Chapter Forty

The Queen's Future is Bright

On the morning of the summer's end ball, Prince Phobos knew it was going to be a painfully long day. He had been dreading it. Not just from the boring social obligations these types of events demanded of those of his status and pedigree, but what the next day held.

Wilhelmina was due to leave, and then there would be nothing keeping him in Meridian.

On Metamoor.

It was time to break free of his magical shackles and it was far more bitter than sweet than expected.

While stubbornly confident he could come to terms with Wilhelmina once he achieved his freedom. Able to explain why no longer being a prisoner and suffering the wild whims of the populace was a good thing for both of them, as long as he hurt no one along the way. There was someone else that would be affected that bothered the prince.

Actually, multiple people.

And the fact he cared about anyone beyond Wilhelmina was increasingly problematic.

Caring for Wilhelmina made sense, no matter how he looked at it. From her status as a Light, an uncontested magical warrior, and a capable leader, she was everything he would have looked for in a queen consort if he still ruled. Add their deep physical attraction and her wit… her smile… her everything… he was beyond enchanted.

It was interesting how close he was to almost believing maybe, just maybe, Metamoor was salvageable, all because of her influence. Her goodness.

But he was a fool in love and, like all tales, reality was a cold shock down his spine. From finding out the Children of Good Fortune was bleeding him like a captive pig for their own twisted pleasures, to seeing Achilles near ripped apart if not for the tengu's intervention, of all people.

It was a different insult, having his lover's former partner intervene and protect his own familiar. It was a low point in his pride and life. He never voiced that feeling, as he knew Wilhelmina and the others saw it was a good thing the Earth Regent would put aside his not mutual break with the keeper and keep working with them. Frankly, Phobos found it pathetic on many levels that the tengu stayed, but it was a symptom of the same problem all the Guardians and, even his sister, had.

The Oracle did an impressive job this time, with the new age of key magic users. They all held unquestionable loyalty to Kandrakar and its council. All ready to forsake their own wants for the greater good. While the tengu claimed Wilhelmina kept putting 'work' before their relationship, just watching the man put aside his own internal hate for Phobos to befriend Achilles and still work with Wilhelmina showed he had that same drive to cater to the 'greater good'.

Same with the four guardians. Same with his sister.

To the point that selfishness was a sin.

And he was seen as needing to atone.

Be helpful to Elyon.

Become friends to the four guardians.

Welcome back Cedric and Miranda with no ill will.

Watch over Achilles, Cecilia, and Xin Jing.

Accept around him so many people who would still slit his throat if Wilhelmina did not now warm his bed.

It was sickening.

He had no choice.

To be with Wilhelmina, he had to accept these things. And he did. He really did. But it was tainted with the constant pressure of Elyon's bonds around him.

Magic was a part of him since birth, and having it suppressed was like loosing a sense. Making everything wrong, dull, heavy. When his bonds were pulled back during his first physical encounter with Wilhelmina, it was filling on so many levels because he could touch her unrestricted. Every sense was flooded with her sweetness and his magic linked with hers. It was addicting, and he had no drive to deprive himself of repeat encounters.

Then he scryed for her and there was something else he looked for. Something that made him certain he was right. It was time to leave. Knowing that thing was near, probably never too far away, explained a lot about Metamoor and himself.

It was time to leave everything, everyone, alive or dead, behind.

The staff was buzzing, preparing for the largest event held in decades. Phobos worked in his office, finishing tasks he had a genuine interest in completing. Such as unexpectedly siding in favor of the common folk and finding old, outdated laws to support his rulings. Several familiar names of houses, whom had permanently made it on his shit list, came across his desk. It was a nice thought, knowing he was leaving those traitorous suck ups a few nasty surprises regarding squabbles that ranged from petty and embarrassing, to monetary and socially crippling.

Having not much else to do, he checked on Achilles more often than normal.

