Revelation - Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Iris

A room full of people that look like Remus. I never thought I’d see something like this. It’s terrifying. I have no idea what these beings are or what they are capable of. I look out over the crowd of people. Remus is across the room as everyone surrounds him. He looks like a King. Even in this setting, his people adore him. It seems anyone he leads does. He has some kind of pull on those around him.

He’s wearing all white, and the crest of his family is on his clothing. His hair isn’t in a ponytail as it usually is. It’s only being held back by an elegant headband. I look at the people around us. Although they look like Remus with the hair, their eyes aren’t pigmented like his. Also, they don’t have the aura surrounding them that Remus does. That invisible energy that surges through him.

He’s speaking to them in a language I don’t understand. But whatever it is he’s saying, it makes them really happy. They are listening intently. I take note that the room isn’t as full as I would have assumed. I recall Remus saying he is having a dinner. I focus on each individual in the room. They are all rulers of this… world. I wish I knew what it looked like outside of these walls. But with Remus’ new position and my constant hate for him, there’s no way he would give me that freedom. I saw a glimpse of the old Remus tonight.

Before we entered here, he threatened me not to make a scene. He hasn’t spoken to me in that way since we’ve arrived here. It makes me wonder where exactly he is with his patience for me. And how much longer I can hold out against him. One day my words won’t roll off of him like they seem to right now, and he will retaliate.

“Lovely Evening isn’t it?” I jump immediately looking to see whose voice is standing so close to me and see Ezra standing next to me. My eyes widen and a small gasp escapes me.

“Ezra?” I say. For some reason, I feel happiness blooming in my chest when I look at him. The last time I saw him he went from dying on the floor of that cave to being chained up and watching his planet get destroyed. I thought Remus would keep him locked in that chamber with the rest of his family since, but since he’s out it would seem that Remus may be changing after all. Ezra in his own way was nice to me and took care of me when things went south with Remus and his memory. So I have some semblance of respect towards him. But only a little.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. He quirks a brow at me, focusing his gaze on his brother across the room. A servant walks by with a tray of drinks, and Ezra grabs one off the top taking a sip. He closes his eyes evening out his breathing before opening them to look at me.

“I’m a part of the council now,” he says. I don’t miss the sarcasm in his voice. I narrow my eyes at him.

“You’d join his council? After everything, he did to you?” I ask. Ezra glares at his drink for a moment before a laugh escapes him and he downs his entire drink.

“You’re not the only one my brother has in his grasp little human.” He says. His eyes fall on me and he studies me intensely.

“I didn’t think I’d see you here. And looking so healthy at that.” I narrow my gaze.

“How could you be on his side after what he did to your people. Your planet?” I say angrily. Ezra laughs softly not bothering to spare me a glance.

“My brother wants to make sure behave tonight.” He says bitterly. My eyes widen and I stare at Ezra waiting for him to elaborate what it is exactly that he means. His eyes fall to me and irritation crosses his features.

“If I do anything stupid, she will be punished. And I can’t let that happen.” He says. I think about it for a moment.

“Xion?” I ask. Ezra cuts his eyes to me and bends to my height, tapping my forehead with emphasis on his words.

“No stupid girl.” He says and I can see his anger coming through. His usual calm and playful demeanor are gone. He almost seems on edge and irritated. My eyes widen when I realize who it is he’s talking about. I finally acknowledge the fact that the one person that is always glued to his side isn’t here tonight.

“Sky?” I ask. He points at me.

“Bingo.” He says simply. His multicolored gaze travels across the room to his brother who is now among the crowd speaking to the different nobles that have shown up. I feel pity for Ezra. I couldn’t imagine how Remus threatened him with the one person he cares for in that way. He must feel so helpless.

“Is she okay?” I ask.

“What do you care. You’re always throwing punches the moment you lay eyes on each other.” He snaps at me. I look down at my hands. He’s really angry about his current situation and it shows. He lets out a deep sigh.

“As long as I cooperate and play nice, he will release her in the morning.” He says. Ezra finally looks at me.

