Chapter 29

I sat at the table waiting for everyone to arrive. I’d been here and hour now. Mitz had made me breakfast, somehow knowing I didn’t want happy, cheery and left me alone with my thoughts.

It had been three days since I’d gone to that apartment. The teams were finding more women that the other side had tracked down. For the most part the women knew something was off, and were willing to move to a safe house. I needed to ask how they were feeding that many—and about a hundred other questions and details, like what were these women supposed to do with their lives now. That question plagued at me as well, so maybe I just wondered for myself more than them. Either way, I could probably help with something as they adjusted. Something. Anything.

For three days I’d been doing nothing, no that was a lie. I did get to change pin colors on the map. While I knew the significance of changing a red or yellow to green, I wasn’t feeling like I was actually doing anything important.

“Pretty serious thoughts for so early in the day, dynamo.” Chase stood leaning in the kitchen door, a coffee mug in his hand.

I grinned. “Thinking is the only thing I’m allowed to do right now.”

Alona came out of the kitchen. “You’ll get used to house arrest.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Speaking of that, I went to see Rena yesterday,” I shrugged, “she’s okay with never leaving the apartment.”

They went and sat in their chairs, giving each other side glances and heated looks.

“I can’t blame her for not wanting to leave.” Alona sent me a sympathetic look, “we’re known to Hubert’s team, but we didn’t suffer at their hands the way she did.”

I nodded and poked with my fork at the food on my plate. “She’s decided to keep it.” I glanced up at Alona, “she just doesn’t know how she’s going to feel, after—” I stopped when Alona covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes teared up.

“None of that, beloved.” Chase hugged her.

“None of what?” Leone and Bethany came in carrying their plates.

“Emotional moments.” Chase said as he kissed Alona’s hand.

“I’m all for that.” Daxx said as her and Troy came in. She gave Alona a hard look. “No crying and stuff.”

Alona cleared her throat. “Right. Sorry.” She grinned.

“Today is going to be a good day.” Rafael entered from the hall door.

Quinton was right behind him. “Guard trials today.”

“What’s that?” I looked at Daxx.

She yawned. “The day the second-year guards show us if they’re ready to join the royal guard.” She smiled. “I’m looking forward to it. Even had a nap so I could stay up.”

“Oh.” I nodded. “That will be cool to see.” I glanced to Rafael. “Is it tournament style?”

Rafael sat down. “More or less, but we do watch for certain styles and execution skill. A few are usually selected that don’t make the top grades—if we think they can improve with further training.”

I sipped my water. “And the rest? What happens to them?”

Quinton watched Mitz come in carrying a few plates. When neither of them were his, he looked at me. “They’re all guards by this point, but we only select the top fifteen or twenty to become part of the royal guards. The others will fill various posts.”

I nodded and watched as Arius and Paisley came in, all smiles and secrets mirrored in their expressions. I couldn’t begrudge their being happy.

Michael came in carrying his own plate. He looked at me sitting at the end of the table, then went and sat in his usual chair.

I had to work hard to not sigh out loud.

Victor and Crissy came in, holding hands.

I looked back at Rafael. “Maybe pick a few more at the top this year.”

His eyebrows when up. “For?”

I pushed my plate away and sat back. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glanced at my left arm. “I’ve accepted I’m living here,” I motioned around me, “in this realm.” Everyone looked at me. Michael sat there like he was a statue. “Am I wrong?”

Troy gave me a look that said I wasn’t.

“I mean between this,” I held up my tattooed arm, like they all didn’t know about it, “and now Hubert’s ogres know me, so I’m a new resident of Alterealm.” I shrugged.

“So why do you need more guards?” Daxx smirked at me, “thinking of starting a new team of your own?”

I looked at her. “That’s not a bad idea, but no.” I glanced at Michael and held his look as I spoke. “Because I’m not living here. Underground.” Michael’s jaw clenched. I looked at Troy. “Don’t get me wrong. These chambers are pretty cool, but I can’t do it. I need air, sunlight and—” I sighed. “Windows.” I shrugged. “I grew up, living on a ledge, in the air, I need the outside to be right there.” I looked at Paisley. “I can’t live underground; it makes me restless and I feel trapped.” She gave me a sympathetic look and a slight nod.