The frog was not himself after his fight with Wilhelmina. He was upset at her leaving, frightened of what was bound to happen once she was gone. Phobos, as he had complete trust in his familiar, was clear that they would leave soon. Achilles wasn't happy at the news, having grown to enjoy his time in the castle. But, he wasn't as naïve as the others thought, having spied on every occupant in the castle and knew what they said when they thought no one listened. So he agreed that when Wilhelmina left, it was time for them to leave as well.

Phobos was annoyed at the frog, though, for pushing Wilhelmina to stay. Not because it was for his own interest and it went against Phobos' plans, but it left his keeper a mess on one of their last days together. They spent yesterday with her moping around the castle and disappearing to work on her magic presentation. She made her way back to him in the evening to sleep, curled at his side, mood still downcast.

Today, she was still melancholy as she left to start her day, and he knew she couldn't run from her duty anymore. Summer was over and it was time for everyone to resume their lives.

As the day wore on, a few guardians and even Miranda visited Phobos. She was in good spirits, loving her new position that was high enough to gloat over her mother with. While Cedric was not happy to be a witness to the problems of the royal family again, he couldn't deny his wife and daughter were flourishing. So Cedric wasn't a stranger to the castle. And when he came to escort his wife to lunch with his twin boys in tow, he asked his wife to give him a moment alone with Phobos.

"Something you need, Cedric?" Phobos inquired, leaning back in his chair and lacing his fingers together. "Something your better half cannot be privy to?"

The snake sat down, lips pulling back into a more feral grin as he lowered his guard around the prince. Cedric was better than even him at this blasted game of pretend. And while Cedric didn't like the games of court he had to suffer through, he enjoyed the absolute power he wielded as Phobos' unquestioned second. Now people just saw a doting father but the man underneath, just like Raythor, had a more ambitious side. It was a drive that others condemned as they lacked the strength to make those same, needed choices in life.

"Lady Will is leaving soon, so I thought we should talk before you do the same," Cedric said bluntly and to the point.

"Oh?" Phobos questioned in a fake, higher tone. "I did not know I was due to leave soon? I hope this is a holiday you speak of, as these additional duties have proven to be quite tedious after so long out of practice."

Cedric glanced at the closed door before leaning slightly forward. "If you plan to speak only falsehoods, then it is best you just listen, old friend, and not waste your breath."

Curious at what prompted Cedric's rare one-on-one visit, Phobos just waited.

"You have been unnervingly calm since the courtyard incident. If you planned on staying in these walls, you would have demanded a complete staffing change and additional guard training, as what transpired was laughable in its incompetence."

"That I do not disagree," Phobos said, as Cedric had paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.

"I have come to say when you leave, be done of this place, Phobos," Cedric went on, voice different. Lower. "Put behind all the pain and suffering you have both endured and have given back in far greater measure. Be done of her. Of Weira. Finally, and forever."

Phobos felt his face twist, mood dropping.

"I know," Cedric said quickly, seeing he hit the nerve he was aiming for. "I shall bet you are still unwilling to speak to Lady Will about this, even after finding that place." He cleared his throat. "It is fascinating to me. How much blood and pain we have both witness. Both caused. Yet, that time as children still pulls us. Still has a hold that shall never loosen." Cedric sighed, long and haggard. "I was your best enforcer. Led the most fruitful interrogations. And that never bothered me like what was witnessed back then. And after having Cecilia? Now I understand even less the pain that was put on one so young."

Cedric chuckled. "I am off track," he admitted. "Enjoy the ball tonight, my friend. And do not leave those of us behind with a bitter last memory. Cecilia is excited about this event. I would hate for anything to sour that."

Phobos rolled his eyes, fighting back the small part of him that found it amusing how Cedric had such a one track mind about his eldest child's happiness.

"So paternal of you," Phobos said.

Cedric's expression fell for a moment. "When Miranda and I first moved to our small farm house we were 'gifted' by the queen, it did not thrill the community at our arrival. Even less so when she fell pregnant soon after. I had to fall into old habits to make it known I was not one to cross. Nothing could be proven, even when mages were called to investigate very… sudden disappearance… and the rumors that came with them."

