The Elfish King

chapter 6

    After I put on some relaxing music, I and Lira sat in the living room sitting and talking. Scarla was still at the dining room table, just sitting to herself like she was waiting for someone to tell her what to do. She wasn't seeing like she was enjoying herself, she created the impression like she went somewhere else in her mind that she was drawn to. I thought about what happened earlier at the library. When she has gotten a little quiet when it came to going to her house. I didn't know why then and I know I should have listened to Lira when she warned me back then. Anyways, I thought well, maybe she never actually had a family to begin with. Maybe she was homeless but that wouldn't have made sense if she was paying the school to be in the school. Suddenly I realized I had zoomed out while talking to Lira.

"Hey Shyne, are you listening, or are you zooming out?" Lira said snapping her fingers in my face.

"Huh? wait, what? sorry, I zoomed out again. I just..." I said.

I moved closer to Lira and lowered my voice to a whisper so Scarla didn't hear me.

"Hey, do you think Scarla is homeless?" I whispered.

"What, that's crazy," Lira said whispering too.

"I just thought what would explain how upset she had gotten earlier...but I don't know...I think I'm just overthinking it," I whispered.

"Yeah I think you are," Lira said.

I looked up at Scarla, I stood up and headed up to her.

"Hey Scarla, are you okay?" I asked.

I took a seat at the table with her.

"Umm....yeah I'm fine, but was just wondering what do you do around this time of night, don't you sleep?"Scarla asked turning to me.

"Well, I usually stay up cleaning or reading until I fall asleep," I said.

"Oh,"scarla said.

"But if you want you can play a game with me and Lira?" I asked.

"Umm...what kind of games do you have? Scarla asked.

"We have cards," I said.

"Well I don't know how to play" Scarla said.

"Oh well I can teach you," I said smiling.

"Umm, you sure? after all, I think Lira would rather me die in a pit,"Scarla said.

"Now why would you say that?" I said.

"She's jealous of me if you haven't noticed. Why do you think she is all over you now because she is into you. Even with you sitting here with me talking it's making her mad,"Scarla said glaring at Lira.

"Wait, wait, wait, Lira doesn't like me like that. She...she just likes me as a friend," I said starting to blush.

"Shyne please, don't play dumb, it's not working for you, but look she likes you and you do too, but I'm not going to say anything else because I don't want to get in the middle of it, "Scarla said turning away from me.

    I sat there for a moment in shock at what she said. I have from time to time have been thinking about me and lira being together but I never thought Lira of all people would like me. I mean I know I like her in a way that I thought I never could like as far as my family, yet, every time I'm near her it's like my whole life feels just a little bit happier. It fills my day up with joy and worth. I feel better about myself and feel free to do anything when I'm around Lira, yet, I don't know if I can get with her If she doesn't have the same feelings for me as I have for her. However, now that Scarla is saying that she has feelings for me, it's really giving me the magical feeling I have inside me, that is getting excited because if Lira likes me and I like her, that means I have a chance to be with her. I just wished that I knew this before today because if I had known I would have maybe tried to make a move on Lira and confessed, but for so long I have held in my feeling for her because of my fear of embarrassment and rejection. Nonetheless, I love Lira from the deepest part of me ever since I saw her in our neighborhood for the first time. At that time then, my feelings of friendship grew to become something more for Lira I started to like her more than friends, and more than family. She became the one person in the world I wanted to spend my days with for as long as life.

"Maybe you're right, maybe lira does like me or maybe I like her too but what if we're not cut out to be together, and if we did have a chance who knows what would happen. I know that you may be right but she probably would've confronted me by now if she did like me. Overall, thank you Scarla but I think you're wrong in this one," I said confidently.

"Okay..well don't say I didn't tell you so,"Scarla said.

I saw Lira go up to the window and looking at the stars.

"Hey Shyne, look at the sky it's gotten beautiful from the last time I actually noticed, "Lira said.

I walked over to her and looked out the window. The sky was pitch black but the stars shined as bright as the sun would on a hot morning. I looked at Lira for a moment and noticed how nice she looked today in the moonlight then I quickly moved my head back to the stars.

"The stars are really nice out tonight, I said.

"We should light the fire pit tonight because of the stars, "Lira suggested.

"Really? on a school night?" I asked.

"Yeah I don't see why not after all we should live in the moment," Lira said.

"Well I guess so," I said smiling.

