Chapter 20: The Fruit of Sin Two
"I say go away, thinking of you to stay,
your touch and your kiss - the only two things that I miss.
I'm like a clock that runs late- a little tactless and at the wrong place,
late as after you do go, I'm no longer at peace."
Even when Andan was ready to retreat and obey Leonida's orders, luck wasn't ready to smile at Leonida. As she watched her brother lower his blade and lower his head in front of her, powerless and unable to keep fighting with her, due to her threats for Magana, the ex-princess kept thinking of what was going on with Phobos behind the magic whirl.
"I don't care if you have to jump through that, Andan. You've got to stop your fiancée from obliterating Phobos!"- she exhorted tensely. "Do it now, or we'll be orphaned."
"You're an appalling person!"- Andan turned to bark at her. "She's your mother too!"
"I don't have time to explain to you just how miserable that woman who happens to have given birth to me, has made my life be!"- Leonida hissed back. "If I'm appalling, then I don't have a word strong enough to characterize her!"
"Save your lies and deceits for someone who cares."- her brother replied dryly. He was standing before the energy-wreathed altar by now. "But on second thought, any such person will cease to exist after today. After that man inside receives the fate he deserves, you'll be all alone again. Alone and unloved, because of all your blackness!"
"What?!"- the ex-princess howled, grabbing hold of her brother's arm tightly. She immediately felt the curse starting to attaint her entire body, but she fought it. She had to intimidate Andan without turning into a darn cuckoo! He was her last hope to have things her way. "No! Did you not listen when I said Magana dies if Elyon harms Phobos? Are you willing to sacrifice your mother for the sake of Elyon's agenda?"
"To my pity, mother's fate is in your hands. And I can't dream to demand for Meridian to take that in mind. Not when they're finally having the chance to get rid of a tyrant that they have old scores to settle with. Not when Elyon and her kingdom are already doing me and Coronia a grand favor."
"A grand favor."- Leonida repeated, up in arms. She grabbed ahold of her brother's collar and shook him with all her might, which, due to the curse, wasn't that stark, to begin with. "You're a piece of scum, you coward! By giving our rich land to Elyon to rule over, you're the ones doing them the favor! Do you realize how foolish her great Majesty's decision was?! To have some unknown girl from another realm rule over what's rightfully mine, just because she didn't think I'd be a good enough Queen?!"
Andan glowered and grabbed her hands, pushing them off himself. Leonida almost lost balance completely as she shuddered back due to his sharp push.
"Coronia is not rightfully yours, Leonida. It used to be, but not anymore. Coronia is a land meant for wisdom, beauty and glamour to thrive."- he said flatly. "Elyon exudes all that and can be in charge of it. Unlike you. You're just a crazed, pea-brained milksop, who happens to have turned into a homicidal, power-hungry scalawag as well!"
That had been the last straw. Infuriated by her brother's learned by rote words, hollow words he had heard from her mother, she blasted him back. When Andan landed on the ground, she couldn't repress her curse anymore. Much to the man's disgust, she cuckooed sharply, shuddering in a gust of feathers.
"So now it starts to work..."
"There they are!"-someone yelled from afar.
"Get her!"
At least a hundred men straddling hoogongs, and with weapons, led by Julian, stormed in, surrounding the altar and the two Coronians in minutes.
"And just where do you think you're going?"- Leonida found herself blocked by Will at the front and Cornelia at the back.
"It's over, Freakonida, your prince is being executed as we speak and you're outnumbered, you can't escape, nor fight us all."- the Earth guardian stated coldly, as she pierced the other blonde with a triumphant glance. Cornelia had always disliked her. Now that tables had turned this way, she was thrilled to be able to put the insane princess in her place, once and for all.
"That's right, so you better surrender if you know what's best for you."- Will added. "You and Phobos had your fun, tormenting many people over the last few months, but this time you're toast. You can't even teletransport from here. And although we're aware of the extremes you're willing to reach in order to achieve success, I suggest you give up without a fight this time. You'll be squashed like a bug, anyway."
