Chapter Seventeen: White Flag Part: Two

Michael's POV

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You're a little boy, what are you doing?

Standing in front of the mirror, I look myself over. Water dripping from my body, it was customary to shower before addressing the nation. I don't know why, mother never said. But it's custom, so I did. I don't understand any more now than I did before.

Running my hands through my hair I remind myself, deep breaths.

It's all I keep telling myself as I walk over to the ugly ass chair, clothes perfectly laid out. All that concerns me, the two ties draped over the back of the ugly ass thing. Red and blue. Blue and red. So simple right. Bullshit. Truth is, I like red better. Reaching out, my fingertips running over the material.

Mom always said when you have some big shit to do, take it one step at a time. One step at a time isn't so bad. So that's what I do. Underwear, socks, undershirt. Halfway done. Pants, shirt and jacket. Just about there. Belt and cufflinks, practically there.

Just one thing left, one more step.

Snatching them both up, I walk back to the dresser only to come to stare at my reflection again. I look good, naw fuck that, I look great. I never met a guy who didn't wanna be me. Never met a girl that didn't want me. I am mom's son. Mother was right, I don't look like Ethan or Sean. I don't look the part, but I look good and that's gotta be enough.

What did mom used to say, fake that shit until you make it?

Or maybe it was Aunt K who said that?

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Bo's POV

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"I'm partial to plan-b if you ask me, cause plan-a is insane." Kenz mumbles, attempting to hide her pain as she looks away from me, taking a seat in the chair.

"I'm partial to none." I sigh. "All of them are insane and…"

"Lauren has a point, it would appear that Ria and Mike are the only true heirs." Ty adds in, handing Kenz not one but two cups of that magic tea. "They need to be ready."

"They are children."

"How old were you and her when you found this life?" Skylar snorts. "How old was Kenzi?"

"It's not the same."

"It is."

"It's not, we didn't have a choice. They've had another life."

"This is what they were born for." Ty cuts us all off, taking a seat opposite Kenz. "They were born to one day take Lauren…and your spot. They were born to rule."

"They were born because me and Lauren love each other and occasionally have some control issues."

"It doesn't matter why my niece and nephew were born, all that matters is what their path is."

"And if they pick…how we're not hoping?"

"Sky, why do you always have to be such a…?"

"Bitch?" She snorts a chuckle, rolling her eyes at me. "Let's be real, until a month ago I was prepared to bow to Charlie, now I'm making peace with the fact I'm going to have to bow to the girl who would be a playboy model if she wasn't royalty."

"Careful."

"There's nothing wrong with it." She shrugs. "I have two subscriptions."

"One is mine." Ty smirks.

"Wait…are you two…?" My eyes widening, looking between the two.

"Bo-Bo, you really didn't catch that?" Kenz laughs. "Why do you think they take an extra run in the woods every day?"

"Well…damn." I can't help laughing, looking between the two of them trying to put it together. Really thought Sky only liked women. Huh…? "One question, who exactly wears the pants?"

"Bitch."

"Now, now." He smirks, waving her to calm down. "I'll tell you, soon as you tell us if it bothers you that out of everything Lauren got rid of after the fall…she kept Playboy?"

"Asshole." I snort a chuckle, throwing the pillow from behind me at him.

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Michael's POV

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Red or blue. Right or wrong. Moral or unmoral. Blue or red.

History is written by the winners, what is moral now can easily be changed. Doesn't matter right? That's the point. I choose. I make the decision. What I say goes. Wrong can turn right. Unmoral can turn moral. It's easy, isn't it? Give into everything. It's inside after all, right.

Looking down at the two ties I take another deep breath.

It shouldn't be this hard. I had been weighing this shit for a long ass time now. Even before mother and mom started screaming pick sides. I had seen the pieces moving and knew what was coming. I might not be Ethan, but I'm not stupid. Just cause I don't run around having breakdowns every five minutes like Ethan or whine all day like Charlie doesn't mean I don't understand. I get it, I just don't need everyone breathing down my neck about the shit.