“I do wonder how my brother would react if someone held his beloved captive and threatened your life.” He says. I shiver from his tone. His face is hard, and his lips are pressed in a straight line on his face as he tries to reign in his anger. He closes his eyes taking a deep breath.

“Why does Remus want you on his council so badly?” I ask. It seems that going as far as holding the person his brother loves as a bargaining chip is low even for Remus. He only shrugs next to me.

“It would seem my brother is having trouble acclimating to his new position and power. He says he needs a clear head. And that clear head is me.” I want to ask him more questions but decide against it. He seems on edge as it is. I look around the room until my eyes fall on a man that looks vaguely familiar. He’s standing with two other men, smiling as he speaks. When he smiles it clicks in my head where I’ve seen this man before. Once. Briefly. When Remus showed me the place he was holding everyone we both care about including his newly discovered father.

“How did he get here?” I murmur to myself more than anyone else but Ezra’s keen hearing picks up my words.

“Remus let him out once we arrived. It wasn’t smart to keep the king locked away with his dignity barely intact.” He says.

“But how? How did Remus get him in that chamber in the first place?” I ask. Ezra laughs next to me.

“Remus is not the same as he once was.” He says. Now it’s my turn to laugh.

“Of course. His mother manipulated him and turned him into a-“

“No.” Ezra turns and faces me. His face is as serious as I’ve ever seen it. Even his gaze is haunted.

“I don’t mean emotionally. Remus is a powerful existential being. And once our mothers hold on his mind was taken and his father foolishly opened his power, he evolved into something greater. Physically, he is nothing like he was before.” A servant walks by and he grabs another drink from the tray. Ezra takes in my confused expression before handing me one of the drinks and taking a sip of his own.

“You naïve girl. Didn’t you ever wonder how it was that Remus was able to cause a planet to implode on itself?” He asks bitterly. I think back to the entire planet that blew right in front of us as Remus watched. I always thought he had some kind of machine or weapon. Not that he himself did it. My eyes widen as realization dawns on me. Ezra finally smiles and tips the drink in my hand to my lips.

It’s bubbly and has a strange tinge to it as it slides down my throat and settles deep in my belly. I immediately feel my body warming up and my nerves toning down.

“I thought…”

“Yeah, I know what you thought. My brother is on a different plane of existence at this point. You and I are just pawns in his game until he grows tired of us. He’s struggling to understand all of his emotional attachments.” He pauses, bending to my height.

“Including you little girl. So, I suggest you stop trying to piss him off before he destroys all of us.” He growls.

“Some of us want to live with the ones we love.” He grumbles as he brings the glass to his lips.

I look down at the pink liquid in the strangely shaped glass. The liquid itself has a luminescent glow to it. A wave of sadness washes over me so I bring it to my lips taking another sip, reveling in the tingle on my lips and the sweet bitterness that explodes on my tongue.

The glass is yanked from my lips and I look up in shock to see a very irritated Remus. His brow is raised.

“What are you doing?” He snaps. I open my mouth to respond just as a wave of vertigo hits me. Remus looks around.

“Who gave this to you?” He hisses. I glare at his face. He looks very irritated. I know in the back of my mind I should be scared, but I can’t control the small giggle that escapes my lips.

Remus

The dinner is going surprisingly well. The leaders are pleased with my ability to run this world once my father passes the crown to me. Even my father seems on board with how everything is going, making sure to show his support and happiness at my growth in his absence.

“How soon do you think you will give the throne to Remus, Kuron?” Chall pipes up across the long table. All of the leaders are seated around it, enjoying the night's meal and having a conversation of their past, and future. My father has good relations with all the provinces. He’s done his duty in the face of the odds that consist of his wife and queen disappearing into another realm with his only son and heir. He still did his duty as king and earned that respect among his people.

My father takes a sip of his drink glancing my direction before speaking.

“Remus has proven highly proficient in all of his studies. He’s already trained in the combat of war since his mother took him into a separate realm. He even conquered galaxies for his mother. He has all the experience needed to fill my position, he’s always been above average when it came to manifestation. And his conversion is better than anything I could have ever imagined.” He says bragging on me. I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

“I think I’ll be ready to pass the throne to him very soon. Just as soon as he finds a suitable bride.” He says. He smiles with his words laughing as does the entire table. But I find none of it amusing. I glance in his direction with a narrowed gaze in which he responds in tipping his drink towards me before taking a sip.

