So Dark

Dark shadows fell over the room, as the crowd emptied from the grand palace. For hours, the Xeles island residents had eaten, drunk, and reveled in displays of daring acts and magical entertainment. The murmur of exiting visitors echoed up to the second floor bedroom where Zelene stretched across her cousin Akia’s massive bed.

Her shoes had been flung to the furthest reaches of the room. The last she’d seen of the toe crunching heels, they were dangerously close to one of Akia’s open trunks. If Zelen wasn’t careful, Akia would pack them, never to be seen again.

“Try not to miss me too much.” Akia buttoned her traveling gown, leaving her wedding dress in a heap.

Zelene bit her lip to stifle the tears building in her chest. The women had grown up—more sisters than cousins—with Akia trailing everything Zelene did. Zelene was almost a decade older, but that didn’t stop them from arguing over attention or favors.

“I should follow you. You know there isn’t anywhere in the world I can’t swim to,” Zelene said.

Akia rolled her eyes and reached for her cloak, a drab gray monstrosity that washed out all her vibrant skin coloring and features.

“Father is already coming with us.” Akia deepened her voice, mocking King Aon. “For Otis’s protection.”

“Well I think it’s lovely. Your father wants to make sure your beloved is safe,” Zelene said.

“He could send someone else. Plio has been tailing me since the day I was born, yet now, the head of the guard’s protection isn’t good enough?” Akia stepped across the room to join Zelene on the bed.

A harried maid rushed behind Akia, gathering her wedding dress and whisking it off to the laundry. Another sat in front of the traveling luggage, folding the items nicely.

Zelene scooted over to allow Akia space to flop down. Her curls bounced with life, still perfectly spiraled after a long day of wedding festivities. Akia laid her head in Zelene’s lap, like they’d always done.

“Aon would rather risk the Isles sinking into the sea before he allows anything to happen to you. Enjoy your honeymoon. The evening sky will be the blandest, but safe until you return,” Zelene said.

“Speaking of which.” Akia jumped from her place, and dashed out onto the large veranda attached to her bedroom. Zelene followed, stopping to rest her shoulder on the open door frame.

It was one of those perfect summer evenings, where life seemed more special than it truly was. The wind blew only to carry the fragrant smell of jasmine past secret lovers cuddled in a dark corner. Akia, the demigoddess of the evening sky, would give one last evening show before departing.

Akia stood at the end of the balcony, with her hands lifted to the sky. She twisted her fingers, in a way that made sense to her, and the stars appeared in the darkening heavens. They twinkled, illuminating a path for tired travelers to follow to find the respite they yearned for. Xeles would be hidden from those unable to navigate by other means until Akia returned.

It mattered not to Zelene. She had plans to relax for the entirety of the summer, until Akia returned, when they could resume their frolicing.

A shadow stretched out onto the balcony, blocking the light Zelene had been standing in. She turned to find one of Aon’s guards approaching. He cut an imposing figure with chiseled jawline and large meaty fists.

“The king requests your presence,” he said.

Zelene waited for Akia to step away from her duties, but the soldier stared at her. Zelene hesitated, then pointed to herself.

“Aon wants to see me?” she clarified.

The guard nodded without betraying a hint of emotion. She could just as easily be in trouble and she could be on her way to receive a gift. There was no use in asking the sentry. He wouldn’t tell her. Zelene followed the man, without stopping to retrieve her shoes down the corridors until they reached King Aon’s private chambers.

Regal, with dark wood features, Aon’s receiving room was the antithesis of Akia’s. Stately mahogany bookshelves were built into the walls and filled with every tome imaginable. The floors were free from detritus and had been polished so cleanly, Zelene could make out her reflection.

She entered, making her way to the crowded table of men hovering around the sharp edges of the table. A hush fell over the arguing men, causing all eyes to turn to her. Zelene waited proudly, shoulders back, in the wisp of a dress she’d worn to the wedding. She read the worry, and judgement in their gazes, choosing instead to focus on her uncle.

King Aon’s visage brightened the moment he laid eyes on Zelene. She gave him a deferential nod, curling at the neck and knees to honor him.

“My niece is here. Finally, someone with more than a cupful of good wits and intuition.” Aon pulled her into a hug, then spun her by the shoulders to face the four men seated at the table. Aon’s inner circle faced her, the venerated men who held the safety and security of the territory in their hands.

“Who wants to tell her?” Aon boasted. He raised his hands to the group, waiting for one of the shifting men to speak.

