The Lost Story

Chapter 6

“If you’ll excuse me,” I stated, bowing my head to the dignitaries from other domains. I needed to get some air. As I turned to leave, I felt Xyephire's big hand grab my waist. “Let me escort you out,” he says, smiling back at the group. I nodded. “Thank you. If you will excuse us,” I said, already knowing what was going to happen. His grip on me tightened as we approached the exit. We walked further down the hall, distancing ourselves from the celebration. After a swift look to the sides, he suddenly had me by the throat, gasping for air. “You might believe you’re special, but let me clarify: you are insignificant. With just a flick of my wrist, I could reduce you to nothing. Do you understand?" he growled at me. Panic set in as I scratched his hands and kicked, feeling his grip tighten further. “That's enough," a voice pierced my ears just before I hit the ground. I glanced up to see Astia grinning at me, and without warning, she spat in my direction. "Disgusting. Xye, I don't understand why you even bother touching that," she remarked while embracing Xyephire at the waist. He smiled at her. "Let's return to the celebration; the council should be announcing the Rey trials selection soon," he said, kissing the top of her head. “Before we leave, Renata, if you utter a single word about what has transpired, I will take the lives of your father, mother, and your brothers, while you watch,” He stated, gripping my chin to look into his gray eyes. “I won't say a word,” I replied. Before they smiled and said, “Perfect,” in unison, they turned and left.

Picking myself off the floor, I found myself heading toward the restroom. “Where do you think you're going?” Jixy's voice caused me to groan. I turned and bowed my head. “I am going to rest for a moment,” I said before turning to leave. I didn’t have time to deal with her after having to deal with the other two. I needed a break. “You disrespectful...” she started to say as she yanked me by my arm, forcing me to look at her. But before she could say a word, Sanxi, along with two of her guards, appeared beside me. “Are you in need of assistance, my Renata?” she asked, glaring at Jixy. I smiled. “No, everything is fine,” I said taking her hand. She smiled. “Guards, please escort your Reina to the rest area. I am leaving her to your care,” she says before turning toward Jixy. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” she asked. I didn’t have time to listen to their sister bicker and argue. I needed to escape this room. “Right this way” one of the guards says as he turns and heads in the opposite direction. “If you will excuse me” I say to them before following after the guards.

“Here you are,” the guard says before turning and leaving. Rolling my eyes at the disrespect. At this point, I was used to being disrespected and treated as if I were insignificant. If it were anyone else, that guard would have personally walked them into the room, ensured it was safe, and ensured they were comfortable. “Whatever,” I say, walking around the room. As everything else in this palace, the room was annoyingly beautiful. I signed, collapsing on the nearby settee, exhausted with everything. First, I had to have that strange dream, then I had to deal with this night! Why! Why me? Why! Why! Why! “I need air!” I announced, rushing to the nearest window and yanking it open. A cold breeze hit my face as I leaned out of the window. “Look who is finally out,” I sighed, looking at the stars that hid themselves from me earlier. The beautiful moon hung high, illuminating a sky filled with dancing stars. Before I realized it, I had kicked off my shoes and was scaling the wall to reach the roof. I craved as much distance as possible between myself and that place.

After almost falling to my death several times and saying some non-sweet words, I finally made it to the rooftop. “Finally,” I said, throwing myself over the edge of the wall. For a while, I just stood there, letting the cold breeze soothe me. “Why me?” I asked no one in particular, but I have found myself asking this on a daily basis now. “Why not you?” a deep voice said out of nowhere. I screamed, almost falling over the edge out of shock and fear. I hit my head and knee, causing me to say some non-virtuous words.

“Seems like you're having a rough night,” the deep voice rang out. “Why would you do that?” I screamed, trying to collect myself from off the ground, trying to find where the voice was coming from. Before I knew it, deep laughter hit my ears. Was he laughing at me? After almost killing me, he dared to laugh at me. “Who are you? “What are you doing up here, spying on me?” I snapped out of frustration. “Don’t you think it is a bit rude to ask me who I am without introducing yourself?” the deep voice rang out as I watched the frame of a man walking toward me. Before I could respond, he stepped into the moonlight. I was stuck, left speechless. Never have I seen a more beautiful man in my entire existence. He began to walk toward me, and I could see every beautiful part of him. He was… he is… His long…his dark… his. “Are you alright?” His deep voice snapped me out of the trance he had put me in. Wait, he was standing right in front of me. Wow, he smelled incredible. “Hello,” he said, waving his hands in front of my face. What the heck! “Yes, sorry. I didn’t expect... Sorry,” I said quickly, jumping back to give us some space. A smile spread across his face; he knew the effect he had on me. “Are you alright? I saw you hit your head rather hard,” he says, extending his large hand toward my head. I sidestepped him, regaining my composure. “Yes, I’m fine. I wouldn’t have bumped my head if you hadn’t startled me like that. What do you find entertaining about this? I replied, feeling irritated that he thought this was a joke. The smile grew on his face. “Miss, I was here first. It’s not my fault that you didn’t see me,” he said, crossing his arms. Okay, so he had a point, but how was I supposed to know anyone was crazy enough to be up here? “So, if you don’t mind, let me take a look at your head,” he says. Before I knew it, he was towering over me, cupping my face. His scent enveloped me. I closed my eyes and just breathed him in. I had never felt what I was feeling at that moment, but it felt oddly good. “Your head looks good. Do you mind if I take a look at your leg?” he asked. Before I could respond, he had my thigh in his hands, examining it. “Um,” I started to say before he looked up at me with his piercing gray eyes. “Looks like you are all good,” he says, standing to his full height. “Um, thank you,” I say, now finding myself embarrassed and fidgeting with my dress. “So, why not you?” he says, bringing me back to his first statement that almost took my life. “Excuse me?” I say, putting space between us. He chuckled before closing the distance I was striving to create. “You seemed like you wanted someone to talk to, so why not you?” he says, once again towering over me. That smell again, ugh. I need to get away from this man. “Sorry, but I don’t know you. Would you mind?” I said, stepping back once again. That deep laugh hit my ears again. Ugh, his smile. “Durare, and you?” he asked, extending his hand to me. I just looked at his hand. “This is called an introduction,” he chuckled. Taking his hand in mine, “Renata,” I said, shaking his hand. “Now, back to ‘why not you,” he says, not letting the conversation drop. I rolled my eyes as if I would have an open-hearted conversation with this stranger. “Okay,” he says, once again laughing. “What is so funny?” I snapped, causing him to laugh even harder. “I meant no disrespect. It's just that you’re so adorable,” he smiled. Adorable? So, he was making fun of me. “Can you just leave me alone? I want to be left alone,” I said, exhausted with this conversation. “Sorry, I can’t. See, you disturbed me first, but I don’t mind,” he says, once again smiling at me. I rolled my eyes, walking to the far side of the rooftop to create space. I don’t understand why everyone seems to enjoy teasing me. I just wanted to be left alone.

I found a spot near the edge with a perfect view of the stars and moon. Sitting against the building wall, I sighed and tried to clear my mind. Before long, I felt him sit down beside me.