A feeling of warmth and comfort moved over me. I glared at Michael, “don’t do that.” I pushed back from the table. “You can’t avoid me, bark orders, and then try to comfort me.” I shook my head and stood up, glancing around the table. “I’m going to live at the palace, so find me some guards to help me watch a place that size.” I took a deep breath. “I’m going to the practice room.” I didn’t wait for any comments, just turned and left quickly. I could have been dramatic and ported, but that just wasn’t me. I was trying to stay who I was in all of this, despite overwhelming odds.

I looked at the bag. I wasn’t into it today. You could only hit a defenseless bag and pole so much before you just didn’t feel like exerting energy to do it. I’d been beating on these two inanimate objects for the last three days—a lot.

Paisley came over. “Are you willing it to participate?”

I smirked, “something like that.” I rolled my shoulders. “I just, need a real body on the other end of my frustration I think.”

She looked over her shoulder. “I could think of one.”

I glanced over to see Michael, standing off to the side of the mat talking on his phone. “Yeah, I can’t decide if I want to beat him or…” I shrugged.

She laughed. “I understand that. Completely.” She sighed. “So, the palace huh?” Paisley grimaced. “I’ll come visit, just don’t ask me to go on the roof or balcony. Actually, inside would be great away from windows.”

I’d forgotten she didn’t like heights. “It’s a whole palace, I didn’t get to see much but I’m sure there will probably be somewhere away from windows.”

“I’ve seen a bit of it too.” She motioned to the others, “Quinton said he wouldn’t mind living there again, Rafael, Leone and Beth as well.”

I was surprised. “Really? Even better I won’t be alone up there.”

“They moved to the underground chambers when Troy and Chase were born, because people knew they were the prophesised twin kings and wanted them dead.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Right,” she nodded, “so our kings, Arius, Leone and Raf have only ever lived in the chambers.”

I started to pull the wrap off my hand. “I had no idea.”

“I don’t see the kings or Victor moving there though, and they shouldn’t as they’re the tops in Alterealm.” She shrugged, “at least until all of team bad is stopped.”

I glanced over to where everyone else was. “I didn’t even think about ranks among them.”

Paisley smirked, “not that it stops them most of the time, but when it comes down to it there is an order to things.”

“Yeah, where does Arius rank?” I watched Arius spar with Quinton, they were really trying to get the other one.

“Fifth. After the kings, Victor, Michael and Leone.”

I looked back at her. “Michael is third around here?”

She nodded.

I shrugged, “explains why he’s so cold sometimes, I guess. Running a realm can’t be an easy gig.”

The rest of the women started coming toward us.

“None of them have an easy position. They don’t rule while sitting on a throne or gilded chairs. They’re the first ones up and last ones to sleep each day, or night.”

“I’ve noticed. They have my respect there. I wouldn’t have known any of them were royalty if I hadn’t been told.”

She grinned at me. “You’re royalty now, sis.”

My neck almost snapped when I looked back at her quickly. “I totally forgot that princess stuff.”

“Yep, you are Princess Autumn mated to The Law of Alterealm, Prince Michael Whitham.”

Several thoughts when through my head at once, I couldn’t speak a single one.

“What did you just do?” Daxx asked Paisley.

She grinned. “I just told her she’s a princess and her rank here.”

“Oh,” Daxx rolled her eyes, “at least you don’t have to be addressed that way.”

I huffed out a breath. “I guess. But really, in my whole life of wishing for things, being a princess was not one of them.”

“Says the woman that demanded to live in the palace earlier.” Alona said with a smirk.

I laughed, “I thought of asking for a house outside of here but thought that would just open up all sorts of new arguments and issues. The palace is theirs, and is sitting there empty.”

“It’s a good point.” Beth smiled. “Leone and I want to move there too.” She shrugged, “I know these halls here are endless, but once babies start being born, the rooms and renovations underground…” she shook her head, “Some of us moving to the palace will help with all of that.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Daxx mumbled. “Then again I still don’t want to think that either Alona or I, hopefully Alona, will be having the next twin kings.”

“Really? You know this?” I looked from one to the other.

“Prophecy says new twin rulers every five hundred years.” Crissy stated.

I didn’t know which part interested me the most, the twin rulers or that they’d be alive in five hundred years. I’d be alive then? “Wait, how long are we going to live?”

