Goooood... Morning? I don't know, it's lunch time here, so I'm not sure...
So, it seems like I have failed to post this yesterday... Sorry... ͼ(ݓ_ݓ)ͽ Anyway, I'm publishing today, so screw it... So, how's your day going? How is your summer going? Mine is going too hot, seriously, my house is cooler than the street outside, I don't even know how can people stay in the beach with such blazing heat... It just fails to me...
Anyway, from what I've read in your reviews, ya'll enjoyed last chapter! And I have a suggestion to make it more grapphic, which means... You know I'm gonna do it, ya'll. (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) And it's chapter is extra large, to make up to you...
REVIEW ANSWER TIME!
- Midnight Sin 009, you're right, it's about time they hooked up. And yes, sure I accept your help with the juicy scene. :D
- LadyDiamond92, thank you, and I'm glad you like the dialogue! It's was a little bit hard to write... :D
Got nothing more to say, than letting you know that I LOVE YOU ALL and it's TOO HOT!
ON THE FIC!
Chapter 12: Adeshia.
The sun was high in the sky as they crossed the desert on foot, in the middle of the hottest day they had ever faced. Seena walked beside the group, complaining about the heat, and the fact that she was thirsty, but the group had long stopped hearing to her complaints; they felt the same way as her, and thinking about it only made it worse. They all tried their tricks; Tilie made herself a cooling potion (which she shared with everyone else, leaving almost nothing to each), Sky had her side skirt over her head to cover from the sun, Jace was shirtless and dragged his sword behind him, the metal having heated up too, Zander was also shirtless and had isolated himself from his fire, Aida had her braid tied around at the base of her head and Diego had stripped himself of his shirt and had it over his head. As to Malia, she had pulled the hood of her black cape over her head and hid herself under the material. How she was able to put up with the heat, no one knew.
"Roogueee!" Seena yelled "I'm hot!"
"If you stopped shouting like a child, you wouldn't be so hot. The fact that you're pulling by your vocal cords is one of the reasons why you're so hot." Malia explained, looking down at her with a serious glint in her eye. "Everyone here is feeling in the skin the high temperature, Minnie, yet you're the only one complaining... You don't need to do that all the time. Just relax and take it all in. It will be over soon, I promise."
"I'm sorry, Rogue..." Seena whispered, pouting "I should have been more considerate with the others..."
"Yes, you should have. But that's okay. We forgive you…"
The rest of the walk was quiet, only a few quiet whispers bothered the silence that settled upon them. Nothing else was said, but a lot was thought. Sky eyed Diego from time to time, Tilie's lips moved from time to time, to show that she was thinking about cold things. Aida was groaning 'penguins' and Jace had his eyes closed, definitely imagining cool baths and naked women around him, inside the same baths. Zander... Well, he was being himself, and was probably thinking abiut something totally Zander-ish that would make Aida's brain turn to rot and make everyone else dizzy with the complicatedness that it really was.
"Halt!" a voice awoken them from their thoughts. Looking up, it was one of Adeshia's guards that, once again, got Aida, Sky and Tillie giggling like fangirls. "State your business."
"Remove yourself from my front." Malia ordered, in the coldest voice she could muster, her face still hidden by hood.
"Who are you to speak to my authority like that?" he asked, pulling out his sword. Malia smirked and removed her hood slowly, before looking the man in the eyes.
"Remove yourself from my front immediately." she said again. The man looked at her face and froze. He started stammering, and gulped, recognizing her immediately. Malia rose her eyebrows and the man started running around like a little scared mouse, to open the gates for them to pass. Nodding when they did, the bronze haired girl pushed the cape over her shoulders, in a way that it only covered her back, and waltzed her way inside Adeshia.
Her face was immediately recognized by the people, and all started to clear up space for her to pass. Aida was amazed with her friend's reputation in the streets of the country. Clearly she was feared. Seena gulped and walked to Malia, looking up to her. The woman smiled and winked at her, before turning her expression into an evil, cold one and stopping, reaching out for two apples, giving one to Seena and taking a bite of the other. The girl ate with glad, hiding behind the Malia's legs.
"Rogue." a voice said.
"Diego." she smirked, and turned to face him.
"Who knew that you would set foot here once more?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"This is my home, after all. Are you going to forbid me from coming here?" she raised her brows.
"You and I both know that no one can tell you to do a thing. You're too much of a wild bitch."
"Guilty of all charges." she smirked "Where to, boss?"
"The Silk." he said "Catalina said she misses having you as her model."
.~.~.
