A/N: Hopefully I'll be back to my once a week updates now that I've settled into my new job. Well here's another chapter...thanks for reading and please review, review, review :)
Facing the Truth
Ava walked through the door slowly. She hadn't said much on the ride home, she hadn't wanted to. As hard as it was for her to stay silent, she wanted to confront her aunt and uncle first. Zsar didn't matter right now, from the conversation she heard, he'd found out what they did; he hadn't been apart of it originally.
"Are you okay?" Ema looked at her sister, worry spreading across her face.
"I will be," she replied simply.
"Still feeling sick?" Zsar asked. Ava had almost forgotten he was still there. "Yes."
"Hello everyone," Nadia came beaming down the hallway. "How was it?"
"It was amazing," Ema began to recount the night's events but Ava did not hear her.
She only heard Nadia's laughter and the smile in her voice. Her uncle came out and joined the conversation. All the while she took them in: their presence, their voices, their friendly demeanor. But they were no one's friends. They had not been friend or family to her parents.
My parents. The memories of Kristoff and Iselda were almost completely faded from their eldest daughter's memory. She doubted Ema remembered them at all. She knew her sister thought of Evan and Nadia as parents. How ironic that they were the ones who took away our real parents to begin with.
Zsar, who apparently had some business to take care of, saying he'd be back shortly, left rather quickly. It did not matter to Ava. This had started out with just her family, she felt it were better if it were to end that way.
After a few minutes Ema headed up the stairs, saying something about changing out of her dress.
Right as Ema walked upstairs, Lili walked into the foyer where they were still standing. "Miss Ava, Princess Vilandra is calling." She was holding the communicator.
"Can you take a message Lili? I need to talk to my aunt and uncle." Her eyes focused on the two of them.
"This sounds serious," Evan replied as the maid exited.
"Oh it is," her voice was cold.
"What is it you want to talk about honey?" Nadia questioned.
"I actually just have one question," Ava quickly added. "And please, do not lie to me."
They both looked at her strangely, confusion spread across their faces.
Ava took a deep breath, willing the words by sheer force to come from her mouth. "Did you have something to do with my parents' death?"
The Palace was swarming with guards, ambassadors, and servants. Everyone was doing their best to help with their best to help in the situation but in a time like this, they were all unsure as to what to do.
They had obviously been deaths of The Royal Four before in battle or even accidents but never had someone taken out three royals at the same time. It was unheard of and to think if Maya hadn't stayed behind that every member of The Royal Four would have died tonight was a terrifying thought.
It seemed like such a senseless act. Zaid was a beloved king and had few, if no, real enemies. It made no sense to any of the people there. And Anash was such a non-violent woman, for someone to kill her like that; everyone thought they would have to be monsters. The death of the Duke was an equally shattering blow as well.
Vilandra sat next to her mother on the settee crying as the Queen stifled her own sobs. It was not in her nature to fall apart, no matter how much she wanted to do so. Her reaction to the vision was as discomposed as she'd let herself get that tonight, at least around others.
"Your Majesty," Rath strode into the room with a determined look in his eyes. "Jakub is heading up an excavation team in the Borgaran Beltway."
"Rath," Vilandra rushed into his arms.
He pulled back to look into the sadden eyes of the beauty in his arms. "I'm going to head up another team." Rath turned to look at his Queen. "If he is still alive…" He knew it was probably hopeless but he still held onto it.
"Zaid is gone Rath," she spoke with a resounding strength even though she wanted to give in to despair. "There is nothing we can do about that now but we can get to him, them, in time to save their auras."
It was an old tradition. Whenever a king, queen, or powerful leader died a skilled healer would harness their aura, turning it into a crystallized stone of pure energy, known as healing stone. They could be used to magnify or concentrate power.
"We should leave immediately," Zan said, thinking about how much time had passed already. "We haven't much time.
A dead body only stayed solid about two hours before it disintegrated into dust. If that happened, there would be no aura to save and nothing to offer to the granilith.
"Zan," Maya stood up.
"It's my father out there this time," he looked staid. "We were lucky with Loni but look what's happen now. I won't just sit here this time."
"I will not lose both of you the same night," she argued even though she knew he'd made up his mind already.
"You won't," Zan paused. "If father and the Duke are both dead, you know what that means." He did not point it out to her to gloat or because he was happy about it, he did it so she'd let him go. "Please don't make me argue with you on this."
She nodded, knowing what he was alluding to. With the King and his second in command presumed dead, Zan was now the acting king. "Please be careful."
The Princess looked up at Rath lovingly. "You too." She quickly embraced him, then rushed to hug her brother. "Zan."
"Don't worry Loni," he pulled back from his sister and exited with Rath following closely behind.
"What?" the look on Nadia's face defined shock. She opened her mouth as if to say something more but fell silent.
"You heard me," Ava's eyes turned into slits as her face tensed. "And don't you dare bother lying because I know."
