Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 36: Spruce

A cold breeze overwhelmed me when I entered the castle, and I adjusted Colt, who was thrown over my shoulder. I pulled him upstairs, and put him down on his bed, sitting in a chair beside it.

Worry began to settle in the pit of my stomach, as I stared at my brother. He probably still had darkness in him, and I had to be careful he wouldn't attack again. My hand reached for the hilt of my sword, and I picked it up, and placed it on my lap.

Colt's eyes suddenly flickered open, and he looked straight at me, and rose out of bed. He still had the same darkness in his eyes, but I noticed it had disappeared somewhat.

"Colt, I know I got all the attention. It was so dumb of me that I didn't notice, I guess I was too caught up in myself." I chuckled gently, and Colt glared,

"Do you know how it made me feel!? Father always liked you better too, he always could see who was going to turn out the better King."

"But I don't want to be King." I grinned,

"What?" He snapped at me, and I grumbled a little, and then took a breath,

"You have always been more interested in that kind of stuff. I mean, you're a great writer, which could help with your speeches, and you're also a fighter. Despite the somewhat weaker body type than mine." I smirked, but the guy said nothing, "and also, I've never really been interested in being a King." I shrugged, "now, if you want to fight, go ahead."

My brother stared at me with a cautious look, and he shook his head,

"I don't want to fight, not anymore." I was confused, and I kept my sword close, just in case.

"This still doesn't change the fact that you got everything though."

"Maybe, but hey, Kaliska chose you over me, so that means something." I grinned, and the guy looked up,

"I guess yeah. But..." Colt started trailing off, and he suddenly clutched his head, and glared up at me, jumping to his feet. I backed up, and was about to rise my sword, but the guy had a knife at my throat before I could.

"Let him go." I heard Kaliska growl, and Colt let go of me, glaring at Kaliska. He was too late on his first attack though. The girl dodged under him, and kicked him in the gut, knocking him onto the bed. My eyes followed her, as she leaped on top of him, and pulled out a potion filled with bright coloured liquid. She tried to push it to his lips, but the guy moved his head, and grabbed her wrists, throwing her underneath him.

Kaliska put the bottle to her lips, and drank it down. I prepared to react, as I stalked toward then. The blonde haired girl yanked on Colt's shirt, pulling his lips against hers. I bolted toward them, my sword aimed at Colt's back, just in case he decided to attack Kaliska. The girl let go of Colt, and I watched as the guy stared at her for a few seconds. Then, he grabbed her face, and pulled her lips back against his.

A sigh escaped my lips, and Colt let go of Kaliska, and looked back at me,

"Why is there a sword at my back?" He asked,

"It's nothing." I grinned, and slipped my sword back into my belt, "by the way, can I have a word with Kaliska?" He nodded, and Kaliska followed me out into the hallway, "what did you give him?"

"I was searching for a potion all day yesterday, and I finally ran into a kind lady who gave me this potion."

"Any side effects?" I asked, concerned,

"Apparently he might be a little bit hyper for a bit." She giggled, and I watched as Colt suddenly came bolting toward us. Kaliska squealed as the guy picked her up, and threw her over his shoulder,

"Hey!" He grinned at me, and I smirked,

"You're interesting today." I joked, and the guy grinned even more,

"You get I am! Hold on Kaliska!" He let go of Kaliska, and then slipped her onto his back, and the girl slipped her legs through his arms, and her arms around his chest.

"Bye Spruce!" Kaliska threw back her head and laughed, as the two took off. I laughed softly, and turned toward my room. I walked down the hall to my door, head low, as I approached it. My eyes caught sight of a figure at my door, and they suddenly pushed me up against it.

"Hi Spruce." I heard a giggle, and at first I thought it was Cassidy, until I saw the flash of purple eyes instead of blue.

"What do you want?" I growled, clenching my fists,

"I want to marry you, of course." She giggled, and showed me her face. The girl had medium length very curly baby blue hair, and sure, she was pretty. Personally though, her beauty didn't even compare to Harmony's.

"Get lost." I growled, pushing her away,

"But Spruce." She whined, grabbing the sleeve of my shirt,

"Leave him alone." Harmony growled from the other side of the hallway, stalking toward the girl with anger flickering in her blue eyes. The girl squeaked, and took off down the hallway, and Harmony grinned,

"Guess I'm that scary." She smirked,

"Guess so." I winked, and grabbed the girl, kissing her on the lips, "you didn't let me do this last time."

"No." She giggled, and punched me in the chest, "and I'm not going to let you this time either. That is, unless you can catch me!" The girl bolted down the stairs, and I grinned, and chased after her, my competitive streak appearing. Harmony was faster than me though.

The girl bolted away, running out into the garden, that was covered in a faint light from laterns. I shook my head chuckling, as I jogged around, determined to track her down. The black haired girl appeared from one of the bushes a few feet away, and she glanced around. I smirked, and ducked into the bush behind me, waiting until the girl approached.

As soon as she did, I leaped out, and grabbed the girl, pulling her into me.

"Spruce!" She hissed, and softly punched me in the chest.

"Scared you, huh?" I winked, and she shook her head, and crossed her arms,

"No you didn't, I just jumped." She turned away, and I grabbed onto her waist, and leaned my head on top of her head,

"Sorry." I apologized, and kissed her head. The girl sighed and grabbed my hand,

"Shall we continue on our walk then?" She asked, and I nodded,

"Let's go then." I smiled and squeezed her hand.