Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Chrome
Iscrutinized Forest, wondering what he knew about Gray. Surely, he didn’t know I’d just seen her. “Why?”
Forest raised his brows, incredulous. “Since when was it acceptable for you to start demanding answers from me?”
“Since it involves my Twin Soul.”
“Just do what you’ve always done best and do what you’re told.”
I seethed, barely containing my shadows. “Just fucking tell me where we’re going.”
“The Charleston Domain.”
My face contorted in confusion. “In South Carolina?” Had Forest or Celanea gotten hold of Gray after I left? And why take her to the Charleston Domain?
Forest dipped his chin. “Yes. Unless you want me to tell Celanea about the dead Infernal on her hands being your responsibility, then I’d suggest you get up and travel us there. Now.”
I clenched my jaw, despising the fact that he still held power over me, even now. I walked to where Forest and I stood only inches away from one another. I grabbed his biceps, imagining the Charleston Domain in my mind until I allowed my shadows to envelop us in their darkness and carry us away.
We landed outside the gates of a sprawling white mansion. Beautiful Spanish moss decorated the drive leading up to the front doors.
“Come on.” Forest strode toward the gate. He touched the bars, and they immediately opened upon his contact. It made sense considering he had been the king of all Kinetics. Of course, all the Domains would allow him entry.
I followed behind, taking in the scenery that embodied the Southern charm that everyone had once touted.
It seemed that Charleston had survived my blast back at the King’s Palace a few months back.
The same couldn’t be said for the nearby domains like Kennesaw. They, too, had been obliterated to ash.
Kinetic Guards stood by, and once they spotted Forest, they halted, their expressions full of surprise as they recognized him. When their eyes landed on me, the blood drained from their faces as if they were seeing a ghost. In a sense, they sort of were.
Forest didn’t acknowledge anyone as they bowed. He continued his overconfident strut to the brick steps. Once we reached the front door, a guard greeted us with a bow. “Your Majesty. We weren’t expecting you.”
“No, this was a surprise visit. But I need to speak with someone. Can you bring me to Royal Okrafor?”
I shot him an accusing glare. “You said we were here for Gray. Where is she?”
Forest dismissed me with a wave of his hand, nodding at the guard to continue as if I hadn’t just spoken.
The guard glanced between us apprehensively. “Of course, sir. Follow me.” He led us inside, through the pristine foyer, and then to the back of the mansion. Kinetics milled around, their gear on as if readying for an attack at any moment.
I trailed behind Forest and the guard out onto the back porch of the house.
An expansive wrap-around porch overlooked the dead city below.
The scent of smoking meat tingled my nose.
I found a smoker off to the edge of the porch, cooking an animal they had hunted.
How had they gotten so lucky? Animals had become a rarity since I’d blasted out the power grids.
When the world collapsed, the remaining humans had nearly hunted the local wildlife into near extinction.
Desperation drove most to overhunt, especially the speakeasies and scorses.
I scanned the area, pinpointing the Kinetics surrounding us. Their varying hair colors and currents were a shock to the eyes. I couldn’t imagine a mere human setting foot in a Kinetic stronghold. A chuckle slipped free at the thought; surely they’d succumb to the overstimulation.
Notably, I didn’t sense Gray’s presence nearby, neither her energy or through the bond.
The guard who’d guided us outside leaned in to Forest. “I’ve sent for Royal. She’ll be right with us, sir.”
“Very well,” Forest responded as we waited.
Upon realizing who we were, the Kinetics socializing around us shifted awkwardly. The chatter began to quieten. Some bowed, while others looked around as if unsure what to do.
“We thought you were dead!” someone cried out.
“So, you deserted us, then?” Clearly, the jibe was aimed at their king.
I worked to hide my smugness, lacing my arms together as I looked at him expectantly for his response.
If Forest was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it.
Standing as tall and proud as ever, he cleared his throat and pushed his chest out just a bit more.
“My people, I have not abandoned you. The Royal Domain was destroyed, so I was forced to seek refuge. Currently, I’m in Arcadia, where I still work on your behalf to ensure that Kinetics eliminate the incessant threat of the Elementals. ”
“Is that Chrome Freyr? I thought he was dead, too!” someone shouted from the crowd.
