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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:52:27 GMT -5
“Father, you shouldn’t be doing this to him.” Ketra said forcefully. “It isn’t right.” “Markus has never protested, nor will he. He knows what is best for the kingdom, even if you don’t.” Audrion answered flatly. “You, over there. Get me the maid, Laura.” “What unspeakable thing are you planning for her?” “Don’t be so dramatic. This is really all about that lord, isn’t it? Just because-” “This is about my brother! What are you going to do to Laura?” “I merely think that, as Vyncent’s daughter, she would be better suited to the job of being a nurse to your new cousin.” “You’re marrying him off and sending away his best friend. He’ll get to see her maybe once, twice a year.” “It’s practical.” “It’s vile.” “Sire, Miss Elaura.” A servant announced. Laura curtsied, keeping her eyes focused on her feet. “Laura, you are to go with my brother Richard. He needs a nurse for his child. I will write your father on the matter. That will be all.” “Yes, sire. Thank you, sire.” She was escorted from the room. “All her tears are spent.” Ketra said. She sighed. “Let her stay here, and I will marry whoever you want me to, without complaint.” Audrion considered this. “I’ll speak with Richard.”
****
“Laura! Laura, wait!” Rose ran to catch up with the ghostly pale girl, having to lift up her skirts as she went. The voice was so familiar that as first Laura didn’t stop to think about why it shouldn’t be there. “Oh, hello Rose.” Laura said blankly. “You aren’t all there today, are you Laura?” “I suppose not.” She inclined her head. “I’m going to be a nurse, for Markus’s cousin. Isn’t that funny?” “Don’t you know what a weakness Richard has for young, pretty maids? Everyone else does.” “Then I won’t cry. I look pretty when I cry.” “Who told you that?” “Markus did.” “My fiancée?” “Wait… your what?” Laura snapped back to reality, blinking a couple times. “There’s the Laura I want to see. I’m Rose. Princess Rose.” She said slowly. Laura opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She felt a sudden, irrational burst of betrayal. But it wasn’t Rose’s fault. “You love him, don’t you?” Rose persisted. “Him?” Laura asked. “Don’t be stupid.” “Yes.” “Good,” Rose’s fire flared up again, “I don’t want to be Markus’s queen, and I should hope you don’t want to be Richard’s new mistress.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:52:53 GMT -5
“I have absolutely no desire to do that.” “I’m meeting Markus soon. I have a plan to get both of us out of this.” “How can you possibly do that?” “Trust me.”
****
“I hate waiting out here. We’re royalty, for crying out loud. Well, except for Nightshade, but she doesn’t deserve it either.” Theo mouthed off. He strode around, swishing his tail and kicking up dirt in clouds. “I’ve told you again and again, this is necessary. Plus, we’ve only done it twice, so you should get over it.” Blade said with distain. “Isn’t this fun?” Firelight said obliviously. Her brother glowered at her. “I think we should be doing something,” Nightshade said. Her voice was always cold, when and if she used it. “We could sneak over there.” Theo suggested eagerly. Blade decided tactfully not to comment on Theo’s obvious coloring. “I guess that is something.” Nightshade yawned. “All right, Theo. Lead on.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Markus’s Wedding
Anella came in at almost the last second. She was wearing a white dress more elegant than anything she had ever worn before, with her hair done with shining ornaments. Saria waved to her, her mouth moving rapidly. Anella really couldn’t hear her, but she smiled back anyway. Laura was next to Saria. She had almost returned to her usual color, but not quite. Raythor was next to Laura, slouched down so far in his chair it was obvious he was hiding from someone. Anella slipped into the seat between him and Gabriel. “You look as though you’re melting,” Anella commented, “And you haven’t changed clothes.” “Karen.” Raythor said simply. “Who?” “Karen, the jailor’s daughter. She’s over there. I don’t want her to see me.” “Why not?” Laura asked thinly. “She might still like me.” Markus walked by as Raythor uttered that sentence, moving so fast a rush of air followed in his wake. The prince started talking quickly to his father at the front of the room. His father talked, at considerable volume, back. Two-redheads with crowns, probably Rose’s parents, came forward and joined in. Audrion, looking like he was about to kill someone, sent everyone around him away. Then he moved directly in front of all his guests. “It seems that this wedding, by the customs of the Bloodroot kingdom, cannot take place. You see, by Bloodroot rule, the bride and groom must not meet until their wedding day, and it sees there is no way around that as this time. Anyway, please go to
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:53:22 GMT -5