The group was walking through the streets of Adeshia when they arrived a neighborhood. Diego walked them through the familiar passage that led to the Silk. Hearing the familiar sounds of music and pleased voices, Malia allowed a soft smile to grace her face. Pushing the door open, Diego told a woman to bring him Catalina, that he had a surprise for her. And that she should come fast, because the surprise wasn't very patient. And said woman, Catalina, arrived few moments after the woman that received them went to get her. The woman's voice ringed at her ears before she saw her.
"Diego, you better have a damn good reason for why to you dragged me away from a very important meeting to come to-!" but immediately stopped when she saw Malia.
The bronze haired girl opened her arms to the woman and the latter one immediately ran to her, wrapping her arms around her. Malia immediately hugged her back, letting herself fall in the warmth that the embrace provided her. It was long since the last time that the two have seen each other, and the longing between the two was enormous. Pulling away slightly, Catalina smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes, before pressing a small kiss in Malia's lips. The girl smiled and rested her forehead against hers, before pulling away.
"I knew you would come back..." Catalina whispered, caressing Malia's face.
"I never said that my leave was forever, Lina..." she told her "But I didn't come back the same, love."
"What do you mean?"
"I fear that you and I may have a lot to discuss. Especially when it comes to our... Relationship."
"Do you wish to come to a more secluded room?" She asked, eyeing the group.
"Yes, please." Malia nodded "It would be for the best."
Catalina took them to a room in the back, that no one ever used, and opened the door for them, allowing them to enter, and closing the door behind herself. Sitting down on one of the cushions, she sighed and turned to Diego, whom merely shook his head and pointed at Malia. Zander switched his gaze from Malia to Diego, trying to understand why did Catalina, the owner of the Silk, had kissed Malia, his Malia, if he dared to say. But he didn't, so he kept quiet, sitting next to Tillie, but the dwarf must have understood his feelings, for she grabbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.
"So?" Catalina asked "Rogue, I'm thinking about the worst, so just please, tell me what changed."
"My heart did." She explained "I still love you, Lina, and I always will, but someone else took place there. And, unfortunately for the others, fortunately for me - I think - that person occupies a lot of space. Almost every space that I have left in my heart."
"You're in love with someone else." Catalina smiled "That's what you're trying to tell me, right?"
"I don't think it's pure love. But it is definitely a major attraction, and it is taking over my heart. I'm sorry, Lina."
"Why would you be sorry, silly girl?" Catalina smiled "That's everything I've ever wanted for you. Is it not?"
"Yes, but I thought you would be sad that..." Malia started, but Catalina laughed and told her "Of course I'm sad that our little rendezvous is over, but I want you to know that I'm happy for you. Thank the Old Kings that you have someone in your life. Other than that constant shadow, Ryker."
"He's history, Catalina. And I thought that you, of all people, knew that better."
"Of course I know... I'm sorry."
"It's okay..." Malia said, smiling "Should we take a walk around town? Call me a bitch, but I missed the feeling of being feared."
"Fine, bitch." Diego smirked "Let's go."
As they walked around in the busy streets of Adeshia, some commotion started to be heard. Malia instinctively reached out for her whip, and stood alert. Diego eased a hand on her shoulder and frowned, trying to understand where the commotion was coming from. And the answer came, in the shape of a man. A well-built and tall man, with dark skin and angry look. His hair was dark brown, and spiky, and his eyes were blazing, the right one brown and the left one red. A nasty scar covered the latter one, and a zigzagging tattoo encircled the other one. He wore an opened black vest, ripped at the shoulders, and black pants, a brown strip of leather crossing his chest diagonally and tying to a brown belt around his waist, his hands being covered with bandages. He walked to the group and, when his eyes landed on them, he stopped.
"Rogue." He said, his voice filled with anger.
"Ryker." She said, raising her eyebrows "Move. You're in my way."
"I thought they were joking when they said you were back. But apparently, they weren't. You really are back."
"Don't worry cutie, I'm not planning on staying for long. And seeing your ugly ass face just decreased my staying here."
"How is that scar of yours?" he bit "You know, the one I made with my dagger?"
"Oh, it's better than you'll be in a few seconds if you don't go away." Malia threatened.
"Oh, little fox is back! Never thought I'd see the day, especially after that time I got you begging for-" BAM!
Ryker's words were followed by Malia's fist on his face, taking him down to the ground in one movement. Her growling could be heard between her teeth and her eyes sparkled of her blue fire, burning with passion. Zander sensed the wave of power taking over her and immediately grabbed the girl's wrist, snapping her attention back to him. His gaze told her everything, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. When her beating heart finally slowed to a more healthy pace, she closed her eyes and straightened her back, nodding quickly to Zander.
"You authentic bitch." The Adeshian swore, glaring at her "I'm going to kill you..."
"The Queen's guards!" A child shouted, running inside the markets at full speed "The Queen's guards are here! Run! Hide! Find shelter, for the Queen's guards are here!"
