Twenty-Six

Montana sat down on Darby’s bed and began the conversation with, “Well, how do you feel about all of this?”

Darby sighed, “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

“I didn’t ask how you were supposed to feel, I want to know what your emotion is,” Montana chuckled, “but I know that they aren’t ‘light’ emotions.”

She gave Montana a small smile before answering, “I love Seth. And like any lover, I want him to win. But the thought of Kellen dead. . .” she trailed off, she knew that Montana already understood.

“Why do you care about him? If he’s dead you can move on with your life,” Montana reasoned, purposely taking the role of Darby’s common sense.

“I love him, I always will. And, I don’t know if I can move on if I know that he’s gone.”

“He’s already gone,” Montana said in a softer tone, “he’s with Scarlet now.”

Fire roared through Darby’s veins as her temper flared, “She will be the one I kill in this war.”

Montana looked surprised, “You’re fighting?”

Darby instantly blushed, “Well, no. But if I was, I’d kill her.”

Montana’s lips flickered upward in a smile, “I see.”

“What about you?” Darby asked, sitting down cross-legged on the ground where originally she stood pacing. 

“Oh, I’m fighting.”

Darby lifted her head in alarm, “Why?!”

“As a light faerie it’ my duty to serve my empire. Especially against the Dark Empire,” Montana explained smoothly.

“But. . .” she couldn’t think of anything to say that could possibly change this loyal faerie’s mind.

“I’ll be fine,” Montana promised.

“Whatever you say,” she responded, knowing full well that Montana wasn’t in the position to promise anything.

It wouldn’t matter if she was the best fighter in the empire. Things are different in battle. Things happen that shouldn’t happen.

Montana changed the subject, “Does Seth inform you of all political affairs of the empire?”

“Maybe not everything, but the major stuff yeah,” Darby replied, twisting her dark hair into a knot at the base of her neck. “Why?”

Montana ignored her question and went on, “Even the plan to kill the Dark King?”

Darby was quieter when she answered, “Yes.” Her eyes faced the floor.

Montana watched her a moment and seemed to be debating with herself before saying, “What did you think of the plan? Personally, I thought it was a little harsh.”

“What?!” Darby exclaimed. If she seemed shocked before it was nothing compared to the fear and disbelief that her features now held.

Montana blinked, not expecting this reaction.

“I don’t know the actual plan. I didn’t think they had an actual plan,” Darby rushed out, her eyes wide, “Seth didn’t tell me that. He just said that he would be the one to do the killing.”

“Oh,” Montana backtracked, “I didn’t mean-”

“You have to tell me what they’re going to do,” Darby shot up and locked Montana in her gaze.

After a moment of thinking she said, “Seth came up with it this morning. He said that Anthony was going to lead an attack on the Dark Kingdom and amidst the chaos Seth was going to sneak into the castle and take Kellen prisoner. He’d then take him to the balcony that overlooked the kingdom and make Kellen beg for his life before shooting him in front of his fey.”

“That doesn’t seem realistic,” Darby murmured, secretly terrified that the dramatic shooting could happen.

“Maybe,” Montana shrugged, “but I wouldn’t underestimate Seth. To you he’s your lover but to us, he’s our determined king, the one who takes care of us. We know a different side of him.”

Darby put her head in hands, “I don’t want either to die.”

“What are you going to do to stop it? If Seth surrenders for you he’ll lose his life, as will us all. At least one death is unavoidable.”

Darby shuddered.

It’s quite possible that I could lose them both.

“Have you prayed to Sorus?” Montana suggested, “Maybe he could help.”

“Not unless he can talk back and give me answers,” Darby said cynically, “it would be pointless to talk to myself.”

Montana gave her a disapproving look, “Your faith in our God is really disappointing.”

Darby shrugged.

“Just go to the Temple of Eclipse. You’ll understand soon enough.”

“I have to actually go there?”

“For what you need that would be best.”

It better be.

Darby took a look around the temple. It was basically empty with only a few faeries milling about or praying. What surprised her was not only the light faeries present, but the dark faeries too. They were readying for a war but they still stayed civil at the holy structure. 

Darby kneeled down, a blush creeping into her cheeks. She felt foolish being here.  Even as a human Darby was never a highly religious person, but it had progressed since she transformed. She had never been to church or prayed in her life, but here she was. 

She still couldn’t find the difference between the faerie God and the numerous Gods of every human religion. 

I should just leave. It’s not right for me to be here.

But as she stood up she paused and bit her lip. Grumbling to herself she sat back down and sat cross-legged.

If I’m going to do this, I’m going to be comfortable.

She closed her eyes and mumbled awkwardly to herself, “God. . . Sorus, umm, sir?”

Instantly her vision blurred and she was alone with a faerie with glistening white wings and patient dark eyes. She vaguely remembered him from her past and after a moment recalled the dream she had before she transformed.