" 'Extreme' is one word to describe it with. I mean come on, you left your own child behind, you killed your father and faked being dead. Not to mention you tried ruining my best friend's kingdom and wedding. You're done messed up, screwball!"
Leonida glared back at Cornelia, who wasn't about to relent. She was just as obnoxious as she had been nine years ago. But these fools had no idea of what they were talking about, however, she had to admit they had lured her into a trap. But just because her chances were lowered to the minimum, didn't mean she was ready to give up entirely...No, Leonida was just going to change the tactic and she already had an idea of how to proceed...
"My, my. If it isn't the infamous enchantress, everyone feared."- the third voice that interfered, caught Leonida's attention. She narrowed her indigo eyes when she saw the tall raven-haired woman approach. She knew this plan was hers. Nerissa sure was a devious player, but even she wasn't going to be in position to resist the ex-princess' next move... If Phobos listened to her, of course. "You've been tampering with my nerve system for quite some time now, Leonida. You costed me an irksome amount of time spent in distress, I confess. But now that you're in my hands, I plan on taking a little revenge, if you don't mind."
Will's eyes widened when Nerissa planted a slashing slap on the honey blonde's left side, making her head turn. Even Cornelia gawked at the sight of what had just happened.
Shagon, who was hovering above the rebels, barely managed to contain a wolf whistle.
Leonida bared her teeth in ruinous hatred, as she faced her assailant once again.
"I do understand that failing so close to the finish line must be devastating. But you better suck it up."- Nerissa went on mockingly. "The more you try to deny your defeat, the more its bitter taste will poison your chest with the thick, black smoke of utter dissatisfaction. You and Phobos are very much alike, your agendas are shallow and meaningless, deprived of any bigger ideal. That is why you'll never succeed with me as an opponent. Never."
Leonida kept her lips sealed, as she calculated the possibilities. Fighting in this condition was out of the question. They were superior to her as it was, from each and every side. And as Drake came closer to her, to tie her hands with mystical magic-blocking chains, she turned around to look daggers at her brother once more.
"I hope you're ready for a life in which you'll be an orphan."- she mouthed and then snickered.
Andan still appeared to be dismayed, as he finally stood from the ground and watched his sister's arrest. The other men that surrounded the scene were trained and didn't move from their positions, but Andan couldn't help and wonder as to why Leonida was giving up without a fight. Knowing her, he was sure that something was up. Something sinister. Nerissa apparently thought the same, because she suddenly stopped Drake from taking Leonida away:
"Wait a minute. I'm not finished with her yet."- and she approached the younger woman over again, with an ominous tranquility painted on her smooth face. A fake tranquility that threatened to crumble any minute now, as Leonida tested her patience with an impudent look in response.
"You must understand something, Leonida."- Nerissa emphasized on her name, icily, as if she was pronouncing the name of a disease. "This is your first and last arrest here, on the territory of Meridian. You've made transgressions and broken the laws and you will face a trial, just because her Majesty said so. But if you ever, by any odds, attempt to attack this realm again, you will- "
"Face much more serious consequences."- Will finished instead of her. "If you, however, chose to open your eyes and assist the good guys instead of Phobos, you might-"
"Will."- Leonida interrupted the redhead with a devilish smirk, which Will didn't like one bit. It was not the look a criminal gives you when arrested.
Unless, of course, she was totally insane, the redhead thought grimly. Just like the other girls had said and they had a right; none of Leonida's actions over the last years were sane. Yes, back when they had been teenagers, she was under an evil creature's magical influence, but this time...Could have she gone completely bonkers now?
"I'm not going to betray the man I love, I'm sorry if I disappoint you. But I'm sure you've heard the old saying 'In love and in war there are no rules.' "
"Whatever he has promised you, you can forget about it. Don't you understand, Leonida?"- Cornelia interfered with irritation in her voice. She had never liked the dethroned princess, but now she was resenting her big time. "Phobos might already be dead! When that ritual Elyon's performing with him ends, he won't be there for you anymore. Don't you want to think of yourself and redemption? You have a son for God's sakes!"