"Fuck." Malia whispered "Diego, take them to the hideout. We all know I'm the one they're after."
"Let's go." the Adeshian male said, taking Sky's arm. Zander frowned and asked "Why?"
"Because I don't want you in danger. Go. We'll meet later, once I break a run from the palace. But right now I have to go."
"I'm not leaving without you." Zander stated, taking her hand in his. Malia smiled and caressed his face with the tip of her fingers.
"I know. But I really need you to go. Don't worry, what they'll do to me isn't something new; I'm used to it. And I've escaped that palace a lot of times before, so nothing should change."
"What they'll do to you? What do you mean by that? Will they harm you?" Zander asked, his grip on her hand tightening.
"Of course. They need to feel like they're in charge. Don't worry though. I'll be fine. I'll be back in two days. I promise, baby. If you miss me that much, at noon of two days from today, stand in the castle doors and look up to the highest tower of the palace. I'll meet you there."
"Be safe." he whispered. "I will." she replied, winking. Stepping away from him, Malia told them to run, and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the commotion of the mass just around the corner.
"Took you long enough." she smirked, before being grabbed by one of the guards and pushed to the ground.
.~.~.
"Ouch..." a whimper echoed in the cold dungeon.
Malia had her knees on the stoned floor, her head hanging low. Her arms were locked by chains to the wall, and the girl was limp, strength had left her long ago. Her face was bruised; cheek purple and lip swollen, but she didn't pay attention to the pain. She had been stripped down to her underwear so that only her most intimate areas were covered, and the many scars that marked her growing were showing, and bruising as well. Her so precious whip had been used to abuse of her back, but she knew that those scars would heal to nonexistence; her fire was already working on that. But was she actually complained about was the busting that they had done to her stomach.
"I think it's safe to bring in the Queen. She is weak enough." one of the guards above her said.
"The Queen would never enter this dungeon, are you stupid? Let's bring her to the throne room. She will receive this bandit there." the other spoke, crossing his arms.
"Put a tunic over her, at least. Let's not harm the Queen's eyes with such prudish show." The third said, seeming to be the captain.
The first guard threw a white tunic over her. It was a simple long cloth, with cuts all the way down to her arms and legs and a hole for the head. Malia sighed when the captain and the second guard took her chains from the wall and held them, relaxing the girl's arms for a moment. Gulping when the tissue stuck on her wounds, Malia looked up to the captain. He looked down to her and shook his head. The first guard helped her stand up and the second one grabbed her head, only to pull the strap that held her ponytail up, letting the bronze locks fly around her.
"Leave." the captain said, once they exited the dungeon "I'll take her to the Queen."
The two nodded and left, and the captain said "What are you doing with your life, Rogue?"
"I honestly have no idea of what you are talking about, Jean..."
"Come on, girl... I've seen you grow up inside this palace. You were practically educated inside that dungeon! Why do you keep coming back?"
"Because Calida hates me." she smirked "Simple as that."
"Queen Calida does not hate you. She just doesn't like you, but she could never hate you..."
"You know...? When I ran away from this place, when I was a child, I never expected to come back here. And yet, when I was at death's doors, this was the only place I could think of going to."
"No matter what, this place is home, Rogue. No matter what..."
"I know, Jean..."Malia sighed, standing in front of the large doors "What do you think she's going to do this time? A speech, or she's gonna hit me too? May I remind you that death sentence doesn't work for me anymore..."
"It doesn't work, because you always find a way to escape, you rabid dog." Jean said, shaking his head with a smile "I'll leave you to her. Good luck getting out this time."
"What, you're not going to leave a window open for me?" Malia asked, faking a surprised gasp.
"I get in too much trouble for you, girl. You're on your own, this time." He said, opening the large doors in front of them.
"Fine. But the third story window will go down on your paycheck." She threatened, entering the doors and looking in front.
Sitting on the large wooden throne in the middle of the room was a lady. A tall and elegant lady, with tanned skin and butter caramel eyes, carefully painted in black. Her blood red painted lips were pursed and her expression was calm. Her gown was blood red and black, the skirt being decorated with flowery imprints in gold. Around her neck was a thick golden collar with a red jewel and over her carefully brushed chocolate locks rested a golden crown. Seeing Malia entering the room, she stood up and walked to her, eyeing her from above, and saying, in a poison-filled voice:
"Hello, Rogue."
A/N: There you have it, people! What do you think? Enough to satisfy your curiosity, and still ask yourselves who the heck is Ryker? Hehe, that shall be revealed soon. But not too soon. Hit that fav and follow button, and leave a review to let me know your thought on the matter!
Lots of love from this weirdo,
LoneeWolf :)