What Lies Beneath

Chapter 6

When I woke, I had no idea where I was. But then I looked up to see Xavier rooting through his drawers, and I remembered I fell asleep in his room.

He turned around to face me, and his eyes widened. "Wow," he breathed.

"What?" I asked, confused. I looked around for what on earth he could be so blown away by, and then I noticed a silver mask on the bed beside me. "Oh, no," I whispered, grabbing it and pulling it over my eyes as fast as I could.

"Astra," he said softly, coming over to me and crouching beside the bed. "Take that off."

"I can't," I mumbled, looking at the floor.

Xavier took my hands in his own. "It's okay," he whispered, reaching up to gently lift it off of my face. "You're so beautiful."

"I'm glad you're not disappointed," I laughed softly. I never thought this moment would come. But before my happy moment could continue, the door opened, and Dax walked in.

"Is Astra here—" His eyes went wide at the scenario playing out in front of him, and he just stared. I got the feeling he didn't even know where to begin.

"It fell off while she was sleeping," Xavier said, defending me.

Dax just kept staring. I stood up, clenching my fists. I didn't go too close to him because then he could grab me and run, but I took a few steps forward. "Don't you kill him," I seethed.

"Astra, you know the rules—"

"I don't care about the rules," I snapped. "If you kill him, I will run and you will never see me again."

"Let me speak to your brother," he said calmly. "I'm sure we can work something out." With that, he was gone. He didn't even force me to put the mask back on.

"You have to run," I began.

"Astra," Xavier said softly. "I've been running for years. If I go out there I'll be running from the rebels, and your brother. At least in here I'm safe from one of those."

"Yeah, and you'll die soon enough!" I cried. "And I promised myself you wouldn't end up like your brother so when I say you have to run, that's an order."

Xavier took a deep breath. "I'm not going anywhere, Princess. You know that."

"Astra!" a loud voice roared through the palace halls. Callum.

I braced myself, and left Xavier's room to go stand in the hallway. He was fuming, but Dax looked to be holding him back. For that, I was grateful.

"Dear sister, would you care to explain to me how this happened?" Callum demanded, enraged. I heard Dax quietly shush him for a moment, but it passed.

"It was an accident," I said quietly, looking at the floor. "They happen, you know."

Callum clenched his fists, and I thought he might explode. "Let me punish her," he seethed, directed at Dax. I was shaking, and that was not good.

"Not in the way you're thinking," Dax said softly. "Callum, look at her. Your poor little, baby sister. She's terrified."

"If you don't propose a good enough punishment, I will beat her," he threatened. "I've already agreed not to kill the boy."

"I know," Dax said calmly. "Don't you worry. I just wanted you to see her face before dinner."

"Why?" Callum growled.

"Because I'd like to have a nice, civil dinner without you wanting to kill your sister," Dax snipped. "I hope we'll still be able to accomplish that." Callum said nothing, he only glared daggers at me. "Go off to your room, please. Or mine. I'll be with you shortly."

"Yes, Dax," Callum murmured. I might have had to listen to Dax, but so did he.

"What are you going to do to me?" I asked in a small voice.

"It's not your fault the mask fell off," he said. "But it is your fault that you fell asleep there, so that you must be punished for. Along with getting angry at me just now, of course. That was not acceptable."

"I was protecting my friend," I spat.

"I understand, sweetheart," Dax said softly. "Why don't you come to your room? We can discuss your punishment there."

"Can Xavier be there?" I asked.

"If it will make you feel better," he offered. I nodded, and called Xavier into my room once we got there. He came in, and left the door that linked our rooms wide open. "I put these here a while ago, incase something like this ever happened." Dax rooted through my closet, and I heard rattling. He pulled out a set of chains, and my eyes went wide.

"What are you going to with those?" I asked in a small voice.

"This is your punishment," he explained. "Or, part of it at least. Now, will you hold still for me?" I nodded meekly, and allowed him to lock the chains around my ankles first. Next went my wrists, and then my throat. They were all connected by a longer vertical chain as well. This was going to make movement difficult. "This should prevent you from running," he began. "You'll never be able to get it off."

"Yes, Dax," I said quietly, looking at the floor.

"Second, your hair is won't be coming back," he said. "I had considered letting it grow, but that won't be happening anymore. Thirdly, you will be chained to your bed every night to make sure you won't escape. And your dear friend Xavier will not be leaving the palace, ever again."

"What?" I cried. "That's not fair. He didn't do anything."

"I'm sure he doesn't mind," Dax said. "But you will. He'll keep up with all your haircuts, and making sure you're attached to that bed, and choosing your outfits in the morning, and putting those chains on, of course."

"But it's his freedom you're taking away," I reminded him.

"Astra," Xavier murmured. "It's okay. I'll gladly stay here just to keep you safe."

"Thank you," I said softly, turning back to Dax. "Am I required to wear masks?"

Dax thought for a moment. "He's been looking at you all morning, so I don't really see the point. You may go back to the previous rules, with your masks. Wear them when there's an event."

"Yes, Dax," I said obediently. He looked impressed with my compliance, but I wasn't sure what else I was supposed to do.

"Here," Dax said, handing Xavier the key.

"What makes you think I won't just free her?" Xavier demanded.

"I assure you, if you do not play your part in Astra's punishment, King Callum will not make good on his promise, and you will die a slow and painful death." With that, Dax kissed my forehead, and he was gone.

I turned to face Xavier, not knowing what to say.

"I'm so sorry," was what came out. And I meant it.

"Astra," he whispered, taking my chained hands. "I had no plans. Nowhere to go. And Dax, though he may not know it, just gave me a home. And I haven't had one of those in so long." He took a deep breath, but continued before I could speak. "I was only going to leave so you could go outside."

I almost laughed at that. "Oh, X," I sighed. "I would gladly give up going outside if it means you'll stay."

"X, huh?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

I blushed, never having called him that before. "Is that okay?"

"It's more than okay."

And then his lips were on mine and his hands were cupping my face and the whole world around us was gone. There was no way I could wrap my arms around him, but I was able to clutch his shirt, which I did sort of absentmindedly.

"I shouldn't have done that," he whispered, forehead pressed to mine.

"No," I breathed. "You really shouldn't have."