats class standing again, outside the house that Sofi had entered.
Areli and Yats stayed for a while, but the night was only so long, and Areli’s time to stay out was limited. So, with the behest of Yats, they went back to his carriage. There, Areli tried to assimilate the fact that Sofi was a complete whore to her advantage.
“We could threaten to tell her father,” said Areli.
“What good would that do?” asked Yats.
“Yats, his daughter is sleeping around with half the city . . . isn’t that something you would want to keep from your parents.”
“Her father keeps many women as well,” said Yats, “he would probably only congratulate her.” Areli pushed him hard into the metal of the cab.
“It’s disgusting, Yats,” said Areli, “for anyone, and disgraceful.”
“I’m just saying,” said Yats, “I think we need more useful information than the fact that she is sleeping around. How about the men she’s sleeping with? If they have wives?”
“We can threaten the men!” exclaimed Areli.
“Exactly,” said Yats, eyes giddy with mischief.
The next day, Areli and Yats had Brynn and Finn move their prying eyes from Haskel and onto the men that occupied Sofi’s desires, as well as Aniya Black, the girl in Yats class. They wanted to know who she was reporting to and what kind of information she was after.
The next two nights Yats had to do something for school, so he wasn’t able to attend their nighttime jaunts until the first of next week. He told Areli not to go out without him. He made her promise, telling her that if she didn’t stay away from Sofi, he would have to take a bad grade in his Chemistry class for the rest of the year. Yats gave her no choice except to agree, as he went into a whole long story of how upset his parents would be if he failed a course and how they would monitor his time so something like this never happened again.
“Okay, okay,” said Areli, “I promise.” He brought her into his arms and reeled her into his chest, using his fingers as the hook.
“I just need to know you’re going to be safe,” said Yats.
“And now you do,” said Areli, trying to sound bitter, but she had a hard time with it, as Yats looked at her with his beautiful smile that always drew her in like the sun.
The first day Yats was detained by homework, Areli was occupied with a competition against Manyo Hall. She placed second again in the short-go. Tegan was a bitch as usual, and Areli started to fear the other riders on the team were siding with her. But Areli didn’t mind. She had never had a friend on a team before Fides. However, instead of letting all the bitterness circling around her drown her, Areli tried to focus on the more positive points of the race. Kaia was getting better through the pattern, but Fides runs were edging beyond flawless. They were magnificent, beautiful, and each run showed she was the best rider in the Empire, if not the best rider in the world.
Areli spent the night with Fides, grateful to have a night in which she could let all the worries slip away into the far reaches of her mind and just laugh and talk with Fides in front of a fire. They discussed all the little quirks of their boyfriends, about their hopes for the Spring Dance, and when they would ever hear from Aquilina Hawkins again, all in the presence of Areli’s marble statue she carved for Fides, in which her friend kept repeating how she loves her birthday present almost as much as Amer and Areli.
The second day, Areli asked Fides if she wanted to spend the day together, but it was Fides turn to be aloof, as she and Amer already had plans.
“I mean,” said Fides, “you can come along if you want to, but you know . . . I just assumed you were busy.” Fides and Amer were going walking in the forest, and Areli didn’t think it fair for her to intrude, even though she thought the forest a fascinating place.
“No, you go,” said Areli, “I’ll be fine.” Areli wished she could go. Her collection of leaves were far past dry and wilted.
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay,” said Fides, unconvinced, “but this week – remember – dress shopping.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Good . . . because you promised.” Areli had. And as the day continued on, and with the last day of the week being a rest day for both her and her dragon, Areli had limited options to occupy her time. She began to wish that Fides birthday was next week, so she could fill her day chiseling away at marble. And then it happened. Thoughts of Talon started to resurface. She had to leave. She needed something to occupy her time. But she knew if she went out, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from swinging by the residences of the men.
But I promised Yats, she told herself, look
ing at the door. She repeated it several times, trying to feel its weight build in her like a stone to keep her from walking to the base of her steps and calling for her carriage. But the words didn’t turn into stones, and she felt more restless than ever. She stood up, asked Aria to ready her carriage, and got dressed. Areli reasoned that she was only going to go into town to do some shopping, and if her carriage happened to travel past one of Sofi’s men’s places, then it wasn’t her fault . . . it was merely coincidence.
Two jackets, a purse, and several casual trips – by the places recommended by Brynn to locate Sofi – later, Areli had yet to see the royal born. However, a smile rose to her face as she watched a woman and a child walk down the sidewalk bordering the many homes. But the smile faded as they walked up the steps to one of the houses. A beautiful young man standing at the door. The man lifted the woman into his arms and twirled her. He then tousled the hair of his child, who laughed as he lifted the child into his arms.
Areli could feel the stitches of her soul begin to unravel. She hated herself. She hated Sofi, Edsel, the situation, and most of all, she hated the Emperor. She started to question if she had it in her. To threaten to ruin a family, a marriage, a love. She tried to reason with herself that the man didn’t actually love his wife, because he was cheating on her. But then Areli didn’t know the context. What if Sofi had information on him and he was sleeping with her to protect the lives of his family. The lines of right and wrong were blurring, until nothing seemed right and nothing seemed wrong. Is this how the Emperor sees the world? asked Areli to herself. She closed her eyes and felt a tear slip down her cheek.
Areli stayed in the city all afternoon, trying to forget about Talon. Trying to forget about Degendhard. Trying to forget about Sofi. She enjoyed the view of the sky turning from blue to streaks of red, yellow, and orange, as if the entire thing was on fire. She continued to watch as the sky delved into black, bringing with it the brilliance and magic of the stars. She walked down the fashion street, peering haphazardly into windows of boutiques and didn’t really think about going back to the Riding Community until her driver mentioned how late it had gotten.
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