our lavish hall and enjoy the food and dancing.” Audrion finished. He was greeted by blank stares. He sighed. “Go. Now.” The guests dispersed with quiet murmurs, many of them glancing over their shoulders as they left. Saria, Laura, Raythor, Anella and Gabriel stayed behind. Markus slipped away to meet them. “Rose is going to be awhile. I think I’ll stay here and wait for her. It’s the least I can do.” Markus said. “That’s all you can say?” Laura fairly shrieked. “You’ve escaped the wedding you’ve dreaded for seventeen years and that’s all you can say?” The prince smiled. “What do you want me to say?” “Anything…” This time, she wasn’t going to cry. Laura had seen what losing him could do to her. She never wanted to feel like that again. It had been like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from, and it had scared her more than she would ever be willing to admit, even to herself. “I’m happy for you, Markus.” Raythor said, putting a comforting hand on Laura’s shoulder. “Being married to Rose would have been a fate worse than death.” “It seems so many things are worse than death,” Anella said, a tad morbidly. The ornaments in her hair jingled whenever her head moved. “Raythor? Is that you?” A red-haired girl rushed over, arms outstretched. “I didn’t know you had such a predilection for red hair.” Markus said lightly. Raythor glared at him. “Hello Karen. Imagine you being here.” Raythor said evenly. “I had no idea.” “Oh, we’re friends with a lord in Bloodroot.” Karen said flippantly. “Never mind that, it’s just so good to see you, especially since you aren’t in a cell this time. My father isn’t here, though. That wouldn’t matter, he probably wouldn’t recognize you. He doesn’t know you the way I do.” “Fortunately,” Markus commented, successfully keeping a straight face. “Shut up, Markus.” Raythor said under his breath. “What?” Karen asked, ears perked. “Oh, nothing.” “I have missed you so terribly. Do you think we could see more of each other? Daddy wouldn’t like it, but that would make it so much more exciting.” “Didn’t you hear? This is my wife Laura.” “We have nine children.” Laura said dryly. “How did you have that many so fast?” Karen asked, raising an eyebrow. Laura pursed her lips at Raythor before answering. “All at the same time. It was a miracle.” “How come you’re not wearing any rings?” Karen demanded. Laura folded her hands behind her back, so that Karen couldn’t see them. Markus slipped his engagement ring and Rose’s now useless wedding ring into Laura’s palm. She passed one ring to Raythor, and shoved the other on her finger. “Markus was holding them for us because,” Raythor said hurriedly, “Because…” “It’s the thing to do.” Saria announced. “All the royals have the new couple hold their rings during the wedding.” “Then what are the names of your nine children?” Karen said with a smirk.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:53:39 GMT -5
“David, Kaslon, Kenetari, Juliet, Kylara, Ranier, Vyncent, Harris and Elizabeth.” Laura rattled off, like she’d said it a thousand times before. Karen had clearly run out of arguments, and she left. “Laura, I owe you one.” Raythor said. “Here’s your ring, blue boy.” “Sorry I had to name one of our imaginary children after your murderous sister.” “Oh, I plan to name all of my children after Kenetari, because I love her so much.” “I’m going to name all nine of my children after her. Markus, here’s your ring back.” “Keep them, both of you.” The prince replied. “Who are Harris and Elizabeth?” “No one, I just like the names.” Laura shrugged. Saria skipped off, and everyone but Markus followed her.
****
Their eyes met for the first time as just a prince and a princess from different kingdoms. Rose was no longer Ketra’s maid, and could never go back down that path again. Markus would always see her now as his ex-fiancée, and as the girl who embodied the name he had dreaded his entire life. They were no longer just friends. “I suppose I should thank you. What you did for me may never really sink in, but I should certainly thank you.” Markus said, with even formality. His politeness had never been so painful to her before. “You should have gone on with everyone else. You shouldn’t have waited for me.” Rose responded, her own in-bred formality taking over. “There is no need to thank me; I was merely upholding the customs of my people.” He felt all the eyes on them just as acutely as Rose did. What ever it was that they truly wanted to say, they couldn’t, at least not here. “It has been my pleasure to travel with you, princess. If the both of us are to return to Rea’s quest, I am sure to find your company just as pleasurable.” “I thank you for your kindness. Might I speak freely of our joint friend?” “Please, my lady.” “Mary had told me to make the choice, she wished for you to understand that it was mine to make.” Tears glistened at the edges of Rose’s eyes, but did not fall. “If you and I are separated, I want you to have Mary’s diary. I did not mean to carry it with me.” “Rose…” Markus’s voice quavered slight. “Please don’t say that.” “Shall we join the others?” Rose asked coolly. “Of course,” He took her hand and kissed it lightly. She couldn’t help but remember what it had felt like when those lips were against her own, and wishing… “I shan’t deprive the others of your company any longer.”
