Revelation - Chapter 5 (Patreon)

Remus

Deep breath in, deep breath out. In. Out.

Concentrate.

Focus.

Breathe.

Feel.

Feel the world around you. Feel the particles. Feel the different forms of energy. Feel the parts of the world that will use your energy.

Draw in that energy. Control that energy. Convert that energy. Release that energy. Repeat.

My eyes fly open as pain rips through my arm. I hear a loud pop.

“Shit,” I curse aloud. I look down at my arm and blood is seeping through as well as the bone that has been ripped from my flesh. I close my eyes, gritting my teeth and placing my hand over the wound. I focus on the makeup of my body, forcing the bone back in place and the rapid reproduction of my cells.

In less than ten seconds my arm is as good as new. Rapid healing is something I perfected in my youth. I can do it without thinking about it. It requires a lot of focus and understanding of how the body you’re healing works. I take a deep breath, leaning back against the solid wall.

Meditating used to bring me comfort and ease. Now it only spikes my emotion and causes injury. Iris’ words cling to my heart like a disease.

“You are a monster.”

Something my mother was all too vocal about in my youth. I close my eyes rubbing my hand softly. I am a monster. I know that. But why does hearing Iris say those words bother me so much? I think back to all the torture my mother did to me growing up. The times she thought she could rip my abilities from me by draining my energy as far as she could before I showed signs of death. The problem was if she killed me, my father would know and find her immediately.

I slowly stand from where I’m seated. I came to the garden to find some peace and clarity. When there were good times, my mother would bring me here and play with me from time to time. But all I can think of are troubling thoughts that are clouding my ability to think straight. I place my hand on the nearest vine and watch as the garden lights up with vibrant life.

I finally reach the bedroom that Iris and I share. I walk inside with a knot inside my stomach but pause when I don’t see her. She isn’t in her usual spot on the bed, nor is she on the floor. I remain calm and walk to the bathroom, but she isn’t in here either. My eyes linger on the tub.

I turn away walking into the room and past the balcony, immediately stopping. She’s out there. She’s sitting beneath the railing, looking at nothing in particular. Her head is tilted back and her eyes are closed. Her hair is being blown by the breeze. I want to walk out there with her, but I know she will only resent me. And I know I will ruin the peace in her features. So I walk back into the room and grab a book.

Iris finally comes back in the room. She pauses when she sees me, but I keep my gaze trained on the book pretending I don’t notice her. It makes her feel better for some reason. I listen to her hesitant footsteps as well as her heartbeat. It’s steady and calm. She doesn’t say a word to me as she makes her way to the bed.

“Did you enjoy the balcony?” I ask. She immediately sits up in the bed.

“You took off the energy cuffs. I assumed I was free to go out there,” she snaps. I smile softly. So angry. I look up from my book and she has a scowl on her face.

“You can,” I say. “I was only asking if you enjoyed being out there,” I reiterate. She narrows her gaze.

“Why? So you can take it from me when I misbehave?” she growls out. I close the book I was reading and stand to put it back in its place across the room.

“No.” I reach the shelf, placing it back in its spot and look back to Iris. “I only wanted to know if you enjoyed your time, Iris.” I say again. In the past, I would have done something at having to repeat myself to her. She’s grown bold in her outbursts and says what she wants because I let her. But I feel no need in punishing her at the moment.

She’s gone through enough punishment from me. I watch her closely, gauging her reaction, once again repeating myself.

“Did you enjoy it?” I ask carefully. She slowly relaxes though only a little. She sits back in the bed nodding her head to me. I smile softly.

“Good.” My mouth is moving before I think of the repercussions of my next words.

“You’re free to leave the room, Iris. If you wish to explore the castle, you may do so," I say. Her eyes widen in shock before she gets that untrusting glare on her face.

“I thought I was a prisoner,” she says. I shrug.

“You’ve proven yourself trustworthy in these past weeks,” I say to convince myself more than her. I hadn't meant to tell her she could roam wherever. It just slipped out. Silence washes over us.

“Why are you being so nice to me now,” she says. I let out an irritated sigh making my way to the bed. I take a seat on the edge and she immediately shifts putting distance between us.

“You’ll find that I am a fair being Iris,” I say. I see the gears turning in her head and she opens her mouth to say something but I beat her to it.

“The instances on Earth were because you refused to listen to me and broke my trust several times. You loved doing so in front of crowds too,” I say. I reach out grabbing her hand in mine. I look in her bright green eyes.

“This is a new beginning for you Iris. I don’t want your time in this kingdom to be one that you hate.” She doesn’t respond but quickly yanks her hand out of mine narrowing her eyes. I look over her shoulder and take note the sky is slowly darkening.

“Would you like to go to the garden?” I ask. I can tell she wants to tell me, no, just to have some kind of power over me. She hates enjoying things I create or give. It’s strange to me she denies her own pleasure because she thinks it has some kind of power over her. Since the sun is going down the servant activity will be at a minimum. It’s less likely for her to run into one.

“Yes.” She says it softly. I have to bite back the smile threatening my lips. If she sees it brings me joy she’ll immediately change her mind. I quickly stand and make my way to the armoire to get her something to wear.