"Hey, Scarla do you want to come in the backyard with us to light the bond fire?" I asked.

"Sure if I'm invited,"Scarla said.

"Yeah sure you are," I said.

I glanced at Lira and saw a frown, but when she looked at me she tried to smile. We all headed to the backyard. I set up the fire pit and I was just about to light it when Scarla took out her book.

"Hey I got it" Scarla said.

    Scarla started to mumble some words under her breath I didn't understand then waved her hands in the air and the firelight up, shining bright red and orange. It was a really beautiful sight to see. We all gathered around the fire pit. The fire was as warm as hot cocoa is when you first take a sip. I went inside for a moment to get the marshmallows and gram crackers. When I went inside I saw Lira and Scarla talking. I tried to lip-read their lips, but all I got was nothing. I really didn't understand what they were saying. I saw Lira get a bit blushy when she started talking to Scarla. I turned away to go ahead and grab the graham crackers and marshmallows and then I turn back to the window and saw them both not facing each other anymore. I guess the conversation was over. They seemed to have moved different away from each other or maybe it was Lira who decided to move over. At that point, I got the rest of the marshmallows and graham crackers and napkins cause I know marshmallows and graham crackers can get a little messy, and then I went on ahead and went outside to join them.

"Hey, guys I got the marshmallows and gram crackers. Also, I grabbed some napkins if we make a mess," I said.

"Oh nice, I can't wait to eat them, "Lira said turning toward me.

Scarla seemed to be zoning out in the fire when I saw her sweating.

"Hey Scarla, you know  you can take off your sweater," I suggested."I understand that the fire can get really hot especially if your as close as we are."

Lira looked at me then put her marshmallow on the stick. Scarla didn't say anything for a moment but then she took off her sweater. Her sweater was almost drenched in sweat. So Scarla rang it out a little. Scarla was just wearing a long-sleeved shirt underneath.

"Do you feel better?" I asked.

"I honestly do," Scarla said.

Well, do you want to have some marshmallows?" I asked her.

"Umm sure," she said.

I gave her some marshmallows and some gram crackers. She went ahead and just looked at me and Lira about how to put it on the stick and heat it up.

"So are you guys a thing?"Scarla asked. putting the stick over the fire.

I and Lira looked at each other in shock but then we laughed.

"We are not a thing," Lira said laughing.

"Yeah, we are not in a relationship," I said giggling a little.

My marshmallow was finished cooking so I made my sandwich and ate it.

"Hey Scarla I think your marshmallow is going to burn," I said.

Scarla looked at the marshmallow and saw it all darkened, suddenly, she moved it away from the fire then put it in the gram cracker. She took a bit and then spitted it out.

"It's way too hot,"Scarla said trying to cool down her tongue.

I and Lira started to bust out laughing. I almost Choked on my marshmallow sandwich. After a moment of laughter, I went ahead and gave Scarla my other marshmallow that was supposed to go on a stick and made it into a sandwich but it wasn't too hot so I gave it to her.

"Here this isn't too hot so you will be able to eat it," I said smiling.

"You know that wasn't funny but thank you Shyne,"Scarla said.

    She took the marshmallow sandwich and ate it. Her face was filled with Delight, I can tell She was enjoying the marshmallow sandwich because her face was so filled with happiness, I never saw Scarla so happy by something in my life. All I knew was the way she acted when I saw her in class, she was just to herself, no smiles, no nothing, just plain serious face. It seemed she didn't have the appearance of having emotions, on the other hand, today I saw a different side of her, a happier side of her that I didn't know she had. I have thought, though, at times why she was always to her self during school hours and while she was always serious and rude in spite of it never occurred to me that her home must've been disrupted or something Traumatic happened to her in the life that made her feel that way. I feel like she couldn't be yourself in school, which I totally get out of my family half the time but at least they still love me and care about me enough to want me around.

"These...are..soo....goodd," she said with her mouth full.

"I know, they are my favorite treat for this time of night," Lira said.

"I love them when they are under a fire," I said.

After she was done she grinned for The first time in a long time. I've never seen Scarla ever smile or well grin for anything though I only ever saw her in one class every day for school.

"Thank you Shyne, that was delicious,"Scarla said going back to her serious face.

"Yeah, your welcome," I said smiling.