Deep breath…red…deep breath…blue…deep breath…red…

Truth be told, everything in me screams to pick red. Pick the damn red one. I know it's not just me, I know Ria is thinking the same damn shit. We aren't made for this cape and tights bullshit. We aren't. Pick the damn red one and make it easy. BUT there's this annoying ass voice saying pick blue, it's the right choice…the hard choice but the right one. Problem is blue means pain, more pain and I had enough of that shit. Red means easy life. It would mean another way of life, a different way…but would be easy. No more fighting. No more secrets. No more hiding.

Red is the easy choice…the best choice.

Sighing, I wonder if Ria is picking the same. I wonder if she hesitates. For the first time I can remember we kept something from each other. Mother left and we decided this would be 'our' choice. For once we didn't make one together. Now all I can wonder is what did she pick. Did she stand in the mirror antagonizing as I am?

Looking up into the mirror, I find myself staring into my own eyes. A chill rushing down my spine. Red or blue…blue or red. It's not really a choice, is it? Because I can be a dick. I can fuck who I want and not give a shit about anyone. I can overindulge myself and tune out those starving people Charlie cried repeatedly about. I can do a lot…but that last test. The thought of standing by letting innocent people die…naw. I can't do that.

So what does that make me?

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Bo's POV

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"Are you worried?" Sky asks, tossing Kenz the remote.

"No. Yes. No. I don't know."

"Very informative answer."

"I want him to make the right one. I want him to choose the right choice. But, the truth is that you can't force someone to be what they're not. We didn't realize it when it was happening, but we tried to force Danielle to be who we wanted. We tried to force her to be…good. And while I don't blame myself for her anymore, I can't help wondering if we had let her be her then maybe she would just be…a bad person and not a…"

"Monster." Kenz answers for me.

"If he picks…if he doesn't pick how we hope, are you prepared to do what's necessary?" He asks the question undoubtedly we've all been silently contemplating.

"Well, that's what plan-d is for, isn't it?"

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Michael's POV

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What did Ria pick…?

Did she pick the same as me…?

What if she picked different…?

Deep breaths. Reminding myself over and over again I take steady steps forward down the left side of the room. Back straight, head up and never ever look uncertain. The flashes come from everywhere. Yelling from everywhere. Languages I don't even think I've heard before shouting at me.

Walking up to the podium, steady steps as I walk up the three. I've never stood alone. Now here I am, all alone. No parents, no siblings, no guards, no Ty or Sky or Sorien or Travino or Zel or Aunt K. No one. Just me and me alone. Swallowing at the dryness coating my throat I attempt to remember every etiquette class I've ever taken.

Left hand at my side, thumb in my pocket. It's not etiquette, but it's comfortable. Right hand resting on my sternum, thumb slipped in the opening between the buttons. It's not etiquette, but again it's comfortable. I stare into the blinding white lights, barely able to make out any of the faces in the crowd. It's not etiquette, but it's my way.

I may have chosen blue, but my choice unlike Ria's was never just one fold. I had to choose where I stood, now I choose where we stand…as a family. Where we stand as a people. Do I tell the truth or do I lie? How much do I tell? Do I throw my mother under the bus? Do I throw Dani under the bus? Do I want to move forward as a man or stay a boy? What will mom think? Can I make her proud if I'm making mother proud? Do I care if mother is even proud of me at this point?

What did Ria choose?

"Good morning." I nod. "I know I am not who you expected to see this morning, much less who you wanted to see. I am aware of the opinions about me. As I stand here before you, humbled, I own them all. I understand these may seem like empty words from a boy playing dress up." I smirk, looking down at myself. "I am not a boy though, I am a young man. Young, but still a man. A man who has his parents' blood running through his veins. A man who has been raised by his parents, their values instilled in me. But all of this, all of these words are just words…words you didn't come to hear."

Taking another deep breath, I look over the crowd. They're silent, but impatient, I can feel it coming off of them in waves.

"My mother…" I almost laugh, glancing down. Oh how I hate my mother for making me do this. "I could lie and say my mother wanted to be here, but she doesn't. Standing here before you in the moment is the least of her desires. My mother, our queen…is where she is needed. She is with my mom, our other queen." Yeah assholes, remember she is one too. "They are together and they are…united. United they stand and united we stand, together. Ka Tra, Ka nadi. I am here because my mother wished it. I am here because I wished it. I am here because you are my people. Ka Tra, Ka nadi. The last you saw me I was boy, but now I stand before you a man. I stand before you as your prince. Not as only a son to my parents, but as your prince."

