Romero
Yazen, my parent. What a terrible liar. The moment I saw him, I knew he had communicated with Ahasuerus without consulting with me. It was not the way. His face fell guiltily to the ground when Imani wrapped her arms around Vittore and wept. He had made a mistake in allowing them to continue living in the valley.
It would be difficult for everyone, including me, to accept that change was coming. We had to adjust and take a stand.
I issued a meeting with both of them. Yazen confessed his hand in the matter after I told him Soren had spoken plainly of what he had done. My parents were shocked to hear how Ahasuerus killed off all his people and that we destroyed a whole race of beings. For a normally peaceful people—for me to go to such lengths—it had to have been a great incursion on the wolves' part…
I shook my shoulders, thinking about my own incompetence for trusting Brylee.
The next moment I felt blessed at the second chance.
Yazen stayed apprehensive about Soren, but I saw no way to remedy his time travel, and he had no solution either. Was there a way to see? To know? How? We didn't fully understand all the mysteries the universe held… Soren had an answer for every question hurled at him. Conveniently enough, he left much untold. This was our new reality—what could we do but better ourselves this time around?
Two days long, we tried to come up with a way to divert Ahasuerus and leave them to fight their wars by themselves. Our solution presented itself on the morning of the third day. Ahasuerus arrived unannounced and without an invitation.
My father and I shared the hidden knowledge of what this blatant disregard meant. I hated that he could come and go at his leisure… Who knew if he could arrive at other locations. It also meant we had no more time to debate or strategize. The three of us met him in the communal building.
Heading in, I stopped abruptly— "He has to go. Now."
"Romero. I need to know what you know."
"No!"
"Wait, please… The water and life stone disappeared."
"Ahasuerus, he has to leave right now! It is an unfair advantage, and I have my people to consider."
He chucked his thumb out the way we came, and as Louis left the room, I took a deep breath. "Better, thank you."
"Romero, the fact that you know he has an ability tells me a lot about what's going on… And you know our race. I like to be in control, have no surprises, and make calculated decisions."
It was like talking to a beast under the sand, crawling around, ready to erupt and bite. "If that is the case, should we not take some time to let things unravel… I would like to know what choices you will make this time because you played a big part in why we are where we are… I do not trust you anymore. I do not trust Brylee. And I have it on good authority that you plan to annihilate the riphaths in one way or another."
Ahasuerus was very much in control of himself. Not one emotion showed on his features. No nervous tick or habit to let you know what he was thinking.
"I do not understand your need for blood and war and the lack of empathy when you kill for personal gain."
"Romero, I have no plans to attack the riphaths… If that was the case, I'm sure extenuating circumstances brought it about… I realize now, and only now, that I have a weak link in our decided trio—of what the future has to look like… Brylee seems to have more plans than I gave her credit for. As you know, I'm going to Zoreah to live out my days there. And honestly, that's what I was planning to do… But now—" He looked away out over the view of the indoor garden. "It is beautiful here… You know I only plan for the future. Why would I want to fight? It makes no sense… And even if Soren and Juliet add a third or a fifth, they can never leave the planet… I figured they did it to protect themselves… Yes, Brylee likes to conquer, but I never thought she would be stupid enough to make this place an objective… There are so many planets where she has established colonies. Maybe she can be persuaded to let this go?" His black eyes came back to mine.
"She is Louis's mother." He slammed his fist on the table and pushed the chair out behind him. "She can cross-breed and has already sent a wolf here for Juliet's consideration."
He spun around only to make a full circle and glared at me.
"You might think she has no plans, but with that stone around her neck you gave her, it is only a matter of time… And now you have no way to replenish your water… Will you drain Earth of its resources too? For someone thinking only of future generations, what are you leaving them?! You had all the time in the world to plan, prosper, and in a way she has done more for her people than you… You are holding on to some ancient agreement two old men and one woman made generations ago, standing in the sand and deciding where you want to live. Only two of you have stayed true to it… Brylee is deranged by whatever Basaam gave her to make her carry Louis, and Soren says it is like the young ones say, 'not pretty.'
He took a deep breath and, for the first time, let his manifestation go in our presence. His fingers strummed against his leg. "You have given me a lot to think about… You are right; I need time to assess and make better decisions… Will you please ask Soren to come and see me? Anywhere he wants so I can at least know what mistakes I made to bring this about."
"Very well… Vittore and I will be away for two months. Only then will I communicate again… And do not come uninvited again."
He nodded, greeted us respectfully, and left the room.
"Why were you so strict about Louis?"
"He can read minds, father."
"Forgive me, Romero. I did not know Soren would tell you and trust us."
"Juliet is pregnant."
Vittore placed his hand on my arm. "Should we wait?"
"No, this is the only opportunity we have… They will be fighting amongst themselves, and we will be left alone for two months… He still has control over where she can teleport, and I would like to see how honorable a race like theirs can be."
"I do not trust them," Vittore said.
"No. Neither do I, brother… Let's leave, get our mates, and head to the dark city… I need to mobilize our army for the first time in my life."
***
Vittore and I walked briskly, eager to get back to where we left Juliet and the others. Neither of us wanted to be away too long. For the dheka, separation from your mate would never happen. I could not wait to be linked to Charlene and have her close by.
Both of us have been alone for so long, but when we entered the city to a bonfire, music, dancing—a proper feast—I stopped abruptly—again. Fire! Our one weakness! No one even noticed us. The scouts were in the middle of a circle, surrounded by people clapping and jumping up and down. Vittore's hand landed hard at the base of my skull. He squeezed. "Now, brother."
I lifted a hand, grabbing my bottom lip between my teeth.
One of the instruments screeched into the dark sky. Silence fell in increments among the villagers. By the end, each and every one was on the ground except one. My heart answered in good measure, beating faster and faster until I exploded into my own manifestation as purple as the trail evening stars left.
Vittore laughed and hit my shoulder hard. He did not wait either and rushed forward to help Juliet up. As he grabbed her hand, he lifted her and caught her, pulling her into an embrace. It was not the way. I closed my eyes tightly to find myself again. Nothing worked. For two months, I had given in to my emotions, letting go of our ability to weather the time until we found our mates.
I found mine. She was here, and I had no words, nothing to give her, nor any idea of how to convince her.
Opening my eyes, Charlene stood right in front of me. So much shorter, she had to look up. Her expression filled with wonder. She reached out. I just heard a bunch of no's, but I had already taken a step back. There would never be another sunset without her. Life after life, we would find one another. She became everything in that moment.
"Hi." She gave me a little wave, and yes, I fell to my knees. Her shoulders scrunched as she laughed and put her hands into pockets behind her. "I think you need a minute; I'm going to be over there."
Her foot moved and so did I. My manifestation was gone; my hand grabbed her wrist all by itself, and I pulled her closer, kissing her. It was one thing I'd written to myself in my book. 'I should've kissed her sooner.' I was going to listen to myself. Charlene pulled away, pushing on my chest with two hands. "Whoa, whoa, buddy. Relax."
Juliet let out a peal of laughter, making Charlene glance over her shoulder, baring her teeth.