Contract with a Star (On Hold, Possibly Forever)

The King and the Star

            Rena’s plan was simple. She would convince the king to let her talk to her sister. Then she would convince her sister to stop the destruction of the entire continent. The last part of her plan, she would not tell Tanya or Aiden, but she promised it would stop the border’s soul sucking ways. They left for the capital two days later, to the disappointment of everyone except Mivaya, who was always disappointed, no matter the situation.

            After six hours of easy riding, Tanya and Aiden went home to make sure their house was safe. Rena convinced them into dropping her off at the palace gates, and to take Cheval back with them to give him a proper washing.

            Rena did not have to wait at the gate, because the Soldiers on duty had been put on alert for her description more than half a year ago. They treated her with respect, because they had been warned that death awaited any who dared lay a hand on the girl. She was taken directly to the king.

            He had aged greatly in the time she had been absent. He may have only been in his early thirties, but the king had enough gray hair to rival a man in his late forties. It was intertwined with his light brown hair under the simple crown he wore to represent his origins. From his throne, Good King Veret Asnin stared at the Forest Star with tired brown eyes. Rena took the chair directly in front of the king, knowing they were alone and could forget propriety.

            “So, you finally came back.” The king’s voice was bitter, but Rena did not rise to it. “I can guess why you’re here.” Rena answered at the same time the king finished his thought,

            “I want to talk to my sister.”

            “You want to get rid of those children.” They both stared at each other, neither believing how ridiculous the other’s request was. Rena went first.

            “I would never get rid of Tanya and Aiden! They’re my best friends!” Rena couldn’t even think of it.

            “You almost died because of them!” The king yelled. “And talking to your sister is out of the question. I’ve heard the rumors about what she’s done. That would be like giving your prized horse to a lion, just for kicks!” The king shook his head, exasperated. “I should never have let you out of that tower.”

            Rena’s entire entity turned colder than ice. “You forget, Veret, exactly why you are king.” Rena was losing respect quickly. “When the previous queen died without an heir, I was the one that chose you. Do not think you were the only one with Ky’s contract running through your veins, you were simply the oldest.” Rena had chosen him for more reasons than that, of course, she just didn’t feel like divulging them when she was so angry.

            “What?” The king was losing his footing, “But I thought- I was sure-” He trailed off, confused.

            “You thought you were the most direct descendent of Ky Asnin left alive, didn’t you?” Veret nodded. “That is not the case. All of Ky’s offspring have exactly half of the Asnin DNA, no matter how far down the line you go. It’s a part of the contract, one that neither of us anticipated. Just remember, Good King Veret Asnin, it doesn’t matter if you have children or not; I can replace you anytime I want to.” Rena was bluffing, she didn’t really want to replace the king that had started to revive the country, but she would if she had to.

            Rena left the king to his troubles. He was about to be attacked by not one, but nine countries. He did not know that the Fire Star was on his side, in a way. He didn’t know a lot of things, having been raised a pauper, but he would fight regardless; he was nothing without the Forest Star Country. Rena never actually saw Good King Veret Asnin with her own eyes ever again.

            They spent three weeks waiting, watching as the Soldiers, Knights, and even some Warriors were trained for war. The rumors were flying like they had when Tanya and Aiden were at the Academy. They were a stress reliever for trio, in all honesty.

            “Hey Rena,” Aiden called up the stairs, “Did you know you’re dying of chicken pox and their sacrificing all the children from the Academy to appease the Moon Goddess and make her let you live?” Rena ran out of her room to the top of the stairs in mock horror.

            “What?! But I thought my lover, the treacherous Sea Star King, was coming to kidnap me from our benevolent Good King Veret Asnin, my other lover? What have I been packing for?” The two cracked up, and from somewhere else in the house, they could hear Tanya snickering. The truth was that Rena was unable to leave the country without the permission of the ruling Asnin, and the house was under the watch of the Guardians. Rena had sent out many illusions of herself just to irritate them, but she did not try to actually leave.