Maeve

I laid awake that night, unable to fall asleep, unable to even close my eyes. The queen’s thinly veiled threat echoed over and over in my head, and it hadn’t stopped since she said it, Here I lied. In the royal castle.

Everything I wanted to know, everything they kept from me was at my fingertips. Swallowing, I made my decision. Slowly I stood, careful not to wake Kalon. I crept out of bed and made my way painfully slowly out of the room. I wandered down the dark halls, unsure where to even begin.

The first and only place that came to mind was his garden. Allowing my feet to take me where they wanted, I headed towards what I hoped was the general direction of the ballroom and the garden. The castle was so much worse at night, when everyone was meant to be asleep. The meteorite didn’t glitter like it did in the sunlight, instead casting a pitch darkness over the hallways that forced me to use my hand along the wall as a guide. There was the occasional guard and I had to remind myself not to act suspicious. I was a guest and as long as I acted like one, I was mostly free to make a late-night roam. All my baser instincts had me wanting to hide behind pillars.

I was relieved when I reached the ballroom, and I took a moment to look around. It stood barren, empty now that wasn’t some festivity going on. It felt liminal, wrong, out of place without tons of people filling the room, the sound of music and the smell of food. I briskly moved through the room, not wanting to linger there any longer than I absolutely had to. I reached the glass doors to the garden and hesitated before the handle.

Elyas was out there. His back was to me, his front facing the fountain. He likely had no clue I was here. I didn’t want to encroach on his private moment, and I suddenly felt guilty for wanting to come here. He had said no one else was allowed here but him. Who was I to intrude on it?

He suddenly turned and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I started to dash away but halted when he smiled, waving me to him. Still hesitant, I opened the door, joining him outside.

“Are you sure this is okay? I don’t want to intrude,” I said, joining him at the edge of the fountain.

He shrugged, leaning on the fountain’s wall. “I brought you out here in the first place. And I made you return to the castle. Letting you join me is the least I can do.” He paused, knocking my shoulder playfully. “Besides, I don’t hate your company that much.”

I rolled my eyes, not able to hold back the smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, thank you,” I said, sarcastically.

I stared out at the garden, listening to the quiet splash of the water in the still night air. It had been such a short amount of time since I had been here last. Yet, it felt like a lifetime. So much had changed. I couldn’t help remembering what we had been doing right before everything had crumbled, the way his hand had gently cradled my head, his breath brushing my skin.

“Elyas…” I said, my mouth forming words on its own.

He glanced at me sideways. “Hm?”

“What if I had remained May? What would’ve happened? What would you have done?”

He seemed surprised at the question, his brow arching as he considered it. However, the longer he considered it, the more his expression darkened. He eventually turned away from me and I could’ve sworn he shuffled away a bit.

“Nothing. I wouldn’t have done anything. I mean, I am a fool, so I know I would look for you all the time, at every event. Hoping you would run into me, that you’d end up in the same closet with me again. But I’d never actively seek you out. And we’d remain… acquaintances. I won’t ever get someone I care about involved in this kingdom, in my life.”

My face warmed at his words, particularly the part where he insinuated I was someone he cared for. I gripped the wall tightly, willing my body to calm down, wondering how he was so composed.

He apparently hadn’t even realized what he had insinuated, as I noticed suddenly his expression very much mirrored the panic on my own. He cleared his throat, turning around to rest his back on the fountain.

“You- you care for me?” I asked, my voice wavering and I hated it. Hated how he made me feel, how powerless and small I felt next to him.

He chuckled and lowered his head. “More than I care to admit, Maeve.”

I had to steel my heart at its reaction to his words, reaching my hand into the cold fountain water to shock me back to reality. Kalon’s warning returned to the forefront of my mind, blaring at me. I had waved her off in the moment, telling her just how implausible her concerns were.

But why had my heart still not stopped fluttering?

I looked up at the stars and something caught my eye. A streak that was so brief, so fast. But it was there.

“Elyas… I think we’re being watched. I just saw a Mariposa.”

He frowned, turning back around. He watched with me a moment and I started to feel silly until finally it happened again, another streak through the sky.

He chuckled. “You really didn’t have many experiences besides killing people, huh?”

I shot him a glare, not seeing how that was at all relevant to our current danger.

He smiled at me, clutching my shoulders and turning me back to the fountain. He held me still, one hand slowly traveling over my neck to lift my head. “Those are meteorites, darling. There’s a shower tonight.”

I felt my face warm once again and I crossed my arms. “I knew that. I was just joking.”