****
“What are we doing?” Dasher asked curiously. “We’re dancing, Juliet. That’s it, you’ve got it now.” An attractive soldier Dasher had already forgotten the name of replied. “Are you sure you’ve never done this before?” “Positive. Why?” “You’re just so finely dressed. You look like a lady.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:53:54 GMT -5
“Do I really?” Dasher kept glancing over the boys shoulder, taking in everything. She spotted someone standing alone in the background. Strange, for a party guest. “Who’s he?” “Him? I don’t know. Could be the new door guard.” “My friends are here. Would you want to come and meet them?” “Why not?” He replied. Dasher glided forward, now so used to her human body that she could move with elegance. “Hello, everyone. Aren’t you going to dance?” “I am!” Saria said gleefully. She grabbed Raythor’s hand, and started pulling him. “I don’t dance.” Raythor said firmly. “Then I’ll teach you, silly.” Saria said firmly. “Put this hand on my waist, and hold my hand with your other one…” Laura smiled as Raythor and Saria disappeared into the crowd, and the dark haired boy kept complaining about how he couldn’t dance. “Care to dance, Markus?” Rose asked smoothly, clearly amused by Raythor’s pain. “I’d be delighted to.” The prince answered. She took his hand and they stepped away. “I think I’ll have some wine. A really big glass of wine,” Laura said, rubbing her temples. “What’s wine?” Dasher asked. The soldier gave her a funny look. “Where did you say you were from?” “I didn’t. Let’s try some wine.”
****
Laura had broken off from everyone else, and concentrated the last of her energy on trying not to follow Markus’s every step with her eyes. She was going to have to face the fact he could never love her sooner or later, but she just couldn’t handle it tonight. Even if he did love her, she could never be anything more than a mistress. On top of all that, Laura knew that, whomever the prince married now, he would never do that to his wife. Even if he despised her. “Rough night?” A male voice asked her calmly. She recognized him almost immediately as the boy who had been standing alone in the corner. “You might say that.” Laura said, too worn out to care that the wine was probably loosening her tongue. “I’m…” He paused, searching for a name, “Hector.” “Elaura,” She said, glancing disdainfully at her empty glass. Laura flicked her eyes over her companion. Dark, nearly black hair, and deep brown eyes. “I’m not like this.” “Hm?” “I’m too nice for my own good. I’m a happy person. I should be like that, don’t you think?” “You should certainly be happy.” He said, smiling a little. She didn’t know how well he knew her. “That really helped. Thank you. I think I may be getting drunk, though.” “Want to sit down?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:54:20 GMT -5
“No, I want to dance. That will make me happy. Will you dance with me?” “Of course,” Lydrion smiled again, offering his hand. “Anything for a lady.”
**** Anella realized, and this depressed her slightly, that it was down to her and Gabriel, now that Dasher and the soldier had left. She turned to Gabriel and said, as brightly as she possibly could: “So, how are you?” She was met with a very long silence. Then Gabriel turned his head, as though he was just noticing her. “Oh, you’re probably waiting for me to answer. Carry on.” “Right… sure,” Anella desperately looked around for someone else to talk to, when she saw Raythor wander back over. “Where’s Saria?” She asked faintly. “Another guy cut in. He thought I was her brother.” Raythor said with a shrug. “This is all your fault, and you know it!” Karen shrieked from across the room. “You shouldn’t have gone near that boy to begin with! He’s a dirty little thief!” Karen’s mother screamed back. “You know how I felt about him!” “That is so awkward.” Rose said, coming up behind Raythor. Markus stood placidly at her side, trying to refrain from comment. By now, every guest was staring at the mother and daughter pair. Audrion marched into action yet again, a deadly expression on his face. Karen and her mother were swiftly escorted from the room. “I apologize for that. Please return to what you were doing.” The king said, as evenly as possible. When he was greeted again by blank faces and very little movement, his eyes narrowed. “Please return to what you were doing.” Audrion said in a low, dangerous voice. “As soon as possible.” At once, the crowd melted away. Markus shook his head. “He’s going to be using that voice on me very, very soon.” “Try not to think about it.” Anella said soothingly, finishing her glass of wine. She had never tasted wine before, and even one glass made her feel a little funny. “My parents already chewed me out but good-” Rose started. Then she smiled, very slightly. “It was worth it, in the end.” “I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you,” Markus said, feeling mildly giddy. The full weight of what Rose had done still hadn’t reached him yet. “You know, Anella, you should take the floor. You told me once how much you loved to dance.” “I think I might. All I need is a-” Anella broke off, staring at the ground. Rose grinned demonically at Raythor. “You know what you should do.” Rose said. “What?” The dark haired boy said, fearing he knew the answer, “Dance?” “Yes.” She nodded. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, and then stood stock still, fighting an inner battle of wills. “All right,” He said, looking like a cat that someone had thrown into the well, “But I won’t like it.” “I don’t care. Go on,” Rose insisted, giving him a little shove forward.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:54:42 GMT -5
“Anella? You know I can’t dance, but Rose believes that I should. At least until someone thinks I’m your brother, that is.” Raythor said, grinning half heartedly. Anella raised her head at the sound of his voice, her cheeks scarlet. “I…” She said hesitantly. Then she smiled. “Thank you, Raythor. I’ll lead and pretend you are.” With that, she giggled. “How much have you had to drink?” Raythor asked. Rose gave him a death glare that would have made the king jealous. “I mean,” He rephrased, “You are very welcome. I’m sure I’ll love dancing this time around.” Rose nodded in satisfaction, took Markus’s hand, and again led him away. “I’ve only had one,” Anella said softly, turning a deeper shade of red. They walked out among the other dancers and faced each other before Anella spoke again. “Now…um…put your hand on my waist and I’ll put my hand on my shoulder and-” Kylara drifted by laughing, dancing perfectly with the music, “We do that.” “I’m incapable of moving with any sort of grace.” Raythor responded, rolling his eyes. He did comply with her instructions, as he had with Saria. “You don’t have to do this.” “I probably owe you for something. Don’t mind me. My face gets stuck like this sometimes.” Anella just nodded in reply, and begin to move slowly, counting the time under her breath. “Are you saying something?” Raythor asked, trying not to stare at his feet. It wasn’t working. “I’m just counting time. I thought it might help.” She said sheepishly. Around them, the floor was filling with more and more couples; all attired in glittering garments, and the music was starting to get faster. Raythor sighed softly. “Tell me I can do this. Maybe my brain will be tricked into thinking I can.” “I know you can,” Anella said firmly, finally breaking into a real smile, “I believe in you.” Raythor met her eyes. “Thanks. You know, you have nice eyes? I never really noticed before. What I mean is yours aren’t scary, like most everyone else’s.” Anella blushed vividly. “T-thank you, y-you have nice eyes too, I noticed the first time I saw you that… that you have beautiful eyes.” “Me? You’re the one with eyes like the morning sky.” Raythor grinned slightly. “I’m sorry; I’m probably making you nervous. For some reason, I concentrate better when I talk.” “No, you’re not making me nervous at all. You’re one of the only boys I can actually… talk to.” She wondered if he knew what she meant. “Boys make you nervous? I don’t blame you, with all those knights running around. Why you can talk to me, I don’t know.” “I guess I’m just lucky.” “Lucky? How can you be lucky for finding a guy who’s been running away all his life?” He asked, but the bitterness was gone. “Especially from something he didn’t do.” “That’s just it, I’m lucky I got to help you find your innocence, help you rebuild. I’ve never met anyone like you before, Raythor. You seem so cold…but you’re not.” She looked at that emotionless face, wondering how she had the strength to say these things. “I didn’t know I could be anything but cold, but you’re different. You’re always so nice to everyone.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:55:13 GMT -5
“I’m not brave enough to be cold. I’m afraid of confrontation. I’m weak, really.” “You’re not weak. Any normal person would have fallen apart after the things we’ve seen, and it’s not over yet. I want you to be you the rest of the way, because I don’t know what the rest of us would do without you.” “You think I’m… valuable?” “It doesn’t take money to be, and you are.” Anella turned up the corners of her mouth. A smile was something that came so easily for her yet had for so long been impossible for him. Another image crossed her mind, and it hit her hard. “I was jealous when Dione kissed you.” “Why?” He shook his head. It was obvious. “You’ve never been kissed before, have you?” Anella bit her lip. “Err, yes. Yes, absolutely. I’ve never been kissed. That’s exactly why. Yes…” “It’s not… it’s not because it was me she was kissing?” “I-” Anella began. Someone tapped her shoulder, and she turned her head. Kylara stood there, hand on hip, looking disinterested. “Mind if I cut in?” She asked, but it really wasn’t a question. Before Anella could reply, Kylara had whisked Raythor away. Anella walked off mutely, sinking down onto an elaborate golden bench. She barely noticed the girl next to her. “Stupid…” Anella said under her breath, “I’m so stupid…” “Why are you calling yourself stupid?” The girl asked, light amber hair bobbing, “Well?” “No reason,” Anella said very quietly. “Oh, come on. You can tell me. Likely as not, we won’t meet again. Who would I tell?” “I just said some stupid things.” “You blurted something out?” Anella nodded. “Was it a boy?” She nodded again. “Which one?” Anella pointed out Raythor. “Hm, I see.” The girl frowned. “Who’s that woman with him now?” “Just another member of our group.” “Don’t just sit there, go take him back.” The