For a minute, a shadow of some strange, unidentifiable emotion passed over Leonida's face, but she was quick to hide it with another wide smile.
"Then I'll be his humble widow in your dungeons. And may higher forces decide, who has committed the worst thing, among us present. I love my King and I will not betray him."
Everyone's eyes were on her, but she didn't seem bothered. Leonida exuded a sinister composure.
"Wow, you really fall for the worst guys. Each time you outdo yourself."- Cornelia hissed scornfully.
Leonida shrugged her shoulders with fake innocence. She had managed to compile an emergency plan in her head and she wasn't about to expose it and herself by giving in to such provocations.
"No, you mustn't believe her! This act of surrender is some kind of farce!"- Andan cried. "She is plotting something, I assure you."
Zip it, you moronic squib, his sister cursed him in her mind. You will pay for everything. I promise you that.
"I'm sure she is."- Will sighed grimly, trying to read the ex-princess's expression. "But whatever it is, hopefully, no magic in a cell with heavy security will wipe it away."
"Ghost of a chance."- Cornelia murmured with a frown, as she watched Drake and Aldarn take hold of Leonida in order to take her to the dungeons.
It appeared that it was all finally going to come to an end. The entire Phobos and his crazy mistress drama. The blonde took a look over her shoulder, where the altar was still surrounded by a strong swirling barrier or energy.
They were all so positive that things have worked out. Will was getting herself ready to later congratulate her progenitress on a well-done plan. Even if, in the usual vile tone and style, most of Nerissa's plans carried through in. The former rebels left their positions, straddling their hoogongs, heading back to their base and the Palace. For a long moment everyone was certain that, yes, the final outcome appeared to be positive and favorable. That was, of course, because the grand finale was yet to come...
"Nerissa! Will! Stop there."- as the energy whirlwind died down, Elyon left the altar behind herself. And as, in front of everyone's flabbergasted gazes, the Queen held her brother for support, Will felt the sudden urge to slap her. Even though she didn't know yet, what exactly loony reason, Elyon had to be doing what she was doing, the keeper of the Heart just knew that her anger will be justified. Because nothing justified this. Or so she thought...
"Elyon?!"- Cornelia exclaimed, not less shocked than everyone else. "What is...why is he still walking on his own?!"- but before she could glare at the weak Phobos, her friend shook her head, showing her that the details could be discussed later.
"Aldarn, Drake. Release her."- Elyon said to everyone's shock, nodding at Leonida.
"Elyon..."- Andan gasped, blinking in aghast.
"And come take care of Phobos."- Elyon went on, ignoring the man. "We...we'll have to take them to the Palace and then have an emergency consultation. Don't look at me like that; I'll explain. But first we have to get back to the Palace. Come on, people. Let's not waste time. Let Leonida g-"
"No!"- Nerissa hissed and blocked Drake and Aldarn before they could walk past her, grabbing hold of Leonida in the meantime. Her iron grip tightened around the chains as she pulled the enchantress back, harshly. "Get whatever moronic idea you've just had, out of that big, stupid gourd on your hunched, lanky shoulders. And begone!"
Elyon exhaled deeply. She had seen this coming. If she had been shocked to hear Phobos's confession, then what could she except from Nerissa?
"Nerissa, you don't understand- "
"I don't care! That's what you should understand! I don't care what or why made you change your mind. God damn it, I don't care for what reason you can't seem to dispose of that monster that you're related to! Again!"- she fired utterance after utterance, giving no one chance to talk to her. Then she glared at Phobos.
Nerissa was furious. She could see her plan coming to a dead end and the success slipping away, and she hated the visualization. Her hostile and rude attitude, amused Leonida as she watched the wrangle, even though worry didn't leave her as she asked herself what exactly had happened that Elyon had changed her mind... Could have...Could have Phobos done everything as supposed to?!
