Marcus didn't wait for a formal good-bye, leaving the room without a word. Lily watched her husband go, her blue eyes filled with confusion. She turned her gaze to the overseers, who were looking for some type of signal on what to do. Lily stood up and straightened her shoulders, trying to appear in control, but she was obviously just as rattled as her husband.
"There are refreshments in the garden that you are welcome to, please go enjoy them." She said. Hasty bows were given and Queen Lily left, her bodyguards close at hand. All of the overseers sat in silence until Nathan and Leslie finally made the first move. Everyone else soon followed, slowly filing out of the room. Fawn and Garrett were one of the last to leave. Garrett wouldn't even look Fawn and she knew he was upset. She stopped at the top the stairs that led to the garden, forcing Garrett to stop to as well.
"Garrett, I'm really sorry. I know I shouldn't have accused Section 8 for the attacks." Fawn said apologized to him sincerely. Garrett sighed and looked at Fawn.
"No, you shouldn't have. What we need right now is peace and there certainly won't be any." Fawn cringed at his harsh words, but she knew they were true.
"But," Garrett continued, starting down the stairs and Fawn perked up,"Section 8 is up to something and it definitely isn't good. Travis is hiding something, I can feel it." Fawn knew what he was talking about, she had seen it too.
"Whatever it is, we need to watch ourselves closely around him, especially you." Fawn almost tripped.
"What do you mean?" She asked defensively.
"Travis and I have been overseers for three years now, and he doesn't take kindly to people who offend him." Garrett said as they stepped onto the brick walkway of the garden.
"Be careful around him." Garrett whispered in Fawn's ear before walking away. Fawn watched him go, not sure whether to be concerned or afraid. Fawn slowly swept her gaze around the garden. She saw Willow and Leslie wave her over, but she didn't feel like talking to anyone, she just wanted to be alone. Fawn carefully made her way down a path lined with flourishing rose bushes. Fawn smiled, she leaned out and stroked the green stem of a rose, careful to avoid its sharp thorns. She bent down and smelled it, the petals tickling her cheeks. Fawn sighed as their smell washed over her, for once today she felt relaxed.
"I see I'm not the only one who enjoys the roses." Fawn jumped at the sound of a voice behind her, all notions of relaxing lost. She straightened and was startled at the sight Travis. He was just standing there, leaning against one of the garden trellises. Fawn backed away from the rose bush cautiously. Garrett's words rang in her ears. Travis smiled and walked toward the rose bush.
"They are so delicate, but yet they are dangerous to those who are blind." He plucked the rose off slowly and held it out to Fawn. Fawn forced herself to keep her blue eyes trained on his green ones as she took it carefully.
"I do not think it is the roses you are referring to." She said calmly. Travis shook his head.
"Indeed I am not. How smart of you to catch on so quickly." Fawn felt her temper flare. He was trying to provoke her and it was hard to ignore him.
"Thank you." Fawn said through gritted teeth. Travis smiled and seemed as if he was enjoying all this.
"Walk with me?" He asked, gesturing to the brick path. Fawn frowned.
"I'd rather not." She said stubbornly. Travis's smile didn't fade.
"I don't believe you have much of a choice." He tilted his head slightly and Fawn noticed a camera crew nearby. If she declined his offer now she would be all over the front of a newspaper.
"Such a generous offer, it would be hard to resist." Fawn said in irritation as she took his arm, she could feel the smooth muscles hidden under his jacket. Travis waited until they were out of listening range for everyone.
"So tell me, how did the fire start? On the west side and spread to the east?" Fawn jerked away from him.
"It was you!" Travis looked at her.
"Now, I never said that." His eyes gleamed cruelly. Fawn felt her fist curl, squashing the rose she was carrying. Travis glanced at it, before stepping close to Fawn.
"My fight is not with your Section, Fawn. I only needed a show to get the crown's attention." He lowered his voice. Fawn watched his face closely, but she couldn't tell whether he was bluffing or not.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
"Then why are you attacking Section 2?" She asked.
"When your border patrol gets in the way of my smuggling I can't stand by and do nothing." Fawn inhaled angerily.
"What are you planning?" She hissed, Travis leaned away from her.
"I wish I could tell you, but that would put me in a lot of danger now wouldn't it?" Fawn had to keep herself from screaming at him. She hated him so much. She gasped when Travis grabbed her wrist, the one the poor rose was still in. He slowly unwound her clenched fist revealing the poor flower.
"I don't want to hurt you. I trust our little discussion will be kept to yourself." He left go of her wrist and walked away, back towards the group that was enjoying the refreshments. Fawn watched him go and then looked at the rose in her hand.