girl said. Anella didn’t move. The girl sighed. “If you don’t, I will.” “No!” “Then get up.” The girl urged. Anella fought down the urge to run, standing and starting off strong. “Raythor, you’re avoiding my questions. Why did Kenetari let you go?” Kylara demanded. “I have no idea. She’s crazier than Dione.” The dark haired boy responded dryly. “You must have some idea.” “So you wanted her to soak the ground in my blood?” “That’s not it at all.” Kylara said. Raythor rolled his eyes, staring off gloomily over Kylara’s shoulder, where he spotted Anella. “Tell me, Kylara, did you think I killed my parents?” “What? I don’t know.” Kylara paused, thinking it over. A ways behind her, Anella froze in her tracks. “What was I thinking,” she thought in a panic. Then a stronger voice pushed through in her head: “No, you have to do this. If you don’t, you’ll never do anything.” She swallowed, and kept moving forward.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:55:36 GMT -5
“You really had to think about it, didn’t you? Laura didn’t. She knew straight away.” Raythor was enjoying this. Kylara was still working on an answer when Anella tapped her shoulder. “Um…” The shy girl stammered. “Could I…uh…” “Could you what?” Raythor prompted hopefully. “Could I…um…have this next dance?” Anella finished. Kylara said nothing, and walked away. Raythor waited patiently until Kylara was out of ear shot. “Thank you. She just wanted answers from me, nothing more. She thinks I’m a killer too, apparently. Maybe she likes them.” “You’re welcome,” Anella said gently, “Shall we dance?” “Absolutely.” “You know, in a lot of ways I envy Kylara.” “What? Why?” “She’s beautiful, and outgoing and strong and independent and versatile… I’m not any of those things.” “You’re beautiful,” Raythor argued, “And you’ve proved so many times that you’re strong and brave.” She glanced up. “Do you really think I’m-” She stopped, and then smiled. “Thank you.” “Do I really think you’re beautiful?” Raythor hesitated. “Yes…” “It’s just… no ones ever told me that before.” “Really?” He asked, looking surprised. “Why wouldn’t they? You are… very lovely.” “T-thank you.” She said, looking away again. “My friends always used to say ‘Oh, Anella you would be so pretty or you could be so pretty…’ It always felt like I wasn’t trying hard enough. But to hear it from you…it’s really…nice.” “I just can’t believe that…” Raythor started. He trailed off as the music did, and didn’t finish the sentence. “Thank you for the dance, Raythor.” Anella said softly. “Thank you… thank you for everything.”
****
“Ouch! Stop stepping on my tail, Firelight!” “Well, I wouldn’t step on it so much if you stopped twitching it. You’re like a cat.” Firelight said. Theo playfully barred his teeth. “Shut up, both of you,” Blade growled. Nightshade, much amused, told Theo to whisper. The four of them stared in at all the light and sound of the castle before them. They’d been able to make it into the courtyard without being spotted, but their plan pretty much ended there. “I’ve got to take care of something.” Nightshade said apologetically. She smiled flirtatiously at Theo, who always lapped it up anyway. Then she faded into the shadows. With her wings folded down and her tail held still, she was very difficult to see. Nightshade arrived quickly at the meeting point, and waited. “Did you tell him?” Lydrion stared down at her, an impatient frown across his face. “Yes, but it was all very true wasn’t it?” Nightshade replied easily.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:56:03 GMT -5
“Did you know she was the princess?” “No, but I strongly suspect you did.” “Find David Catshadow.” “Kill him?” “No, not yet. I just want his weaknesses for now.” “Other than Caldria, I assume?” “Jason Whitestar has been taken off the hit list.” “Really? I thought you were terribly angry with him.” There was no answer. Lydrion was gone. In a moment, so was she.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Trust Me
Markus wondered how long it had been since he had last slept in his own bed. He tried to tell himself everything would get better from here on out, that it would all be different now. Today was the day his entire life had revolved around for seventeen years, and the one thought that had always been in the back of his head. What now? Was his existence up until that point really so meaningless? He walked to his window and started down at the courtyard, breathing in the fresh air. A voice caught his attention, one that he would recognize anywhere. “You’ve seen this bracelet before, Hector? Where?” Laura spoke, the sound of her voice just barely reaching the prince’s ears above. “Looks like Whitestar’s daughter’s, what ever her name is. It was flamed like that, anyway.” The other voice, slightly louder, responded. Markus supposed this was Hector. “I wonder how Markus could have gotten hold of it, then.” “Maybe they’re going broke, and she had to sell it.” Markus strained to see Laura and Hector as they walked by. He couldn’t really see Hector clearly, and by the time his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the pair was gone. Markus turned and left the room, with no real thought in his head except that Laura might be walking into a trap, and he had to protect her. Nothing else seemed to matter.
