Morons and Monarchs

Chapter 34: Viviendel 🗡

Today is fully-booked.

We have to go to the Encantados village, and then I have to see my father to make sure what Ea was spewing earlier was not half-truths and lies, then we have a ball to go to. Since I was invited by Morana. But I don't really think we will go there tonight. 

But first stop, the Encantados village.

I step out into the light outside the back entrance to the castle. Ea meets me under a shaded tree, a watch dangling from his forearm. He throws it to the ground and it sinks into Mother Earth's flesh.

"Ready?" He asks. I tug on my tunic as I get into running position, my dagger's holster biting into my hip.

"What does it look like?" I retort. I glare at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Okay," He says slowly, as if speaking to a volatile animal. I almost want to snarl. "Ready... set..." I crouch lower. "Go!" He shouts and I am off.

I kind of like running, in fact, I don't like how it steals my breath from me or how it makes my heart jump and my ribs ache. How it makes my chest collapse within itself. But when I run, everything becomes a blur of shadows. The only thing I remember is to be fast, and I can feel my feet hit the ground in every turn and swerve.

Everything slows down. Each leap I make is in slow motion, and I manage a smile. When I run, I don't feel my chest collapsing, but I also know that when I stop running, I will. I slow down to a stop at the carriage, and Ea is already on his Hound. Grinning faintly.

I brace my hands on my knees, gasping for air. "Quick... question..." I blow out a breath, straightening myself up and trying to ignore the pain in my side. "When did you get here?"

Ea billows out a quick laugh. "Five seconds," I gape at him and his grin broadens slightly. "You got 15." My jaw closes and I scowl.

"Better than my mate's!" Anul yells from her spot in the carriage.

"Hey! That is not nice!" Delta calls back. Anul ignores him and beckons me forward. I climb into the carriage carefully, fully aware of Ea behind me. He must have abandoned Freedom, no doubt, to let Bayou drive.

I sit next to Anul and Ea clambers in after me, squishing me in between both of them.

I shove Ea closer to the door, the side of his face practically molded with the window. I have plenty of room now. I shift closer to Ea and let Anul move away from her window as well. Ea can't move.

"Excuse me?" Eas voice is muffled.

I ignore him. But then he rightens himself, shoving my shoulder so I bump into Anul. She staggers back a bit from impact and glares.

"You are excused." She snaps and I want to laugh.

"The love you feel for me is practically palpable." Ea mutters.

I pat him on the shoulder, bunching my arms in so we can all sit in harmony. "We all love you, and I am half, so I am telling the truth."

Anul chokes on a laugh. Ea settles on a glare.

"Careful heathen," Ea grunts as he rolls his shoulders.

Anul hits him in the arm. "Be nice."

"Careful yourself, Finny the Weakling."

"I thought that was not my name anymore?" My brow furrows. "I much liked being called a Queen better."

Anul looks at me questionly and I wave her off. "No, I called you a Drama Queen. You rule over scandalous dresses and gossip. Don't be so prideful."