“You are already dead!” Peter spat at him.
“SO ARE YOU!”
Peter fell back at the roar, in surprise. “Yes, I know,” he said. “But you will return to the Other before me.” He lunged at him again, this time aiming for his throat.
The magic swirled again, and before Peter could grasp his throat, he vanished.
“NO!” Peter screamed. Frantically, he moved left and right, but his father was gone. “No!”
Yvette coughed, and then coughed again The smoke was getting thick, black and billowing. The ceiling was starting to fall in, chunks of plaster already hitting the floor. She doubled over, and each breath got less and less air.
She unlocked the door, but it was all that she could do before falling to her knees.
Peter was beside her in a moment, wrapping his arms around her.
“Here,” he said. “Here, I have you.”
“We have to get out,” Yvette managed. “I can't breathe.”
Peter looked around, frantically trying to plan a way out. If he transformed, he wasn't sure that he would recognize the need to rescue her. She was so fragile, and his dragon brain was still so confused.
“Just keep breathing,” he said, and plunged forward.
The entire building was up in flames when he got into the hallway. People were screaming and running, and Peter knew that some of them wouldn't survive.
Yvette choked again, trembling in his arms. This seemed like a dream – a dream that she would never get out of. Everything was hazy and terrible, and the whole world was going black.
She heard the screaming; she heard the plaster falling. “Peter,” she said softly. “Please don't let them die.” And then the world went black.
When Yvette awoke, she was sitting on the sidewalk outside the mall. There were fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances.
“I leave you for an hour and you burn the mall down?” Ariel was behind her in an instant. Yvette couldn't answer, her throat still thick with smoke. “I need a paramedic over here, help!”
“Jesus,” Nicholas was on the scene in a frantic run. “Where's Peter?”
“Inside. Get away from me and do some good,” Ariel said to her brother in law, referring to her carapace powers. The paramedics rushed over, already frantic from the other bodies that were strewn on the streets. People were dying, that much was clear.
“Ariel,” Yvette said, tears in her eyes. They put an oxygen mask over her and the next thing she knew, she woke up in the hospital.
Hospitals were a familiar place to Yvette, especially in the last few years. She felt comfort beneath the white sheets, and strangely relaxed by the beeping of the machines.
She had an oxygen mask on her face, and IVs in her arm. Armand was standing over her bed, his white lab coat looking a little bit rumpled and his eyes kind but tired. She coughed when she meant to get a word out, and he put his hand over hers.
“Just rest. Don't try to speak. You've had quite an ordeal.”
She looked around, looking for her phone, a clock, anything to indicate how long she had been out for.
Armand sensed it; many of his patients wanted the same thing.
“It's been two days since the fire,” he said. “You've been out, which I suspect was a result of your weakened state. But you're alright now.”
“Peter,” she managed, muffled through the oxygen mask.
“He's alright,” Armand said. “He helped quite a bit. A lot more people would have died if it wasn't for him and his brother. But before you see Peter–”
She sat up a bit more as Thomas came rushing into the room.
“Yvette,” Thomas wrapped his arms around her as carefully as he could to not dislodge the tubing. She stiffened at his touch, unexpectedly. She had spent so long missing him, and now that the moment had arrived, she felt odd hugging him. “Oh God, what have they done to you?”
“They didn't do anything to me,” she pulled down the mask, taking a deep breath and then coughing.
“Peter helped–”
“ He also killed you,” Thomas growled. “And I'll kill him when I see him.”
“Thomas,” Armand snapped. “He is your king.”
“He is no king of mine.”
“Thomas, if you continue in this speech, I will not allow you in this room. Is that clear?” Armand set his jaw. “I do not agree with the destruction, nor do I agree with the death. But it was not the princes. The former king has returned.”
“It is because of the princes that she is in the hospital to begin with,” Thomas said. “Don't forget that.”
“Thomas, I'm alright,” Yvette leaned her head against his chest again, trying to stop her beating heart. But as soon as she had done that, Peter walked into the room.
Armand bowed, and Thomas growled. Yvette sat up, her eyes meeting his.
“Yvette,” Peter said. “I am glad to see you well.”
“She wouldn't be unwell without–”
“Leave,” Armand said to him.
“This world was much better when someone who knew what to do was in charge,” Thomas snarled, squeezing Yvette's hand. “Let me stay with her.”
“Thomas, please,” Yvette managed. “I'll talk to you soon.”
He glared at Peter, but reluctantly put a kiss on her head and left the room.
“Forgive me,” Armand said to Peter. “He knows not what he says.”
“I think he knows exactly what he says,” Peter replied. “I will speak to Yvette alone if she is well enough.”
“Of course,” Armand said. “Although just a few minutes would be best.”
“A few moments will be sufficient.” Peter sat at the end of her bed. Once alone, he met her eyes. “I'm so sorry,” he said to her.
“It's not your fault,” she said. “Your father clearly has an agenda in mind that is not compatible with life on Earth.”