We all just sat back in the backyard and Relaxed after eating marshmallows and getting full off of them. We just sat around the fire while the campfire was dying down. We were looking at the stars and naming the constellations. Scarla was still a little quiet but she came into some conversations with me and lira later in the night which was really nice to see. It was getting really late at that time it was getting close to 1 AM. So I knew most of us were getting tired from today and I was too.

"So I'm tired, Shyne, where can I sleep tonight?"Scarla asked.

"Well..umm I don't know, lira where do you want to sleep?" I asked."you can sleep in my mom's room, brother's room, or Neia's room since they are not home yet." I said.

"Well aren't they coming back home?"Lira asked.

"Umm ....well ... tomorrow afternoon they are coming to see me off..." I said with dampening spirits.

"Oh...I should have known, after everything that has been going on at the palace. They're going to a battle against some other army force. I forgot what they are called but they need all warriors, guards, and strategists on the call in the battle, "Lira said.

"Wait how did you know about the battle?" I asked.

"I read The newspaper the other day, wait, shoot, you didn't read it because I didn't get you a copy, Sorry I forgot to get your copy of it" Lira said.

"It's okay, at least I know about it now, so that's really all that counts," I said.

"Why do you think they are going to war?"Lira asked.

"Power,"Scarla said." it's always about power when it comes to these battles."Scarla said.

I and lira looked at Scarla, her face showed that she seems to know a lot about this but we both looked at each other and realize to not even ask, just go with it.

"Yeah, that seems to be the problem around here now and days," I said.

"Yeah," Lira said.

"Are your siblings really important to you?"Scarla asked.

I looked up at Scarla "yes, they mean the world to me, they are my family, I would do anything for my family," I said.

"Well I guess we must pray for them to come back safely," Scarla said.

It had gotten a little quiet after talking about the upcoming battle.

"Well, I guess just in case we should leave the room empty and I guess one of you can sleep in my room with me, "I said.

"I'm good with the couch, is that an option?"Scarla asked.

"Umm...yeah," I said smiling.

"Cool, I will see you in a couple of hours then since it is technically morning already,"Scarla said.

"Good night," I said.

"Night,' Lira said.

Scarla went on ahead in the house. I and Lira were still outside admiring the stars.

"Well shouldn't we head inside, after all, we have school?" I asked.

"Can we sit out here for a while?" Lira asked.

I sighed."yeah I guess we can, I just don't want us falling asleep in class like usual," I said.

Lira smiled. we sat next to the fire and then it went out. It had gotten a bit colder outside so I grabbed some blankets and put them all around Lira and me.

"Thank you, "Lira said.

"You're welcome," I said.

We sat pretty close, but not too close and that's when I started to think about what Scarla said about Lira having a crush on me.

"Hey, Lira I have to tell you something......" I said getting nervous.

"What is it?" Lira asked.

"Umm well my mom hasn't come home yet and when I had gotten that message from Bryan about him not coming home tonight, I had kind of a breakdown. I cried so hard that when  I lifted up my head and I saw chairs, tables, objects, and the couch float in the air. That took me back when back in middle school when I made that little bully Luke was it? Float in the air because I got so mad about his friend hurting you," I said. 

"Well, Shyne-" Lira started to say.

"Yes I did that and I didn't think I had that power inside me still. Anyhow I thought about and it is like every time something bad happens you're always there for me and when it comes to your safety it hurts me to see you hurt but it makes me the happiest person alive seeing you happy," I said to turn toward her getting closer.

"i...i...think I like you, Lira, I mean like you like you, I think I have had these feelings for you for a very long time, and I just didn't know-" I said blushing.

Lira looked at me in my eyes as she moved close to me and suddenly she kissed me cutting me off.

"I feel that same way Shyne, I've always had, "Lira said blushing. 

    Then I put my hands on her face and kissed her back. We were both kissing each other at that point. My heart was pounding so hard when we were kissing but I felt like it was one of the most magical feelings I've ever had. We kept kissing for I don't even know how long, but all I know was I felt so happy, so comfortable, so at home, and I'll never forget this no matter how many times I think about it over and over again. This memory was always and will be the best moment I will never forget. A couple of moments have passed and we just talked for a while more. Soon after we both headed inside because we were both cold. We both headed up the stairs and laid in the bed right next to each other cuddling. Looking back now, cuddling with Lira was probably one of the moments that made me feel secure. Which made me feel safe that night.

"Good night Shyne, "Lira said.

"Night," I said.

