Chapter Two
Let's Make This a Regular Rendezvous
Will stood there, frozen for a moment, before she broke out into a fit of laughter. Prince Phobos raised an eyebrow at her apparent insanity.
"The same as always, I see," she declared as she wiped at her eyes, cheeks round from her smile. "And here I thought you might even have some redeeming qualities this time around."
Strange how at ease she felt now. Like that uneasy tension she felt seconds ago never existed. Walking over, she boldly sat next to him on the white marble bench. It wasn't very wide and Phobos slid to the far end as she sat on the other. The space between them was both insultingly wide but unnervingly close.
For a long moment he was silent, eyes tracing her features. "What do you want? It seems like you are a few years too late to gloat," he stated, voice like dark silk and deeper than she remembered.
She hummed in agreement to more than just his words. It surprised Will. The huge grin that broke across her face as he gave a small huff of annoyance.
"I'm here on vacation," she answered as she turned and looked at him from the corner of her eye.
"I know why you are in the castle," he bit out as he rolled his eyes in a manner reminiscent of Elyon. "Why are you here? Disturbing my peace?"
"It's a vacation! I can choose where I want to spend my time," she said with thick amusement in her tone.
"I… see," he simply said, eyes still scanning her, and went quiet after that.
Oddly wanting the conversation to continue, she said, "Nice weather, huh? Or do you miss constant overcast of creepy doom clouds?"
He was now staring at a nearby flowering tree with a far off look. Like he was trying hard to ignore her.
"I personally thought your aesthetic was a bit overkill with all the black; you look so much better in white." Will snapped her mouth close. Her brow knitted together in confusion at her choice of small talk.
Phobos turned back to her, face devoid of emotion. "Still here," he stated as confirmation to himself, most likely to annoy her.
Will stared in return, again wondering what it was she was looking for when she came to see him. Of all people.
"How does Elyon stand this?" she voiced as she gave a small frown. She wanted to talk to him about something, but she did not know what it was.
"Leave me," he commanded as he looked away again and she gave a small defeated laugh as she shook her head.
"Whatever, fine."
Will left without a look back.
So, it was very confusing to Will as she returned at breakfast time the next day, finding the same spot empty, and waited.
Phobos approached not long after. He looked far more annoyed than yesterday as he asked, "Why are you pestering me?"
"What do you mean? Why I just thought breakfast in the gardens would be nice," she said from where she sat, a few still warm pastries wrapped in her hand. Some of the kitchen staff had been nice enough to let her take a few in place of a proper meal.
"In this spot?" he questioned with exasperation.
"It's quite lovely here," she reasoned as she unwrapped her food and took a small bite of one sweet. She had given up the promise of a full hot meal for a few pastries, just so she could get here before him.
She cheekily smiled up at him as he glowered back down at her.
"It looks like you're the one 'pestering' me since I was here first," she pointed out, with a teacher-like wag of a finger.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "What game are you playing, Guardian?"
"No games," she assured and, with a brief hesitation, reached up and offered him a sweet.
Phobos stiffened, making no move to take it or sit.
"Leave me be," he demanded, eyes distrustful, body stiff.
Will rolled her eyes and re-wrapped her last two pastries.
"Fine," she huffed as she stood. "They're not poisoned," she joked as she left the food on the bench and walked away.
He really was no fun at all.
… So why did she return a fourth day?
"I brought some Earth fruits," Will said as she held out one of the shiny red peace offering, grinning up at the visibly more annoyed prince. He only glanced at the fruit before sitting down on the bench.
"Must I seek a new place of solitude," he mused to himself.
"I'm gone in a few weeks. Why bother?" Will said, placing a napkin on the bench and sitting the apples down. Testing the waters, she teased, "Or does my presences remind you of your crushing defeat?"
For a moment she thought he wouldn't take the bait.
"It wasn't 'crushing'," he responded, annoyed as he seemed to give her his full attention.