"This delinquent is mine for the picking, and I'm not going to let go of her until I see her imprisoned and convicted, got that Queenlet?"- she spat. "I never should have asked you to be a part of my plan in the first place! You're not going to be you, if you do not stay true to yourself, flubbing everything as usual!"
"Fine, you can blame me if that'll make you feel better. But things are beyond my control this time."- Elyon sighed in defeat.
"Elyon this is ridiculous!"- Cornelia huffed. "You're not thinking of letting Phobos bail again, are you? We have to do something while we still can, not waste the opportunity and the chance again!"
"All your questions will be answered and all will happen in its time."- Elyon clenched her teeth. She was beginning to lose patience. "But right now, we need to go to the Palace! And I said let go off Leonida, Nerissa, I don't want you hurting her."
The bedazzled expressions her friends gave her, weren't making her task any easier. The straw-blonde sighed again as Nerissa's utter shock turned into rage once more:
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU STUPID IGNORAMUS?! YOU-"
"Elyon, what the hell? "- Will exclaimed angrily, as she struggled to stop Nerissa from clawing the ruler's face. She herself was pissed with Elyon as it was. What the hell had gotten into her this time? "I really don't get it, why would you say that?!"
"I said it for the sake of Leonida's baby!"- Elyon yelled back. Will's mouth hung open: "Yes, Will. Leonida is expecting Phobos's child!"
The days after Elyon's staged wedding went by fast, unlike the initial shock that had followed the revelations made that same afternoon. With Christmas Eve at the doorstep, everything and everyone in Heatherfield was absorbed by hasty preparations and holiday spirit. The city was decked with lights and decorations, hung on every possible corner. The snow kept showering from above, lightly, maintaining a decent snow cover and bearable winter temperatures.
Tom Lair parked the police automobile in front of his garage after a long day at work. Being a senior police inspector had its perks, but it was definitely hell of tiring lately. And with him past his mid-40s, being tired was less pleasant than ever. Especially because he had a home and a wife to return to into the evening.
Tom just thanked God that their kids were mature enough already because if it wasn't for that, given the pace of his work and all the stress, he wouldn't have been able to survive it all without losing his mind.
"I'm home, honey."- he made his return known, once inside the warm house. "And I'm starving!"
Anna Banister- Lair made a face. Her husband didn't need to tell her that- she could hear his stomach growling from inside the living room where she was just finishing decorating the family Christmas tree.
"The lasagna is in the oven, Tom! Get yourself a plateful and come here."- she yelled back.
"You're letting me eat in the living room?"- Tom couldn't believe his luck. "After we bought new furniture?!"
And so he hurried to sit down on the couch with a big porting of lasagna and a can of beer before his wife could change her mind.
"Only because I need to talk to you and I am still decorating here."- Anna rolled her eyes.
"W'hat is'h it honey?"- the man asked with a full mouth as he attempted to turn the TV on.
But Anna took the remote from his hands before he could do it:
"Hey, what did I say, Tom? We have to talk about something."- she tossed her hair back, vexed.
"Alright, then I ask you again. What is it?"
Anna pursed her lips. She wasn't the type of housewife to make a fuss about every little thing. She respected her husband, his profession and hard work, and after many years of marriage, almost nothing could make her criticize Tom for his choices. He was a professional and he was doing all in his power to support their family and maintain a decent lifestyle- he had even supported her when she had decided to try out for her role in a local TV show. The point was, that they were both good at doing what they did. But the letter which she held out, presenting to the policeman now, was one of these few things that could make her put his decisions under question.
"What's this, Tom? When were you going to tell me?"
Her husband's eyes ran over the paper, quickly, confirming his fears. He sighed and left the dinner aside:
"Anna, I found out about this yesterday. I don't know why they sent another letter here...I was going to talk to you about it after the holidays-"
"You declined, right?"- Anna demanded with her hands on her hips. "You turned it down?"