When I laid there in bed I thought about what all the events had happened all day. Finding out my siblings are going to a battle that leaves me clueless on if they're going to come back from, the fact that my mom hasn't come back home from work in a couple of days now. I think tomorrow morning I'm going to go ahead up to the healthcare center with all the nurseries are and see if she's there because I have no idea where she is but I know I'm really getting worried about her. I closed My eyes to go to sleep I turned over a little bit so I can get more comfortable. my brain was dark for a moment suddenly I heard voices, little whispers at first but then as I got deeper into my sleep the whispered voices become more clear enough, so I can hear them. At first, I thought this was just a dream but now I'm starting to think it was more of a vision Because in my dreams I've never heard these kinds of voices before.

"The plan is almost complete, with all of the heirs out of the way and the kingdom will be left to ruin and we will rise to rule the kingdom, at that time we shall conquer them all," a scratchy villainous voice said happily.

"Well master, what if we just try to overtake some other kingdom?" the other voice suggested.

The second voice sounded like Scarla's voice. When I thought back for a moment and really listen to the second voice it sounded like Scarla's. I couldn't believe I was hearing Scarla's voice in this vision I was having. Yet, I was wondering why she was talking to that weird creepy voice talking about taking over the kingdom.

"Hahaha, have you become delirious? this kingdom has the powers I need to transform into my true form," the scratchy voice said humored by the question. "Just focus on getting them on your side, so we can complete the plan," the scratchy voice said firmly.

"Yes master," Scarla said with dampening spirits.

    That was when my vision had ended and my mind was pitch black. Thoughts and scenes from today and from the course of the days I've been having these weird things happening to me with having all of these things happen leading up to me finding out Scarla's was talking to some evil person, that I didn't know who but I knew that the trust I had for Scarla has disappeared. Lira was right about Scarla, she isn't someone you should trust so easily. The whole time about trusting her was a waste of time and I shouldn't have even involved her in my problems if I knew this was going to happen. I should have known that Scarla was bad news. What doesn't make sense was with her talking to grand duke about murdering the heirs and now talking to some evil voice about conquering the kingdom was crazy. I eventually fell asleep with my thoughts. I woke up exhausted, I didn't see Lira next to me so I jumping up panicking thinking everything was a dream. I rushed out the bed, took a shower, brushed my teeth, gotten dressed, and head downstairs. That's when I saw Scarla and Lira in the kitchen reading. I felt relieved but I also felt anger rise in me.

"Good morning Lira," I said trying to grin.

"Good morning, she said happily.

Hi Scarla," I said as I gave her the cold shoulder.

Morning, "Scarla said sleepily.

"How did you sleep last night," I asked Scarla.

"Good I guess"Scarla said.

"Well I had another vision with you in it and you can't tell me that last night you didn't talk to some old person about taking over the kingdom," I said.

"Wait, what happened?"Lira asked lifting her head from the book.

"You have no idea what you're talking about Shyne,"Scarla said.

"I know what I'm talking about. it was a plan to take over the kingdom and kill all the heirs," I said coldly.

"Whatever, I don't need this,"Scarla said walking away getting up from the kitchen table and grabbing her stuff.

"Don't walk away, you know exactly what I'm talking about," I said walking toward her.

Scarla walks away and ignoring me. She goes ahead and puts on her shoes and opens the door then I saw the duke's son Kevon at the door. He looked tall and formal. He was wearing the uniform of the castle which was blue and yellow. His hair was neat and blondish brown. He looked down at Scarla and grinned.

"Hello, Carly, can you please move out the way so I can come in?" Kevon asked politely.

Scarla moved to the side and opened the door.

"That's not my name and you know it Kevon,"Scarla said gritting her teeth.

"I would rather you start calling me king of Landmendale, but I guess since it is not official it will do," he said."Is this the right house Kin?" Kevon asked bitterly.

His servant came walking inside right behind Kevon. He looked skinny and looked like he hasn't had a change of clothes in a while. He looked familiar but I didn't know who he was yet.

"Yes master, this is it," Kin said.

"Perfect now which one of you is Shyne?"Kevon asked.

I moved forward a little.

"That is my name, what do you want?" I asked.

"Well aren’t you supposed to bow to royalty?" he said smiling.

"I don't bow to people like you, so what do you want?" I said.

"I will let it pass, for now, I suppose, "Kevon said."well let's just get to business shall we," Kevon said."Kin, grab a chair and clean it for me so I can sit down, my legs are starting to kill me," he demanded.

