Revelation - Chapter 25 (Patreon)

Remus

Something is different. The conversion went perfectly without a hitch. The world already looking more vibrant and livelier. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do alone, but I managed. And I was able to do it within a short amount of time as well.

Maybe It was my eagerness to get back to Iris. I frown as I recall her mood since my return. I thought we had left on good terms and that we could begin a new part of our relationship once I returned, but it doesn’t seem that way now. She won’t look at me, speak to me, she won’t even eat. And something about her essence is off. It’s small, but still there. I can feel it.

“My prince, you don’t seem happy to be celebrated this evening.” I look up as Nira approaches me with a wide smile. I give her my best smile slightly bowing as she approaches.

“Apologies. The conversion took a toll on me. I’m just a little tired for once.” I say truthfully. The conversion may have gone smoothly but it’s taken a massive toll on me physically. I feel drained. My power is at 40% at most. I’m at my weakest until I can fully recover which should be in the coming weeks. The conversion may be a blessing for the people but it’s dangerous for whoever is involved. I’m vulnerable.

I look up as my father approaches.

“My son.” He claps me on the back, holding his glass up to the room. I look around at all the bureaucrats that are enjoying themselves.

“You have done your people proud. Once you’re well-rested we will hold your union to Nira, and crown you both as the new king and queen.” He smiles. I nod my head as guilt tugs at my heart. The wedding has been planned since I left. Now that I have returned everything will happen immediately. And once I am king, and Nira and I have become “one”, I will finally be able to go into deep hibernation, and regain my full strength.

I place my hand on my fathers back, looking at Nira.

“Excuse us,” I say. I step away from her to a corner of the room.

“I think we should hold off on the festivities.” I immediately begin voicing my concerns. My father raises a brow.

“Why would we ever do that?” He asks. I shake my head looking around the room, eyeing the servants.

“Something isn’t right. Have you kept an eye on them while I was gone?” I ask. My father nods his head.

“Nothing out of the ordinary has gone on son. We’ve kept them under a close eye.” He says. I narrow my gaze.

“It just doesn’t feel right. I think I should regain my strength before we begin the celebrations. If someone attacked us now, I couldn’t protect everyone like I normally could.” I say. My father waves me off.

“You worry too much. No one would dare attack us. Especially the slaves. And besides, you have an entire guard behind you and me as well as your mother’s bastard children to protect you.” He says. I narrow my gaze at his choice words in describing Ezra and Xion.

“I’m just saying, son. It’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. That’s what these next few days are all about.” He says. I take a deep breath looking around the room trying to reign in my frustration at my father’s carelessness. Years of keeping the peace have made him oblivious to when tension is in the air.

“I know what this is truly about.” He says out of nowhere. I raise a brow at him.

“This is about that human you insist on keeping around. Remus, look at your future wife. She’s brilliant, beautiful, graceful, and her only want is to please you. You can’t ask for more out of a woman. She is the perfect bride for this kingdom and she loves it as much as you do. Just give her a chance. A real chance. I know she can make you happy. Much more than that mistress you keep in the East Wing.” He finishes. I turn to him reigning in my anger at his words.

“Do not speak of Iris like that.” I snap.

“Iris was born into a world that I took from her, she loved her planet and her people just as much as I love mine and fought me tooth and nail to keep it. She cares for other worlds, not just her own. She learned to adapt to any situation and has faced many more hardships than Nira who was born into a comfortable lifestyle.” His gaze narrows at my outburst.

“While that may be the case, you’re marrying Nira.” He snaps. I laugh.

“In my eyes, Nira will always be the mistress. I’ll never see her as anything more.” I say. My father’s eyes grow angry.

“You’re acting just like your mother, Remus. Are you going to throw away your entire kingdom for some woman?” He snaps. I shake my head taking a step closer to him. Even though I am weaker, I’m still a threat.

“I haven’t thrown anything away. I’ve cleaned up your mess. Your war. Your kingdom. I’ve done my duty, and I’ve agreed to this marriage.” I keep my voice and my gaze level as I speak to him, letting him know that I’m serious. He tries to look away from me but I hold his gaze as I speak my next sentence.

“Iris is not some mistress. She is not some eyesore, and she would be a blessing to your kingdom. Nira will never compare. Never. And if that makes me like my mother, so be it. Keep her name out of your mouth. I won’t say it again, Kuron.” I growl. He holds my gaze and finally realizes how serious I am.

He doesn’t say anything more as he walks away.

~

I finally find Ezra and Xion. They’re in the courtyard. Swimming. I pause by the archway looking down at them as they have a carefree day.

Ezra is in the water with Sky, laughing as she splashes them with water and Xion is lounging in the sun with Chris. They’re happy. Not scared or nervous like they usually are around me. I take a deep breath feeling sorrow. Now that I’m weaker, my defenses are down and my emotions are getting out of hand.

I told them they were welcome to come to the celebration for my return and the success of the conversion today, but they didn’t. A scream catches my attention and I see Ezra picking Sky up and throwing her into the water.

“This is what they were doing rather than be apart of your celebration?” I look up as Nira comes next to me. I don’t respond. I turn away from the balcony and make my way to my room.

“You’re too lax on them Remus. They need to understand where they stand in this world.” She says. I shake my head.

“They’re free to do whatever they like. They’re just as much royalty as I am.” I say. She shakes her head next to me.

“But you are the heir to the throne. They’re only half.” She says. I don’t respond though. I don’t have the energy to argue with her.

