Chapter 55 | Only You

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Last Chapter of the official story - however there is an epilogue to come which will tie everything up, (and contain hidden clues for 'The Crimson King').

CRIMSON KING IS A CONTINUATION OF THE APK STORYLINE.
Lots of people have been asking me why APK has unanswered questions and this is my answer to that 😂 I had thought I'd made it obvious haha so now I'll just post this everywhere instead.

I cannot tell you guys how much my heart was breaking writing this Chapter knowing this is the end. I will write a longer Authors Note for the Epilogue, so for now, please enjoy the final Chapter of the A Pirate's Kiss Trilogy & thank-you all for your support, right until the end.

Love Always,
Daisy

__________________________


Chapter 55 | Only You

*

There are two things,
I will forever be sure of.
The sun will always
fall for the moon, and
I will always fall for
y o u .

-R.M Brodrick

*





ZALAS


He watched as Circe disappeared so fast out the door, it was as though she had evaporated.

Airocei held Zalas's arm as she left, preventing him from following after her.

"Let her go," his Mother told him quietly, "she has been kept waiting long enough."

Zalas huffed, folding his arms across his chest with a scowl. His opal eyes narrowed as he flicked his head away from his cousin's rapidly disappearing back, to glance at the gaping hole left in the diamond floor of the cell.

"You don't have to tell me," he tsked, "still. What a mess."

Airocei only smiled, a slight curl of her lips that betrayed her amusement and did not say anything more.

Behind them, Unabonan – having entered the cell – crouched at the edge of the hole and placed his hand flat on the floor, his angular brows pulling together as he concentrated.

There was a gentle crackling sound, like thick ice breaking underfoot, and the diamond floor beneath his hands began to creep forward at a speed visible to the naked eye. Fragments of crystal shot forwards, expanded, and collided into each other until the gap was sealed and it was as though it had never existed to begin with.

Unabonan straightened, looking Zalas in the eye.

It is done.

Zalas nodded curtly. "Did you really feel him here?" he asked.

His brother nodded once, his long white hair falling forward over his shoulder. His presence is impossible to mistake for anyone else. He was well hidden though. And he will have been alerted by my contact.

"He thinks he is being pursued?" Zalas asked sharply.

The dragon nodded again. He was not concerned before, as he had not been discovered. But now he thinks guards are coming for him, yes.

Zalas swore. "Can't you tell him to wait for her?"

Unabonan looked off into the distance again, silent for another moment before grimacing and shaking his head.

No. The dragon sounded frustrated. He has blocked me. I would have been able to before, but in this form ...

"Enough," Zalas interrupted, his heart stinging slightly, "I understand." There was no need to for him to finish that sentence. He took a deep breath. "Does he know I am alive?" he asked instead.

I am unsure, Unabonan thought, his thick white tail swishing from side to side agitatedly.

His brother still did not like to talk about Zalas's near brush with death. Although the dragon was not familiar with portraying emotions through human facial expressions – resulting in a rather emotionless façade – Zalas found him as easy to read as ever.

When he had first awoken in his room, it was to see this strangely familiar, yet alien face hovering over his own, and for a brief moment Zalas had thought – stupidly – that he was staring at his own reflection.

It had never occurred to him that he might survive the blow that Zeus dealt to him. When his vision had faded to black, he had believed that was it. That he was gone. And yet here he was.

His fingers had crept down to feel for his wound, only to find a hard, smooth surface in the place of his skin. His eyes had caught a glimpse of red, and he knew without even looking properly, what it was that had been embedded within his flesh.

And then the reflection above him had blinked, the double eyelid folding in and out, the pupils thinning into reptilian slits, and when his brothers voice had entered his mind, then he had known. Then he had known what had been sacrificed in order to keep him alive.

And his devastation had been indescribable. His rage, overflowing. His anguish all-encompassing.

"Why would you do this?" he had roared at Unabonan, "What were you thinking?! Why would you give up so much for me?"

