Kinetic (complete)

6

I have been laying on my couch for four days, more sick than I've been in years but I'm so bored. I don't know what to do with my free time. My homework is done so here's like half a chapter. I feel guilty for not having more but give me break, yeah?

I hadn't left my office in two days. I simply sat in my chair, staring off, not wanting to face reality. I didn't want to start the funeral procedures for my father. Burying him would be too real and I couldn't make that call yet. I just couldn't. I could make decisions for my race but I couldn't decide what to dress my father in one final time.

It was time though. I needed to face reality. I emerged from my office; my eyes scanned the halls. I wasn't sure if I was expecting to suddenly have everything changed but unfortunately, everything was the exact same. The dark wood floors were impeccably polished, the walls were pristine, not a speck of dust in sight. There was no evidence of my episode and for that, I was thankful. The staff hadn't needed me to tell them what to do. They just did it.

"Good evening, Your Majesty," a servant girl greeted as she passed me.

I offered a tight nod but nothing else. I couldn't find it in me to speak just yet. I felt I might upset some unspoken balance by speaking and I didn't want to mar the carefully constructed routine formed in the last two days. My odd behavior wasn't a secret by any means but out of sheer respect, no one would mention my reclusive actions.

"Ah, Your Majesty," Edwin said as he approached me, "May I get you a donor?"

"No."

With a graceful nod, he accepted my blunt refusal.

"Your decision is needed on the final plan of action against Micah," he informed me.

"There will be no plan of action. I have already talked to Micah."

"Your Majesty, this cannot go unpunished."

"He didn't order the attack. It was a sect of his army that acted alone."

"But-"

"But what? Keep in mind, this war was started by a sect of our people acting alone. Those involved in my father's death will be handled appropriately. I am sure of it."

"As you wish," he said reluctantly.

"Did you send William back?"

"I did. He arrived there shortly after you gave the order."

"Good. He was unharmed, correct?"

"Correct."

"Where is my father?"

"He is gone, Your Majesty," he said hesitantly.

I cocked my head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"We had to make a decision about his arrangements and you were not in the right state," he tried.

I felt something snap in me though I desperately tried to bring myself back from the brink.

"You buried my father," I asked in barely controlled fury.

"We had to..."

"No, you didn't," I bit out, "he is my father. I should have had a say!"

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but we made the decision as a council."

"You are never to make a decision without my consent again. Is that understood?"

I noticed the flash of anger in his eyes but I didn't care. How could they take this from me? How could they take my father's final resting place from me?

"Yes," he gritted out.

"Lilith."

That voice.

I whipped around to see William approaching. I was stunned into silence but quickly recovered.

"How do you keep getting on my territory," I asked, annoyed.

He frowned, "Scarlett."

I should have known the witch queen was still helping them.

"What do you want," I demanded.

"Did you tell my father about us?" He didn't sound angry but I wasn't sure.

I bit my lip in hesitation, "I didn't mean to...it just came out. I talked to him right after I woke up and I wasn't in the best state of mind...I'm sorry."

He shook his head lightly, "Don't apologize. I should have told him sooner."

"You told him?"

"Right after I was dropped off. You don't honestly believe I could do that to you, right? I could never betray you."

I knew it. I was angry and emotional when I accused him of setting me up. I knew Alex acted on her own but in that moment, I needed to push the blame on everyone except myself. It was my fault my father was killed. If only I had been paying attention, I could have saved him.

"I know," I admitted quietly.

I glanced over my shoulder at Edwin. He watched us with great interest but something about the way he looked at William set off red flags. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was but he clearly didn't want William here.

"Will you give us a minute," I asked of Edwin.

His eyes slid over to me and with a nod, he left the hall. I watched as he left wondering what his true intentions were.

I slowly turned back to William's unreadable expression. I wished he wasn't so guarded around me but I suppose I did that to myself.

"How many did you lose?" I asked.

"Eleven in the blast and one a few hours later."

"I didn't mean to-"

"I know. They shouldn't have been there. I don't blame you for what happened."

"But I thought you were angry with me," I said, confused.

"I was never angry with you, Lilith. What happened wasn't your fault. You understand that, right?"

I stayed quiet because he was wrong. It was entirely my fault. If I had just calmed down, I wouldn't have killed so many people. I didn't necessarily feel bad about killing, but I did feel bad that it could have been prevented.

He hesitantly reached out and slowly touched my hand. The movement was so unsure, so carefully planned, I couldn't bare to stop him. I didn't want to stop him. I hadn't realized how much I needed William until his hand trailed up my arm.

I took a quick step into him and rested my cheek on his well defined chest. His surprise was tangible but he wrapped his arms around me regardless tight enough to let me know he would always be here for me.