Author's Note: Hey, I'm sorry that I update earlier, but it was because I had writers block and everything that came to mind seemed to cliche, but I hope you like this. It's a long chapter that sets up the story. Luxa is a bit OOC because of her happiness, but come on, if you were engaged, wouldn't you be ecstatic? The rest of the charaCters are pretty good IMO. I was really inspired for more ideas and will continue this story as long as I reach a certain number of reviews or visitors. For the next chapter, I would appreciate a total of 10 reviews which means 6 more, or 50 more visitors to my story. I there are spelling errors, but I just wanted to post the chapter. When my next chapter is posted, I will update number 1/2. Thank you, and let's get onto the Fic.
Luxa's POV: It was overwhelming, the feeling of being truly in love, and about to be bound in such an everlasting way. It made me giddy, like I was floating on a cloud of bliss. Every time I glanced up at Gregor behind me on Aurora with his strong arms wrapped around my waist, I smiled with insurmountable happiness. As soon as we reached the Grand Hall, I bid farewell to Gregor so I would go to Vikus and tell him of our engagement.
"Vikus," I greeted as if our arguement not two hours before had never even occured, "I want-" He abruptly cut me off saying, "Luxa I would love to save the marriage conversation for another day, but matters have changed." "I don't care what little dignitary's son you have set up to meet me. I wanted to tell you," I took a deep breath and exhaled the news, "I am engaged to Gregor." Vikus took a step back dumbfounded, "What? How can this possibly be? Did you go to Overland or-" This time it was my turn to cut him off saying, "It was quite miraculous, he was there because of me, and I was there because of him and I went up to-" For the next half hour (although it definently seemed longer) it was a series of Vikus interrupting while I told him the tale that lead to my happiness. I didnt care because as all people know, including him, was that when I had a goal in mind, or was in an argument: I. Always. Won. My dear old grandfather kept trying to explain to me how there was an 'esteemed gentleman' he 'thought would make an excellent match', 'far more suitable than Gregor'.
After I finally escaped Vikus, I met with Gregor in my, excuse me, soon-to-be-our chambers. After excessive kissing, we finally settled on the couch. We spent a good portion of that evening catching up on who we were, and the experiences we had had during our separation.
"Tell me all about your time in Overland Gregor. I had only heard a short version from Mrs. Cormaci, and I am sorry that you had gone through that state, but am very glad you thought so much of me." I said, looking up at him, for I was in his lap, encased with his arms. He brushed back a stray piece of hair and asked, "Well, what did she tell you?" "She said that you were very distressed, and crying for days in isolation." I answered. His face turned sad for a moment, as if remembering those times. "She was correct, it was like I was stuck in a never-ending pit of sadness, and could never climb out. I think I almost went insane. But the parts that she and my family saw weren't the worst of it. It was the nightmares. For weeks on end, that turned into years, I was haunted by nightmares. Each one was of me losing you, or you dying, and me never getting to see you again. But when I woke up, instead of being relieved, I was even more sad because I knew my nightmares were my reality. There was no escape from the torment of us being apart Luxa. I was getting to a point where I wouldn't eat, or take care of myself. It scared my family so much that they had to send Boots and Lizzie down to Mrs. Cormaci to avoid the monster I had begun. I had," he said, his face turning ashamed, " even started to have plans to commit suicide." I looked at him wide-eyed in disbelief, that my warrior could have crumbled so. Adjusting his grip on me, Gregor continued, "What Mrs. Cormaci didn't tell you was that she caught me in the act. I was going to jump myself of the roof of our apartment. But she stopped me, and brought me down to her apartment for a lecture I will never forget. She literally shamed me into getting out of my depression, but I wish she hadn't. She probably told you that my inner rager that had not been used in so long, came back in full force. After my parents forced me to go back to school, I was known as the 'sickly boy who stayed home', I was teased and humiliated. So finally one day, I let loose, and just stared attacking everyone within sight. I even remember punching my principle. I was told that the nurse had to put me on sedatives so that they could haul me off to rehab. When I came out, I was a bit better, and the thoughts I had had about killing myself and violence were ridded by counseling. I had been notified of my explusion, so that was when my family packed itself up, and went to Viriginia where we could 'start a new life'. The anger went away, and so did the sadness, but not the pain of not being with you." he let his words sink in, and I was astonished at how much I did to him, and how strong his love was for me. The silence that had settled was broken when he said, "This is enough about me, I want to hear about you, and everything that happened."