I step outside of the room, making my way to the guards. Iris has never been outside of the room. During the day at least. And I don’t want the servants getting in the way of the purpose of today. Ronan and Gyro are the guards that have been stationed on this side of the castle for the purpose of keeping Iris safe. I’ve never asked them to leave their post until now.

“I will require you today,” I say. I see a look of surprise on Ronan’s face.

“Is there a threat, sir?” he asks. I shake my head.

“The human I brought with me will be accompanying me today through the castle. She is now your first priority. I want no one to come near her. Understand?” I ask. They both nod their heads in understanding.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good,” I say. Right on cue Iris tentatively steps out the open archway I left for her. I gave her a white dress to wear. It’s long and drags the floor, covering her legs down to her feet. The sleeves are a type of silk from this world made from creatures in a different province. They are transparent so I can still see the outline of her arms. She looks around wide-eyed as she usually does when seeing something new.

Relief swallows me whole when I see her mouth shape into that silent “wow” she’s so fond of. As the light dissipates the walls will slowly begin to illuminate. But not before we reach the garden. I turn away from my guards making my way to Iris.

“Iris,” I say her name softly so as not to startle her. But she’s always startled when I come around. She looks towards me with wide eyes that fall to the men behind me. I know she’s never seen any of my kind other than my siblings. So I introduce the men that will be sticking to her side in the coming weeks. I know she’ll take me up on my offer to let her roam the castle. I also know that inevitably she’ll come into contact with the servants. But if I can delay that, I will.

“This is Ronan and Gyro. They are a part of the guard and will protect you at all times. Even when I’m not around,” I say. She nods her head softly. I turn to Ronan and Gyro motioning for them to take their places, and they do so.

“Lead the way.”

Iris

The last time I was out of that room was the night that Remus took me to the garden he created. And it was pitch black so I couldn’t see the interior of this place. Whatever this place was. But now it’s daytime, and I can see everything. My eyes can’t take in the beauty fast enough.

The architecture is amazing. Far beyond anything I had seen on Earth, or even Leviathar for that fact. It’s unnecessarily massive and intricately shaped. Somehow perfectly reflecting the sunlight so that it shines along the corridors as well as the decorations. There are large glass windows that I can see through as we pass through the halls, yet I can’t see outside. All I can see is the soft pink hue of what I assume to be the sky. I’m so caught up in trying to take in all the beauty of this place, I don’t even realize I’ve grabbed ahold of Remus’ clothing for guidance.

If he noticed he doesn’t say anything. I keep looking around the halls for some sign of life in this place. A sign that he hasn’t brought me somewhere else he keeps away from people, but I see no one. It’s empty. I begin to think we’re in a home that Remus created of some kind, but then I remember his story from the other day. About his parents.

He wouldn’t keep a mural of his parents meeting place in a place he created. Now that I think of it, in all the places he has created there has never been a sign of his family’s existence. Remus keeps a steady pace, letting me enjoy the sights around me. We keep walking until we reach the two large double doors. They look like they’re made from wood of some kind, but it’s too pure to be any I’ve ever seen. The doors are so big I have to crane my neck to see the top. They’re encrusted with the symbol that I’ve seen on Remus. It’s some kind of metal, maybe the equivalent to gold for the people of this world.

Remus pauses as well, taking in the symbol before speaking.

“This symbol is a visual of the family crest. It’s only a part of your equivalent to what a royal family would be,” he says. All this time I’ve been confused at the symbol that Remus and his siblings had ingrained on their bodies. But as it turns out, I was looking at the royal family’s crest. I look at Remus in shock as I register the meaning of his words.

“So… you’re royalty?” I ask. He seems hesitant as he doesn’t respond for a moment, but he finally nods his head watching me curiously. Though I wish he would, he doesn’t elaborate. I know his father and mother are the king and queen, but does that mean that he is a prince? Is he the only one from his parents? Did his father never remarry?

Remus turns to me, bending down so that he is at my height. His gaze pours into mine, and I feel a slight chill creep up my spine as I see a glimpse of the Remus I’ve come to know.

“Iris. You must listen to me beyond these doors. If you do not, I will know that I cannot trust you,” he says. My eyes are wide and my heart is beating fast. I nod my head vigorously. He searches my gaze for something, and once he sees it he stands at his full height. He begins to walk away from me, but against my better judgment, I grab ahold of his arm.

“Wait.” I whisper. My voice is shaky, and my hands are shaking as well. I look at the doors in fear.

“Is… she out there somewhere?” I ask. I don’t have to elaborate for Remus to know who I’m talking about. He takes his hand placing it on my cheek. The warmth from his skin is seeping into my cold cheek.

“No. She will never hurt you again Iris. I swear,” he says. I see the resolve in his eyes and his tone. I nod my head, slowly dropping my hand and letting go of the sleeve of his clothes. I take note that I was clasping it so hard, it has a slight wrinkle in it.

Remus doesn’t say a word as the doors open and the world on the other side is revealed to me.

