She looked at the group, before disappearing around the side of the castle wall. Paxton cleared his throat and looked over at Rodney. "Rodney…might I have a word?" he asked. Rodney held in a groan of disgust, as she walked towards him. "Yea?" she asked, not bothering to hide her impatience. "Your family's reputation is on the line as it is. I don't need you and your sister screwing around with it and making it worse…I'm already marrying a cave dweller and inviting you the other cave woman into my family. Don't mess it up by fooling around immaturely…" he said, his eyes showing malice.
"Reputation, what are you talking about?" Rodney asked. Paxton gave a fake smile to Cain, Glitch, Azkadellia and Aiden. "Come….let's go talk elsewhere…" he said, grabbing her arm tightly. He pulled her towards the side of the castle. "Ow. Let go of me!" Rodney protested. Paxton turned and stepped close to her, his faces inches from her own.
"Listen, little red. Everyone knows your alive….that's wonderful news. It wasn't so hot of news trying to get a proper story set as to where you were for the past eight years. Living in a cave makes it seem like you were hiding, and too afraid to return. Then suddenly eight years later when you meet some groupie travelers…you decide to return. It makes me look like I'm marrying a coward!" Paxton growled.
"You have no idea what we were going through," Rodney hissed. "That may be true, but its not exactly believable. Two little girls hiding because their mommy and daddy go bye bye's?" Paxton asked, with a smirk. Rodney glared at him, before spitting in his face. Paxton froze for a second, before wiping his face with his gloved hand. He turned and grabbed Rodney by her neck and held her against the marbled wall.
"You're really driving my patience…Rodney…" he growled. "What do you think you are doing?" she asked, grabbing onto his wrist. "I want to make this very clear. You will not tell Blondy, Zipperhead, or the Tin Man about this or else…" he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I'll kill them all…" he said, before drawing back. He released his hold on her. "Make sure you do what I told you to do. If anything goes wrong with this wedding…or my image…I'm coming for you first…or maybe I should start with the Zipperhead…" Paxton said, with a hard stare.
Rodney returned the look. "Fine…but I hope my sister realizes how much of a jerk you really are and she will call off the wedding. She's smart, she'll be able to figure it out…" she said, with a snarl. Paxton smiled wickedly. "My dear soon to be sister, she has no way out of it…she's bound by her mother's signature…." Paxton said, his eyes showing a hidden laughter.
"Well, you never know. The paper may just one day…disappear…" Rodney said. Paxton stepped forward. "It better not…you probably won't even find it…" Paxton spat. There was the sound of soft footsteps, and they turned to see Julia. She looked confused. "What are you guys…doing?" she asked. Paxton stepped away from Rodney.
"Can't tell. Special surprise for the bride. Right, Rodney?" he asked, looking at her. Rodney nodded stiffly. "Yea…" she said. Paxton walked towards Julia and put his arm around her shoulders. "What do you say we go for a nice little romantic walk in the woods?" he asked. Julia nodded. "Okay…" she agreed. She looked over at Rodney.
"Rod, you okay?" Julia asked, concerned. "I'm fine…" Rodney lied, covering her wrist. "See? She's fine….come now…." Paxton said, steering Julia towards the woods. Julia shot her sister one last worried look, before walking away with Paxton. Rodney moved her sleeve and looked down to see her wrist was red, and slightly bruised. She walked back around the wall, and saw everyone sitting on the benches. Glitch stood up as she returned.
Glitch could tell by the look on her face that something was wrong. "Rodney…what's wrong?" Glitch asked. Rodney looked up at him. "Nothing is wrong…nothing at all…" she said, forcing a smile. Glitch smiled at her. "If something is wrong…you can just tell me…" he said. Rodney nodded. "I know…" she said, pulling her sleeve down more.
Cain looked over. "What's wrong with your wrist?" he asked. Rodney looked at him. "What do you mean? Nothing…" she said. Cain gave her a look, and nodded to Glitch. "Rodney…" Glitch said. Rodney sighed and lifted her hand slightly. Glitch softly pulled back her sleeve, and his eyes widened slightly. Cain stood up and walked over.
"What…happened?" Glitch asked. "You look bruised…" Cain stated simply. "Oh, this? I was walking around the corner and I almost slipped. Paxton grabbed my wrist and helped me to my feet. I would of snapped my neck if he didn't help me. He's a real hero…" Rodney said, with a fake smile. Cain and Glitch exchanged looks. "Guess he is…" Cain said, walking away.
"Where are you going?" Glitch called after him. "To dry my clothes…" Cain said, disappearing around the corner and into the castle. "Oh…right…we all probably should change. Although…I don't really mind it…" Glitch said, with a shrug. Rodney shrugged as well. "Me either. I like being wet anyway…" Rodney said, sitting down on a bench.
Glitch joined her. "So…what are you going to do after this unfortunate marriage?" Rodney asked. Glitch shrugged. "I don't know. I feel like I should go back with Lavender Eyes and Ahamo but… I won't be happy there…" Glitch said, looking at her. "Why?" she asked. Glitch looked at the ground. "I don't want you to be left alone again. You were alone for eight years…I don't want you to relive that…" Glitch said, looking at her again.
Rodney smiled and put a hand on the side of Glitch's face. "You are the sweetest person ever…" she said. They both leaned in, but a giggle stopped them. They both turned to see Aiden grinning up at them. "Mommy and Mr. Zipper are gonna kiss…" he said, sticking out his tongue. Rodney smiled. "I'm gonna get you…" she said. Aiden squealed and then took off running.
"Let's go get him…" Glitch said, standing up and offering Rodney a hand.