Earth Mars Love (The Marsikons)

Chapter 36

Marcus's heart crumbled as he watched Regina's rapidly retreating form.

He wanted to weep, to roar, to tear apart everything around him. He was in so much pain, he was afraid the pain would never stop. He opened his mouth as if to shout, but let only a silent scream instead. The hot tears left a cold trail on his face. He paced a couple of times around the room, tugging his hair.

He was in agony. This was what he had opened himself up to by letting his emotions come to life. He'd been selfish, risking his heart and his well-being when his people needed him. How could he rule like this? He couldn't, and yet he would have to find a way.

The love of his life didn't want him, and he didn't know what to do. How to function without her by his side.

Breathing hard, he stopped by the window. He gripped the windowsill so hard, that it groaned under the pressure.

He needed to find his inner balance, his calmness. While Regina was there, he managed to find it, but it lasted only a couple of minutes until she turned around the corner. He needed to gather all of his emotions in that box inside his mind, lock it, and threw away the key.

In minutes like this, he envied people, who were emotionless like his father. If he was the same, he would've saved a lot of nerve cells and moved forward without even a glance. He has to find his inner balance to be a King like everyone expected him to be.

He remembered how his father had thought him that tears won't help any situation. That he needed to be strong, and calm. Suppress his emotions. He closed his eyes, his father's words like a mantra in his head.

Marcus could've given anything now to play on his drums for five minutes.

But his father's voice in his head helped him. His breathing and his heartbeat slowed. Thoughts of Regina still invoked clenching pain in his heart, but at least it was dulled.

He needed to live through this evening and night, and then he has to forget Regina Morgan like she never existed.

Or he would have a very miserable life ahead of him.

***

Regina rushed downstairs. The look in Marcus's eyes pursued her through every step. His eyes, the color of the ocean on a sunny day, were full of pain and betrayal. Her breath hitched and she stifled a sob. She ran into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. Without looking at herself in the mirror, she went to the dining room, where everyone was waiting for them.

With a fake smile on her face, she greeted Kos and silently sat up behind the big round table.

Kos was back and probably took a fast shower in some of the bedrooms. His hair was still damp, and he was wearing dad's old shirt, which was so tight on him, it would tear apart if he made some inaccurate movement.

Kos was sitting between Darius and Arthur, with Clare and Mom on either side of them, and was talking non-stop. He had scratches on his face, but his eyes shone with excitement and pride. He was glad that he stayed and managed to save a couple of lives. Or so he said, but she could bet it was more than a couple.

He helped to treat people not only from poison but from other injuries as well. He said that other medics were awed looking at his medical kit and asked him where he got it, and if there was more like it. He was thrilled to work like that, under pressure, and he couldn't stop talking about the significance of it.

It seemed he had put aside his wife's betrayal for a time so that he could do his work, and Regina was happy for him to be excited about something else.

Regina turned her head, feeling Marcus' presence, and saw how he had looked at his friend and brother, with pride and relief. Probably because that was old Kos which he knew before he was in mourning and betrayal.