(RJ's POV)
The house felt empty without Valin asking me to join him in a game, screaming at his online friends, or loudly typing on his laptop. It's a strange feeling—missing him. Today, he and Zai are going to an event center with their partners... I should find someone to be with, so next time I can join them without making things awkward.
Just as I sat down to watch a movie, there was a knock at the door. Everyone who knows where I live is busy... Maybe Valin ordered something online? Odd, since he's been planning to move out again.
I opened the door to find a tall woman, around six feet, with large gold-colored almond eyes, caramel skin, and long, straight dark brown hair streaked with golden highlights. It curled slightly at the ends and reached the center of her back. She wore a loose white dress. She was beautiful—unlike anyone I'd seen before, yet somehow familiar.
"Oh..." She stepped back. "I heard that Zai lives here. I wanted to talk to him," she said quietly.
{Cera said this is Zaikel's home... He didn't mention Raijian.}
She was shivering, unable to meet my gaze for even a second.
Now I know who she reminds me of.
"Are you... Tana?"
She gasped. "I'm not here to cause trouble, I promise! I just wanted to see Zai—not for anything you'd disapprove of! I just want to talk, I swear!" She shielded her face with her arms.
I gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside.
"Wait here," I said after closing the door and heading to my room.
What is Tana doing here? How is her face better? Wasn't she dead?I needed a drink. After finishing off two beers, I returned.
"Why are you looking for Zai?"
Tana hadn't moved from where I left her—charmingly obedient.
"I… V has lost it. I've stayed by his side for ten thousand years, and I thought eventually he'd change, but... I was hoping to raise Zai to take over in his place. It's time for my brother to relinquish the throne. You... You'll come too, right?"
I touched her cheek, and her eyes widened.
"Why do you look like this?"
She gasped and grabbed her arm, digging her nails into the skin until she bled. Then she stepped just out of reach. I had to resist the urge to follow.
"V had been hiring a specialist to repair my body... The last experiments were successful."{Thanks to Insinz's help.}
Then she met my eyes for the first time. A flutter sparked in my chest. I turned and slammed my head into the brick wall beside me.
She's Tana. Pull yourself together!
"Are you okay?" she asked, rushing to my side and touching my shoulder.
"Yes… Just going through some psychological turmoil. You're... my aunt, right?"
She giggled, finally relaxing. "That's right."
Damn it. Outside of taboo rituals, it would be wrong to put my hands on her.{Wow, Raijian has grown up so much. I'm glad he's been well all this time.}
It'd be easier if she still looked the way I remembered. She's too attractive now, but Ignoring family ties—that's something he would do. I'm not like him. Besides, she's just as unhinged. A new face doesn't change that... though her thoughts feel more mellow now.
"When is Zai coming home?" she asked, glancing around the house.
"Why are you looking for him?"
My question made her bite her lip.{Would he really return to Afaria with me? What if he refuses? Raijian couldn't help me alone.}
"Oh, I see."
She had no defense against my mind reading—unusual, but convenient. Maybe she let her guard down on purpose, to show she can be trusted.
"I don't believe he'll be willing to go back," I said.
"Why not?"
The question was painfully naïve. There are many reasons he wouldn't, but one stands out—one she's unaware of.
"Before I tell you… tell me what happened to Aluma."
Tana started biting her nails.{That woman again... the Infaniyan bride.}
"She's alive... and she misses you."{Something told me to bring her with me as a peace offering. I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have left so frantically.}
Being able to read her thoughts made Tana seem more normal… Did fixing her face fix her personality too?
"If you can bring her back to me... I'll help you meet with Zai. I'll even help convince him."
Her eyes lit up. She bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet.
"Do you promise?!"
I nodded. "I cannot lie, after all."
She rushed out, likely returning to Afaria for the suicide mission I sent her on. Or maybe... maybe she'll be fine. She tried to kill the King and confessed to it, and he kept her alive. He even healed her.
I expect to see her again soon. That's when I'll break her heart—when I tell her about Zai's marriage. I'm curious what expression her pretty face will make when I do.
Zai probably won't check his phone, but I'll text him anyway to let him know Tana stopped by.
And while I'm at it—I'll visit Cera.
When I showed up at Cera's place, he flung open the door.
His house reeked of herbs, alcohol, and incense. Two scrawny men and a woman were lounging on his worn-out couch.
"Get out! My brother's here!" Cera shouted. They scattered instantly.
