Paradox Interluder (Usurper #2)

15

Alec glanced down at the golden watch in his palm, watching the morning desert sunrise glimmer across it with a beautiful shine. There were still remnants of dark and dry crimson, streaks of his blood in the nooks of the contraption. Alec had never seen a watch before, not until now. He had heard of them, once upon a time, in a moment of passing.

Zarya had once promised him a watch once, for his birthday. Which birthday? He couldn't even remember now. He could hardly remember the look of her face, what color her eyes were. All he remembered were hair strands as beautifully golden as the sun in front of him.

"You wanted to speak with me?" Jessamine's voice carried down the hall towards the balcony. Alec immediately slipped the watch in his pockets, turning to see his sister. She didn't look tired at all, despite the long day yesterday.

"Yes, I went to your room early this morning but the servants said you were already out and about," Alec mentioned.

"I was up early, needed a walk to keep my head straight," Jessamine lied, slightly. She and Kaid had agreed to spend the night alone, given he was exhausted and she wanted to keep it a secret. Yet, neither could sleep that night. Jessamine had to sneak her way out and make her way to Kaid's humble abode to spend the night with. It wasn't until in his arms could she fall asleep.

"You never seemed to sleep well as a child," Alec hummed, before straightening up slightly, "I would like to return to Vitross with you."

Jess's face was undecipherable. Whether she had just gotten good at hiding her emotions from her brother, or she truly didn't know how to feel a single thing anymore...Alec wasn't sure. In truth, she didn't know how to react. She should have expected such but was feeling wary. Alec had worked with Lungor, still possibly worked for them even if it was blackmail. He could be an avenue for Lungor to use given things had gone sour here.

Jessamine would let him in, how could she not?

"Of course, Vitross is your home," she smiled faintly, keeping her distance.

"If you must know, I have no intentions of going for the throne-"

"I know. You wouldn't get very far if you tried," she warned him, "So, what do you wish to do? Vitross has changed greatly since you've left."

"Well, you need a Guardian," he answered, "and while I have gotten a bit rusty, I can assure you, sister, I will be the best fighter to protect you. Should threats arise, of course."

Jessamine almost laughed softly, but immediately stopped herself.

"Kaid is my Guardian," she corrected him.

"I, well, he's staying here is he not? He's a wanted criminal. He should be hiding somewhere," Alec stammered slightly, not realizing he was coming back with her. How? Why? Vrah had assured him this wouldn't happen. Alec believed his window of opportunity had been growing closer. How wrong he was.

"Consider him pardoned," she hummed.

"Just like that?" Alec asked, seeing her nod, "I thought you hated him."

"Seems like I was rather convincing," she replied, "In all honesty, I thought he hated me. I couldn't fault him for that. Nobody could hate me more than myself, though."

Her last words held this sorrow in them, Alec seeing the torment in her blue eyes identical to his own. She had hated herself. All the torment she caused on others, the dictating, the schemes she had done with Payne was caused out of hate for herself. Hate for the things outside her control. Yet something had changed with Kaid entering her life.

"You shouldn't hate yourself, sis," Alec assured her.

"Most days lately I find myself tolerable, that's a good start," she agreed, taking a deep breath, "of course you can come back with me, Alec. It is your home, always has been. We were both tormented by the invisible weight on our shoulders, weight caused by Payne's doings. No more. He is gone, and we can start anew."