Silver King

Chapter 9 - Cal

I know what I did is right, but I'm afraid it will tip the country - and its surroundings - and make things worse.

This was such a last-minute decision.

Evangeline will kill me.

I am escorted outside by royal guards.

I feel like I've escaped to this corridor too many times today. But there's nothing more I can say, and I can't risk being killed too much. Not only for my role in society, but I also want to make things right before I die.

I cross the hallway hastily, walking towards my room, to shut myself out before anyone can reach me.

I hear the floor creaking. I was too slow, and someone caught up to me. I whip around, and my breath is taken away. Her sole presence takes all of my sanity away. Her hair still has gray ends, and it's longer than last time. She's even more beautiful than I remember.

She takes a step in my direction. I finally breathe out. She speaks impersonally, almost coldly. I can't blame her.

" I can't believe you just did this."

She's trying to keep a smile from tugging on her lips. Or maybe it's a shadow.

" Me neither. It wasn't exactly planned."

This time she doesn't suppress her smile. I grin a little, not because of what I've done, but because I can't believe she's here, and talking to me. I can't believe she's so real in front of me. I almost want to see purple lightning spark from her fingers to make sure it's her.

" I still hate you."

I sigh.

"I know."

I look down, I knew this was coming. I deserve it so much. This smile, this look, her voice, is all I'm getting for now. It's so much more than what I was ready for today.

Her fingers, cold but so reassuring to me, wrap around my shoulder, and I look down to her.

" But I'm willing to help you carry this through."

I smile weakly. This is a step in the right direction, isn't it? I feel it is.

I have such a craving for her touch, I want to take her hand between mine, to kiss her, to caress her hair. But I don't. Because if I want to rebuild trust, I have to start slowly.

She takes her hand away from my shoulder and I want to scream because I need her, she's like a drug, once I've touched her I want to touch her more all the time. She puts a strand of hair behind her ear.

" How do we start?" she asks, hands on her hips.

" We name the council. We need a council. That's the beginning. We are two as of right now, and we need to have more Reds, more newbloods, more Silvers."

She puts a hand on her lips, as if waiting for something. Right. I forgot to ask her if she wanted to be on my council.

" Mare, do you want to be on the council? Please."

She suppresses a smile again and nods.

" What Silvers can we trust?" she asks, and I agree. There aren't many Silvers we can trust.

Even if I trust Nanabel, I can't have her on this council. She'd block every decision. Even if Volo Samos is king of the Rift, I don't trust him, and he's not even Nortan anymore. There are very little Silvers who will agree with this plan.

Mare sees my discomfort and smiles sadly. We both know this will be a very long process.

Author's note: Thank you for reading this far, and I hope you're enjoying this story! I also hope I didn't ruin Mare and Cal's reunion... Please tell me what you think! I appreciate the comments so much!