Ashes of Revenge

Chapter 20: Stars of the Kingdom

Raven walked into her room with a heavy sigh. Pausing momentarily, she observed that Colt was lying on her bed, and Richard was standing next to it.

"Hey," Raven said as she slowly took a few steps forward.

"Hello," Colt responded.

"How did tha talk go?" Richard asked.

"Fernando interrupted, but I think I got tha point across." Richard and Colt nodded. She raised her eyebrow. "Is this an intervention?" She plopped herself down on the bed in front of Colt.

"Not particularly," Richard said.

"Then what are yeh doin' in my room?" Raven asked as she leaned back against Colt's propped up legs.

"We are concerned about yeh."

Raven groaned. "If I had a livre for every time I've heard that, I wouldn't have to steal."

Richard continued, "Well, are yeh?"

"I'm perfectly fine." Raven leaned back her head, placing it on Colt's knees.

"Yeh don't look it," Colt said.

"Neither do yeh," Raven shot back.

"Raven," Richard warned. "Ever since tha cave, yeh have acted differently."

"Define differently." Raven turned her gaze to the ceiling.

Richard quieted as he observed her pale skin and red-rimmed, zoned out eyes. "Well, for one, yeh look beyond ill."

Raven sighed.

"Raven," Colt said, "yeh need to tell us what's goin' on."

"I'm just stressed out an' tired is oll!" The air grew thick at Raven's sudden anger. "That an' I haven't had a decent drink in a while." She tried to lighten the mood.

"It's been a day," Richard bluntly said.

"Has it been that long?" Raven asked. "I must go then." She began to sit up.

Colt sat up while he simultaneously grabbed Raven and scooted her back, positioning her between his legs. His arms wrapped around her waist, and her head rested on his chest. Her body grew as tense as stone, but he didn't let her go.

"If I don't get to drink," Colt said, "yeh don't get to drink."

Her body relaxed, and she slowly leaned back into his touch, feeling him tense.

"Back on subject," Richard said.

"Awe, my change of subject didn't work?"

"No. Now, what happened in tha cave?"

"Nothin'."

"Yeh say nothin', but yeh come flyin' through a wall bein' chased by Monstros."

"They found me."

"An' Ash?" Colt asked as his grip tightened around her.

"We got separated." Raven lightly banged her head against Colt's chest. "Look, nothin' happened. We need to focus on tha plan instead of me because I'm fine, so please drop it." The question was annoying the first time and even more annoying the one-hundredth.

"We're just concerned about yeh," Richard said, using all his strength to not allow his voice to come out a whimper. He hated not being in control, especially when it involved Raven or Colt. He was supposed to protect them – help them – but sometimes, like this one, this happened against his wishes and he absolutely despised it.

"Raven," Colt pleaded, his voice that soft whisper that she either loved or hated.

Raven closed her eyes. "Once I ram my sword through tha King and sit on tha throne, I'll feel better. I just hate it here . . . I hate him . . . I'm confused about Dara an' Victor." She opened her eyes. "I want this to be over." She heavily shrugged. "That's oll there is to it – I want tha King to be dead at my feet." Her thumb rubbed against her pointer finger, wishing the ring was there.