The Court of Stars

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

I finished off my steak and peas and rushed into my room. I didn't feel like talking to Lupus or exploring the Scorpio Palace, so I picked up The Twelve and began reading.

"The Scorpio was named after a giant scorpion who once stabbed Orion. It was said that the scorpion was sent because Orion was great friends with the Virgo, and the Sagittarius was jealous. The scorpion is a common symbol of this Zodian, representing that he is powerful and deadly. The Scorpio is the eleventh Zodian and was the last one to rise to power.

Casey, the Scorpio..."

My eyes started to flutter and I rested my head on my soft pillow, letting sleep overtake me.

"Asteria," Aquila whispered as she entered my room. Even at fifteen, she had gracious curves. I hadn't seen her in almost three years and I had only just arrived at the Sagittarius Palace, but I raced to my room after my embarrassing rejection.

"Aquila," I sobbed. "The Sagittarius. H-he said he has no use for me. I have no purpose," I wailed.

"Asteria, stop crying. It won't get you anywhere. You sound like a baby, anyway." I quickly sucked in a breath, holding in my oncoming tears. "I'm sorry, Ivan and I just fell in love. It's not something that could be helped. But, you still have a purpose. Maybe one day you can live with another Zodian and be his lover." She came and sat with me, pulling me against her chest. "We're still friends, right?"

"Of course," I hiccuped. I hated that she stole my role from me, but she was right. It wasn't like she tried to make Ivan love her. And I could still fulfill my purpose later on.

"Perfect," she smiled. "Now, let's get you cleaned up. I heard the Aries is coming tonight for dinner!"

My eyes opened to a room I didn't recognize. It was too dark and large to be my room. There was no ivy growing on my vanity. No tumbling piles of books. No lavender bubbles in the tub. Where was I?

I looked around and saw that my clothes were here. And that's when it hit me. I was still at the Scorpio Palace. I wasn't back at home, waking up to the pastel yellow walls. I was in this dark place, a dungeon.

As I looked in the mirror I saw that my curls were a mess and my silver eyes were washed out. I was still wearing my dress from last night, but it was wrinkled and looked a bit dirty. I could definitely use a bath. Walking over to the tub, I turned the faucet and waited for the hot water. I missed my lavender, but I had to take what I got.

Stepping into the scalding water, I almost moaned at the dissipating aches in my body. I rested my eyes for a bit, letting myself relax, just as Lupus said.

As the water finally cooled, I stepped out and wrapped myself in a small towel. Just as I was about to grab my clothes, the door swings open.

"Doesn't anyone knock?" I mumbled as I turned around, but almost dropped my towel at the sight of Lupus standing in the doorway, his jaw dropped.

"S-sorry." He moved as if to step out, but I threw up a hand.

"It's okay. Just give me a moment..." I fumbled around my bag for my clothes and grabbed at random, going as quickly as I could to make my way into the bathroom. Apparently I had grabbed the fishnet legging, a pair of black ripped jeans, and a black crop top that had flames on the edges. I slipped the leggings on under the jeans and put on the top. "What did you need?" I brushed my hair to where it would dry straight and walked back into my room.

"I came to tell you breakfast was ready." His awkwardness was gone and replaced by his smile.

God, this was so awkward. "What? No 'princess'?" I teased. I rubbed at my almost-burnt skin, needing something to distract me.

"Princess," he added.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to the vanity, dabbing on some dark makeup and grabbing a pair of non athletic sneakers. Lupus didn't say anything as I finished getting ready, he only stood at the edge of the room. I felt his eyes on me as I went around the room, fixing things and getting ready.

I remembered the last time Lupus was in my room, when he blew up at Circinus. "Lupus..."

"Hmm?" He stepped toward me, but stopped himself from going further.

"What did Circinus do to you? How did he make your life hell?"

He was silent for a while and I thought for sure he wasn't going to answer me, but he closed his eyes and took a breath as he explained.

Lupus had met Eta when she was sixteen and he was eighteen. Immediately, they fell in love. They did everything together and were never apart. He promised her that when Casey allowed it, he would take off and marry her. She laughed at him, but nodded still. So when she turned nineteen, she kissed him goodbye and told him that she would be back soon, surprising him. That was eight months ago, and she would be coming home soon.

Lupus rushed down the stairs of the Scorpio Palace, almost sobbing at the sight of his beautiful girl. He only slowed when he saw a man clenching her arm. Circinus. He stood there, holding onto Eta like he owned her, like she was his. His smile grew as a snarl ripped out of Lupus's lips.

Eta's dark face was covered in tear streaks, her normally flat stomach bulging. She rested a hand on her abdomen before sobbing, "I-I didn't want to... H-H-He made m-me." Large teardrops fell from soft cheeks. A braid fell on her face as she dropped onto the gravel, her knees hitting the ground echoing in the flat expanse. "I'm sorry..." she whispered.

"What did you do to her?" Lupus snapped, tears pricking his cheeks at the sight of her. He knew he should've never let her go, knew that something was wrong.

"Got my fun from her that I wanted with her." Circinus tenderly brushed back her hair, his stubby fingers gentle on her bruised neck.

Lupus lunged forward, his roar sounding through the air, but Circinus just stepped out of the way. "Why would you do this?" He slashed out, aiming uselessly. "You're a monster."

Circinus only laughed, his bushy facial hair bouncing with his mouth. He pointed toward Eta, toward her being dragged away by an even larger man. Lupus rushed forward to grab her, but Circinus restrained him.

"Where is she going?" Lupus looked frantically between Eta and Circinus. "Where is he taking her?" he screamed.

"I love you!" Eta shouted, whimpering as the man yanked her hair.

Lupus dropped to the floor, Circinus still holding onto him. "I love you, too."

She screamed as the man threw her into the wagon, her head clashing against the metal. That was the last time he saw her.

"Lupus." I was trembling, my hand shaking as I reached out to the man who was crying. "I'm so sorry."

"He got in trouble for it. Casey beat the shit out of him, but I know he doesn't regret it." Lupus grabbed one of my pillows and tugged at it, trying to hide his tears with anger. "Circinus even apologized. And, Casey went looking for her. But by the time he found her, she was already dead." He chucked the pillow at the wall. "Dammit, I don't want to talk about this. I just want to eat till I die."

I nodded crazily, my head like a bobble. "Okay. Let's go."

He furiously wiped his eyes and almost ripped the door off the hinges as he opened it. I was curious, but I shouldn't have asked him. Now, he's going to be pissed all breakfast because of me.

I followed him into the dining room, but everyone was already eating without us.