A Fractured Paradise

Chapter Five

Larissa watched the moon sink lower upon the Earth. It moved so slowly at first, but was rapidly disappearing now. It shone bright and swallowed the sky around it. The reddish tint of the sun reflected off the moon and bathed the land in a blood hue.

Red in the morning, Caeli squeezed her hand.

Soldiers' warning. Larissa finished the old wise tale.

The two sat upon Larissa's roof. Caeli rested her head on Larissa's shoulder.

"We'll find out today." Caeli whispered. "It's why we're so anxious."

Larissa slowly nodded. It felt as though all of Adyta could feel something coming, and if superstition were to win, it would be bloody.

"My mom and dad want me at breakfast." Caeli stretched. "I should get going."

"Will I see you soon?" Larissa stood.

"We'll meet at the springs later, okay?" Caeli smiled, disappearing.

She's way too good at that. Larissa closed her eyes, envisioning her room.

She sat on her bed. I really have to get the morning started. Larissa closed her eyes. I can sleep after. The girls have been taking on so much now.

A quiet knock caught Larissa's attention.

"Come in."

Tia quietly entered the room. I couldn't sleep.

Same.

Tia sat beside her. The sky is a warning. Everyone feels it.

I know.

I don't want another war.

I'm sure Queen Cassiana's plan worked. Larissa squeezed Tia in a hug.

Tia stared into Larissa's eyes. "I hope so."

*

Caeli quietly crept from her room. Her footsteps echoed down the empty hall, the blood hue illuminated the walls around her. Each mural bathed in blood. It suits. She shuddered at the depictions beside her. The s*******r of the Paskoins.

She entered the dining hall, her parents on the far end with disapproving faces.

"You're two minutes late." Amu stated. "Is it a soldier's habit to arrive late?

Beside her father sat Magnus, a member of their Paskoin council and an adept healer. Beside her mother sat Lyla and Loka, Paskoin twins and skilled telepaths. Beside Magnus was Aurelius, his abilities were unknown to Caeli but he was well attuned with nature.

"You had no problems eating without me, when I was fighting to keep our home safe." Caeli fell into her chair.

"This place is not our home." Aquila spat.

Caeli rolled her eyes as she began piling bacon onto her plate.

"Caeli, now that you are of a mature age, it is time you marry and begin reigning in a new generation of pure Paskoins." Her father was blunt.

Caeli's blood ran cold. "I will choose when and whom I will marry." She stood. "That is the end of this conversation."

She turned to leave, her muscles cramping and bringing her to her knees.

"You will obey." Amu's voice was cold. "Magnus will be your suitor."

Caeli's legs forced her to turn. She faced her parents as Magnus slowly approached her.

"She is damaged now, Amu." He tisked, fingering her scarring wound. "How can I be proud of a damaged dog?"

Caeli spat in Magnus's face. "I am not a prize, nor am I a dog!"

Magnus's hand stung her cheek as his nails split her lip and sliced her skin. "You are mine, girl."

"Had the plague not taken Zephr, you would have paired with him." Her mother crossed her arms over her chest.

"But the father is just as good." Her father sneered. "Take her now, Magnus. She cannot go to war pregnant."

No. Caeli attempted to fight her father's invisible binds. "You're sick!"

"Quiet." Her mother growled.

Caeli attempted a scream, but nothing emerged. Not this again. No.

Magnus squeezed Caeli's arm as he dragged her out of the dining hall. "We have a duty to our people. We must ensure our survival."

You've been begging for it, you little slut. You've been begging for it with those clothes. He paused, shoving her into the wall. His tongue slid over her neck before his teeth sunk into her neck.

She winced at the pain. She wanted to punch him; kick him, but her body refused to move. f**k you and f**k my parents. You will not do this to me. You are monsters.

Magnus's fist connected to the side of her head, with a force she didn't think he could possess. Her sight blurred as she felt his cold hand on her body.