I stand from my seat and all eyes fall on me.

“I’ve already begun my quest to find suitable members to join my council,” I say. Everyone pipes down. I look across the room to my brother who has been listening intently. He knows the language because I forced him to learn it. In a few weeks, he will be fluent in it. He’s been bitter all night. I even caught him earlier speaking with Iris. I don’t blame him though. I took his beloved from him tonight to ensure his behavior and cooperation. I need no signs of weakness tonight.

Although it backfired on me seeing as he inadvertently got her drunk.

I hold my hand out directing everyone’s gaze to Ezra.

“If any of you know someone of interest that can be a part of my council, I will listen and consider your recommendations. Although I have already chosen one for myself. My brother. Ezra.” I say. Murmurs rise up throughout the room as eyes fall on him. He slowly rises from his seat.

“He is my brother only through my mother. He was raised with me, fought with me, and conquered with me. I trust him with my life and I believe you should all do the same.” I say. Yule is the first one to speak up. He’s a ruler of the mountain regions. His white hair is pulled up on top of his head, and his silver eyes are filled with worry.

“My prince… are you sure you want to bring-“

“Before you say anything that you will regret, I suggest you think about the repercussions it will entail. I trust him with my life. My mother's decisions do not fall on him, as they did not fall on me. Or are all of you lying in your joy that I have returned?” I ask. Yule immediately shakes his head bowing.

“No, my prince it was never my intention to insult you.” He says hurriedly. I glare at him for a moment before turning to Ezra again.

“He will make a fine addition to this kingdom. And he will help us rid this world of the ones that plague us.” My eyes travel to the servants once I say those words, gauging their reactions. None of them move a muscle.

“My mother took me from my home before I could make a real difference for any of you. I made a difference outside of this place conquering worlds and relieving galaxies of tyrants. I know how to end this war. All I ask is that all of you put your trust in me, and let me be the leader I am supposed to be for you and for our entire race.” I say. Immediately Chall stands. He places his fist on his chest, bowing.

“I’m with you.” And once his words are in the air, the entire room follows. Ezra’s eyes widen across the table, and I don’t have to speak with him to know what he’s thinking. I smile as shouts of glory rain on the room.

“I’m impressed with what you did in there son.” My father and I are walking along the castle corridors. The leaders have long since left.

“You got them to accept the bastard your mother created. And as a leader among them, no doubt. I’m impressed.” He says. I look at him. Really look. His gaze is straight ahead. His bright purple gaze burning bright with wisdom beyond my years. As my memories come back, I begin to know this man for who he was. And I can see now still is.

“You know I won’t marry anyone you choose,” I say. He laughs bitterly.

“I know you have nothing to gain by marrying that welp you brought from the outer realms.” He growls. I keep my irritation at bay.

“Remus, I only want what’s best for you and for our kingdom. And we will not get that if you bring her into the royal bloodline. She’s not even of our people.” He says. He stops his pace taking a deep breath.

“You know she can’t survive here much longer. And now that the bond you once shared is broken, she is aging with every day that passes. This place is too much for her body to handle.” He says. I don’t respond. I know he’s right. Iris doesn’t belong here. At least not the way she is now. Her body can’t handle the rush of energy. Humans process it differently. And if she doesn’t let me bond with her soon, her body will begin to deteriorate rapidly.

“I know it’s hard. But sometimes you must put duty before pleasure.” He says. I scoff in irritation, looking out over the balcony. Duty before pleasure. I look back to my father.

“Is that what your marriage was? Duty?” I ask. His eyes widen. He’s taken aback by my question.

“It was both for me. I knew your mother hated me before we even met, yet I chose to love her regardless. Not just for my sake but for my peoples. You need balance on the throne. You need someone that can handle the pressures of ruling with you. Physically, your human cannot.” He says. I know he’s right. I hate it though. I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized id been holding.

