Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🛟 Asphyxiation [3/4] 🛟

Sir Nyx's POV:

As the new leader of the Northwynd royal guard, I decided to take it easy on the other knights and have today be a free day instead of training.

Blackthorne used to push us hard; Overexerting our strength and disciplining us to be fierce and prepared to fight when needed.

Yes, he trained me, and I do appreciate all he had done for us.

No, I do not want him back.

We do not want him back.

All of us were gathered outside in the courtyard, enjoying some drinks and chatting with one another.

It was fairly cold outside, but not cold enough like the two-week frost that thawed out a few days ago.

I had a couple of my buddies who were busy drinking coffee over my the gate; One of them invited me over.

"Hey, Nyx!" A sleek, yet bulky knight, whom I recognized as Sir Glacier, hollered to me. "We're playing a game, wanna join?"

I gave him a shrug, walking over. "Sure. What are we playing?"

"Eh, just yer' average kiddie game." Blizzard's twin brother, Snowstorm, chuckled beside him. "Two truths and a lie. C'mon, sit with us."

He pulled over a stool with one hand, gesturing for me to sit.

I neatly sat down, eyeing the other knights at the table. "Who else is playing?"

"Well, I am." I recognized Whitecap, one of the sorcerers who helped cast the life-changing spells on Prince Edward. "I'm going first."

I took a moment to see who was at our party.

We had Glacier, Snowstorm, Whitecap, and the newest addition to our team, Subzero.

He was basically Tia if her curves were smoothed into sleek, almost pure muscle.

Jet-black hair, cobalt blue eyes, and battle-scarred, suntanned skin... He could pass as her brother.

Even though he was just about as old as I was, he still seemed skittish being around us.

"Ahem," Whitecap chuckled, adjusting his helmet. "Let's begin. One, I'm both a knight and a sorcerer. Two, I have sky-blue eyes. Three, I learned my skills from Heaven himself."

Sir Snowstorm gave him an amused snort. "Easy, two."

The sorcerer of a knight lifted up his helmet, and my heart leaped into my throat.

"Storm, his eyes are gray." Sir Glacier mumbled, pointing to the knight.

"Everything's the same when you're colorblind," The buff knight argued, crossing his arms. "Anyways, next person."

"I guess I'm next." Glacier shrugged. "Alright, let's see..."

This went on for a solid fifteen minutes or so, with each of us going back and forth between us.

We each had gone through the game at least twice before someone interrupted our game.

"Oh, uh, hello everyone!" Prince Edward smiled, walking over to the table. "Mind if I join in? If not, I'll leave, don't worry- I understand if it's a knightly thing."

"Of course you can join in." I replied, dragging a stool over for him to sit down. "We just ended Subzero's turn. You should go next."

He dipped his head, taking a seat before nearly crossing his legs and folding his arms on the table. "Two truths and a lie?"

I gave him a nod. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Before he spoke, he swiveled his head around, seemingly searching for something before speaking in a hushed whisper to me. "Without the eyes of my father watching me, please, just call me Ed."

He gave me a wink, leaving no time for me to reply before he continued on with our game. "One, I'm the son of King Arthur's late wife, Queen Cordelia Ravenclaw. Two, some would describe me as very charismatic. Three, I like to spend time with each and every one of you."

"Aren't all of those true, though?" I asked, watching the prince shake his head.

"Well, actually..." Tia came up from behind him, leaning over his shoulder. "Third one's a lie. He loves spending time with you guys."

I had to admit, that made me smile from under my helmet. "Aww, thanks."

The captain was balancing a tray of drinks on the flukes of her orca tail, skillfully picking it up and passing out more coffee for us. "Oh yeah, I added extra creamer for you guys because we had a new shipment of dairy from Birchshire."

I took the cup, giving her a quick thanks before taking a sip. "Huh, that's pretty sweet... Tastes fresh. We have cows in Northwynd now?"

Prince Edward gave me a look that told me everything that he was thinking.

My heart stopped beating for a moment, nearly inhaling a breath of coffee as I steadied myself. "What is this implying?"

Snowstorm seemed to catch on to us, diverting the topic. "Hey, Subzero, mid explaining who this is?"

The knight reached over the prince, tapping Tia on the shoulder. "This yer sis?"

Subzero raised an eyebrow at her. "You? My sister? Yeah, we could be, for all I care."

"If I ever get into a relationship and I mix the two of you up, I'm sorry in advance." Whitecap snorted, getting a laugh out of almost everyone at the table.

I stared at him sternly. "Quit it. Neither of them find you funny."

Prince Edward had one hand on Tia's shoulder, seemingly the only thing that physically kept her from turning the frost red. "Lookie here, you've made her a bit mad. Care to apologize?"

"Keep your hand on me for a second longer and I'll make your death look like an accident." She snapped, backing away from him. "I can fend for myself, thank you very much."

"Hey," I retorted, glaring her down. "Don't talk to the prince like that. You should know some respect."

Before I realized what I had said, she returned the intimidating look, her cobalt gaze piercing through me. "He wouldn't even be standing here if it wasn't for me."

"She isn't wrong." The prince replied, shaking his head dismissively. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Tia. I didn't mean to."

The captain gave him a sigh. "Whatever, it's fine. I'm gonna go back inside and paint with King Arthur... We're working on an important project."

She seemed hesitant to leave us without any further reasoning, but she eventually slipped away before we could pry further.

Subzero gave me a nervous glance. "I really do look like her?"

Everyone at the table laughed, and I let out a breath I was subconsciously holding.

The tension in the air was lifted off my shoulders.

Hopefully nothing would ruin the moment.