Daxx shrugged. “I’m guessing a long time if we’re having twins in two hundred and forty years.”

“Maybe they’ll be queen rulers, not kings.” Paisley smirked then motioned to the men. “That would change things around here.”

“I think the math is wrong.” Crissy said.

We all looked at her, she shrugged. “If there are new twin rulers in five hundred years, and they’re always coronated at one hundred years old, the twins will be born in one hundred and forty years, not two hundred and forty years.”

Daxx looked at her for a long moment. “Okay, but I can’t freak out about it for at least another seventy-five years.” She shook her head, “but yeah, queens would balance the testosterone around here.”

All of us turned to look at the men. Arius and Chase noticed immediately and stopped mid-action.

“Right now, I’d just like to fix Michael.” Daxx mumbled. “He’s being ridiculous.”

I snorted. “I overheard a conversation with Mitz after I busted my ribs. He doesn’t want a mate because he can’t live through the loss if anything happens to them,” I frowned, “me.”

Alona’s mouth dropped. “You’re joking, right?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Men.” Daxx muttered. “They don’t even know when they’re being stupid.”

We all looked at her.

“They do,” Beth looked all around the space above her head, “okay, most do. They just don’t know how to stop being stupid.”

I watched Michael sparing with Troy. His moves were fluid, without thought. I could watch him fight all day, I thought to myself. Saying it out loud would have sounded lame.

“What can we do?” Alona asked with a mischievous tone.

“There has to be something.” Daxx looked from Beth to Paisley, “to get through to him, or just to make a point so he’ll rethink things correctly.” She turned back to me, “guess you don’t want to beat on him yet.”

I looked over at Michael and bit my lip.

“That’s a no.” Alona said softly.

“Maybe not beat him, what about shove him around a bit?” Paisley looked at Beth.

Bethany grinned.

“Can I help?” Crissy asked. “Autumn saved my life, I don’t know how else to help her.”

“You don’t need to do anything, Crissy.” I assured her.

She looked disappointed. “Okay, but I’m telling Victor to get your guards. I understand needing space to breathe.”

“Thank you.” My gaze, without my permission, went back to Michael. Part of me was hoping he would keep looking at me. I sighed, “So what’s the plan?”

“A little tag-team action. Get the men out of the way first.” Paisley said quietly.

“I don’t think the men will interfere.” Daxx motioned toward them. “They’re on Autumn’s side, even if they don’t say it out loud.”

“I can’t physically contribute, but I can block his path if he tries to evade.” Alona smiled at me.

“Go grab a bow, Autumn.” Daxx started walking to the mat.

“A bow?” I looked at Alona.

“I think she means for you to challenge Michael.” Alona went toward the single door near the targets.

“A bow won’t do me any good, he’s got a sword, wooden or not a bow becomes a stick.”

“Grab whatever works then.” Paisley smirked and walked away with Beth.

“Going up.” Crissy whispered and ran for the ropes.

Exhaling, I went toward the weapons wall. I wasn’t skilled enough with a sword to fight Michael. I stopped and looked at my options. Shaking my head, I grabbed two batons. Sticking with what I knew was better. I still didn’t want to fight him, but I wasn’t going to bail on the girls. Spinning them from offensive to defensive, I walked toward the mat. Victor was standing with Troy off to the side, he kept glancing up to where Crissy was perched. Beth and Paisley were side by side, watching the men still sparring.

Quinton stumbled and fell back. He glared in the direction of Paisley and Beth. With a shake of his head, he got up and walked off the mat.

Rafael was the next to stumble back. He scowled at Beth, but didn’t say anything as he moved out of the way.

I turned to see both women’s hands up, arcs of light hovering over Beth’s and Paisley with a look of intense focus. Beth flicked her hand. I looked quickly to see Arius sitting on the mat giving his mate a curious look, before lifting his hands as he stood up and backed off the mat.

Leone watched Arius move and turned toward Beth. She shrugged at him. With a smirk on his face he followed his brother to the sideline.

That left Michael and Chase sparring.

Daxx gave me a look. I stepped onto the mat and watched for a moment to step in on Chase. I didn’t want to get smacked with a wooden sword. They were only practicing, but from the sound of their weapons colliding, it would still do damage.