He laughed, remaining behind me, his breath tickling the back of my neck. I wanted to lean back into him as I watched the streaks of light cross the sky, but there was an invisible barrier between the two of us, just as strong as the invisible pull between us.

“Showers are pretty common here, so you’ve likely seen one and just didn’t realize it. There are people designated to catching meteorites with giant machines that function like a net. That meteorite is used in all of our buildings,” Elyas explained.

“I had always wondered how these buildings were constructed. Have you ever watched them catch the meteorites?”

He nodded. “It’s really cool to watch, I imagine it’s a pretty cool job too. If a little dangerous.”

I grinned, shrugging. “I’ve never avoided dangerous jobs.”

Stolen novel; please report.

He laughed, his hands settling on either side of me similar to how he had earlier in the elevator. Just for a moment. Just for a second. Just let me lean on you for a moment, my brain chanted, begging me to give in, to ignore the warnings from Kalon, from myself. From even him.

I was relieved when he stepped way, just before I could do something stupid.

“What has you out so late anyways?” he asked.

“I’m at the royal castle, Elyas. I want to snoop. Sue me.”

He breathed a laugh. “What is it you’re looking for?”

I shrugged, glancing around at the intimidating possibilities.

“I don’t know. Where’s a good place to snoop?”

He studied my eyes a moment as he considered the question. He nodded. “Come with me.”

I followed him. He took me down several halls until we stopped at some locked double doors. He fished in his pocket, pulling out a key. He unlocked it and carefully pushed it open. My eyes widened impossibly huge as I took it all in.

Before me was a library TOWER. I make no exaggeration when I say it must’ve been fifteen stories tall. He smiled and took my hand, helping break me out of my paralysis to step inside.

“I… I don’t know where to start.”

He shrugged. “What are you looking for?”

I hesitated as the answer came to me. “I want to know more about Veralis… I’m curious about what’s going on there.”

I saw his jaw clench from the corner of my eyes. Almost reluctant, he pulled me to a secluded corner of the library. He scoured the rows a moment, before handing me a book. The book had no title, but upon opening it, it read “The History of Veralis”.

I winced at the size of the book.

“I can give you the abridged version, Maeve,” he said softly, like he was worried he would frighten me away like a scared animal.

I looked up to him. “Please? What is that place? Who are those people? And why did the Mariposa hide it from me?”

“Veralis is a place few know about… Even fewer care. At one time, it was its own kingdom. Small but optimistic. Foolishly, they tried to contend with us. Greedily, we made them pay.” He averted his gaze, and I knew there was more. “Arcelia utterly destroyed them. But some of the people remained. Those survivors were made into slaves to do Arcelia’s bidding.”

My blood ran cold as my hands shook. I stepped back slightly.

“I wonder… If maybe…” I muttered, scared to voice the question.

“If that’s where you’re from?” he finished for me quietly.

My heart skipped a beat at the voiced thought. Still processing, the heart jumped out of my throat when he suddenly grabbed me. One hand around my waist, the other on my mouth. He yanked me into the very corner, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

“We’re not alone.”

I looked and sure enough, there were flashlights in the library. I assumed they were guards, but as one came our way, I saw it was Mariposa.

That was so much scarier.

“Climb, Maeve. They’re going to find us,” Elyas whispered.

I looked beside me to see a ladder. I swallowed as the Mariposa came closer.

“Go!” he whisper-shouted.

Taking a deep breath, I started up the ladder, jumping every four rungs. Elyas followed right after me. I reached the second story when they noticed us.

“There! Open fire!”

I swore, jumping on top of the narrow bookcase as a bullet came flying at what would’ve been my ankle. I leaned down, reaching out my hand. Elyas jumped for it, grabbing me and pulling himself up. Another shot fired at us, skimming my side. Gasping in pain, I felt my body tilt at the impact. He grabbed me and pulled me upright, before pushing me forward. I took off running as they fired over and over at my feet. I skipped and hopped, praying all my training as an assassin would pay off.

At the edge now, I swallowed before leaping across to the top of another bookshelf. Turning on one foot, I watched Elyas gauge it.

“Come on! I’ll catch you!”

I swore as a Mariposa fired at me. I jumped out of the way and leaned forward to offer my hand. A Mariposa dove for him from the air and Elyas narrowly swerved him, leaping off and throwing himself at me. I caught him, turning us around and pushing him this time. We took off running once again and watching Elyas gave me secondhand anxiety. He wasn’t exactly as graceful as I was.

Near the doorway now, I shouted. “Dive for it and run! I’m right behind you!”