"I don't know what you think you know but you've got it wrong," Evan said calmly.
"Do I?" her voice did not heighten but there was a distinction in her tone. "I know you killed them and kept me and Ema to get my parents' money."
"You ungrateful little bitch!" Nadia got in her face.
"Hey," Ema's voice came from the top of the stairs. "What's going on down there?" She began to rush down to them.
"Nothing Ema," Nadia stepped back from her other niece. "Go back upstairs."
"Don't you want her to know what you've done?" She turned to look at her uncle. "What you've both done."
"What ever Zsar has told you is a lie," Nadia scrambled to think of something to get out of this.
"Nadia," Evan turned towards his wife, eyes wide.
"How interesting that you think he's the one who told me," she rolled her eyes. "Other people know Nadia!"
"What is going on?" Ema was now standing next to her sister. "Ava, what is it?"
"A-Ava," Nadia stuttered.
"Suddenly the most talkative person I know is out of words." The angry blonde turned to her uncle again. "How about you; why don't you tell Ema what's really going on?" After he said nothing she yelled, "Tell her!"
"You have to calm down Avalena," Evan was trying to stay calm himself.
"Calm down!" She was screaming now. "You killed my parents!"
"What?" Ema's face contorted into a cross between utter disbelief and absolute horror. "No Ava, they died in an accident."
"That they set up," Ava pointed to her aunt and uncle. "And I bet you thought you'd get away with it forever too but you're just so greedy."
"Ava, stop it." The brunette grabbed her, pulling her back from their aunt.
"Spending every last dime Nadia, isn't that right?" Ava continued. "But who cares right?" She gave a shrug. "I can always sell Ava to the highest bidder but I guess that's nothing compared to murder!"
"Stop saying that," Ema cried.
"You're just confused," Evan tried to reach for her but she pulled back.
"I'm confused," Ava shook her head as pushed back the tears of anger and betrayal that threatened to fall. "Your own brother."
"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt but…" Lili stepped into the room with a shocked expression on her face. "Princess Vilandra left her message." She stood for a moment, not quite knowing what to say. "His Majesty Zaid…"
"Oh, would you just spit it out already Lili," Nadia demanded. "We don't have time for this."
"King Zaid, Duke Hasan and the Duchess Anash have all been killed tonight." The maid shivered as she said the words. "They're all dead."
The ship moved steadily through the air as all the people aboard stayed alert for anything that could lead them to finding where the Royal Ship crashed.
Rath was leaning over one of his officer's shoulders, checking out the radar screen.
"Any luck?" Zan came up behind his friend.
"Not yet," he answered simply but still with a determination that they would find something.
"We have to find them." Zan paused as he ran a hand through his blue-black hair. "If there's even a chance…" he let the sentence trail off, knowing what a slim chance it would be finding any of the alive.
"I know," Rath turned as he heard his name being called across the deck.
It was one of the soldiers alerting him that the other ship was trying to contact them. Rath and Zan both walked over to the other side and watched the Captain's image appear on the screen.
"General Rath, Your Highness." The image spoke. "There is some debris near the east region of Lantis and possibly the end of a fire in their Langual Mountains. I'm going to check it out Sirs."
"We'll be right behind you," Zan walked over to the pilot. "How fast can you get us to the eastern border of Lantis?"
"Be careful soldier," Rath ordered. "We don't know if the enemy is still out there."
"Yes Sir," Jakub gave a salute before the transmission ended.
A few minutes later, they arrived on Lantis. Jakub's crew had already landed a found what was left of The Royal Ship.
It had crashed at the base of the mountain near a rocky brook. The edge had wedged into the ground and with the weight from the other side, somehow the ship had broken apart. A greenish-gray smoke emanated through the crevice into the magenta colored sky. The crystallized dome on top was also releasing smoke through the tiny fractures and the ground underneath had literally dried out from the heat that escaped from it. It was also obvious from the charred marks all over the aircraft thatit had been on fire.
"Father," Zan rushed to the vessel wedged in the ground. Ignoring the pain from the heat, he placed his hand on the ship to open it.
One by one, they all rushed into it, hoping against all odds that they would find someone they could still save. Two healers followed the last of the soldiers into the aircraft. As soon as they entered they both shook their heads at what they found.
The inside of the ship had been destroyed. Whatever kind of fire this was; it was started on the inside. They braced themselves for the horror they thought they'd see but surprisingly, there was very little blood. But no one was happy to see that; it was too late. Not only could they not be saved, their aura's were lost as well. All that was left off the three Royal and the others aboard was dust.
The rain pounded outside on the smooth concrete. The air had become crisp and cold; the sky was now a mix of dark colors: umber, brown and swirls of a deep orange as the second sun went down. It was if the planet itself was weeping for its fallen king.
The four of them stood in shock at the news Lili had just given them. The King was dead.
"Oh no, Zan." It was all Ava could think of at the moment, getting to him. "I have to go to him."
