ARROWS IN THE WOODS
ZARYA'S POV
We can't predict the future. For one hour, we were with them. Only one second can change everything.
After visiting Grandma, I brought the pain to the Elemental Kingdom. I kept on deep thinking, planning to be with my loved ones.
I was sitting on a chair with a square wooden table in front of me on the veranda. I was holding Hali's notebook. It took me so long to read all the contents of these. It was time to end reading it.
*****
Dear Poor Little Thing,
Zephyrus came with good news. You are going to come home. I did not believe him, of course. He's one great joker, but when I realized it was true. I prepared myself.
Prepare to be a good man.
Prepare to be a thoughtful lover.
Prepare to love you infinitely.
I am not sure if you will accept my confession. Probably when I have the courage, I will tell you… every single moment that I love you.
Will you be my wife and carry my child?
*****
A smile was visible on my lips when I answered it. I stroked the word Ýéœ using the feather pen.
After that page, I flipped to the other and started to take down notes of the places I wanted to go and the things I like to do with my friends and with him.
"Hot chocolate?"
I suddenly closed the notebook when a cup of hot chocolate was offered to me. "No, you'll take it." She placed down the cup in front of me. She gave me a full smile and sat beside me.
"Fira?"
"I thought you didn't recognize me." I did not know why she had the prettiest smile or if she was just happy that was why it reflected on her face.
"I will recognize you, of course. Luna Queen Fira Hayes, King Fire's wife. We once talked a long time ago." I gave back the smile to her. I grabbed the hot chocolate and sipped it.
As I placed down the cup, she held my hand. "Crap." She bit her lips. "I have an instinct that I have to do this. Stay strong."
I felt comfortable with her in spite of her position as the Luna Queen Of Element Fire. Probably because of the rumors about her that the Queen Fire was kind to her people. She was one of the omegas before she became King Fire's lover. I had no idea that it was possible for the laws of the Elemental Kingdom. It said that no high borns will marry low borns. It was a form of treason. They should be executed, but everyone had a story to tell. Possibly their story faces different struggles and worse than Hali and I, however, they overcame it.
Maybe I will look for the Alpha Kings' Love Book. Should I? Or I must ask her personally?
"Zarya, it's not always difficult." The twinkle in her eyes was soothing in my heart. "Probably now… yes. It's crap. Everything is so messed up. You don't know where your place is or what decision you should make-it will pass."
"What are you saying?" My eyebrows moved up. "Do you know something?"
She moved a little closer and whispered. "I heard Queen Haliana. She planned for your assassination during Full Moon."
My eyes widened. I could not speak up. Did she find out about us? Who tells her?
"In the woods, the guards will corner you. You should be vigilant." She looked around. "I'm sorry that you need to face reality. It's… crap. It's you know… I don't know the right word, but I want you to be safe."
I gasped her hand tightly. "Thank you."
"King Water trained me, molded me into a fearless omega. If it wasn't for him, Pyro and I wouldn't end up together. I'm just giving back his kindness." She touched the right side of my head. "Even the darkest place has a small light."
"I appreciate this, Queen Fire."
She chuckled beautifully. "You know me. Fira is enough." She hugged me so tight before disappearing to my side.
Even the darkest place has a small light.
My eyes sharpened. How can I hurt the mother of my lover? This is damn chaos. I am not afraid of the assassination. I am scared of not seeing Hali again.
I hurriedly flipped the notebook and wrote something. I hope Hali might see this before it was too late.
*****
I received a command from Queen Haliana. She would meet me in the woods. The time was almost coming.
I stared deadly at the knives hanging at my rocker. I walked to the cabinet with the fire in my system. I put on my warrior suit, the beta uniform. I put the knives on my thighs as I usually did. Others were calling me a Queen Of Knives because I mastered using many knives during the battle. Usually two. I loved to cut the throats of the enemies. However, Queen Haliana is supposed to have no bruises after my plan. I truly do not like to bury my knives in her.
I grabbed my black cloak from the closet. I headed to the mirror and gazed at myself, examining if I was ready.
For Hali… for our love.
I walked to the hallway. Every stomp was heavy. My eyes were alerted. If it could produce fire, it happened due to my overloading courage for this plan.
I hope I succeed.
I nodded at Seryo when I passed by him in the hallway. Obviously, he was heading to King Fire's quarter.
I was about to step again when his words stopped me. "Great Beta, did… King Water knows you are going out in the middle of the night?"
I cleaned my throat as I glared at him. "Who gives you permission to ask me?"
He just blew out a sigh. "Can you wait for me, so I'll accompany you-"
"Mind your own business. It's a command from the Great Beta."
I managed to be heartless, so he would not bother me. I left him with curiosity on his expression. I was not the kind of higher beta who would shout or be rude at people, especially when it was Seryo. He was like a friend to us, too.
After a few minutes, I arrived in the woods. As I expected, arrows instantly traveled through the air, pointing in my direction.