“Once we are married and you are crowned King and Queen, I will personally see to it that they-“

“You have no jurisdiction over them, Nira. Don’t try and make it seem like you do.” I say. She huffs in irritation.

“Remus, I will have just as much jurisdiction as you will. I’ll be Queen. Your equal.” She snaps. I stop in my tracks and look at her.

“If you do anything to harm them under your reign as queen, I will kill you.” I snap. She steps back shocked.

“You-“

“I will do it. I’ve been this close to killing my own mother and father. The only reason that didn’t happen is because of that woman sleeping in my bed, in my wing.” I step closer to her watching her face morph into shock and anger.

“Now. That woman has no idea who you are, nor will she. So who’s going to convince me to spare your life, Nira?” I ask. She takes a step back, not knowing what to do.

“Remus. You can’t do this to me. My family is highly respected, and without my cooperation and our union, things will get real ugly real fast for the entire kingdom.” She says. I laugh turning away from her but she grabs ahold of my arm.

“I don’t want to fight with you, but I will if I have to. I’m just here to do my duty as well as you are. I’m trying to make things work. You could at least meet me halfway, Remus.” She says. I know she’s right. But I don’t care.

“Then don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong,” I growl. I yank my arm out of her grasp.

~

Iris is still in bed. She hasn’t moved. She hasn’t even touched the food I’ve left for her for the past two days. I make my way to the bed taking a seat on the edge. Her eyes slowly shift up to meet mine, I give her a small smile but she only rolls away from me.

“Iris. Please. What’s going on with you?” I ask. She doesn’t answer me. I place my hand on her shoulder. Her skin is chilly.

“Iris?” I say her name again, but I get nothing. I take a deep breath, making sure to check her vitals. Everything looks healthy yet her skin is cool to the touch. It’s strange.

She still doesn’t acknowledge me. I make a mental note to ask Braith and Ezra if something happened while I was away. It’s been so hectic since I got back I haven’t been able to speak with either of them seeing as duty calls. I stand up making my way to the bookshelf.

“Remus.” I pause when I hear my name. It’s faint. So faint but I hear it. I turn around facing Iris. Her back is still to me.

“Can I go home? Back to Earth?” She asks. I frown slightly.

“Iris… This is your home now. Earth has nothing for you anymore.” I say.

“Why?” She asks.

“Because your place is with me,” I say.

“But shouldn’t I be among my own people?” She asks. I walk back to where she is sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing her comfortingly. Fear, sadness, anger. All of those are coming off of her. Which is strange. Fear isn’t something that’s been prominent in Iris for a while. Not at this level.

“Your people have nothing to offer you anymore,” I say. A loud sob escapes her. She’s crying.

“Iris… why are you asking me this all of a sudden?” I ask. Surely, she doesn’t know of the fate of Earth. There’s no way she could know. She shrugs.

“I’m just homesick.” She whispers. I feel relief at her words. That’s a natural reaction for living beings that aren’t used to surroundings. For a moment I thought she knew the truth. But that’s impossible. There’s no way she knows anything of my actions. And I plan to keep it that way.

“We missed our chance! What are we supposed to do now?” The crowd shouts in agreement, and my irritation grows like the plague. I look around the room waiting for them to calm down and take a deep breath.

“The plan has changed,” I say. Renae steps closer to me as everyone listens.

“If we had taken her away from here, he would have only replenished himself, brought his siblings, and taken her back. It would have been a no brainer and he wouldn’t have batted a lash at it. I’ve been by the prince’s side for months now. I know how he operates, and I know how strong he is. I also know his weakness.” I say. Someone stands up towards the back.

“He’s back in the castle. The conversion is over and we’re still enslaved. How are we going to gain freedom now?” He snaps. I look at Renae who nods her head at me.

“The human is going to give it to us,” I say. Murmurs erupt over the room, but I hold my hand up to silence them.

“Right now, she is in emotional agony. She is aware of the prince’s lies and deception. Last night, I took her to one of the dead zones, and on the way, I implanted my energy within her. It’s dormant now, so that the prince can’t detect it, but once I deem the moment correct, I will release that power, and she will be the one to lead us to safety.” I say.

I feel heartbreak at the memory of her realizing the truth. She cried until she passed out. Luckily once we returned to the castle, she was awake enough for me to tell her to keep what she learned from Remus. All of this depends on her keeping from him that she knows the truth.

“You trusted with your power?” Someone else pipes up. I shake my head.

“She isn’t aware that she has it. She thought I was protecting her from the area.” I say. Which wasn’t a complete lie.

“I can understand your anger, but you don’t know this woman. Has anyone in this room ever stood up to the prince or his family?” I ask. Silence envelopes the room.

“She has. Countless times she has fought him for what she believed in no matter the consequence. She’s braver than any of us. That’s why I trust her. And I know when the time comes, she’ll do what she feels is right. I say. Murmurs erupt.

“The prince came back with his siblings, which isn’t something we were counting on. They are strong competitors, and it won’t be easy taking them out, but it will be necessary for our escape. We have to beat him by stripping him of his emotional ties. Iris is our ticket out, and trust me, now that she knows the truth, it won’t be long before she helps.” I say. “The prince would never harm her.”

“What about the siblings? How are we supposed to get rid of them when they are just as strong as the prince?” Renae asks next to me.

“I’m going to kill them,” I say. “Starting with his brother.”