"She knew you would," Lili said. "Princess Vilandra is sending aride for you Miss Avalena."
"Absolutely not," Zsar had walked in, unbeknownst to everyone else.
"You're not stopping me," determination spread across Ava's face.
"This conversation is not over Avalena," Evan began.
"And you Zsar," Nadia turned towards him. "How could you open your big mouth?"
"Nadia!" Evan yelled.
"Don't stop her Uncle Evan," Ava said with disgust. "Go ahead and let her admit to killing my parents; we all know the truth here."
"Avalena," Zsar walked towards her. "This can't be right. I can't believe they would do something like that." He reached out to her. "You must be so hurt."
"Save it Zsar," she rolled her eyes. "I heard the three of you tonight." She turned towards her sister. "Ema, let's get out of here."
The brunette shook her head, confused. "This has to be some kind of mistake." The tears were forming in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to believe her aunt and uncle were capable of murder, especially her parents'. "We can't just leave, where will we go?"
"Yes my dear, where will you go?" Zsar grabbed her arm.
"Let her go!" Ema screamed.
"To him?" he looked down at the petite blonde. "He doesn't love you; I do."
"He will never marry you," Nadia chimed in. "You're beneath him."
"Stop it!" Ema yelled. "Aunt Nadia!"
Zsar looked into the eyes that stared back at him icily. "You'd rather be his whore than my wife."
"Yes," she replied simply. "I would."
"That's too bad my Avalena but I don't really care what you want." His voice was colder than usual. "We made a deal and you will live up to that; you will be my wife."
"I don't belong to you," Ava jerked back fiercely and then pulled off the weight of that canary ring that had been holding her down. "I never did." She tossed the diamond on the floor as she turned to leave.
"If you walk out that door, don't you ever come back!" Nadia called at her niece's back.
"I hadn't planned to," she replied, still turned around as she walked out into the rain towards the ship that was indeed waiting for her.
"Ava," her sister's voice cracked as she called to her from the doorway.
Ava turned around slowly, taking a long look at her little sister, and then mouthed the words 'I love you'. She bit at her bottom lip as she saw the sadden look in Ema's eyes. This is goodbye, at least for now.
"I love you too," Ema said softly as Ava stepped inside of the ship and it flew off into the night.
Rath sat in the chair watching over Vilandra as she slept. Her eyes had only been closed about ten minutes but it was the longest he'd seen her rest all night. He was enraptured by her beauty; the way the moonlight filtered in through the window and shone upon her face, she looked like some divine treasure that people sought in their dreams but never found in real life.
He stood up and walked over to her beside. Rath gently stroked her hair and leaned over to kiss her tenderly on the forehead. "Goodnight my princess." He was just about to walk out when he heard her call his name.
"Rath," she yawned.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he turned around.
"I can't sleep," Vilandra sat up. "I just keep thinking about what happened to my father. And Hasan and Anash; they were like family to me."
"I know, it's been a rough day for everyone but especially for you, Zan, and your mother." Rath tried to force a smile. "Try to get some rest."
"Will you stay here?" she looked up at him with puffy eyes.
Rath started towards the chair.
"No," she shook her head and then pulled back the covers. "Will you just hold me all night, I feel so safe when I'm with you." Vilandra attempted to smile. "Please."
Rath walked over to her bed and sat down next to her as he started to take off his boots. "This isn't going to look right." He shrugged.
"I don't care," Vilandra replied as he settled into the bed and she settled into his arms.
Ava ran through the acreage towards the hidden garden Zan showed her the night they met. When she arrived at the Palace, she was dripping wet. Jabari had offered to get her some dry clothing until the Prince returned, they hadn't seen him since he'd come back from the search party, but she hadn't had the time. He threw a blanket around her like a shawl as she rushed through the Palace to the place she knew he'd be.
Ava ducked through the opening to find Zan sitting on the bench with his head down. She walked over slowly, tossing the blanket on the bench, and placed her hand on his shoulder.
The Princelooked up at her through red, glazed over eyes.
Ava gave him a sad smile and then wiped away the tear that escaped.
Zan leaned into her and buried his head in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around him lovingly as he finally let out the sobs he'd been holding in. After a few minutes he pulled back and took her hands in his. Not feeling the ring, Zan looked up at her, then at her left hand, and back at her again.
She confirmed his silent question with a kiss as he brought her into his lap. He ravished her mouth with his own and then trailed down her neck to her shoulder as he pulled down the wet material that clung to her. Zan stopped for a moment, as if silently asking her if this is what she wanted.
Ava stood up and grabbing the blanket on the bench, laid it down on the soft soil and knelled there. Zan fell to his knees in front of her and began to kiss her again. They said nothing; they needed no words. They felt it in every touch, every kiss, and in every flash what the other was feeling.
They laid back together on the soft ground in the cover of starlight as they gave their whole selves to each other and they gave into love.