Chapter Twenty-Four
Michael who had been silence from the very beginning was just sitting on the couch sipping his snapple thinking about his own situation while watching everyone gang up on Max. He didn't know if he understood or not what was going on through the guy's head, after all even with his memories of Ava, he wasn't about to attack Maria for her sake. Not in this lifetime anyway. Watching his friend try to defend himself was getting tiresome, he wondered if he should get involved, ofcourse he would rather not. He liked his position so far as the unnoticed one. And Tess...was still in his room or was she, he was becoming suspicious of Tess, a personality he had always possessed. A natural suspicion of everything and everyone, the only people he had ever trusted were Max and Isabel, the only time his suspicions of everything going wrong was when Maria, Liz, Alex and Kyle had come into their life.
Then again, maybe everything that has happened after revealing their secrets to the humans wasn't just coincidence. He still didn't think anything was right about this situation. Tess had gone in that room about, Michael glanced down at his watch, it was 10:15, so she had left for that room about 20 minutes ago. She could have been gone by now, she was a smart cookie now wasn't she.
Maria turned from Max in disgust to Michael, wanting him to jump in on there attack on Max. She still could not believe that Max would attack Liz, which brought on her earlier declaration that Max had mindwarped. She studied Michael for a moment, frowning as his mouth twisted into a smile. Who would smile at a moment like this? In a moment like this? This wasn't a funny situation, her best friend could have been hurt. She walked to Michael standing in front of him, hands crossed as she stared down at him, leaving Kyle and Liz to berate Max while she had a little talk with Michael. He must have realized that she was infront of him, because he looked up, hs smile slipping from his lips.
"Why are you smiling Michael, what's so funny Michael?" Maria asked calmly then took hand and waved it in the air, "Is there anything about this situation you find amusing, Michael"
Michael didn't like Maria's tone, infact whenever she used that tone on him, it usually meant he was in trouble, and he really didn't like the way she used his name over and over again. She said he had been smiling, oh that was not good, he glanced at the corner where Max was silently taking Kyle attack, infact Kyle was the only one talking. Liz's where crossed, while she glanced at Max in a pained look. What ever Kyle was saying was making Max feel ashamed, before he was staring at the floor, bitting his buttom lip. Michael remembered the last time, Max had bit his buttom lip while looking shameful at the same time was when Nun Mary Jane was involved when the Max was only seven years old. He had mummered a bad word.
Maria realizing she was lossing Michael repeated her question, wait, question once more, this time in a snipe voice.
"Nothing" Michael said with a small smile appearing at the corner of his lip shrugging his shoulders in a comfortable manner, "Just the fact that Tess has been gone for 20 minutes now, we are talking about a woman who has the power to manipulate minds, and lets not forget that little detail about her visit to Antar, where she could have learned to use her gifts affectively and effortless..."
"What's your point Michael" Maria asked in experation, touching her brow in an irrated manner not getting the point that Michael was trying to make. "What does that have to do with anything"
"This is a woman who knows that most of us don't like her" Michael said calmly explaining himself, Rath's patience showing, Michael would not have bothered explaining anything, "This is a woman that was attacked as soon as she got here...twice, I just think that with her power she could've sneaked out of here with her baby while we were deciding to hate Max or not"
Maria was silent and blinked as everything clicked in her head, this alien crap was giving her a headache, she turned to max, Kyle and Liz, "Guys!" She called out to them but they didn't seem to hear her, they were still in their fight. She rolled her eyes looking at Michael, raising her eyebrows, obviously wishing for his help.
Michael stood up and streached, then turned to his friend, "Shut up" Michael said calmly, softly that not even Maria could hear him but surpriselyeveryone. Max, Kyle and Liz turned to him. "Maria has something she wants to say"
Maria gave Michael a look as all eyes were on her before turning to her friends, "It's about Tess"
"What about Tess?" Max asked not liking the sound of Maria's voicewhile avoiding eye contact with Liz, he was emotionally exhausted, with Kyle recaping everything that Liz had done for him, everything that she had given up to be with him. And the fact that Max had attacked Liz, well that was incomprehensible He was silent as Michael told him his thoughts on Tess and what could have done, Max shook his head, "That's impossible" He didn't want to think that Tess would leave him especially when he had told her that he was finally remembering his past life. Wasn't thay always her wish, for him to remember his love for her.
"Right" Michael drawled out, shaking his head at Max's naivete, "because this is a woman we can trust."
Max turned to Michael bedroom door then back at Michael, "Why don't you go find out" Max commanded, he really didn't want to find out if Michael was right personally.
Michael seemed uncomfortable with that order, he looked at Max wildly, "Me, why me?"He asked, he was okay were he was, thank you very much.
"Well it was you idea" Max said calmly, crossing his arms over his chest like a king would when he was explaining something that should be obvious, "Why don't you go and find out if your predictions about my Ava are true, though I doubt it"
Michael narrowed his eyes at Max defiantly, he and Max battle stared each other, Michael didn't know why he was fighting the order. It was a reasonable command from his king. Okay, he really hated that thought. With a last look, he stalked to the door and opened the door side, getting in a stopped shot.
