Golden

Chapter Nineteen: After Glow

Castor

I sat beside Isla's bed, my head in my hands. He pushed her too far.... I sighed and ran my hands through my hair, glancing at Isla. It didn't look like she was even sleeping....it looked like she was a frozen porcelain doll. Trapped in her own body for all eternity. I couldn't even read her thoughts at this point. It had been two days, and she hadn't woken up. My coronation was scheduled to be in two months time, and everything that had happened regarding Aerglo and the previous king had been sent to the press a day earlier. No royal funeral was to be held, and he was to be cremated with his ashes out into the family mausoleum, rather than him being encased in a concrete cast as the other kings had been. The kingdom was ashamed...or at least his supporters had been when they'd heard the news. Condolences were offered, but not meant, and my father was to have a proper funeral a week before my coronation.

Isla, please. Wake up, please. I grabbed her hand. Isla, I need you, wake up.

"That won't work,"I heard from behind me. I jumped and turned, frowning when I saw that it was the Hajime guy. The owner of my soul, apparently. Isla. "She can't hear you, Castor. Believe me. I know. I tried with Ophelia once, when she used that power." I wrinkled my eyebrows and looked back at Isla.

"That power....what was it exactly?"I asked. He hummed in response and sat on the edge of the bed, an arm going over Isla's legs and holding his balance up with his hand.

"It was her Golden Arrow. Ophelia used it three times, and only three. She was killed before she mastered it, and each time she passed out from use of it. I tried everything,"Hajime answered. He gazed at Isla, and I felt a protective mode take over in my body. I cast him an annoyed look. "Don't worry. With Isla....I don't feel anything anymore. She's nothing like Ophelia, aside from powers and appearance. Her personality is different in all aspects. And she loves you. Though you are a part of me." I snorted and gripped her hand gently, feeling the strange coldness from her pale hand seep into my own skin. "Regardless of the fact that I don't feel for her...I'm not going back to Shi." I frowned hard.

"Why not? You have a family. A long line of descendants,"I muttered. I gazed at Isla and felt longing for her. I knew that when she woke up, we would have that. It sent happiness and warmth through my body. Isla, wake up soon. So I can marry you.

"That's true, but they are the only ones to know of my secret. They understand I can make my own choices,"Hajime replied. He gazed at Isla and sighed, standing. "I left her once, I won't do it again. You should understand where I'm coming from in that manner." With those word he left. I had been told by the other guardians in the tunnel they weren't going to leave either. I couldn't blame them, Isla is an incredible woman. She'd been incredible since the day I met her. In fact, she and Kai were the only people who would talk down to me. It made me feel welcome, and I loved it. I loved her. I sighed and gazed at her. I heard a knock on the door, but didn't look back.

"Yes?"I asked.

"Prince Castor, your brother, Prince Saros has arrived. Shall I let him in?"the guard outside the door asked. I snorted. What a stupid question.

"Of course you should let him in,"I muttered. The door opened and I heard Saros' footsteps walking towards me. "Saros, what is it?" He stopped beside me.

"How is she?"he asked. I sighed and kept my hold on her hand.

"She still hasn't woken up. Saros, I'm worried. What if she doesn't wake up ever?"I whispered the last part, knowing Saros was probably giving me a look of pity. "What if she stays like this forever....and it's my fault because I let Aerglo push her to the brink like that? What if we can't get married and have a family, which I know she and I both long for?" I felt his hand touch my shoulder gently.