by Beth Hodgson
The new information provoked the question. He just had to ask.
“Were they having an affair?”
Ikaria shrugged through Damaris. “Usually that’s what people do when they are visiting each other’s chambers, my prince. After all, Queen Elyathi did seem quite lovely through the eyes of Damaris. I would do her if I were a man.”
Derek let out a loud burst of air in disgust at the response. His father and Queen Elyathi. Derek had a hard time swallowing that one. Was Ikaria lying? But even so, his father had never spoken of what happened. And then there was the fact that they were not invited to the Queen’s funeral.
“Are you sure? It seems out of character for my father,” Derek said, hesitant to believe it.
“Quite sure.”
It made sense, but he didn’t want to admit it to himself. His father always seemed so in love with his mother, but he did live a very private life as much as he could.
“All these years of not knowing what happened. I suppose that is why we were never invited back to Arcadia again…” Derek trailed off, completed stupefied by the new information. Derek’s gaze shifted to Ikaria, meeting the soul within Damaris’s eyes. “Looks like Damaris is ‘feeling better.’ Finally got his body moving, did you?”
“I can’t have the King be a complete vegetable. After all, I do need to ensure that you ascend the throne.”
Derek paused. “Why?” Derek eyed Damaris’s body suspiciously, curious for her response. “Why do you care who ascends Arcadia’s throne?”
“I already told you why.”
“Yes, but all of this over a vial of blood?”
“Don’t forget the army of cyborgs.”
“Yes, that too. But why go through all the trouble of making me king?” Derek brushed the back of his neck. “Don’t misunderstand me, I do with all of my heart want to marry the princess and see Damaris step aside.”
“Well, I do too, lover boy,” Damaris stated wryly, cracking a smile. “Let’s just say for both of our sakes, you need to ascend Arcadia’s throne.”
Derek wasn’t satisfied with that answer but decided not to press further on the subject. The sorceress was evading his questions, not giving him full answers. Regardless, her objectives benefited him, and who was he to complain? But the other purple-gifted…
Damaris’s body turned to Derek, eyeing him with Ikaria’s movements. “I feel your mind. What is it? You found something.”
“Were you involved with the attempt to capture the princess?”
Ikaria laughed through Damaris’s body. “No. Why would you even think that?”
“For one, you want her blood.”
“That is why I have you. You are going to get it for me.”
“And two, there were reports of a mysterious person on the scene. A gifted with purple magic.”
Suddenly, Damaris’s legs were no longer crossed, and his body was seated at full attention. “Really?”
“Yes. Purple lightning. It fried the cyborg that was tracking Emerald. Do you know anything about that?”
Damaris’s face remained frozen in thought. “Interesting. Purple lightning, you say?” Damaris’s body got up, walking in thought, then his face turned dark. “Damn the High Court! Just as I was one step ahead of them!”
“You think the court in your time is involved?”
“Of course they are! I told you they are after your princess’s blood! The High Court in my time is working probably with this gifted to get the blood for themselves. This violet-gifted has to be from this time, with the abilities to use their adjacent color. Or perhaps…” Damaris’s eyes narrowed in the same motion that Derek had seen the sorceress do. “Perhaps this gifted has consumed other gifteds’ blood. Damn them all to hell! This is much worse than I thought. I must get that blood, and quickly!”
“What if that gifted was helping the princess? I was told the magic overcame the cyborg. If the cyborg was after the princess, what if the gifted interfered, allowing her to escape?” Derek had a feeling it was that, and not what Ikaria thought about the High Court.
“Either way, I can’t take any chances. I need that blood.”
“It’s impossible without Emerald,” Derek said, stating the obvious.
Suddenly, a twang of guilt came over him. Just the mere thought of him retrieving Emerald’s blood for the sorceress made him feel sick. And wrong. But Ikaria had gotten him this far in overcoming Damaris’s rejection. What was just a drop of blood in relation to making everything right with Arcadia?