Chase ducked the next swing; I took that opening and went under his weapon as he raised it—hoping Paisley would have my back and stop it before it came down on me.

I met a very surprised Michael’s swing, and blocked it with both batons raised against my forearms.

Michael lifted his sword away and frowned. He looked around to see his brothers off the mat. A serious blue-eyed stare came back to me. I stood in ready stance. He gave his head a brief shake and turned to go. He stopped suddenly, his head snapping to Arius. “Arius, ask your mate to release me.”

Arius stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. He turned his head slowly to look at his mate then shook his head. “Sorry, brother, can’t do it.”

Michael lifted his hands in surrender, then spun on his heel to head the other way. Daxx blocked his path. Michael turned to look at Troy, who shook his head denying the silent request to step in.

I watched his chest expand as he took a deep breath and looked to where Alona stood with her chucks spinning nonchalantly at her side.

“Chase,” Michael growled.

Chase grinned. “If you think I’m taking on our women to save your pride, brother, you’d be mistaken.”

Michael lifted his hand and dropped the wooden sword to the mat, then turned back to me. He held my look, his facial expressions giving nothing away.

In that moment I wished I could get a sense of how he was feeling, but there was nothing there but impenetrable ice. I lowered my arms, letting the batons hang loosely. I didn’t want this man’s surrender. Not like this. I wanted the warrior I knew him to be. If I was to have a mate, which I did now, for life it seemed, I wanted a man that could be an equal and understood my values. A man that understood who I had to be. My gaze moved over his face, noting the scar that had forever changed him. I inhaled slowly and turned to look at Daxx, I gave a slight shake of my head letting her know that this wasn’t going to go anywhere. Disappointment was evident in her expression. I dropped the batons, “I have furniture to choose.” I stepped back slowly, holding his look, hoping the delay would give him the time to say something. He didn’t. He turned on his heel and walked past Daxx to the single door.

Nodding to myself. I glanced over to Paisley and Beth, hoping the look on my face said thanks for trying.

“I’m an expert shopper.” Alona said, handing Chase her chucks. “I think we should furnish a palace today.”

Crissy dropped down from the ceiling on her cable. “Mitz will help.” She undid her cable, then turned to Victor. “Pick good guards for the palace, I’ll be visiting there often.”

He gave her a soft look. “As you wish, heart.” He said softly.

Troy came over to me. “Tell Mitz to give you the key for the storage. There’s more than enough furniture in there to furnish a few palaces.” Daxx came over, she gave him a look that I’m sure had some internal mate communication with it. He inclined his head. “I’ll see if we can get through to my brother.”

I shook my head. “It’s his own mind he has to accept, Troy, don’t waste your time.” I turned to go, then spotted the apologetic look Rafael was giving me. “What time do the guard trials start?”

“About three hours.” He answered, still with the look on his face.

“I’ll be there to check out the action.” I started for the door, then paused when I moved by Quinton. “I was thinking of starting a self defense class, for some of the women that we’ve rescued.” I shrugged. “Give them a boost in confidence and help them feel like they have some control in their lives.”

Quinton grinned. “I’ll talk to Liza and see how many women want that. It’s a great idea. I’ll help with them.”

I gave him an abrupt nod. “Thanks.”

Alona met me at the door. “Did I hear Troy say there was a whole storage room of furnishings?”

I nodded.

She looked elated. “Then we are re-decorating these chambers and a palace.” She laughed, excited. “And the best part is it’s free.”

I realized then, I wasn’t going to get away with a bed and table with a few chairs. I went out into the hall.

Daxx met my look, she rolled her eyes. “Shopping, oh goodie.”

“I had another idea.” Paisley said as she caught up to us. “I think we should give Autumn a makeover too.”

I frowned at her. “For what?”

She shrugged, “nothing drastic, just a different outfit, maybe some lipstick. For the buffet before we go to the training yard.”

I looked down at my leggings and tank top. She was right, maybe I could change it up a bit. “Okay. No frills, flowers, or poofy anything.”

Daxx laughed. “I really like you.”

Paisley nodded. “Got it nothing girly.”

We started down the hall. “And I’m putting my workout clothes back on before we go to the yard for the trials.”

“Of course.” She said with a smile.