"I would expect nothing less from you," Phobos admitted. Cedric was good at handing problems discreetly.

"And over the years, I have had to handle improperly raised children who saw Cecilia, and later Rowan and Matthew, as easy prey," Cedric said with a low hiss.

Phobos raised a brow.

"The children were fine," he assured. "Their parents were the ones in need of discipline." Then he added. "If you do stay. Know you may rest easy at night, once more."

Phobos understood the offer.

"That is…" he stopped, not sure what to say.

He didn't like this.

Pulling at old wounds and somehow finding himself back in the same position again. A powerless prince that a naïve queen could not protect.

While it was true, he slept easily when he was in power, Cedric's competence as a core reason, Phobos wasn't about to take a step back. He was done with all of it.

"Cedric," Phobos called, holding the now older looking man's eyes. "We have an interesting history, no? Eating me alive, for example."

Cedric happily laughed, humor twisted, as he nodded. "Wilhelmina was smart, even back then. When I realized you were walking right into a trap she had set months ago, it actually impressed me. On my way to inform you, I thought about how there was always a scheming Light ready to throw Metamoor into more chaos for their greater good. She allowed months of what she saw as 'suffering' to stop Nerissa and dethrone you. And you had a blindness for her. Impressed as well by the trickery of a Light. That she seemed to understand what was necessary of war in a way the other guardians did not."

Phobos did not recall Wilhelmina much back then, the time on Earth the most vivid just because he acted childish in his harassment of the guardians and his arguments with the tengu.

"I knew her plan would work and you would be thrown into another cell to rot away. So I took my chance. Being on my council wouldn't have been that bad, now would it?"

"You ate me."

"But did I digest you? I just needed you away because you would have joined with the guardians in that moment, in your rage."

Phobos pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "So that was your reasoning? Blasted snake."

Cedric chuckled as he stood. "You are right. We have an interesting history. And I think we can both see the change in the other."

They examined each other for a moment and Phobos saw his friend before him like they once were and the prince nodded, ready to let go, at least with his anger at him.

"Go enjoy your family, Cedric," Phobos said, turning his attention to the papers before him.

"See you and Lady Wilhelmina at the ball, Phobos," Cedric said in return, giving a polite bow and leaving.

The grand ballroom was last used to celebrate the conception of a princess. It was odd to throw the ball before the princesses birth, but now that the truth was revealed, the queen and king knew there wouldn't be a later time. At that point, tension between Weira and Phobos was at its breaking point. Thus, when she vanished with the newborn rightful heir, all Phobos could think of was his mother failing him again, running off to plan to take a throne that would have been his if not for her failure.

The marble and stone room was massive, magic used to carve impossibly delicate and lifelike statues and etchings, with tall stain glass windows glowing with their own artificial light. It illuminated them in a wash of color, making the white of the marble floor just as vibrant as the windows above. The staircase was lined with gold railings and a teal runner was fitted down it. There were many flags of Elyon's rule draped around the room, with two others, one of Earth and the other of Kandrakar, showing their rulers were both present and welcomed.

They decorated the room in such an ostentatious way, Phobos knew this wasn't his sister's taste. She preferred small, simple beauty and the accent of nature. Phobos, often more at home in a garden, shared that opinion. So the flashy room looked more of Cornelia and, possibly, Cedric's doing. As the snake was adept at keeping up public appearance's of wealth and status.

It was smart, Phobos had to admit, of Elyon welcoming back Cedric and Miranda, as the two always held vast skill and value. He wondered how well of a mistress she would be, as he wasn't a master they could flourish under. Elyon needed them to do things she wouldn't. They would fill a void and help keep her court in check, with or without her knowledge.

While he still felt Elyon was too soft to handle the brutality of Metamoor, hers would be an eventful reign. And, mainly for the safety of the Keeper with her cult followers, he hoped his sister had better luck than Weira or him.

