Amari sighed. It had been two weeks since she told Prince Phobos about Arayon, their son, and she hadn't heard a word from him. She looked over and smiled as she watched Arayon spin a top she had given him a few months ago. A knock on the door jarred her thoughts. Amari stood and walked to the door, opening it to see Lord Cedric.
"Amari." Cedric said as he took a step in the door.
"Lord Cedric." she said a little surprised, "Were you sent by...?"
Cedric look at her, "Yes." he said as he entered the small cottage, "I'm here to escort you and Arayon to Earth."
Her eye brows sank in confusion, "Earth?" she asked.
Looking at Arayon, who was watching them, Cedric lowered his voice and took a step closer to Amari, "Prince Phobos believes that if the rebels find out that Arayon is his son, they'll come after him or perhaps even you. Your lives are not safe here in Meridian or all of Metamoor."
"But," Amari said a little scared, "I-I've never been to Earth before."
Lord Cedric smiled, "That's why I'm here to escort you." he said, "Gather all your belongings. We have a ways to go."
It took a while, but they gathered all their important belongings and headed out of the small cottage.
"Lord Cedric." Amari said as she picked her son up in her arms.
He turned around, giving her his full attention, "Yes?" he answered.
"Before we go," she said as she looked up at the castle, "I want to see him."
"Amari, Prince Phobos is very busy with-"
"I have the right to see him." she said, cutting him off.
Cedric paused for a few seconds then answered, "Alright." he said as they headed for the castle gates.
--
"Prince Phobos?" Cedric asked as he walked into the throne room.
Phobos turned around and glared at him, "Cedric, I can't be bothered with more meaningless tasks." he said, "Now go!"
"So, I'm just a meaningless task?" Amari asked as she walked in holding Arayon, who was dozing off on her shoulder.
Phobos lowered his tone and looked at her, "What are you doing here?" he asked as he looked at Arayon, who's eyes were closed with drowziness.
"I wanted to see you before Cedric took us to Earth." she said.
Phobos looked her in the eyes and then turned his back on her, "You saw me." he said, "Now go."
Amari walked up behind him, leaning her head against this back, "Goodbye." she said as she kissed his neck before Cedric escorted her out of the throne room.
As the door closed, Phobos quickly turned around and looked at it. All of a sudden, there was a emptiness in the room.
---
Sitting on his throne, Phobos sat in the silence thinking. He glared at the doors as he heard them open, seeing a small female figure walk in.
"My Lord?" it was Evella.
"What do you want?" he asked, coldly.
Taken back by his tone, Evella stopped in her tracks.
Phobos stood and walked down the steps of his throne. He made his way across the room to where Evella stood. Looking into her eyes with a glare he took a step closer.
With her heart racing, Evella froze, "My Lord? What is it?" she asked as she looked over his shoulder to see empty wine bottles littering the floor, some of them broken.
"Why are you here?" he asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them with his thumbs softly.
"I," she said, but was cut off by Phobos' lips pressing against hers roughly, "Mm!"
He kissed her passionately for a few moments before he broke the kiss and glared into her eyes. He placed his hands on the top of her dress and tore it down the front.
"My prince!" she said as she tried to cover herself.
"Silence!" he said, raising his voice as he grabbed her arms, forcing her to the ground.
Evella felt her tears run down her cheeks as she tried to scream, but knew nothing would be done if she did, Amari was right, she thought as Phobos forced her dress off of her.
---
While making their way to the portal that would take them to Earth, Arayon slept peacefully on the cart carrying their belongings.
"What's Earth like?" Amari asked.
"It's highly more advanced than Metamoor." Cedric said as he looked back at her with a smile, "Don't worry. It won't be that difficult to fit in."
Amari looked back to see the castle in the distance, "I'm scared." she said.
Cedric looked at her worried face and smiled, "I won't leave until I know you're settled." he said as he looked back at Arayon, "He's growing quickly."
Amari smiled as she looked back at him as well, "Yes." she said, "He has his father's temper."
Cedric laughed as they continued to travel down the road, "Be sure to help him control that." he said.
"I will." she said as they approached a blue smudge, "Is that...the portal?"
"Yes." Cedric said as he changed his clothes to match his Earth appearance, "Here."
Amari looked down to see her clothes changing shape and color, "What?" she asked.
"Now you'll fit in." Cedric said as he turned and did the same with Arayon, "Let's go before someone sees us."
---
Walking to his bath, he told a guard to bring him two of his concubines as he walked over to the waterfall type shower. Sipping the last of the wine in his glass, he threw it aside as he staggered over, took off his robe, and walked under the water. Feeling it warm against his skin and over his face, Phobos looked up as the two concubines entered his bath.
"Get out." he said sternly as they both walked over to him.
"But you called for us, sire." one of them said.
"I don't care!" he said, "Leave!"
They left and once again Phobos was all alone. He sighed as he looked around for more wine, but remembered he had drank the last of it. Phobos leaned his head back and silently let tears fall from his eyes, knowing the water would wash them away as soon as they came.
---
"Take Arayon in your arms and follow me." Cedric said as he walked closer to the portal, but noticed Amari hesitating, "Don't be afraid."
Amari looked at Cedric to see him smiling warmly and holding his hand out for her to take. She did, and together they walked through the portal to the other side.
Short chapter, I know. I don't know how to put all these ideas together. I'll work on it.
And yeah, Phobos is battling depression. Oh well. Maybe he'll get over it. Idk.
Next chapter coming soon!