“I’ll force the Inner Council to send another deployment of that special cyborg. We need to find her, and soon. For both our sakes.”
“I hope so.”
“Don’t worry, my prince. We will find her. You can count on that.”
The man Emerald was with came into Derek’s mind once again. With that image came a wave of crushing pain in his chest, causing him to clench his doublet.
Damaris looked at Derek, taking another drink of wine, noticing. “You are bothered.”
“Yes, I am damn bothered! Emerald escaped the city with another man.”
Ikaria gave Derek a smug look. “I told you that you would be needing the circlet.”
“You… you saw him when you saw the future? That man?”
“No. But I did see him through your eyes when you watched the video. Over and over again.” Damaris rested his head in the back of the padded throne, kicking up his feet on the table. “A man with white hair. I don’t blame her. He has a sort of… ferocity to him, don’t you agree?” Ikaria laughed, touching Damaris’s body coyly.
“Whose side are you on?”
“I’m merely keeping an open mind.”
“I’m done with you and this conversation,” Derek said, angrily tossing his cape over his shoulder. “Don’t you have someone in your time that you can harass?”
“Plenty. But you are by far my favorite.”
“Wonderful.”
Ikaria laughed once again. “Lighten up, my prince. You just need a good hard romp with your princess to relieve some tension. We’ll just have to let your balls turn blue a little while longer.”
Derek angrily turned to her. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner! What kind of court enchantress are you, anyway? Have you no propriety?”
“None whatsoever.”
Annoyed, Derek stormed off, making his way out of the hall. He wanted to completely avoid seeing Ikaria’s wicked smile. It was particularly vexing on Damaris’s face, combining the two people who annoyed him most.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
GREEN
Kyle drove in sheer darkness, his headlight piercing through the endless black void, as Emerald held on for dear life. There were no street lights, no buildings, no nothing out in the wastelands. Only the stars to guide them and the white light from the pale crescent moon.
Every so often, Emerald thought she saw an outline of a sand dune or an eroded building eclipsing in the moonlight. She wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but one thing was for certain—the scenery never changed. The same endless void of black outlines of rolling hills, shrubs, and decayed structures. It was endless. Emerald had never realized how vast the wastelands were.
So lonely, she thought. How can anyone live out here?
Almost two hours had passed since the fateful chase with the authorities. Emerald’s body was completely iced from the chilly winds. Her teeth chattered violently, and her weakened arms wobbled, tired from holding on to Kyle’s waist. She didn’t know how much longer she could manage.
She mustered up what strength she had left and gripped Kyle firmly again, biting her lip while trying to hold back thoughts of how cold she was.
Kyle must have realized that she was getting tired because he yelled out, “Hold on! It’s not that much farther!”
“Kyle, please hurry,” she said faintly, though she knew he couldn’t hear her.
Emerald redoubled her efforts, bracing herself again Kyle. Taking a deep breath, she closed
her eyes to block out the burning pain and numbing sensation of her muscles.
The two of them had not stopped since the chase. Emerald had no idea where in the wastelands Kyle was driving to, but she knew they couldn’t drive that much farther without more gasoline. Luckily, whoever the woman was who’d unleashed her violet magic on the police stalled the authorities, giving her and Kyle enough of a head start. With the amount of damage that was inflicted, it would take the authorities at least an hour or two to regroup. Most of their vehicles were beyond repair.
Who was that gifted woman? What was she doing at the club? Did she know who I was? Why did she help us? Her thoughts shifted to the bionic man. He was a lot like the cyborgs she’d seen in the lower levels, but this one had orange magic. Questions kept pounding through Emerald’s mind, the same questions mixed with new questions.
That cyborg had to somehow be under her father’s direction, that she was sure of. Why else would it be after them?
Recalling the orange and violet magic, the feeling that came from it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Through the magic, she’d sensed the other caster’s emotions. A jealous pain seeping from the violet waves, while ecstasy flowed from the orange. It was the first time she had encountered another person’s magic. It was almost intrusive and invasive. Emerald contemplated if the other gifted could feel hers as well.