Forest looked at me, but no, this was all his mess; he could settle it. “It is indeed Chrome. Come to find out, he never actually died,” he said, shooting me an accusing glare. “Instead, he became something so much more. And he’s on our side.”
I inwardly cringed. I wouldn’t exactly say that I was on their side, because I couldn’t give two shits about what happened to the Kinetics, but Forest needed to quell what felt like the beginning of an uprising at our presence.
The guard who led us inside spoke up from the bottom of the porch stairs. “Here’s Royal, Your Majesty!”
I narrowed my eyes, remembering Royal from all those years ago. She had been…something else. I realized I must’ve missed quite a bit during my absence from the Kinetic Palace if Forest had gotten close to her.
My suspicion rose, wondering what Royal and the Charleston Domain had to do with Gray.
When I left the King’s Palace, she had been nothing more than an annoying girl who played twisted games with Onyx’s head.
But there had always been a taste of spite in her aura, a dangerous level of ambition.
Whatever action she took, there was always an ulterior motive behind it.
As I watched her head weave through the crowd as she ascended the stairs, I wondered if she had ever truly been interested in Onyx at all, or if it had been her way of trying to infiltrate our insurgency team. How naive I had been to think we would’ve succeeded.
There were a few notable differences in Royal’s appearance since the last time I’d seen her. Instead of long cerulean hair, she now donned a short bob.
Royal bowed upon seeing Forest. “Your Majesty,” she greeted blandly. “What a surprise to see you.”
Forest scrutinized her for several moments, his jaw ticking as he assessed Royal’s demeanor. I assumed her reaction wasn’t to his liking. “There has been quite a turn of events as of late.”
Royal nodded. “I assumed as much, considering you couldn’t even come to lead your people when we all assumed you were dead. We’ve been at war to avenge your death. But nice to know you’re alive and well while we die on your behalf.”
I chuckled, unable to help myself. The irony that Forest came here believing that everyone would be ecstatic to see him, only to discover the opposite, was something I thought I’d never see.
Forest shot me a death glare, but I shrugged it off.
“It’s,” Forest drawled out, trying to find his words, “complicated.”
“I see. Well, how can I help you?” she spat, hurt flashing in her eyes. I remembered that petty tone from when she was with Onyx.
“There are bigger things at play than the war between Kinetics and Elementals. But if you join my side, you’ll all be spared and gifted peace.”
Royal chewed on her cheek, narrowing her eyes as she seemed to mull it over. “How do I know that you won’t abandon us again?”
“My dear child, I never abandoned you. Just needed to figure out this new landscape we live in. The situation is complex. And if you join me, I’ll explain it all to you.” Forest’s words were smooth and assuring, but firm.
“What about the Charleston Domain?” Royal asked. “The Lord here was killed in a battle a few weeks ago, and I assumed the position. Unlike you, I don’t desert my people.”
Royal’s level of loyalty surprised me. She had always given the impression that the only person she cared about was herself. Either she had grown up, wartime had changed her, or she was playing mental games with Forest. Either way, I struggled to believe that what she was saying was genuine.
“I’ll ensure that the Charleston Domain is in good hands in your absence.” The other Kinetics stood around observing the exchange between Forest and Royal. “You’ve always been so loyal. I wanted to reward you for your hard work.”
Royal looked at me, then back to Forest, and did a double-take as if she had just registered my presence. Her eyes widened. “Chrome?”
“In the flesh.” I smirked at her surprise.
“How is that possible?” She contorted her features in confusion.
I shoved my hands into my pockets. “I’m kinda hard to kill.”
Royal scoffed, shaking her head. “Fine.” She shifted her attention to Forest. “Figure out a replacement for me, and I’ll join you.”
Forest smiled a Cheshire grin. “Done. It’ll be a pleasure to work with you again, Daughter. Maybe I’ll have one child who doesn’t constantly disappoint me.”
“Have I disappointed you yet?” Royal retorted, crossing her arms.
I held my hand up, needing to intervene. “Hold on,” I said, willing my brain to catch up as I looked at Forest. “You mean to tell me that Royal is the daughter you were talking about?”
Forest shrugged, unashamed.
I pivoted and looked for Royal as if for the first time, then burst into laughter. “That explains so much about how you desperately tried to kiss Forest’s ass back then.” All of her behavior began to make so much sense.
Royal sneered at me. “I wouldn’t disrespect your queen if I were you.”