"Where's Zai?" He inquired as soon as we were alone.
"He doesn't want to see you." I clarified bluntly.
Cera slammed the door and slumped onto the couch, hugging his knees and pouting. Then he asked,
"Is he still with that bitch?!" So I replied,
"He's married to that bitch."
That made him laugh. It loosened him up, even though he still wanted to pout.
"Tana told me you gave her our address."
"Oh… uh… wow. That stupid hoe can't keep one secret." Cera complained with an eyeroll and a long groan.
"It's fine. I'm not mad. I was happy to see her."
After I said this he smiled. "How've you been?" I added,
"Oh… same as always. But... it's depressing knowing I can't come back to that house when things get out of hand out here."
"You can come back," I said.
"Really?" he asked cheerfully.
"Yeah. Zai and Snowe moved out." I revealed, then he threw a pillow at me and screamed,
"Then what's the point!?"
I caught the pillow, placing it down gently. He groaned, defeated, and rolled onto his side.
"Why did you tell her about the house?" I asked, steering us back on track.
"I... wanted her to meet Snowe," he admitted. So he was hoping Tana and Snowe would fight. He still hates her so much.
"See? This is why your life is miserable. You're always causing trouble. So much bad karma."
"Karma is a f*cking scam and you know it!" he snapped.
We laughed, then shared a few drinks, catching up on life.
Twelve Years Ago
I convinced Zai and Cera to help me break the barrier again so I could see Aluma.
I'll always be disappointed that my first time wasn't with her. But that doesn't mean I've given up.
The rune to age me was much easier to apply now. Less energy required. More time must've passed than I thought—I've grown.
She was at the lake again, which both surprised me and didn't.
Why is she always at this lake, so close to the palace... and why is she always alone?
"Raijian!?" she shouted, rushing over and hugging me. "It's been weeks... I thought I wouldn't see you again!"
"I'm sorry... I was held up."
She scanned my face, then kissed me."I understand. I had obligations too, but... I don't care. I feel like I'm being stupid, but I choose you. So—can you help me escape off of this planet?"
I laughed—but bitterly.
"How? I've lived here my whole life. I wasn't taught space travel."
"There's a portal! In Town Central. It's how I got here."
I scoffed. This conversation was going nowhere. Even if I left through that portal, I'd be followed. I'd never be allowed to live in peace—and Aluma would probably be killed.
"I'll think about it," I said just to reassure her. She beamed.
I will think about it—how impossible it is. But also how sweet she is for suggesting it.
I leaned in, kissing her lips softly.{I shouldn't be doing this. I need to tell him the truth. But he might hate me if I do.}
"Raijian, wait... I need to tell you... I'm... engaged."
It hit me like a punch to the chest.
"It's an arranged marriage! I've only met him once and... he hasn't visited me since the engagement. But with you... I feel fireworks. That's why it has to be you. I want to marry for love," she whispered, caressing my cheek.
I sighed in relief.
"So I can still kiss you?"
Her cheeks flushed. "You can kiss me."
I kissed her again.
"Can I take things further than kissing?"
"What?! Here? Now?" Aluma looked around, panicked.{Things are progressing too fast!}
"Why not?"
"…How about we go to your place?" she offered.
So she's not opposed. The fire in me roared with so much lust it was hard to keep my face straight.
"We can't go to my place right now."Which was true. We couldn't. She wouldn't be allowed in my wing of the palace. If I returned, security would lock me down and I'd never leave again. And my underground shelter wasn't exactly romantic.
{I don't want him to leave me. He's the only warmth I've found since coming to Afaria. If I make him wait, I might be forced to marry... and I'd never see him again. I'd hate that.}
"Let's at least go into the water," Aluma offered.
So I followed her into the lake. Even though it wasn't my first time, I soon realized it was hers. That made it special for both of us.
She ended things right when she always did—even though I was still hungry for more.
"I'm sorry, I have to go!" she shouted, collecting her clothes from the shore.{If I'm late for roll call, I'll be punished.}
Reading her thoughts wasn't answering everything. I'd need to ask her directly next time.
"I'm happy," I muttered to no one. Then I floated on my back in the lake for an hour before heading to my underground shelter—a tunnel I carved by melting the dirt. It led to a small room just large enough to sleep in. Bushes hid the entrance.
I couldn't sleep. I adjusted myself to watch the stars through the branches, waiting for the next day.