Hello!
Yay! A Kai's POV. I know I haven't done one in a long time because I had to make room for the investigation and the resolution of the 'mystery traitor'. But never fear! The story is not ending yet. In fact there will be a lot more coming up... And you'll be surprised at how the problems deepen and deepen and deepen. But never mind that. To the twentieth chapter we go!
Kai feverishly clicked through the documents on his portscreen, hardly even concentrating on the words before him. He had to keep busy. Had to keep his brain working. Do any but think about her. Nothing he did worked. Cinder's face was imprinted on the backs of his lids. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her, every time he thought he smelled her gentle perfume, it turned out to be a fluke. Even the things in his office were a shrine to her.
He glared hatefully at the little cyborg foot at the corner of his desk. "It's all your fault," he muttered. "Damn it, Cinder! Why?" Kai pounded his fist on his desktop and raked his hand through his hair, his fingers clenching on the strands. They were doing so well before she had to ruin it all. Kai didn't understand what he did wrong. Well, Kai knew that he could have handled the press conference a bit... better, but, still. Cinder shouldn't have been so cold. That had been extreme, even for her.
Nainsi popped her head in to check on him. Her blue sensors swept over his disheveled hair sympathetically. "Would you like tea, Your Majesty?" her robotic voice asked.
Kai huffed a sigh. "No thank you, Nansi." He didn't want tea. He wanted Cinder. Life was so unfair.
"Or some refreshments?" she continued unhindered. Kai narrowed his eyes at his android. What was Nainsi trying to say? He had already refused. Nainsi sensors brightened with a warning and mild alarm as she was roughly shoved aside.
"Wha-" Kai said, standing up. Tandoori stood in the entryway to his office, simpering with lush, full lips. She completely ignored Nainsi, who was tilted precariously on one tread. Kai smiled tightly. Stars, what about this girl had to be so annoying? "Tandoori-mei," Kai greeted, pasting a cordial expression onto his face. "What a pleasant surprise."
It was anything but pleasant. But if the girl detected sarcasm in his tone, she didn't show it. "Your Majesty," she purred, making sure to bow in a way that made sure extra cleavage was pushed out just the tiniest bit. Kai didn't know whether to gape or gag at her immodesty. But from the smug look on Tandoori's expertly made up face, it was probably the former. Kai shuddered. The girl seemed to take it as in invitation as she slunk closer. Her dress swayed around her hips, the fabric cut near the top of her thigh. Kai slowly sat back down, eyeing her warily. She leaned against his desk, propping her head in her hands, thrusting her chest close to his face.
"No need to be so formal, Your Majesty," Tandoori said smiling. She raised herself and rounded the desk toward him. It was a mistake to invite her for a tour of the palace. After Kai's disastrous date, he had heeded Torin's instructions to look over his list of suitable 'Empresses'. He had been so angry, Kai had just commed the first girl on the list. He definitely regretted it now. Kai shifted his office chair away imperceptibly, but it didn't stop her from coming closer. Tandoori looped her arms around his neck and straddled his legs. "Is there anything I can help you with, Your Majesty?" she crooned, dragging an index finger slowly down his chest.
Kai attempted to keep his face expressionless and voice calm as he said, "Nothing you can be of use, Tandoori-mei. As you can see," he nodded toward his portscreen, "I am very busy right now." She pouted- the facial expression so unlike Cinder's, Kai almost choked- her lips squishing out in a most unappealing way. When Cinder sulked, she made it look adorable. With Tandoori, it only looked like she was sucking on lemons. She leaned forward and Kai tilted his head to the side so her lips landed on his temple.
Tandoori frowned. "Why so shy, Your Majesty?" Her face changed into one of calculation. "Did we not have fun the day before?" Kai tried not to grimace. Another fatal mistake he had made. He didn't know why he brought her into the Empress' suite, the rooms adjoining his, designed for his future wife. Tandoori was so excited, she threw open the balcony doors overlooking the gardens before Kai could warn her against it. Cinder was in the gardens watching the palace, still looking as beautiful as ever. Her wistful demeanor had turned into one of complete surprise as she spotted Tandoori, then guarded inscrutability as her eyes flickered over to him. Disgust, as she watched him kiss her. Kai didn't lie. He'd admit part of the reason why he had given Tandoori so much attention was because he had wanted to make Cinder jealous. But the Luna queen hadn't looked envious, she had looked at them with distaste.
That one expression had caused him to almost lose control, he had been so furious. And he knew he had deserved it. Inviting Tandoori had been a desperate move, and Cinder had known it. Tandoori translated Kai's frustration and bitter rage as passion and she pressed herself closer and closer and closer until there had been nothing between them, and by that time, it had been too late for regrets. He woke up the next morning absolutely horrified and so ashamed, he could not for the life of him, look Tandoori in the eye. What had he done? He couldn't even imagine the look on Cinder's face when she heard of this.
