The King's Possession -- Book Two: Water

Chapter Nineteen

        Taking a few steps forward, I placed mine in his, allowing him to pull me towards the balcony, our fingers intertwined.

       The late night air was filled with a sense of wonder, lights twinkling in the distance from the windows of the houses. I could see the tailfins of sea life swimming around. Every few moments, I would catch a glimpse of a siren, their wild hair waving behind them as they sung with the Oracles. Every color seemed bright and shimmery this night, reflecting off one another, illuminating the dark sea. Leaning on the railing, I looked around, above, below, everywhere I could see. Taking in the kingdom, I could see the cobblestoned streets, the stone Guards holding the air around us, along with the few bodies that littered the city. Guardsmen walked around, patrolling the palace, while others stood and talked amongst themselves. They were so far below us, yet they were so close as well.

          "I remember the first time I ever saw you smile." Kratos said after a few minutes. My ears perked up at the sound, and I looked to my left to see him watching the kingdom, just as I was. "You were laying in the meadow, your eyes closed, and the sunlight made your hair the color of wheat in the spring. Something inside me seemed to... come alive in that moment." He smiled slightly, tilting his head. "But, I was frightened of you as well. The instant that you started to chase after me, there was this sense of fear and joy inside of me. Nothing made sense, and my world was forever changed. So, I hid, waiting in the bushes, watching as you looked for me.

         "In those few minutes, I felt more like myself that I ever had. But, it could only last so long. I hadn't been able to sleep properly, and I thought that a few minutes away from the Kingdom might do me some good. But, when I started to get further and further away from the Kingdom, I felt this sense of.... wonder. So, I ran, and a guardsman followed after me. I was gone for three weeks, having left without a word." He turned to me then, his eyes crystal, sparkling in the darkness, casting away any fear that resonated in my heart. "I never wanted to leave, but there wasn't a choice. I didn't know if I would ever see you again. And then, by the will of the gods, I was able to find you again." He smiled, his perfect teeth shown as he closed his eyes, shaking his head slightly. "You looked so powerful, so strong. And that feeling of wonder had returned. I was looking to buy some materials for ships and housing, but instead of that, I found you.

         "Moment after moment, you dodged the potential blows, gliding across the floor. It was like a dance, one that I had seen a thousand times over. Yet, there was an elegance to the way you handeled the blade, a kindness in your killing. You took what was needed without reaching for anything else. All you wanted was your freedom, and I had thought that I could give that to you. But, instead I pushed you away from me."

        Placing my hand on his, I felt his racing pulse as he looked out at the city. Taking a breath, I recalled those two times that our paths had crossed, and the bubbling feeling inside of me that had happened each time. And now, here we stood, together, and that bubbling feeling was there once again. He was right, there was a sense of wonder and joy washing over us, wrapping us together. It had always been there, but I was blind before. I could see it now, the reason my path had been changed, and so rapidly. It was needed for me to walk this life that I was in now. But, it just wasn't right. Something inside of my heart, though small in comparison to the feeling of this joy, was there under the surface. It was cold, crushing, and unforgiving. A sense of duty... a sense of home.

         Looking behind us, I could see the branch sitting on the bed. I didn't recall placing it there, but it sat there, seeming to practically be screaming at me. Home, that was part of home. And my home had been destroyed.

         And I feared that this was my only chance to make the wrong be right.

        "I wanted to hate you," I said as I looked at the branch. "With everything in me, I wanted to hate you so it would make killing you so much easier. Yet, from the moment that we met, something always stopped me from ending your life. And now, I know. I know where I am meant to be. But..." I trailed off, looking away from my Father's branch, only to look out at the kingdom.