THE SIGMA'S MATE

CHAPTER 3 - NOTHING HAS CHANGED

The first battle will become known as the Battle of Storms. It burns quicker than the category two hurricane raging in the region. The Golden Prince and his Mad Mate, viciously and relentlessly, hold the front line for the mere hours that the human army is able to hold out against the overwhelming odds. They lead an army of supernaturals in what can only be hoped is the end of this civil war, battling beside their Authority Alphas and First Class Warriors. Even the Revenge Sisters and the Orphan of Barcalou joined the Battle of Storms on the banks of the Lucas Lake. A large portion of the Authority's armies were left behind as the storm halted their march. Only the strongest, hardiest of warriors went on to retrieve their lost princess. Still, they outnumbered the humans three to one, even without the omega's and bottom ranking warriorborns. The Libertas did not surrender, they knew no mercy awaited them and they had nowhere to run. Instead, they went out in a raging glory as explosives echoed the thunder rolling above. Darkness soon fell over the landscape torn to shreds by the tropical storm, while the armies clashing seek to destroy it further. No witches turn up to save the people they encouraged to rebel against the Authority. Whatever they promised the humans, whatever protection was previously offered, fell through now, crashing the spirits of the human rebels before anything else had the chance to.

***

I'm not okay. Physically yes, but emotionally… definitely not. The witch might have healed my skin and made me whole again but the mental scars are still too fresh, too raw to ignore. Every now and then, I find my dirty fingers tracing my smooth face, searching for evidence of the swollen and blistering skin without thinking. I expect to feel pain, I expect to find damaged skin. Instead, it is like the last hour or so was all a nightmare. Just a bad dream still clinging to my sub-conscience. It doesn't help that silence echoes in the eerie, cold cave, only interrupted by the elements hounding the tree outside, making them thrash and groan in the unforgiving winds. When the first explosion goes off, I nearly jump out of my skin, my eyes finding Jayden in fright as his solemn expression softens. But he doesn't seek to console my troubled soul and I'm hardly surprised. He is a man of few words, he always has been. Another hour later and I'm a bundle of nerves waiting in the dark and dingy cave for the battle raging on my behalf to end. Knowing that my last remaining brother, Lazarus, continues to battle against foes and the elements alike despite the sun dropping from the sky. Heavy, pregnant clouds release large amounts of rain, battering the region and causing flash floods. What should one do when others fight and die on your behalf while you do nothing? Because you cannot do anything. Because you would only get in the way of others that do know what it is to war. What would be the appropriate thing to do with your time while you await the outcome? I feel like a nap would surely help my nerves. It would certainly improve my disposition. Food would improve it even more, but that is an unobtainable thought to dwell on and it only makes my stomach grumble in answer. I'm exhausted, enough that the lids of my eyes seem to slide shut automatically, before I realise my mistake and jerk myself awake. Jayden has remained at my side, refusing to leave when he claims his duty is to guard me first. Alaric and his witch however left even before we reached the sheltered cave. It sits cocooned by surrounding trees with only a narrow gap showcasing the landscape below. A landscape descending into darkness. I know Jayden is biting at the bit, eager to taste blood and glory with the men he has grown up beside. Jayden belongs to the First Class Warriors, Lazarus's favorite warriors and diplomats. Marcus, Benjamin, Malcolm and Jayden have all proven their loyalty time and time again over the years. It must be killing him, sitting here with me instead of seeking the thrills of war with them. But he made his choice. Temperatures are plummeting further with the onset of the deadly night. The wind whistling through the cave is not helping either, especially with the wet clothes still clinging to my body.

Great I survived a torture room only to freeze to death instead.

My teeth begin chattering together before Jayden finally leaves his ominous position at the mouth of the cave to find me in a huddle with myself. More miserable than ever. I could not possibly sleep this nightmare of a day away when my very bones seem to shiver.

"Are you cold?" Jayden asks.

Good of him to notice. I give him a short response and he simply nods his head which I take as his willingness to create a fire or something to that effect with only the current supplies and materials. It doesn't take him very long to get a fire going to my eternal gratefulness. The light starts out small and shy but soon illuminates the dark and dingy cave. I briefly worry that the light will attract unwanted attention, but when I feel the heat and the warmth radiating, I decide I'm willing to take that chance. It had been quite an ordeal finding the shelter provided by the convex rock formation. Slender I may be, but it is certainly not from hours of work honing my body into the perfect shape. I am not fit or skilled. I do not have the strength or drive to wield a sword. That almost 90 degree trek up the slippery slopes surrounding Lake Lucas to find the cave almost did me in.

Imagine how much worse going down is going to be on the knees if I had to very literally pull myself up and after such heavy rains, everything is going to be slippery.

Oh I did not want to duel on it right now. The very thought made me want to curl into a ball and cry. I pacify myself in front of the fire, sandwiching my hands under my head as I rest my eyes. I am unsure of how long I doze off for when a familiar voice pulls me back to consciousness. A dark shape lurks in the shadows of the night, just out of the reach of the fires light. It's most certainly a man, with such a deep voice and frame. He moves smoothly and confidently into the light.