Tom looked down, making her realize that he hadn't. Her eyes went wide with anger and hurt:
"Tom!"- she yelled. "How can you be considering this? You can't accept a transfer and you know it! Our entire life is in Heatherfield! Our kids, our friends... How can you not care about all this?"
"Honey, I do care."- Tom stood up. "And trust me, I wasn't thrilled about this either, but if you read it carefully, you'll see that the transfer isn't optional. If I turn it down, I'll lose my job and the insurance that comes with it. And if that happens, how are we going to pay for Chris's college expenses. The mortgages of the two houses we bought for the kids?"
Anna groaned and threw her arms up in outrage and despair, going around the living room.
"I can't believe this! You've been in the police for over 25 years and they still misbehave with you as if you're nobody! How is this democracy, I ask! Darn corrupted bastards!"
Tom sighed and sat back on the couch. He had known the temper he was marrying when marrying a Latina like his wife, but he couldn't deny that she had a right. He didn't like the newly arisen situation himself, but he didn't have the luxury of choice.
"At least it's temporary. It's only for four months. I'll be back before our anniversary. "
"No, Thomas, that's not an option, and you can forget all about it."- the woman contended. "We...we can look for alternatives. Hey, Irma makes good for herself now, I'm sure she won't mind giving up on that house... She can also help if we are to, God forbid, face any financial problems- "
"I will not accept money from our daughter, Anna! What the hell are you thinking?"- the man exclaimed. "We'll push through this. I'll be back before you know it."
"Maybe I could get you a part on the show."- Anna went on, ignoring her husband's statement.
Hers made him laugh. Not only because her role had long turned into a supporting one:
"Yeah, because the production is looking for a plump, hair-losing man in his late 40s to cast in their daily soap."
"What are you talking about, you're hot!"- she objected fiercely. "I'm sure that once I talk to the..."
"Anna."- Tom interrupted her softly, taking her hand in his. "Anna, I know that this worries you, but the transfer won't be permanent. I'm needed to replace a colleague on a big case, I'll make big money! Look at it from the positive sides. This is an opportunity, not just a consequence of corruption."
Anna sighed and tossed her chestnut curls back. She kneeled before the sofa and rested her elbows in her husband's lap with a brooding expression.
"I know, Tom. I get where you're coming from. The kids are now mature enough and we have to look for opportunities like this one. But you're going to leave me all alone for so many weeks...Chris hardly ever comes home anymore; Irma lives with Martin. I'll be all alone in this house."
"Well...You're always welcome to come with me, you know."- Tom said, caressing the top of her head.
Anna wrinkled her nose:
"Can't. I've signed a one-year contract with the production. I can't leave Heatherfield for more than a week till August."
"Really?"-her husband sounded surprised. "For your role? See, I know nothing about this showbiz thing. I thought that only the main-leads have such obligations."
"I was the main-lead."- Anna reminded him sourly. "Before they decided that Wife Undercover should have her daughter take over her legacy... Giving way to mature women my ass! Fuck the producers! I should've asked Irma to audition for that part."
Tom grinned and pulled her on the couch next to him, where she curled up into a ball and snuggled in his chest.
"Anyway, I knew you wouldn't want to come. We'll just facetime each other, possibly meet for a weekend getaway. You'll see that four months will pass quick as that."
"This is absolutely moronic. The Oracle and the Queen are out of their minds!"- Caleb ranted, walking around the master bedroom of his and his girlfriend's family home, only in his boxers. "How can they take a decision like that? These two villains deserve cages, not luxury! And that child of theirs will never be any better than its deranged parents!"
Cornelia wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. Firstly, because in the past few days, she had already heard more than enough on this topic; and secondly, because she was too busy studying the upcoming spring trends.
Hearing her boyfriend's growning and stomping on the floor, however, she saw herself obliged to set the magazine aside. She took a moment to admire his dashing body displayed in front of her and then suddenly had an idea of how to deal with his nervousness.