“I wonder if he has lost his mind, in Other,” Peter replied.
“Is that possible?”
“Yes,” Peter said, his voice low. “Every day it is a struggle.”
They fell into silence, Yvette wanting nothing more than to hug him.
“Thomas is just being protective,” she said. “He's upset. He's always upset when I am unwell.”
“He has a right to be,” Peter said. “For you belong to him, do you not? And we ripped you from him.”
“I…” Yvette wasn't sure what to say to that. She said nothing for a long moment, looking out the window. When she left, that was the case. But having spent so much time in the palace, her view was different. She wasn't afraid of Peter; she wasn't afraid of them as princes. He was lost, he was confused, and she knew that he had a good heart. He had showed her nothing but kindness, even from the first moment they met.
She couldn't deny that there was something between them. When their eyes met, it was like the Earth was shifting. It had never been like that with Thomas. There had been pity, and she had felt comforted by his strength. She thought that it was love. But now, she was starting to wonder how he could say such things.
“You should stay here,” Peter said. “We are a danger to you.”
“No,” her eyes jerked up. “No, you're not ready. There's still so much to do.”
“Yvette,” he gave her a kind look. “You are caring, but–”
“I can't stop now,” she said. “Really. Please don't make me go away.”
He smiled, placing a hand on her face.
“I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. And it almost did.”
“What are you going to do about your father? Where did he go?”
“We don't know,” Peter said. “But it is clear that he has values that are different from mine. The problem is–”
“His claim to the throne is about as strong as yours,” she said, picking up his train of thought. “You are both returned from the Other.”
“We are both dead,” Peter said, softly.
“Then this time is a gift,” s
he said. “And maybe it will not be here forever. So we shall take advantage of it while we can. The time that all of us have is borrowed.”
He squeezed her hand, rising, but she pulled him back.
“Please don't leave without me,” she said. “I want to finish the job, even if it's the last thing I do.”
“I won't,” he said. “But your safety is foremost in my mind.”
She coughed again, but mid cough she felt the magic flow into her. It was purer and stronger than what Armand had ever given her. The healing she received was almost to the point of cure, as it always was. He wasn't probing, he was simply fixing.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him.
“I wish I could do more,” he replied. “I don't know when this world got so complicated.”
“Someone once told me that the hardest thing to do in this world was live in it,” Yvette replied. “I believe that.”
“I'll leave you to rest,” he said. “I want you stronger if we do go back. Tomorrow morning, at the earliest.”
“Peter,” she called as he reached the door. “How many people died, in the mall?”
“In the mall? Four,” he said.
“And in the dress shop?” she asked, afraid of the answer.
“Everyone,” he met her eyes. “Everyone else.”
Yvette bit her lip , trying to stop the tears.
“You saved me,” she said, at last.
“Yes,” he answered, and left.
She was no longer just helping them in exchange for health care and for money. She was in the thick of their world now, and she wasn't sure there was any way out. She wasn't sure she wanted a way out.
Chapter 10
“What do you mean you're going back?” Thomas asked her in shock when she told him her plans that evening. “He almost killed you.”
“He didn't,” Yvette tried to assure him. “You know what happened. It isn't his fault. And more than that, the job is not done. When have you known me to ever not finish a job?”
“It's not about your sense of pride, Yvette,” Thomas snapped at her. “You're so full of pride, you think you're doing the right thing. How do you know you are fighting for the right side?”
“What?” she asked him, completely confused.
“Never mind,” he shook his head. “If you want to go back, that's on you. But if you do, we're through.”
“What?” she repeated, shell shocked. “Because I'm finishing a job?”
“Because those who sit on our throne are dangerous, and they have made laws that make no sense. Why do you think I left?”
“You left because the old king was tyrant who used your special abilities to force you into a warrior life you didn't want.”
“Well, at least I did something with my life,” he said. “Rather than sitting around on Earth. And when I left, I didn't know that the kings who were replacing him would be even worse.”
“So, you must be thrilled that the old ling has returned.”
Thomas fixed her with a stare. “Yvette. I'm serious. You leave, I won't be here when you get back.”
“Well, that's your choice,” she managed, trying not to cry.
“Fine,” Thomas said, and stood up. “Goodbye, Yvette. It was nice.”
And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the hospital room.
She brought her knees up to her face, the hot tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt her chest go tight and her hands tremble.
The Donizettis had taken her in, had given her a home and a life. She had bounced around from poverty-stricken houses until she had found them, and they had taught her what a house and a stable lifestyle could mean.
And now, she had destroyed it.
Thomas was her first boyfriend – her only boyfriend. She had only known him – his danger alluring, his experience in comparison with her quiet life shocking.
Somehow, she found sleep that night, although it was interpreted by the constant visit of doctors and nurses. When morning came, Peter found her things packed and her fully dressed, ready to go.
“You are sure?” he asked. She nodded, afraid that if she spoke, her emotions would flow. “Alright. I am going to take you back on my own, and Nicholas will follow with Ariel when they are ready. There is so much going on that it is best we leave now before the carapaces find us.”
