Royal Havoc

4. Kings Fall Harder

four

Kings Fall Harder

Onyx: 2024

I t’s amazing the tiny moments our brain tucks away, hidden but not forgotten. Entering the cottage, a familiar scent knocks at my tired memory, taking me back to a moment I never wanted to save.

Our last visit here.

The brown leather sofa and chair sitting to my right are in the same places as years ago. The only change I notice is the updated flat screen hanging on the far wall above the fireplace.

To the left, the same table rests in the breakfast nook, where I sat and colored. It appears the kitchen appliances have been replaced with stainless steel.

It’s as though the space has been suspended in time, waiting to be revisited. I make sure to reset the code before hefting my heavy bag through the living room to the master bedroom.

It’s not worth claiming since I’m just borrowing it.

He’s replaced the queen bed with a massive king. Beautifully intricate ironwork trails over the sage wall acting as the headboard. A puffy gray comforter covers the bed. Glancing to my right, I see he’s added a bench seat lined with comfy cushions under the picture window. The setting sun casts shadows over the weeping willow while it glitters over the river.

I unzip my bag, locate my bathroom stuff, ready to wash away the makeup streaking my face and begin the process of purging this awful day.

Is it wrong that I hope to forget it forever?

You can call me a heartless bitch. Trust me, I’ve been called worse. Go ahead and say you hate me. No worries, I probably don’t like you either. The fact is… how do you love someone, when you’ve never been taught to love?

The attention she siphoned from me outshined her lack of caring .

Once I’ve changed into pajamas and erased the messy day from my face, I’m on my way to finish unpacking.

I gasp, hand flying to cover my fluttering heart. Quickly recovering from my mini-stroke, I allow my eyes to rake over every inch of his 6ft something frame, hoping to filet him to pieces with the daggers I’m throwing his way.

I’m sure the vultures would love a treat.

He’s changed since I saw him last. His dark hair’s grown, hanging over his molten eyes, almost hiding the dark lashes lining them like ink. Contacts replace the crooked glasses I remember sliding down his nose. Obviously, the ungodly amount of candy he ate when we were kids has turned into muscles my nails scream to drag across like a sharpening post.

“Stalkers are canceled, Vex. Get out,” I deadpan, breaking the charged silence building between us.

He leans a shoulder on the bedroom door frame, crossing his arms to block the only exit. “We need to talk,” he rasps, eyes seducing every one of my curves.

I lean against the bathroom door, mirroring him. “You’re an asshole. I hate you. Good talk,” I hiss, wishing my words were darts I could throw at his face.

“Bet you didn’t talk like that to Franky,” he taunts, narrowing evil eyes at me.

Raising my middle finger to caress my bottom lip. “Mmhmm, Felix was delicious,” I wink, flipping him off.

He starts towards me, changing his mind mid-step. “He posted that shit on his social, Onyx,” he growls, fists flexing at his sides.

He’s referring to a Cuervo night at the club a few months ago. I was thirsty, and the shots were free. Felix was a body on the dance floor, and I needed a little mental break. Probably not my best look on my knees on a dirty club floor, but at least we were hidden in a dark corner.

Nolan had that shit handled and removed in minutes. Too bad it took me three weeks to find it.

“Aww, are you one of my SM fans?” I mock, stepping from the bathroom. “Or a deranged stalker?” I grumble, rolling my eyes hard enough it shoots tiny thunderbolts through my sockets.

He charges towards me, hand wrapping around my throat, pressing me hard against the wall. “I’m done chasing your ass,” he grits close to my face.

I shove him hard enough he steps back. “Fuck you, Vex. I never wanted you to,” I grit back at him.

“I told you it was a joke. We were ten. Get over it,” he huffs, shrugging like he just told me something as simple as the weather.

Let’s have a little sit-down, so I can fill you in before I set this fucker on fire. Our parents - and I use the term very loosely on my behalf - were best friends. So, Vexey Pooh and I go all the way back. After Mom flew the coop, Grace — his mom — would visit once in a while, and we would play for hours. He was my best friend. I told him all my secrets, and he promised to keep them.

“It wasn’t a joke,” I hiss, shoving him back another step.

“Guess you’re still afraid of the dark,” he teases tauntingly.

Sparks explode inside me, shooting fire into my veins. “You’re a lying sack of dog shit!” I shout, swinging at his face, but miss when he moves. “Where’s my lighter? I’m gonna set your ass on fire!” I shout, spinning around and head to the bathroom.

His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me tightly against his front. “It was just a little jog through the woods.”

Swinging my elbow back hard enough to break a rib, hoping to puncture his lung. “You knew those boys were waiting in the woods. Hiding like shadows.” Hurrying from his grasp. “You knew how afraid of the dark I was. You told them my secret! She wanted to have me sent away!” Tears distorting his face.

The same face that haunts my nightmares. He’s the reason I hate this place so much. He turned my secret into insanity.

“You’re mine, Onyx. You’ve known it our whole life. My patience is gone.”

“Get. Out!” I yell, my throat burning from the force.

“Don’t try to run because this time I will catch you,” he warns evilly. “See you tomorrow, little spade.” He smiles maliciously before strolling from the room like he’s out for a casual walk.

Tears spill over the red rims lining my swollen eyes as I slide down the wall to my butt. Chatter fills my brain, turning my head into a chaotic mess – None of it is coherent, just choppy half-sentences battling to be heard.

After all these years, I stupidly thought I’d do better if I were ever unlucky enough to cross paths with him again. Obviously, I was wrong. The warnings I told myself. The boundaries I set. Precautions I put into place. All of it evaporated like smoke at the sight of his annoying face.

Our past is etched deeper than I imagined. All the emotions he tricked me into feeling are raised like a tattoo on my skin, waiting to be traced.

He threw away my trust the night he shared my fear and turned it into a game. I need to forget the emotions crawling around my useless heart and remind him who he’s dealing with.

Kings always fall harder than Queens.