"And you know what, I don't believe that child was conceived with love."- Caleb went on, allowing her to pull him into a sitting position on the bed. "That tyrant's seed can never create anything different than him, but the fact that that crazy woman is carrying it in herself makes it even worse. All this is a part of their agenda, some evil plan that they have compiled! How can the Oracle allow them to go through with it?! Cornelia, are you listening?"
Caleb turned his head as much as his neck could take. Behind himself, he could feel the blonde tracing figures with her palms against his bare skin. Her fingers gently, yet playfully, rubbed his tense shoulders. Then they went for his nipples. Caleb blinked as her long blonde locks fell over his chest like a waterfall of gold.
"What are you doing? I'm foaming at the mouth because of Phobos and his dirty schemes! I need to discuss this; I need to build a strategy for when he turns and bites the hand Elyon offered him!"
"No, you just need to vent."- Cornelia argued, irritated by his reaction to her seductive approach. "And forget all about Phobos for a while."
"Stop it, OK."- he growled, as Cornelia nibbled on his ear. But he didn't actually want her to stop and she knew it. Caleb let out a muffled groan and lied on his back. "I'm tryna...tryna think."
"Quit thinking."- Cornelia replied in a sultry voice. "All you need is a little time with your beautiful guardian and a chance to release the stress. And I need you. Everything will be alright. Now I need you...I need you for myself."
Though he was a mighty warrior, Caleb was first and foremost, a man. And hence, the touches and caresses his fiancée gifted him with quickly made him indulge in his own passion.
He rolled over so that she was under him as they kept kissing. At that point, it was practically making out. Flickering an eye open just for a second, enough to make sure that Killian was sleeping heavily in his crib in the bottom of the room, Cornelia ran her fingers through the man's dark brown hair and moaned:
"Come on, big boy. Give it to me-"
With another growl, Caleb was ready to oblige. He loved it when she talked like that. It was one of these Earth girl- trademarks she used that had pleasantly astounded him from the very beginning. Darn it, she was capable of arousing him anytime she wanted with almost anything she did or said, he was crazy about her. But that night, a little part of his brain remained occupied with the wrong of subject-matters. Just before he could pull his boxers down, the words, willing to come out of his mouth, broke their kiss:
"That has to be it! What if Phobos wants to use that baby to come to power again?"
"Caleb!"
Outraged, Cornelia pushed him off herself and demonstratively moved to her side of the bed. Aware of his blunder, even if not ready to abandon the topic that bugged him, Caleb sighed and rested his elbows on the mattress:
"Sorry."- he said in his sweetest voice. "But you know how much Meridian's welfare means to me, Corn-"
"You're seriously going overboard with this."- the blonde snapped and looked at him bolshy. "I know, I get how worried you are about your homeland being in danger with Phobos and Leonida there! I don't like that they got to be there, myself, Caleb, but arguing with Elyon or the Oracle about it, is just a loss of time. As is this conversation! They won't change their mind."
"What does that mean, that we should just sit around and do nothing?"- Caleb didn't give up. "I can't accept that this is final or normal!"
"Yes, you never could."- the woman remarked bitterly.
She stood up and pulled her nightgown down, fixing it back to a normal state, after it had got rugose during their prematurely canceled lovemaking. Then she sat in front of her vanity and started brushing her long hair with puckered lips like she always did when pissed off.
"What?"- Caleb was up on his feet looking at her with a frown. Now it was his turn to be angry.
Cornelia eyed his reflection in the mirror, estimating the levels of his irritation before replying:
"I know, Caleb. You're a patriot. I've always known it, so what would the point be for us to have yet another fight about Meridian's actual importance, after so many years? None. There would be no point in that at all."
"Meridian's actual importance?"- Caleb repeated, his anger growing. "What are you trying to say, Cornelia? Don't stall. Admit that you still hate it when I show my love for my homeland, in spite of all these years you speak of-"
"Yes, I do! I hate it!"- Cornelia jumped to her feet, respondent to the provocations.
Her boyfriend's angry green orbits examined her incredulously, but that didn't stop her. Cornelia grabbed their sleeping son from his crib and pushed him in his father's arms.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Showing you. Showing you one big reason for me to hate it when you put Meridian first!"- Cornelia said icily.