"Go to your king. He has need of you." Alaric commands, moving closer to the fire for warmth.

But he isn't talking to me, in fact no one even seems to be looking in my direction. Alaric seems to be dismissing Jayden, almost as quickly as he appears, but Jayden steps into his path, blocking his advancement further. I see Alaric stiffen, and I can imagine him glaring.

Jayden is not intimidated by the Sigma. Not in the least. "I am not going to just leave the princess here." He sneers.

"I will watch over her." Alaric replies sharply.

Jayden laughs harshly, "I don't know you and I don't particularly like you either. Yet you expect me to just leave her in your care?"

"Your king knows who I am and so does the princess. The only person not in the loop is you." Alaric replies, c*****g his head, "Now, for the last time. You are being called."

Alaric steps around Jayden and continues forward. Jayden whips around too, his fists clenched at his sides until his narrowed glare lands on me. It softens immediately when our eyes connect and he squares his shoulders waiting on my response. I wave him off with a flick of my wrist, dismissing him before my green eyes follow Alaric to his new place seated in front of the fire. Blood cakes in places on his dark clothes and the smell of sweat clings to the air around him, strengthening his musky scent. He has been busy. I watch as Jayden hesitates, narrowing his eyes at the back of Alaric's head despite my dismissal. But he goes after a couple moments standing there glaring. No one keeps Lazarus waiting. Alaric doesn't look at me. So I make do, happily watching him.

"He is not the king." I say stubbornly, lifting my head off my hands.

My fingers are numb and my toes are frozen, so I stick them closer to the fire, letting the warmth revive them.

I hear Alaric chuckle, "No? Because you don't want him to be?"

His words spark my anger. I grit my teeth, keeping a snarl back. A princess does not snarl, my madams would say in their lessons. A princess keeps her temper in check. So I take a deep breath.

"Because nothing has been finalized as of yet." I tell him, matter-of-factly.

He shakes his head, the hood falling from his head and exposing dark-auburn hair, "You are in denial." He says running his fingers through his hair, "Tell me because I'm curious, why do you care if he is king or not?"

"I could be Queen." I say with determination, lifting my chin, "I just need the support of the majority within the Authority." And to be able to win against Lazarus should he challenge me for the position. But I leave that part out.

"The Authority takes their orders from him. Your armies take their orders from him. Even your bodyguard rushes to his side when he is called. Lazarus might not wear a crown but he is indisputably the king."

His words are like the cold slap of reality, but I still stubbornly say, "For now, yes."

My breath comes in quicker as I think of what I want to say next. I swallow, shifting my gaze, "Would it make a difference to you if I were Queen?" I ask.

I know I am setting myself up for disappointment but I just have to know. Would he want me more if I am more? I can be more than just a helpless princess. I have to be. His prolonged silence is killing me. He doesn't turn his downcast face up to look at me and I know he is doing it on purpose. He doesn't want to look at me. Maybe it's because I disappoint him. Maybe it's because I tempt him. I'd like to think that it's the latter.

"No." He answers and my heart sinks.

His rejection hurts almost as much as it did the first time. Stupid girl!

"You just hate me then?" I ask as emotions threaten to explode in my chest. It's a childish response I know but I cannot help it. Why doesn't he want me?

"I don't even know you." He says coldly.

"Exactly!" I explode, all my training on how to be a lady and how to act politely vanish with the wave of feelings breaking through. "You don't know me. But you are so sure that we are a mistake!"

"In my world, there can never be an us Lyra, I'm sorry." He says more softly, but there's a firmness in his voice.

His mind is already made up and it feels like there is nothing I can say or do to change it. It's a crippling feeling.

"You're sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it!" I snap, hurt tears springing to my eyes. I wipe furiously at them, hating the show of weakness. "You were made for me! Out of everyone in this world, I am destined to belong to you. Yet you will not have me and all you can offer is sorry?"

I've waited my whole life for him, for this promised mate. I wish I could see his face, I wish I could tell what he is thinking by analyzing his expressions but all I get is the eerie blackness of his mask and hollow shadows hiding his hazel eyes. In the next moment, movement from the cave entrance has both of us flying to our feet in panic with Alaric drawing his weapon. But it's only Jayden returning with Lazarus at his back. Lazarus finds me instantly and closes the gap with speed only achievable by the supernatural. Despite the fact that he is covered in blood and sweat and soaking wet, he engulfs me in a tight hug, using all his strength to hold me close. But I don't hug him back. I let my arms dangle at my sides as I watch Alaric over his shoulder, disappearing into the night.

When he finally lifts his head from my shoulder, his large hands cup my face gently, "It's okay Lyra, I'm going to take you home now."

It's only then that I realise the tears haven't stopped falling as I feel my heart crumbling.

*FROM AUTHOR:

Seriously, I rewrote this chapter like three times before I agreed with myself that this is the one.