Gold as the Crown

Chapter 5

(/Mare/)

I launched into a brief set of jabs at Shade, forcing him toward the back wall of the train car. He dodged them artfully, and when he dropped into a crouch to sweep his leg and take my feet out from underneath me, I leaped over that. I landed gracefully on my toes and then pushed him back further. He changed his angle slightly though, and after that, we were fighting along the wall, which mean I could only swing with my weak left side. That was painfully obviously in this position too. I tried to take a step to the side but he pinned me back with a quick punch that I deflected.

"Have you and Evangeline talked about everything?" I asked, my breath coming in pants as I dodged his next punch. He chuckled softly, the sound lost in his own heavy breathing. "I don't know, have you and Cal talked about everything?"

"Touché." I replied as I blocked his kick and then somersaulted out into the open. He followed quickly, pushing me toward the open box car door. We'd opened it to allow fresh air, and a cool breeze in while we were fighting. I danced along the edge of the doorframe for a moment before side stepping again to find space. He smiled at me and then said, "You two need to figure that out soon."

"I would say the same to you." I grunted as he slipped inside my defenses. Growling I spun out of my position, and then dropped and came up behind him, placing a hand to his back and delivering a soft shock. He yelped at the sensation, and then stumbled forward. I smirked at that and then crossing my arms I said, "Besides, we'll talk about it when we're ready."

He glanced back at me and then shrugged and sank down against the wall to rest. Apparently the use of my ability had been forgiven and forgotten. He looked up at me from his position and then asked hesitantly, "What do you want out of that conversation Mare?"

I raised my brow and then shrugging as well, I glanced out at the rolling land. It was beautiful in spring, covered in gorgeous trees and thick forests. I hadn't lied when I said I could imagine living out here. "I'm not entirely sure."

He frowned at that response and then leaning his head back against the wall to look up at the roof of the car, he asked, "So you are just going to ignore it until it becomes an even bigger problem?"

Trying not show how much his question bothered me, I turned to grab a drink of water. He watched me carefully though, that brotherly concern that he had always had still present, even after all this time. It feels like it's been forever since we were just two kids in the Stilts, hiding out in abandoned homes, pretending we had a future. Here we are though, alive and striving toward a future neither of us could have predicted. Neither of us had been prepared for Cal or Evangeline to come along, but they had, and now the four of us had been ensnared by fate. We had been bound to one another for eternity, and whether it was for a life under the dirt, or as members of the living, none of us were sure.

The door into the car opened, and we turned to see Farley framed in the doorway, her hair whipping around as she announced, "We're approaching the drop point. You two need to get ready."

I nodded, and then glancing at Shade, I turned on my heel to leave. He scrambled up and grabbed my arm though, and pulling me close he insisted, "Promise me you'll talk to Cal, that the two of you will figure all of this out."

I glance down at the iron grip he has on my arm, and then looking up again, I nod carefully, the movement is so small though, that I think he misses it. I don't think when I pull away and follow Farley back into our car. The others are gathered around the map that Farley has spread out on the floor. Cal sits directly behind it, looking it over while telling Julian directions to write down. Sara sits with Evangeline, speaking quietly with her while she examines the young silver woman. I watch the scene form the doorway for a moment, imagining Evangeline a few months from now, holding a bundle of blankets while my brother dotes over the two of them. It's a hard thing to picture, simply because I could never imagine Evangeline holding a child.