The air thickened. Someone had sucked it all out. The man closest to her, Oriden, Aon’s oldest advisor, leaned back in his chair. His bald head with sprouting patches of white hair, shone under the bright lights, but he moved with a virality of a man half his age.

“It was your idea, your highness. You should be the one to announce your plans.” As a mortal, Oriden had to choose his words carefully.

Aon paced, building excitement. “As you know, I depart this evening to escort Akia on her worldly pursuits.” He waved his hands, flashing the gold fastened around his fingers and wrists. “I’m leaving you in charge of the Xeles Isles.”

Zelene was the only one who gasped. Everyone else had already been briefed on the plan. Aon danced with excitement, while the others shifted in their seats. Was it because they didn’t think she couldn’t do it, or they didn’t want her to. Either way, the king had spoken.

“You do me a great honor, but I can’t accept that responsibility.” It wasn’t that she couldn’t. Zelene had more ability than anyone else to keep the island safe. “Surely there’s someone more qualified.”

Zelene had plans that didn’t include watching everyone like a mother hen. She wanted to bask in the sun and eat as many plump grapes as her stomach could hold. The water called her name, for laps and luxuriating, not patrolling every vessel that reached the shore.

Aon clapped his hands together, a joyful manner that should have scared Zelene.

“There may be others more qualified, but I’m asking you. Besides, you won’t have to work alone.” Aon swept his hand, waving across the table.

Zelene looked at each of the expectant faces, wondering who and what Aon meant. The men huddled around the table, avoiding meeting her eye. Oriden couldn’t secure his way out of a wine cask. At least the others were demigods, but they’d grown old and flaccid from excessive wine consumption.

“You, my dear,” Aon said to Zelene, “Will secure the seas, working in tandem with Etos, who will watch the land.”

It was as if mentioning his name caused his presence, Etos pushed through the king’s door with a royal guard escort. His lip curled the moment he laid eyes on her, but Etos straightened his features as he neared her and Aon.

Etos inclined his head to Aon, patently ignoring Zelene. “Your highness, I can assure you, whatever Zelene has said about me, it’s not entirely the truth.”

Zelene’s ears burned, but she didn’t respond. Better to let Etos dig a hole he couldn’t climb out of.

“What, exactly, do you think I’ve told the king?” Zelene crossed her arms. She had to fight from smirking. Etos reeked of fermented wine. His eyes, glassy and unfocused, thinned.

“I will discuss it with him in a more private juncture.”

“I don’t have a moment for a private discussion. The two of you will work together to ensure the protection of our people. I’m counting on you both.” Aon stepped between Zelene and Etos, oblivious to the heated strain. He’d given his decree. The onus was on them to figure out the particulars, not argue like adolescents.

There were very few people on all of the isles who made Zelene’s skin crawl. Etos was at the top of her list. She hated everything about him. His smug attitude and dark eyes. Even the way he wore his suits displeased her. The cloth was cut entirely too tight and colors too bright for his dour personality. They’d been at each other’s throats, since the day he called her abilities mediocre.

Etos needed a haircut, an attitude adjustment and honestly, a break from the Isles. A bit of worldly perspective would do him some good.

“Uncle Aon, with all due respect, I think Etos would be a fantastic addition to your voyage. I doubt he’s ever left the Isles.” Zelene flipped her hair, wondering how she could get Aon to include her new plan. “He would be an excellent addition to Otis’ security detail.”

Red flashed across Etos’ face. He didn’t bother to hide the indignation Zelene knew burned deep in him. He turned to her, with crossed arms, murmuring something under his breath. Zelene caught the word ‘traitorous’ and she almost cackled. There was nothing, not even the king’s decree, that would make her trust anything he had to say.

Aon rejoined the table of his advisors, then turned, finding Etos and Zelene throwing emotional daggers at one another. “Etos will stay. You will work together. If anything happens in my absence, then you both will have to answer to me.” The king’s voice cut through all the tension they’d been building.

Zelene softened, but she could feel the waves of steely resolve flying off Etos. They only had to keep territory safe. They didn’t have to talk to each other.

“How long will you be gone?” Etos asked.

Aon sneered, giving the only warning they’d likely see. “What difference does it make? You will do as I ask until I release you from duty.”

Zelene hummed what she hoped was a warning for Etos to stay in line. “Yes, King Aon.” She dipped low into a bow. “May your reign be fruitful and long.”

She turned to her arch nemesis, the man she’d be spending time with and said, “Come Etos. Let’s go for a walk.”

He bowed to the king and excused himself. “Lead the way,” Etos said to Zelene, his features long and dark.