My eyes widen in shock. If I thought the halls before were beautiful. I make a mental note that there are guards on either side of the door. Both with hair as white as Remus. They stand taller as he steps through the doors. A large set of stairs are before us, but there is some kind of magical particles that float through the air. The hall is massive, held up by beautiful columns and large glass windows that allow light to shine through. My feet are moving before I am thinking, and I pause when Remus places a hand in front of me. He doesn’t touch me, but the message is there. Don’t move.

He’s speaking to the guards in a language that is foreign to me. I know it sounds nothing like the Leviathin language. It’s eerie. Yet beautiful. And it rolls off his tongue nicely. The guards both give him a response, and he nods his head pleased and begins walking with me in tow.

As we make our way to the large staircase, I take note of the massive painting hanging in the center. My eyes widen as I realize who it is in the painting. It’s Remus’ mother, his father, and him as a child. He must be no older than four. Yet he looks as though he has all the knowledge of the world. His face is as serious as it is today. His eyes though bright, are dull. Not filled with the joy only a child knows.

He’s standing in front of his mother who has one hand on his shoulder. She’s beautiful. Strikingly so. And his father stands behind them. It’s amazing how much Remus looks like his mother. Even though his features are sharper and more accentuated. Remus doesn’t miss a beat as we pass the painting. He keeps walking. Doesn’t even glance at it.

I remember his words to me about his mother but shove down any pity I’m threatening to feel for him. He doesn’t deserve my pity. Not after everything he’s done.

We make our way through the castle, and I finally begin to see people. Except they aren’t like anything I expected to see. Their hair isn’t white like Remus or those guards. I find my footsteps faltering and my eyes becoming glued to them as they come closer.

I want to stop and stare, but Remus places his hand on the small of my back guiding me so that I can’t look at them.

“Eyes forward.” He murmurs to me. His words come out fierce

We continue through the castle without interruption and his insistence on forcing me to avert my gaze from these people. I’m not sure if it’s because they are servants or not, but it’s starting to bother me. But I keep my words to myself since I am curious to see everything along the way. I keep trying to look out the windows to see some land or something, but I see nothing but the color of the sky.

So I give up trying. At least I will be outside again. We finally reach a spiral staircase and Remus holds his hand out to me. I move to ignore his hand, but he stops me.

“Your vitals and equilibrium are not the same as they were on Earth and Leviathar. This is a different world, different atmosphere, and gravitational pull. It’s best if I help you.” He says. I want to say he’s using the knowledge against me and lying. But I’m completely unsure. So I place my hand in his and use him to help me down the spinning staircase.

Unknown POV

The castle is buzzing. It’s only been minutes and the word is already being passed around. The prince finally brought the foreigner out of the East Wing. Since his return, he dismissed all the staff in that wing, and the people he brought in there haven’t been seen since. Until now.

A pair of maids run by me giggling as they run up the hall.

“Have you seen her hair?”

“I heard she’s from a slave planet.”

“What is the prince thinking?”

I roll my eyes at the gossiping women.

Everyone is curious and making their way past the gardens to get a glimpse of the woman that seems to have some kind of affect on our future king. I try and keep my eyes low and focused on my work, but I find myself wandering towards the gardens as well. The west courtyard balcony and the east hall overlook the gardens. The queen used to keep the gardens alive with her life, but when she took the prince and disappeared from our world the garden died along with any hope of a future for their people.

Only weeks after his return did the garden come back to life and no one understood why since the queen was banished and the prince has been engrossed in his studies and duties since his return. But now it’s clear. There were rumors that the prince brought back a lover but that was only rumored until now. I try and stay focused on what I’m supposed to do but find myself drawn to the one place that I know servants won’t know about and I can get a clear view of the prince and this mystery woman.

I pass by all the servants running in the opposite direction. All of them should be sleeping now or getting ready for their shift change, but just like me, they want to see. I finally reach the empty hall and slowly approach the glass looking down at the gardens.

They are pulsing with life. Much more vibrant than the queens. Even new plant life has appeared. Flowers I’ve never seen before. I look until I see them. I see the prince walking with his hands behind his back. He’s watching her. I follow his gaze.

She’s a slender woman. With a nice height. I see nothing special about her. She’s nothing like the women here. My gaze travels back to the prince. He’s watching her with such a focused expression. I swear I almost see him smile. Almost.

I look back to her once more and she turns around facing the prince. She seems to be asking him something. But I focus on her features. Her eyes are wide and full of curiosity and wonder. They’re a beautiful color. Green. My eyes travel to her lips as she speaks. They’re soft and pink. Nice and full and shaped beautifully. She has a lovely bone structure in her face. Her cheekbones are high. Her hair thick and black. Not as black as the servants in the castle, but black. A stark contrast to the color of her skin. Soft skin. I can tell from here. She’s pretty. Beautiful even though there isn’t an ounce of energy running through her.

The differences between her and the prince are obvious.

My eyes widen in shock. The prince is smiling. He steps closer to her explaining something as he points to the strange plants in the garden. She frowns and turns away from him moving around more. He follows, watching her closely and carefully. So carefully.

I slowly back away from the window making a mental note to keep an eye on the girl. I'm unsure at the moment, but she may hold the key to all of this. She may be the answer we've been looking for.