"Gahh!" She yelled angrily, throwing the flower on the ground. Fawn looked around, but she didn't really care if anyone had heard her. She glanced at a palace door. She could go to the guards and report this right away, but she wouldn't. Fawn was too afraid to say anything. It sounded like Travis had more friends than anyone knew about and she didn't want to run into any of them. Fawn sighed and sat down on a bench, not knowing what to do next. However one thing was certain, she needed to protect Section 2, at any cost.
"Fawn?" Fawn spun around, half expecting Travis to be standing there. Instead it was a very concerned looking Garth. Fawn let out a sigh of relief.
"Hello." She said with a small smile. Garth walked over to her.
"You seem rattled." He said quietly. Fawn let out a small laugh.
"The day's events have tired me out, to say the least." Garth nodded and sat down beside her.
"It took some courage to do what you did in the meeting today." Garth said, making Fawn smile.
"I don't know whether it was courage or stupidity." She said, shaking her head as she looked at Garth.
"Standing up to Travis like that, that was courage." Garth laughed and then glanced at the ground.
"You think so? I feel like I made a life-long enemy." Fawn stayed silent, figuring there was some truth to that statement. Garth and Fawn sat there in silence for a few more moments.
"There was something I forgot to mention in the meeting." Garth said suddenly. Fawn looked at him, her mind whirling curiously.
"Section 8 and Section 6 are in an alliance." Fawn would've been shocked, but she almost guessed this information from the meeting. It made perfect sense, the way they acted, the attacks on Section 4.
"It's so obvious." Fawn mumbled thoughtfully and Garth nodded in agreement.
"And it seems they are trying to get Section 7 to join them." Fawn shook her head.
"They won't."
"I agree." Garth answered. Fawn looked at the boy, remembering this was the first time they had talked outside of meetings.
"What about Section 5?" She asked. Garth smirked and sat up a little straighter.
"We made our opinions...quite clear." Fawn couldn't suppress a smile. She couldn't imagine the pressure that Garth and Emma were under right now. She looked up, noticing it was getting dark outside. Fawn could feel the weight of the day's events pressing down on her and a wave of weariness washed over her.
"Garth?" He looked up at her.
"Yes?"
"Could you walk me to my room?" Fawn watched his eyes suddenly brighten.
"Of course." He said and stood up quickly, offering his hand. Fawn took it, his hand was soft and warm. Fawn wrapped her arm around his and began walking back toward the palace doors. As they passed a group of overseers Fawn saw Travis, Ruth, Lucas, and Ashton all standing in a circle laughing. Travis had an arm wrapped around Ruth's waist and her hand was on his chest. Travis seemed to spot Fawn at the same time as he slowly tipped his drink, watching her. Ruth stopped laughing for a second, Ashton and Lucas turned their eyes toward Garth and Fawn. Fawn felt like cowering against Garth, she could feel the judgmental stares pointed at both of them. Garth pretended not to notice them and continued walking towards the palace. The lights were dimmed in the palace foyer, but Fawn could still see where they were going. Garth slowly led Fawn up the staircase and she gave him instruction on the location of her room. It didn't take long to find it. Fawn's door was halfway open and she saw Violet cross the room. She must be preparing Fawn's bath. Garth let go of her arm.
"Well I guess this would be good night." Fawn suddenly felt childish.
"Goodnight Garth." She said softly.
"Goodnight Fawn." Garth's brown eyes looked into hers for second before he drifted away, moving silently down the hall. Fawn smiled to herself and opened her door the rest of the way.
"Oh Fawn! I see you're back, I was just getting your bath drawn. It will be ready soon." Violet said, standing in the bathroom doorway.
"Thank you, Violet." Fawn said, she slowly walked to her window and stepped out onto the balcony. She looked at the darkening sky.
"Violet?" Fawn said, turning and looking for her servant.
"Yes, my lady?" Violet came to her side.
"What do you think? About this war between the East and the West?" Violet shuffled her feet nervously at Fawn's question.
"That is not my place to speak, my lady." Violet ducked her head. Fawn looked at her servant.
"Where did you live before you became a servant?" Violet looked out across the garden, a longing filling her gaze.
"Section 8, my lady." Fawn looked at her servant. There was something distant in the servant's eyes. Fawn studied her a moment and Violet noticed.
"My lady we must get you out of this cool night air before you catch a cold." Violet shooed Fawn inside and into the bathroom. After a warm long bath Fawn settled down in her bed. It was welcoming, bidding her to sleep, but Fawn was restless. What if the crown was wrong? What if the West had a reason to rebel? Fawn closed her eyes and sleep finally came. Sleep and the smell of smoke.