He did as I said, nearly missing several bullets. One caught him though, throwing him to the ground.

“Elyas!” I shouted. I took off in a dash, leaping to the ground, faster than the Mariposa could follow. Coming to his side, I helped him to his feet.

“Go, Maeve. I can run, I’m fine.”

I shook my head, glancing over my shoulder at the Mariposa gaining on us. I yanked his arm over my shoulder and took off running. He grunted a frustrated breath before pushing me forward until I was forced away from him. Before I could argue, he took off running, limp and all.

I followed after him, the both of us going in zigzag motions to avoid their bullets. When we turned a corner, I skidded to a stop, my body paralyzed.

Azriel stood before me.

Missing an arm.

“Give it up, Maeve. And I’ll make sure your death is quick and painless.”

“Where am I from?” I shouted back impulsively, unable to stop myself.

He flinched, taken aback. “Really? You need to know THAT bad?”

Tears filled my eyes. “Yes, damn it. If I’m to die, knowing is my final wish.”

Elyas was beside me, looking like at any moment he’d bolt if he thought he could.

I was grateful he didn’t.

Azriel rolled his eyes. “I was honest when I told you I’m not certain where you’re from. I did get you out of the lower tier. Where you came from is a mystery to me, though I have my theories.”

I tilted my head. “Speak 'em.”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you were a child of a Veralian, Maeve. The kingdom fell shortly before I found you.”

The tears came full force now as a deep emptiness filled me.

Azriel tilted his head. “Will you come peacefully now? So, we can end this madness?”

I clenched my fists. Moving swiftly, I stepped closer and kicked his legs out from under him then stomped on what was left of his right arm. He shouted in pain as Elyas and I took off once more. We didn’t stop running until we reached mine and Kalon’s room. I threw the door open.

“Kalon! Grab your stuff! We have to leave now!” I shouted.

She immediately jumped to her feet. We flexed our backs, our wings coming to us.

Elyas’ eyes were wide. “Oh shit! That’s cool! Mine don’t do that!”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing my bag.

“We’ll have to stop by my room to get my wings,” he added, as we started toward the door.

I arched one brow.

He laughed. “I can’t exactly stay here, can I?”

I shrugged. “Better hang on then, you know the drill.”

He grinned this time, latching onto me. We took off flying down the halls, the Mariposa back on our tails now. Elyas gave me instructions to his room as we dodged bullets. We were doing well, until Azriel managed to gain on us, flying out in front of us.

“Cheap shot you took back there, but now you’re cornered,” he said, aiming the wrist gun at my head.

Before I could react, Kalon fired her grappling at him, swinging him into a wall and flying off. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for her quick thinking and followed after her. We made it to his room where he claimed his wings. Smashing a window, we jumped out.

“We might never come back this time, Prince,” I shouted to him.

He didn’t respond for a moment.

“I’ll have to. One way or another, I must return,” he finally said.

***

Elyas’ POV

After everything we had went through, here we were again. Back at Maeve’s tent. Right back where we started. I sighed heavily in frustration as the three of us sat down.

“Elyas… You know as well as I do who sent them,” came Maeve’s stern voice.

I kept my eyes closed, subconsciously blocking her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

A slap came at my face. Light, but enough to make me look at her. Her eyes were blazing as she glared at me. “Your dear mother nearly threatened us earlier tonight.”

That got my attention harder than her slap. “How?” I asked, concern filling my voice.

“When you were getting her coat. She told Maeve and I she knew we were Mariposa. And that she knew they were after us and she wouldn’t protect us,” Kalon explained.

I frowned, my brows furrowing. “So, she knows who the Mariposa are and that you’re a part of them. It makes sense for her to be aware of such a threat. And while telling you she wouldn’t protect you is very cold, it’s not an outright threat, Maeve,” I argued.

This only infuriated her more, her fists clenching. “You weren’t there! She made sure of that much! You didn’t see the hatred in her expression or on her face!”

I shook my head, starting to get fired up as well. “I’m not killing my mom, Maeve, and I won’t let you!”

Kalon rolled her eyes. “What do you suggest we do then, Prince Charming? If we don’t get Mariposa off our backs, forget being hunted, we’re dead men walking right now. They’re going to get us, and it won’t be long.”

I didn’t reply, having no idea how to answer that.

I watched Maeve calm down as she considered the question. When she finally spoke, she didn’t lift her eyes, her voice grave:

“If we’re not going to kill the one SENDING the Mariposa, there’s no choice but to kill the Mariposa. Every. Single. One.”