The Anomalies

Chapter 15

"Who would this be?" The man smirks at me and instantly making me feel uneasy.

Elijah steps out of the way to let me into the room.

"Iris this is King Mateo of Cordova. Your majesty, this is Iris, my soulmate."

The King walks towards me, extending his hand, I place mine in his. Just as he lifts my hand to his lips, a sharp pain tears across the skin On my spine. I wince.

"Soulmate? How interesting." He whispers against my outstretched hand. I quickly drop it and return it to my side.

I turn my attention to Elijah, doing my best to ignore the handsome man in front of me.

"I'm sorry, I had no intention of interrupting. I'll just see myself out."

Taking a step backward, I almost trip over my own feet.

King Mateo chuckles, " Nonsense, as Elijahs Soulmate you should be included in this."

"I don't-" Elijah begins but is cut off by the scraping of a chair across the floor.

The King has pulled out a chair for me and is motioning for me to sit. Not knowing what else to do I take a spot at the table. The two men sit down on either side of me, I almost feel trapped.

In front of us lays a map, unlike any other I've seen before. Before Aequalis would only provide maps of their country. They told us beyond our borders uncivilized. Run rampant with criminals and drug lords. People knew their were other countries beyond but you never dared to question. In fact, I wasn't even aware that Cordova existed until now.

"I've never seen a map like this before." I whisper.

The King nods, "Yes, you Aequalians are quite shut out from the outside word. Wouldn't want to ruin the perfect race would we?"

Confused I turn to him, "Wait you mean- you aren't- everyone isn't the same out there? You aren't an Anomaly?"

"No, the Anomalies only exist in your country. Outside the Wall of Aequalis people come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. You'd fit right in Iris."

I didn't know what to say, why didn't Elijah tell me the truth. That we weren't just a small little group. That everyone outside of the country I grew up in weren't apart of the equal race.

I glared at Elijah, " So you didn't think this was important information to tell me?"

My voice grew louder with each word. King Mateo just watched the two of us with an amused look on his face.

Elijah reached forward to lay a hand atop mine but I pull away.

"I didn't want to concern you with matters that were unimportant. I need you by my side and I didn't want to scare you away."

I cross my arms in front of my chest, "Scare me away?"

"I need you Iris." Elijah sighs.

I shake my head not knowing what else to say to him. So far this Soulmate has not lived up to what I thought it would be.

Green eyes next to me taps his fingers on the table, "Anyway, Prince Elijah here thinks we should just waltz right in when our forces are weak and go straight for the capital."

"What's wrong with that?" I counter.

"Aequalris forces are all centered around the capital, it could quite possibly be suicide here."

Elijah grunts, "I'm sending my soldiers in, do what you want Mateo. "

The King rises from the table and stalks to the door. He turns back to us one more time, " I know what you are up to Dambry and I don't like it one bit."

The door slams behind him and Elijah and I are left in silence.