And the dragon had stood there and taken all of his grief, and his anger, and answered with a collection of words that Zalas could not refute, no matter how deeply he despised their truth.

You would have done the same for me.

Even now, Zalas's heart ached when he looked at his brother. It was a dull ache. A throbbing pain that he doubted would ever fade. It wasn't that he wasn't grateful – that wasn't it at all. It was the fact that Zalas knew how much Unabonan had loved being a dragon. His brother had never been shy about stating his preferences. To Unabonan, being a dragon was synonymous with freedom.

To soar through the sky with unparalleled speed, to feel the air currents beneath his massive wingspan, to feel the burn of flames, hot in his throat, to crush the earth beneath his claws, to feel bones splinter and shatter underneath his massive jaws – all of these feelings Zalas had experienced first-hand through his brother's eyes, clinging to the dragon's white scaled back ever since he was first able to walk, and Unabonan first able to fly.

So now, to see his brother's once glorious self, confined to such a small, limiting, humanoid shell ... Zalas could not imagine how suffocating it must feel. And he was the one who had taken that freedom from him. He would have rather stayed dead.

What was worse was that Zalas really could only imagine. Unabonan had shut him out mentally, only linking with him when he needed to speak. Their previously intertwined web of mental contact had been shrunk down to a single thread. That was how Zalas knew it was bad. That his brother was hiding his true feelings from him, unwilling to let him share in his pain. He hated it. He hated it.

And there was no one he could be angry with, except for himself.

Unabonan stepped out of the cell, breaking Zalas from his revere. His brother halted in front of them, his gaze fixed on their Mother. As Zalas watched, the corners of the dragon's eyes softened slightly, and he reached out to take Airocei's hand.

We should return, Unabonan projected quietly, you are still tired.

The dragon's tail had calmed, and now it flicked attentively at the end only, conveying his concern. Zalas had yet to hear him speak with his mouth and although he knew Unabonan was capable of creating sound, Zalas was fine with things the way they were now.

He could never admit it, but if the dragon became vocal, then he may cease to communicate mentally altogether, and the thought made Zalas feel incredible lonely.

He had spent his entire life with his brother's thoughts always present in his mind, either at the forefront, or as white noise in the background. It was hard enough having Unabonan cut off their emotional connection. Zalas did not want to know what it would be like to lose his brothers voice as well.

As though sensing his unrest, the dragon glanced at him, his elegant face smooth and expressionless. And you brother. You need rest also.

"I'm fine," Zalas snapped tersely, banishing his self-deprecating thoughts. What would be would be, there was no point in worrying about it now. But as he thought that a sharp pain shot up his leg from his stump foot, as though forcibly contradicting him. He resisted the urge to growl under his breath.

Airocei sighed at his irritation, before reaching up a hand to cup the side of Unabonan's face. Her thumb gently stroked a line over his scaled cheekbone as the dragon stooped to allow her easier access.

"My beautiful child," she swept her hand back, tucking Unabonan's long white hair behind a pointed ear, "I always knew you would have made a handsome Air Sprite. And now I have been proven correct."

Zalas rolled his eyes, "Mother. Really?"

"What?" Airocei replied defensively.

Zalas threw up his hands in annoyance, "There are a million other things occurring right now and you choose to concern yourself with how handsome your children are?"

Airocei's eyes narrowed. "I believe," she said frostily, "I was only talking about one child."

Unabonan laughed at that, a deep, throaty rumble that created an extreme disparity with his current appearance.

Zalas's eyes narrowed and he pointed a finger at his brother, "Don't encourage her."

There is no need to be sour brother, Unabonan thought, his mental tone smug. The dragon's eyes curved slightly as his lips curled upwards, revealing a pointed incisor. You should be used to it by now, after all, I have always been the handsome one.

Zalas stared at his ridiculous family in outrage and retracted all of the concern he had afforded his brother earlier. Fuck him – this beast was just as arrogant as he had always been.

"Enough," he sniffed, "before I go back, there is one more thing I must attend to while we are down here."