****
“I was just trying to protect you!” “I can take care of myself!” “You don’t even have your bow with you!” “Why does that matter? I don’t need saving, especially by you.” “Aren’t best friends supposed to look out for each other?” “Shut up! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” “Laura-” A door was slammed in Markus’s face. He let his arms fall limply to his sides, sighing heavily. Doors opened and voices mingled in the halls and he trudged back to his room. People from his own group and from the party stared out at him with questioning eyes. He didn’t even attempt to answer any of them. When his own door fell safely shut behind him, the voices got louder and more confused, before fading away.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:56:21 GMT -5
The prince wasn’t listening to any of it; he merely sat on his bed and buried his head in his hands. “Markus?” The door was pushed open, and his mother poked her head in. “Are you all right, dear?” “I’m fine…” He mumbled incoherently. “I really can’t hear a word you’re saying.” Ivy said briskly, walking in and closing the door behind her. “Now what’s wrong?” “I’m an idiot.” Markus told her, gloomily looking at nothing. “Oh, darling, you aren’t an idiot. Who put that idea into your head?” “Laura…” “Was that you two fighting?” “Yes.” “What about?” “Nothing.” “It can’t have been nothing. You were both yelling pretty loudly.” Ivy said, sitting next to him. “We haven’t fought in forever.” “I know, sweetie, but even couples fight sometimes.” “But we aren’t a couple.” “Still.” “She was out in the courtyard with this guy and I sort of um… threatened him.” “Were you jealous?” “No, I was not jealous. I thought she was going to get hurt.” “So you were trying to protect her?” Ivy asked. He nodded numbly. “Hector just left, he thought it was funny. Laura started yelling at me, though, and she said Hector was very nice and that they were just talking. Then I told her she was gullible if she believed that, and she said I was paranoid and crazy. I imagine you heard the rest.” “Yes, I think the entire castle probably did.” “That and me calling her so gullible she’d buy a headless horse, and her telling me the last thing I’d understood was how to spell my name.” “Ah, Markus,” Ivy patted his hand, “Don’t worry. Your heart was in the right place. This’ll blow over.” “I sure hope so…” “Do you want me to stay?” “No, I’ll be all right. I’m not a kid anymore.” “Cheer up; you could be working on-” “Don’t even say it.” “Fine. Goodnight, Markus.” “Yeah, bye.”
****
Laura dug her fingernails into her palms, biting down on her lip to keep from screaming. She’d been having so many nightmares lately, ones she hadn’t told anyone about. Markus was always in them, always there, and he was always a dark presence…
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:56:49 GMT -5
but he’d never touched her, not even when he’d killed her. She’d always had bad dreams, as long as she could remember, but these were different somehow. They were darker, more real. Did they really come from the unknown power inside of her, from the elementist’s vessel? Or did they mean that she was, against all reason, truly afraid of Markus? Some of the maids glanced at her disinterestedly and went back to what ever they had been doing. They were all exhausted from the wedding, and they all knew Laura had been exempt from working just because she was Markus’s friend. Few of the other maids trusted her at all. She had a few friends among the maids, but none as close to her as Markus was. Yet, all she could seem to do was push him away. “Laura, you really don’t look so good,” Lynn whispered, in a concerned voice. “Who cares?” Laura replied sullenly. “I do. You should be jumping for joy; your little boyfriend didn’t get married. Come on, sit down.” Lynn said. Laura followed her in a daze, looking down at her palms. She was slightly relieved to find that they weren’t bleeding. “Markus isn’t my boyfriend.” Laura said, to wake herself up. “We all know that, you’ve told me personally a thousand times.” Lynn said, hands on her hips. “But the fact is, I know you, and you should be walking on air right now. Instead, you look like…. I don’t know, a zombie or something.” “We had a fight.” “He is never going to fall in love with you, marry you, any of that nonsense. So why don’t you start spending your time with someone who can actually take care of you? We all have crushes on Markus, but we know he’s never going to look at us. You’re lucky he talks to you.” “Markus isn’t like that. He’s not a prince to me, he’s just…” “Everything,” Lynn sighed. “I give up, Laura. There’s nothing I could say about the prince that’s going to make you give up on him.” “No, there isn’t. I already have.”