"I'm busy, Tandoori-mei," Kai said through gritted teeth. "The other day was a mistake. I'm sorry." To her credit, Tandoori did not cry, scream or stamp her foot, as Kai would have imagined. She merely leaned back and observed him silently.
"It's the queen, isn't it," she said calmly. Kai flinched. Tandoori got up, disentangling their legs. "You didn't think I was a simple, idiotic bobblehead, did you? I knew, well, I think mostly everyone knew about your designs on Queen Selene." Tandoori shot him a look. "And it was not because of the restaurant incident, though that was unfortunate." Kai recovered from his astonishment and narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean, my designs on the Luna queen?"
Tandoori cocked a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "I'm sure Your Majesty knows what I mean. With all your fandoms praising the brilliance of the royal interplanetary couple, I believe Your Majesty gets my insinuation." Kai flushed hotly.
"Then, if you knew. Why did you try..." Kai gestured helplessly at her, not knowing how to explain. She smiled coyly.
"Well, I suppose it is every girl's dream to ensnare a prince. An emperor? Even better." Tandoori shrugged. "I just wanted to try. I didn't anticipate this ploy to work. I knew that your heart was never with me. I realized it from the moment I stepped in the door the day before. Not to mention the Kalene shipping couples that will bang at my door demanding me to back off from your budding romance with the queen." She smirked at his scowl. "Yes, you and Her Majesty even have a ship name. But I can see that Her Majesty is fond of you, even if she doesn't say it aloud."
"She broke up with me," Kai pointed out. "I believe this is what? The second time?" He couldn't believe he was spilling out his girl problems to her.
"Perhaps Queen Selene has her reasons," Tandoori said. "I think you will get back together with her sooner or later anyway. You two have smokin' hot chemistry. Better than even a net drama. " She sighed wistfully. "It's gorgeous to see. By the way, Her Majesty was absolutely green with jealousy when she saw us together." Tandoori gave him a playful grin. "Hilarious, I tell you."
Kai frowned at her, even as his heart skipped a beat at the thought of Cinder still not over him. It was petty, he knew, but he couldn't help himself. "I didn't see any jealousy," he said finally. Tandoori snorted most unladylike.
"Of course you didn't. As if she would show you her true feelings." She said it as if there was no room for argument. Kai gave her a dirty look.
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, no girl with her pride intact would willingly admit to her ex that she wanted him back. Unless, of course, Queen Selene was one of those weak, desperate types. Which I really doubt," Tandoori paused, then added as an afterthought, "No offense to the weak, desperate types of course."
"Yeah," Kai muttered, thinking only of himself.
"Hey!" exclaimed Tandoori, after a moment. "You want to get back together with Her Majesty, correct?" She went on before Kai could reply. "I can pretend to be your new girlfriend. That would make Queen Selene jealous for sure!"
Kai stared at her. "Two problems," he said drily, "You don't know if Cinder wants me back for sure, and two, if she liked me all that much, obviously she wouldn't have broken up with me." Kai gazed past her to the dead-looking plant on the his windowsill. The one Cinder had wanted to foster. He felt that burning, bitter sting crawl up his throat again. She had abandoned it, just like she had abandoned him. Again.
Tandoori shrugged. "How would you know if you haven't tried? If Her Majesty reacts strongly to my presence by your side, then you would have your answer, would you not? And if she is truly indifferent to you, then this event would give you closure. It's a win-win situation."
Yeah, Kai wanted to say, but what if he didn't want to find out? "I guess so," he said at last.
Tandoori beamed. "Then it is settled. I believe you have a dinner with the Lunar delegates this evening? I shall accompany you as your date." Kai nodded faintly. Tandoori tugged him up gently.
"C'mon, the more people who see us, the more the rumors will spread and it will not be long until your queen hears of our 'relationship'," she said making air quotes. She linked their arms cheerfully, but Kai stopped.
"Wait, but if you do this for me, what are you getting out of it? I'm only using you."
Tandoori smirked. "What do you think, Your Majesty? Bragging rights, of course." She dragged him to the door and threw it open. Tandoori waved warmly at his assistants as they stared the beautiful long-legged beauty beside him. Feeling especially irritated and impatient, it was then Kai's turn to tow Tandoori to the halls as she blew them a kiss goodbye.
"Was that necessary?" she asked, rubbing her arms where he had gripped it. "Stars," she snapped as Kai continued to pull her onwards, "What's the hurry?" She almost tripped on her heels in her haste to catch up.
"You were the one who said that the more people who see us, the more the rumors will spread and it will not be long before, Cinder sees us, " Kai retorted. Tandoori opened her mouth to protest, but Kai pressed a finger to his lips to shush her as he heard voices.
"... can't believe you just decided not to tell us. What in all the stars is wrong with you?" snapped a woman's voice. "You didn't inform the council, Cress, or Cinder's personal security personnel. If we had helped, we would have found out it was Sage much sooner." Kai's brow creased. The Sage Cinder had introduced to him?
