The King's Remorse

My Ears!

I take a deep breath, exhaling before leading Phoenix through the doors that are now open. Eternity seems to stretch on between every step I take, and my mind races with the knowledge that I very well could be just moments from my death. With a quick glance down to Phoenix, I see the black cat staring down Bryant, eyes never wavering and head held high.

The ring of dust binding Phoenix glows a brighter purple and the snake's presence in my mind grows as we approach the Amethyst Throne, stopping a few paces from the foot of it. Smoke curls from my eyes as the snake responds to the closeness of its creator. I fight back the urge to reach out and touch the Amethyst Throne when the air thrums with power.

"Is this a present for me? Aww, that's so thoughtful of you, Dust Devil." Bryant threads his fingers together and his amethyst eyes brighten with the glee of a child who just got a birthday gift.

"Uh, y-," I close my mouth and take a quick breath before replying. "Yes, yes it is, My Sovereign, Your Excellency, Your Honor, Your Highest of all Highnesses, King Garonda XIV." I bow and then drop to my knees, falling further into the actions I'd been trained to do for so long. My forehead brushes the ground and I turn my head to the side to bare my throat.

"You forget we're equals, Dust Devil? Don't do that. It's weird. You've harnessed the power of the Amethyst Throne. We're equals. Get up and lemme see my present."

"Of course. Uh, this is Phoenix."

"Ky's brother?"

"Don't say his name. You don't get the privilege to say his name. You murdered him. You don't get to speak of my brother." Phoenix explodes into a fiery inferno. The temperature in the room skyrockets and I feel my armor growing warm. I shield my eyes from the bright flames with a hand.

"Arrogant for someone who's about to die, deciding who the King of Ragdon can talk about," Bryant chuckles. No, don't talk about death. If it's anyone, it's me. You haven't found out about my traitorous actions... yet. But I know you will. It's only a matter of time. I keep my expression neutral, but fear and guilt gnaw gaping wounds on my insides.

"Arrogant, huh? Is that what they're calling it these days? See, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my mind around just how I'm being this arrogant being you're saying I am. Care to elaborate, dearest King," Phoenix says with mock respect. His muzzle wrinkles in disgust.

"Shall we start with how you're speaking without being spoken to?" Bryant's eyes flash.

"Oh, I'm sorry. See, I thought your name was Bryant. I hadn't realized you were a King." Phoenix's voice is a sickly sweet purr. At the mention of his name, Bryant's head snaps toward me.

"Refer to your King as King Garonda XIV." My fingers curl and the ring of dust around Phoenix's neck tightens in a warning. The flames on Phoenix's pelt flicker, but I can tell it's just for show.

"How did you come up with this name... 'Bryant', arrogant little cat?" Bryant places an elbow on the armrest of the Throne and rests his chin on his knuckles. Amethyst eyes are narrowed as he ponders something I cannot figure out. How did he figure out Bryant's real name? Did I tell him? If I did, it would be even more of a betrayal. My heart sinks through my toes at the thought.

"Yeah, I'll pass on calling you that. And it certainly doesn't matter where I found out about Bryant. You've got bigger things to worry about." Slowly, bit by bit, the bindings I'd placed on Phoenix begin to crumble, and it's like he's not putting in any effort to do so. He was letting them remain? In an effort to keep up the mask of the Dust Devil and the Soldier, I sweep my arms up and bring dust into a tornado around me. Phoenix doesn't blink or even spare a glance my way. The snake hisses in my mind, baring its fangs. I shove it back.