His Mother seemed to sense the direction the conversation was going to take, and her smile faded, her eyes becoming a little vacant.

"I will take my leave then," she said smoothly.

"Do you not want to accompany me?" Zalas asked, his tone a little harsh.

Airocei stiffened. "I have nothing to say to her," she said coldly, "I will not shame myself by gracing her with my presence. And neither should you," she added.

Zalas felt his ears grow numb, his heart heavy with an emotion he did not recognise. It was an uncomfortable feeling. "She is still your daughter-" he began to argue mechanically, but his mother cut him off.

"She is no daughter of mine." The Queen said icily, "Your Uncle has already dealt with her. She will not be forgiven for  her crimes. You would do well to forget her existence – the rest of the world will, soon enough."

Upon uttering that statement, his mother swept from the room without a backwards glance, leaving Zalas to stare blankly in her wake.

Unabonan appeared beside him. You should not have mentioned it around her. I would have taken you later.

Zalas scowled, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "She should see her," he hissed in irritation.

She has already, Unabonan replied harshly. What are you thinking? Of course, she has. Mother spent far too long down there with her, trying to find reasons. But Aranel had absolutely nothing to say.

Opening his eyes, Zalas stared at his brother helplessly. "Nothing?" he whispered.

Unabonan's white eyes were unblinking. Nothing, he repeated softly.

Zalas looked away to the open door. "I don't understand."

His brother was silent for a moment. If you want to, I will accompany you. You should not go alone.

"Mm," Zalas hummed non-committedly, his mind drifting. He had heard briefly from Unabonan, about the fate of his sister upon his awakening. Unabonan informed him that Zephyr had taken it upon himself to deliver Aranel's punishment, after she had been tried and sentenced by the High Court of the Air Kingdom.

Zalas did not know how he felt about that. Part of him was grateful that it was now out of his hands. Part of him – the part he didn't particularly like – thirsted to dole out her punishment with his own hands. She was the reason for all of this. For all of their suffering.

Right from the start, she had played and betrayed, not just him, but their Kingdom, and her family – not even counting the collateral damage she had done. The things she had set in motion. The people she had coerced into betraying their own Kingdoms, in order to work for her.

And the dragons. The dragons could not be forgotten. Nelonimi, and the young dragon whose name had been lost upon his death – that was if he had even been given a name to begin with, Zalas thought bitterly. But no, he had to have done. He refused to believe that Aranel was such a monster. Yet it did not matter either way, because now the dragon child was dead, and out of all of the eggs collected in the Dragon Kingdom, it would take hundreds of years before another would be born into the world.

So Zalas was satisfied when he heard that Aranel had been stripped of her magic and placed within the midnight cells, at the bottom of the Dragon Mountains. Down there, the darkness was so absolute, that any prisoner who attempted to emerge above the surface, would be immediately blinded by the radiant light emitting from the Air Kingdom.

And nothing was more crushing for an Air Sprites soul, than to be trapped under-ground. The prisoners in the Palace cells were lucky. At least they were given a taste of partial light. But then, Zalas was unsure which was more cruel. Light that could be touched, but not lived in, or light that could not be seen at all.

Surfacing from his thoughts, Zalas shook his head. "No. I will speak to my Uncle about it when he returns," he suddenly felt very tired, "I do not have the energy today."

Unabonan halted in front of him, reaching out to place his hand on Zalas's shoulder. Immediately Zalas felt the quiet thrum of energy being transferred. A wise choice, the dragon agreed, let us go then. Your foot must be tiring.

"It's fine," Zalas grumbled, but he did not brush away his brother's hand. "Very well. Let us go."

*


CIRCE

Circe ran through the halls of the Palace with reckless abandon.

Past the long hall with the cells full of hidden eyes, through the door and the wide-eyed guards, up the spiralling staircase with air powering every step she took, so that the stairs dissolved beneath her feet.
Through the glittering diamond halls, uncaring of the astonished gazes that followed her figure as she passed, back past the throne room, down the open balcony with its endless, sprawling views and out onto the open platform where Anthemin still waited, his elegant head untucking from underneath his wing as he sensed her approach.