Tess was in bed, eyes closed, holding her baby tightly against her breasts, protectively. She was an angel, Michael swallowed at he thought so, his mind swirling, going a million miles away.
Rath was standing outside the birth chambers, he crinkled whenever he thought of the screams he heard from that room. The queen screams still drumming in his eardomes, that was a sound he never wanted to hear again. How anyone could willing perform such an act with full awareness what was to take place, the pain, was beyond him comprehension
The doors opened widely, Artiria, a forest midwive appearing at the door, wearing a bright smile. How anyone could be smiling after someone had screamed like that for that long was beyong his understanding.
"My Lord" Artiria looked at the young man amusingly, knowing excately what every man always thought after the event. "You may come in my lord"
Rath stood there for a moment, not sure he should go in, he knew he was being a little unreasonable but he wasn't sure he should walk in the room knowing that a child was ripped from another person's body. He swallowed nerviously, took a deep breath and walked in the room. There was only one bed, were he found the queen restly comfortable while holding a small creature at her breast, protectively. She was practically glowing, grinning from ear to ear, she had never smiled in such manner before. It was as if the universe was finally set right. She looked so contend and when she looked at him, tears in her eyes, her mouth opened slightly, grinning at him like that. He would have slattered thousands if only she asked, at that moment, he felt like he could have done anything. And the little creature, a girl, all immotas were girls. He didn't understand the genetics but it was part of their beliefs. She was perfect, and he...he wanted one.
"Zan" Ava asked softly questionly, searching for the answer she was hoping to hear.
"He will be here, soon" Rath answered her, giving her his own bright smile, "Can I hold her?"
"NO" she exclaimed then sighed as if she knew how that sounded like, she shook her head, hoping she hadn't hurt his feeling, "Sorry..but I want Zan to hold her first"
Rath gave a small nod, full of understanding, he was content in just watching mother and child, and Rath found himself truly and completely in love. He would give his life for that small creature, "Zan would be happy that you reserved that right for him"
Ava gave a small nod, head on her child, the sun glidded through the open windows, making the moment picture perfect, the two shone brightly, the entire universe would consider themselves lucky to be able to see such a scene. All those who were fortunate enough to see a mother and her child right after birth, trully understood the connection between two souls.
"I could die tomorrow, you know?" Ava said suddenly, surprising Rath who looked at her with no way to response her statement, not sure what she was getting at. She was smiling so it was all good, perhaps, "I would be contend, dying tomorrow, as long as I leave such a precious gift. This is one thing I know Zan deserves, this beacon of love that's worth thousands of stars...no, all the stars in the universe"
"That's a big number of star" Rath said with a small smile completely amused, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"Zan deserves all those stars" Ava declared calmly, it was like a statement of fact for her then looked at her child, "I can't give them all to him, but this child, this soul produced by our love and pieces of our souls, this creature of beauty and light will be enough to prove everything I have claimed, everything I have uttered to Zan, to my love"
"Michael" A voice called behind him, interupting his vision. He turned to find Max standing behing him, Zan standing behind him. This was the guy who had Ava's love, a guy reduced to a teenager in another planet, yet Ava's love was able to travel thousands of stars, rising in Tess like a force to be reakon with. How was it fair, that Ava/Tess would love Zan/Max in a way that was impossible for most creatures/species in all the universe. And Max, ever since Tess's arrival, the way she was treated by him must have broke her, but she never gave up.
"Michael" Max called out again, feeling uneasy about his friend's empty eyes. Michael seems to have come back as the guy shook his head, his eyes clear, a little life in then, Max was begin to worry, "Are you okay, Michael"
Michael gave a small smile and shrugged his shoulder, "I just had a flashback"
Max gave a small nod in understanding, walking closer to Michael studing his longtime friend, "You want to talk about it?"
"Later" Michael said with a small nod, he hated anything that required his expression of emotions, he shrugged his shoulder then wore a small smile, "And you were right, by the way, Tess is in there, sleeping"
Max looked over Michael's shoulder and smiled, "Poor thing, she must have been exhausted"
Michael stared at Max for a moment, a rush of emotions in his body, before he pushed them all down. What was he doing? He was doing the same thing that Max had done when he remembered Ava, disregarding that Tess had killed Alex. With that thought, Michael regained his senses. "It's quite late, don't you think?"
Max turned back to Maria, Liz, and Kyle who where looking at them questionly, "It's amarzing how much can happened in one night huh?"
Max and Michael walked back to their friends, before Max suggested that everyone go get some rest. It was rather a command really, but noone really battled the order, everyone was emotionally and physically exhausted. Maria went and gave Michael a kiss before, she, Kyle and Liz turned to walk out.
"Liz" Max called out, before she could walk out of the door and follow Kyle and Maria. She turned to him wearing a surprised look, she had obviously thought that he was going to stay the night with Tess. Max was tempted, he really was but he had damage control to do at home and while he was on it he would talk to Liz about them, "Wait for me"
Max turned to Michael, "I will come back tomorrow and check on our guest okay"
Michael nodded and watched as Max and Liz walked out of the apartment, putting a lot of space between them. All he could think as he watched Max's slumped shoulders, was how this was not going to be good.