“She can be. She’s strong. Stronger than you could imagine.” I say. I feel a smile threatening my lips.

“She may be mentally, but physically she is just a human. My son, listen to reason. Marry one of our own, produce your heir. You can keep the human as a personal body.” He says. A loud crack rips through the room, and I look down realizing I’ve broken the stone off the balcony. My hands still have remnants of the dust in them. I stand, holding my hand out over the empty space and dropping the rest of the stone to the ground below.

I turn to look to my father. He has a blank expression. His gaze meets mine head on. This is something that is important to him. This is his people. His world. His kingdom. In the past, I would have been fine with his suggestion. I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But making Iris my slave behind a woman that was lucky enough to be born in that position?

I take a deep breath.

“This is our kingdom, Remus. Our world. I’m not asking you to give her up. I’m asking you to do what’s best for your people.”

I’m standing in the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest. Iris is walking in complete circles. She’s drunk off her ass. Ezra gave her drinks at the dinner not considering the repercussions it would have on her human body. That drink was made to get my people drunk. Iris barely had a sip and her body is on cloud nine.

I frown slightly. I’m not sure the damage it will have on her liver. It may be too much for her. I step into the room.

“Whooo- whooo-whoooo.” Iris spins in a circle before tripping over her own feet and landing on her ass. She giggles looking up at the ceiling and takes a deep breath.

“Oh nooooo. I hear feet!” She giggles rolling over and looking at me. Her eyes are wide, her skin flushed and her lips parted. Even her breathing is slow. Her hair is messy, strewn around her but it doesn’t look bad. It looks sexy. I feel a hardening in my pants and immediately fight the sudden arousal.

“Come here.” I say as I walk past her to the bed. She stays on the floor sitting up on her stomach, and propping her chin on her hands.

“Ummm, no. This is my room, Remus. MY ROOM. You can’t just barge in here and sit on my bed.” She says. I roll my eyes.

“Iris. Come here.” I say a second time. She giggles laying on the floor. Her forehead is pressed against the marble as her shoulders shake uncontrollably. She quickly sits up. Her face eyebrows are furrowed and her lips are in a pout.

“Iris. Come here.” She mimics in a not at all deep voice but I can hear the strain as she tries. She gauges my reactions and laughs.

“So serious.” She then rolls over on her back and dramatically stands up. She skips towards me, stumbling and falling into my arms. Her breasts brush against me, and I bite the inside of my cheek focusing on the task at hand.

I press my hand over her liver, checking its working state. At this rate, she’ll need a new one. I use my own energy to strengthen it.

“That tingles.” She mumbles over me. I look up at her.

“Why would you take a drink from Ezra. You knew what kind of people live here. It could have killed you.” I snap. She rolls her eyes falling completely backwards. I move quickly catching her around her back. Her hair is tickling the floor and her arms are thrown carelessly over her head.

“Wow. You’ve got some quick reflexes.” She slurs. I let out an irritated sigh. I should speak with her in a few days when she’s sober. I'm exhausted from the night and have little patience. I reach under her hoisting her up and plopping her down on the bed.

“Bed. Now.” I quip. She makes a face at me but lays down on the pillow. I turn away from her leaving the room. I walk down the hall to my own room immediately heading into the bathroom to wash away the night.

Once I’m cleaned, I walk out wearing only a towel around my waist. My muscles tense when I sense someone in the room. Energy surges through me and I raise my hand ready to vaporize the intruder. I have to stop myself when I recognize the intruder.

“Iris?” I say in confusion. She’s standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression. Her eyes travel over my chest to the towel and back up.

“I…” She trails off. I make my way towards her reigning in all the patience that I’ve gained over the years.

“It’s time for bed Iris.” I say. She grabs ahold of my hand, shaking her head. Tears well up in her eyes.

“I just… I need to talk to you.” She says. I raise a brow in confusion. I know I should just force her to go to sleep and leave the night at that. She’s drunk. Not in her right mind. But my curiousity gets the better of me. I take a deep breath, wiping the tear that’s fallen down her face and give her a comforting smile.

“About what?”