Caleb looked down at the sleeping baby and then back at its mother, with a displeased scowl. But that only fueled the woman's outburst of anger:
"Because."- she narrated seriously. "I could forgive you for putting Meridian first, back when we were teenagers. I could forgive you for choosing to stand loyal to your duty to your Queen, because, history's our witness, I also committed mistakes and I don't run from that. See, I could even live with the fact that I'm constantly going to compete with Meridian for the first place in your heart, up until 4 months ago. But 4 months ago, when this little being came out of me, I lost the gift of tolerance I had for your patriotism, Caleb! I don't judge you for it, I've been wrong many times, myself, OK? And sure, I have many flaws too. We've discussed our flaws and faults many times and we've chosen to move on in spite of them. That's why I'm telling you all this now. You must know that I now expect you to never put me and our son second again. I demand that. And you better respect my expectations."
Caleb looked back at her protractedly, before lowering his glance and hurling past her. He placed the sleeping baby back in its crib, then proceeded to step back into a pair of black jeans, he had tossed on the floor earlier that evening.
And as she watched him put on a shirt and a pair of boots in silence, Cornelia cursed her pride. She knew he was mad, but she could've still calmed him down, if only she changed her tone. That would've been enough for him. She knew it, but she didn't do it. She watched the man she loved flee into the night, angry and perhaps even angrier with himself, than he was with her, without even slamming the door behind himself.
Of course, he wouldn't do that; he didn't want to wake up Killian. She, on the other hand, would've done it without even thinking twice. Whenever she was the one to be upset or angry, Cornelia always made a scene. It wasn't something she did on purpose. It was just another one of her flaws.
She closed her eyes and sighed. Perhaps her fiancé did need to vent on his own. Perhaps she hadn't estimated the levels of his anger precisely. When he was to come back to her, she'd find a way to make it up to her love for hectoring him yet again.
What Cornelia didn't know, however, was that this time, her usual methods of pleasing Caleb, physically, or with her sincere and warm feelings, would have a harder time coming off.
In the corridor outside, Nerissa hid behind the open door of the guest bathroom when her son hurled out of his room, on the door of which she had been eavesdropping. She had heard the young couple yell from the bathroom and had come to listen more closely.
Once she heard the entrance door on the lower floor close, indicating her that Caleb was out of the house, Nerissa came back into light with a pensive wrinkle on her otherwise perfectly smooth forehead.
She knew that she had to interfere in the situation before her son and his wife-to-be were experiencing large differences and reefs of problems between each other.
Of course, the right way to do that was debatable; Nerissa didn't appreciate a plan not executed to perfection, and she had already had one such on Meridian, a few days back when Phobos had dropped the bomb of Leonida's pregnancy.
Nerissa frowned at the thought of that. She knew that this was what was tormenting her son, as well; even a fool could guess that Phobos's child was conceived with the one and only goal to open a new way to power for its scum parents. As expected, Himerish and Elyon, being the detestable humanitarians they were, had taken the most incompetent of all decisions.
But the ex-guardian wasn't as dismayed by it anymore. She had made amends with her failed plan; miscalculating was tolerable, failing was not.
Oh, and she didn't intend to fail. Despite the newly arisen circumstances, the war was far from over and victory was for the creative. That gave Nerissa confidence, for she knew she was light years ahead of these wretches when it came to inventiveness.
And thus the sinners were saved by the fruit of their sin, which would continue to ripen. And the war-cries of the rebels fell silent, their heads lowered and enraged at the inevitability and the harsh reality. But the royal tyrants were not to be happy and triumphant. Having had the chance to keep their heads on after the end of the Noble Hunt did not mean that their crowns would be returned on as easily. New times are coming. Times of new forces, battles, adversaries and truths. And the shadow of the Dark Descendant is weighing more and more on the horizons, like a black cloud of a cosmic storm that threatens to destroy everything behind itself...
End of Arc. 2
