The Anomalies

Chapter 14

I didn't want to be Queen or to lead the soon to be formed country, but Elijahs words still stung. I was to be nothing more than a trophy, hanging off his arm. Not his equal. And when he didn't follow me inside last night and I awoke to an empty apartment, it stung even worse.

Except I tried not to let it show and buried it deep inside. Festering like an open wound, waiting for the most inopportune time to reappear.

Zahra joined me at lunch in the Cafeteria, after I finally had it in myself to leave the apartment.

"They're leaving today you know." She whispered, spoon halfway to her mouth.

I furrow my brows in confusion, "Who is leaving?"

My soon to be lady in waiting sits up a little straighter, "The armies, Elijah sent out the word last night."

"So thats where he was." I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. What does that mean for us then?"

I look around at the tables nearby and notice that mostly women and children are around. No soldiers in sight.

She sighs, "Probably stay here and wait. I'm sure Dambry won't allow you anywhere near the fighting."

"He has no right to say what I can and can't do. I will do what I please."

I shove my plate away, my appetite gone. Zahra looks at me with sympathy in her eyes.

"I understand Iris, but he only wants what's best for you."

Rising from the table I cross my arms, "Well what is the point of my training then?"

My friend follows me as I make my way out of the Cafeteria, desperately needing some fresh air.

"To defend yourself. That reminds me, I'm in charge of your training for the day."

She leads me past the training ring, to a nearby tree. Patting the ground next to her, I sit down in the shaded grass. The leaves above me were beginning to turn different shades of yellows, oranges and browns. Just in time for fall.

It was now October, I'd been here almost 3 months.

In those 3 months I'd only thought of my parents a handful of times. How could I be so selfish?

"Hello? Earth to Iris."

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said, today I thought we could meditate. It will be good for you, with everything you've been going through lately."

She continues to instruct me on how to relax my breathing and quiet my mind. After a few minutes I think I'm doing it when a grassy meadow drifts into mind. In the distance, a man is walking towards me, a man I've never seen before. Long, back hair brushes the tops of his broad shoulders and blows in the wind. His warm golden complexion soaked in the sunshine around him. Except those weren't the most beautiful things about him. No, not even close. It was his eyes, a more vivid green than the grass of the meadow around him.

And they stared straight into my soul.

"Iris."

"Iris, are you okay?"

At this point Zahra is shaking me by my shoulders, bringing me back to the present.

"Girl, what is up with you today? Is everything all right?"

I let out an exasperated breath, "I don't know. Not really, no."

She stands up and holds out a hand, I take it.

"I think we've gotten enough in for today. Go home and get some rest, these next few days won't be easy for any of us."

I nod and wave good bye as Zahra walks towards a group of women and children gathered outside the Barracks.

I march my way back to my apartment to find a good book to read.

___________

Its almost nightfall when I get restless. I need to talk to Elijah.

I make my way to the command building, where all things Defiance related are carried out. It's the only place that I can think that Elijah might be. The front door is unlocked but I'm only met with a long hallway and several doors. Voices carry from the room at the very end. Door slightly ajar and a stream of light escapes out onto the floor.

"I don't care what you want. The Defiance is moving in tonight it's our only chance to take control." I hear Elijah's frustrated voice, from just behind the door. Growing louder as I inch closer.

"Dambry, this alliance won't work if we don't work together on this. I refuse to send my soldiers on a suicide mission." Another voice I don't recognize, barks back at Elijah.

"Do what you want but you already know what I plan to do." My soulmate snaps back at the other man.

"I refuse to -" the man pauses, "We have a visitor."

At that moment the door swings open and I'm face to face with Elijah.

"Sorry I -" I try to get out but I'm cut off.

"Iris you shouldn't be here." He grumbles at me.

Someone clears their throat and I whip my head towards the noise, almost forgetting that we weren't alone. But that isn't what startles me right down to the core. It's the fact that this isn't the first time I've seen this man before.

It's the man with the green eyes.