"I want Max" Liz said stopping as soon as they got out of the building and turning to Max. The night air was warm and lovely, the stairs shining brightly in the stars, it trully was a beautiful night. Max couldn't help noticing that Liz looked rather broken at that point, but the moonlight was good for her body time, she shined beautifully. Liz was the moon, while Tess was the sun. Tess would glow during the sun while Liz was unbelievable beautiful at night.
Max looked at Liz, eyes filled with amusement, "I am Max" He said in a laughing voice, "Max is Me"
"No, you're not" Liz said looking as serious as ever, there was nothing funny about this situation, "You are Zan, you even sound like him" she declared outloud.
"Yes" Max said raising his eyebrows, he was sure that Liz had a point to all this. He knew that she was still reeling from the attack but he really wanted to keep everything as light as possible. That had been purely instinct, hadn't he explained that already.
"Which one is it?" Liz asked harshly, this wasn't a light situation, this wasn't a game. She had to make sure she was talking to Max because she was finding it hard to believe that Max would just forget about Alex. That maybe Maria was right, that Tess had somehow manipulated Max's thoughts and feelings, she had done it before. "Are you Zan or Max?"
Max finally gave a nod in understanding stepping foward, eye trained on Liz's, "Ahhhh, simple Liz, I am both"
Max sighed as Liz seem to try to absorb that information, but the truth was that this situation was going to be hard for the human mind. The explainations about the two sets of things, two sets of memories, two sets of lives, families, planents, two sets of personalities. Now Max had to incoparate his past life with his present. He now also had a choice between two woman, both with thier own good qualities. Who was he kidding, he had already made his choice but it was rather hard to let one go.
"How I can I explain this" Max took a deep breath hands flying to his face as he pulled his hair back in fastraution, it was a very fastrauing situation, it wasn't this going to be fun, "I have Max's memories and also most Zan's memories. I am trying to figure everything out Liz and it's not easy. And Tess, she is Zan's one true love and Max loved you. I need time...you know"
"Time?"Liz asked, although she really knew what that meant. This was too much for Liz, and here she was trying not to cry. Tears threatening to come out, but she forced a sigh.
Max grabbed Liz's hand with the intention of giving her a hug, then another memory flashed into his mind, and Liz's as well.
The wedding color was bright cold to illuminate the skin of their Queen to be. The color lights however were quite different, flouncing in the purple air with pale red and pink. The grassy flower, bright red as a rose spelling glittery fresh on the Planet Antar. The hall were the wedding was to take place never seemed or looked more spendid. The music had began to play with a slow sensual beat of the rythm, like the sound of organic music on this planet. The thousands of people from the five planets showed up to get the glimpse of Ava. The woman of no noble blood who won the heart of the king. Ava sighed as one by one ladies of celebracy walked up the asle before her. This was the moment to last lifetimes, she had made it and after this day she had eternity to spent with her love, her lifemate. She started the long walk home as blasts of trumpets gave signal.
Zan had always thought of his lifemate to be wearinf the velvet red gown warn by previous queens. But it was not so, and his lordship would not have it any other way. This lovely creature walking towards him took his breath away. No queen before her had broken the tradition and noone looked the way she did. Ava walk towards her LordKing was filled with pride, flounding her her tightly measured gold silk gown that flowed to her feet with a long trial. A huge gold viel to cover her lower face leaving the top half open for all to see her deep rooted eyes. Her long golden tresses waved like the Antarian ocean. She was to be queen, she was a queen in all her glory. Zan resisted the urge to raise his hand to his heart. His kingship stepped forward, power raiding from his being with Rath standing slightly behind him. Ava raised her palm to his which he excepted glading, drawing her to him.
The lifemate ceromony had began. The high priest raised his hands, placing them atop the king and his lifemate, offering the blessings from the higher being. After eons of rituals, Ava and Zan sighed in relief as they were once again proclaimed lifemates. His warm, reassuring gaze looking adoringly into her eyes, the two sealed the coronation with a kiss.
"Now brace yourself" he whispered softly agains her lips, "It is tradition"
Ava had only to wait a millisecond to understand his words. As the King and Queen turned to the crowds of people, the hall sound at feet standing was heard all around. Grasping Zan's hands tightly, Ava watched as the royal houses of the five planets come forward, each kneeling sounding down before them. Even the queen mother of Antar, Fadilia was to kneeling and so was Valendra. Ava glanced as Zan in amazement, he was grinning as he turned to the nobles.
"Behold you new Queen, My lovely lifemate" He said in a commanding voice that was around above and beyond, "She would rule over you as my equal, know what she commands, I have commanded, The treatment you bid her, you bid me, loyalty to her is loyalty to me, dishonor you give her, you give me" Zan turned to Ava and silently, only to her, "Your Kingdom, My love"
Ava smiled again, learning forward for another Kiss.
Liz pulled back, looking up at Max. That had been too real, that was a marriage ceremon between the king and queen of Antar. Max tried to say something but his breath was caught up, he really couldn't saything. So he stood there and watching in desperation and fear as his once upon a love turned and ran away from him.