Kai jerked his thumb at Tandoori and they retreated a few steps into the corner. "We weren't making progress on the fire at all!" a man countered, his tone low and harsh. "The ambush was the incident that gave us the clues to at least get us somewhere. And besides, Cinder is safe now is she not?" What ambush? Kai exchanged wary glances with Tandoori. They strained their ears as their conversation got steadily louder in the deserted corridor.
Another woman, this voice a bit higher. "Sage could've tried something after that, Reece! You know how close the ambush was? Scarlet and Cinder could have gotten very seriously hurt. We haven't even caught the rogue yet. The assassin might still be out there. Also, Atticus knew nothing. How are we going to explain the capture and arrest of his only son?"
"Cinder didn't tell me everything, Cress. I may be her advisor and second-tier, but I am not her confidant, no matter how much I want her to trust me. I wasn't in the room when Cinder met with Sasha. He told her something. I know he did. But if Cinder refuses to talk, Sasha's mouth is staying closed for sure. I don't know what to do. Her nightmares and panic attacks are getting worse. She screams at night and there's nothing I can do to help," Reece said frustrated. Kai could hear him pacing furiously. "Didn't you say that she blacked out before her talk with Sasha? That never used to happen. A bit of nausea, dizziness or hot flashes. That was it." Concern welling, Kai tried to process the information. Something about a folio, ambush, Sage and Cinder's worsening panic attacks.
Kai could picture the golden haired thaumaturge as she twisted and untwisted her hair nervously, a jittery habit of hers. "Maybe we should head back to Luna. This vacation has been more like a nightmare. We came to the Commonwealth to let her loosen up and this is not working. It's getting even worse with Cinder's health deteriorating and the attempted assassinations." Kai bit his lip. Was there something he was missing? Something that Cinder had not told him? She was sick? Sick with what? And what about the assassinations? Wasn't there only one attempt on the queen's life?
"We cannot go back," Reece said abruptly. "If the assassin can reach us here, then it will be even worse in Luna. We'll just have to up the guards-"
"Cinder will not like the increase in security. You know how much she hates being watched. I imagine she's already refused Sasha's offer of more escorts. You know how she gets," said someone
Kai thought to be Ambassador Scarlet.
"Who said we had to tell her?" Cress replied. "I don't really think it matters whether we do it without her consent or not. Her safety is of the utmost importance and it really should be our first priority."
"She's too stubborn," Reece said, exhaling. "I think she has it in her head that our ignorance is somehow going to save us from whatever is plaguing her. Cinder pushes everyone away and that selfless, martyr complex she has going on is eventually going to get her killed."
"And we are going to be worse off for it," Scarlet said, irritation marring her tone. "She's supposed to be the one who keeps us together and how's that going to happen with her out of the picture?" she scoffed. "Stars, I know that altruism is supposedly a virtue, but Cinder is really taking it way too far. She's hardly eating and haven't slept a wink these past two days."
"Could you blame her?" Reece challenged. "If you had a mother who was deranged, an aunt who had an obsession with killing you and friends that like to desert you, how would you react? I suppose you would like to think that you could stay strong through whatever life throws your way, but it is really harder than you think." Their footsteps drew nearer.
"Indeed," Cress said. There was a serene lapse in the exchange. Then, "I'm getting really worried," Cress said softly. "Cinder just sits, and thinks, and mopes all day long. This can't be good for her."
Reece snorted. "What made you think that any of this was good for her? She-" He stopped. Tandoori sauntered forward, dragging him along. She inclined her head elegantly at the Lunar delegates.
"Good day," she said cheerfully. To her credit, she did not sound as if they had just eavesdropped on their whole conversation. Thaumaturge Cress' gaze skimmed over them with distaste. Her bright blue orbs settled on Kai, and she shook her head once, as if in disapproval.
"Your Majesty," she said, and continued on her way as if nothing was wrong. Ambassador Scarlet glowered at Tandoori darkly, giving her a derisive once-over, then swung her head toward him. She folded her hands into her uniform's bell sleeves and curled her lip. The young redheaded conscript looked as if she wanted to say something, but then just shook her head at him and followed the first-tier thaumaturge. Reece didn't move.
"Are you coming, Blackcrest?" came Scarlet's annoyed voice.
"I'll catch up," Reece called back. He turned to him and Tandoori.
"What is this about, Thaumaturge Blackcrest?" Kai questioned calmly, ignoring how his heart gathered speed as Reece clenched his fists at his sides. He felt an urge to step back, but that would translate to cowering, and Kai would never cower to anybody, especially to someone like him.
Reece's tone dropped to a low growl as he made sure his colleagues were out of earshot before he said, "I know you were listening, Your Majesty. Your little girlfriend might be an admirable actress, but the same could not be said about yourself, I'm afraid. Stay out of our business and we will stay out of yours. The queen is none of your concern anymore."
"Reece!" snapped Scarlet.
"Coming!" he snapped back. But his eyes did not waver from his. "Don't meddle, Kaito, or there will be consequences."
Dun dun dun duunnn! What did you think? Reviews, pretty please!
-Silverleaf