Spurned Queen

Chapter 53: Apologize

Aevran

I could barely keep my eyes off her. As a rare treat, her hair was down, allowing me to trace the curls down her back, the red ends swishing just shy of her butt. She walked briskly, her arm irritatingly around another male's arm, completely oblivious to my scrutiny, yet at the same time, garnering my attention completely... like the seductive witch she was.

Alexandra had been doing a painfully faultless job of ignoring me. Actually, she had been doing a faultless job of ignoring everyone. I'd caught her watching birds and insects where she would previously have been watching people.

Whatever had happened at the bottom of the Pacific, had definitely done a number on her.

Or, what happened in that dingy hotel room. She had been normal when I'd left her there. Which would imply that this change was my fault. Ugh.

I rolled my eyes away from her.

"Well?"

I glanced at Imogen, who walked with me. She raised an eyebrow.

"Well what?"

She sighed. "Well have you finally decided to do something about whatever is going on with you two?"

I faced forward again. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said.

"Come on Aevran, this can't last forever."

"What can't last forever?"

"This little tantrum of yours."

"Tantrum?" I chuckled.

"Yeah. That's what it's labeled as in my mind."

I hummed.

"Let's face it Aevran. Whatever it is can't be soooo bad. You haven't talked to her at all since you two showed up in Norway. She's barely afforded you a glance; and I've been following her, and I can tell you that she hasn't afforded you a thought either. Her world seems full of fireflies and cloud formations and even an occasional shark here and there. In other words, the most random things. Anything but you."

Ouch. That came with a bite.

"Whereas you, you've been staring at her every chance you get. You've been thinking way too much for your health. Two weeks of this is becoming ridiculous. Do something about it." We slipped through the mountain pass after everyone else, now plunged in cool shadow.

"And what do you suggest I do?"

"What do you think? Resolve your differences, get back to normal. Obviously you're suffering from this silent treatment. She's made it pretty clear that she won't move unless you do. So I suggest you get your butt off that high horse you're on, come down to us mere mortals, and apologize."

"Apologize?!" I repeated, incredulous.

"What, don't you know the meaning of the word?" she droned.

"I'm not going to apologize to her Imogen, she was the one who lied to me," I scoffed.

"Yeah well according to her, she said she was sorry. Her part is done."

"Yeah, well some things don't just fly away as soon as that word slips past one's lips okay. She deceived me, made me look like a fool." The anger returned again, making me grit my teeth. "Then she just says she sorry and walks away, prancing around chasing lizards and birds without a care in the world. She basically tossed the ball to me, called it my problem, and left me to deal with it."

"I don't know Aevran, she sounded like someone who was frustrated to the point of giving up when she said that..." Imogen debated.

"Oh, she's frustrated. I see."

"Hey, will you just tell me what the hell happened?! So I can know what's going on? Go on, spill the beans," she prodded, coming to a standstill, forcing me to stop with her.

I sighed. "Fine.

"Don't ask me how, because I can't believe it myself, but Alexandra is not who we thought she was. Somehow, she's not just a werewolf, but also a witch. Not just any witch; a freaking elemental witch. She..." I scoffed. "I didn't even notice the collar she was wearing. We were cornered in the wielders' base, and they were about to blast us with who knows what. And then she insisted, demanded, that I remove it and when I did... She wielded earth like a pro. Don't even ask me to describe it. And then— did you know that witches can actually create air? Well that's what she did. That's how I managed to find you guys in the sub. There. That's it. And after that she has the audacity to throw a 'sorry' in my face and expect me to what? Fucking let it go?" I scoffed. "Unbelievable."

Imogen's face had gone hard as a rock. She reeked of cold anger.

Narrowing her eyes, she glanced away and took a deep, calming breath. "Uhm, yeah," she said. "Well, Aevran," she chuckled tightly, "I don't see what's got you so uptight, you know. After all, the way you were harping about your wanting a powerful mate, this is perfect.  You got what you wanted, Aevran. Again."

I gave her a sharp glance. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Imogen shook her head, her tongue teasing her fang. "You know, how about I just speak my mind, okay. I'll just be plain," she said. Before I was done nodding, she burst into a tirade. I was shocked into silence.

"You see, Aevran, you've always acted like an entitled little brat. Yes, you. Now listen.

"When you told me that Alexandra was your mate— ah! I was overjoyed, Aevran. Because, mated to a 'mere werewolf', I thought maybe you would learn a little humility. You know, that previously unheard of, weird state of mind where you actually don't think you are above everybody. Strange, right? Well I thought that this would help you see everything in a different light. You were born a king, Aevran. You've been sucking on that silver spoon all your life. And you got into problems with her... I thought you're going to apologize. Apologize, Aevran! For the first time in my life, I thought I was going to be there when you said sorry and you meant it. But no... she's not a mere werewolf, is she? No, she's the most powerful thing I've ever even heard of. Which is excellent — don't get me wrong; it's good that you have a good mate. I like her. And I'm sorry to say this Aevran but she got a little unlucky with you. Don't look at me like that!" she snapped.

"So now let me ask you. You're so offended right now, but why? Yes she didn't tell you. Yes she deceived you. So what?! She withheld an aspect of herself from you. So what?! Who told you she should have told you? Who told you you deserved to know?! What makes you think she should have bared herself to you completely? Do you think your matehood gives you the right to everything about her? No, Aevran, it doesn't. It never has."

She ran out of breath. So she stood there, before me, staring at me with a face that was filled with so many emotions. I didn't say anything. I wanted to glare at her for yelling at me again, but I didn't.

At last, she shook her head. "Go talk you your mate, Your Majesty. The Vampires need their Queen," she said. Her voice and face were empty as she inclined her head towards me, then shifted and flew away.

Her formality left a weird feeling in my gut. Had I been seated, my knee would be bouncing up and down. I felt like... ugh. Like I had let her down. Like my behavior had made her revert back to the old Imogen, the one who saw me as nothing more that her king. Like the good friendship and confidence between us had been shattered and it was my fault.

All because I had, apparently, been a jerk to Alexa. Which I had, if I saw it from her point of view. Alexandra didn't have to tell me if she didn't want to. I had only gotten angry because she hadn't told me something I thought I had the right to know. In that light, I really was an entitled little brat. Damn Imogen for being right all the time.

So now all that was left was for me to apologize. To face the person I had wronged and humble myself before her.

Pros: Alexa no longer ignores me, and Imogen doesn't think I'm a lost cause anymore. Cons: ugh, the humiliation.

I didn't want to do it. But if I didn't, I would lose two very important people.

I groaned. Fucking hell.