Fate

16: Steel Bars and Concrete

The stroll back to their house is swift, but maybe it's because my mind is elsewhere. Do I tell them every single detail? Or do I only provide them with snippets? Enough, but not enough. We'll see. 

The pressure of my position as storyteller is overwhelming. I seem to have told this story hundreds of times, alone and to others, but the pair look sterner than Koda and Maddox.

"From...from the beginning?" I ask, quietly. Fylo's eyes are warm and forgiving, whereas Alistair is the opposite. Every now and then he gives me a look that could freeze water.

"From the beginning." Alistair grumbles. Inhaling deeply, I ready myself.

"It was just a normal day, until it started." The story is the same old. It's been engraved in my memory, I relive it constantly. Since the discovery of Niko's crime, it's been altered only slightly.

"So...so you're telling me, it was Niko who murdered your sister?" Fylo gasps as though my tale is some sort of opera.

"Yes," I sigh, "And I'd been living in walking distance from him all along."

"What about Maddox and Koda? Did you tell them?" He asks, his curious eyes flicking all over my face looking for the answer.

"No, I-I never did." I look into my lap where my hands are folded together. Even after all this time I wear the torn up dress I ran away in. An overwhelming dirty feeling engulfs me.

"How did you get from living by the murderer of your sister to here then?" Alistair's gruff voice breaks the silence.

"He-he took me to a ball."

"Oh, the ball. Alistair, you know the one where Luther wanted to tell the others about-" Fylo stops in his tracks, his green eyes widen and he slowly turns his head to me, "you're-you're the mate! The mate King Luther's brother was talking about! I-I-I-!" He stutters dramatically.

"And you're only putting the pieces together now..." Alistair sighs, rubbing his forehead, "Why did you run?" His question has me stumped. Do I reveal the Kings plans? 

"Conan...the person I kidnapped is related to a king." I admit and Fylo gasps, "Conan is the Fire-Lord King's younger brother."

"What were you thinking? You could be in so much trouble! You're so stupid!" Alistair grumbles.

"I am not stupid!" I growl back, "If I slipped up one time it's because I raised myself, damn you." 

"Let her finish her story, Alistair." Fylo orders.

"Thank you, Fylo." I smile sarcastically at Alistair before starting again, "I didn't know he was related to the King. But now I do. Conan told me about something he overheard. They...they were planning to cage me." Silence greets me like an old friend. The atmosphere is awkward and cold. Do you support me or report me?

"What did my brother think of this?" Fylo asks, his tone low.

"Who's your brother?" I reply, this could go one of two ways.

"Floren Fei, King of Elementals." He says, smiling only slightly. Oh Floren! Floren the kind, soft spoken angel. 

"He was against it. Luther had the final word. Valentine..." I try my hardest to remember the conversation that has been on repeat in my mind, "Valentine said he wouldn't be able to resist my scent."

"Can agree with him there." Alistair mutters, though he can stand to be in the same room as me, his coffee is awfully close to his nose. I'm sure he's trying to distract his senses.

"Conan's brother, Caspen joked. He said something about me being a maid. Xanouth agreed with Luther. The world apparently will erupt into chaos if I'm discovered further." I explain.