Viridian

Chapter 8

"You weren't kidding when you said it would be cold," I shudder as I hop out of the carriage onto the busy street, ignoring the hand Cato held out for me.

"I have no trouble keeping you warm, Adhira," he leans in. "Just say the word and I can make you very warm."

"I bet I could make you warmer," I jest, turning around to face him, realizing the mere inches we are apart.

"Do tell, Princess."

"First," I start, leaning in towards him. He wants to play games? I'll play. "I would remove this," I tug at his shirt.

"Yes?" His eyes glow.

"Then, I would ever so carefully," I coo, raising up onto my toes to meet his ear. "Light you on fire." Snickering to myself, I pull away from him, and begin walking into the busyness of the street. Striding to my side, we walk together down the streets of Rune. The cobblestone roads reflecting the light grey of the sky above as carriages drive through them. People dressed in all colors roam the streets, a group of children walking with their teacher, a man and a woman hands clasped together, and a group of guards laughing to each other. I don't remember the last time I visited the villages of Electa, ever since the darkness took over, they were deemed unsafe. The darkness of Moros. The darkness that Cato has caused.

"I don't suppose you would believe me if I said I had nothing to do with the darkness encroaching your land?"

"Stop reading my mind, Prince."

"I try, I can't help it if I want to know what you're thinking everytime those pretty eyes glow."

"Try harder."

We continue to walk in silence, Cato directing where to turn without telling me where we are actually going, before I break the silence.

"So your sister."

"Yes?" he asks suspiciously.

"You called her The Scarlet."

"I did."

"But her name is Najiba."

"It is."

"And your color is green, not red."

"What a smart one you are," he scoffs before continuing. "Scarlet is the color of blood. My sister is an expert of blood.

"She's not—"

"A Creon?" he responds. "No, Adhi, my sister kills because she has to. She kills to save people. To save our people. The Creon kills for fun."

"How old is she?" I ask.

"Sixteen."

"Ancestors above!"

"She knows what she's doing," he says, sounding more like he is trying to convince himself than me. Silence falls on us again and this time neither of us break it as we russell through the busy streets. Finally, we reach a dark brown building, a faint glowing light coming from within. Opening the door, Cato ushers me inside where I am met by two pairs of familiar eyes: Prince Blake and Queen Shyama, sitting by a fire.

"It's about time the Princess arrived," Blake laughs, hopping off the chair he was lounging on near the fire and walking towards Cato. "And look, Adhira's here too!"

"Nice to see you too pretty boy," I smirk as Blake and Cato embrace in what I'm assuming is meant to be a brotherly hug. "I'm gonna take that as a complement," he winks, shoving Cato off and reaching for my hand. Pulling away just before he touches it I say, "remember the last time you touched me without permission?" I remind him.

"Vividly," he smiles devilishly. "It was a major turn on... literally."

"Careful," Cato growls, aggravating me. Snapping his attention away from me, Blake nods towards the fireplace, gesturing for us to follow, as he returns to his chair. Walking towards the heat, I approach a couch and sit, Cato choosing the spot next to me.

"It's nice to see you again, Princess," Queen Shyama says by way of greeting, swirling a drink of black liquid in her hand. I hardly notice when Cato drapes his arm around the couch and starts playing with the ends of my hair.

"I wish I could say the same," I sneer, tapping away his hand, only to have it return seconds later.

"Surely you're not still upset about our last meeting?" she laughs as if the idea was ridiculous.

"Oh, of course not. Let's be best friends and braid each other's hair, so that when we're old and have grandchildren, we can laugh about how when we first met you helped in kidnapping me," I reply, monotoned.

"It's your fault for placing so much meaning in titles," she giggles, taking a drink of whatever dark liquid she is drinking. Realizing she's right, I ignore her, turning back towards Cato and patting his hand away from my hair once again. "You promised me answers," I accuse him. "Why am I here, Cato?"

"You didn't tell her?" Blake laughs. "This ought to be entertaining. I don't suppose you'd mind sharing your glass, Shyama?" he asks. Smiling, the Queen simply extends a hand made of shadow out towards Blake with her glass in it. "Careful, it bites," she snickers. Looking back and forth at the exchange, I shake my head and turn towards Cato once again, his eyes sincere. "Adhi...," he starts.

"Spit it out, boy," I snarl.

"About five years ago, my parents disappeared to Oblivia" he starts, hesitantly.

"What of it?"

"The thing is, they're not gone."

"What are you talking about?" I snap, confused.

"About a month ago they contacted me," he pauses.

"That's impossible."

"It's not," he states. "The thing is...."

"What?" I sigh, my patience stretched to its limit.

"They want us to reunite our nation. To reunite the light and the dark. And they have something that will help us do it."

"You're not seriously suggesting—"

"Pack your bags, Princess," Blake smirks, wincing as he takes back a sip of the dark liquid. "We're going to Oblivia."

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So... that just happened. I'm really looking forward to where this is gonna go and if we may have a "one-bed trope" if you know what I mean. Anyways, thoughts so far guys? Do we like the steam? Do we want more? Do we want the steam to really pick up soon full force or are we feeling more of a slow burn? Let me know what you guys think! Later!

 - Nicole Winters