The Guardian King

Chapter Eleven

~ Ember

*

“Why didn’t he tell me he was the king?!” I hissed angrily. In a vacant corridor around the corner from the ballroom, I struggled to come to terms with the revelation I’d unknowingly met the guardian king. “I must have looked so ignorant to him.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Gemma said. “He probably assumed you already knew.” My hands covered my face in frustration. “I feel like I’m drowning, Gemma,” I mumbled. “There’s so much about this world I don’t know and even more I don’t understand. I’m so far out of my comfort zone I can’t remember what that is anymore.” She yanked my hands away from my face and attempted to console me. “It’ll get easier, I promise. What you’re feeling is entirely normal for someone in your unique situation.”

“I don’t know how I feel right now, but it certainly isn’t normal.”

“What can I do to help?”

“For starters, you can tell off your friend, Nic, for misleading me.”

“Consider it done.”

*

“There you girls are,” Phyneas called as he came around the corner. “I was beginning to think you both skipped out on me.”

“We wouldn’t do that, would we, Ember?” Gemma asked sarcastically.

“The thought may have crossed my mind,” I answered.

“Very funny,” Phyneas commented, offering his elbow to escort me back into the party.

*

In my absence from the ballroom, the staff had laid out every sweet treat imaginable. One table had been reserved for nothing but candy. My eyes grew wide with desire as I expressed, “Oh, I want it all.”

“It’ll have to wait,” Gemma said. “There’s still a lot of people you should meet first.”

“What? No! I need the kind of sustenance only sugar can provide.”

“Are you a child?”

“When it comes to candy, I may as well be.”

“Just wait until after you’ve made a few more introductions.”

“There’s plenty of time for that nonsense,” Phyneas told Gemma, before he turned to me and added, “How many jelly beans can you eat in two minutes?”

“Is that a challenge?” I asked with a wide grin.

“Phyneas!” Gemma chastised. “You want her to meet the most respected people in our society with colored goo in her teeth?”

“Ease up, Gem. She needs this.” She rolled her eyes, but walked away in surrender.

*

“Thanks for that,” I told Phyneas.

“She means well, but she can be a bit…”

“Intense?”

“I suppose that’s the nice way of putting it. Come on, I believe I issued a challenge, didn’t I?”

“You did.” I quickly followed him to the candy bar, where we presumed to stuff our faces with everything in reach.

*

Phyneas played the role of an overgrown puppy; cute, playful, comforting, and loyal. He and Gemma made well-balanced friends. Where she was high-strung, he was relaxed, and I couldn’t navigate the unfamiliar waters of the guardian world without either one of them.

*

“Feeling better?” Phyneas asked once we’d had our fill of sugar.

“Much, thanks,” I responded with a contented sigh.

“Anytime I can help merely by indulging your sweetest desire, just say the word and I’m there.”

“Can you help by explaining why your friend, the king, introduced himself to me as simply ‘Nic’?” Phyneas’ eyebrows lifted in surprise as he replied, “He did?”

“He did. If his intent was to make me feel foolish, he succeeded.”

“He’d never purposefully make you feel foolish.”

“How do I know that’s true?”

“Look, you’ve known you’re a guardian less than a week and known our king less than an hour. Give him a chance. I promise his intentions are honorable.”

*

“Alright,” I relented. “Although his error makes me question whether I can trust him… I do trust you.” His expression softened and he said, “I’m touched, Emmie.”

“You’re welcome… Pup,” I replied as I ruffled his shaggy red-brown hair. He pushed my hand away, but I caught his smile as he said, “Pup? Really? You’ve had almost a week and that’s what you’ve come up with?”

“It suits you.”

“Dare I ask, how?”

“I’m going to let you figure that out for yourself.”

“What have I done to deserve that?”

“You failed to warn me about the Ruby Rose, or that the king likes to go by Nic.”

“Because it’s a sobriquet only those closest to him use.”

“Then why would he introduce himself to me that way?”

“Maybe to make you feel more comfortable around him? I’m not sure. But it shouldn’t be held against me.”

“Too bad.”

“I’m only going to keep asking.”

“I’d expect nothing less, Pup.”

