𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

Spatio peregrinatione

As Regan stood outside, her breath was uneven and her mind raced with unsettling thoughts. She couldn't get over the fact that he had just grabbed her by the waist. It raised a surge of anger through her. It made her furious and bewildered at the same time. She even found it difficult to breathe, thinking it all over again.

"How dare you!" she fumed.

Artemis and her maid quickly approached, "Regan, come, we need to leave as soon as possible," she urged.

Regan didn't move, "No, he won't get out of this."

Artemis shook her head and grabbed her hand, "Regan, forget this. Now let's just leave and mind our own business."

"I've minded my own business my whole life, Artemis! I didn't choose any of this!" she snapped back, jerking her hands away, "I won't let that slide. That's such a shame."

"Well, I told you to stay quiet and not cause a scene," Artemis retorted, getting annoyed as well.

"Well, it's not my fault that he fights with others," Regan shot back, "I mean, I wasn't the reason for it."

"Yeah, yeah, you weren't," replied Artemis, her voice sarcastic.

"That bartender was a creep," Regan spat, unable to hold it back anymore. "And he deserves it. But I wasn't the reason, okay?"

"So you're gonna thank Sirius about saving you?" her sister retorted, sighing heavily.

"I can handle myself," Regan shot back, "And no, I won't thank him. That's not what concerns me...." She trailed off when she saw him emerging from the tavern, his long black coat wiping the dusty roads.

Without thinking, Regan followed him and grabbed his arm.

"Why did you do that?" she demanded, her voice like a serpent's hiss. Sirius turned to look at her with narrowed eyes, his eyes flicking to her hand, then back to her face. He didn't answer, he simply stared.

He's so beautiful, Regan thought and she felt a stupid blush creep on her cheeks  There was something about the way he looked at her, something that made her heart race. His gaze was intense and unwavering, as if he could see right through her. For a moment, she forgot about everything else: the fight, the crowd, the anger. All she could focus on was him.

"I don't owe you any explanation," Sirius broke the spell, his expression hard, "Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind and turn you back to my place." His voice was still filled with the anger from what happened earlier, but there was also a sense of amusement, as if he was restraining himself from smiling.

His eyes lingered on her hand and Regan quickly withdrew it, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

"You're going to apologize for grabbing me like that!" she snapped, anger taking over again.

Sirius scoffed, "Oh, please. I didn't even know it was you."

"I don't care! You're going to apologize! You should be ashamed! You.... you're no one to me!" Regan shouted, her anger fueling her words, although she felt awkward as well. Sirius raised an eyebrow, the smile finding its way on his lips.

"I'm your enemy, my dear. And enemies watch after each other, if you don't know that yet. I know what you feel, but I'm not going to apologize for anything."

"I'm not your dear," Regan spat, noticing the stares she was getting from the aliens around. She didn't know if they knew the man before her was their ruler, but she didn't care. "And you don't know anything about what I feel. And you know what? I don't really care, don't apologise. But I won't forget this."