****
Kylara was awake well before the sun rose. The fact that Raythor had spent most of his time with Anella yesterday wasn’t making her happy. Back when Kylara was the only one who knew his secret, he’d spent a lot more time with her than he did now. True, this was perhaps because he’d been afraid she’d turn him in if he didn’t, but, still, she missed him. He had to be missing her, but that was his own fault. Raythor wouldn’t have to miss her if he didn’t waste all his time dancing with useless people like Anella. Kylara glanced back disinterestedly at castle Imperia. She supposed most people would be taken with its beauty, or its construction, or all that history. She didn’t particularly care about all that nonsense. There wasn’t anything real about royalty, it was all just a stupid game she didn’t know how to play and didn’t want to learn. Kylara looked away, and saw a lone figure standing on the hill she was now climbing. In a few steps, it became clear that it was a boy, probably one who was waiting for somebody. In a few more steps, she knew who it was. “Raythor, is that you?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:57:06 GMT -5
“Oh, hello Kylara,” He said nonchalantly, smiling at her. That was strange in itself, but… something was off. “Is there… your eyes…” “My eyes?” “They’re blue. Well, I mean they’re supposed to be.” “Must be a trick of the light, I’m sure they’re blue now.” Even as he spoke, the irises changed from that odd, dull brown to their normal hawk-blue. “Yes… a trick of the light…” Kylara said, shivering involuntarily. There was still something not right about him. Raythor’s manner was still uncaring, but in a way that was almost sinister, almost like it would be if he were a real murderer. The unchanging expression on his face just wasn’t his expression. It wasn’t bored, it was… empty. “So, Kylara, come on. I want to show you something.” “What’s your middle name?” “What kind of question is that?” He laughed, and it wasn’t his laugh. “I don’t remember my middle name, you know that.” “Do you remember your parent’s names, then?” “Kenetari told them to me, they were Kari and Hector. Why are you asking me this, anyway?” “No reason, I guess. Where are we going?” “Just through here. Don’t worry.” “Don’t worry? Have you suddenly gotten over the idea that you’re dangerous?” “Not to you. We’re friends, right?” “Who are you?” Kylara demanded, drawing her sword. Raythor groaned. “Damn it. I thought being unemotional would be easy.” He stretched out his arm, and a red light shown through. It looked as though the scars underneath were burning away. “Why’d I have to do Kenetari’s brother anyway? I hate that woman. I hate doing the stupid scars too; you always have to do them separately. So, what gave me away?” “Other than the changing eye color, the fact you just used the word ‘friend’ in a sentence. Not sarcastically.” “I bet this guy is a lot of fun at parties. You seem to be a bit obsessed with him, though. Why is that?” “Who are you?” Kylara repeated. “Since the secrets out, I’m Pallas. I work for Lydrion. You haven’t actually seen him though, have you?” “No, I haven’t.” “Hold on.” His features started changing, and a star shone briefly on the human forehead. Kylara watched in disturbed fascination as Raythor’s hair got lighter and longer, as his nose and mouth shifted, as his eyebrows took on more of an arch. “There, now I’m Lydrion. I know this one a little better, though.” Kylara detected a hint of youth in that last statement, something he had obviously been trying to hide under layers of sarcasm. “She saw through you fast enough,” Kenetari came up behind Pallas, putting her hands on his shoulders. “My brother must have been a little difficult for someone as inexperienced as you.” “I worked from your description alone, Lady Whitestar.” Pallas said blandly. He stared directly into Kylara’s eyes, and made his own flash blue again, but she just looked confused. “I did the best that I could, without having seen him.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:57:29 GMT -5
“He was physically perfect,” Kylara said, trying not to betray any part of herself through her own voice, “But he acted a little more like you than he should have.” “Raythor’s a little weaker than I am.” Kenetari said dismissively. “After surviving so long, I had hopes he wouldn’t be entirely useless to me. As it is, he dies with the rest of you.” “He’s smarter than you’ll ever be.” Kylara said, before she could stop herself. Kenetari smirked, moving in front of Pallas and resting her hands on her hips. “Than why am I always one step ahead of him and the rest of your group of misfits?” “Should I have done the blonde girl instead?” Pallas interrupted. He didn’t want Kenetari to hurt anyone, at least not while he was watching. “Not