Author's Note: I love Cal in this chapter.

Song Suggestion: Smoke & Mirrors by Demi Lovato

CAL

Being in Piedmont again was like being in Archeon again, like walking into a memory. And right now the past is too painful and the future too unknown. I stare out the window of the now empty conference room. It was a meeting I was dreading to have and it was like signing away the last part of my being. In a way it was a relief, a giant weight lifted from my shoulders. A responsibility I no longer hold. A freedom I'm still trying to wrap my mind around. But at the same time, I am lost. I have no direction, and no one to guide me.

I hear the door open, but I don't turn. Instead, I keep my gaze on the horizon, relying on it to keep me calm.

For a long time, she says nothing, but it's when I feel her hand on my shoulder that I finally speak. "He was your family too," I whisper.

"I'm sorry, Cal," Nanabel whispers.

"Are you?"

She moves her hand and I turn to look into her eyes...my eyes. Eventually, she was able to get to healer in time and some part of me, a very dark and ugly part, is disappointed.

"I do recall you saying he was a 'lost cause the moment he was born.'"

She takes a step back, there is no hiding her surprise. "You know it's the truth," she says, not bothering to deny it. "That girl told you as much, anything worth saving was already corrupted. Maven could never be saved."

"And what about Mare?" I counter.

Watching her squirm under my gaze is not as satisfying as I thought it would be. But Mare would have.

"I'm sure you arranged something for her." I have to tighten my hands into fists to keep them from shaking. "That's why Ptolemus is dead, right? Too busy killing her that he died himself."

"I had no hand in either of their deaths."

"No, I'm sure Volo did all the planning, that way you can claim your innocence. I don't know what hurts more. The woman I love is dead or the fact that is was my own blood that killed her." I go over to the long table, where a manila folder sits. I can barely stand to be in the same room with her.

"I was all the way across the country, fighting to bring Maven's regime down," she says. "I am on your side. You best remember I wasn't the one that plunged that sword into her chest."

I stop short, "I never said anything about a sword."

"I-people talk."

"You just lied to me again. Telling me you didn't know of their plans to kill when you did."

"I swear to you I didn't. Word is already beginning to spread that the Lightning Girl is dead and how it was done. Of course-"

"Spare me. You never were on our side. You let me parade around like a fool. Making me believe that I could change the social norms when this whole time you were plotting behind my back. You wanted to manipulate me into returning things to the way things were. And the only one who stood in the way was Mare. So you got rid of her. And because of both you and Volo's arrogance, the entire Samos family has been wiped out."

"Look I'm sorry you feel that way, but there is an opportunity here. Yes, Samos is gone, but because of that, the entirety of Norta is yours. You can shape it in the way you envisioned it."

"Still trying to put the crown on my head."

"It is your birthright."

She strides over and put a hand on my cheek like I'm a child. I flinch under her touch and move away. "Correction, it was my birthright."

"What?"

Crossing my arms, I shift my gaze over to the folder. And with wide eyes, she reaches over and pulls the documents out. I almost smile at the angry silver flush that blooms over her face and neck.

"What. Have. You. Done."

Her hands begin to shake.

"You see, while I was at Fort Patriot I met someone who is very handy with paperwork. It was almost too easy to have her draw this up for me."

I uncross my arms and point to my signature at bottom of the page. "I'll head over to a video crew right after we're done here. It'll air tonight at sunset."

In a flash, I watch as the folder goes up in smoke and burned pieces land harmlessly on the glass table. And with the wave of a hand, the embers go out.

"Destroy it's all you want. That was just a copy. I do have a vision for Norta, but it will no longer be ruled by one man, but governed by many. No single person should be responsible for the lives of millions. By signing this, I ensured no one ever will."

"But if you abdicate-"

"I did abdicate and you know why? Because you were right, Mare did have an influence on me. And I was sure as long as she was alive that I could rule Norta. But now that she's gone, there is no one to keep me from steering off course."

"Do you realize what you've done! You are the last one with a claim to the throne. Because of this-"

"The monarchy dies with my brother."

"Why?" she whispers.

"You were my blood, one of very few family I have left, but you lied and betrayed my trust. Manipulated me for your own gain. You're no better than Elara."

I see something go out in her eyes and it surprises me that I feel nothing.

I turn my back and make my way to the door. Placing my hand on the doorknob, I turn to look back over my shoulder. She doesn't make a move to stop me.

And I walk out of her life forever.

ANALYSIS

I believe I'm posting twice in a day! This chapter came so easily.

And I can't believe how many symbols I'm using.

Also, no, Anabel did not kill Mare, but she knows who did.