How could they allow this? I have to stop it. This isn't going to happen. King Vitus will have you killed! Maximus! Rissa! Someone!

"That spineless creature?" Magnus's hand slammed against Caeli's throat, forcing a cough from her. "So weak a king, to betray his own father? So weak a king, to be a puppet to others?" He tightened his grip. "You know nothing of Vitus. And only we can hear you."

He will kill you for even touching me.

"Sure." Magnus's grip only tightened as black spots filled her sight. She ached for breath, her chest almost tightening. Magnus tilted his head, his hot breath on her ear. "I was going to leave you conscious, as it is your first time." He tightened more, Caeli's body tingling and her sight blurring. "But a dog like you doesn't deserve such kindness."

His words echoed as Caeli felt her consciousness slipping. I don't want this. Someone stop this. I don't want this.

She felt the cold of the stone beneath her, Magnus's hand loosening for a moment. She gasped in breath.

You will not be conscious. His knee pressed into her chest. She felt his cold hand sliding up her body.

No. Her body grew cold.

His other hand lowered, gliding toward her skirt. He pulled away. She coughed and gasped, taking in a breath. She felt her leggings roll down as her skirt went up.

"Almost time." Magnus chuckled, smashing his lips to hers, his tongue glided over hers. 

Everything grew dim as her body filled with a chill. No! I am Caeli of Adyta and I will not let this happen!

She forced her mouth closed, chomping her teeth onto Magnus's tongue. A flash of light appeared in front of her, as she released a barrier stronger than any she ever had before. Magnus flew back, hitting a stone pillar with a thud. Her blood filled with the taste of iron as Magnus covered his mouth; a gargled scream escaped his throat.

Maximus. Caeli collapsed before the prince, spitting, coughing and gagging.

She lay before the prince's feet, before the king, queen and princess; in their garden. She gasped and coughed, struggling for breath.

"Caeli!" Prince Maximus scooped her into his arms. "What the hell happened to you?"

Caeli shook her head, balling his shirt into a fist and allowing hot tears to run down her cheeks.

My parents were going to allow Magnus to ravage me. I couldn't move. I don't know how I fought it. His blood is in my mouth. Get it out! Get it out!

Caeli began to scream, his cold touch still upon her body. His disgusting lips, she still felt upon hers.

"Get him off of me!" Caeli screeched.

Prince Maximus held her tighter. "Cae. you're safe."

"What happened to you, child?" King Vitus cautiously approached her.

I want his touch off of me! The family was sent back by the same light that had expelled Magnus. Caeli gently landed on her knees, a haunting scream escaped her throat.

"Caeli." Queen Cassiana gasped.

Get him off me! Caeli hugged her body. I can't get his touch off of me! A strong wind began surrounding Caeli.

Caeli, I'm here! Prince Maximus forced his thoughts into hers. I don't know what you're doing. But you need to calm down. Magnus isn't here to harm you. Please, allow my mother to take you to the springs while father and I deal with Magnus.

Caeli, my sweet girl, I will keep you safe. The queen's voice entered her mind. You will never return to that place.

Caeli's body calmed, though she could still feel his touch upon her. The queen was the first at her side, pulling Caeli into a hug. "You're safe now, sweet girl." We will have him killed for this.

*

Larissa felt Caeli's panic. Caeli. She focused on Caeli's energy. Her clothes became wet and her body heated. Caeli sobbed before her as the queen scrubbed her body.

"What happened?" Larissa wrapped her arms around Caeli.

"My parents," Caeli shook her head. "They're going to kill Magnus."

"Kill him?" Larissa was confused for only a moment. "They didn't."

"They tried." The queen moved Caeli's hair from her face. "But Caeli fought her father's control and bit Magnus's tongue in half."

Caeli stared into the water.

She bit off his tongue? How could her parents do that to her?

Caeli squeezed Larissa's hand. They were going to have Zephr do it.