if you mean Anella.” Kylara answered, not in the least bit intimidated by the murderesses words. “I can only consider her an unfortunate weakness.” She covered her mouth. Not even Anella deserved to be targeted by Caltha’s most brutal and famous murderer, even if no one thought of the Karian Killer and pictured Kenetari in their minds. “Is she the weakness of my little Shadow Dog?” Kenetari asked. “She was the one he was ready to die to protect, but I just figured he’d die for anyone. He’d not very happy, is he?” “Shadow Dog?” Kylara asked, with a pathetic little laugh. “What is that, a stupid pet name?” “It’s not my name. Surely you’ve heard this legend?” Kylara didn’t answer. “I attacked their throats. Like a dog would. Some people think that I… sorry, Raythor… can change form to shred his victim’s throats.” “That’s disgusting.” Kylara said honestly. “Take a close look at my brother’s teeth next time you see him.” “You don’t want to kill me?” “Not now. I’ve already gotten everything I need from you, haven’t I?” “If you kill Anella, and Raythor finds out I’m responsible for it, in any way…” Kylara said, desperately trying to think up a good way to end that sentence. She obviously couldn’t use a threat, she was a good fighter but she was no where near Kenetari’s level. “It will destroy him.”
****
Blade felt the ground disappear from under him, and no matter how hard he beat his wings he couldn’t stop himself from falling. He supposed he must have cried out in his sleep, for the next thing he knew Firelight was prodding him with her front paw. “Blade, you’re making the most dreadful sounds. You made poor Theo freak out.” “‘Poor Theo’ is a bloody coward.” Blade said hostilely, opening one eye to look at her. “I’m awake now, so you can stop doing that.” “Sorry. Anyway, Nightshade says someone should go check on everyone else. Also, she said something about how useless we all are. I sort of tuned that part out, though.” “I would have too.” Blade said blandly. “I’ll go. Tell the other two.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 0:57:59 GMT -5
“All right, Blade, but don’t be long. You know how I miss you.” Firelight teased. He rolled his eyes before taking off into the air. It felt good to fly again, a relief even. He knew it wasn’t at all practical to feel that way, after just a dream. Dasher would never understand that, but he supposed she never had to know about it either. The trees below passed by quickly, and he shifted air currents every once and awhile. He knew he’d have to be more careful at the castle. Blade rose higher into the air, so that if anyone did see him they’d mistake him for something else. He was a strong believer in the ‘people see only what they want to see’ theory, and so far it had served him well. As quickly as he could, Blade glided through a window he heard all familiar voices coming out off. Rose, Gabriel, Dione, Raythor and Dasher all sat in one of the guest rooms, doing nothing in particular. All of them started slightly when Blade landed, except for Gabriel. He didn’t seem to notice. “You are so lucky its all ROE in here.” Rose said, pursing her lips. “Row?” Raythor asked, confused. “R-O-E. Royalty of Everglade.” “I want to tell you stupid that sounds, but I figure you already know that. I’ll just think it really loud.” “What would you know? You’re a peasant.” “We’re such uncultured rats, aren’t we?” “You’re being sarcastic again.” “Me? Never.” “For the love of the moon, where is Laura when you need her?” Dasher moaned. Before Rose could counter that, Blade interrupted with: “Where’s Markus?” “Oh, that.” Dione said, as though she were recalling a far off event. “The wedding didn’t happen. Rose was the princess and she violated some custom or something.” “Rose is a princess?” Blade said incredulously. “She sure is. Right, Gabriel?” “Hmm? Did you say something?” Gabriel asked. “Nope.” “All right then.” “You really enjoy doing that, don’t you Dione?” Blade said, absorbing the information. “Well, I guess I’m glad that Markus isn’t married right now.” “We don’t know if he’ll be rejoining us yet, though. It seems his father is very upset.” Dasher put in. She had regained her natural shape, and stretched her canine jaw into a yawn. “Plus, he had a fight with Laura.” “You can’t be serious. She adores him.” “Don’t ask me. It’s kind of creeping me out, personally.” “Has anyone-” Everyone froze. The door had started opening. “Who’s there?” Rose said, as imperiously as possible. “Just me,” Anella’s voice replied meekly through the door. Blade breathed a sigh if relief. “Oh, it’s just you. Then come in.” Rose said dismissively. “Um… I wanted to ask Raythor something.” “So ask me,” The dark haired boy answered, trying to sound as if he didn’t care.
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