She placed her hand on his.
“Take me there,” she said, just wanting to be as far away from this place as possible.
The vortex that had opened wasn't too far from the hospital. It was quick and easy – as easy as waiting for the train. Yvette felt cold and emotionless as Peter pulled the magic around them.
When they landed in the antechamber, though, it was absolute chaos.
“What's happening?” Yvette asked, as people rushed past them, almost knocking into her. She shrank against him, confused. Peter spoke quickly in dragon, and then turned pale. “What is it?”
“We were right, on Earth,” Peter said. “The carapaces weren't returning to the Other. They were killed.”
“Killed by who?”
“Dragons,” Peter said. “ And they were left as gruesome displays. You don't need to know the details.”
“Was it your father?” Yvette asked.
Peter nodded. “I think no lessons today, hmm? I have to find out what's going on. Alexander will be distraught because everything he's worked for is coming undone.”
“Let me stay with you,” Yvette pleaded. “I don't want to be apart from you. I don't feel safe.”
He looked torn, but her large eyes conflicted his heart.
“Alright,” he said. “But stay close. And if anything happens, you need to get yourself to safety. I will take care of you, I promise.”
“I know you will,” she said, and he pulled her into the throne room.
She automatically knew it was so much more than just the carapaces being killed. People were running about the throne room, a line was forming to speak to the king, and people looked distraught.
She was surprised to see that not everyone in line was a dragon. She recognized the characteristics of wolves, lions, and bears, hoping against hope for help from the king that they had once been against.
Alexander wouldn't dare sit on the throne with Peter back, and so he was sitting on the steps, going over documents. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, pale and drawn.
“Alexander,” Peter put his hand out to receive the documents “I can take over, if you need.”
“You need to address the concerns of the galaxy.” Alexander stood up, grateful for his brother's return “I can do this, but only you can sit there.”
“Of course,” Peter said. “You've heard what's happened to us?”
“Yes,” Alexander said, not even looking at Yvette. “Where is Ariel? Please tell me she is safe.”
“As far as I know,” Peter replied. “She stayed behind with Nicholas to gather some more evidence. Where is Cole?”
“Cole was mobilizing the guard,” Alexander replied. “He should be back here soon.”
“I want him under the protection of the guard,” Peter said. “His comings and goings are monitored, protected. And I want the princess here. Her translation may be halting, but she is taught to be precise.”
“Why are you protecting Cole?” Yvette asked, as they ascended the steps.
“Because Cole is the youngest heir to the throne. The last hope , you would say. Because he is our last hope, he is protected. The other two have specific duties to perform and specific tasks to be present at. The youngest heir's job is to protect the throne by staying alive.”
“Oh,” she answered. “Your English is quite good compared to when we started. Enya can help, but you need to believe in yourself.”
He smiled briefly at her as he took a seat on the throne. She went to move aside, but he took her hand.
“If you are able, please stand at my side,” he said. “I would like the support.”
“Of course.”
She half leaned against him, watching as the lineup turned toward him.
Enya's language was growing in leaps and bounds as well. Her dragon was moving slowly because she was trying to learn all the languages of the shifters at once. She was mostly proficient at all of them by now, and Peter conducted his business through her when needed. Yvette knew that he wanted to be sure in his words and careful in his decisions as he listened to the cases. This was the rule of a ling who wanted to be fair and just, not a King who was wandering and lost.
Her eyes flickered to Enya who looked tired, but held strong. She wore a small tiara to indicate that she was a princess. Yvette likened it to what a prom princess would have worn, which made her smile in longing. She hadn't gotten to go to her own prom; she had been too ill. Here was this girl, so like her, that had changed her life. Life on Earth seemed so far away.
Yvette had another thought as she watched Enya. She thought that perhaps she could do that one day. She could be strong like that with dragons at her back.
There was death everywhere, and it wasn't just the old king who was behind it. Reports of him were everywhere, but it appeared he had agents working for him – Dragon agents who believed his rule was right.
He was invoking every old revolution that had ever happened. Killing bears, dragons, lions, and wolves along with carapaces. He was after those who had defied him; those who had gone against his kingdom and his rule at one point.
Yvette could only catch half of it, but what she heard was terrifying.
“He said that he was not as cruel as those who sat on the throne now.”
She heard the voice clearly, and her head snapped up. Choosing to speak in English, a wolf shifter who had spent much time on Earth looked to Enya, telling his story.
“Wait, what did you say?” Yvette said, startling all of them. “Please, repeat that.”
Peter looked to her, but nodded his head.
“He said that he was not as cruel as those who sat on the throne now,” the wolf repeated, unsure why he was receiving this order. “Have I said something wrong?”
“No,” Yvette put her hand to mouth. I don't. Oh, God.”
She stepped down from the platform, heading out the nearest door. Tears filled her eyes as she made it into the hallway.
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