"Yes, master," Kin said. He ran over to the dining room table and grabbed a chair and cleaned it with a rag several wipes and then he put it right behind Kevon. Kevon sat in the chair then got a little bit comfortable.

"So Shyne I have a proposal for you. You see, Shyne you are the son of my dear uncle. You were left here with your mother as a baby for your safety. Your father was a...umm..special king and he had to makes some...sacrifices so he can save his people but unfortunately, meant leaving you." Kevon said." so that's what brings me here, is to ask for you to sign this contract.it will allow me to be the ruler of the kingdom and you wouldn’t be next in line." Kevon said."Kin get me the contract," he asked demanding.

"Yes, master," kin said annoyed. He gave him the contract.

"Wait I know you kin, I bumped into you in school the other day," I said.

He looked up to me." I was running an Aaron for master Kevon," he said.

I looked at the contract then I realized this wasn't a dream this was real. The grand duke's son was actually in my house giving me a contract. My face was frozen I didn't know what to do at that moment so I just sat there and thought about everything that happened all the visions, all the dreams, and all the events that happened and now he's telling me that the king who has died in an accident in the castle was my father was unbelievable.

"Can I have a moment to process this?" I asked.

"Oh of course I will give you a couple of minutes for you to make your decision. after all it's a huge one. I will be waiting right here for you to give me an answer. I need it today, "Kevon said grinning.

I nodded and went upstairs to my mom's room to think. I closed the door and sat on the bed still in shock. I can't believe my father was the king, and he left me with my mom just so he can protect me, but the question here in was from what? Now I have only a couple of minutes to tell that Duke's son if I wanted to give up being the heir to the throne. Suddenly I heard a knock at the bedroom door.

"I will be down in a minute," I said.

"It's Lira your umm..your friend," Lira said.

"Come on in," I said.

Lira came on into the room "are you okay?"Lira asked me.

I sighed."I don't know who I am anymore. The king is my father which would explain the story you told me of my father leaving a baby at my mom's house, but I don't get why he left me, why he couldn't have stayed. This is all confusing. yet with the vision, I had with Scarla and that weird voice was crazy. Also, the one with Scarla and the Grand Duke was weird as well. I don't know what is up with Scarla but a lot of the information that I have in my mind right now is a lot." I said.

"Well let's take a step back, first things first your father was the king, and now you have the choice to be the king and rule, but if you choose not to rule then Kevon will rule Landmendale." Lira said.

She came over and sat next to me.

"Yeah that's basically my options, but the thing is I don't want him to rule, he's so disrespectful and arrogant that he will destroy whatever peace is left in this kingdom, but on the other hand, do you really think I can rule a kingdom at just 17 years old?" I asked.

"Well you are young but I don't think it matters because as long as you are your father's blood you have the right to rule the kingdom. However, to answer your question, I think you are ready to make the kingdom better if you choose for it to be peaceful."Lira said.

I thought for a moment about what she said. I can't think about Scarla and the visions I've had, I had to think about what was best for the kingdom's safety. Lira laid her head on my shoulder and that calmed me down enough to know my decision.

"I know what I am choosing and I know it may be a dangerous one but I have to take the risk for the kingdom and my family," I said confidently.

"I knew you would make the right decision," Lira said smiling.

"Thank you, Lira, I don't think I could have made my mind up without you, "I said smiling.

"Your welcome soft boy, "Lira said smiling.

I and Lira headed out of the room together, knowing the decision I was going to have to make. When I came down the stairs everyone in the living room was looking up at me. That's was when I started to get a bit nervous, but then I knew Lira was behind me so I knew I was doing the right thing. I sat on the chair that was in front of Kevon.

"I have made my decision," I said looking at him in the eye.

"What have you decided?" Kevon asked.

"I decided to not sign the contract, I want to become the next heir," I said.

Kevon was quiet for a moment he sighed."oh what a shame I was really looking forward to being king, oh well I guess your mother will have to suffer just as your father will, "Kevon said in pitty.

"Wait, what did you just say about my mother?" I asked baffled.

"Oh, you don't know? your mother was kidn*pped and I was going to pay off the person who did it when you signed the contract but I guess not," Kevon said.

"You never told me about my mother being kidn*pped can you tell me where she is?" I asked nervously.

"Well you see I was going to tell you all the details after you sighed the contract but it seems that that will not be happening," Kevon said. he got up and started to walk away from me like he didn't care about any of what was happening.