Chapter 51
Fifty-One
Anger quelled deep inside of Autumn’s gut as she watched Dante whispering in the corner on his communicator. She couldn’t believe whatever he was planning, he didn’t think enough to include her. More secrets and lies she supposed.
It was her dad who was kidnapped by the Grand Supreme. The most evil badass alien around. What a disgusting little creature. She threw a nail in her mouth, chewing the cuticle down to a nub. There was no telling what that monster was up to. She could still hear her dad’s phantom screams and see the pure terror in his eyes no matter how hard she tried to forget.
When he hung up, she marched over to him, folding her arms. The golden light from the setting suns played through the windows of the conference room, shattering through his midnight hair. The map of the 24 Universes illuminated through the shadows.
“What was that all about?”
“Nothing, I have the situation under control,” he said, matter-of-factly.
Funny, it didn’t sound like nothing . She stared at him strangely. He wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all her.
“I depart at first light for Universe 24.”
“I think you mean we depart,” her voice jumped.
He crossed his arms and his expression straightened. His crimson cape swayed against his well-defined back. “Absolutely not, you’re too distracting and I won’t be able to do what needs to be done. But more importantly, I need you here in case?—”
Her heart accelerated. “In case of what?”
“In case everything doesn’t go according to plan,” he looked to the side before meeting her gaze. There was a sadness about him, a desperateness she couldn’t quite place. She’d never get used to seeing him this way. Broken and terrified.
“I’m sorry, no matter what you say, you can’t stop me. I’m going with you, whether you like it or not.”
As she went to leave, he took her by the hand and pulled her against his warm body. He cocooned her within his cape, creating a safe space. He held her close, resting his head on her shoulder. “Autumn, please don’t make me. You represent everything that’s good and pure in my life. If something were to happen to you, I don’t think I could carry on. I don’t think I’d have the strength.”
“I’m sorry, but my mind is made up,” she pulled away from him and didn’t dare turn back around as she left him standing alone in the conference room. Her heart shattered into a million pieces thinking about how she disappointed Dante and how much her dad needed her.
When she arrived in her room, she was greeted by Mr. Hiss, who yawned and stretched making his way out from beneath the bed. He slowly blinked his oversized indigo eyes her way. He followed her over to the fireplace, hot-pink and onyx tail swishing. She sat on the white fuzzy carpet burying her face against her knees. Warm bitter tears erupted from her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks. She couldn’t believe the predicament her dad was in.
The Grand Supreme.
As she wallowed in misery, her bedroom door slid open. Emblem and Allegoria raced over to her and threw their arms around her in a warm embrace.
“We’re so sorry about your father,” they said concurrently. Their clover green eyes quaked with concern, and their melodic voices lowered to a sympathetic whisper.
“Thank you,” she muttered. But nobody was as sorry as she was.
A pair of heavy boots landed on the floor behind her. She sighed.
The fact that Emblem and Allegoria still wavered in his presence was a dead giveaway.
“You’re free to leave.”
She turned around and shot him a look, her eyes thinned to slits.
He shrugged. “What I meant to say is that if you’d like to leave and spend some time with your family, now is the perfect time to do so.”
Autumn bit her cheeks. “They’re your family now too, you know.” Ever since Leyla was permitted to be with Kyo their families had united.
He massaged his fingertips against the bridge of his nose. His forehead twitched. “Please, don’t remind me.”
Emblem and Allegoria gave her one last hug before exiting her bedroom. The steel door slid closed behind them.
She glanced away as he knelt, lighting the fireplace with embers from his palm. The fire crackled and smoldered creating warmth in the room. A dark blanket of stars shimmered through the sky. The twin moons illuminated a pale white glow. A cool breeze drifted through the open French doors of her private balcony.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t change my mind.” She picked up her transcribed book collection that he gave her and began to read a fascinating tale about an ancient space battle and a secret portal.
He remained quiet as he took a seat beside her, stretching his neck to see what she was reading. “This story is one of my favorites. The mighty emperor wins the war in an overwhelming victory.” He winked.
She rolled her eyes as he spoiled the ending. How annoying, she huffed . She turned off the device and stared into the flames, hypnotized by their radiance. “No matter what you say, you can’t stop me from wanting to save my dad. After all this time, you owe me.”
“I wish you’d let me handle the situation,” he rested his hand on hers. He cocked his beautiful head to the side. His brilliant amber eyes twinkled against the flames. “I grew up around him. I know the horrors he’s capable of. You can’t even imagine what I’ve seen, and I never want you to do so?—”
“Is this about Maeve? Do you feel responsible for what happened to her?” She regretted her words as soon as they slipped out. His face fell. Thanks to Armienti, she knew everything.
“Every day, and it never gets easier. Her final moments continue to replay through my mind, and I can’t figure out where I went wrong. I should’ve known better, but I was such a fool back then.”
“I’m sure you did everything you could to help her.”
“I did,” he glanced away. “But it still hurts like hell.”
A long awkward silence followed, and Mr. Hiss rolled on the floor purring, lightening the mood.
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I need you here to watch over my family and to rule in my stead in case I don’t come back. I’m leaving you emergency instructions. If he gets through me, he won’t stop until he finds you and the rest of our family. I want to make it impossible for him to hurt you?—”
“Don’t think like that,” her heart ached. She couldn’t imagine what her life would be like without him. She loved him despite his countless flaws. They were as numerous as the stars in the sky, but deep down he was just like her—in pain. They needed each other more than ever.
She leaned over, bringing her lips to his, tasting his spiciness. Her fingers wandered, exploring the hard lines of his jaw. His eyes smoldered through her, truly seeing her for who she was. For the first time in her life, she felt seen and desired. She pulled off his shirt running her hands along the twisted scars of his chest, against his rippled abs, and around the band of his pants, pulling them lower on his hips. They rolled over in each other’s arms eager and desperate, melting together by the crackling fireplace. Embers danced through the strands of his raven hair. Shadows flickered as they became one. Their entire bodies were beaded with sweat and goosebumps.
Aircraft sped in the distance, muffling their noises and the city lights of Giarldinia twinkled through the night. Deep down she was afraid but would never admit it aloud—terrified that after that night, they’d never see each other again.