The real question she refused to ask herself was what Kyle thought of her magic. He had somehow figured out that she was the princess of Arcadia, and it didn’t seem to bother him. But what of her power?
“We’re almost there!” Kyle yelled. “It’s right over those hills!”
Emerald opened her eyes, looking out into the vast darkness.
Nothing had changed. It was the same endless outlines of black dunes eclipsed with pale light.
With an abrupt jerk, Kyle turned off the main road. The road became very rocky, and the motorcycle shuddered as it slowed its course on the dirt path.
In the headlight was a large boulder, and Kyle pulled over, parking behind it. Kyle got off the bike, then turned to Emerald, helping her off. She could no longer feel her legs and arms, and her entire body felt weak and light.
Kyle whipped off his jacket and threw it around her shoulders, then held her close to his body.
“Sorry I couldn’t get you the jacket earlier,” he said. “I didn’t want to chance stopping.”
Somehow, Emerald managed a smile from her numb face. “There is no need to apologize. I don’t know how you managed to drive through all of Arcadia the way you did, and we somehow made it out alive. I must admit, I was frightened the whole way.”
“You were scared?”
“Of course I was scared! Weren’t you?”
“Only when you pulled that stunt off the building. I really thought I was going to die,” he answered, chuckling. Emerald felt Kyle put his hand down the jacket’s pocket, rummaging for a cigarette. “You scared me shitless.” He found his cigarettes and lit one. The orange spark lit up his face, burning as he took a drag. “After that, I knew we would make it out safe with your magic.”
“I’m not sure that we would have made it out of Arcadia without that violet woman’s power,” Emerald confessed.
“I don’t believe that for a second.” Kyle leaned in to her, and she saw the outlines of his reassuring expression. “You are just as powerful as that other woman, and much more determined.” He took another drag, holding her closely, then softly brushed his ringed fingers against her green hair. He gently turned her head toward hers, his face now fully illuminated in the moonlight. “I put my trust in you and your abilities to get us out of there, regardless of that other woman’s influence. I knew you could do it the moment I saw your power.” He kissed her, gently stroking her face as the wind tried to intervene. “I think you should do the same,” he whispered.
“You… you are okay with my magic? You are not the least bit alarmed by it?”
“Me? Alarmed?” Kyle asked. “I’ve seen worse.” He laughed, pulling her into his chest, holding her for a moment. “Besides, Em, I think it’s pretty badass that you have magic.”
“You do?”
“Well, yeah. But remind me not to piss you off. I’d hate to be on the receiving end.”
Emerald chuckled, nudging Kyle. “That would never happen!”
“I hope not!” Kyle took a drag, lighting up the darkness for a brief second. “All joking aside, it’s no wonder why your father never let you leave the palace. With power like that, people would be shitting themselves. Half of Arcadia is being put through the shredder, so between the magic flying and the authorities chasing us, the city probably has one giant crap in their pants. Wonder how they’re gonna spin that one on the nightly broadcasts.”
“Lovely,” Emerald remarked while smiling with relief. She turned very serious, facing him directly. “Kyle, I was so… worried about what you would think about my true self. I wanted to tell you ever since the night we…”
“Fucked?”
“Yes… that.”
“You should have. You could have unleashed your power on me. We could have kept going all night…” Kyle paused, looking up at the sky with mock longing. “God, just thinking about that is making me hard.”
She punched him lightly. “I’m being serious. Besides, it doesn’t work like that.”
“Damn. Well, it should. Maybe you could try?”
“Kyle!” Emerald gave him a hard shove.
“You’re right.” He paused, stopping her for a moment. “I told you earlier that it doesn’t change a damn thing about how I feel about you. Princess, magic… hell, you could be a she-demon and I would still feel the same.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Kyle pulled her in, putting both his arms around her shoulders, the tip of his icy nose brushing hers. “Em, now it’s my turn to be serious. I’ve never met anyone like you before. It’s like you feel so… familiar to me. Like I’ve known you forever.”
