Kill Me With All Your Heart

3 - She and I

NEXUS

“Are you ready?” My younger brother, Drex, comes to stand next to me at the window overlooking the front yard of our mansion.

Tall, evenly spaced trees and solar powered street lights line either side of the road leading from the front gate. On your way in there is a large fountain at the midpoint which takes you round before you stop at the front of the mansion where a line of guards, a butler and two maids are waiting for our guest to arrive.

“Why are you asking me that? She’s your bride.” I give him a once over, his shoulder length black hair is styled back into a little pony tail but it wouldn’t be Drex if he didn’t bring two slut strands to fall just about his brows. He is in one of his expensive black suits with shoes to match and a gold timepiece to match Raze’s golden crest on his lapel. An R on fire with wings, meant to signify how we rebuilt after the old works collapsed and how we will continue to rise from the ashes like a Phoenix.

“No, let’s be real. She’s our hostage.” He interjects, my eyes return to find his steel grey ones looking right at me. “I’m as much a victim as her in all this.”

“Her? A victim?” I raise a brow, tilting my head up. He’s already a few inches smaller and now I’m looking down on him. Others would have shied away from my presence or lost their train of thought but he continues speaking. He knows I mean him no harm.

“She did nothing wrong and yet you demanded her life instead of her brother’s. I kind of… pity the poor girl.” He chuckles, looking towards the gate. “Then again, you have your own goal of expanding Raze as Father would have wanted so I don’t mind playing a part in your master plan.”

“Hm.” I move my eyes to the direction of the gate. I can’t see the gate from here but I still keep my eyes on the road. She’ll be here soon. I’ve made provision for her room, she will be allowed comfort but not too much because she is the enemy. I won’t give her the chance to act as a spy. Her schedule involves a guarded stroll in the gardens but that is all she will have. The decision to wed her will be left at Drex’s discretion. He said he needs time to get to know her.

“What do you think she’s like though?” His curious voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I say the first thing that comes to mind.

“Spoiled. Bratty… pampered. She’s used to having the finest things life has to offer so I expect a tantrum from time to time.” I sigh. “This might end up being more trouble than it’s worth if I think about it that way.” We could always go to war, we have the resources for it. However, letting Nyxen pour all their resources into the medical centre first will be a better idea. If I’m not in the mood for war, I could just demand a part of their profit from the center once it’s completed while threatening them for war. I don’t mind the killing but it is stressful.

“I don’t think so. She’s probably the opposite.”

I scoff. “Sure.” Why are they taking so long?

“Let’s make a bet. I say she’s the opposite and you say she’s what you think.” I take my eyes off the road to find Drex smiling mischievously at me.

“What do I win?”

“You get a wish from me and I get one from you.”

I see… he wants something he knows I’d normally say no to.

“I am the Leader of Raze and you are just my subordinate, what could I possibly want from you?”

He chuckles, “You’ll have time to think about it if you win. So will I.” I don’t like this, I feel like I will lose.

I think for a moment. However, I’m sure I won’t. “Deal.” We go quiet again.

“Nyxen sure went through a lot of trouble keeping her records locked down for 24 years of her life. We still don’t know anything about her other than we’re agemates.”

“That’s the only thing that makes this alliance worth it. Someone as secure and important as that has got to be the beginning of finding their weaknesses.” It won’t be too long, I’ll have Nyxen answering to Raze. Soon, all the other factions will follow.

The entourage breaks through the hill as they drive up to the mansion, Drex straightens up, checking my suit. I’m in a dark grey suit, just as expensive as his and wearing our crest along with an insignia only the Head of Raze is allowed to wear. Once he sees my suit is alright, he speaks.

“Let’s just hope she is not a troll or something.”

“That will be bad…” I walk toward the door, leaving him standing there. “For you.”

I head downstairs to the hall where general affairs are handled. Drex catches the elevator just before it closes, he glares at me. “I heard what you said.”

“You were supposed to.” Once the elevator lands on the first floor we make our way into the General affairs hall. Although the hall is for holding meetings and there are usually guest chairs here depending on the situation, today it has only my chair. At the end of the hall, three steps high, rests my chair. It is made of gold and black velvet fit for a king or so my Father used to say. I don’t care much for it but as long as it intimidates my guests, it is welcome. Not to mention the fact that it fits in with the rest of the cold stone mansion. We call it a mansion but it used to be a lesser palace, we only modified parts of it to fit modern day like the dark marble floors with subtle veining of white and silver.

Behind me a black velvet curtain rests, spanning from one side of the wall to the next, on it is the crest of Raze. Bold as daylight. The lighting in the room has been dimmed at my request now only the rays of sun coming in from the tall windows light the place. Some rest on me.

I take a seat and wait. Drex stands behind me. If Felix wasn’t out on factory inspections, he’d be by my side too. My advisor and best friend.

The double doors are drawn open. The guards file in first, taking their place at the sides of the hall. Before I see her, I hear her heels. Clicking powerfully against the floors. When my eyes do land on her, they start from her pointed red heels. The next thing I notice is her dress training behind her. She is in a deep black silk dress that seems to absorb all the light that rests on her, its fitted bodice shows off her curves with every step. The neck line is high enough to cover her collarbones and bleeds into long sleeves. On her finger is a large gold ring with Nyxen’s crest. An eagle.

It’s a bold rebellious statement wrapped in Raze’s colors. When she stops walking my eyes finally find her face and… YOU! I’m lost for words. She is definitely the girl I let go all those years ago but… entirely different.

How is this possible?

Blonde mane has become brown curls swept to the side, cascading down the front of her left shoulder.

She’s switched out her jumpsuit for a dress and heels.

And those eyes… They are as beautiful as I remember. Though now they stare at me coldly with no sort of emotion.

“Welcome to Raze, Miss Edwin. May we know your name?” Drex takes the initiative to speak since I don’t. I’m sure I didn’t make any face to show I recognized her but I feel stupid for being shocked. Regardless of who she is now, she is the same person who killed Elias.

An enemy to not be trusted at all costs.

Her eyes leave me to find Drex. The dark make up and slight frown has her looking just as intimidating as the rest of the room. “My name…” Those eyes return to me. “… is Lunette Edwin, Daughter of Velis Edwin, Leader of the Nyxen Faction.”

This time I intentionally do not say anything. I have nothing to say.

“I am Drex Carel, whom you have been promised to. This is my brother, Leader of the Raze Faction, Nexus Carel. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Her eyes don't leave mine as Drex responds politely.

“It should be.” She says. “If you have nothing left to say, I’ll be in my room.” That was directed at me.

She spins on her heels, showing off the back of her dress which has no back at all. It deeps down to the very end of her spinal cord line, covered only by a gold jewelry piece. Woven into tiny feathers that do barely anything to cover her skin.