"Oh, Cae." Larissa held her as she sobbed. "King Vitus will end them. He doesn't forgive this kind of thing."

Queen Cassiana gazed toward the council's temple. "They should be there now." She seemed nervous.

"My queen, what is troubling you?" Larissa asked.

The queen shook her head. "Together they are a poison."

"He will be killed, correct?" Larissa's blood boiled. King Vitus has no tolerance for such things.

Queen Cassiana closed her eyes. "He will do his best."

Caeli pressed against Larissa. I'm never going back there. Never.

You can stay with me. I'll kill them if they ever come near you again.

A roar disrupted the sounds of the busy city. Queen Cassiana blinked from Larissa's sight as smoke erupted from the councils' home.

Max.

Caeli dressed in seconds. "Come on." She grabbed Larissa's hand, a jolt flowed through her.

Larissa coughed from the heavy smoke. Prince Maximus was knelt on the floor with his mother by his side. King Vitus stood in a protective stance in front of his family. Guards protected them and surrounded the council. Every member of the council stood in defense; all except Magnus.

"Where did he go?!" King Vitus demanded.

"I assure you, we do not know." Amu growled.

"What's going on?!" Caeli's voice boomed with a rage Larissa didn't know Caeli possessed.

"Magnus escaped." Prince Maximus muttered, forcing himself to stand on wobbling legs. What the hell did I do?

"Search the grounds and secure them!" King Vitus ordered. He turned to Caeli. "Caeli, why are you here? I assure you, I have the situation under control."

"We heard the roof collapse." Caeli seemed more confident. "We must find that criminal."

That warrior side really does take control.

"We will, Cae." King Vitus reassured her. "Now please, return to the castle and take my son with you."

Prince Maximus knelt, breathing heavily.

"Father, I don't feel well." He dry-heaved.

Larissa rested her hand against his back, his energy rapidly drained. "What did you do?"

She caught him and gently laid him down. We cornered Magnus. He ran in here, begging for help. They feigned ignorance. Then we couldn't breathe. The council pursued Magnus, but he was rushing toward my father. I wanted him gone, dead. I was so angry. I felt it boiling inside of me, then it burst toward Magnus. I saw him fly toward the roof then he was gone. Prince Maximus closed his eyes. I don't feel good, Rissa.

Caeli placed her hand on the Prince's chest. Larissa felt a jolt from his hand into hers. They arrived in the Prince's room. The girls helped him onto his bed.

The queen arrived shortly after and began attending to her son.

Caeli sat on the floor beside his bed, closing her eyes. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. He escaped.

Larissa closed her eyes and focused. She silenced the prince's weakened energy and Caeli's chaotic emotions. The worry of the citizens faded quickly. She searched throughout Adyta, for the familiar energy of Magnus. Small, fading fragments circled around the temple. Just like them…

"He didn't escape." Larissa stood, staring at the prince. He couldn't have, could he? She focused on another energy. Darius to Max's room now!

"How do you know?" Caeli wiped her tears away.

"Because his energy is dissipating at the council hall." Larissa trembled, not wishing to understand what the prince had done, but knowing all the same. "He's dead."

*

Queen Cassiana sat beside the sleeping prince. Caeli sat beside Darius, the princess playing mind games with him. Larissa sat on the prince's bed, his hand tight in hers. He would tremble for brief moments, but Caeli knew Larissa would calm him.

She's gotten stronger and I've only grown weaker.

"You stopped him, Caeli." Larissa was fierce. "You even bit the bastard's tongue off. You are not weak."

"Even if he succeeded, you wouldn't have been weak. You weren't powerless; they were just stronger, you're a fighter." Darius squeezed her hand. "He's gone now, Cae. He won't ever hurt you again."

Caeli stared into the queen's turquoise eyes. "You said the prince surged. That his emotions were too great to contain his energy. You said it's possible he obliterated Magnus?" Caeli shook her head. "Yet, when Rissa and I surge, we produce great gusts of wind. Why are we different? Why can't you say?"