You choose blue…you choose to be a man…you choose a choice without your sister…

"Everyone is aware that the heart of our nation has been under quarantine. It is known, more or less what had happened. Responding quickly, my mother was able to minimalize further casualties. Because at the end of the day…her people are everything to her, above all else. Even above her own children…at times. As a boy, I resented that. As a man, I admire that."

Stand by it Michael, stand by your decision.

"The truth is, we are at a two front war. And we have been for a while now. Our queen fights tirelessly, sacrificing herself for us. She holds the darkness at bay now and while it is growing heavy to bare. It is important that we must remember that it is always darkest just before the dawn."

Almost done…

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must inform you, not only that Danielle Alreyna…" She doesn't deserve to be protected. "Had escaped the depths of Hel. But, the worst news I bring you, my people is that once beloved princess, my sister Charlotte Alreyna…" Breath hitching, heart beginning to race. "Is in no uncertain terms, an enemy of our people. Let this be the very last time that my mother's name, my name our used in association with these two…traitors."

They begin to rustle, grumblings amongst themselves. Don't back down now. I lift my hand the way I've seen mother do a million times over, and it actually works. It actually silences them, instantly.

"I know that it is a lot to ask, to be patient. I myself am here, facing my own inner turmoil not standing by my parents' side during this time, but my mother…our queen has made her will clear. It is in her will that we find our purpose. Ka Tra, Ka nadi."

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Bo's POV

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"So, plan-c it is." Kenz lets out, muting the T.V.

"He really reminded me of Lauren." Sky laughs, sitting on the arm of the couch. "Like scarily."

"I was unaware he was going to denounce the princes."

"Yeah, I'm a bit…" I trail off, not exactly sure how to feel about his press conference. "Perturbed as Lauren would say."

"I thought you wanted a fight?" Sky asks, glaring at me. "He's insured that we are now in this."

"Are we sure Lauren has seen this?" Kenz asks, already working on her second cup of tea. "She's sticking pretty close to Dani right now."

"Bigger question is do we know Ria has made the same choice?" Ty asks.

Something is off. I watch his head tilt causing mine to do the same. What's happened? He was just smiling and talking, now his eyes are narrowing. What did he see? Starting to turn my head toward kitchen the sound of the door being kicked in steals my attention before I see it. The sound of gunfire surrounds us like a whirlwind.

I jump up but I'm not fast enough. One…two bullets rip through my flesh, right thigh and left shoulder. I barely feel them, it's the ringing in my ears that's unbearable. Six men in full Guardian gear, but they aren't Guardians. I know how Guardians move, how they carry themselves and even how they shoot. These men aren't. They shoot recklessly. But who they are doesn't matter now.

I hear Ty and Kenz yelling, I hear the front door kicked in. But I can't look. Sky charges them with me. She kills two of them as I throw my guy into the one behind him. The gunfire still wild, too much for the two men left. I'm hit again, right thigh. Sky falls onto her knees, but I can't look now.

Left hand wrapping around the barrel of a gun, pushing it away as I lean in. Right hand ripping his sidearm from his holster. Two shots into his stomach before firing three into the last one's chest. Dropping the gun I rush to her side. One, four, six shots that I can count. There's blood everywhere. Heart racing as I grab her face, giving her chi but I realize there's still gunfire.

"Come on." Saying more to myself than her, I grab her arm dragging her toward the front door. Gunfire starting to slow. Getting her onto the porch I find myself frozen. Two fake Guardians left, guns pointed at the ground. I don't see Kenz but I see Ty on the ground…his baby blue shirt covered in blood.

They look toward me, anger boiling up within myself, fists clenching. I can't breathe. They raise their weapons…and then they fall to the ground. Like dominos they just collapse. For a moment I don't realize what's happened…until I realize the weakness in my legs is gone and pain in my shoulder missing. Blinking back tears I glance down at Sky, her chest barely moving…but still moving.

