Pet: Torment - Chapter Twenty (Patreon)

Iris

It’s been three days since Remus left, and as each day passes, it gets more difficult to pretend the ache in my chest isn’t there. My body knows he is no longer here. Since bonding, I have been able to tell if Remus is near or far. But now, it’s like he doesn’t exist at all, leaving an empty feeling in my chest. Only a few days ago, my body’s reactions bothered me. But since that day at the river, my feelings have shifted.

Both of us know something is wrong. Prior to the river, I was content to let fear control me and never address it. But Remus’s disguised plea stuck with me. I don’t know if it’s his subconscious or maybe he didn’t want me to worry. But it seemed like he believes there’s a chance he won’t be returning as well—and that scares me.

I pull in a deep breath as I stand before the large window that overlooks the snowscape. Never have I been so in love with a place before. The beauty is as daunting as how this place even came to be--as is everything with Remus.

Part of me is beginning to forget the world I called home for so many years. The awe that comes with Xyrannis has been neverending, but in a good way. I didn’t want to enjoy it as it meant turning my back on my world. But the longer I live here, the more I’ve come to appreciate it.

Even if the decision to leave Earth was never really a choice, I made it. I chose to leave my world behind after putting everything I could on the line for it, to see this one. And the fact that I am here isn’t going to change anytime soon. Remus has made that very clear.

I quietly turn away from the window, taking in Remus’s home as I pass through to enter the room Remus created for me. He is an alien without boundaries. I laugh to myself as I take in the technology similar to sticky notes on sparse pieces of furniture throughout. I used them to help with my language learning, and he has had no objections to me turning his home into a chaotic mess.

I think back to when he found me in his library. He wasn’t the least bit upset that I had been moving everything out of place. He only put what he noticed back in its rightful place, while reiterating to me that nothing is off limits. He is an organized alien, whose home was spotless and clean before I arrived. And he isn’t bothered that I am not.

He is constantly encouraging me to see this as my home.

His patience is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And his shift from the alien I met on Earth to who he is now is disarming me. And I don’t know that I hate it.

The room is as I left it as I step inside. Margot’s plant is thriving even in its new environment. I quietly take in the small tokens of kindness between me and Remus on Earth, my eyes lingering on the newest hair pin he gave me before he left.

“I feel your sadness. I feel the despair and loneliness that you feel. I feel it, but I don’t understand it.”

We both made a promise that day to try harder to understand each other when he returns. I smile as I study it. It puts me at ease for some reason. The colors in it are outside of Remus’s usual choice. The main jewel is an inviting green with pieces of light that shift slowly, reflecting the jewel’s color.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, using the pin to hold it back as I shift my attention to my locket. Remus has kept it safe for me even though I expressed my disinterest in it ever since my brother turned his back on me.

A wave of sadness creeps over me as I reach for it, pulling it open. I remember very clearly the moment I inherited this. It was the instant my mother was killed during the invasion. My father made sure to give it to me before he died as well. I quietly open it, taking in my family’s faded picture.

I only have Remus now.

Suddenly, a deep warble echoes outside. It sounds similar to when Remus returns. But I know it isn’t him who is returning. I’d be able to feel it.

I make my way out of the room to the hall that leads to the upper floors where the entrance from the ships is. I note that there is a coat hanging near the door for me, and I smile as I am once again reminded of Remus’s small acts of kindness.

I quickly pull it on, opening the door just in time to see Ezra walking across the balcony. His signature mischievous grin is plastered on his lips when he sees me.

“Well aren’t you glowing,” he calls to me with a wicked glint in his eyes. He laughs, shaking his head as he approaches. And as he stands over me, his attention shifts to the pin in my hair briefly before speaking.

“My brother asked that I check in from time to time while he’s away. And it just so happens that I am heading to the capital today. Want to join?” 

* * * * *

I never thought I would return to the capital without Remus. But it’s like both him and his brother have said. We are equals now, and I can do as I like. And today, it is attending the final day of Iriel’s trial. I knew Remus had abandoned it to spend time with me before leaving. But seeing how close it was to the end makes his sudden departure even more alarming.

I stand quietly near the entrance to the upper balconies as I watch the Leviathan bustle by without sparing me a glance. It’s strange seeing them act just like humans. I’ve only ever seen the hostile side of these people before coming to Xyrannis.

“It’s a beautiful day for a sentencing, huh?” I tense as Ezra approaches, his excitement for Iriel’s demise interesting to watch.

I recall the state he was in when I was brought into the resistance. Iriel tortured him to the furthest extent that Sky wanted no part in. So I know Ezra has a personal hatred for Iriel. I’m interested to see what punishment he decides to give when Iriel is convicted.

As I turn to face Ezra, Sky is walking quietly next to him, no inhibitor in sight. My feet are moving before I can think as I pull her into an embrace.

“It’s so good to see you,” I murmur. And I mean it. There is nothing like seeing a human face in the midst of all of this uncertainty, especially hers—someone who shared in the terror of watching the resistance be pulled apart within seconds.

“You as well,” she says as she pulls away from me.

“I figured it would be good for the two of you to spend some time together. And what better way to spend it than watching the Leviathan justice system play out against the Leviathan who sold you both out,” Ezra says.

Sky flinches from his words.

“If this is such an important day, why did Remus leave? Isn’t he supposed to preside over it?” I ask.

Ezra’s smile doesn’t falter.

“I thought he would have told you,” he says.

He’s teasing me. He knowns me and Remus are on different footing, but also knows that Remus still keeping things from me. Now, it is Sky who steps forward, looping her arm in mine as she pulls me to the balcony entrance.

“We’ll find our seats,” she says.

As she pulls me away, she has a determined look on her face. But when I look back, Ezra is still watching us with a mischievous grin.

Our seats are on a private balcony. It’s fascinating to me to see the difference in my life from my days on Earth to now. As Sky and I take our seats, able to overlook the entire trial without being disrupted or having other Leviathan stare at us, she speaks.

“He wants to protect you,” she says.

I shift my attention to her in confusion.

“Ezra?” I ask. 

She laughs, shaking her head.

“Remus. He left because something is going on with him—something dangerous to all of us if it can’t be contained,” she says.

My stomach dips in discomfort as she speaks. She’s eerily calm as she looks out at the creatures responsible for taking our planet. She seems different than she was last time.

“How do you know?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Ezra tells me everything. We both know it makes no difference what I know,” she laughs, shaking her head. But there is no humor behind it.

“Did he not tell you where he was going?” she asks.

I shake my head.

“He only said it was somewhere incompatible with me,” I say.

She turns to look at me, and I see her calmness for what it is—fear. 

“He went to see their mother,” she whispers. I note that her voice trembles, as if she’s met the woman.

I blink in confusion. Why wouldn’t he tell me that? But then I think of Sky’s words before she even sat down.

“He wants to protect you.”

“I don’t get it… is she dangerous or something?” I ask.

Sky laughs. “Not as dangerous as him, Iris.”