Phobos was not in good temper as he dressed in a festive, richly embellished black tunic, with gold lacework, and his feathered cloak. Being thrown back into these boring social obligations while still shackled was wearing him thinner than he could almost manage. He was only Wilhelmina's feral pet she had tamed, not a grand prince of the kingdom. Another reason she was a more competent Light compared to the others, as other planets and their own Lights still irrational feared him.

Speaking of his Wilhelmina, she was nowhere to be seen. Same as the other guardians. Elyon, as hostess, was not a part of the magic demonstration. It might have gone well if she performed. The war-torn people of Metamoor could rest easy knowing she still packed incredible magical might. But it was contradictory of Elyon's efforts to remove intimidation and fear with magic users.

It started as droll as Prince Phobos expected. Traditional, flavorless music that could not offend even a tone deaf Lurdon. The guest, a mix of noble families, prominent social activist, common folk related to council and house staff, plain clothes guards and mages, and any random person Elyon reasoned should join, mulled together rather awkwardly.

Phobos had waited in a room to the side as the staff introduced guest, and the giddy, overly excited fools made their way down the stairs. He was with Elyon, both watching from a floor length viewing mirror.

"You seem nervous," Phobos stated, looking away from the mirror at his little sister.

Elyon was dressed in a way he knew made her uncomfortable. They dressed her like the queen's of old; long glittering gown of spun gold and white silk, with a high collar and a great deal of ruffles. Teal jewels scattered around her that twinkled in the light and accented her blue eyes. She wore white gloves and gold jewelry, Nerissa's prison a constant accessory. A reminder of how she had failed. A reminder of how easy it was to lose everything.

The queen looked at him, hair curled in thick ringlets that bounced as she moved. Her crown stayed in placed, fitted to her head perfectly. Then Elyon requested the few guards with them to leave. They complied, leaving them quickly.

"I," she started and stopped, teeth biting her lips. She made a motion with her hand and a simple box teleported to her. It confused Phobos as she sat it down and then, after a moment of staring at him, she asked, with a waver in her voice, "Do you hate me?"

Phobos stiffened, his gut reaction to confirm that. To say she was hopeless as a ruler. That she failed over and over at even keeping her charges safe. But his mouth clenched closed, hands balling tight.

Through clenched teeth, he growled out, "Why are you asking me this now? That is an answer that would only sour your mood."

Elyon held his gaze before waving at the mirror, the image fading from the near endless introduction of guests to an image of him from the beach. It was her memory, as Phobos was on the ground, eyes ablaze with fury.

"You are worth nothing to me," his image spat out. "My freedom will come by my own hands, even if they are drenched in your blood."

The image faded, leaving a normal mirror in its place.

"That was from Farshore," Elyon explained unnecessarily, visibly saddened by the memory.

"I remember. It was recent," he responded, bothered where this conversation headed.

"Your words hurt me, you know?" Elyon confessed.

"I know. You have always taken what I have said to heart."

"Why wouldn't I?" she challenged. "You are my big brother."

"Family ties mean nothing."

Elyon gave a tight smile. "Maybe the family you had before me. But I am not them."

Phobos felt his bonds tightened, and it forced him to lift his gloved left hand. Elyon pulled hers off and sat them down on the table as she reached out.

"Tonight might be dangerous. For all of us. And you have been so much better. Not happy. I don't think you know how to let yourself be happy. But content with Will and Achilles. Maybe you know they are both too good for you?" she weakly joked as she placed her hands on his.

"And Will is a wild card, isn't she? Her plans are always risky, but somehow always work out." She pulled his glove off, revealing the black ring. "Tell me, will this work out? Trusting you with a piece of the Heart of Metamoor? Because that is what Achilles is. The piece you lost. The piece you have always craved."

Elyon looked up at him, blue eyes heavy with her pain. Pain he caused her. "I went to do the same thing. To give you your circlet back tonight, but when I touched it, its magic was not of my planet."

She sighed. "I am not happy with what Will did. I understand why, but it is…" she sighed again. "It is not okay."

