Star Beings: Dawn

Snake in the grass

"What.. What are you two doing here? It's not safe." I ask, my common sense suddenly returning to me.
"Natalie wouldn't let us come yesterday. Leigh told me what happened during the battle... I guess the shrapnel caused more damage than we thought."
"No, Destruction just fucking sucks."
"I can heal you if you-"
"No!" I yelp, hurrying onto the balcony and closing the doors behind me. "I assure you that's a bad idea. Just like coming here."
"Anai, Leigh and I both are fully prepared to risk-"
"They're demigods, Hade."
Their jaw snaps shut, opens again, and then closes again.
"... Like Percy fucking Jackson Demigods????"
"Who the hell... nevermind! The shadow lords are extremely dangerous, even worse than what we originally feared. I could have told both of you this in a text for the gods sake!"
"We wanted to see you, Ani," Leigh says. We? I glance at Hade, then back at Leigh.
"Listen. I care about you, both of you. If either of you got hurt because of me... please, go. Corinna is going to be coming in any second now. I'll message both of you tonight, I promise," I say, grabbing both of their hands. I kiss Leigh lightly on the cheek and then turn to Hade. I awkwardly stick my hand out, expecting a handshake.
They rush forward and wrap their arms around me in a hug instead.
"Don't get your ass killed, ok?"
"I can't promise... Alright," I sigh, "I'll try my best."

The two of them vanish, and mere moments later I hear Corinna enter my room.
"Anaideia?"
"Out here!" I call, opening the doors and limping back inside.
"What the hell are you doing out there?"
"Just..." I wince, pain shooting through me as I lean on the couch, "enjoying the view."
"Anai, sit down before you pass out."
I collapse onto the couch, the very act of breathing hurting me.
"Here," Corinna says, thrusting a glass into my hands.
"Wine? At this hour?"
"You look like you could use it, Anai. If anything it'll at least dull the pain."
I shrug and take the drink. Cori sits down next to me, her own glass in hand, with a faintly worried look on her face.
"You know, you gave me quite the scare."
Me. Not us, or Cassius and I. I know what she's doing. Cassius and Destruction have given me far too much warning for me not to. However, two can play at that game.
She wants to flirt and fuck with my feelings? Ok then, fine by me.
"I'm sorry for that, Cori. Is there any way I can make it up to you?" I ask, tilting my head ever so slightly and reaching for her hand. I watch the pink creep up Cori's neck, her face flushing.
"How about those drinks I mentioned?"
"Well we already have part of the equation right here," I say, raising my glass.
"Oh... you have a point there."
We both fall silent, unsure what to talk about.
"You know I always admired you. The hold you had over the Lumnis Obumbratio... I mean even now, they wish to follow you. You've managed to captivate hundreds to thousands of soldiers. How? How did you do it?"
"Well it was more of a familial allegiance than anything. They weren't loyal to me originally. They were loyal to my bloodline. However, when you rule with an iron fist," I take a sip of my wine, "people tend to fall in line."
"I see. Not to mention the way you fought? The control you had on your surroundings was incredible."
"Yes, that's what happens when your father throws shadow daggers and such at you while you're training."
"Oh."
Once again there is silence.
"You know, I was thinking about hosting a ball in a few weeks. A way to make it seem as though we are unbothered by the Star Being's little "victory." I was wondering if maybe you would like to be my dancing partner?"
"Are you asking me out on a date or not, Corinna?"
"I suppose you could call it that."
"Then I accept," I state. And then she smiles, and I feel nothing.
I feel nothing at all.

Natalie is notified about the gala the moment Corinna leaves my room. I also tell her about what I'm doing with Corinna, which isn't met all that positively. I remind her that this is for the greater good, then ask her to not tell Leigh or Hade.
Not because I would care if Hade found out and got upset but because they would definitely tell Leigh.
The weeks pass, and I get better. Corinna grows ever closer to me. It's not all that difficult, pretending like I actually like her. And sure, there are times where I feel bad about it.
Then I remember what she's done to the world. To the Star Beings. To Hade. To me.
That guilt quickly vanishes.
One sunny day in the middle of spring, Corinna suggests we have a picnic out in the woods, just the two of us. I, not being a complete moron, grab my daggers. I remember back when DJ and I first started dating.
I remember that day in the woods. I remember telling my father where to send the troops.
I remember attempting to take DJ out while she was distracted.

"Anai? Are you ready to go?"
"One second, Corinna!"
I quickly pull my hair up before rushing into the hall, almost tripping over myself in the process. When I open the door, Corinna looks me up and down, her cheeks quickly going pink.
"You look nice."
"You... you do too, Anaideia." She says, a cautious smile creeping onto her face. She offers her hand to me, and I take it. The two of us slip out of the castle and into the woods, only stopping to grab a picnic basket from the kitchen. Corinna talks and talks, and I listen. I begin to realize that it isn't all an act.
Corinna is excitable, and talkative. It's easy to forget what she's done.
Eventually, Corinna stops in a clearing and spreads her arms out in a grand gesture.
"We're here!"
I look around. The forest is quiet. No one else is out here but us.
There's no one to hear either of us scream.
Corinna sits down, and I follow suit. A strange feeling washes over me.
I'm sitting next to the woman that I know is going to kill me. I'm holding her fucking hand, knowing that eventually she's going to imaple me and leave me for dead. And I... I don't care. What's more is that I'm not afraid. I've accepted that I'm going to die soon, the main issue is that those I love haven't. Elian doesn't want to lose me again, Leigh wants to try and revive me, and Hade just seems... angry. They're angry at me for making the right decision. I just wish they could-
I grab Corinna's hand and twist it away from my face, her knife vanishing into the tall grass below us.
The viper has finally decided to strike.

Sorry for the random hiatus! School has gotten super busy so I'm gonna try to post when I can, however it probably won't be as often.