"As you know, I could not express my feelings so... freely," I said searching for the words, "if I had shown what a state I was in, they would have put Howard on the thrown for lack of stability. As it was, for a month after, Howard was the one running Regalia. That was my grace period, but surprisingly it was Nerissa who forced me to remember that I had a kingdom to look after. I went straight back to work, and trained, and did everything I could to keep you out of my head. As it is, it di no good. Everywhere I looked, there was something that reminded me of you. I couldn't go to the Arena without remembering all our training sessions, and the first time I met you. I couldn't get dressed without remembering some article of clothing I wore when we did something together. I couldn't do anything, it was like a tidal wave hit me every time I thought of you. But I kept it in, and released all my frustration in training, and all my pain in tears at night. But enough of that," I said, stopping myself from wallowing in how I was. "Enough of that. You don't want to hear of my sadness, but what has fallen upon Regalia. I became queen, and it was the grandest affair we had had in years. Work, production, everything was cancelled so that citizens could come to watch my coronation. It was a day of merry-making and laughter, and was probably the first time I had smiled since you left. Then there was the war against the cutters. The second largest since the Prophecy of Time. The Cutters had rallied up the Spinners, the Diggers, and a few hundred Crawlers who were unhappy about a piece of land we did not permit them to settle on. At first, the outcome seemed unknown, with the Diggers being how they were. Even though our numbers were great, what with the Fliers, Regalians, Gnawers, Nibblers, and the remainder of the Crawlers. But eventually, we crushed them utterly." "As only you could," Gregor commented. "Hazard almost got himself killed, wanting to fight. He has received a rebel side, despite the wishes of Hamlet {I forgot his father's name}. The fool put himself on the front lines, where he imagined that he could handle 5 Cutters at a time. He received a good lesson which consisted of a few broken bones and mangled flesh. And there was that one moment..." I trailed off, trying to blot the memory from my mind. The one that I could never let Gregor know. Quickly recovering from my stutter, I picked up from Hazard's injuries. "If it wasn't for Howard, Hazard would not have made it out." Not seeming to notice my pause, Gregor asked, "How is Howard anyway?" I smiled at the question, "He," I said pausing at the irony, "got married." Gregor laughed saying, "Are you kidding me? To who?" "Yes, it was quite unexpected. She's a lovely Regalian whose father was a grand military officer before being taken by renegade Gnawers." Gregor's expression turned stone-like in surprise because of the Gnawer's mention. He asked, "Weren't they taken care of by your bond with Ripred?" I grew serious for the first time since I was reunited with Gregor, explaining, "The vast majority are indeed loyal and were a great asset against the Cutters a year and a half ago. But there are stirrings or Gnawers. Hybrids created by some of the Banes blood. Having almost equivalent strength and size to the original Bane. And if there was a whole army of Banes," "It would destroy Regalia." Gregor finished for me. I caressed his arm, to be reasuring, "They were just rumors, but then Ripred started being unusually secretive." Gregor pulled me into the position to straddle him, and he said, "Enough of conversation about Gnawers. We should be happy. We're engaged." Gregor put his hand on my back, and drew me closer, pressing his lips against mine. I encircled my arms around his neck, and his ther hand went around my waist. When Gregor's tongue started touching mine, was when we started kissing for real. It was 4 years of longing and passion thrown into that one kiss.
Of all times to be interrupted, Ripred came strolling in, as if it was a daily occurrence to walk in on me and Gregor in locked embrace. We immediately broke apart, the fire that had developed, instantly quenching at Ripred's appearance. "I'd heard you were back, rager. I bet all the cream and shrimp in the world that you didn't practice your echolocation." he snarled, settling himself on the couch across from ours. "Well, there was-" "Excuses, excuses, excuses, you were always full of them. And you didn't even bring me any of Mrs. Cormaci's food," Ripred said. I was thoroughly irritated with him, and asked, "Was there any reason why you came here? Or was it just to give Gregor one of your 'warm welcomes'?" "Well there is my queen," he said doing a mock bow, "Believe me, it was not the highlight of my day walking in on you to sucking each others faces off. You see Luxa, and Gregor soon-to-be-Underlander, someone left a message. One addressed to the both of you, and since this one over here," he gestured to Gregor, "just arrived. I can't imagine who it's from." Despite the sarcasm, Ripred's sarcasm go through. Making me wonder myself how someone knew he was here despite Vikus and Aurora. "Well I'll leave you guys to it, and Luxa," he said after handing me the note, "I advise you not the mess up the bed too much, though I can't imagine a reason why I would say that,"
Gregor: "Classic Ripred," I stated, "He didn't even give me a hug," Luxa put her small hand on my arm saying, "I think there are more important things to worry about than why Ripred didn't embrace you when you clearly sstink of Overland to him. Focus on this," she said shoving the note in my face, but when she read it herself, her already pale face turned ashen with a look of fear and anger. "Read. It." she commanded.
I KNOW YOUR SECRETS. IT'S A SHAME YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM. MEET MY DEMANDS. OR PAY THE PRICE OF YOUR LOVE- P