Phobos did not know what to make of her comment, as his bonds relaxed and his sister stepped back, the ring still on his finger.

"Tell me, what would you do right now?" Elyon challenged, appraising him. "You say I am too kind. Too lenient. Would it make you proud? If I become more like you want? Take away your tie to Achilles. Reveal Will's deceit to the magical realms. Uphold my end to our agreement and enforce a punishment for your continual lying?"

Phobos pulled his glove back on, knowing there was no point in not answering honestly, as Elyon had clearly made some kind of decision already.

"I would make examples of those who crossed me," he answered. "Took advantage of my goodwill."

Elyon nodded. "Your 'goodwill'? And who has ever earned that? I am guessing Will? The rest of the guardians? Ah, no, just Cedric, really. Will, the others, that is all too new to say you really trust them like him. But even he turned on you. So can you really understand the choices I make? Having to find a compromise with people who actually matter to me. I still trust Will with my life, even if she felt the need to sneak behind my back. It just hurts," she said with genuine pain. "Hurts she did not trust me to understand. Hurts that she tricked me."

Phobos was ready to run, to salvage what he could of his plan, but he wasn't ready for her to turn and open the box, revealing a gold crown, smaller than hers, the sign of a lesser royal.

"At this moment, brother, you are relieved I am not you. As much as you complain about everything I do, you know I would never hurt you. I would never hurt Will. I would never tear you from someone you fell in love with so hard you are attempting to not be a jerk for once." She gave a small laugh. "I am happy you finally found someone who you can feel close with. Who makes you think of someone other than yourself."

She approached him, crown in hand. "So maybe think of her when you utter of your next lie. Next plan to push my buttons and my goodwill. She can fall a lot farther than you ever could," she ended that with a hard look in her eyes.

"Tell me you understand what Will puts on the line by courting you? She even risked my friendship because she is terrified of the danger you suffer."

His sister sounded so sure he had to ask, "You have spoken to her, I presume?"

"Yes, when I found she switched the circlet, I was concerned you had done it or put Achilles up to it. I went to her to warn her of a possible confrontation. She told me what she did and why." Her tone was changing, and he could see the anger she was trying to keep in check. "Do not misunderstand; this makes me sure your bonds are needed. And any trips off world to visit her shall include me, as her judgement with you is clouded."

She held out the crown.

"I am your queen," she said with a rare edge in her voice. "I am your family." Then she added, narrowing her eyes. "But I am not Weira. And I am tired of you comparing her failures as both to me. Because, remember, you failed me as my brother and as my regent."

Phobos took the crown.

"But unlike you both, I will not fail," Elyon said, hands folded, looking like a living portrait. "I will clean up both her mess and yours in a way I feel is right. In a way that is right."

Elyon waved a hand, turning away to view the mirror as it resumed the procession of guest.

Phobos knew what he planned. Knew it would hurt her the most, given the trust she was showing him now. And as much as he hated that vile weight in his chest, he knew what he owed her, especially after now.

Phobos placed the crown on his head and approached his sister, standing to watch the celebration they were soon to join.

"This shall be the last time we speak of these unnecessary things," he stated, tired of having the same issues dragged to the surface like clockwork. "And I believe taking that arrow for you tells you all you need to know on how my previous declaration was never genuine." Phobos crossed his arms, fingers digging in as he forced out something even Wilhelmina could not pry from him. "I am regretful of my treatment of you, as a child."

Elyon made a small noise and turned to him, eyes the same as that small girl that looked up at him with unending love and trust. Now they were rightfully guarded as she waited.

"I doubt I shall ever feel the level of sibling connection you seek. Yet, I can say you…" Why must he say this? Bigger question; why did he mean it as he finished, "I wish you well. That you find the balance that Weira and I never could. This planet ruined both of us… do not let it do the same to you, my sister."

Elyon stared at him, eyes wide as she swallowed, and turned back to the mirror.

"We should go," she muttered, voice thick. "We are to be presented soon."

Phobos nodded, a weight deep within him finally lifted.