Chapter Twelve: Discovery
Chapter Twelve: Discovery

            Rath sighed contentedly and stared up at the ceiling.  Ava was nestled in his arms and all was right with the world.  Except in a week, he would be married, an official member of the Royal Family.  God, how had he gotten into this mess?  When he met first met Zan, they hated each other.  But, he fell head over heels for the princess.  He courted her for a while, and made peace with her brother.  Then in a harrowing couple of days, the King died, Zan took the throne, as well as a bride.  Ava.  She was like Rath, thrust into a Royal situation and having nearly no say in the matter.  Their love for Zan and Vilandra, in a strange way, brought them together.  Their first night together filled them with an interminable amount of guilt.  Even now, he knows she gets a pang when leaving her husband and when he looks into Vilandra's trusting eyes, his heart constricts.  How is it possible to love two people so much?  Why are relationships so hard?  "It's not just about you!  What you do affects me.  That's how relationships work, and whether you like it or not, we are in a relationship!  Okay, so go ahead and hate me, but I'm not gonna let you get hurt.  I care about you too much."  Confused, Rath scratched his head.  He can't remember anyone ever saying that to him.  But it's not the first time he's heard that voice.  Who is she?

            "Mmmm," Ava groaned from his arms.  "Who's who?"  Rath cleared his throat quickly, not realizing that he had spoken aloud.  "No one," he smiled, leaning down to kiss her.  As Ava pulled him further atop her, the bedroom doors flew open, and a stunned gasp filled the room.

            Rath dashed out of bed, quickly covering himself with his robe.  "Vilandra …" he started.  Ava held one hand over her mouth and the other clutched the sheet to her body.  Vilandra's eyes were wide and darted back and forth between the two.  Rath made a move towards her, but she held up her hand.  "Stop," she seethed, "not another move."  Rath closed his eyes briefly, his breathing ragged.  "How long?" Vilandra spat out, "how long?!"  "Long enough," Rath whispered, his voice filled with regret.  Vilandra shook her head, chuckling maniacally.  If she didn't laugh, she would scream.  "I knew it was someone," she said to Ava, "I just never imagined you would have the audacity to sleep with my fiancé, your husband's friend."  Ava lowered her head.  "Under our roof!" Vilandra finished.  "Stop," Rath pleaded, "don't blame her.  This is between the two of us."  Vilandra nodded.  "You're right.  The wedding is off."  She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.

**

            "Oh god," Max murmured to himself, his head in his hands.  He was so confused.  He had Zan's memories, Zan's feelings, but he was also Max.  He remembered Earth, his parents, his friends, Liz.  He felt like two people, one living inside the other.  He didn't know which part of him was more him.  Leaning back, he closed his eyes.  And there she was.  "You think I'm going to forget about you, or get over it or something, but I'm not.  I don't care about my destiny, or my planet, or anything else.  All I care about is you.  So, just know this … I'm coming for you Liz."  Suddenly, he knew.  He was Max Evans.  The Zan in him had died long ago.  "Knowing you has made me human."  He had to go back.  He had to find a way back.  Back home, to Earth. 

            "Zan!"  The doors to his study opened and his sister ran in, launching herself into his arms.  Before he had a chance to speak, everything came rushing from Vilandra in long gulps.  "They've-been-having-an-affair-Rath-and-Ava-behind-our-backs-under-our-noses-I-called-off-the-wedding-Zan-what-will-we-do—"  He stood dumbfounded, pulling back to look in her eyes.  "Isabel …" he whispered.  Her eyes filled with fresh tears.  "Why would you call me that?  Zan?  Who told you?  I told no one of my dream."  He smiled slightly.  "Isabel Evans," he said, more sure of himself.  He nodded to her, encouraging her to remember.  But she backed away, shaking her head.  "No," she mumbled, "I don't know what you're talking about."