The Lunar Queen [ON HOLD]

Adri

Chapter 11

Cinder POV

We walked in silence. It was an awkward silence at first, but as we strolled along it was just comfortable.

It felt nice to touch a human's arm. Everything was like a tingly sensation dulled to a throb. I'm sure it's just my new nerve system over-reacting. Of course Kai had me so that my cyborg-ish hand was touching him. Something told me he did that on purpose.

We walked the streets I knew all too well. My hand squeezed slightly on his arm as we got closer to my old mechanics stand. I felt his eyes turn to look at me, but I refused to look back. My hand fell from his arm and I went to stand before my shop. It was still the same, dark and small. I saw pieces and parts in the back, long forgotten by their customers.

"Oh, what I would give to be back in this little mess." I smile. "I had some good times with Iko."

Kai walked behind me "Yes, but I'm sure not all your memories are good ones."

"True. Many of them were quite the opposite of good."

I looked at his face properly for the first time. He had a tiny twinkle in his eye.

"I'm sorry Kai. I caused you so much trouble, but I didn't want you stuck with that old hag."

He shook his head. "I should be the one apologizing. I made so many mistakes that I couldn't even begin to list, regarding your kind. I'm sorry Selene."

I chuckle. "Selene. Such an odd name, you know? It doesn't even flow properly. Queen Selene. Bleh. Mother obviously never tested that out when she named me."

I was rambling but didn't even care anymore. Kai seemed OK with it so I just let it out. We talked about anything and everything as we wandered around.

The sun began to set behind the mass of towers in the distance. Kai suggested we go to the castle but there was one more place I wanted to go.

I pulled my walkie talkie from it's hidden place, "Hey Wolf, meet me at Adri's apartment."

"What are you bothering with her for?" Kai said.

I looked up at the apartments and stalked strait to the door. "I just want to look in her eyes. Just once."

"Shouldn't you wait for Wolf?"

"He's around." I wink at Kai. He looks around us for him, but I know Wolf is good at hiding.

When we reach the top I don't hesitate to knock on the door. A lock slides and Pearl's face poked out. It looked the same, beautifully ugly.

"Pearl, go get Adri please."

She stuttered "Cin- Sele- Your Majesty." Her shape falls into a hasty curtsy.

I smile. "Stand up strait. You look much better upright."

Pearl looks up at me and slowly pulls herself back up. "Cinder.. I'm sorry. I was only following Mother's example, as she told me I should."

"Yes, I understand. She's quite intimidating isn't she?" I mutter. "Now, please tell her to come here."

"Adri!" Pearl shouts. "There's someone here to see you!"

"Who is it!?" Adri's cold voice made my blood turn cold.

"They didn't tell me." She wasn't lying. I'd never introduced myself.

Adri clomped to the door. She was in a fancy outfit and had her hair halfway pulled up. Obviously, her costume was bought with my years of labor.