He knew at a glance, what had happened.

He wasn't there.

She shook her head, grateful that she did not have to convey it with words, because at the moment, she didn't think she could speak.

He escaped?

She swallowed and nodded jerkily, suddenly feeling stifled. The frustration returned. She had been so close to him.

She took a deep breath and managed to get some words out. "Unabonan said that he was still here," she rushed, "but he's going to leave. I have to find him. I can't- I can't wait any longer. But Anthemin-" she choked suddenly, her chest tightening with anxiety, "Anthemin, I don't ... I don't know where to start looking," she said helplessly, "he could be anywhere."

The dragon's pupils contracted. He is still here?

"Still in the Kingdom," she affirmed, "yes. But I don't know for how long."

Do not worry Vanima, the diamond walls blocked me from feeling him before – but if he is out in the open, he should be within range of my communication. The young dragon shifted restlessly on the platform, his long tail swishing from side to side. I will find him. Come, let us fly while we search.

She did not have the breath to argue as she leapt onto Anthemin's back unwaveringly, and the pair dived off from the edge of the platform, Anthemin's wings snapping open to catch them as they fell.

Is that why I couldn't feel you before? She asked, as they circled around the west side of the Palace. The landscape below them opened up, exposing the glittering city far below. High cloud had breezed in since they had last flown over, so parts of the city were now obscured. Every now and then, the clouds would part and the sun would reflect off the buildings below, the constant shimmer in the air reminding Circe of the diamond dust that had fallen down from the ceiling in the prison below the Palace.

Yes, Anthemin replied, I was occupied in the Dragon Kingdom, while the fate of Prince Zalas was being decided. All of the dragons were summoned to gather by the King and lend their power. I apologise, I should have warned you.

It's fine, Circe brushed aside his concern. It doesn't matter now. Have you found him?

The dragon was silent, and she could feel Anthemin's concentration through their link.

I can feel him, but I cannot locate him precisely. He is moving too quickly.

"If he is going to leave, he will be heading for the waterfall," Circe said decisively, but her voice trembled slightly, betraying her true emotions, "let us go there."

Anthemin agreed and changed his course. I have tried to contact him, but he is blocking me. It is possible he thinks that his escape has been discovered and he is being pursued.

Circe let out a cry of strangled laughter, her fingers curling desperately against Anthemin's neck. "Of course, he does," she said wretchedly. Of course. 

The waterfall is just ahead.

It was indeed. Although Circe could not see it through the cloud, she could hear its thundering call. As they flew through the thick white mist, she felt the dampness soak her clothes once more, and she gasped at the sudden sting of cold. The last of the cloud gave way, and the waterfall was exposed to them, magnificent and intimidating. The diamond mountains that lined it on either side, reflected the onslaught of water as it fell, duplicating the tumbling river millions of times over. It was truly a breath-taking sight.

But Circe didn't see any of it. Because the moment they had emerged from the clouds, was the moment she saw an achingly familiar figure, silhouetted against the falls in front of them.

Her heart seized in her chest and her breath caught in her throat. She called to him, but the crashing falls were too loud, and her voice was swallowed up, just as he disappeared under the streaming curtain of water.

Her cry of frustration was equally lost, and her eyes burned hot as she leaned forward low over Anthemin's neck, urging him to fly faster. The waterfall loomed, but Circe barely noticed as it thundered down on top of her and they were plunged into the darkness of the cave on the other side.

She knew that the darkness lasted only a moment, but it was the single, longest moment of her life. They seemed to fly forever through the inky blackness, with no way of knowing which way was up, and which way was down. The split second seemed to drag on for an eternity, and if it weren't for her complete trust of Anthemin, she would have feared they had lost the way out.

The sound of the waterfalls thundered through the empty space around them, magnified tenfold and Circe felt the sound mirrored in the

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net