***

After a quick trip to the bathroom to check my teeth for candy, I returned to the party only to be nearly knocked off my feet. A barely legal girl, in a bubblegum-pink dress let out a drunken giggle. “Oops! Sorry,” she said halfheartedly. Her dyed purple hair fell in tight ringlets down one shoulder. Her makeup had been done with a heavy hand and her expression made it clear our collision hadn’t been the least bit accidental. “Easy, Val,” said the man standing beside her. “You don’t want to give the impression you can’t handle your Ruby.”

*

The guy’s features contained a strange familiarity I couldn’t put my finger on until Phyneas rejoined me. “You should control your date, Jasper,” he said. “You alright, Em?”

“I’m fine,” I answered.

“How about instead of chastising my manners,” Jasper replied, “you remember your own, Brother.” With an irritated sigh, Phyneas said, “Ember, this is my i***t brother, Jasper. Jasmine’s twin.” The familiarity suddenly made sense as I compared the brothers. Though they shared the same hazel eyes, Jasper’s didn’t seem to hold the same warmth as his older brother’s. His darker hair was cut shorter, his jaw clean shaven, and his head stopped inches short of Phyneas’

*

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, extending my hand, but Jasper caught me off guard when he brought it to his lips for a soft kiss. The girl he’d referred to as ‘Val’ grew impatient the attention wasn’t on her. She pulled on Jasper’s arm and whined, “Jasp, you promised you’d introduce me to King Phoenix.”

“I told you, he’s busy at the moment.”

“That’s just an excuse. I don’t think you really are close friends with him as you claimed.” He shrugged, unconcerned by her accusation, and responded, “Be that way, Valencia. I would rather dance with Ms. Ellison anyway.”

“Me?” I asked in surprise as Valencia scoffed and stomped away.

*

“Would you do me the honor, Ember?” Jasper offered a hand to me, but before I could respond, Phyneas interjected, “She isn’t available.”

“I don’t see her dancing with anyone else.”

“Then open your eyes, little bro.” Phyneas already had a grasp on my hand and we were suddenly moving towards the dance floor.

*

“I hope you don’t mind,” Phyneas said as he placed his other hand on my waist and began to lead me in a waltz.

“Not at all,” I replied. “I love to dance. But all you had to do was ask, you know.”

“I’m sorry, Emmie.”

“Why did you feel the need to spite your little brother that way?”

“He’s the baby of the family. Everything is simply given to him. It irks me when he assumes he can have something, especially a dance with you.”

“So you assume you can have a dance with me instead?” I teased.

“He’s a massive flirt. I didn’t want you subjected to that.”

“I can handle it, Pup.” His eye roll made me giggle and he pushed me into a spin.

*

Dancing with Phyneas freed me from the cares and worries I’d been carrying all evening. His lightheartedness began to rub off on me as he cracked jokes while keeping perfect rhythm. “You are an entirely different person while dancing,” he pointed out as the song came to an end.

“How so?”

“Happier. More carefree.”

“Dancing takes me to my happy place,” I explained with a blissful smile.

“That must be true. You haven’t even noticed the people staring at you.”

“No, I guess I haven’t,” I replied, looking around, “Thanks for reminding me.”

“You could avoid unpleasant interactions if you kept dancing.”

“That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

*

When the orchestra paused between songs, someone took my hand from Phyneas’. “Allow me to lead you in the next dance?” Jasper asked.

“She’s had enough stress this evening without being forced to endure your dancing,” Phyneas said.

“I think Ember can answer for herself.”

“It’s alright, Phyneas,” I said, accepting Jasper’s invitation. I didn’t miss the spitefully triumphant glance he sent his older brother, before he pulled me into his hold.

*

The next song began and I glided around the floor in sync with Jasper. “Half the women in this room are wearing one of my sister’s creations,” he began as he looked me over and continued, “but not one of them holds a candle to you.”

“Why do I get the feeling flattery is your currency?” With a cocky grin he replied, “Because you have good instincts.”

“You don’t look very much like Jasmine,” I stated in observation.

“We are fraternal twins. Completely different, not only in appearance.”

