The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒮𝒾𝓍

↞･:*✵*:･↠

My steps echoed against the stone floor as I rushed forward, trying to make myself appear laid back, though I was far from. I needed to find Velut, now. I knew he could fend for himself, that was already known, but against Colton? Against a man who could create ice sharp enough to kill from his fingertips? My pace quickened at the thought.

I had gathered parts of the front of my dress, clinging onto the fabric as I kept it lifted to my ankles so that I wouldn't trip and delay my arrival in kitchens. I needed to get there as fast as possible. No distractions, not even my clumsiness. I wasn't used to dresses, making me all the more prone to accidentally slipping on the fabric.

Typically, I wasn't clumsy. I thought of myself as someone far from clumsy, to be completely honest. But once put in a ballgown, I had to admit, I was a mess.

My eyes wide, determined, I rounded a corner, nearly beginning to run, though I refrained, seeing maids with trays full of food walk past me. I didn't want to appear distressed. I didn't want to make anyone suspicious. Not yet. Not unless they needed to be, which I hoped they didn't.

Throwing open the door to the first kitchen, the main one, I searched the faces of those who were working at an alarming rate. It seemed there was no rest for the servants, not tonight. Not until the ball was over. Some glanced up from their working stations when I entered the vicinity though most ignored me, much to my satisfaction. I'd already been the center of attention once. I didn't want to be again.

Searching the crowd, I found no sign of Velut, which made me all the more frightened. He had been coming towards the kitchens; that's what I'd been told. So where was he? Frowning, I realized Paxton wasn't in the kitchen either. My mind began to whir and whizz at an astounding rate, trying to piece together a puzzle for which there were too many missing pieces.

Had Paxton been taken too? Or had he taken part in whatever happened to Velut? Was he on the side of the enemy? Getting to know us before making his mark? He could've easily disguised himself as someone normal, especially if his abilities were minor.

My eyes narrowed at the idea. An enemy, in the palace.

"Where's Paxton?" I demanded, asking no one in particular. At my abrupt words, the kitchen staff looked up, all staring at me. Usually, I wouldn't like the attention, but now I needed to exude authority. I could only hope someone, anyone knew the answer and would give it to me.

"We saw him in the other kitchen," a man spoke up, causing me to whip around and face him. With a nod, I thanked the man, pushing through the others and slamming the door open to the short hallway that led to the other culinary area.

The palace had two kitchens, one for desserts and one for savory plates. Apparently, Paxton was in the kitchen where the desserts were made. Allowing my fingers to ignite in sparks, I stormed forward, throwing the door to the kitchen open. The sight before my eyes made me freeze in my tracks.

Paxton was there, just as the man had said he was, and Velut was there, too. Only it seemed that Paxton wasn't keeping him hostage. It appeared the situation was far from that.

The two ripped away from each other when the door flung open, Paxton flying one way while Velut launched himself the other, grabbing a knife and holding it as a sign of defense. But the image still burned my mind, and pieces of the puzzle began to present themselves, all adding up.

The two had been close when I'd entered, with Velut cupping Paxton's chin as the two kissed fervently. They were together, or so it seemed. How could I have not known this?

Noticing my lips were parted in shock, I blinked. Regaining my composure, I closed my mouth, my eyes darting between the two. Both of their faces were a red mess, flushed with embarrassment. Paxton stood still, a look of worry on his face as he stared at me, his eyes so wide I thought they were going to pop out of his head. Velut looked more put together, although he still appeared on edge, nevertheless.

"You were together, and you never told me?" I nearly shouted after a moment, glaring at Velut, who looked shocked at my words.

"What? I-"

"It took me walking in here, prepared to save you from someone I thought was the enemy, to learn something you should've told me whenever this started!" I was exasperated. Why hadn't he told me? Did he really not trust me that much?

"Aria, it wasn't that, Pax and I, well-" Velut stumbled over his words, trying to make sense of what I'd just walked into. Finally giving up, he huffed. "Yeah, we're together, but you can't tell anyone, I swear it, Aria."

"How long?" I asked, my voice softer than before, though it was still firm.

"Before I left to recruit the others," Velut admitted, sheepishly.

"And you never thought to tell me?" I threw my hands in the air, watching as Velut flinched. He seemed to fear me right now, though why, I was unaware. I wasn't going to hurt him. I was his friend. I wanted nothing more than for him to be happy. I just wished he'd told me.

Letting out a sigh, I relaxed, realizing my anger was unjustified.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, the apology mostly directed towards Velut, though it was meant for Paxton, also. "This isn't my relationship. I shouldn't have gotten so mad. You had the right not to tell me. I'm sorry."

The three of us stood in silence for a few moments, the energy of the room awkward as it swirled around us, tempting someone to speak, anyone.

"I'll go-"

"We thought that you wouldn't-"

"No, we didn't mean to-"

All three of us spoke up at once, our voices ringing throughout the room. We each stopped to let the other speak and the room became silent once more. This was getting aggravating, to be honest.

"I'll just....get back to the ball then. You two have fun," I nodded slowly, watching as Velut took a step toward me, his eyes suddenly appearing glossy. Had they been like that before? Or was I just noticing it now?

"You mean you don't hate me?" Velut asked in a hushed tone, his voice near a whisper. I furrowed my brow at him, confused as to why he would think I would hate him. I had no reason to.

"What do you mean?"

"I just thought that....well I thought you wouldn't...I thought you'd judge me-" Velut stammered though his tone was still oddly quiet. It wasn't like Velut to act so timid. What was going on with him?

"Of course not," I answered, as if the prospect of my hating him because of his relationship with Paxton was absurd, which it was. "I was just surprised you hadn't told me earlier; that's all," I admitted.

"Oh," was all he said. The two of us said nothing more. Paxton stood shockingly still as silence took over the room once more. It seemed we both wanted to say something, something reassuring, but just didn't know quite what. Our expressions would have to be enough.

"I'll see you back in the ballroom," I gave Velut a small smile. "Bring me a pastry and don't distract Paxton too much," my words had turned humorous, and I earned a tiny grin from Velut before I turned to leave.

The walk back was much more relaxed than the desperation to get there earlier, and I found myself smiling. So Velut had finally found love. Well, I wasn't quite sure if it was love, but it seemed something like it, truth be told.

I remembered the night Aldous had recaptured Velut and me, when we'd sat in the cell together, talking. He had told me then that he thought he was incapable of love because of his abilities, because he had been tested. He'd seemed so hopeless back then, so sure that he would never find love. Never be loved. But he was. If not by me, a friend, then by Paxton.

And that was enough to make me smile.