Nox Inferno

Chapter 34: Half-breeds

The car ride back to the palace was exhaustingly uncomfortable. Satan, Lamina and Alistair rode in the same car as us. No one said a word but every so often Kai would elbow me in the ribs because I was staring at Satan. I feel like if I blink, I might wake up from this dream and I really don’t want to.

When we reached the palace, I was ready to race out of the car. Alistair helped me out, much to Kai’s disapproval.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

I looked over at Alistair who was examining my face, “For what?”

He chuckled, “The ceremony this afternoon.”

I groaned and leaned my head on his shoulders like I have done countless times before, “You just to ruin my mood.”

Suddenly I was jerked away from Alistair and into the arms of another, “You shouldn’t do that. You might give people the wrong idea.” I looked up at Kai, unsure if he was talking to me or Alistair.

Alistair shrugged, “With Lamina here I won’t be gossiped about.”

I tore myself away from Kai and turned to Alistair, “She’s your sister. You shouldn’t talk about her that way!” I scolded.

“I’m use to it.” A bell like voice responded. I looked at Lamina in surprise.

“You shouldn’t be.” I growled and grabbed her hands, “You should be respected.”

“She’s a half-breed.” Alistair said off-handedly,

I whirled around, “And what am I?”

His face fell a little as if this hadn’t dawned on him, “She’s half angel.” He whispered.

“Did she ask to be angel?” I turned to Lamina, “Did you?” She shook her head, “Then it’s not her fault.”

Kai scooped me up bridal style and I was stunned into silence. He began walking up the stairs and away from Lamina and Alistair.

I threw my hands up in the air, “What are you doing? Put me down.”

“You kissed me.” He responded and I froze.

“What?” I whispered. Is this a joke?

“You kissed me last night when you where drunk.” He said softly.

Heat rushed to my face. I kissed him? Oh my gosh, I kissed him! I gave him my first kiss! No way. I would have remembered something like that. Wouldn’t I?

“You did.” Nyra confirmed.

I shook my head, “n-no.” I stammered out.

“Put me down.” I said softly.

He raised me up to a point where my mouth brushed against his ear, “What did you say?”

I opened my mouth and yelled, “PUT ME DOWN!!”

Startled he dropped me, and I fell on my butt. I scrambled away from him before standing up. He looked heartbroken but I couldn’t face him. I was embarrassed to say the least.

I broke out into a run. I didn’t know where I was going, I just needed to get away from him. I ran because I was too embarrassed to shift.

That when I hit something hard and went down, “Woah.” A voice said.

Don’t tell me I hit a person. I can’t handle talking to someone right now. I looked up at this freakishly tall man. He had dark purple hair and oceanic blue eyes, just like Kai. He offered his hand, but I squirmed away from him.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” His voice somehow calmed me down. My erratic breathing was tempered.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized still ignoring his offered hand. I stood up and brushed off the dirt from my dress.

“I should be apologizing to you. I didn’t know that there was an emergency.” He bowed. It was only then did I notice the sparking golden crown that adorned his head.

“Emergency?” I asked.

He straightened, “Well I’m assuming that a Nox Knight such as yourself must have some emergency to be running down the hall with such speed.”

“Oh.” A million thoughts raced through my head. Should I lie? But instead I said, “You know who I am?”

He chuckled, “Well yes.” He paused for a moment, “The greeting ceremony.”

“Well I guess it’s not fair. Since I don’t know who you are.”

“Your majesty.” A voice called out. I turned to see a teenage boy with teal hair tied elegantly in a ponytail running towards us, “Oh hello.” He said to me as he approached.

“I guess my secret is out. “ The man in front of me said, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Leviathan of the Artic Ocean.” He fell into an extravagant bow.

I raised my hand in a small wave, “Oh hello your majesty. I’m so sorry.”

“Nonsense.” He laughed, “I was going to meet you one way or the other. You just saved me a trip.”

“I am Lord Lir of the Artic ocean.” The teenage boy dropped into a bow. Should I curtsy?

“Excuse my stupidity but you are a king?” I asked.

King Leviathan laughed, “Yes, I rule the beautiful oceans of the artic and Lord Lir is in line to succeed the throne.”

“Is he your son?” I blurted out. They looked nothing like each other.

“Not yet.” King Leviathan laughed, “You see he’s marrying my daughter.”

“Is she here?” Where is my filter? I am grilling a king about his personal life.

“Yeah, this isn’t like you.” Nyra agreed.

“Sort of.” Lord Lir said but didn’t elaborate causing us to settle into an uncomfortable silence.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, “Well it was nice meeting you. I’m sorry for bumping into you King Leviathan. But I have to attend to that emergency.” I pointed in the direction I was heading in.

“Oh your right. You have the ceremony later. I look forward to seeing you.” King Leviathan bowed and I walked away.

“Isn’t that-“ Lord Lir said softly when he thought I was out of ear shot.

“Yes it’s-“ The King’s voice trailed off as I put distance between us.

“Hey Nyra.” I called out to Nyra in my mind, “How much royalty are there?”

“There are many small demon countries that broke away after the death of Lucifer and ascension of Satan. But no one knows how many to be exact because not all nations are declared and known” She responded.

“Oh okay.” I whispered.

“There you are!” A voice called jarring me from my thoughts.

Mama Fra was rushing over to me with a couple dry cleaner’s bags in hand, “I have been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing here?”

“Where is here?” I asked surveying the multiple doors and tapestries.

“This is the chamber hallway of the other demon royalty. No one other than royal blood is allowed in here. If someone catches you, you will be in big trouble.” She said grabbing my hand, struggling to hold the bags.

I grabbed a coupled from her and folded them in my arms, “What is this?”

“Don’t fold them like that!” Mama Fra scolded, “These are the costumes you will be wearing during the performance.”

“Costumes?” I wrinkled my nose in disgust, they are usually so itchy.

“Don’t do that!” Mama Fra said bopping me on the nose, “You have a lovely face and you will cause wrinkles like that.”

“Sorry Mama Fra.” I said.

“So dear, do you want to explain why you ran away from Kai?” She asked, her voice taking on a lighter tone.

“Nope.” I looked away as both the memories and heat rushed in.

“Did something happen? Did he confess? Oh he confessed didn’t he. I know my Clementine likes him but she’s just not his mate.” Mama Fra began to ramble on which did little to help my discomfort.

“I’m not his mate.” I said quietly.

“Oh I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” She laughed, “You aren’t eighteen yet. So you wouldn’t know.”

I turned to her, “But wouldn’t he know.”

Mama Fra shook her head, “Not until you are eighteen. Both parties needs to be eighteen because by demon standards you are both adults. So you both could decide how you want to handle it.”

So then why does? Wait, I can’t say anything. I’m fairly sure Mama Fra can read my mind right now. If she finds out about Gabe. Wait I can’t say his name.

“Is Gabe the one who brought you to river where you got burnt?” Mama Fra asked.

Yup, she can definitely read my mind. She couldn’t have read my expression because I don’t have a Gabe expression. Do I? I hope not.

“Yes I can read minds. It’s a special gift I have and I’m telling you this because I want you to trust me. So I won’t press for now but if you get injured Gabe again, I will hunt him down. I know what he looks like.”

I laughed and linked arms with Mama Fra, “Thank you for trusting me.”