“Not too different I hope. She was very kind to me.”

“Alas, she got all the heart… but I got all the charm.”

*

As we moved through the other couples, I spotted Phyneas observing us from the sidelines. Jasper must have also noticed, because he tightened his arm around my waist a smidge more snuggly than I preferred. “You and your brother seem to be having a competition on who can more thoroughly get under the other’s skin,” I said in observation.

“He makes it his mission in life to prevent me from having any amount of joy. But I don’t want to talk about him. I want to talk about you.”

“What about me? I feel as though all I’ve done this evening is talk about me. People want answers to questions I don’t have. I haven’t a clue why my mother hid the truth from me and I certainly don’t know what my dad would say if he were alive.”

“Sounds frustrating. But no, I don’t give a whit about your past, only your present.”

“Such as?”

“Your likes and dislikes. What makes Ember tick? What makes Ember happy? What makes Ember passionate?”

“At the moment, learning what it means to be a guardian.”

“How very boring.”

“You don’t like being a guardian?”

“I like it fine. I just don’t see what’s so special about it. Every person in this room is a guardian.”

“Perhaps you’ve taken your heritage for granted.” He scoffed and I continued, “Take it from someone who grew up believing they were human, being a guardian is everything.” He shrugged casually and replied, “If you say so.”

*

As Jasper began to add to his argument a hand reached his shoulder, interrupting our dance. “May I cut in?” the king asked.

“Who am I to refuse our most esteemed monarch?” Jasper gave a reluctant bow and vacated the dance floor.

*

In the light of the many chandeliers, I discovered King Phoenix’s hair was not black at all, rather a dark chocolate. He looked more approachable than before as he took me into his arms and led me in time with the melody. I found relief that he’d chosen to don a pair of white gloves as the closeness of our bodies made my palms perspire. “You seem tense,” he commented.

“That would be because everyone is watching us.”

“That didn’t seem to bother you before. Everyone has been watching you since you first set foot in the ballroom.” I didn’t answer, but avoided his eyes while we moved amongst the other couples.

*

“Won’t you talk to me?” the king said.

“What would be the point?” I responded, continuing to avoid his golden gaze.

“To become better acquainted.”

“Don’t you have plenty of acquaintances?”

“I’d like us to be friends,” he said. With a scoff I replied, “If your foundation for friendship is dishonesty, I must politely decline.”

“You wound me.” He pushed me into a spin, before pulling me back into his firm hold.

*

“In what way have I been dishonest?” he wanted to know.

“You neglected to mention when we first met that you are the guardian king.”

“It didn’t come up in our brief interaction.” I could no longer avoid his eyes when I replied in annoyance, “What about when I asked who you were?”

“I answered honestly. To you I am simply Nic.”

“You aren’t simply anything. You’re the ruler.”

“There are few I don’t consider to be under my rule. You happen to be one of them.”

“I’m a guardian, aren’t I? That makes you my king.”

“Not necessarily.”

“I don’t understand.”

“As I said before, you are special.”

“In what way?”

“You’ll see.” The song ended and he bowed in appreciation of our dance as he softly said, “Welcome to our world, mon ange.” Before I could react, he’d disappeared into the bustling crowd.

*

Once again I became the center of attention after my dance with the king. Anyone and everyone, who hadn’t already, desired to meet me. Remembering Gemma’s advice, I didn’t bother attempting to remember names. Just as before, most welcomed me into the fold, while a few asked rudely direct questions mixed with negative connotations. But the outpouring of acceptance and kindness amongst the masses made it easier to ignore the outliers.

*

Gemma seized the first opportunity of a lull to tell me, “I’ll hold them off if you need to sneak away for a breather.”

“You’re a Gem,” I replied.

“That’s what they tell me,” she said with a wink. I quickly slipped though an open doorway into the foyer. Seeking a moment completely alone, I moved deeper into the castle. I came across what appeared to be a music room due to the variety of instruments on display. The shiny black grand piano drew me in.

*

Sensing I’d been followed, I pivoted to find Sadie looking as apathetic towards me as ever. “Hello, Sadie” I said politely. “Did you need something?”

