Pet: Revelations - Chapter Thirteen (Patreon)

Iris

I am a new person. The woman, desperate to survive, who dove headfirst into the most ridiculous situations, is long gone. I have since grown. I have been placed in situations no human should ever endure. And it has changed me, forcing me to grow. I reach behind me, tightening my ponytail as I stare at myself in the mirror.

It’s been so long since I looked in a mirror. But I do not see the scared girl from the blight, or the desperate one on Xyrannis. I don’t know who I see. She’s a survivor, but she’s also unsure of the new situation. And yet, she is grounded.

I slowly look away from my reflection to the hairpin Remus gave me. The warmth that pulses from it is a gentle reminder that I am not alone in whatever comes my way. It is also a reminder that I need to know what happened to Remus. What did his mother do for him to want her dead, instead of being exiled? Even my brother, who turned on me, was given the option of life in a cell by Remus.

“When I was first released from my mother’s prison for the first time…”

At the time, I didn’t think of what the words could mean. I was just happy that he was back to his usual self—that he remembered me. Now that I’ve had time to think of it, there are so many possibilities. But I am sure that even my imagination cannot conjure what he meant.

I look in the mirror, gently placing the pin in my hair. Remus and I may not be in the perfect place, but we are in a much better place than we have ever been. Because I have accepted that this is my reality. There will be no leaving, there is no Earth to save, there is only Remus and whatever challenge lies here. I am walking among gods. I can’t afford to ignore that fact. Otherwise…

I shiver as flashes of the battle on Xyrannis assault me. The scar on my stomach throbs as I remember every moment of that day. Watching a Celestivine as powerful as Remus turn the venue into a battlefield. But not before that same Celestivine struck through Ezra with a single blow, sending him so close to the brink of death that even now, he remains unconscious.

I close my eyes, flexing and squeezing my palms as I try to push the horrible memories from my mind. But they come in uncontrollable flashes, and before I know it, I am shaking. I pull in a sharp breath, trying to calm myself down, but I can’t. The more breaths I take, the less control I have. The more air I take in, the less I can breathe.

I’m gasping, unable to get enough air into my lungs, and tears spill over my cheeks as my panic increases. I feel like I’m dying. My chest constricts, and my body refuses to do what I ask it, panic taking over. I know I am not in the same situation, but I can’t seem to grasp it.

Slowly, warmth envelopes me, pushing the discomfort out of my chest. I feel arms wrapping around me, and I open my eyes, looking into the reflection. Remus is looking down at me, concern lacing his features as he holds me close to his chest. He towers over me as he holds me close, his hair falling over his shoulder as he bends to watch me.

“You’re okay…I’m here,” he murmurs.

His voice is like honey, pouring over every nerve until I am completely subdued in his arms. I continue to watch our reflection in the mirror, but he watches me. His eyes are so intensely focused on me that you would think I was dying in this moment. I close my eyes, enjoying his warmth as I allow myself to enjoy his presence. He calms me in a way I never thought possible. It’s hard to believe this is the same alien who challenged me against my people, dangling their lives before me to get a reaction.

A laugh bubbles up from inside of me. It starts out as a small giggle, but as I continue to let it grow, more tears form until they are heavily trickling down my cheeks. Seconds ago, I was thinking of how much I’ve grown. How grounded I am. But I am not. I am only unsteady, and unsure.

Part of me wants to stay in bed and never leave this room, regardless of the beauty that lies beyond it. As I said before, I am walking among gods. And I am terrified of what I could possibly face in sight of that.

How pathetic.

Remus is quiet as he sits across from me. This is the second time I’ve been outside of the room, and I am once again left in awe. We are in a dining room that overlooks more of this new world. The table is able to seat at least twelve people, but only Remus and I sit at it. The table's surface looks like marble, with gold gilding along the intricate designs. But I know it isn’t marble. The swirls in the stone move slowly, mimicking clouds.

The windows stretch high to the ceiling, allowing me to briefly glance at the buildings below. I couldn’t see them from the bedroom, but now I am looking at what seems to be part of the Celestivine society.

And it looks vastly different from anything Xyrannis could conjure.

“Iris. Eat.” Remus’s stoic voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look away from the view of him. He’s watching me with an irritable expression, and I note that he has a book in front of him. It’s so off-putting knowing that I am the only one who eats here, and as I look at the foreign food, a question pops into my head.

“I thought Celestivine didn’t eat,” I say, poking at my food with a fork.

Remus chuckles, closing his book as he raises a brow. “Did you suddenly become a Celestivine?” he asks

“Ha,” I murmur, finally stabbing through my food.

“I just meant…how is there food here if none of you eat?” I ask, bringing the food to my mouth. It tastes similar to a pancake, which I haven’t had in years. Remus has always prepared my meals since finding me in the blight. Even when he imported food on Xyrannis, it was specific, and never a pancake.

“Celestivine aren’t born consuming energy. It is something you must learn. In the meantime, you do need sustenance. And besides, not all Celestivine reach a point where they are pure energy beings. So, food, while uncommon, does exist here,” Remus says, smiling.

It’s refreshing to see pieces of his old personality. I am sure it is in part due to my asking questions.

“Hm,” I say again, taking another bite.

“Will I be able to visit Sky and Ezra today?” I ask.

I’ve been hesitant since Remus returned to remind him of his promise. He’s been strange, so I didn’t want to push him. Especially after he admitted to threatening his mother with Ezra’s life.

“Not quite,” Remus says, giving me his full attention.

I open my mouth to protest, but he speaks before I can.

“Ezra regained consciousness last night. He’s doing better, but mentally, he is struggling. I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to visit him at the moment,” Remus says.

I pull in a deep breath, setting my fork down.

“Remus, you promised. I want to be there for him and Sky. The way they were for me on Xyrannis,” I say aloud.

Remus’s expression doesn’t change. He watches me steadily, doing a masterful job of showing no emotion.

“My decision is final,” he says, breaking the silence.

I narrow my gaze, placing my hands on the table as I stand.

“Remus—”

“I need you for something else. Something more important that will be helpful to Ezra in the long run,” Remus says.

I scoff. I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth. But before I can voice that, the door opens. It is only me who looks, and my stomach dips as Sky enters the room, her expression blank. Nausea washes over me when I notice the inhibitor on her temple.

“What the fuck…?” I murmur, looking at Remus. He is unbothered by this and by my reaction. “You said she was resting!” I shout.

Remus’s expression darkens, and he closes his eyes as he stands. When he opens them again, my legs are weak, and my heart sputters in my chest as his hair drifts slightly from the energy surrounding him.

“You are going to help her acclimate. And ensure she gives Ezra no issues as he recovers. Do you think that is less important than seeing him?” he asks.

I slowly look back to Sky, clenching my fingers into fists as I try to control my trembling. Remus releases a breath, walking around the table. But I keep my eyes down as he comes to stand next to me. The comfort I felt before from his warmth is nonexistent. It’s hard to think this is the same alien who comforted me earlier. But it isn’t. He’s made that clear several times. I just keep getting sucked back into moments when I see glimpses of him.

“Or would you rather I keep her under an inhibitor?” Remus asks.

I shake my head.

“I have important matters to deal with today. You know where you can go and what’s off-limits. The sooner she understands that as well, the sooner you can both see Ezra. But not before,” Remus says.

He accompanies his words with a kiss on the top of my head before moving back to the opposite side of the table.

“It will wear off in fifteen minutes,” he calls to me as he exits the room, leaving me alone with Sky.