He smiled kindly and saved her from speaking, “Hello, Darby, I’ve been waiting to speak to you for awhile now. Faerie life suits you.”

Her blush deepened, “Thanks, uhh. . .”

“Sorus is fine, child,” he spoke gently, the smile still on his lips.

She nodded, and not knowing how to delicately bring up the subject threw out, “I guess you’re aware of the war situation.”

“I am,” he said calmly, not displaying any immediate concern, sadness, or anger.

“How can you be so calm with your kings trying to kill one another?” She questioned, slightly confused.

“I know the outcomes of every decision they’re thinking about making, and knowing what I do about them both, there’s nothing to worry about.”

That took her off guard, “How do you know that they’ll do that? They could go off in a completely different direction.”

“It’s true that they could, I give you that. But, it’s not probable that they will. When you’re around the kings as much as I am,” he laughed, “you have an inkling in knowing the choice that they will most likely choose.”

“Are you crazy?” Darby stared at him in shock.

There is no way it can end well. No matter what he says, it’s impossible.

“Excuse me?” The God chuckled.

She bit her tongue. She didn’t mean to say it, the words just came out. She was positive that she had angered him and was going to punish her. But to her surprise he laughed and seemed greatly amused.

“I’m sorry,” she rushed out, “I didn’t mean any disrespect, I just don’t understand.”

His grin widened, “You forget that I talk to Kellen, I’m used to frustration.”

“How can you allow them to kill each other?”

“I don’t control what my children do. And I believe we both know that’s not the source of the reason you came to visit.”

She blushed again as she realized he meant her love life. “I’m just confused,” she spoke her words slowly. 

“That’s logical.”

“No matter what happens I’m going to love Kellen, and I can’t bear to see him die. But I love Seth, too. And I’m going to lose one of them. I just wish I could do something to stop it, or end my emotions towards Kellen so I can make it easier on myself and Seth.”

“What would you do if Kellen loved you?” Sorus questioned innocently.

Darby couldn’t find it in herself to respond, only choked out, “I’m a horrible person.”

“You’re in a tough place, but you aren’t a selfish person. You take great consideration when making decisions. At some point, you’re going to have to do what makes you happy.”

“It still doesn’t matter,” she looked away from his powerful eyes, “he can’t change.”

“But you want him too,” he stated in understanding.

She didn’t answer, she didn’t have to, the answer spoke for itself.

“What do I do?” She whispered.

“You know I can’t decide for you, only you can decide for yourself.”

She took a breath, “How do I deal with the death?”

“Whatever feels natural, but don’t allow it to destroy you as well.”

She nodded.

I’m strong enough to move on.

And she let go of all control.

The flat had always had a disconcerting silence about it since Darby had left. Kellen had grown tired of coming home to an empty place but it was his only escape from anything that reminded him of the empire or the war. 

He laid down on the couch and closed his eyes. He was exhausted but felt no desire to sleep. Thankfully, Philip’s entrance gave him something to entertain himself with. 

“Where’ve you been?” He asked, putting a pillow behind his head to prop himself up.

Philip opened a bottle of beer and answered, “At the kingdom, finishing the work you left behind.”

“Sorry, I just needed to get out of there,” he groaned, rubbing his face and finally sitting up.

Philip eyed him from the counter, “War is a lot of work.”

“It’ll be worth it when Seth dies,” Kellen voiced the mantra that kept him sane throughout the day. 

“You do know that Darby will die when Seth dies,” Philip mumbled, taking a deep drink.

“I’ll turn her dark.”

“She’s not strong enough to survive that.”

“I won’t let her die,” Kellen slammed his fist on the coffee table.

Philip didn’t even flinch, “Even if that’s what she wants?”

Kellen tore his eyes away from his and didn’t reply.

Silence filled up the room, paining Kellen all the more.

Philip surveyed him before stating, “Kellen, you’ve changed.”

“I’m the way I was before,” he said gruffly.

“No. There was a time when you would take her and change her no matter what she said.”

Kellen didn’t need Philip to remind him of all the monstrous things he had done before Darby. “Things are different now,” he finally settled on.

“You’re different now. Remember the night at the restaurant with Travis? You walked away from a fight because Darby wanted you to. That’s the first time that has happened.”

“Darby promised me we’d get closer.”

“You haven’t gone to a bar or even slept with anyone since she left.”

Kellen didn’t have a response for that.

“You’re a better person now, at least until you declared war.”

“Are you trying to make me feel like s**t? Because it’s working.”

Philip sat on the chair opposite him, “I’m trying to tell you to choose a side. You can either be what you were and continue on taking no prisoners or you can be what you are now, which is getting dead close to surrendering. You can’t be both, being in between will kill us all.”

“If I surrender, the whole empire will die, and not even being who I am no will I allow my fey to die in a suicide caused by me.”

“Then go back to who you were and win the war.”

Kellen glanced up, “I thought you said you liked who I am now.”

“I do, but then we all will die.”