“Actually, there’s something you need from me.” Her lilac gown accented her honey blonde hair beautifully and sparkled as she moved further into the room. “And what is that?” I asked.

“In a word; advice.”

“I’m listening.”

“You seem like a nice girl,” she said condescendingly. Clearly nice wasn’t a quality she valued. “So, let me do you a favor and grant you a bit of honesty which everyone prefers to shield you from.”

“Go on.”

“You are a liability. You may technically be a guardian, but you were not raised in our way of life. And you will never make up for that no matter how hard you try. You’ll only hold others back.”

“Others like Phoenix you mean?” I don’t know where my assumption came from, but it turned out to be dead on. “The fact that you refer to our king so casually only proves how little you know or respect about our culture. He will only come to resent you and your human ways. Neither of you deserve that.”

*

It seemed guardians weren’t all that different from humans when it came to making assumptions about others. Due to the fact I’m not overly loquacious, people interpret my quiet nature to mean I’m nice. While kindness has always been my first impulse, my mom didn’t raise a pushover. I could bite when necessary in defending myself.

*

“How thoughtful of you to consider me,” I said, “but I think I’ll pass on your favors.” Her eyes flashed with an unexpected irritation, but she brushed it off and calmly replied, “Suit yourself. If you don’t want to be reasonable that is your prerogative. But I genuinely care about Phoenix and I will not stand by and allow him to make a mistake that will inevitably end in humiliation.” I boldly stepped closer and replied, “You mean the kind of humiliation that comes from publicly finding your girlfriend hooking up with another man in the backseat of his limo?”

*

Sadie’s green eyes sparked with anger as she snapped, “How dare you?! You ignorant slut! You know nothing of which you speak. That was nothing more than a misunderstanding. One I plan on clearing up, once and for all, before the night is through. So, if I were you, I’d prepare to crawl back to whatever rock you’ve been under, because after tonight, Phoenix won’t spare you a passing glance.”

*

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” came Phyneas’ voice from the doorway.

“Phyneas,” Sadie uttered with contempt, “you would butt yourself into other people’s conversations.”

“I only came to check on my friend and discovered you cornering her. And you wonder why your friends have all deserted you, Tick-tock.”

“What did you call me?!” She knew it was intended as an insult, but didn’t understand why.

“As I said before, you have the people skills of a crocodile,” Phyneas explained. “You’re cold, cunning, and you bite. So, if you are going to act like a crocodile, I’m going to refer to you as one.” I couldn’t hold back a snicker from Sadie’s stunned and confused reaction. With no reply to give, she slithered out of the room.

*

When Phyneas turned his attention to me, I burst into a fit of laughter and he followed suit. “That wasn’t very gentlemanly of me was it?” he asked.

“She had it coming,” I replied. “Do you think she’s even heard of Peter Pan?”

“It’s highly unlikely, though I’m glad you picked up on the reference. We’re obviously kindred spirits. Most guardians don’t care much for human culture. I’m unique in my penchant for movies. But Phoenix and Gemma are gaga over a variety of human musicians.”

*

I looked at the doorway Phoenix’s ex-girlfriend had left through and considered her advice. “Don’t let the crocodile get to you,” Phyneas assured me. I swallowed my insecurities, smiled, and replied, “If I have a run in with her again in future, I’ll summon the memory of you calling her Tick-Tock. That should effectively disarm her words. Besides, I’m no stranger to passive aggression from others, especially females. It has little effect over me anymore.”

“That’s a shame,” he replied. “That you’ve experienced condescension so frequently you’ve become desensitized.”

“What you call desensitized I call developing a thick skin, one I am quite proud of.”

“But you should know, it’s only because humans could sense how special you are. They’re jealous.”

“Maybe. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“You’re right,” he said, putting an arm around me and leading me out of the room. “It doesn’t.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note:

Chapter 12 coming Wednesday morning, February 1st.

*

If you haven’t already and would like to read my first novel, A Hand to Hold, it is completely free and available for a limited time.

March 10th it will be removed and will be only available exclusively through Amaz0n. (Coming soon to paperback!)

*

Thanks for reading!!

~ E. K. Michaels