Ziya's POV
The days of reckoning were upon us, just three more days and the future of Asgard would be determined. Nervous wouldn't even begin to describe what I was feeling, and it wasn't just me. Everyone seemed to be walking around on edge; the stress was getting to people, and just the slightest things began to set them off. And yet, my people trekked on, pushing the boundaries and training to their fullest capacity.
I sat once again in the conference room in front of the Lords and Ladies, the royals of Afisa, the councilmen and various generals and officials as well. Today would be the day we discussed what was to occur on the actual battle field.
"I would like to thank you all for taking time out of your schedules to come to this meeting, I am sure you're all anxious to go back and train your squads," I said. "Roland if you will," I said.
"Yes your Majesty, I'll be sending out your orders from this moment onwards, so please do your best to pay attention. I know each squad is equipped with with combat fighters, mages, and healers, but I also recognize that some squads are better than others in different aspects. So, the floor plans go as follows, squardron one will be leaving a day earlier than the rest of us, you have some of the best trackers. I want you to scout the area and make sure Liam isn't planning some surprise attack. We don't know if he'll keep to his word, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Squadrons two through seven are going to provide our line of offense in hand to hand combat, as you know the Tribe of Arvada specializes in hand to hand combat and they utilize heavy grade weapons as well. Don't take them lightly, you'll have a difficult battle ahead," Roland said.
" Squadron eight through eleven will be our battle mage users, it is imperative that you neutralize the sand storms that they can make. If the defense gets caught in those, then we've already lost the battle. Squads twelve through fourteen are our long distance fighters. And squads fifteen through seventeen will be our healers, I expect you all to closer to the rear of the battlefield, no doubt they will try and attack you first so be ready," Roland said. "Keep all communication channels open, especially with the citizens in Asgard. Another task of squadron one is to place transport channels all across the battle field. If Liam decided to plan an attack on Asgard, we'll need to move quickly...squadrons three, four, ten, thirteen, and sixteen will go back if necessary," he said.
" The Venatores will provide back up if needed. As for me, I'll be fighting Liam," I said. And as I expected my announcement was met with immediate backlash.
"Absolutely not," Lady Rosie said.
"Have you lost your mind?," Lord Caelum exclaimed.
"If you're going to fight him, then I'm coming with you," Darius declared.
My head snapped in his direction and something like a sick feeling festered in my stomach at the idea of him coming into contact with Liam. And I reacted before I could even think.
"One thing I would like to make abundantly clear to everyone is that under absolutely no circumstances must anyone other than myself go up against Liam," I seethed.
And Darius being his oh so stubborn self tried again.
"But if I could just be ther--," he started.
"NO!," I yelled. The room fell silent.
"No," I said quieter this time. I was heaving at this point, I couldn't explain to you why I was so upset by what Darius said. "If there are no further questions, then I'll take my leave now...meeting adjourned," I said.
I left the room then and walked towards my study, after sitting at my desk I tried my hardest to calm my beating heart which was racing so frantically. But before I could even begin to calm down, I heard the familiar stomps of the current nuisance in my life making his way over.
And sure enough, I was right, there stood Darius in all his kingly glory, looking properly pissed off.
He closed the door behind and stared at me.
"Why is it so hard for you to accept other peoples help?" he asked. "Twenty-four fucking nobles in that damn room, over three hundred soldiers, your whole damn kingdom, hell even allies from another damn country, are offering up their lives for you on a silver platter and still you refuse. I don't get it...I don't get you," he snapped.
"You don't need to get anything, all you need to know is that as long as you're on Asgardian soil my word is law. And my mind is made up, no one is going to come into contact with Liam, especially not you," I said.
"Why? Huh..why? Is it because you don't think I'm strong enough?" he yelled.
"I never said that," I said.
"Then its because you don't trust me," he said.
"I never said that either," I replied.
"Then why won't you let me in? Why won't you let me help you?" he questioned.
"Because," I said irritated now.
"BECAUSE WHAT?" He shouted.
"I AM AFRAID!" I shouted. Darius stared at me with wide eyes, surprised at my outburst. "I am so fucking afraid...all my life, everything I have ever loved or cherished Liam ripped it to shreds before my eyes. And you know I was fine when he ripped up my drawings, and I was fine when he tore apart my dolls, and I even managed to be somewhat okay when he destroyed my mother right before my eyes. But if something were to happen to you...if he were to take you away from me--," I choked.
I didn't even realize I was crying until Darius pulled me into his arms and embraced me. He was gentle and yet firm, and allowed me to lean all my weight onto him. And in his arms, I felt safe enough to let everything go. All the burdens that I carried by myself, he so graciously shared it with me. Through him, I was reminded of a warmth that I had forgotten.
I am not sure how long I cried for or what time it was, but after I had calmed down, I spoke again.
"These past few weeks, I'll admit I've been swayed by your whims. It will be the dead of night and I am so exhausted from the days work, but if you throw rocks at my window I'll come running. You tell such ridiculous stories that don't even make a lick of sense and waste my time, and yet I listen to them all the way through. I will put off work knowing good and well that it is urgent, just because you ask to have lunch with me. I let you cross line, after line, after line...knowing I would never let anyone else do the same. But this...this is a battle I will simply not concede in. I fight with Liam alone, end of discussion," I said.
He looked at me again, eyes not staring at the Imperial Queen of Asgard who conquered all obstacles in life through her strength and prowess alone; but rather at Ziya...a young woman who held the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"Okay...I won't fight him. But if anything goes wrong, I'll come running," he said softly.
"Nothing will go wrong. Trust me, I'll handle it and end it all for good," I said.
It was quiet for a moment; we were still holding one another and I didn't feel like letting him go.
"So, from my understanding...I am someone you love and cherish?," he asked.
I suddenly remember my embarrassing lash out from earlier and try and push Darius away.
"Aht, aht, aht, where do you think you're going your Majesty," he jested. His grip around my waist tightened. "Am I someone you both love and cherish?" he asked.
I couldn't believe he would ask such a shameless question out of the blue like that. "Enough of your jokes, and let me go," I said.
"It's a simple yes or no question," he jested. "See, I'll even answer the question myself. Yes, you are someone I love and cherish dearly; in fact too much even. There isn't a single thing under the sun that I wouldn't do for you," he said.
"Really, you would do anything I ask of you?" I questioned.
"Anything," he replied.
"Okay, but don't regret saying that later," I laughed.
"Hmm...well? Are you gonna answer the question?" he asked.
I was hoping he would drop the subject, but he remained as persistent as ever. I looked up at him and really studied his features. His eyes stared back at me, expecting some sort of answer. I humored him a little and grabbed his face and held it in my hands. I made a grand show of turning his head left and right, as if I was inspecting him.
"Well, you are not bad to look at," I joked.
And he let out that full body laugh, that I was so familiar with, the one that came from the deepest parts of his belly and made his whole body shake.
"You wound me dearly, my love," he smiled.
It wasn't like his smile was different from all the other ones he's given me, in fact it was the same one he gave me yesterday and the day before, and the day before that. But for some reason, his smile made my heart skip a beat.
And suddenly I grew flustered under his gaze and looked away and separated myself from him. "Well, if we're done here, I still have some things to do. You are welcome to show yourself out," I said.
"As you wish, my love," he said.
He walked out of the room and I sat in my chair. I asked myself the same question over and over again. Did I love and cherish Darius? The answer came to me soon enough.
It all makes sense now, it seems that I have fallen in love; how troublesome.