"Per order of your parents." Darius sneered.

"Darius." Queen Cassiana hissed.

"Let them come after me." Darius growled. "They're secure, are they not?"

"They feign capture." Queen Cassiana answered. "Do not forget your oath. Do not forget what is at stake." Her eyes were fierce. "Now silence."

Darius crossed his arms over his chest. "They shouldn't have any power."

"Is the prince going to be okay?" Larissa asked. "He's still so drained."

"He just needs to rest." Queen Cassiana answered.

"I'll talk him through the kill." Caeli whispered. He's never killed a person before. "If you need to rest, you can."

"None of us are leaving." Darius shook his head. "Not until we get real answers."

Queen Cassiana stood. "You will listen. " She grabbed Princess Mariana. "Or I will make you." The door slammed on its own.

Caeli sighed. "She's right, ya know? My parents have no respect for the king. They'll leave whenever they want."

"She could stop them." Darius muttered. He winced for a moment.

"Everything's making less and less sense." Larissa shook her head. "How could he have killed him with just his energy?"

Darius closed his eyes. "I've been bound to silence. I have done everything I can to give as many hints as possible."

Caeli became engulfed with rage. She slammed her fist into the ground. "That's bullshit!"

"I know, Cae." Darius shook his head. "But I am physically and mentally unable to tell you."

"Who did it?" Caeli demanded an answer.

"I cannot say." Darius sighed. "But you three have discovered so much on your own. I suspect Max is gifted in ways other than you two. That's all I can say."

The prince jolted awake. Larissa held him as he took ragged breaths. "Easy." She rubbed his back.

"You're safe, Max." Darius stood and squeezed his shoulder. "Cae's safe too."

"Did I really kill him, Rissa?" The prince whispered.

"Yeah, you did." Larissa whispered. "The queen confirmed."

"Good." His cold voice sent a chill throughout the room. "Monsters deserve to die."

*

"She was so terrified." The prince rested his head on Larissa's shoulder.

He was calm now, and his strength had fully returned. He had teleported to her room, asking permission to spend the night.

"I know." Larissa whispered. "It scared me too."

"He was going to kill us, but all I felt was anger." Prince Maximus sat up. "It felt like fire in my veins. I could almost see it in the air. But I didn't think we could..."

"None of us did." Larissa shook her head. "Max, you should sleep. It’s okay."

"Father has yet to decide what to do with the council." Prince Maximus's voice filled with rage. "They didn't touch her, they have altered their memories so mother doesn't see them involved and since Magnus froze us..."

"They could be released?" Larissa's blood boiled.

"Father wouldn't allow that. He knows Caeli would never lie to us, and mother sees the truth from her. But he cannot kill them. I suspect there's a greater reason, but I will never be told."

"That's bullshit." Larissa fell back on her bed.

The prince fell beside her. "They won't even tell me how I did what I did."

Larissa slid her arm around his stomach and rested her head on his chest. "We'll figure it out. It's all about emotions, right? So we just have to feel the abilities."

"Sounds simple enough." Prince Maximus wrapped his arms around her. "I could definitely sleep like this."

"Then sleep." Larissa whispered. "I'll ensure you wake before your parents."

"May I kiss your head, Rissa?" The prince whispered.

"Any time you wish." Larissa rubbed her cheek into his chest.

Prince Maximus kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Rissa."

"I still have the kids, Max." Larissa yawned.

"Just what I'm feeling." The prince rested his cheek on her head.

Both of you here, now!

The Queen's angered thought filled her head before a jolt awakened her. She fell before the queen. Caeli and Darius stared at them.

"We have news of Behi." King Vitus gave the prince a disapproving glance.

It's not good. Larissa's stomach dropped.

"Our message was delivered, but the assassination was prevented." Marcellus helped the two stand. "Our eyes have informed us of a Behin army heading this way. You have all been called to duty."