Steel Rose

Chapter 38

Ptolemus Pov

I don't go see Isabelle. Not at first a least. And night has long fallen when I do. When I enter the Nornus residence fatigued but determined I don't even have the time to blink before my head cracks against the wall with a loud smack. My teeth snap together and I feel needles shoot up my spin, my vision blurs from impact and I blink to clear them.

I force myself to breath and calm down, as I stare right into burning green gold eyes. They're not the ones I'm used to. But they're familiar.

"Drop your weapon," Christian growls and my gaze slides past him and at his neck, right where the start of his spine is, a lethal strike. A thin needle hovers there.

"Let me go," I grumble waving a hand letting the needle drop. "I want to speak with you, peacefully." I add.

Christian smirks, "And I want you to leave my sister alone," he replies with a snap. "But I guess nobody gets what they want."

He makes sure to add another shove my back smacking against the wall once more before he steps back his eyes burning with anger.

Surprisingly the noise hasn't stirred anyone else in the house as no one comes out their rooms. I know my eyes linger in the door to Isabelle chambers.

"How could you do this to her?" he asks following my gaze. "You could have gotten her killed." he snarls.

The thought, the mention of the fact I already know makes me want to vomit. Makes me sick. "I know," I muster out. "But I had no other choice. I tried to warn her."

Christian turns his back to me with a scoff, "I'm sure you did." He walks towards a stand with dazzling glad file and whiskey. He picks up a cup while looking over his shoulder at me, "Look what that got you," He gestures towards Isabelle's room. "Good luck,"

I step deeper into the sitting room. I cross my arms, "I actually wanted to speak with you first,"

He fakes shock, "Well I feel special," he says his voice drilling with sarcasm. He takes a swig of his drink, before plopping down on a cushioned couch, "What do you want?"

His tone and manner pokes at my temper. If any other situation I doubt I could hold myself back from acting. But I breath, taking another step in conjuring up my plan. "I need your help with something."

Belle Pov

Something pulls me from my slumber. Something I can't quiet place, but my eyes open in the dark. I groan and turn around the covers wrapping around me.

Warm light spills into my room as the door creaks open. I blink my eyes adjusting. "Hey," I croak my voice rough with sleep.

Ptolemus steps into the room a shy smile on his lips, "Hey,"

I feel everything crash against me and before I know it my feet hit my carpet at swift speed, my fist connecting with his job with a audible crack. Ptolemus stumbles back, closing the door as he lets out a umph.

"Get out of here," I feel myself growl. I watch Ptolemus blink in surprise, as a wave of dizziness bleeds over me and I feel myself stumble back.

I blink hard and I feel Ptolemus wrap his arms around me. "Take it easy Belle," he says his voice calm and steady. "Easy."

I push him back, "Get off me," I blink and breath looking up at him in the dark my eyesight still fuzzy. "What are you doing here?"

He tilts his head to the side, "I told you I'd come find you,"

"You've wasted your time Samos," I say. I point to my door. "Get out."

"I'm not leaving Belle," he says stepping in closer.

I feel my anger rush over me again and it clears my head. "You could have gotten my brothers killed," I throw at him. "I could've been killed."

He flinches his eyes darkening as he flicks his finger and the lamp on my nightstand flicks on. I don't ever recall the light switch being metal, but it must be. I blink a couple times agjusting to the light. "I tried to give you a warning," he says but even I know he knows its a weak rebuttal.

I shake me head reaching for a hair elastic tying my hair into a bun. An irritated tic. "Yea, some warning," I mutter.

"You don't understand," he sighs, "If this had worked-," he says.

I scoff cutting him off and turning my back to him. I lick my lips, "What was the plan huh?" I ask. "Kill the king and the Red girl. Cut off Norta's alliance with Piedmont by killing off their princes. Then what?" I ask turning back to him the plan coming together in my head. I spread my arms. "Then what?"

"That was the plan yes," he says. "My house, Haven, and Laris."

"No shit," I scoff under my breath. I pull at my hair, taking a deep breath.

Ptolemus steps closer to me. "My father-," he says shaking his head, "once Maven was gone my father would then step up and crown himself king."

I feel my eyes widen. "What?" It should bother me that all this, lives were risked for a crown. But it doesn't even surprise me that much. Its just all starting to feel childish.

"Clearly that plan is a bust," he says, "For now."

I shake my head, "Why didn't you tell me this?" I ask feeling my anger rise again.

"Not everyone can be trusted Isabelle,"

"So you can't trust me now? Me Ptolemus?" I nearly roll my eyes crossing my arms over my chest. The urge to hit him again increases in my chest and I clench my hand.

He shakes his head stepping closer, "You misunderstood. I trust you, but not all the other houses. I tried to convince Father to ally himself with your house, but he wasn't moved. And when my father says no," he trails off his eyes going someplace far. "I should be distancing myself from you."

That stunts me next words. I'm angry with him. I could slice him right now, but leaving each other strikes a fear and sorrow in my chest. "Then why are you here?"

His eyes flame, "Because I'm not letting you go. I love you Isabelle. Eve didn't give up that easy neither will I."

"What are you talking about?" I sigh pushing the warm sensation that rised somewhere deep.

"The King is planning to go on his coronation tour in a couple of weeks."

I sit back on my bed, "You'll be going?"

He nods, "Yes. It should only last a few days. No more then a month."

"And?" I push and he makes his way towards me running his fingers through his hair. He sits beside me, the bed sinking under his weight.

"And when the time comes," he looks at me, "We rebel."