Emerald’s heart quickened, then a warm feeling came over her. She knew exactly what he meant, because she felt the same.
Kyle paused, waiting to see her reaction. “It’s crazy, I know.”
“It’s not crazy. It’s the same feeling I get too,” Emerald whispered in the wind, just slightly louder than the air itself. Her heart continued to race through her chest while her mind flooded with excitement.
Kyle tenderly ran his hands down her cheeks, then brushed his lips against hers, kissing her, and she melted in his arms. The way he held her reaffirmed an underlying love for her, stirring her response. She felt connected to him; her soul and life force were linked to his.
After their embrace, he gently put his arm around her waist and began guiding her once again through the endless desert.
“By the way, where are we going?” Emerald asked, trying to make out any recognizable shapes in the night.
“My old home,” he said, holding her close.
As they continued to walk down the rocky path, Emerald’s muscles shook from the strain of the bike ride and her extreme hunger. She needed food and sleep.
Kyle noticed her shaky arms. “I can carry you if you want. I promise I won’t drop you,” he joked.
Emerald shook her head and laughed weakly. “It’s really okay. If I made it this far, I think I can manage the rest of the way.”
Kyle suddenly swooped her up into his arms, and she let out a small surprised yelp. “Don’t be stubborn. After all, you are a princess,” he managed to say through half-smiling pursed lips still gripping his cigarette.
Emerald rested her head against his chest, feeling the heat permeating from his body. “You are so persuasive,” she teased.
“Princess Emerald. I’m gonna have to get used to that.”
“Kyle, there is no need for formalities. After all, you met me just as Em.”
“Em… Emerald.” Kyle smiled. “I like it. Pretty, like you.”
Emerald heard a loud click.
&nb
sp; “Don’t you think about taking another step,” said a man’s voice. Emerald sensed a body next to them. “Put your hands up,” he ordered.
Emerald complied while Kyle lowered her to her feet and did the same. Emerald dared not move, her heart racing, afraid that she was either going to get shot or arrested and sent back to Arcadia. She was too tired and too weak to fight.
“Shit, Ryan, knock it off, will ya?” Kyle cursed, his hands still raised. “It’s Kyle!”
“Kyle?” the man’s voice repeated. Emerald heard Ryan lower his weapon, then laugh. “Shit! What the hell, man! Never thought I’d see your face again.”
The two of them hit knuckles, a strange greeting that Emerald found curious. Ryan gestured for them to follow him, slinging his gun over his shoulder, then turned on a flashlight.
“I was never planning on coming back. But plans change,” Kyle said while Emerald trailed behind them. In the distance, Emerald noticed what looked like bonfires, casting their light on a few dwellings and tents.
“Yeah? What plans are those? Big city wasn’t what you thought?” Ryan laughed.
“Nothing like that.” Kyle turned to Emerald, nodding his head toward her. “She’s in trouble.”
“Really?” The man paused and stared her down, curious. Emerald blushed, but she was sure that no one noticed, as the light from the camp barely illuminated them as they approached. “What kind of trouble?”
“Oh, you know, all of Arcadia, including the King and some crazy ass bionic man is out looking for her,” Kyle replied dryly. “Typical day for me.”
Ryan took a step forward, eyeing Emerald. “And who might you be?” He shined his flashlight directly on her, then sucked in his breath as he noticed her hair. “Ho-lee shit.”
He yanked Kyle away from her, pulling him aside and whispering fiercely. Emerald couldn’t hear the exchange, but she heard sharp words clashing back and forth, and the phrase “only for one night” from Kyle’s mouth.
After several moments, Kyle returned to Emerald, then guided her, following Ryan to the camp.
“What was that all about?” Emerald asked, looking at Ryan.