"Devastating. Humiliating. Overwhelming. It's all the same," Will said as she bit casually into the apple, the fruit of assholes, according to movies. There, bothering the prince for no discernible reason, made Will think she might be a little in asshole territory. Considering their past, she was fine with that.
"So you are here to gloat," Phobos pointed out with a smooth raise of his brow.
"Just a little," she said with a serene smile as a civil silence fell between them and she watched a few birds forage nearby. The birds hopped up to Phobos, pecking near his feet and hopping on and off his robes like he was simply another statue. A few of the birds flew onto his lap. He offered the animals no food, yet they happily accepted a few gentle pets before they moved on in search of breakfast. Will had a vague recollection of Phobos keeping basically any pet that slithered its way into his castle, no matter how useless or ugly the thing was. The uglier the better, in fact, as he always seemed to have a soft spot for rejects.
A few minutes passed before he spoke again. "You were lucky."
"True." She nodded in agreement, looking away as she realized she had been staring at his face.
Both times they beat him only because he messed up and gave them exploitable openings. If he had not recorded his plan for Elyon in the Book of Secrets, or forgotten the magical oath he gave, then things might have gone differently.
"Very lucky," she added. "But you were very stupid, too. I would have thought you knew the rules of permission magic better than anyone."
"I blame my mental lapse on the time I spent on Earth with you and your idiotic companions. Anyone would lose their mind after just a few days in their company."
"Also true," she added, imaging her friends' faces at the comment. It surprised Will when he reached over and took an apple. He did not move to eat it, only looked at it as he turned it over in his hands, nails clean and short. "You know, after a few days with you, Cornelia was losing it," Will stated, as she glanced away from him as he turned to face her.
"Which one?" he asked, genuine confusion in his voice. She could feel his eyes on her skin, burning down across cheek and neck, and she swallowed, hard. "The brunette?"
Luckily, her shock allowed her to hide her discomfort. "No, the blond."
"Ah, the Earth Guardian."
She raised an eyebrow and she turned her body to face him. "You.. you fought us for like two years. You went to our houses! Cedric spied on us, like, for weeks!"
"Don't speak that traitor's name to me," he demanded.
"Being eaten alive still a sore spot?"
The heated glare was the only answer she was getting.
"After all that… you don't know our names?" she asked, curiously. The idea of fighting someone who did not even take the time to learn her name was pretty insulting.
"I know… enough."
Will snorted. "But not Cornelia's or Irma's name? What about Irma or Hay-Lin?" She gasped when he gave her a blank look. "Matt? Caleb?"
"Ah, the rebel leader."
For some reason, that made it worse.
"But not any members of the Guardians of Infinity?"
Phobos frowned, his body turning more towards her, and said, "I remember those who leave an impression, Wilhelmina. I'm destined for a long life. Those who merely follow will not bog me down. Only those who lead are worth my time."
He seemed closer, like this, facing her, eyes locked to hers, but also so far away. Will looked away as she felt her cheeks burn. He had to remember to breathe. It wasn't a big deal, she told herself, that he knew her name. That meant nothing. Maybe he just knew the holder of the Heart's name? He was aware of who Nerissa was, but her going evil could have been part of it. Competition and all.
Will couldn't explain it, but something forced her on her feet, as she awkwardly chuckled and said, "Will, it's just Will."
And with another awkward laugh, she quickly rushed away. It was not long after she ran into her one of her friends in the castle halls.
"Will!"
Hay-Lin called, flying and grabbing her in a big hug.
"Where were you again this morning? We're heading to the town market! Raythor said there is a traveling caravan that arrived selling magic stuff! It sounds cool!"
Will hugged her friend back, forgetting her earlier discomfort.
"Sorry! That sounds like fun. Who's coming?"
"Just me and Cornelia! But Raythor is coming to show us around. Well," she pouted. "I think he is coming to, like, guard us or something."
Will laughed as Hay-Lin pulled her along through the castle and outside to the waiting carriage.