Running over to Ty, I slide on the ground. Pulling him onto his back, tears in my eyes as I see Kenz beneath him. She's unconscious, but I think she's okay. "Ty. Ty!" Attention shifting back to him, his head to the side, stray tear slipping down his cheek. "Ty!" I try to bring his face to me but he keeps looking at Kenzi. At least I think it's Kenzi. "Look at me! Let me help!"

"H-her. Save her."

"She's fine. Let me help you."

He grabs my face, looking up into my eyes. "Plan-c…"

"What?"

"Plan-c…" His eyes start to roll back. "Save…her…ple…pl…"

My hands cup his face, tears running down my cheeks. I want to save him and her. I want to and this stubborn voice is screaming to save him and go to her…I can do it. I can do it…but there's something within my chest…in my heart that knows I can't. I can't save them both…it doesn't work that way.

Is my wife's plan really what will decide between them…?

Is that all he's thinking about in his last moments…my wife's plan?

Or is more…?

Swallowing back the tears, I nod. "Okay. Okay."

It doesn't take more than a second, maybe less to watch him fade. Less than a second to watch one of the strongest men I've known in my long life to fade away. Falling onto my ass I look around, four SUVs. Ten of these pretenders laid out on the ground…plus the two I drained. He took down ten by himself…never even let them touch Kenz.

Glancing down at her I see a gash on her arm…okay, one touch. Nodding, I wipe the tears away. What kind of idiotic shit…she's dying. She's my sister and I would have…still would choose her. But she's my sister and to him a friend? A mostly human friend…who will be dead in a week. Maybe two. He's logical enough to pick Skylar over himself for Lauren's plan, but…here…? Shaking my head, wiping remaining tears away I start to get up.

My eyes falling on him, I never really knew him at all.

Turns out, he was better man then I gave him credit for.

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Michael's POV

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Turning the corner, away from the crowd I look down at my shaking hand.

Doubts beginning to set in; What if Ria didn't choose what I did? What if I didn't choose right? What if I said it wrong? What if I wasn't the right choice for this? What if they need me? What if…just what fucking if…?

Turning another corner my knees lock, Guardians lined on both sides of the hall, a curve at the end of some people in fancy clothes, I don't know them…but I know the kind. They're the kind that chill with mother. Taking a deep breath I take a single step forward, curious as to what is about to happen.

Are they with Dani?

Have they lost faith in the crown?

Fear vanishing as I watch them drop to a knee, not one that would be treason so long as my mother lives…but one none the less.

So…it begins.

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Bo's POV

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"Hello…mom." She sort of laughs, attempting to put an erring in.

I don't stop. I don't think. I just make a beeline for her, hand wrapping around her jaw as I shove her back against the table. Her eyes widen in surprise, lips fixing into a smirk after a second. Her own hands falling to her sides.

"Something wrong?" Her eyebrow raises. "You seem upset."

"It's all a game to you, isn't it?"

"Let go of me Bo, before I have to hurt you. Mother would be displeased."

"Ah yes, let's keep mother pleased."

"Someone must."

Growl escaping myself without warning, my eyes transitioning without choice. "Push me again Danielle."

"Are you PMSing?" She laughs, my hand falling away from her face.

"Ty is dead."

"Ty? Ty? Hm…" She gives me that fake thinking bullshit look. "Huge black guy, used to fuck your wife?"

Another growl escapes, taking a step in her hand hits my chest. "What happened to no bloodshed?"

"I didn't." She smirks. "I've been busy with your wife."

"Really?"

"Really. I haven't once thought about killing anyone…well except last night when I was with little Ri-Ri. That was a hoot."

"There's a day coming…very soon Danielle. I'm done hiding."

"I just want my family." She shrugs, and I have to force myself to step away from her. "But if what you're saying is true and Ty did bite the bullet, I might say you should warn Sky she might want to be careful."

"You won't bait me."

Nodding, fists clenched attempting to hold onto any self-control I have left. "Hey, I meant to tell you. When the time comes, just let me know."

"Time?" Foolishly I ask, stopping to face her. "For what?"

"To bring Auntie Kenzi back."

With a smirk, I nod. Walking back over to her, hand resting on the ledge of the table on either side of her. I lean in, lips over her ear and I can feel her tense for the first time. "By now you should know," This wasn't the plan. This isn't the plan. "I'm not afraid to shed a little blood."

Guess now is as good as time as any.