Viridian

Chapter 7

I stare up at the ceiling as I wake up from my nap. I don't know how long I was asleep and the sky is little help in indicating what time it is as it moves throughout its cycle of greys and blacks. My head feels much better now and my thoughts become clear. The sudden memory of my conversation with Cato flutters into my head but I push it away, focusing on my surroundings. I hadn't noticed my room before, but I take everything in now. The ceiling has a swirl of green marble, looking as if the magic is coursing through it, and the plush bed I am laying on is made of black silken sheets with bed posts of thick green vines. The floor is a simple light wood with a fuzzy green carpet covering parts of it. Across from my bed, was a sleek black fireplace next to a black couch and a hanging chair looking entirely made of vines. On the wall to my right, lay two doors, one I'm assuming being a bathroom and the other the door Cato exited out of, both doors brown with vines running over them. As much as I hate this guy, his style is impressive. A little green for my taste but....

"cLiNk!" a noise on my left startles me, causing me to jump. A platter of silver lay on a nightstand to the left of me that I hadn't noticed before. On it, lay a dish of french toast, a side of ham, a dispenser of syrup and a mug full of hot chocolate. My stomach growled as if in immediate reaction to the smells. Chuckling, I reach for the platter, bringing it to my lap. I begin eating, suddenly realizing how hungry I am. I hadn't even gotten a chance to eat at the engagement celebration, which now felt like ages ago. Practically licking the plate clean, I set the platter back on my nightstand where it immediately vanished. Hopping out of bed, my strength finally back to normal thanks to the food, I head to the bathroom. Opening the door, I gasp, taking in how big it is. A bath big enough for three lay at the far end made entirely of green marble with a waterfall shower above it. To my right lay a large bronze vanity and mirror above it.

I use the bathroom and begin running the tub. After a few minutes, I strip and sink into the calming warm water, knots I was unaware of releasing throughout my body. I wash myself, using the oils and shampoo left for me on the side. I soak for longer than necessary before reluctantly climbing out of the tub and drying myself off with a towel. Wrapping the towel around me, I open my bathroom door, searching for some sort of clothing. Walking towards the bed, I find an outfit laid upon it. A short a-line green dress with see through sleeves and a pair of grey heeled boots. Green. Why am I not surprised? I think, before getting dressed.

"Just a sec!" I shout as I slip into my other heel, smooth over my dress and run towards the door, opening it, my eyes meeting Cato's. I take in Cato's appearance: black pants, a white collared shirt, a green leather jacket pushed up at the sleeves to reveal his green tattoos, and black shoes, his light brown curls sitting perfectly upon his head, the scruff of his face neatly trimmed and his eyes glowing bright green as ever. He radiates power. It is only when I hear his chuckle that I realize I was staring. I don't know what's wrong with me.

"Enjoying the view?" he chuckles before looking me over. "I know I am."

"I'm sure," I roll my eyes.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"Ready for what?"

"I thought you wanted to know why you were here."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Smirking, he holds his hand up before a grey coat floats over and is placed in his grasp. Holding it out to me he says "It'll be cold in Rune." Taking the jacket from him, I ask "Rune?"

"Our capital," he responds as I exit my room and we begin walking down the hallway.

"And where was I before?"

"Karimal."

"I don't suppose I would be able to see a map any time soon?"

"Nah, that would make your next escape attempt way too easy," Cato laughed.

We walk in silence for a bit and I can't help but notice the increase of guards throughout the hallway. As we near the main entrance, I notice an exceptionally large number of guards, a number of them huddled together to the left of the entrance. "Talk to me," Cato calls casually to the group, one of them meeting his eye contact and addressing the rest of the herd before turning towards his Prince.

"We have our best hunters on the Creon as you have asked of us," the man responds.

"Any luck yet?"

"No, Sire," he states. "Truthfully, all of what we've seen has been in their own territory."

"Like hell," I scoff, meeting the man's stare.

"Is she coming today?" Cato asks the man, catching me off guard with the sudden change of subject.

"No word has been sent. Last we've heard, she was in The Wix."

"That was over a week ago!"
"You know how she is, Sire."

"How who is?" a female voice calls from somewhere in the room. I swivel around, searching for the source of the voice but coming up empty. Suddenly, from one of the windows on the vaulted ceiling, a black blur, falls to the ground, landing without a sound. She stands up from her crouched position, pushing back the hood of her cloak and says "Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to talk behind someone's back?" I look the woman over. Beneath the cloak she wears thick black boots and loose fitted black pants with a chain stained blood red on her hip, running up to her long sleeved black shirt. With the hood of her cloak pushed down, I get a look at her face and... she looks young. Younger than I thought she would be for someone who moves with such grace. Her hazel curls beautifully framing her youthful face and mischievous vibrant green eyes. "I'm waiting for my introduction, Prince," she scoffs, looking me up and down.
"Adhira," he turns towards me before continuing. "This is The Scarlet, my sister."

"Najiba," I whisper in realization before registering I had spoken out loud.

"We should go," Cato, says, placing a hand on my lower back to urge me towards the door. "I don't suppose you'll be joining us?" he asks his sister as he gestures for the doors to be opened.

"I have work to do," she states as she walks in the opposite direction, fully removing her cloak and tossing it towards one of the guards who reluctantly catches it. "Captain," she calls, turning back towards the man from before. "I assume you'd like to follow and find out how many of them I scratched off the list?"

"You mean how much clean up we need to do?" he scoffs, earning a smirk from Cato.

"Oh Captain," she snickers, continuing her stride down the hallway. "You should know by now that by the time I'm done with them there is nothing much left to clean up."

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HIIIII! Thanks so much for reading my story so far! As always, let me know what you guys think or if you have any questions or anything. I'd love to hear from you guys about anything at all. Ok, thanks!

 - Nicole Winters