Juliet's Tryst

Chapter 20: Mercy

"You cannot look at each other in this way, and then be silent when you turn to me," huffed Aloran. 

 For a moment, it seemed that Dee would tell him. Juliet felt that irrational surge of jealous anger. The way Dee did not shy away from his touch made her suspicious of them being together at one time. 

"You have not earned my trust on this matter," Dee finally said after taking a peek at Juliet's face. Aloran's eyebrows shot up, terribly concealed shock contorting his features.

"You talk to me of trust?" 

"It's a new planet, my friend."

"But our allegiance is older than that of this planet," Aloran replied, seeming to forget about Juliet entirely. He looked earnestly into Dee's face.

"She said she didn't want to tell you, yet," Juliet cut in, shocking both Kyrions out of their little moment. She couldn't help her glare, pointed at both of them. "Now please, do your procedure on me." 

That little robot from the room came back to her right ear. Juliet flinched, her body remembering the state she was in the last time she encountered a robot like this. Dee reached out to console her, but Juliet denied her. The jealousy inside her steadily grew. How could Dee, the person who fought off anyone who dared love Juliet, have clearly unresolved feelings for Aloran? What the absolute fuck?

Juliet knew logically that she did not have enough information to draw this conclusion, but the feelings came nonetheless. Who knew that loving an alien would be akin to having PMS? Body aches, mood swings, occasional kidnapping...

There were two clicks and the robot whizzed away. Aloran smiled at Juliet. 

"Can we leave?" Juliet said, through gritted teeth.

"Yes-"

There was the shuffle of steps behind them as a group of Kyrions walked into the space. Juliet's skin broke out into goosebumps as she recognized the Council. Did they have to walk together like a gaggle of geese? 

"Ah, Dinairessin, pleasure to see you," the main lady said, purring like self-satisfied cat.  

In Dee's hand, materialized a scythe-like weapon. 

"Where is Riyulkanin," Dee hissed. The anger was now everywhere, electrifying the muscles in her body. She became bigger, more commanding. This was not the same Dee that Juliet met in the bookshop a million years ago. 

"Here," he said from inside the gaggle. He smiled at Juliet, his teeth shining in the light of the Archive. 

"Come here," she said. Riyulkanin stepped forward. The lady in the middle opened her mouth to say something, but Dee raised her arm. She froze, understanding dawning. 

"You, who promised to protect my alara, put her into danger and unimaginable pain." Dee stepped to stand behind him, forcing him to face Juliet. "You, who disobeyed direct orders to go fight for Kyria and stationed yourself here instead. You, who defied my rule and mocked my very nature as The Ruler throughout the years we have occupied this planet." 

"It was all in good fun," he smiled at Juliet playfully, looking death in the eye and giving it a middle finger. 

"Lower your eyes," Dee put the scythe to his stomach. "On your knees. You will show Juliet respect as you leave."

The alien did as he was told. The strike was silent, and traced a line through his abdomen. First, came out a clear liquid, and then other things which were unrecognizable but were clearly his organs. He fell forwards, towards Juliet. 

She did not realize that the scream she heard was her own. The faces of the Council showed no emotion. Dee threw down the weapon in disgust, and it was simply absorbed by the floor. Time seemed to slow, and the liquid was nearing to Juliet's bare feet. She started to feel woozy, her stomach not being able to process everything that just happened. 

Aloran gently tapped Juliet on the shoulder and motioned for her to sit in a nearby beanbag. Why couldn't these people have normal chairs? She placed her hands at the side, trying to feel the softness of the fabric to calm her shaking hands.

Dee had turned around and was speaking the Council in their own language. 

"There are many things that will change, as your overstepping of power in regards to my Alara  has alerted me to the fact that my absence has seen you grow power hungry and lazy." 

"My Ruler," said the main lady. "These accusations are baseless and cruel. We have been keeping progress moving forward with all of our operations."

"Then why have I not heard of this progress? Where are your reports? Why is Aloran alerting me to your behavior  in personal confidence and not in a public forum? And WHY are you meddling with my woman?" 

There was a silence to these words, as each Kyrion looked over the Riyulkanin's body. Any movement toward mockery or condescension was quelled.   

"Things are changing. I am no longer satisfied with the proceedings of the council."

"You have no more power over us than you do Kyria," sneered the Council leader. 

"Such bold words for someone so close to the Divine," Dee said, and Juliet was sure that there would be two murders in front of her. 

"You cannot kill me," she replied. "If you wish to keep the approval of your Earthen subjects."

"It's strange you think I care," Dee said, motioning to Aloran to get rid of the body. Within moments, the body was gone. The floor absorbed it as it did the scythe. 

"You do, or else you would have not kept your human a secret. How can you choose such weak partner? A puny human woman."

"If you keep speaking, it will be the end of your life as well," Dee said. The woman wisely shut up. "All of you must return to your dwelling and rethink your allegiances. It is time for me to station my palace." 

At this, there was finally emotion in the Kyrions' faces. Some looked scared, others ecstatic. Even Aloran nervously looked at Juliet, as if she knew what it meant. 

"A wise decision," the lady said. The Council retreated. 

The Archive continued as if nothing happened at all. 

Thank you for reading! If you have come this far, please consider leaving a vote and a comment. I try to post chapters on a weekly or more basis, so if that is your cup of tea, consider following me- not only to get notified of chapters but also receive behind the scenes updates from me about this story and possible new ones. 

As I said, this can be considered the end of Act 1 of this story. I hope to see you in Act 2 and 3 <3